Brrrr….Don’t become a victim of FROZEN pipes!!

Oh my gosh…it was -1 degrees yesterday – yes…very very cold!  The winter months are times to think about preventing what could end up being a crazy mess – yes, frozen pipes that burst!  The following are some tips for you to be prepared and prevent frozen pipes.  Never hesitate to call us with any questions regarding coverage issues (there is no coverage for the burst pipes yet usually coverage for the damage it does – call me for details!).  The following article gives you great winter tips!!

Don’t become a victim of frozen pipes

A frozen winter wonderland can turn ugly when water pipes freeze and burst. But you can take steps to avoid frozen pipes.

 How to prevent trouble

1 Before cold weather hits, drain your swimming pool and sprinklers. Remove outdoor hoses, turn off the water supply located inside the house, and          then  open the outside hose lines and leave them open through the winter.

2 When winter temperatures hit, keep the thermostat at the same temperature both day and night, and never set it lower than 55 degrees.

3 Make sure water pipes exposed to cold areas are insulated. Pay close attention to lines that run along exposed walls or in basements, attics or garages. Call a plumber if you know of certain pipes that are prone to freezing.

4  If water is trickling as it comes out of a faucet in your home, it’s a sign there’s ice in the pipes. Leave the faucet running to help melt the ice, and keep cabinet doors near the pipes open to circulate warmer air. You can use a hair dryer or carefully positioned electric space heater to help thaw the pipes. Do not use open-flame appliances or tools to heat the pipes. If those measures don’t work, call a plumber.

5 Keep your garage doors closed if any water lines run through the garage. If a pipe is exposed, allow water to drip from that faucet at critical times to prevent freezing.

My pipes burst – now what?

If you’ve already become the victim of water pipe damage or other damage due to snow or ice, what should you know about your insurance coverage?

1 Standard property insurance typically covers your property when it is damaged by ice, water, heavy snow, or burst water pipes. Know your deductible, and call us to find out if there are restrictions or exclusions. Renters insurance will cover the possessions in your rented property, with limitations, but will not cover the structure.

2 Know if your insurance covers replacement cost or actual cash value.

3 Understand that flood insurance is not usually part of a standard property insurance policy. 

4 If your home sustained damage, document your losses with video or photos, take reasonable steps to avoid further damage to your home and belongings, and call us immediately to file a claim. There are time restrictions on calling to report damage. Keep detailed records about handling your claim, including who you spoke to, the date and time of call, and what was said.  A claims adjuster will be sent by the insurer to inspect the damage. Call us, and we’ll help you through the process.

Sources: American Red Cross, Ohio Department of Insurance

Jan. 2015

This information brought to you by the DeVaul-Buntain Insurance Agency, a proud member of Professional Independent Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.