COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County is bracing for a significant cold snap tonight, with temperatures expected to drop well below freezing.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning, prompting local officials and weather experts to advise residents to take immediate precautions to prevent costly damage to their homes, particularly frozen and burst pipes.
The NWS says that overnight lows could dip well into the single digits, with wind chill values potentially falling as much as 10-degrees below zero. This frigid air mass, coupled with recent snow pack, creates prime conditions for exposed or poorly insulated water lines to freeze.
It’s estimated that 250,000 homes in Michigan alone suffer damage from frozen pipes each winter.
Some tips to protect water lines from freezing include :
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer indoor air to circulate around plumbing located under sinks and near exterior walls. Ensure any harmful cleaners are moved out of reach of children or pets.
- Wrap pipes in unheated areas like attics, crawl spaces, and garages with insulation sleeves or heat tape. These products are available at local building supply stores.
- Use caulk or insulation to seal any cracks or gaps around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes that allow cold air into your home.
- Keep your home’s thermostat set to the same temperature day and night, ideally no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure consistent heat circulation.
- Disconnect and drain all outdoor garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside spigots.
- Run a steady, small trickle of cold water from faucets, especially those on an outside wall or located in unheated areas, can keep water moving and prevent it from freezing. A “pencil-thick” stream is generally sufficient for extreme cold.
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