In most Southeast Michigan homes, pipes can start freezing within 6 to 8 hours when outdoor temperatures drop to 20°F or below and your furnace stops working. In Oakland County, where winter temps regularly hit the mid-teens, you could have even less time. In the worst conditions—like a cold snap with high winds—freezing can start in as little as 2 to 3 hours.
The timeline depends on how well your home is insulated, where your pipes are located, and how cold it gets outside. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls freeze first. Copper pipes freeze faster than PEX.
If your furnace goes out, don’t wait to see if the problem fixes itself. Call a professional HVAC technician immediately. Oakland Heating & Cooling provides same-day furnace repair service throughout Oakland County—often restoring heat the same day you call. While you wait for a technician, take these steps to protect your pipes and prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
Why Do Pipes Freeze When Your Furnace Stops Working in Michigan?
Answer: When your furnace fails, your home loses heat rapidly, and water inside your pipes drops below 32°F, causing it to freeze and expand with enough force to crack or burst the pipe.
Why it happens: Water is unusual—when it freezes, it expands by about 9%. That expansion creates pressure up to 3,000 PSI inside your pipes, which is enough to split copper, PVC, or even steel. The danger isn’t just the ice itself. As water freezes, it pushes unfrozen water toward closed valves and faucets, creating a pressure buildup that eventually causes the pipe to fail.
Here in Michigan, we rely on our furnaces to maintain a steady temperature inside our homes. When that heat source disappears—whether from a furnace breakdown, a tripped breaker, or a fuel supply issue—your home’s ambient temperature starts dropping fast. Most Southeast Michigan homes lose about 1-2 degrees per hour when the furnace is off. In poorly insulated homes, that rate can be even faster.
Key factors in Michigan winters:
- Outdoor temps regularly drop below 20°F from December through February
- Wind chill accelerates heat loss through walls and around windows
- Older homes in Oakland County often have exposed pipes in unheated basements or crawl spaces
- Homes built before 1980 typically have less insulation than modern building codes require
This is why regular furnace maintenance matters so much in Michigan. A furnace that fails in July is an inconvenience. A furnace that fails in January can cause catastrophic damage to your home.
What Makes Pipes Freeze Faster or Slower in Your Home?
Answer: The speed at which your pipes freeze depends on four main factors: outdoor temperature and wind chill, your home’s insulation quality, where pipes are located (attics and exterior walls freeze first), and what your pipes are made of (copper freezes faster than PEX).
Outdoor Temperature and Wind Chill
The colder it gets outside, the faster your home loses heat. At 20°F with no wind, a well-insulated Oakland County home might keep pipes safe for 10-12 hours after the furnace goes out. But when temps drop to 5°F with 20 mph winds, that window shrinks to 4-6 hours.
Michigan winter temperature ranges:
| Month | Average Low | Typical Cold Snaps |
|---|---|---|
| December | 22°F | 10-15°F |
| January | 18°F | 5-10°F |
| February | 20°F | 8-12°F |
Wind chill matters because it accelerates heat loss through your home’s exterior walls. On a calm winter night, your walls might cool gradually. But when wind hits the side of your house at 15-25 mph (common during Michigan winter storms), heat escapes much faster.
Your Home’s Insulation Quality
Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, slowing heat loss when your furnace stops. Homes built after 2000 typically have R-30 to R-49 attic insulation and R-13 to R-21 wall insulation. Older homes often have half that, or less.
Insulation timeline comparison:
- Well-insulated home (post-2000): 12-16 hours before pipe freezing at 20°F
- Average insulation (1980s-1990s): 8-12 hours before pipe freezing at 20°F
- Poor insulation (pre-1980): 4-8 hours before pipe freezing at 20°F
- No insulation (old farmhouses): 2-4 hours before pipe freezing at 20°F
Oakland Heating & Cooling’s annual furnace tune-ups include checking for insulation gaps and cold spots around your HVAC system that could put pipes at risk during a furnace failure.
Pipe Location in Your Home
Pipes freeze in this order:
- Attic pipes (first to freeze—often in 2-3 hours)
- Exterior wall pipes (freeze in 4-6 hours)
- Unheated basement pipes (freeze in 6-10 hours)
- Interior pipes near exterior walls (freeze in 8-12 hours)
- Central interior pipes (last to freeze—12+ hours)
Upper bathroom pipes are especially vulnerable because heat rises, so attics stay warmer than basements when the furnace is running. When the furnace stops, attics cool rapidly. Pipes running through exterior walls on the north side of your home freeze faster because they get less sunlight.
