Quote Contact Professionals SCC Living Blog Log In 1-800-522-0146 Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Home During A Freeze Winter months bring new challenges for home owners. The Winter months can bring additional challenges to home owners. Unlike a Hurricane or Hail Storm, Freezing Events are often times quite and peaceful, creating a false sense of security. We've compiled a list of our Top 10 ways you can protect your home during Freezing Temperatures. Cover Outdoor Spigots Spigots are directly exposed to freezing temps. They are often times the first thing to ice up on a house. Protecting them from icing up and potentially causing a burst pipe is easy and cheap. Check with you local hardware store for Insulated Outdoor Faucet/Spigot Covers. They typically cost around $4-$10 and can save you thousands of dollars in damage and repairs. Protect your Water lines You can wrap your exposed pipes with insulation pipe wraps from your local hardware store, and you can even use old towels around your house and wrap with duct tape! Read More Here! Add Insulation This is more for indoor plumbing pipes that run through your exterior walls. Seal Cracks and Holes Check the outside of your home for small cracks or openings. Even small holes where cables enter your home can allow cold air inside. You can purchase a can of spray foam insulation to close these up quickly. Also, weather stripping and caulking around all your doors and windows. This should be done yearly around your home. Keep water flowing If any of your plumbing is near an exterior wall you should drip your lines whenever temperatures dip well below freezing. You may also consider leaving your cabinet doors open and the pipes inside will be warmed by your room air. Ensure easy access to water shut off If your waterlines do burst you will need to shut off the homes water supply immediately. If you have anything in the way of getting to this valve, we recommend clearing this for easy and quick access. This is normally a job for a professional plumber, but can save your home and property from further damage. Close garage doors If your garage is attached to your home keeping the door closed will help keep cold air out and can protect plumbing fixtures in your garage. Clean Gutters Having full gutters can increase your chance of having ice form on your roof. This is not something that you want. We recommend setting aside time to clean your gutters out before freezing temperatures arrive. Gutter screens and or helmets can prevent leaves from clogging them. Maintain your Thermostat Making sure you can keep your thermostat running continuously by keeping spare batteries on hand, even the new Nest system can help you monitor the temperatures on your cell phone. Prepare for Vacation When you leave your home for an extended period of time during the winder consider shutting off your water at the water meter and draining your plumbing system. This will help you not to worry as much about freezing pipes or other plumbing failures. You should always contact your homeowner’s insurer to make sure your insurance policy is up to date and has good coverage for losses caused by freezing temperatures. Quick Links Home GET A QUOTE Summerizing-Your-Home Protect Your Home From A Freeze It All Starts With A Quote Is Mobile Home Insurance Required? Space Heater Safety in your Mobile Home What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover? Is Mobile Home Insurance Worth It? What Will It Cost? Our History We're Specialists Compare Us What To Expect Customer Reviews Coverages SCC Living Blog Standard Casualty Company © 2021, All rights reserved. In Texas, Standard Casualty Company re-insures the mobile home owner's policy written through Standard Insurance Agency, Inc. Some policies may be issued through our affiliates. Coverage available in: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. All coverage is subject to your individual policy limitations and exclusions. Please read your policy carefully. It contains the information you need to know. Terms, Conditions, and Privacy Statements. Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell My Information