During the frigid winter months, homes are very vulnerable to frozen / burst pipes. Water damage caused by frozen pipes are one of the most common types of property damage claims reported by homeowners. When a pipe burst occurs, many homeowners might immediately think, if their homeowner’s insurance will cover the damage? In most cases, homeowner’s insurance does cover water damage caused by a burst pipe, but not the damage to the pipe or plumbing equipment.
Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes from bursting and creating water damage in your home.
Prepare outdoor faucets for the cold weather
- Make sure you prepare outdoor faucets before the weather dips.
- Make sure to disconnect outdoor garden hoses.
- Keep the faucets open outside.
- Turn off the water supply valve.
- Drain the water when disconnecting your hoses, otherwise they may freeze and burst.
- Install faucet covers.
Insulate your water pipes
- Another way to prevent frozen pipes is to insulate them in your home’s crawlspace, basement, and attic.
- Try using foam pipe sleeves, installing UL-listed heat tape or using heat cables to insulate your pipes.
Keep the House Warm
Along with insulating pipes and preparing external faucets for the cold weather, keeping the house warm enough is also an important strategy to keep frozen pipes from bursting. Avoid letting the temperature in the home get below 50 degrees, this will go a long way in helping your pipes stay unfrozen.
Install Heat Tape
Heat tape can be installed and will help warm pipes as needed during the cold weather. You can do this yourself or call in a plumber.
Seal Leaks
Seal leaks that could allow cold air into your home where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
Keep Water Faucets Running
If it is extremely frigid outside, try and keep 1 or 2 faucets running slowly. Water moving through the system should prevent the line from freezing.
About Community Public Adjusters
Community Public Adjusters specializes in homeowners and business insurance claim representation. Our public adjusters and property loss consultants work diligently to make sure you get the maximum possible settlement from the insurance company regarding your insurance claim.
We offer claim representation services on a contingency basis, if we do not collect any funds for you, we do not get paid at all. Community Public Adjusters has expert knowledge on how the insurance claim process works. We work with you on every step of the claims process.
We represent home and business owners and have vast experience with the following types of claims
- Fire and smoke damage claims
- Water damage claims
- Flood damage claims
- Theft and vandalism damage claims
- Snow and ice damage claims
- Building collapse claims
- Wind and hail damage claims
- Catastrophic damage claims
- Roof leaks
- Blown off shingles & siding
- All plumbing leaks
- Toilet overflow
- Burst Pipes
- Frozen Pipes