Garage pipes and crawl-space pipes can freeze faster than attic pipes because these areas aren’t climate-controlled.
Pipe Material Matters
Different pipe materials have different thermal properties:
Copper pipes (common in homes built before 2000):
- Freeze in 6-8 hours at 20°F
- Good heat conductor, so they lose warmth quickly
- More prone to bursting because copper is rigid
PEX pipes (common in newer homes):
- Freeze in 8-10 hours at 20°F
- Better insulation properties than copper
- More flexible, so they can expand slightly without bursting (but still at risk)
PVC pipes (mainly for drains):
- Freeze in 7-9 hours at 20°F
- Brittle when cold
- Often located in unheated spaces
Understanding these timelines helps you know how quickly you need to act when your furnace stops working. In most Oakland County homes with average insulation and copper pipes, you have about 6-8 hours to get heat restored before damage begins.
What Should You Do the Moment Your Furnace Goes Out?
Answer: The moment you discover your furnace isn’t working, call a licensed HVAC technician immediately, then take protective steps: let all faucets drip, open cabinet doors under sinks, and close off unused rooms to concentrate heat.
Step 1: Call for Professional Furnace Repair FIRST
Don’t wait to see if the problem fixes itself. The average Michigan homeowner has about 6-8 hours before pipes begin to freeze when temperatures are in the teens. By the time you notice your house feels cold, you may have already lost 2-3 hours.
Call Oakland Heating & Cooling for same-day service: 248-953-1385. Our technicians carry common replacement parts on their trucks, so we can often diagnose and fix your furnace in a single visit.
Step 2: While You Wait, Protect Your Pipes
Let all faucets drip:
- Turn on every faucet in your home to a slow, steady drip (about the thickness of a pencil lead)
- Include both hot and cold water lines
- Moving water is harder to freeze than still water
- This also relieves pressure in the pipes if ice does start forming
Open cabinet doors:
- Open all cabinet doors under sinks (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room)
- This lets warm air from your home’s thermal mass circulate around pipes
- Especially important for sinks on exterior walls
Close off unused rooms:
- Shut doors to spare bedrooms, offices, and guest rooms
- Concentrate your home’s remaining heat in the areas with the most vulnerable pipes (kitchens and bathrooms)
- Stuff towels under doors to prevent heat from escaping
Keep interior doors open:
- Open doors between heated rooms to allow air circulation
- This helps distribute any remaining warmth throughout your home
Step 3: What NOT to Do (Critical Safety Warning)
Never use these methods to heat your home or pipes:
Gas ovens or stoves – Creates deadly carbon monoxide risk. Gas appliances are designed to heat food, not homes. Running a gas oven with the door open can produce carbon monoxide levels that cause unconsciousness in under an hour.
Outdoor grills or camping stoves indoors – Also produces carbon monoxide. Never use any outdoor cooking equipment inside your home.
Open flames (candles, propane heaters) – Fire hazard. An unattended candle or heater can ignite nearby curtains, furniture, or clothing.
Space heaters near flammable materials – Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture, bedding, and paper. Never leave them unattended.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible. By the time you realize you’ve been exposed, you may already be experiencing symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or headache. In winter, when windows are closed, CO can build up quickly.
If you’re using any temporary heating source while waiting for furnace repair, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home.
How Can I Tell If My Pipes Are Already Frozen?
Answer: Signs that your pipes may already be frozen include reduced or no water pressure from faucets, strange gurgling or banging sounds when you turn on water, visible frost on exposed pipes, bulging or cracked pipes, and odd smells from drains.
Check these warning signs immediately:
Reduced or No Water Pressure
Turn on all faucets in your home. If one or more faucets produce only a trickle of water (or no water at all), you likely have a frozen section of pipe between your water main and that fixture.
Pay special attention to:
- Upper floor bathrooms (pipes often run through exterior walls)
- Kitchen sinks on outside walls
- Washing machine hookups in unheated areas
- Outdoor hose bibs (should be drained in winter, but often aren’t)
Strange Sounds When Using Water
Listen for:
- Gurgling noises when you turn on faucets
- Banging or clanking inside walls
- Whistling or squealing from pipes
These sounds indicate ice blockage that’s forcing water to detour through smaller openings or air gaps. The gurgling happens when water tries to flow past an ice plug, creating air pockets that bubble and pop.
