Fairfax, Va.— This weekend's snowstorm was a good reminder that all homeowners should make sure that their property is protected from the elements.
• Winter storms accounted for 7.9 percent of catastrophe losses from 1987-2008
• Losses averaged more than $1 billion a year over that same period
• The average claim for water damage and freezing pipes is $5,531
To prepare for winter, Allstate and the Insurance Information Institute offer
the following tips—
Outside your home:
• 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.
• Repair steps and handrails. This may prevent someone from falling and being seriously 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 your home:
• 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 ten degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing. You may 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.
• Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with pipe insulation or heating tape. Allow your faucets to drip lukewarm water to minimize the chances of a pipe freeze. If you plan to travel or be away from home for an extended period of time, have someone check pipes and the temperature in your home on a regular basis. Turn the water off and/or have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing.
• Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly. Residential fires increase in the winter, so it is important to protect your family with working alarm systems.
• Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.
• Hire a licensed contractor to look for structural damage. If damage is discovered, you can have it repaired immediately rather than waiting for a more severe problem to occur.
• Renters Insurance. Now is the time for those who are renting apartments, homes or condos to talk with an insurance agent about renters insurance that will cover damages from fire, flood and storms not covered under your landlord's policy.
Don’t forget your car:
Winter is just as hard on your car as it is on your house. Have a mechanic look over your car whenever you spot something that does not seem normal. An inspection now may prevent you from being stranded on a cold winter day.
• If your engine is experiencing hard starts, stalling, or other problems, fix it now, not later.
• Install new windshield wiper blades. Blades should make full contact with the window. Keep extra washer fluid and an ice scraper in your car.
• Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that that includes gloves, boots, blankets, flares, water and a flashlight.
• Examine your tires for tread life and uneven wearing. Be sure tires are properly inflated. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
• Make sure the heater and defroster are properly working to ensure driver visibility.
• Flush the cooling system every two years with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. Check the level, condition, and concentration of the antifreeze mixture periodically.
• Check your battery fluid levels, battery posts, and cable connectors. Bad connections can prevent your car from starting.
• Check your brakes as recommended. If experiencing trouble such as pulsations, noises or longer stopping distances than seem normal, have a professional look at it immediately.
• Winter storms accounted for 7.9 percent of catastrophe losses from 1987-2008
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