This page outlines essential guidelines to winter preparedness and how to effectively prevent and address the issue of frozen pipes during winter months. Below are the key focus areas:

Understanding the Risks That Come with Severe Cold Weather

Pipes are most at risk when temperatures fall below 20°F (-6°C), particularly in exterior walls, unheated spaces, and insufficiently insulated areas. Frozen pipes will likely result in expensive repairs.

Prevention Best Practices

• Keep interior temperatures above 50°F (10°C).
• During extreme cold, allow faucets near exterior walls to drip.
• Open cabinet doors to promote warm air circulation around exposed pipes.
• Wrap outdoor and indoor pipes in unheated areas (like a clothes washer in your garage).
• Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes.
• Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system.
• Turn off the water to your clothes washer if it’s in an unheated garage.
• Store your lawn equipment in a garage or shed to keep them in good condition for next year. Drain the gas.
• If you leave your house before a freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and leave your heat on.

Responding to Frozen Pipes

• Shut off the main water supply immediately.
• If you are a property manager or landlord, encourage tenants to promptly report any issues to property management.
• Avoid attempting DIY solutions. Always contact professional restoration companies.  If you need a recommendation, please refer to our website: https://www.worldinsurance.com/claims

Emergency Planning and Tenant Education

• Educate tenants on the location and use of water shutoff valves.
• Provide water shutoff tags to tenants.
• Assemble disaster response kits containing critical tools and information.