As the cold winds start to whip fiercely and the temperatures become bitterly frigid, we know winter is coming and will be upon us in the very near future. Frozen pipes in Michigan are a common occurrence, especially in commercial buildings with tall, open ceilings that are difficult to heat or when the heat goes out due to a winter storm.
Winter storms can cause havoc and create chaos on the roads as well as for businesses. My ex-husband works in commercial snow removal, and although he would like to attend to residential accounts sooner, if it is during the workweek, his contracts stipulate that he must clear the commercial parking lots and sidewalks as soon as an inch of snow falls. Furthermore, those accounts must also be salted immediately.
In Michigan, we have numerous businesses that revolve around the auto industry, occupying a multitude of large industrial buildings and employing many people. Not only must they ensure their roads are cleared of snow and ice, but they must also take special caution to prevent frozen pipes that could cause a whole different slew of problems during a winter storm.
According to the American Red Cross, common causes of frozen pipes and why pipe freezing is a problem are because, “Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are:
- Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
- Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
- Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation,”.
How many types of winter storms in Michigan
Businesses face significant liability issues if an employee or client slips and falls on their property. They could potentially lose their business over a natural disaster such as a winter storm. Hence why my ex-husband’s contracts specifically outline the urgency of getting to those properties first and foremost.
Here are some of the winter storms that occur in my home state of Michigan:
- Blizzard
- Snowstorm
- Ice storm
- Hailstorm
- Wind chills that create dangerously low temperatures
- Sleet
- Lake effect snow
- Snow squalls
The State of Michigan’s official government website defines the following winter weather occurrences as, “A major winter storm can last for several days, with high winds, freezing rain, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures. Extreme cold can bring on health emergencies for people who live in poorly insulated homes and those who are stranded and attempt to walk for help.
Each year, dozens of Americans die from exposure to cold and fires due to dangerous use of heaters. Space heaters and fireplaces increase the risk of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Know the terms
- Wind Chill – A dangerous part of cold weather is the wind chill. The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body faster and that makes body temperatures goes down. Animals are also affected by wind chill.
- Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather advisories are sent when snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle or sleet is possible. These kinds of winter weather conditions can lead to difficult travel, power outages, and become dangerous to your health if you are not careful and prepared.
- Winter Storm Watch – A winter storm watch alerts the public that there is a chance for a blizzard, heavy snow or heavy sleet. Winter storm watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a winter storm.
- Winter Storm Warning – A winter storm warning is issued when dangerous winter weather including heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is happening or very likely about to happen. Winter Storm warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
- Blizzard Warning – Blizzard warning are sent when there are high amounts of snow and wind (35 miles per hour or more) that limits how far you can see for at least 3 hours,”.
How to prevent frozen pipes in winter
Growing up in a townhouse cooperative with thirty-four buildings, each with eight units, we were fortunate to live in the second unit from the end of our building. However, that also made us vulnerable to harsh winter winds with no buildings to block the whipping, cold, freezing air.
As a result, unfortunately, it took more heat to keep our townhome warm, and it also put us at a higher risk of frozen pipes during Michigan’s cold winter months.
There were a few things that we could do to hopefully prevent frozen pipes. Below are some of the things our maintenance teams suggested as preventative measures:
- Turn the faucets on a slow trickle
- Turn the heat up
- Open the cabinet doors that house the piping
- Seal cracks and drafts
- Put plastic on the windows
- Insulate any exposed pipes
The U.S. Department of Energy shares that, “Saving energy is good. But please, please think of your pipes before you go too crazy with the idea.
Frozen pipes are a big deal. If the water in your pipes starts freezing, you run the risk of that pipe exploding, and that’s definitely not what you want to happen in the dead of winter.
What you’ll need to do is based on the region you live in, so you may want to look up your state or city’s Web site and see if they have recommendations on how to prepare your house for the winter. There are relatively few places in the United States where you’d never have to worry about frozen pipes.
According to Weather.com, southern states generally start having issues with frozen pipes when the temperature reaches about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (the distinction is made because houses in the south are less likely to build homes with pipes located inside or in the warm areas of your home.) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program has a file that shows the probability of frozen pipes in your region (PDF 115 KB),”.
What are common causes of frozen pipes?
In conclusion, frozen pipes are a serious winter hazard, especially in Michigan’s industrial and residential buildings. With proactive steps and awareness of storm risks, you can protect your property and avoid costly, disruptive damage throughout the entire season.
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