01/21/2026
We have several more days of very cold weather in the forecast. Be sure you are taking steps to ensure that your pipes don't freeze. A small 1/8-inch crack can leak 3,800 gallons of water per day, resulting in significant damage. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes may burst.
Please take extra precautions during extreme temperatures:
• Pipes located next to an outside wall are most susceptible to freezing temperatures. The same is true for pipes located in a garage or another unheated building. Exposed pipes in these areas should be wrapped or insulated, or alternatively shut off and drained prior to winter.
• Open cupboard doors under sinks and open pipe chases where possible, especially where plumbing is in an exterior wall, to let interior heat warm the pipes.
• Temporarily keep a steady, but slow, drip of cold water at an inside faucet, farthest from the meter to keep water moving and less likely to freeze.
• Plan ahead if you will be away from home for an extended time. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing.
• Take the time to know where the master shutoff valve for your home's water is before an emergency occurs. This is generally at or near the water meter. Label it, and make sure everyone in the home, or those watching your home, know its location and how to turn it off. If you’re unsure of its location then consult your plumber.
If your water pipes do freeze:
• If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hairdryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• Opening a furnace vent or an inside basement door may also assist in thawing a frozen pipe and getting heat into the basement.
• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted. It may be best to contact a licensed plumber to avoid damage when pipes thaw.
• If the lines are frozen, assume they may be broken or split. Purchase repair clamps at a hardware store or contact a plumber.
City Residents: contact the Grant Department of Public Works, 231-834-7462 if you are not able to shut off the water at the main valve. If it is after-hours, contact Newaygo County Central Dispatch at 231-689-5288.