The House That Came in from the Cold

Old Man Winter might be blowing into your town soon — or maybe he’s already there. When winter arrives, it pays to be prepared. During the last 20 years, winter storms caused an average of $1.3 billion annually in property damage. From 2005 to 2009, the average homeowner’s insurance claim for water damage and freezing was more than $6,300.¹

Fortunately, winter-related damage often can be prevented by taking simple steps to protect your home inside and out. Here are some tips to winterize your property:

Keep your house warm. With the high cost of heating, it may be tempting to turn down your thermostat, but experts recommend setting it at 65 degrees or higher in order to help prevent frozen pipes — which are located in colder spaces between the walls. Add extra insulation to your attic, basement, and crawl spaces, and seal cracks with caulk or weather stripping. One simple trick is to use a “draft snake” — a rolled-up towel or a commercial product — to block the cracks under doors and windows.

Service your heating system. Have your furnace, ducts, and chimney inspected each year and change the furnace filter regularly. Disposable filters are inexpensive and a clean one can make a big difference in heating efficiency. If you use a permanent filter, be sure to clean it regularly.

Check your pipes. Have cracks and leaks repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape or other appropriate insulation. Know how to shut off the water and act quickly if you think the pipes are frozen. Consider installing an emergency pressure release valve.

Clean your gutters. Removing leaves, branches, and other debris may allow melting snow and ice to flow freely and prevent “ice damming,” which can cause water to seep into the house. Gutter guards, available at most hardware and home improvement stores, may help prevent debris from entering the gutter.

Trim your trees. High winds or heavy ice and snow could cause weak trees, limbs, or branches to break and inflict personal injury or property damage.

Maintain safe walkways and stairs. Shoveling snow is no fun, but it’s essential for safety. Use rock salt to melt ice, and keep walkways and steps clear and dry. Repair broken sidewalks, steps, and banisters, and install new handrails where appropriate.

Practice fire safety. Winter poses an increased risk for residential fires, so make sure your smoke alarms are working and keep a fire extinguisher handy. Consider installing a carbon monoxide indicator. Ensure that space heaters, wood stoves, and other supplementary heating systems are clean and a safe distance from flammable materials. Follow electrical guidelines for holiday lights both inside and outside your house.

Check your insurance coverage. Standard homeowners policies cover many winter-related disasters, including burst pipes, ice dams, wind damage, and fire-related losses up to policy limits. Insurance for sewer backup may be included in some policies or available as an endorsement. Coverage for flooding typically must be obtained separately. Winter-related damage to cars is usually covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

If the weather is still mild in your area, now may be a good time to make sure you’re ready for winter. But even if the cold has already arrived, it’s not too late to take these important steps to keep Old Man Winter outside where he belongs.

1) Insurance Information Institute, 2011

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2011 Emerald Connect, Inc.