When it’s cold outside, protect your home from water damage that can be caused by a burst pipe

2019-12-03
By: Denise Koslowsky

When there are freezing temperatures in the forecast we always like to remind our friends and family about a very real danger every home faces.

Burst pipes.

Water is your home’s worst enemy and we want to help you prevent water leaks than can come from a burst pipe.  In fact, it’s the #1 homeowners insurance claim we see.

Many people think burst pipes are a non-issue for them because they’ve never had this type of problem before, but we’d rather see you take a more proactive approach.  The most important piece of advice we share with anyone who will listen is this:

Have a water flow alarm installed in your home.

93% of Water Damage Can Be Prevented Utilizing Smart Technology.

A whole house water flow alarm is the best defense against the devastation of a water leak.  Plus, a properly installed whole-house water shut-off system will often mean discounts on your insurance policy.  So not only are you being proactive, you are saving yourself some money as well.

If you are considering the installation of a water flow alarm, there are a few companies we recommend:

• • • Leak Defense System
    • Water Security Solutions
    • Flo Logic

For Secondary Home Owners:

A secondary home is even more vulnerable.  When a home is unoccupied, the water damage claims tend to be much more severe. Water can run for days going unnoticed and causing thousands of dollars of damage in its wake.  Even a small leak can cause a sizable amount of damage to your home, furniture, artwork and electronics.

Below are some steps you can take to be sure your home and its contents are protected:

• If you aren’t going to be in the home, it is a good idea to keep your heat regulated to at least 60 degrees.
• Open bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors so that the warmer air from the room can circulate around the pipes.
• If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, turn off your water
• If you do not turn a off your water, leave a faucet on the top floor open – leaving the water stream dripping very low because still water freezes faster than running water.
• Hire a caretaker and to make regular visits to the home so that in the event of a water emergency, you will be alerted as early as possible.
• Make sure your oil or propane tank is filled – you would be surprised to learn how many claims are due to the heat going out
• Install a water flow alarm.

Educating our clients about all of the options available when it comes to protecting your home is of the utmost importance to the entire team at Advocate Brokerage.  If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with us at 914-723-7100.