3 Plumbing Tips for Kalamazoo Winters

If you live in or around Kalamazoo, you know that winter here brings cold temperatures that can pose a significant risk to your plumbing. Here at Magnuson Handyman Services, plumbing is one of our proud services we offer for our clients while always delivering reliable, high-quality plumbing to any household.

In this month’s blog, we’re discussing three expert handyman tips for your plumbing during a Kalamazoo winter.

Insulate Any Exposed Pipes

One of the most effective ways to protect your plumbing is to insulate exposed pipes, especially those in basements, crawl spaces, garages, or attics. These vulnerable areas are most susceptible to freezing and bursting when temperatures drop.

Wrapping pipes with foam pipe sleeves or similar insulation can help trap warmth and prevent costly damage. We recommend applying heat tape or heat cables for pipes in particularly cold or unheated spaces, because those add another layer of protection to those pipes.

Disconnect or Drain Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing deserves just as much attention. Before the first freeze hits, disconnect all garden hoses and store them indoors to prevent trapped water from freezing and causing cracks.

If your outdoor spigots have interior shut off valves, turn them off and drain any remaining water by opening the faucet until it turns dry. To add extra protection, cover up your outdoor spigots with insulated covers or foam faucet protectors. These small additions go a long way in helping prevent freezing in your pipes.

Keep Indoor Temperatures Consistent

Keeping your indoor temperature consistent, as well as promoting air circulation, is key for avoiding your pipes freezing. Even when you’re away or sleeping, keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or more, especially if you have plumbing near exterior walls.

On colder nights, open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. And in extreme cold, allowing your sink faucet to drip slowly can keep water moving and reduce the risk of the pipe from freezing.

Let Your Kalamazoo Handyman Fix Any Plumbing Issues

As us Michiganders know, no matter how much prep you do there’s always a chance that the weather can be more harmful than we thought.

If you’re pipes do freeze, burst, or need replacement this winter, contact us here at Magnuson Handyman Services for strong and experienced plumbing.