Weather

Winter Storms: Tips for Preparing your House and Pipes

In 2021, winter storms in Texas led to hundreds of thousands of insurance claims and billions of dollars in damage. Here are steps you can take to protect your home and property from winter storm damage.

Know your coverages

Burst pipes. Ask your agent if your home or renters policy covers sudden and accidental water damage. This coverage pays for damage from burst pipes. Flood insurance doesn’t pay for damage caused by burst pipes.

Home and renters policies might not pay for damages caused by frozen pipes if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes, such as keeping the heater on in your house.

Food spoilage. If the food in your refrigerator spoiled because of a power failure caused by something your policy covers, your policy should pay up to $500 to replace your food. And often there’s no deductible. Take pictures and keep a list of spoiled food.

Prepare days before a freeze

  • Wrap outdoor and indoor pipes in unheated areas (like a clothes washer in your garage).
  • Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes.
  • Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system.
  • Turn off the water to your clothes washer if it’s in an unheated garage.
  • Store your lawn equipment in a garage or shed to keep them in good condition for next year. Drain the gas.
  • If you leave your house before a freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and leave your heat on.

Protect your pipes when it freezes

  • Open cabinets under sinks to let your house’s heat warm the pipes.
  • If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into your house after they thaw.
  • Let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through your indoor faucets – hot and cold — before you go to sleep. Follow your local government’s instructions, which may limit water usage.

Hurricane Preparedness

  • Know your risk – Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt many miles inland. Significant impacts can also occur regardless of the storm’s strength.
  • Consider your threats: Storm surges, flooding from heavy rain, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents
  • Determine if you live in a flood-prone area
  • Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
  • Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by getting your disaster supplies now. Supplies may not be available just before a storm arrives. Get an insurance review early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
  • Develop an evacuation plan
  • Assemble disaster supplies: food, water, batteries, charger, radio, cash
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions
  • Create a communication plan with a hand-written list of contacts
  • Strengthen your home
  • Understand forecast information before a storm. This can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s path, rainfall amounts, wind speeds and more. Most importantly, it lets you and your family know what actions to take to prepare, monitor, shelter or evacuate.
  • Visit www.hurricanes.gov for more information.
  • Rely on forecasts from your local National Weather Service office
  • Know your alerts and the difference between Watch and Warning
  • Focus on potential impacts, regardless of storm size and category
  • Know that deadly hazards occur well outside of the Forecast Cone
  • Know what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.
  • Protect your home: Cover windows, secure doors and loose items
  • Determine sheltering options and consider your pets
  • Ready you go-bag, meds and supplies, charge phones, fill up/charge vehicle
  • Help your neighbors, especially the elderly and other vulnerable people
  • Follow evacuation orders if given
  • A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is not the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.
  • Use caution after storms: If evacuated, only return home when directed it is safe to do so
  • Remain vigilant, as hazards remain: Heat, downed power lines, floodwaters, etc.
  • Clean up safely: Don’t push yourself and check on neighbors
  • Only use generators outdoors, 20+ feet from your house
  • Prepare for the likelihood that help and communications may not be available
  • Do not wait to take action! Start preparing today!
  • Determine your risks from water and wind
  • Begin preparing now, before a storm
  • Learn how to understand hurricane forecasts and alerts
  • Learn what to do before, during and after a storm