Are Your Pipes Prepared to Endure the Cold?

At OceanPoint Insurance, we want to make sure you’re properly educated on how to prevent loss and damage to your home. With the cold New England weather occurring today, it’s important you know what steps to take in order to ensure your home is prepared for winter weather.

Frozen pipes are very common and can lead to extensive water damage. However, this common occurrence is also highly preventable. While sudden and accidental water damage from plumbing systems is covered under most standard homeowners insurance policies it is always best to take precautions to avoid loss entirely.

Frozen pipes mostly occur when temperatures are 20°F or below and pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are the most vulnerable to freezing.

Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes in your home:

Leave the heat on in your home to a minimum of 55ºF during bitterly cold conditions.
Insulate vulnerable pipes that are accessible with insulation sleeves or wrappings which can be purchased at a local hardware or plumbing store.
Cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes should be sealed with caulking to keep cold wind away from the pipes.
Use all of your plumbing fixtures at some point during the day to keep water flowing.
Drain and then cover all external faucets.
Keep the indoor faucets running at a slow drip to maintain water flow.

If you experience extensive water damage, turn off the water supply as soon as possible.

Call OceanPoint Insurance at 401-847-5200 for more tips on how to keep your home protected this winter.