It's the middle of January, and a major storm named Fern is headed across much of the country. Parts of the South, Midwest and Northeast are expected to feel its effects Friday through Monday, with damaging ice, freezing rain, and snow affecting over 200 million people, over half of the country's population. Many areas will also be bitterly cold, with wind chills below zero. While it's too early for solid predictions, the storm is definitely worth paying attention to.
One of the primary concerns is frozen pipes. Power outages are possible, leading to loss of heat which could lead to frozen pipes. Both the homeowners and the commercial property forms require insureds to either maintain heat in the building or drain the pipes and turn off the water. But what exactly is "maintaining heat" in the building? Neither policy mentions a preferred temperature that is known to keep pipes safe. The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and other references recommend setting the thermostat at no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though water freezes at 32 degrees, setting the heat above 32 but below 55 degrees will not guarantee that pipes, especially those in an unheated garage or uninsulated attic, won't freeze. If the building isn't well insulated, it may be wise to open cupboard doors and let the water run a little from the faucet when the temperatures dip below freezing.
Though winter is not the best time to clean the gutters, it would be a good idea to make sure the gutters are clear of debris, or at least remove the snow from the roof, especially if they weren't cleaned earlier in the season and snow is expected. When snow is on the roof and the melting snow can't drain properly, it may refreeze and back up into the house, causing damage. Insulating the attic can also help prevent heat loss, as well as maintain even temperatures across the roof. When some parts of the roof are warmer than others, the warmer areas may start melting the snow, but the colder areas will let it refreeze, leading to possible ice damming.
Pipes in attics, crawl spaces, and exterior-facing walls should be insulated. Outdoor faucets should be covered, and water to the outside faucets should be turned off.
Power losses can also be expected. If you don't have a generator, it's a good idea to learn where warming centers are located and, if you have pets, whether the centers allow pets. It's also a good idea to keep the car full of gas or fully charged, since electric vehicles often lose some range when the weather is below freezing. Other recommendations for preparation can be found here.
A more unusual issue that can occur when it's bitterly cold is exploding trees. Yes, you read that right, exploding trees. What happens is that in the bitter cold, such as temperatures 20 degrees below zero, the water inside the sap of the trees freezes, causing the tree to freeze, expand, and crack the bark. Those nearby will hear a loud crack, or a gunshot like noise. It can also cause branches and limbs to fall, which can lead to downed power lines and damage to dwellings and other property.
To help you prepare for this weekend, we've pulled together a number of articles on winter issues, including questions from subscribers related to coverage during frigid temperatures that we've answered over the years. Insurance departments often issue bulletins with safety recommendations as well.
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Q&As:
Insurance Coverage Q&A: Ice Damming – Commercial Property ClaimsChristine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.