Preventing Winter Claims
posted by TrueNorth Risk Management on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
When it comes to protecting your home from damage, winter can be a particularly challenging season.
We’ve identified the 4 most common home insurance claims submitted during winter months, and pulled together information on how you can prevent them from occurring.
- Burst water pipes
- Ice dams on the roof
- Fallen tree branches
- House fires
Read on for helpful preventive information:
Generally, pipes that are exposed to frigid outdoor temps freeze more readily. Pipes that run along exterior walls in your home with minimal insulation also tend to freeze more easily. Regardless of where they are located, frozen pipes can carry significant consequences—including property damage from your pipes bursting, flooding and the potential for disruption in water supply. With this in mind, here’s what you can do keep your pipes from freezing when temperatures drop.
- Insulate pipes in unheated interior areas, such as crawl spaces and attics.
- Wrap pipes in heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables.
- Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warm air.
- Seal any leaks with caulk or insulation.
- Disconnect outdoor items such as hoses and faucets. Shut off these items completely using an indoor valve and allow the excess water to drain out.
- Trickle a little water out of your faucets periodically to keep water moving within the pipes.
- Keep your garage door closed if there is a water supply in there.
- Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during the day and night.
- Do not set your thermostat lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit when going on vacation.
- Ask someone to periodically check the temperature in your home while you are away
How to Respond to Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and no water or only a trickle comes out, your pipes may be frozen. Turn off the main water valve and keep the faucet on. Apply heat to the pipe by using an electric heating pad, hair dryer or portable space heater, or by wrapping the pipe in towels soaked in hot water. You should apply heat until you regain water pressure. If this does not solve the problem, contact a licensed plumber to inspect your pipes.
In areas of the country that experience freezing temps, homeowners need to be on the lookout for ice dams, which are a build-up of ice on a roof’s eaves. These dams can cause water to leak through your roof and into your home.
Ice Dam Indications:
- Stained ceilings and walls near the ice dam
- Dripping water or stained rafters and insulation in your attic
- Ice formed around the base of your chimney where it meets the roof
- Dislodged shingles and drooping gutters
Preventing Ice Dams:
- Clean your gutters before winter
- DO NOT climb up on your roof in the winter. Remove snow from roof edges with a roof rake. Don’t chip away at already formed dams, as this can cause more damage.
- Insulate & ventilate your attic thoroughly
Tree limbs can break and fall on homes, or fall on fences, because of the weight of ice. Generally speaking, if your property is damaged, you are responsible for the damages. It doesn’t matter if the tree or limb came from your property, your neighbor’s, or even municipal property.
Trimming your trees regularly can help to prevent the problem.
House fires are a common cause of winter insurance claims, as people light candles and their fireplaces. These tips can help prevent unwelcome flames:
- If you lose power, use flashlights instead of candles, and turn off all electric appliances.
- Never use your stove to heat your home.
- Keep portable heating devices at least 3 feet away from anything flammable and unplug them while you sleep.
- Install a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace, and have a professional chimney sweep clean it once a year.
For more home maintenance guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact us today.
This publication has been prepared by TrueNorth Companies, L.C. and is intended for informational purposes only. Transmission of this publication is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, a client relationship with TrueNorth Companies, L.C. This publication does not constitute any type of representation or warranty, and does not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice. This publication is not a contract and does not amend, modify or change any insurance policy you may have with an insurance carrier. © 2022 TrueNorth Companies, L.C. All rights reserved.
About Author
In addition to helpful weekly guidance on home and auto, TrueNorth provides a number of insurance options to protect your family from risk. For information on a home or auto quote, visit www.iTrueNorth.com or call us at (319) 739-1277. We'd like nothing more than to help safeguard the things that matter most to you.
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