How can you Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing During a Winter Storm in the future?

What to do if your pipes freeze during a winter storm: 2024 Update

Even interior pipes can freeze in subzero conditions.

The likelihood of your pipes freezing and rupturing increases dramatically when the weather drops. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, burst pipes are one of the most frequent reasons for property loss during extremely cold weather. They can quickly result in thousands of dollars worth of water damage, or even more. If you experience frozen pipes at your home or business after a winter storm, continue reading this article.

Here are several steps you can take if your pipes freeze during a winter storm this 2024:

• Activate the faucet and leave it running. In the future, a burst pipe can be avoided by letting the faucet drip, even a little bit.
• Use a hair dryer to gently apply heat to the frozen spot. Air should be directed toward the faucet end of the pipe and progressively moved toward the coldest part. Take caution not to blow a fuse or overheat the hair dryer. Avoid using a propane torch since it might cause damage to the pipe and increase the risk of a fire.
• Don’t stop heating until the water pressure is fully restored. Keep applying heat. Even so, after the pipe has thawed, it’s a good idea to leave the faucet open for a few minutes. This will allow the ice to get far enough away from the line.
• Examine every faucet in your house to look for any further frozen pipes and prevent pipes from freezing in the future. It’s possible that other pipes have been impacted by one frozen pipe.

The pipes will probably take half an hour to thaw. This might change, though, based on the temperature, the length of time the pipe has been frozen, and its location. If none of the aforementioned actions work for you, you should contact a plumber for help.

How urgent is a burst pipe?

Put an end to the leaky pipes as soon as possible!

Even over brief periods of time, undetected burst pipes can result in significant property damage and higher water costs. Known as “water damage,” this problem can lead to flooding, damage walls and furniture, and ruin existing flooring.

Will homeowner insurance cover damage from frozen pipes?

Most homeowner and commercial property insurance policies, in general, will cover damage from a frozen pipe that bursts.

What to do if your insurance claim is denied or underpaid after a pipe burst causes water damage?

You might be able to file a lawsuit against your insurance provider if a burst pipe caused damage to your property and they either rejected your claim or paid you significantly less than the true cost of the damage. A pipe damage attorney can assist you in determining what to do next. Allow The Chad T. Wilson Law Firm insurance lawyers in Houston to defend your rights to justice and recompense. For a free consultation, reach out to us today. If your lawsuit is unsuccessful, there will be no payment due.

How can you Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing During a Winter Storm in the future?

The pipes in unheated interior spaces, such as garages, attics, and basements, are the most vulnerable. However, pipes that pass through external walls or cupboards may also freeze. The good news is that you can maintain dry conditions in your home and running water by taking a few easy steps.

The American Red Cross, which deals with emergency preparedness, and the IBHS both offer helpful tips on how to keep your pipes from freezing and how to thaw them if they do.

Why Pipe Freezing is Such a Serious Problem:

One peculiar characteristic of water is that it expands when it freezes. Anything holding it in place, such as metal or plastic pipes, is under extreme pressure from this expansion. Expanding water has the potential to shatter pipes, regardless of how sturdy the container is.

The most commonly freezing pipes are:

• Pipes that are subjected to extreme cold, such as sprinkler lines, swimming pool supply lines, and outdoor hose bibs.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior places such basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have minimal or no insulation.

Here are some tips to help avoid frozen pipelines in the future:

• In frigid weather, set your home’s thermostat above 55 degrees.
• Pour cold water into the faucet that is furthest away from your main valve. Water in motion prevents pipes from freezing.
• Find emergency shut-off valves.
• In locations without heat, insulate pipes.
• To warm the pipes, open the cabinets and vanities.
• Shut off the internal water supply valves.
• Open the outside spigots to allow to drain water out.
• Keep the outside valve open to allow any leftover water in the pipe to expand without rupturing.
• Turn off the water at outside spigots and remove all water from the line when freezing weather is predicted.

Water utilities are responsible for water mains and pipe lines that connect to your home, but not pipes located on your property. If a pipe bursts on your property, call a plumber immediately for repairs. Help protect your pipes from potential damage and avoid costly repairs by following these steps.

Attorney Patrick McGinnis Talks Winning Claims On ‘The Legal Fix’ Radio Show

Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Attorney, Patrick McGinnis, was a special guest on The Legal Fix radio show last month where he talked about winning denied insurance claims. Has your insurance company unfairly denied your property damage claim? If so, contact us today for a free case review. You may be entitled to compensation.

Our client, a woman whose home was damaged in a severe storm, recently filed a lawsuit against Ark Royal Insurance Company and its adjuster. Ark Royal conducted a substandard and improper inspection of our client’s property. They grossly undervalued the cost of repairs and deliberately yielded an unrealistic amount to underpay for coverage.

August 1, 2016 Storm

On August 1, 2016, a wind and hailstorm blew through Harris County, tearing through neighborhoods as it went. Our client’s Cypress home sustained extensive damage to the exterior, as well as to the windows and air conditioning system. After the storm, she promptly submitted a claim to Ark, hoping her insurance company would help her repair her home.

Ark Royal Insurance Company Home Insurance Claim

Ark assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing coverage. This left our client with zero recovery necessary to make repairs to her home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s negligent inspection found a litany of damages that Ark’s adjuster conveniently left out or undervalued in his estimate.

The third party adjuster estimated the real damage to our client’s home at $35,500.

Ark’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job. He misrepresented the amount of damage, hoping our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Ark Royal Insurance Company’s fraud forced our client to retain an attorney, just so she could get her roof repaired. On January 30, 2017, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Liberty Insurance Corporation. The firm is suing for fraud, breach of contract and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Houston Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until we win your case. Contact us today to see how we can help.

