Michigan winters can bring extreme weather, and heavy snowstorms can take a serious toll on your home. Below are some of our best tips for preparing your essential systems to handle harsh, cold conditions.
Wintertime HVAC Prep
Your HVAC system plays a vital role in keeping your home safe during freezing temperatures. Professional fall maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prepare your heater for winter weather. If you missed it before the snow arrived, scheduling it now is still beneficial. A tune-up will uncover potential issues so repairs can be made before a breakdown occurs.
Maintenance helps ensure safe and efficient operation, which is especially important when cold, stormy conditions put added stress on your system. Regular professional service is also required to keep most manufacturer warranties active. This can help protect you from paying out of pocket if your system fails later on.
Along with professional service, homeowners should also stay on top of routine care. Check your HVAC air filter monthly and replace it when needed. Keeping a spare on hand makes this easier. If you have a heat pump, remove snow, leaves, or other debris from around the outdoor unit. Anything within 2 feet of the system can restrict airflow and lower performance.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are key safety tools that alert you to dangerous conditions. Replace all detector batteries with fresh ones and test each device to confirm proper operation.
It is also wise to keep a fire extinguisher near your heating system. Be sure the extinguisher is rated ABC or Type C so it can handle electrical fires. Verify that the expiration date is valid for safe use.
Plumbing Preparation
Your plumbing system is highly vulnerable to cold weather, especially during freezing temperatures. Insulate all exposed pipes using heat tape, sleeves, or heating cables to keep water lines above freezing. Focus on pipes in the basement, garage, attic, or exterior walls where temperatures drop the most.
Disconnect outdoor hoses and store them for winter. All exterior water lines should be drained to prevent freezing. Inspect areas where outdoor plumbing lines pass through floor joists and seal gaps with spray foam or other insulation to block cold air that can freeze water lines.
When temperatures fall into the teens or single digits, additional precautions are helpful. Leave the doors under sinks and vanities open so warm air can circulate around those pipes. This is especially important during extended cold snaps.
You can also let faucets in colder parts of your home drip slightly. A small flow keeps water moving, which makes it less likely to freeze. As another precaution, make sure your main water shut-off valve is easy to access so you can quickly turn off the water in a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe.
Smart leak detection systems are becoming a popular option for homeowners. These systems include sensors placed near plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances. If water is detected, the sensor sends an alert to your phone. Some systems can pair with smart valves that automatically shut off the water in areas where a leak is found.
If your home is in an area prone to flooding, a sump pump is essential. It removes excess water and protects your foundation and belongings from mold growth and structural damage. Test your sump pump monthly to ensure it works correctly.
To test it, add water to the sump pit. Once the water reaches the activation level, the pump should turn on and remove the water. After the level drops, the pump should turn off. Having one of our plumbers inspect the sump pump yearly is a good addition to your regular plumbing inspection.
Electrical System Prep
Your electrical system powers your HVAC equipment and much of your home. A professional electrical inspection is a smart way to make sure everything is ready for Michigan’s winter. One of our licensed electricians will evaluate the main components of your electrical system during the visit.
We can identify issues such as electrical arcing at outlets and address them before they worsen. Fixing these problems reduces the risk of electrical failures during the cold season. We can also let you know when older equipment may need an upgrade. For example, if your electrical panel shows signs of corrosion, we will recommend updating it for safety.
A whole-home surge protector is another upgrade worth considering. This device directs excess voltage safely to your grounding system. Without one, sudden surges can move through your electrical circuits and damage wiring and connected appliances.
Excess voltage can permanently harm electrical components and household electronics. A whole-home surge protector helps protect major appliances, including your HVAC system and water heater. This can prevent premature failure and avoid unexpected replacement costs.
You may also want to consider a backup or standby generator. This permanent outdoor generator uses fuel to power your home during an outage. Modern generators monitor incoming electricity and turn on automatically when they detect a drop in power.
This provides a steady supply of electricity to your home’s essential systems, such as your HVAC and water heater, until normal utility power returns.
Reliable Home Maintenance Service
AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical offers dependable HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services for the Farmington Hills, MI area. Call our office today to schedule your next service appointment.
