Cold-weather tips to prevent burst pipes and water damage

Prevent burst pipes and water damage with these cold-weather tips from the Insurance Information Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of homeowners insurance issues:

At the first sign of freezing temperatures overnight:

Review your insurance policy to make sure your water damage coverage hasn't lapsed.
Clean rain gutters so melting snow and ice can flow freely. Ice dams can cause water to build up and seep into your house.
Keep the house heated to a minimum of 65° F (18° C). The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves, and lower temperatures might allow pipes inside the walls to freeze.
Find the main water shutoff valve to your home and make sure you know how to turn it off quickly.
For very cold weather, open all hot and cold faucets along outside walls enough to let them drip slowly. Moving water does not freeze in pipes.
If your garage is attached to your house, keep the garage doors closed. The door leading to the house is probably not as well-insulated as an exterior door.
If you have to leave your home for longer than a day, ask a neighbor to check the house regularly. If there is a problem with frozen pipes or water leakage, tending to it quickly could mean far less damage.
If you plan to be away for an extended period of time, have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting.

If you discover your pipes have burst

If your pipes burst, turn off the water at the main valve IMMEDIATELY and then mop up spills as quickly as possible. You don't want the water to do more damage than it already has.
Call your agent or company as soon as you can. An insurance adjuster doesn't need to see the spill before you take action, but eventually he or she will want to inspect any damaged items.
Make temporary repairs and take other steps to protect your property from further damage. Remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage from the house.
Make a detailed list of the damaged articles. Take photos - they may come in handy.
Save all receipts for what you spend, including additional living expenses if you must leave your home until repairs are completed, and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.

The more information you have available for your insurance agent, the quicker your claim can be settled fully and fairly.

The staff at Flood Detective Inc want all homes and businesses to be safe, warm, and dry for the winter. These preventive steps can save property owners many expensive headaches.

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