Ways to Fight Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Sprinkler Systems

Similar to the frozen pipe risk detailed above, sprinkler systems are susceptible to freezing and damage. Since most sprinkler system pipes are installed near the ceiling (or roof), the presence of snow accumulation can reduce the air temperature around the sprinkler lines. Vacant buildings, or those seldom visited, pose a higher exposure and warrant special attention.

 Snow & Your Roof

To avoid roof collapse, snow removal should begin prior to reaching the snow load limit of the roof.

For safe removal that won’t endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor. Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) Regulations and Standards should always be followed when working on a roof.Fall protection should always be implemented when working on a roof.

A heavy duty push broom with stiff bristles or roof rake may be used to brush off the snow down the slope of the roof.
Do not pull snow back against the slope or sideways since the snow may get underneath the cover and can break shingles.
A shovel or snow blower should not be used since they may tear up the roof cover system.
If you see indications that the roof is deflecting under the weight of the snow in certain areas, be sure to keep people away from those areas and seek the help of a professional snow removal expert.

Source:  Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety


Information received at our agency by:

ServiceMaster Restoration

of Montgomery, Frederick, Howard & Washington Counties

Call (301) 972-9100, for emergency service.  

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Call Corinne Stone at (301) 791-7910 x 106 as open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.  Corinne Stone is authorized to sell plans through the Maryland Health Connection and with private medical carriers.  

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Frozen Pipes

Winter weather can cause water pipes to freeze and burst if you haven’t prepared them for the cold temperatures. A frozen pipe that bursts can quickly flood your house and cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Prepare for a Freeze

Make sure you know where your home’s shut-off valve is and how to turn it on and off. If you leave town or will be gone during a freeze, consider turning your water off at the shut-off valve and draining your pipes. If you’re unsure how to drain your pipes, call a plumber. Call your electric or gas utility company to ask how to protect your water heater.

Inside Your House

• Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated air to circulate around the water pipes.
• Maintain the heat in the building, especially when you’re gone for the day or away for a long time. 

1)      Consider maintaining the heat to a level comfortable for occupancy

2)      Turning the thermostat down while away may not provide enough ambient heat to keep pipes from freezing

• Let indoor faucets drip, but don’t run a heavy stream of water.
• Find your shut-off valve

Outside Your House

• Protect faucets, outdoor pipes, and pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspapers, trash bags, plastic foam, or covers designed to protect outdoor faucets from freezing.
• Take the hose completely off the exterior hose bib/faucet.
• Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure the lid is on tight.
• Cover any vents around your home’s foundation.
• Drain water sprinkler supply lines.
• Drain swimming pool circulation systems.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

If a frozen pipe bursts and floods your home, turn the water off at the shut-off valve.  Call a plumber for help if you can’t reach the shut-off valve or stop the leak.  Don’t turn the water back on until the pipe has been repaired.

If your policyholder has damage, they should consider the taking the following steps:

o   The policyholder should consider making temporary repairs to protect the property from further damage.  This would include:

§  Securing the services of a plumber to repair the damage to the plumbing system.

§   Removal of water to begin the drying process.

o   The damage to plumbing caused by freezing is generally covered ( however, vacancy issues can lead to exclusions of coverage)

o   Securing emergency services to begin the drying process is imperative to reduce further damage to the dwelling.

§  Consider a mitigation vendor if water damage is severe and walls are wet

§  At very least, shop-vac and use dehumidifier until help arrives.

o   Keep all receipts for temporary repairs for adjuster review.  Also, please keep damaged property available for inspection.

o   If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs.

o   Don’t make permanent repairs to the dwelling until after the adjuster has had an opportunity to inspect the loss. Permanent repair to the plumbing system is OK.

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