As the frigid winter tightens its grip, the unseen danger of frozen pipes lurks within your walls. When frozen pipes burst, the potential to wreak havoc beyond imagination can turn a serene winter's day into a nightmare scenario.

If you have a home warranty or are looking into getting a plan, you may be wondering, “does a home warranty cover frozen pipes?” Home warranties do not typically include frozen pipes warranty coverage because when a home has damage due to frozen pipes, it is covered under homeowner's insurance. It's important to check your specific homeowners insurance coverage, however. Typically, most homeowners insurance policies can cover opening walls to access broken pipes (and closing walls afterward), drying out wet floors, and more. However, these types of policies often don't include fixing the broken pipe.

Even if your homeowner's insurance has protections when the pipes freeze, it is far easier to prevent pipes from freezing than to deal with the aftermath of water damage from broken pipes.

Read on to understand the consequences of frozen pipes and the aftermath of their rupture, and what you as a homeowner can do to shield your home from a chilling disaster.

How Do Pipes Become Frozen??

Frozen pipes occur when water freezes inside the pipes due to extremely cold temperatures. This ice buildup can block the water flow and create pressure within the pipe's walls. As this pressure increases, it can cause pipes to burst or crack, resulting in water leakage when the ice thaws or the pressure becomes too much to handle.

The Aftermath of Frozen Pipe Damage

Frozen pipe damage can lead to destructive results in your home. Here are several types of damage that frozen pipes can cause if not spotted and handled immediately:

Water Damage

When a frozen pipe thaws or bursts, it releases a significant amount of water into your home. This water can quickly flood the affected area, causing damage to floors, walls, ceilings, and any belongings in its path. Water damage can lead to structural issues, mold growth, and damaged materials like drywall.

rusty pipe bursts, spraying water

Electrical Damage

Water and electricity do not mix well. Water from burst pipes can make contact with electrical wiring, outlets, and appliances, posing a risk of electrical shorts, malfunctions, or even fires.

Flooring Damage

Water can seep into carpets and flooring, causing them to become waterlogged and potentially leading to irreparable damage. Replacing these items can cost quite a bit of money if they’re not covered by your homeowners insurance.

Pest Infestations

Excess moisture from burst pipes can attract pests like insects and rodents that are drawn to damp environments.

Health Hazards

Mold growth resulting from water damage can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems for you and your family.

Financial Costs

Repairing frozen pipe damage can cost a lot. This includes not only fixing the pipes themselves but also addressing the subsequent damage to your home and belongings.

What to Do When Pipes Freeze

If you suspect you have frozen pipes, it's important to act promptly to prevent them from bursting. Since frozen pipes warranty coverage isn't common, you won't be able to just submit a service request. Early detection and intervention can save you from potential water damage and costly repairs.

Open faucets to a slow drip to relieve pressure, use a hair dryer or heating pad to gently warm the pipes. Never try to thaw the pipes too fast, as this can cause them to split. A slow and gradual heat-up is the best method. If you can't locate the frozen area or if a pipe has already burst, call a professional plumber to assess and resolve the issue.

Tips To Prevent Frozen Pipes

Regular maintenance, insulation, and temperature control can help you prevent the havoc that burst pipes can unleash on your home. Here are some tips to help you prevent frozen pipes around the house:

Insulate Pipes

Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. This insulation acts as a barrier against the colder temperatures and helps keep the pipes from freezing.

Seal Cracks and Gaps

Seal any gaps, cracks, or openings in the walls, floors, and ceilings near pipes. This prevents cold air from infiltrating your home and affecting the temperature of the pipes.

Add Heating Cable

Installing heating cables or heat tape around vulnerable pipes can produce enough heat to keep them above freezing temperatures.

Keep a Consistent Temperature

During very cold weather, set your thermostat to a temperature that will keep the interior warm enough to prevent freezing.

Traveling? Keep Heat On

If you're traveling during cold weather, do not turn off the heating system completely. Keep the thermostat set to a temperature that prevents freezing inside your home.

Let Faucets Drip

When temperatures are extremely cold, allow faucets that are served by exposed pipes to drip slowly. The continuous flow of water can help prevent the pressure buildup that leads to burst pipes.

Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Before winter arrives, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Close the inside valves that supply outdoor faucets and leave the outdoor faucets open to allow any remaining water to drain.

Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Water Supply

Not sure how to keep outdoor water pipes from freezing? If your home has a separate shut-off valve for outdoor water supply, shut it off and drain any remaining water from the pipes. This is the easiest way to keep outdoor water pipes from freezing.

Use Insulated Covers

For outdoor faucets and spigots, use insulated faucet covers to provide an extra layer of protection against freezing temperatures.

By taking these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of frozen pipes and the potential issues they can cause. Remember that being proactive is key to ensuring your home remains comfortable and free from the costly consequences of frozen pipe damage.

First American Home Warranty Plumbing Coverage

First American Home Warranty offers comprehensive plumbing coverage that provides peace-of-mind and protection against unexpected plumbing issues. With our plumbing coverage, you can rest assured knowing that a wide range of plumbing components, such as broken pipes, stoppages, and more, are included. Let us help safeguard the integrity and functionality of your plumbing systems with dependable plumbing coverage and a simple claims process

FAQ

What do I do if a pipe bursts?

Shut off the main water valve to your home and then open a faucet to relieve the pressure in the pipes. Next, remove any water around the burst pipe and begin drying the area to prevent any further water damage. You should then contact a plumber, who can give you advice on what to do until they come and fix the pipe. In most instances, homeowners’ insurance can cover your frozen pipe damage. However, most warranties do not cover damages from burst frozen pipes

Which types of water pipes freeze most often?

The most common water lines found in the home are copper, PEX, and CPVC pipes. Copper is most common for water pipes, but it loses heat quickly, making it prone to burst when frozen water is inside. CPVC is a rigid, plastic pipe with thicker walls than copper pipe. But these plastic pipes can crack at low temperatures if put under enough pressure. PEX tubing is a flexible plastic pipe that holds up well in low temperatures. It still can burst with enough pressure, but breaks are most common, at the connections on either end of the PEX pipe.

A pvc pipe has burst

Does a home warranty cover plumbing?

A home warranty can cover plumbing stoppages and leaks to water heaters, toilet, shower head/arms and more. Plumbing problems can damage your home and disrupt your routine. A home warranty can offer you peace of mind, knowing your budget is protected from many unexpected plumbing issues.

Does a home warranty cover plumbing leaks?

Our plans cover leaks and breaks of your home's water, drain, gas, vent, or sewer lines. The exception to this is broken pipes or leaks caused by freezing.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.