The holiday season is known for two things: people going out of town and colder weather. What do they have in common? Frozen pipes. When tenants are away for the holidays, they tend to leave their heat turned low or off altogether. This, combined with an absence of people turning the water on and a lack of attention to those vacant condos, apartments, or homes, can spell disaster in the form of frozen pipes.
It all sounds like a disaster, doesn’t it? So, how can you, as well as other property managers, prevent this from happening?
How to Avoid Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can be avoided by doing several things, depending on the length of time that your tenants will be away:
Short Trips – For shorter trips, things like setting the thermostat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit instead of turning it off can help keep the home warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing. In addition, if there’s a chance of a cold snap while they’re gone, have your tenants leave their faucets on just enough to keep the water dripping. Opening the sink cabinets can also allow warm air to flow over the pipes.
Longer Vacations – If you’re worried about long-term freezing and the damage that it can cause, consider adding insulation to the pipes to keep them warm. Heat tape can work as well if some of the pipes are exposed to the elements. Turning off the water and draining everything, including hoses, can keep pipes from freezing and breaking as there is no water in them.
Make sure to share these tips with your tenants so they know what to do.
What to do If Your Property’s Pipes Freeze
A burst pipe can be obvious, as there will be water everywhere, but how can you fix them? The first thing that you need to do is turn off the water in order to prevent additional flooding. You’ll also need to call in a plumber to repair the pipes so that you can restore water service to the affected home, plus, depending on your contract or lease with your tenants, hire a water abatement company to clean up the water, repair any damaged flooring or drywall, and prevent mold. All of this can be quite costly.
Don’t Forget About Property Insurance
Property managers need to have the right type of insurance in place in order to avoid having to pay out of pocket for repairs after a frozen pipe disaster. While tenants often have renter’s insurance to cover the costs of their belongings, you are responsible for the communal areas, exteriors of the buildings, and the pipes. Thankfully, a property insurance policy that covers frozen pipes may pay for the cost of the plumbers, the cleanup, and more.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Want to learn more about building insurance for property managers? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan your building needs.