A Houston homeowner is suing Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance for fraud, negligent hiring and other claims. Our client’s home suffered severe damage after a brutal storm. Allstate and its adjuster responded to her insurance claim with a substandard and improper inspection of the property, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

January 8, 2016 Storm

On January 8, 2016, a severe wind and hailstorm bombarded Harris County, Texas, tearing through neighborhoods and destroying homes as it went. Our client’s home suffered severe damage to the roof and exterior, as well as the central air conditioner. After the storm, the homeowner quickly submitted a claim to Allstate, hoping her insurance company would help her get her life back in order.

Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company Home Insurance Claim

Allstate assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and finding no damage from the storm. This flagrant fraud left our client with no recovery to make repairs to her home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s fraudulent inspection found a litany of damages that were either conveniently absent or undervalued in Allstate’s estimate.

The damage to our client’s property is currently estimated at nearly $18,400.

Allstate’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job, misrepresenting the amount of damage in the hopes that our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Because of Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company’s fraud, our client was unable to complete any meaningful repairs to her home, which resulted in even more damage. She was forced to retain an attorney to pursue her claim for insurance benefits. On January 24, 2017, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company for fraud, breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, negligent hiring and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented over 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies, aggressively protecting the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Our client recently filed a lawsuit against Auto Club Indemnity Company (AAA) and its adjuster. The man’s home was seriously damaged in a hailstorm that bombarded Fort Bend County, Texas in June 2016. AAA and its adjuster conducted a substandard and improper inspection of our client’s property, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

June 4, 2016 Storm

On June 4, 2016, a severe storm tore through Missouri City, pelting our client’s home with hail and heavy rain. His roof and exterior, as well as several rooms inside the home, suffered serious damage. After the storm, our client quickly submitted a claim to AAA, hoping his insurance company would help him get his life back in order.

AAA Home Insurance Claim

AAA assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and estimating damages to total about $3,200. After applying the deductible, this left our client without any recovery to make repairs to his home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s fraudulent inspection found a litany of damages that were either conveniently absent or undervalued in AAA’s estimate.

The damage to our client’s property is currently estimated at $36,100.

AAA’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job. He misrepresented the amount of damage, hoping our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Because of AAA’s fraud, our client could not complete any meaningful repairs to his home, resulting in even more damage. AAA’s inadequacies forced him to retain an attorney to pursue his claim for insurance benefits. On December 13, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Auto Club Indemnity Company for fraud, breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, negligent hiring and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, then we can help. The experienced attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies. Our property insurance lawyers aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

What To Do When Your House Floods

You’ve built a life in your house. All of your memories, your families memories, are archived there. Not just in the photo albums, refrigerator drawings and homemade cards. But, in the markings on the door frame where your children grew to be taller than you. In the patchwork sheetrock where your boys loved to rough-house. In the permanently scuffed floors from too much running in the house.

And then, disaster strikes. With no warning, Mother Nature releases a fury of rain and, in just a few hours, you find all those memories washed away.

For some, this scenario seems like it could never happen. For people in South Louisiana, though, it’s all too familiar. In the span of one day, Baton Rouge and its surrounding cities were overwhelmed with rain. Levees broke. Rivers flooded. And houses in no-flood zones were engulfed in water.

When a flood strikes, immediately call your insurance company.

If you’ve found yourself up to your knees in water with no flood insurance, apply for federal assistance.

While you’re working to get your life back in order by clearing out your house, removing ruined carpets and sheetrock and salvaging everything you can, remember to pay attention to all of the potential dangers your house may now hold.

Wetness and high humidity will cause molds, fungi, algae and bacteria to grow within only a few days, and if the water was contaminated with sewage or other biological pollutants, your home may be doubly contaminated. Therefore, it’s important to begin cleaning and drying quickly and thoroughly. Mold spores can wreak havoc on allergies, fungi can deteriorate your wood, and some molds produce mycotoxins; all of these will cause an unhealthy living environment and a house that steadily rots. Often, the damages these growths cause will not be covered under flood or homeowner’s insurance.

If you have the funds, it’s best to have a professional water damage restoration contractor with special drying equipment come to clean, disinfect and dry your home. If you don’t have that option, be sure to wear protective clothing on your legs, arms, feet and hands while cleaning, and wear rubber gloves and goggles while removing flood-damaged items. If your home was built before 1978, be wary of lead-based paints.

Begin cleaning by removing wet carpets, carpet pads and rugs within 24 hours of the flood, and disinfect the slab underneath. An economical, general purposed disinfectant is 1/2 cup laundry bleach to a gallon of water, but can damage finishes (wood, metal, colors) and may pose health threats. Remove any other flooring once the flood has receded and clean the floor underneath. For wood floors, carefully remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling and leave open until the flooring is dry.

All wet insulation needs to be removed, and the insides of walls should be flushed. Be sure all areas are dry before installing new insulation and sheetrock. Replace all porous insulation with new material.

Flush out the insides of the walls. Allow wetted areas to dry thoroughly before installing new insulation. If possible, air condition and use a dehumidifier to speed the drying of materials by drying the indoor air.

To dry the rest of your home: open all closet and cabinet doors, remove drawers, wall panels, vinyl wallpaper and baseboards.

When refinishing your home, opt for latex paint, flood-hardy materials, ceramic or vinyl tiles or solid wood flooring.

Remove vinyl wallpaper to allow sheetrock or paneling to dry. Removing baseboards will help too. Refinish interior walls with latex paint—never use vinyl wallpaper—to allow the walls to continue to dry to the inside. A shellac-based sealer, however, may be needed over ceiling water stains before painting.

Texas & Louisiana Property Insurance Lawyers

If your flood or homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.