Ice, snow and wind can have devastating consequences on the coziest of
homes. Last winter alone there was over $1.5 billion dollars in insured
losses due to burst pipes, frozen gutters and other weather-related
disasters, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
"It is when the leaves start to turn and not when the snow is beginning
to fall that homeowners need to get ready for severe winter weather,"
says Jayna Neagle, spokeswoman for the I.I.I. "A little time and effort
in October or November can prevent the heartache of burst pipes and
other disasters when Old Man Winter brings snow, freezing temperatures
and arctic winds.
The I.I.I. suggests that homeowners take the following precautions:
Maintain gutters. Remove leaves, acorns, sticks and other
debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can
prevent ice damming - a condition where water is unable to properly
drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water
to drip from the ceiling and walls. You may also consider installing
"gutter guards." Available in most hardware and home stores, gutter
guards are screens that prevent debris from entering the gutter and
direct the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.
Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow and wind could
cause weak trees or branches to break - damaging your home, car or
injuring someone walking on your property.
Check insulation. Add extra insulation to attics, basements
and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic it can
cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. The water re-freezes causing more
snow and ice to build up. This can result in a collapsed roof, and can
contribute to ice damming. Ideally, the attic should be five to ten
degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl
spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing.
Maintain pipes. Wrap pipes with heating tape and insulate
unfinished rooms such as garages that frequently have exposed pipes.
Also, check for cracks and leaks. Have them repaired immediately to
prevent much costlier repairs.
Keep the House Warm. The temperature in the home should be at
least 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are
located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A
temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the pipes from freezing.
Check heating systems. The proper use and maintenance of
furnaces, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can prevent fire and smoke
damage. Have furnaces, boilers and chimneys serviced at least once a
year. Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly and
consider installing a carbon dioxide detector.
Make sure steps and handrails are in good shape. Broken stairs
and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice. Make
repairs now to prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured.
Get to know your plumbing. Learn how to shut the water off and
know where your pipes are located. If your pipes do freeze, time is of
the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your
plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent the pipes
from bursting.
Hire a licensed contractor. Have a professional survey your
home for any structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it
repaired now so further damage will not occur during the winter. Also,
find out about ways to prevent water damage due to snow-related
flooding. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump pumps and
other methods can prevent damage to your home and belongings.
Take special care if you plan to be away from home. If you are
not going to be in your home this winter for an extended period of time,
have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from
freezing or bursting. Also, hire someone to check on your home on a
regular basis. If there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly -
lessening any damage. Activity at your home will also reduce the
likelihood that it will be burglarized.
Standard homeowners policies cover winter-related disasters such as
burst pipes, ice dams, wind damage caused by weight of ice or snow.
Damage to homes caused by flooding is usually excluded from most
standard homeowner policies. Flood insurance is available from the
National Flood Insurance Program. Ask your insurance professional about
flood insurance, as well as specific advice about winter-proofing your
home.
For more information on homeowners insurance, you may also call
the National Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-800-942-4242 or access the
Institute's Web site at http://www.iii.org.
Also See:
Your Home's Cold Winter Warnings
Winter Gear for Your Home
Prepping Your Home for Winter
Winter Weather Warrants Energy Efficient Efforts, Intimate Inspections
A Window to the World of Energy Efficient Windows
Published: October 28, 1999
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