It’s that time of year again. The cold is going to be with us for a few months yet and unfortunately, a common emergency situation homeowners find themselves in during this time of year is dealing with frozen pipes.

If you’re going to be home but are worried that your pipes are at risk, make sure to keep the heat at a steady, warm temperature, drain lines that are outside or in unheated areas, and consider keeping the taps dripping during the coldest evenings. It’s also a good idea to keep interior doors open to help the heat spread evenly throughout your home.

Snowbirds take extra precautions

If you’re planning to spend the season in a warmer climate, or jet off on vacation for a week, you have to put a plan in place. Your insurance policy may state that if your home is not checked every 4 days while you’re away, and a pipe bursts, you may not be covered. You’ll be covered for fire or theft, but pipes are a different story.

Here are some tips for preparation if you’re headed south:

• Turn off the water main to drain the water pipes.
• Starting at the top floor of the house, turn on all the taps and flush the toilets.
• Drain your hot water tank—turn off the inlet valve, attach a hose to the tank drain and run the water into the basement floor drain.
• Unhook your washing machine hoses and drain them.
• Ask a friend to check on your house at least every 4 days
• Keep the heating set to a temperature only a few degrees lower than usual.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, as well as closet and attic doors, so warmer air can circulate.

Typically, homeowners reduce their heat when they're away from their homes, but that can backfire. If you know there’s going to be a lot of very cold days and nights while you’re away, better to keep your home warm - about 21ºC - and reduce the risks.

If the worst happens

In some areas, even the best plan can let you down and leave you with a mess. If you have to file a claim, your insurance company will usually conduct an investigation to determine what happened and what preventative measures were taken. If it’s determined that you left your property vacant for more than 4 days without a designated person to check up on it, you could be paying for the repairs out of pocket.

Stay diligent this winter and always plan ahead!