Visible Frost or Ice on Exposed Pipes
Check your basement, crawl space, attic, and garage for visible pipes. If you notice:
- White frost coating the outside of pipes
- Ice crystals are visible on pipe joints
- Condensation that’s frozen into ice droplets
This means the pipe surface temperature has dropped below 32°F. If you can see frost on the outside, there’s almost certainly ice forming inside.
Bulging, Cracking, or Splitting
Inspect pipes visually for:
- Visible bulges or swelling (looks like the pipe is pregnant)
- Small cracks running lengthwise along the pipe
- Splits in joints or connection points
- Moisture or water stains on walls or ceilings
Ice expansion can cause pipes to deform before they burst completely. If you see any bulging, you need a professional plumber immediately—even if water is still flowing.
Odd Smells Coming from Drains
When water in drain pipes freezes, it forms an ice plug that blocks sewer gases from escaping through your main vent stack. These gases (which include methane and hydrogen sulfide) can back up into your home through sink drains.
Smells that indicate frozen drain pipes:
- Rotten egg smell (hydrogen sulfide)
- Sewage smell near drains
- Chemical or petroleum odors
If you smell these, check all your drains. Pour hot (not boiling) water down each drain to see if it flows freely or backs up.
What to Do If Pipes Are Already Frozen
Don’t panic, but act quickly:
- Get your furnace running again – This is priority one. Once heat is restored, pipes will begin to thaw naturally and safely
- Call a licensed plumber – If pipes are frozen but not burst, a plumber can thaw them safely using professional equipment
- Keep faucets open – When ice starts to melt, water needs somewhere to go
- Know where your water shut-off is – If a pipe bursts, you’ll need to shut off water immediately (usually near your water meter)
Never try to thaw pipes yourself with these methods:
- Blowtorch or open flame (can cause pipe to burst or ignite nearby materials)
- Boiling water poured directly on pipes (extreme temperature shock can crack pipes)
- High-heat settings on space heaters placed right against pipes
If you hear a pipe burst (sudden loud pop or bang followed by rushing water), shut off your main water valve immediately and call a plumber. Then call Oakland Heating & Cooling to get your heat restored so no additional pipes freeze.
What Happens If a Frozen Pipe Bursts in Your Home?
Answer: A burst pipe can release 400+ gallons of water per hour, causing $5,000 to $10,000 in water damage to floors, walls, ceilings, insulation, and personal belongings—far more expensive than same-day furnace repair.
The Real Cost of Burst Pipes
Average damage costs in Oakland County:
| Damage Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pipe repair/replacement | $500 – $2,000 |
| Water extraction | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Drywall/ceiling repair | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Flooring replacement | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Insulation replacement | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Mold remediation | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Total Average | $8,000 – $26,000 |
Compare that to professional furnace repair, which typically costs $300-$800 depending on the issue. Even the most expensive furnace repair is a fraction of the cost of dealing with burst pipes.
What Happens When Water Damage Spreads
Timeline of water damage:
First 24 hours:
- Water soaks into drywall, insulation, and sub-flooring
- Furniture and belongings absorb moisture
- Electrical systems may be compromised
24-48 hours:
- Drywall begins to swell and crumble
- Metal surfaces start to tarnish
- Wood floors begin warping
- Odors develop
48-72 hours:
- Mold growth begins
- Structural damage worsens
- Biohazard concerns if sewage backup occurs
1 week+:
- Extensive mold colonization requires professional remediation
- Structural wood may need replacement
- Health risks increase
Insurance May Not Cover Everything
Important to know: Many homeowners’ insurance policies have specific exclusions for damage caused by lack of maintenance or “failure to protect the property.” If your insurance company determines you could have prevented the damage by maintaining your furnace properly or calling for repair sooner, they may deny your claim or significantly reduce the payout.
Keeping records of regular furnace maintenance—like annual tune-ups—can help support your insurance claim if the worst happens.
