Water & Ice: Not So Nice

State Farm® releases 2022 top ten states for frozen pipes and winter water losses

As winter sets in, frozen pipes and ice dams become a large concern for destructive water damage. However, reported claims are down in 2022 from 2021 mainly because of winter storm Uri that hit in February of 2021. A few tips taking a few minutes can save you thousands.

In 2022, State Farm paid over $181M for nearly 9,000 claims from frozen pipe damage, with the average claim coming in just over $20,000. Texas was the #1 state for these losses with $64 million in claim costs. This was followed by New York ($17M), Illinois ($10.8M), Michigan ($7.2M) and Colorado ($6.5M).

Frozen pipes

A one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can spray more than 250 gallons of water a day, ruining floors, carpets, furniture, and irreplaceable personal belongings. Homes in warmer climates are usually at greater risk because pipes often run through uninsulated or under-insulated attics or crawl spaces. When temperatures in southern climates dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pipes can freeze and burst. However, pipes can freeze anywhere due to exposure from cracks or holes in siding or because of pipes placed in outside walls with inadequate insulation.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, one in 50 insured homes had a claim of property damage from water or freezing each year. Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:

• Call a plumber if needed. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• Avoid use of appliances near water. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
• Avoid applying flames to thaw pipes. Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
• Use a hair dryer as a possible heat source (with caution). You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer — again, make sure you are not in standing water. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• Shut off the water supply. If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Be sure to leave the water faucets turned on.

Let it drip

There are some things you can do to prevent frozen pipes from happening.

• Let faucets drip overnight to keep water moving freely.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and on exterior walls.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside.
• Disconnect garden hoses or use indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes.
• Winterize your pool. Consider calling a professional or drain all pool equipment so the water will not expand and cause damage. Clear and drain all the water from the pool lines, filter, pump, and heater. Turn off automatic freeze guard to keep your pump from kicking on and burning up.
• Ensure your home maintains adequate heat inside, at least 55 degrees.
• Water can be shut off to prevent freezing pipes but note that fire suppression systems will be deactivated when water is shut off.

When pipes freeze

Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• Avoid use of appliances near water. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
• Avoid applying flames to thaw pipes. Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
• Use a hair dryer as a possible heat source (with caution). You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer — again, make sure you are not in standing water. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• Shut off the water supply. If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Be sure to leave the water faucets turned on.
• Contact your insurance company if there is damage.

Ice dams

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Moisture entering the home from ice dams can lead to growth of mold and mildew. There are things you can do to prevent them from happening:

• Ventilate eaves and ridge. A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents circulates cold air under the entire roof.
• Seal any open attic hatch or whole house fan. An unsealed attic hatch or whole-house fan is a massive opening for heat to escape.
• Add insulation. The more insulation on the attic floor keeps the heat where it belongs.
• Install sealed can lights. Recessed lights give off great plumes of heat and can’t be insulated without creating a fire hazard. Replace with sealed “IC” fixtures, which can be covered with insulation.
• Check flash around chimneys. Bridge the gap between chimney and house framing with L-shaped steel flashing held in place with unbroken beads of a fire-stop sealant. Using canned spray foam or insulation isn’t fire safe.
• Seal and insulate Ducts. Spread fiber-reinforced mastic on the joints of HVAC ducts and exhaust ducts. Cover them entirely with R-5 or R-6 foil-faced fiberglass.
• Caulk penetrations. Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant. Also, look for any spots where light shines up from below or the insulation is stained black by the dirt from passing air.

If an ice dam has already formed (1) Use a box fan in the attic, pointed at the underside of the roof where water is actively leaking in and or (2) rake it. Pull off snow and sleet with a long-handled aluminum roof rake, but only if you can do this safely from the ground.