The #1 Homeowner Claim is Due to Frozen Pipes

2018-01-12
By: Denise Koslowsky

When the weather is freezing cold, the pipes in your home face the very real danger of freezing.  The #1 homeowner claim we see is property damage that has been created by a burst pipe.  The losses can be devastating, even a small crack can create a sizable amount of damage. Water is your home’s worst enemy.  It flows where it wants to go and ruins most of the items in its wake.

If you own a secondary home, your risk of a burst pipe is greatly increased.

However there are things you can do to protect your home:

• Most importantly, keep your heat turned to at least 65 degrees. 

• It is also a good idea to keep bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors open so that the warmer air from the room can circulate through them.

• If you are not going to be in the home for any length of time, it might be a good idea to turn on a faucet on the home’s top floor and leave the water stream low.  Still water freezes faster than running water and this will keep the water flowing.

• Most importantly installing a water flow alarm can save your house from total devastation.  The smart technology of a water flow alarm can prevent 93% of all water damage.  Plus when a whole-house water shut-off system is properly installed, you can qualify for substantial insurance policy discounts.

If you would like to gain some peace of mind and are considering the installation of a water flow alarm, there are a few companies we recommend:

Leak Defense System
Water Security Solutions

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.