Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing
As we face extreme low temperatures again this winter, pipes and water meters can freeze as temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods of time.
The City is responsible for water service from the curb stop in the right-of-way to the water main in the street. Property owners are responsible for their water service from the curb stop to and throughout their property.
The City offers the following tips to help protect water service pipes:
• Wrap and insulate all water pipes in unheated areas of your home, paying particular attention to pipes near exterior walls of your home
• Keep the location of your water meter above 40 degrees Fahrenheit
• Make sure that any garden hoses on the exterior of your home are disconnected and the outdoor faucet is winterized
• Know the location of your water shutoff valve in the event that a water leak occurs in your interior plumbing
What to do if your pipes freeze:
• If your pipes freeze and you have water running in your home, turn off the water at your water shutoff and contact a licensed plumber.
• If you have interior pipes freeze, do not apply any direct heat to your pipes and instead use a space heater or a blow dryer to heat the area around the piping.
• If your water service stops and all of your interior plumbing and water meter are insulated or located in an area heated above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, please contact the City's Public Works Department at 616-940-4870. Public Works staff will assist in assessing the situation further, and if the water service is frozen from the curb stop to the main, the staff will work diligently to steam the service line and restore water service.