Cold weather causes damage that insurers see every year: burst pipes, ice dams on roofs and leaks. Many of these are preventable, and insurance may expect reasonable steps to prevent them.
Frozen and burst pipes
Water expands as it freezes, which can split a pipe. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawl spaces, garages and attics are the most exposed.
- Know where your main water shut-off is, and make sure everyone in the home does too.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior taps for winter.
- Insulate exposed pipes where possible.
- If you go away, keep the heat on at a reasonable level. Some policies require it.
- During extreme cold, leaving cabinet doors open below sinks on exterior walls can let warm air in.
Ice dams
Ice dams form when heat escaping from the house melts snow on the roof, and the water refreezes at the eave. The ice can trap meltwater, which then seeps under shingles.
- Good attic insulation and ventilation reduce heat loss.
- Keep eavestroughs clear before freeze-up.
- Removing snow from roofs should be done carefully or left to professionals. Roof work in winter carries real risk of falls.
Other winter checks
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Have heating systems serviced. Space heaters and fireplaces are a cause of house fires.
- Keep walkways clear of snow and ice, because liability claims for slips and falls are common.
What this means for insurance
Sudden pipe bursts are generally covered by a standard policy, but damage from neglect or from leaving a property unheated can be excluded. Keep records of the steps you take.
Questions to ask
- What does my policy require me to do to prevent freezing?
- What is the deductible for water damage?
- Does the policy cover the cost of finding and repairing the cause of a leak?