Why Prevention Is Always Cheaper
Cost comparison:
Professional furnace repair: $300-$800
- Technician diagnoses and fixes the problem in 2-4 hours
- Heat is restored same day
- No water damage
- No secondary problems
Burst pipe aftermath: $8,000-$26,000+
- Days or weeks of repairs
- Living space may be unusable during repairs
- Belongings may be destroyed
- Potential mold and health issues
- Insurance deductible plus uncovered costs
The math is simple: Spending $500 on furnace repair beats spending $15,000 on water damage cleanup every single time.
When your furnace stops working in winter, don’t wait. The faster you get heat restored, the lower your risk of catastrophic pipe damage.
Can Preventive Furnace Maintenance Help Avoid Frozen Pipes?
Answer: Yes. Regular furnace maintenance catches 95% of potential failures before they happen, dramatically reducing the risk of a mid-winter breakdown that leaves your home without heat.
How Furnace Tune-Ups Prevent Mid-Winter Breakdowns
Oakland Heating & Cooling’s comprehensive furnace inspection includes:
Heating system checks:
- Clean and inspect burners
- Test ignition system and flame sensor
- Check gas pressure and connections
- Inspect heat exchanger for cracks
- Test blower motor and capacitor
- Clean or replace air filter
- Lubricate moving parts
Safety checks:
- Test for carbon monoxide leaks
- Inspect venting system
- Check for gas leaks
- Test safety switches and limit controls
- Verify proper airflow
Efficiency optimization:
- Calibrate thermostat
- Adjust burner for optimal combustion
- Seal ductwork leaks
- Test system cycling
The problems we catch during tune-ups are the same problems that cause mid-winter failures: cracked heat exchangers, failing ignitors, dirty flame sensors, worn blower motors, and clogged filters.
The Cost of Skipping Maintenance
What happens when you don’t maintain your furnace:
Year 1: System runs fine, maybe slightly less efficient.
Year 2: Minor problems develop (dirty flame sensor causing occasional lockouts).
Year 3: Problems worsen (ignitor starting to fail, taking multiple attempts to light) Year 4: Major failure during coldest week of winter
The parts that fail most often in unmaintained furnaces:
- Ignitors ($150-$300 replacement)
- Flame sensors ($100-$200 replacement)
- Blower motors ($400-$800 replacement)
- Pressure switches ($150-$300 replacement)
- Gas valves ($250-$500 replacement)
Regular maintenance costs less than repairing one major failure, and it prevents the cascade of problems that lead to frozen pipes and water damage.
Oakland Heating & Cooling’s VIP Maintenance Plan
Annual Plan Includes:
- One comprehensive furnace tune-up every fall
- One AC tune-up every spring
- Priority scheduling (you get first available appointments)
- 15% discount on any needed repairs
- Peace of mind that your system is running safely and efficiently
VIP members experience 90% fewer mid-winter breakdowns because we catch problems during scheduled tune-ups, not during the coldest week of January.
Schedule your fall furnace tune-up by calling [phone number] or visiting [website]. Getting your furnace inspected before winter is the best insurance against a mid-winter failure and frozen pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will homeowners insurance cover burst pipes caused by furnace failure?
It depends on your policy and circumstances. Most policies cover “sudden and accidental” damage, but may exclude damage from lack of maintenance or “failure to protect the property.” If your insurance company determines you didn’t maintain your furnace or didn’t act quickly enough to prevent damage, they may reduce or deny your claim. Keep records of furnace maintenance and repair service calls.
How much does furnace repair cost in Oakland County?
Furnace repair in Oakland County typically costs $300-$800 depending on the problem and whether parts need replacement. Common repairs include ignitor replacement ($150-$300), flame sensor cleaning ($100-$200), and blower motor replacement ($400-$800). Same-day service is available from Oakland Heating & Cooling when you call during business hours.
Can I use space heaters to keep pipes from freezing if my furnace is out?
You can use space heaters as a temporary measure while waiting for furnace repair, but they’re not a long-term solution. A typical space heater produces 1,500 watts (about 5,000 BTU), while even a small furnace produces 40,000-60,000 BTU—you’d need 10+ space heaters to match your furnace output. Keep space heaters 3+ feet from flammable materials, never leave them unattended, and ensure you have working carbon monoxide detectors.
What’s the best temperature to set my thermostat to prevent frozen pipes?
Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55°F when you’re away from home. If your furnace is working properly, this provides enough heat to prevent pipes from freezing even in extreme cold. Don’t lower it below 50°F—the energy savings aren’t worth the risk of frozen pipes. If you’ll be gone for an extended period during winter, consider having your furnace inspected before you leave.
