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It’s a good time to make sure your house is ready for Old Man Winter to show up.
Whether snow, ice, freezing or flooding, winter weather can cause a host of headaches for homeowners. And if you’re in a new house that you’re still getting to know, it’s especially worth taking steps to be sure you’re prepared.
“There are so many people that will be entering the winter as homeowners for the first time,” said Steve Wilson, senior underwriting manager at insurer Hippo. “They might not have thought about how to protect this big investment.”
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Sometimes, problems that arise are preventable. And even though homeowners insurance generally would cover weather-related damage, you’d still be responsible for paying your deductible — which may be anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars or more.
In the first few months of 2021, winter weather caused a record $15.1 billion in insured losses, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Most of the claims arose from February storms that affected a large area of the U.S., especially Texas. For all of 2020, there was $1.1 billion in insurance claims due to winter weather.
Here are some tips to help avoid costly damage down the road.
Preventing frozen pipes
When water freezes, it expands, which can put a lot of pressure on your plumbing. Sometimes, that leads to a pipe bursting.
Depending on the extent of the damage caused or repairs needed, fixing a burst water pipe can cost anywhere from $400 to more than $1,500, according to home management website Thumbtack.com.
You may be familiar with the recommendation to let your faucets drip in freezing weather. Even if you do this, be sure you know where your water shut-off valve is located in case you need it, according to Hippo.
Additionally, it’s worth insulating your water pipes if they are not already wrapped. Be sure to also disconnect your outdoor hose or sprinkler system and have those pipes blown out, Wilson said.
And even if you’ll be away from home for an extended time, be sure to leave the heat on, set at 65 degrees Fahrenheit or so, Wilson said.
Protecting your roof
In freezing temperatures, ice dams can form when snow or ice melts on your roof and refreezes, essentially blocking drains and potentially weakening your roof, according to Hippo. Snow and hail may drive moisture behind your shingles, causing a leak.
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Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/06/how-to-protect-your-house-from-costly-winter-weather-damage.html