Customer story · Grand Rapids, MI

“The crawlspace texted before the supply line iced”

How a Michigan homeowner used a DS18B20 in the crawlspace with ThermalTrace freeze alerts to catch a drafty vent before supply lines froze.

Blue PEX and copper water lines with valves in a basement ceiling
Supply lines in basements and crawlspaces are the freeze risk that history charts prove. Photo: Tomwsulcer. CC0

The setup

  • ESP32 + waterproof DS18B20 zip-tied near the main supply run in the crawlspace
  • Freeze threshold 36°F with email + Pro SMS
  • Share link for a sibling who lives closer and can close the vent

Timeline

  1. Sun 4:05 a.m.: Crawlspace crossed 35°F after a foundation vent stuck open overnight.
  2. Sun 4:06 a.m.: SMS to owner + email; sibling drove over with a flashlight.
  3. Sun 5:20 a.m.: Vent closed and insulated; temps climbing before morning low.

“The crawlspace texted before the supply line iced”

Homeowner, Grand Rapids, MI (name withheld)

What happened

Crawlspaces fail silently. A probe on the pipe run beat a thawed-pipe deductible by hours.

Typical Pro trial → Member or Pro subscription after winter. Your results depend on sensor placement and alert thresholds.

Story FAQ

Where should the crawlspace probe go?

On or near the coldest supply line, not just the access hatch. Pair with a living-space probe if you want comfort context upstairs.

Is humidity enough?

Humidity helps spot moisture, but freeze risk is temperature at the pipes. Use a waterproof probe and a threshold a few degrees above 32°F.

Try it on your space

Start free with live charts, email alerts, and one family live share link. Upgrade when you want CSV history (Member) or SMS, push, and expanded share scopes (Pro: 14-day trial).

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