Cold Weather Can Lead To Large Insurance Claims With Broken Pipes

Copyright (c) 2013 Donald Marks

One of the most common insurance losses filed by homeowners is for damage from broken water pipes caused by cold weather. The average cost of these claims for insurance companies is just below $6,000, which makes them quite costly and is one of the reasons that homeowner's insurance is so expensive. Many homeowners do not ever think about the damage that frozen water pipes can cause to their home. Frozen and broken water pipes are the cause of the most insurance claims filed each year, with the exception of claims filed for damage caused by hurricanes.

Water expands when it freezes, which is the reason water pipes and fittings crack and burst. Some pipe is stronger than others and will tolerate the stress from an occasional water freeze; however, the repetitive freezing of the water in the pipe will eventually weaken the pipe causing it to split open. While most homeowner's home insurance policies cover water damage caused by water pipes that burst from the cold weather, some insurance companies may deny these types of claims if proper preventative care was not taken or if the home was left unattended without heat.

Preparing for Cold Weather to Prevent Broken Pipes

Locate your water shut-off valve and make sure it is working properly. It is important to eradicate all causes of cold air reaching water lines by sealing windows and doors, tightly closing crawl spaces and accurately insulating walls. Be sure to insulate water pipes that are near exterior walls and windows, and don't forget to wrap all of the pipes in unheated rooms with heat tape, such as basements and attached garages. Always keep the thermostat set at 55 degrees or above when leaving your home unoccupied.

When temperatures are going to drop below freezing, it is wise to open cabinet and closet doors to expose pipes to warmed room temperatures in order to prevent them from freezing. Keep attached garage doors shut, because sometimes plumbing is routed through this space. Turn a faucet on in the room at the farthest room in the house from where the water pipe enters, and set it where the water slowly trickles out. While this may slightly increase your water bill, it is much less expensive than repairing a broken water pipe and the damage it caused.

Unfreezing Frozen Pipes

Once pipes have frozen, it is imperative that you shut off the water immediately. Do not ever attempt to thaw frozen pipes without shutting off the water first, because freezing can cause unnoticeable cracks in pipes or joints. It is best to a apply heat to a frozen pipe by warming the air in the room it is located in; on the other hand, if this is not possible, you can apply heat directly to a pipe with a hair dryer, portable heater or hot water. Never leave space heaters unattended, and make sure they are not set near or in standing water. Slowly warm the pipes to prevent breaking them. When the pipes are completely thawed, gradually turn the water back on and check for cracks and leaks.

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