Water Damage Claims: Frozen Pipes, Broken Pipes & Plumbing Leaks

Insurance companies are able to deny homeowners insurance coverage in the event of damages to pipes and water that are easily avoided. If this occurs then we'll explain how to prevent it and ways to make sure that your insurance company doesn't deny the property damage claim.

A little background. According to Verisk Analytics ISO property damage claims general made up 98.1 percent of all homeowners insurance losses "water damage as well as freezing" represented nearly 1/5th of the property damage claims (source). It's roughly five percent of homeowners insurance claims made between 2013 and 2017.

The pipe freezes and bursts, leading to water damage and plumbing leaks

One out of 50 homeowners filed an insurance claim for water damage in that same 5-year period, and the average amount for each claim was $10,182. This is a significant amount of home damages! If pipes freeze and then burst in the water, it causes damage to flooring, drywall as well as paint, trim doors, windows, furniture and more. It can cause havoc.

Everyone would hate to see this occur to their home or business. You can avoid the damage to your property caused by frozen broken, burst or cracked pipes by following the tips given.

There are two primary categories of tips to prevent freezing pipes as well as the harm they create: controlling temperature and controlling the flow of water.

Control Temperatures of Air by insulating water pipes

Sealing leaks that allow cold air to enter walls where water pipes are situated is possible. There are numerous products that can be used to accomplish this. We provide insulating foam sealant to our clients as well as their residences. It can be used to fill in and seal the cracks in siding, to fill in gaps where wiring runs into the structure, etc.

Caulking these leaks could help as well. It is important to remember that the majority water damage from broken pipes is caused when water pipes within outside walls freeze. So this is a great point to begin to avoid freezing issues with plumbing.

For simple ways to insulate your water pipes, you can check out pipe insulation items from retailers like Home Depot. Also, you can use the product known as "heat tape" that helps warm pipes as needed so they don't freeze during the winter. To do this, it's advised to call a professional plumber.

Control Water Flow to Prevent Freezing:

Make sure to open a few faucets until temperatures drop dramatically this winter to ensure your water pipes don't freeze.

It is also necessary to turn off the outside water valves and then disconnect the hose your spicket. If the hose is connected, it is impossible for water to drain out of the hose the bib. This is likely to cause freezing and even bursting when temperatures fall. To avoid freezing, switch off your hose as soon as the temperature drops below zero.

Select Adjusters
4570 S Eastern Ave UNIT 23, Las Vegas, NV 89119
8882753752