![]() ![]() You may exceed coverage if your insurer deems you didn't make a sufficient effort to keep your home protected from dangerous temperatures. Homeowners insurance likely covers the damage that falling snow can inflict on your property if it causes part of your home to collapse.Īlthough your insurance may cover damage from freezing, your provider may have stipulations that could affect your coverage. The state's northern regions that border Lake Superior can get over 100 inches of snow per year, while the rest of Wisconsin can see around 40 inches. Homeowners insurance and snow damageĪ large amount of snow falls on Wisconsin. To be sure you have enough property coverage to protect your home, you need to understand how your homeowners insurance policy approaches these risks. Additionally, during the warmer months of the year, tornadoes can be common here, as in other parts of the Midwest and Plains states. Wisconsin's location in the northern part of the country and its proximity to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan make snowfall an insurance concern for its homeowners. If damage has occurred, it’s important to call professional help as soon as possible.Ĭold weather can really take its toll on your home, but these steps may help prevent serious water damage and allow you to enjoy your home during winter with added peace of mind.Most common homeowners insurance perils in Wisconsin: Snowfall and tornadoes The water you capture will give you a temporary supply while you wait for help, but make sure the bath and sinks don’t overflow. ![]() Put plugs into the bath and sinks and open the taps to drain down the system. You should also switch off your central heating. If a pipe has burst, turn off the water at the stop tap as quickly as possible. Then thaw the frozen pipes using a hairdryer, hot water bottle or towels soaked in hot water. If your pipes freeze, turn off your water at the stop tap. If you have water pipes in the loft, then to help prevent them from freezing in very cold weather, you could open the loft hatch to let warm air from other parts of the house circulate. You can buy this cheaply online, easily cut it to size and wrap it around your pipes to protect them. So, ensure they are fully covered with lagging, which is a type of foam tubing. CHECK YOUR LAGGINGĪll pipes and tanks in loft spaces and other draughty areas, such as garages and outbuildings, could risk freezing. Garden and outdoor taps are vulnerable to the cold, too, so cover them up in winter to protect them. It’s important to get leaky taps, showers and toilets fixed by a plumber, as even small trickles of water can lead to frozen pipes. If the flow is restricted or intermittent, check with a plumber in case there is hidden damage.Īre you unsure which of the pipes in your home carry water and which carry gas? Check by running the taps and if the pipe vibrates or makes a sound when the water is running, then it’s a water pipe. Look for split, dripping, rusting or oxidised pipes and joints, and run the taps to make sure that water is free flowing. ![]() CHECK PIPESĬheck pipes for leaks or drips. If it has, there may be a leak somewhere and it’s better to contact a plumber to check it. Then check again after one or two hours to see if the meter reading has changed. Make sure nothing is using any water in your home, turn your stop tap off and note the reading. Leak detectors monitor your usual water use and can turn off the water if they detect a leak.Īlternatively, you can use your water meter to check for leaks. If it won’t turn, contact a plumber to fix it. Turning the valve clockwise will close it, but it may take a few minutes for the water to stop altogether. Test it by turning it on and off several times, as stop taps can seize up. It’s the quickest way to stop a water leak. Make sure you know where your internal stop tap (also known as an isolation valve or stopcock) is located. So, how can you avoid water damage after cold weather? Don’t wait until the thaw to worry about water damage. These may start slowly at first - almost unseen - but could lead to costly damage and disruption. You might think that cold weather is the biggest risk to your home – once ice and snow have gone, however, the thaw could also put your home at risk.Įscape of water is one of the most common reasons for home insurance claims, so it’s important to take steps to avoid water damage once the snow and ice begins to melt.Ĭracks in pipes and plumbing joints may not be noticeable, for example, because frozen water is keeping them sealed - but as it defrosts, it could cause leaks and internal floods. ![]()
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