How to Help Minimize Water Hazards This Winter to Protect Your Home

Winter weather, while beautiful and festive, comes with its own set of water-related hazards and risks for your property. Frozen pipes, ice dams, and other winter-related issues can lead to costly repairs and damage. Preparing your home to withstand these challenges is crucial to enjoying a safe and worry-free season for yourself and your family when it is cold.

Below are some tips to help you protect your home and minimize risks from water hazards this winter:

1. Insulate Pipes

   Ensuring that you have insulated your pipes effectively is one of the first steps to avoiding water damage during the winter. Exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, and garages, are prone to freezing and bursting. Make sure to use pipe insulation or heat tape to keep them warm and don’t forget to disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots and cover them with insulated caps to prevent freezing.

2. Check Your Gutters, Downspouts, and Areas Around Your Home’s Foundation

   Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which prevent melting snow from draining properly. This can cause water to back up and seep into your roof or walls. Make sure to regularly clean your gutters and debris, such as leaves, as well as ensure downspouts direct the collected water at least five feet away from your home’s foundation.

3. Protect Your Water Heater

   A water heater failure during winter can cause significant disruptions. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance, including flushing the tank to remove sediment, replacing hoses, and ensuring the heater is set to an efficient yet safe temperature. Also, be sure you are keeping up with annual inspections for the infrastructure that keeps your home running like boilers and vents.

4. Check for Leaks

   Inspecting your home for leaks is crucial to preventing water damage in the winter. Make sure to regularly check your home’s roof, walls, ceilings, and floors, keeping an eye out for wet patches, as they can be the first sign of water damage. Seal any openings with caulk or another appropriate sealant to prevent water intrusion. If needed, place a dehumidifier in areas prone to moisture (like a laundry room in your basement).

5. Monitor Indoor Temperatures

   Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature can significantly help in preventing winter water damage. Make sure to maintain consistent indoor temperature of at least 55°F, even if you’re away. This reduces the likelihood of pipes freezing as it will keep the home’s interior and the inside of the exterior walls warm.

6. Maintain Your Sump Pump

   A sump pump is crucial in ensuring the extra water drains away so that it does not damage your basement. Test it by pouring water into the sump pit, and check that the discharge line is clear to prevent backups during snowmelt. Always ensure your sump pump pit is covered to prevent it from freezing.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of water hazards and enjoy a worry-free winter at home.

Additionally, our homeowners insurance policies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, offer a broad selection of coverage including coverage for losses to your home and its contents from numerous perils, and coverage for liability to others. Enhanced coverage is available in each market, please see individual state pages linked above for more details. Additionally, we offer competitive rates, including discounts for being loss free and a discount of 20% if you insure your automobile with us.

Please view our products for more information on our endorsements and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive the latest updates.

If you have any coverage questions, please contact your Independent Agent and they will be happy to answer any questions. Safety Insurance helps you manage life’s storms both online and in person.