Cold and Costly: Frozen/Burst Pipes Cause Homeowner HAVOC; Multiple incidents in Lakewood

With the coldest temperatures of the season in the forecast for today and tomorrow, New Jersey homeowners could find themselves dealing with damage caused by frozen or burst pipes. With periods of brutally cold weather, pipes are at risk of freezing due to sudden temperature drops, poor insulation or incorrect thermostat settings.

In Lakewood, there have been multiple reports of burst pipes overnight and this morning. Many of them were reportedly in newer homes.

Temperature fluctuations this time of year in New Jersey– the thawing from warmer temperatures, along with the refreezing at night – could continue to contribute to the problem, according to AAA Insurance experts.

“Freezing temperatures put your pipes at risk, and recovery can be difficult and costly,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Both plastic and copper pipes can burst. A crack as small as 1/8-inch can spew up to 250 gallons of water per day, causing flooding, serious structural damage and the potential for mold.”

“While cold weather is not unexpected in New Jersey, the periods of extreme cold has many homeowners paying an unexpected price,” Noble added. “Knowing ways to keep your pipes from freezing and how to effectively manage the aftermath, from cleanup to insurance claims, is key.”

With more than two months of winter left and more frigid weather likely in the weeks ahead, AAA Insurance offers suggestions that can help homeowners and renters prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, and provides the following tips when encountering frozen or burst pipes and for managing resulting home insurance claims:

Preventing Frozen Pipes: 

  • Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how it works.
  • Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in an area where freezing temperatures are unlikely.
  • Seal gaps around pipes that allow cold air inside. You also should look for air leaks around electrical wiring, clothes dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
  • Disconnect garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance that pipes inside the house will freeze.
  • If a freeze is expected, consider allowing warm water to drip slightly overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Even a slight trickle may keep your pipes from freezing.
  • When there is the possibility of a freeze, don’t turn down the thermostat at bedtime. Instead, maintain the same setting day and night. Drops in temperature, which are more common overnight, could freeze your pipes.
  • Open cabinet doors. This will allow heat to reach uninsulated pipes located under sinks.
  • If you’re going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period of time, consider maintaining minimal heat to prevent freezing. AAA Travel agents report that this is a busy time for travelers looking for good deals or trips to warmer places.

Recovering from Frozen Pipes:

  • If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, your pipes are likely frozen. Don’t wait for them to burst. Take measures to thaw them immediately, or call a plumber for assistance.
  • You may be able to use a hair dryer to thaw a frozen pipe. Begin by warming the section of pipe closest to the faucet, then work your way out toward the coldest part of the pipe.
  • Never use a hair dryer or any electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
  • Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. It could cause a fire.
  • If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house, leave the water faucets turned on, and call a plumber.
  • Mop up spills. You do not want the water to do more damage than it already has.
  • Call your insurance company claims department as soon as you can. An insurance adjuster does not need to see the spill before you take action. However, the adjuster will want to inspect any damaged items.
  • Make temporary repairs and take other steps to protect your property from further damage. Remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage.

Managing Home Insurance Claims

  • Make a list of the damaged articles and take photos.
  • Save the receipts for what you spend—including additional living expenses if you must leave your home until repairs are completed—and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
  • Standard homeowners policies will cover most of the kinds of damage that result from a freeze. For example, if house pipes freeze and burst or if ice forms in gutters and causes water to back up under roof shingles and seep into the house. You would also be covered if the weight of snow or ice damages your house.
  • If your home sustains water damage, it is important to make sure that it is properly dried and repaired to prevent any potential problem with mold. Remember, mold cannot survive without moisture.
  • Check with your agent or insurance company to be sure of what your policy covers.

“Prevention is the key to protecting your home this winter. A few simple steps can help you avoid a frozen pipes nightmare,” Noble said. “For added peace of mind, it’s a good idea to make sure you have adequate homeowners insurance.”

 

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Flooding is horrible. If you need someone to help figure out how to fix the problem, wether it be frozen pipes to flooded homes, Yaakov Fisgus from Inspect it Rite is your man. Clear, thorough and very knowledgeable. He will tell you what’s wrong and how to go about fixing it.
    Call him 732-773-7616

  2. If you end up with a need for an insurance claim 1) shop around for a good public adjuster. You can get an excellent one that only charges 10%. Others may charge 12-20%! The ones that charge more are not going to get you more money even if they try to convince you otherwise. The ones that charge less do have experience and know what they are doing. 2) if you need a place to stay, your insurance may pay to rent a house from Lakewood hosts while your house is under repair (if you can’t live in your home during repair). From my experience, they worked with my insurance company and I didn’t have to lay out any money.

  3. yes..ive seen burst pipes flood houses… from attic down to basement. Ive seen Ace restoration with dozens of air movers and commercial dehumidifiers dry out 3 story homes in couple days…and yes, they work with insurance and it was headache free for homeowner. keep heat on and make sure water is still flowing…

  4. I hate to say it but the majority of the times pipes freeze in new homes is because the builders skimp on the amount of insulation needed.its especially a problem inside finished basements and around window and door mouldings because the home owner will never know once the sheetrock goes up.

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