Frozen Pipe Bursts Property Protection Insurance

Preparing and Protecting your Property against Pipe Bursts:

Frozen pipes cause some of the most common and costliest cold weather claims averaging about $18,000 per claim. Research shows that most claims occur when businesses are closed or unoccupied (i.g. due to storm closings).

Protect your business by taking these important steps:

Make sure heat is on especially in remote areas of the facility; monitor facility at night and over the weekends; shut off water supplies in low-temperature prone areas.

Provide adequate heat (40 degrees F) for dry pipe valve rooms, pump rooms, and water tanks.

Inspect roofs, looking for any weaknesses, and reinforce when needed.

Inspect gutters, drains, downspouts and scuppers. Consider putting heat tracing in downspouts and gutters to keep them clear of ice.

Determine a safe snow depth for each roof. Arrange for snow removal to start when accumulation reaches half this depth. Ensure this snow removal plan includes roofs, skylights, canopies, and overhangs.

Monitor products stored in unheated areas, subject to freezing.

Survey buildings and your equipment to determine if there are any insulation deficiencies.

Check for unwanted outside air (ie. vents and openings in windows, walls, roofs or floors).

Drain low point drains (drum drips) on dry-pipe sprinkler systems to remove any water.

Keep your maintenance records (to verify to your insurance company that you have been proactive).