{"id":20902,"date":"2025-12-17T23:13:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/?post_type=blog&amp;p=20902"},"modified":"2025-12-17T23:13:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:13:17","slug":"prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/blog\/prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Travel Checklist: How Ann Arbor Homeowners Can Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#why-its-critical-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away-in-ann-arbor\">Why It\u2019s Critical to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away in Ann Arbor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#holiday-travel-checklist-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away\">Holiday Travel Checklist to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-set-your-thermostat-correctly-before-leaving\">1. Set Your Thermostat Correctly Before Leaving<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-shut-off-your-main-water-supply\">2. Shut Off Your Main Water Supply<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-insulate-pipes-in-vulnerable-areas\">3. Insulate Pipes in Vulnerable Areas<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-seal-drafts-that-can-freeze-pipes\">4. Seal Drafts That Can Freeze Pipes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-ask-someone-to-check-on-your-home\">5. Ask Someone to Check on Your Home<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#emergency-planning-be-ready-if-prevention-fails\">Emergency Planning: Be Ready If Prevention Fails<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#know-the-warning-signs-of-frozen-pipes\">Know the Warning Signs of Frozen Pipes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#have-a-water-damage-restoration-plan\">Have a Water Damage Restoration Plan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#fa-qs-how-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away\">FAQs: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#final-thoughts-travel-confidently-this-holiday-season\">Final Thoughts: Travel Confidently This Holiday Season<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holiday travel is exciting\u2014but for Ann Arbor homeowners, leaving during winter also raises an important question: <strong>how do you prevent frozen pipes while away?<\/strong> Cold temperatures, unattended plumbing, and older home construction make frozen pipes one of the most common holiday-related emergencies we see at <strong>PuroClean of Ann Arbor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When pipes freeze and burst, water damage can occur long before anyone notices\u2014especially if you\u2019re out of town. That\u2019s why having a clear, proactive plan to <strong>prevent frozen pipes while away during the holidays<\/strong> is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide walks you through a proven <strong>holiday travel checklist<\/strong> designed specifically for Ann Arbor winters, helping you protect your pipes, avoid water damage, and travel with peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-its-critical-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away-in-ann-arbor\">Why It\u2019s Critical to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away in Ann Arbor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ann Arbor winters regularly bring extended periods of freezing temperatures. Homes with basements, crawl spaces, exterior plumbing walls, or older insulation are particularly vulnerable. If your heat fluctuates or water sits stagnant in pipes, freezing can happen fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a deeper look at the local risks, read our related article: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/blog\/why-ann-arbor-homes-are-especially-vulnerable-to-frozen-pipes\/\">Why Ann Arbor Homes Are Especially Vulnerable to Frozen Pipes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When homeowners don\u2019t take steps to prevent frozen pipes while away, a single burst pipe can result in extensive flooding, structural damage, and mold growth\u2014often requiring professional water damage restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"holiday-travel-checklist-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away\">Holiday Travel Checklist to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-set-your-thermostat-correctly-before-leaving\">1. Set Your Thermostat Correctly Before Leaving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes while away is maintaining consistent indoor heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Best thermostat practices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set your thermostat to no lower than 55\u00b0F<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid shutting off heat completely\u2014even for short trips<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep basement and plumbing-adjacent areas warm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a smart thermostat to monitor temperatures remotely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining steady heat helps ensure pipes stay above freezing, even during overnight temperature drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-shut-off-your-main-water-supply\">2. Shut Off Your Main Water Supply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ll be gone for several days, turning off your water supply is one of the strongest ways to prevent frozen pipes while away from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Steps to follow:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Locate your main water shut-off valve<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn it fully off before leaving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open faucets to drain remaining water from pipes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if a pipe freezes and bursts, shutting off the water dramatically limits the potential damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-insulate-pipes-in-vulnerable-areas\">3. Insulate Pipes in Vulnerable Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper insulation is essential to prevent frozen pipes while away, especially in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Basements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crawl spaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Garages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exterior-facing walls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under sinks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use foam pipe insulation or heat tape on exposed plumbing. This small investment can prevent major holiday water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Department of Energy<\/a>, insulating pipes also improves energy efficiency and reduces heat loss in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-seal-drafts-that-can-freeze-pipes\">4. Seal Drafts That Can Freeze Pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cold drafts significantly increase the risk of frozen pipes. Before traveling, inspect and seal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gaps around windows and doors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crawl space vents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Areas where pipes enter exterior walls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blocking cold air intrusion helps stabilize indoor temperatures and further helps prevent frozen pipes while away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-ask-someone-to-check-on-your-home\">5. Ask Someone to Check on Your Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a trusted neighbor or friend check in can make all the difference if something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ask them to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirm the heat is on<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for signs of leaks or ice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run water briefly at sinks if possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This added layer of protection strengthens your plan to prevent frozen pipes while away during holiday travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"emergency-planning-be-ready-if-prevention-fails\">Emergency Planning: Be Ready If Prevention Fails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when you take every precaution to prevent frozen pipes while away, emergencies can still happen. Being prepared ensures faster response and less damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"know-the-warning-signs-of-frozen-pipes\">Know the Warning Signs of Frozen Pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No water or reduced flow from faucets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frost buildup on visible pipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strange odors from drains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you return home to water damage, immediate action is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"have-a-water-damage-restoration-plan\">Have a Water Damage Restoration Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burst pipes often require professional cleanup to prevent mold and structural damage. PuroClean of Ann Arbor specializes in fast, reliable water damage restoration services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more here: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/blog\/flood-damage-restoration-near-me-ann-arbor\/\">Flood Damage Restoration Near Me \u2013 Ann Arbor<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a restoration provider identified before you travel is an important part of planning to <strong>prevent <\/strong>frozen pipe disasters from becoming long-term problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fa-qs-how-to-prevent-frozen-pipes-while-away\">FAQs: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes While Away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How do I prevent frozen pipes while away for the holidays?<\/strong><br>Set your thermostat above 55\u00b0F, shut off your water if possible, insulate exposed pipes, seal drafts, and have someone check your home periodically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is turning off the water necessary to prevent frozen pipes while away?<\/strong><br>It\u2019s not required for short trips, but it\u2019s highly recommended for extended travel, especially during severe cold spells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can pipes freeze even if the heat is on?<\/strong><br>Yes. Poor insulation, drafts, and extreme cold can still cause freezing, which is why layered prevention is best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What temperature prevents frozen pipes while away?<\/strong><br>Maintaining indoor temperatures at or above 55\u00b0F helps prevent frozen pipes in most homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does insurance cover damage if I didn\u2019t prevent frozen pipes while away?<\/strong><br>Coverage often depends on whether reasonable preventive steps were taken. Always check your policy details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts-travel-confidently-this-holiday-season\">Final Thoughts: Travel Confidently This Holiday Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holiday travel should be stress-free\u2014not overshadowed by fears of frozen pipes and water damage. Taking the right steps to prevent frozen pipes while away can save you from costly repairs and emergency restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By following this Ann Arbor\u2013specific holiday checklist, you\u2019re protecting your home, your investment, and your peace of mind. And if frozen pipes do lead to damage, PuroClean of Ann Arbor is available 24\/7 to help you recover quickly and safely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Holiday travel is exciting\u2014but for Ann Arbor homeowners, leaving during winter also raises an important question: how do you prevent frozen pipes while away? Cold temperatures, unattended plumbing, and older<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":869,"featured_media":20903,"template":"","blog-category":[12],"class_list":["post-20902","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-water-restoration"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/20902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/20902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/ann-arbor-mi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=20902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}