Do PEX pipes freeze slower than copper pipes?
Yes. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes freeze about 20-25% slower than copper pipes because plastic is a poorer heat conductor than metal. PEX pipes in a 20°F environment might take 8-10 hours to freeze compared to 6-8 hours for copper. PEX is also more flexible, so it can expand slightly without bursting—but it’s still at risk. Both types need protection when your furnace fails.
Should I shut off my water if my furnace stops working in winter?
Only shut off your water if you can’t get furnace repair within 4-6 hours AND outdoor temperatures are below 15°F. If you shut off the water, you must also drain all pipes by opening faucets and flushing toilets to remove standing water. However, this should be a last resort—it’s better to call for same-day furnace service and keep water flowing through pipes by letting faucets drip.
How do I know where my water shut-off valve is located?
Your main water shut-off valve is usually located near your water meter, typically in your basement, crawl space, or utility room where the main water line enters your home. Look for a valve on the pipe coming from the street (usually within 3-5 feet of where it enters the foundation). You may have two valves—one on each side of the meter. The valve on the street side is your main shut-off for the entire house.
Can frozen pipes thaw on their own without bursting?
Sometimes, but it’s risky. If pipes freeze slowly and there’s a nearby faucet open to relieve pressure, they may thaw without bursting when heat is restored. However, you won’t know if micro-cracks formed during freezing until the pipe thaws and water starts leaking. Never assume frozen pipes are okay just because they hasn’t burst yet—get your furnace fixed immediately and have a plumber inspect any pipes that froze.
What if I’m out of town when my furnace fails in winter?
If you’ll be away from home for more than 24 hours during Michigan winter, take these precautions: set your thermostat to at least 55-60°F (never turn it off completely), ask a neighbor or friend to check your home daily, consider installing a smart thermostat with remote monitoring that alerts you to temperature drops, and shut off your main water supply and drain pipes if you’ll be gone for weeks. Before leaving, have Oakland Heating & Cooling inspect your furnace to catch potential failures before you leave.
Does letting faucets drip really prevent pipes from freezing?
Yes, but only as a temporary measure. Letting faucets drip to about the thickness of a pencil lead keeps water moving through pipes, and moving water is harder to freeze than standing water. The drip also relieves pressure if ice does start forming, reducing the chance of a burst. However, dripping faucets won’t prevent freezing indefinitely—they only buy you a few extra hours. The real solution is restoring heat to your home as quickly as possible.
Will my water heater freeze if my furnace goes out?
Your water heater is less likely to freeze than your supply pipes because it’s designed to maintain hot water temperature internally. However, the cold water supply line feeding your water heater CAN freeze, which would prevent the tank from refilling. Gas water heaters continue producing heat even if your furnace fails (they have their own burner), but electric water heaters will only keep water hot until ambient temperatures drop. The bigger concern is that if your furnace fails, your home’s plumbing network is at risk—protect the whole system by getting heat restored quickly.
Don’t Wait Until Pipes Freeze—Call for Same-Day Furnace Service
When your furnace stops working in the middle of a Michigan winter, every hour counts. Most Oakland County homes have just 6-8 hours before pipes start freezing when temperatures drop into the teens. Waiting to see if the problem fixes itself, or hoping temperatures will rise, puts your home at risk of thousands of dollars in water damage.
Oakland Heating & Cooling provides same-day furnace repair throughout Oxford, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, and surrounding Oakland County communities. Our technicians carry common replacement parts on their trucks, so we can often restore your heat in one visit during business hours.
Why Choose Oakland Heating & Cooling?
20+ years of experience – We’ve repaired thousands of furnaces throughout Oakland County’s harsh winters.
Same-day service – Because heating can’t wait when temperatures drop below freezing (call during business hours).
Licensed and insured – Professional service you can trust.
No subcontractors – Our own trained technicians, not hired contractors.
Rheem-certified – Factory-trained on the equipment we install and repair.
VIP Maintenance Plans – Preventative service that stops breakdowns before they happen.
Don’t Let a Furnace Failure Turn Into a Frozen Pipe Disaster
Call Oakland Heating & Cooling at 248-953-1385 or book online to schedule same-day furnace repair service.
We serve: Oxford, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Novi, West Bloomfield, and all of Oakland County, Michigan.
