As winter sets in, frozen pipes and ice dams become a large concern for destructive water damage. However, reported claims are down in 2022 from 2021 mainly because of winter storm Uri that hit in February of 2021. A few tips taking a few minutes can save you thousands.
In 2022, State Farm paid over $181M for nearly 9,000 claims from frozen pipe damage, with the average claim coming in just over $20,000. Texas was the #1 state for these losses with $64 million in claim costs. This was followed by New York ($17M), Illinois ($10.8M), Michigan ($7.2M) and Colorado ($6.5M).
A one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spray more than 250 gallons of water a day, ruining floors, carpets, furniture, and irreplaceable personal belongings. Homes in warmer climates are usually at greater risk because pipes often run through uninsulated or under-insulated attics or crawl spaces. When temperatures in southern climates dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pipes can freeze and burst. However, pipes can freeze anywhere due to exposure from cracks or holes in siding or because of pipes placed in outside walls with inadequate insulation.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, one in 50 insured homes had a claim of property damage from water or freezing each year. Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:
There are some things you can do to prevent frozen pipes from happening.
Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to growth of mold and mildew. There are things you can do to prevent them from happening:
If an ice dam has already formed (1) Use a box fan in the attic, pointed at the underside of the roof where water is actively leaking in and or (2) rake it. Pull off snow and sleet with a long-handled aluminum roof rake, but only if you can do this safely from the ground.
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