Local American Family Insurance agent Teresa Weinman has been handling claims throughout the Yampa Valley for      almost two decades. No season makes the phone ring more than winter. “Some of the biggest claims we get here come from burst pipes,” Weinman said. “Often the pipe will be in a room that’s been closed off when not in use, like a guest room, and there won’t be enough heat to prevent a frozen pipe.”

To prevent a disaster, we asked for advice on what steps homeowners can take to winterize a property.

Schedule an HVAC Inspection

  • Have a professional complete a maintenance check during the fall on your heating and cooling systems, vents, and ductwork at least annually. This can keep you safe from carbon monoxide, mold spores, and other allergens.

  • Fire Protection

  • If you have a wood-burning fireplace, get the chimney swept. Nests and creosote build ups are dangerous and pose a serious fire threat. A professional chimney sweep can inspect the lining and masonry to ensure smoke and sparks have a clear path to escape.
  • Clean dryer vents. Lint is extremely flammable and many house fires each year are caused by someone’s negligence when it comes to keeping their dryers clean.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

  • Insulate exposed pipes, leave doors open, and keep thermostats set to maintain enough heat in all spaces. If the property will be vacant at any time, open cabinet doors where pipes are located to allow air flow.

“For insurance to apply, the damage must be sudden and accidental and not caused by wear and tear,” Weinman said. “For example, if a roof starts to leak and the cause is an ice damn that has never happened before, versus 20 years of an ice dam that was never dealt with, and the roof finally gave in.”

Before Old Man Winter finally makes his stamp on the valley for another snowy season, be prepared and avoid disaster.