The fall is a good time for homeowners to winter-proof their homes, before old man winter returns with a vengeance.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, many winter-related disasters can be prevented if people take the time to protect their home from freezing temperatures, snow and wind.
“Standard homeowners policies cover winter-related disasters such as burst pipes, ice dams and wind damage caused by weight of ice or snow, as well as fire-related losses,” Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I., said in a statement. “Coverage for flooding is available from the National Flood Insurance Program and from some private insurance companies. Winter-related damage to cars is generally covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.”
Melting snow can inflict significant damage to property and winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophe losses, according to the I.I.I. Winter storms were the third most costly type of natural disaster in the U.S. in 2011, with $2 billion in insured losses in 2011, according to a report by Munich Re.
From 1991-2010, winter storms resulted in about $26 billion in insured catastrophe losses (in 2010 dollars), or more than $1 billion a year on average, according to ISO.
The Farmers Almanac forecast predicts temperatures will be much colder this winter from the East Coast westward to a line from the Dakotas to Texas. The almanac expects every place west of this line, except for portions of the Desert Southwest, temperatures will be warmer than last winter.
It expects most eastern states, as far south as the Gulf Coast, will see snowier than normal conditions and cooler temperatures. Snowfall will be above normal near the Great Salt Lake and in the areas from El Paso to Detroit to Virginia Beach. Other areas should see below normal snow levels.
AccuWeather.com believes there is a significant chance that the next three winters will be particularly frigid.
“These winters could be similar to the winters of the late 1970s,” according to AccuWeather. “While the most consistent cold is to the north, severe bouts of cold deep into Texas and Florida would be capable of affecting agriculture more so than has been seen in that last 20 years or so.”
The I.I.I. offers the following tips for winterizing the home:
Outside the house:
Clean out gutters. Remove leaves, 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 drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.
Install gutter guards. Available in most hardware and home stores, gutter guards prevent debris from entering the gutter and interfering with 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 and damage a home or car, or injure someone walking by the property.
Repair steps and handrails. This may prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured. Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice.
Seal cracks in holes in outside walls and foundations. Use caulking to protect water pipes and make sure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to prevent snowmelt from seeping in.
Inside the house:
Keep the house warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees—since the temperature inside the walls, where the pipes are located, is substantially colder a lower temperature will not keep the pipes from freezing.
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. Water can then re-freeze, 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 10 degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing. Homeowners might also consider insulating unfinished rooms such as garages to keep pipes from freezing.
Have the heating system serviced. Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage.
If using an alternative-heating source, make sure there is adequate space for installation, maintenance and replacement.
Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in the plumbing system. This will protect the system against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent pipes from bursting.
Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly. Residential fires increase in the winter, so it is important to protect the family with working alarm systems. Also, consider installing a carbon monoxide detector, since a well sealed home can trap this toxic gas.
Learn how to shut the water off and know where the pipes are located. If water pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker water can be shut off or a plumber directed to the problem, the better chance there is to prevent pipes from bursting.
Hire a licensed contractor to look for structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it repaired now rather than waiting for a problem to occur. Also, ask about ways to prevent water damage due to snow-related flooding. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump pumps and other methods can prevent flood damage to a home and belongings.
Homeowners should take special care if leaving the home for an extended period.. Turn the water off and/or have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting.
Also, hire someone to check the home on a regular basis so that, if there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly, lessening any damage. Activity at the home will also reduce the likelihood that it will be burglarized.
