Frozen and Burst Pipes Archives | Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During Michigan Winters

Posted on January 20, 2026February 3, 2026 by Boelcke Heating & AC

Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter plumbing problems Michigan homeowners face. When water freezes, it expands, putting pressure on pipes and increasing the risk of bursts and water damage. Fortunately, a few preventive steps can greatly reduce the risk.

Keep Vulnerable Pipes Warm

Pipes in basements, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls are especially vulnerable. Insulating exposed pipes and sealing drafts can help protect them from freezing temperatures.

Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold

Allowing a small trickle of water to flow through faucets connected to vulnerable pipes can relieve pressure and reduce the chance of freezing during severe cold snaps.

Open Cabinet Doors

On especially cold days, opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warm air to circulate around pipes, an easy but effective preventative measure.

Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Outdoor hoses left connected can trap water and lead to frozen pipes inside the home. Disconnect hoses and shut off exterior water supplies before temperatures drop.

Know the Warning Signs

Reduced water flow or unusual sounds when turning on faucets may indicate a frozen pipe. Acting quickly can prevent a burst and minimize damage.

If a pipe does freeze: Shut off the water supply and call a professional right away. Never use open flames to thaw pipes.

Need help with your plumbing? Trust Boelcke.

Preventing frozen pipes is far easier (and less stressful) than dealing with water damage. A few proactive steps can protect your home all winter long. But, if you do find yourself in a plumbing emergency, Boelcke can help.

Our experienced team is ready to answer your questions, address concerns, and keep your plumbing running smoothly year-round. Just give us a call and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you.

My Pipes are Frozen! What Should I Do?

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Boelcke Heating & AC

It’s that time of year again when the chill of winter has returned and the temperatures can dip down quickly. When the freezing cold temperatures hit, an unfortunate side effect can be frozen pipes. During extreme cold, water supply pipes are often subject to both freezing and bursting, and that can wreak havoc with your home.

As a plumbing company, Boelcke likes to help people prevent frozen pipes as much as possible. That’s why we’re always happy to share advice, like these tips on how you can keep your pipes from freezing offered by The American Red Cross. But, what if your pipes are already frozen? In this article, we’ll offer some steps you can take to help thaw your pipes safely, and hopefully, avoid or minimize damage. Keep reading to learn more!

4 Steps You Can Take if You Have Frozen Pipes

If the temperatures are below freezing, and you turn on a faucet and only a trickle of water comes out, it’s likely a frozen pipe. Frozen pipes are most common against exterior walls of your home, or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

First things first. Shut off the water main and open any faucets that are connected to the pipe. This step is crucial because it reduces pressure on the pipes, and can help minimize any flooding if the pipes burst.
Next, thaw the pipe if you can. Use a hair dryer or space heater to thaw the ice blockage. Do not leave it unattended, and make sure any flammable materials have been removed from the area where you will be heating the pipe. Also, never use an open flame.
Then, check the pipes for any leaks. Even with the water shut off, there should be enough pressure in the pipes to reveal any leaks once the ice blockage has thawed.
Finally, call Boelcke to help. We can check out your pipes for any additional ice blockages, and we have the proper equipment to thaw your pipes, get them working again, and make any needed repairs. It’s especially important to give us a call if you’ve had severely frozen pipes, as this can weaken piping material and cause leaks or fractures down the road.

Keep in mind, frozen pipes need to be taken care of properly in order to prevent a disaster. That means, as soon as you discover your pipes are frozen, you need to take the above measures and give Boelcke a call as soon as possible. Our skilled master plumbers can help you get your frozen pipes thawed, and in the unfortunate event of a burst pipe, we can make the repairs needed to your plumbing.

Trust Boelcke for the emergency plumbing services you need.

Frozen or burst pipes mean you need help right away. At Boelcke, we proudly provide our customers with 24-hour emergency plumbing service. If you live in Stevensville, Coloma, St. Joseph,or the surrounding areas and need plumbing products and services for your home, give Boelcke a call at (269) 429-9261. We’ll help you get the plumbing services you need quickly and professionally.

Frozen and Burst Pipe Repair Near Stevensville, MI

Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning can repair frozen or burst pipes in Stevensville and the surrounding Southwest Michigan area.

When the winter months arrive in Southwest Michigan, they bring with them snow, ice and cold temperatures. Unfortunately, that also means they can bring frozen pipes – or worse, burst pipes. Frozen pipes need to be taken care of properly in order to prevent a disaster. That means, as soon as you discover your pipes are frozen, you need to call in an expert right away. Fortunately, Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning can help in Stevensville or the surrounding areas in Southwest Michigan. We’ll take care of your frozen pipes before they burst – or after.

GET AN ESTIMATE

Hopefully, you discover frozen pipes before they burst. If you do, turn off your main water valve right away, and open a faucet so water that melts can easily flow out. Thaw out pipes as best as you can by wrapping them in warm towels and using a blow dryer to keep hot air circulating around the pipes. Then call the experts at Boelcke. Our skilled master plumbers can help you get your frozen pipes thawed, and in the unfortunate event of a burst pipe, we can make the repairs needed to your plumbing.

Frozen or Burst Pipe Emergency? Call Us 24/7!

When winter leaves your pipes frozen, cracked, or completely burst, our emergency plumbers are ready 24/7 to thaw, repair, and get your water flowing safely again. Call us now at (269) 429-9261.

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"I have had our heating and air conditioning service done by the Boelcke team for many years. I have never been disappointed. I have also had my furnace replaced and a new air conditioner installed. We have been very satisfied. However, it is the relationship that we continue to enjoy with the whole Boelcke team that we appreciate the most. Yesterday it was Ben who visited us. Send him back any time. He, like the others, fit right in. Thank you."

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We’ll expertly fix your frozen and burst pipes in Stevensville & Southwest Michigan.

When you call in Boelcke Heating and Air Conditioning to help you with your frozen or burst pipe concerns, you’ll be assisted by true professionals. That’s because we’re a full-service plumbing contractor offering a complete variety of plumbing services and products for your home. In addition to frozen and burst pipe repair, we offer the following in Stevensville and Southwest Michigan:

If you live in Stevensville, Niles, St. Joseph or the surrounding areas and need help fixing frozen or burst pipes in your home, give Boelcke a call at (269) 429-9261. We’ll tell you about the different plumbing services and products we offer, and help you find the solution that best suits your needs.

Category: Frozen and Burst Pipes