Cold Weather Bursting Water Pipes

CAPE MAY — Unseasonably cold weather has caused water pipes to break in both homes and businesses throughout the county during the past week.
Cape May Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies Jr. said his department answered broken pipe calls at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House with a problem in the ceiling, Oyster Bay Restaurant which received severe damage to the bar area, sprinkler systems at Cape Manor condominiums and the Virginia Hotel. He said problems result from water pipes that are not sufficiently heated.
“When it gets down to 10 degrees, the properties are just not ready for that kind of cold,” said Inderwies. “Even if the heat is left on, it is not enough to compensate for that type of cold.”
Pipes often burst when the temperature warms into the 30s and ice in pipes expands, he said.
The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. (PIANJ) reminds homeowners and business owners’ recovering from frozen pipes isn’t as simple as calling a plumber.
An eighth-inch crack in a pipe can send up to 250 gallons of water a day, destroying equipment and files, wrecking floors and furniture; and costing homeowners and businesses a lot of money. By taking a few simple precautions, owners can save themselves the mess, cost and aggravation frozen pipes cause.
“Subject to a deductible, most homeowners policies cover damage resulting from frozen pipes, including the repair of the pipe,” says Gary C. Rygiel, president of PIANJ. “Your policy will cover dwelling damage, and damage to personal property, such as furniture and rugs. Tenants of a residence can get similar coverage for personal property by purchasing a renters policy and business owners can purchase similar coverage for business property.
“However, no coverage exists for frozen-pipe damage to an unoccupied home or business unless heat is maintained in the building or the pipes have been drained,” Rygiel continued.
Pipes that freeze most often are those that are exposed to the severe cold such as those located in unheated interior areas like basements or attics, crawl spaces, garages and kitchen cabinets.
Some measures PIANJ suggests for safeguarding pipes and property include insulating the pipes in these areas. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near the pipes. Look for air leaks and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.
Water supply to outside valves (hose bibs) usually have a shut off valve inside the house. The homeowner should shut the inside valve and open the outside valve. If water continues to drip outside, there may be a leak at the inside valve. You’ll probably need to call a plumber to fix that.
For pipes in crawl spaces and garages, it may be necessary to wrap the pipe with an electrical insulator. These wraps act like heating pads for the pipe to keep the fluid from freezing.
If pipes do freeze, don’t take any chances, warns PIANJ. If you turn on faucets and no water comes out, leave the faucet on, turn off the main shut-off valve for the water supply and call a plumber. Take immediate steps to prevent further damage.
“If damage has occurred, contact your insurance agent. He or she will be able to guide you through the claims process,” says Rygiel. “The key to reducing your anxiety during this stressful time is communication. Call your professional, independent agent today with any concerns about your coverage that you have.”