Winter Archives - Cade Associates Insurance Brokers Limited

Snowbirds: Winterize Your Home While You’re Away

Ross Fraser — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:30:18 +0000

If you are a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are several key things you can do to help protect your vacant home. Taking these steps can help protect your home from theft, water damage, heating or electrical system malfunctions and other possible threats while you are away for an extended period of time. These tips are provided by Travelers Canada, the underwriter of the CottageFirst Insurance program!

Download the Snowbird’s Checklist for Preparing Your Home

1. Make Your Home Appear as Though It Is Continuously Occupied

Forward your mail, stop newspaper delivery, and ask a friend or relative to collect flyers or other items that may be left at your door.
Arrange for someone to remove snow after storms.
Put motion-sensitive exterior lights and interior lights on timers and set them to come on at varying times to discourage prowlers.

2. Take Steps to Protect Your Home from Thieves

Confirm that your alarm systems are in working order and have been activated.
Secure external doors and windows with deadbolt locks, security-type hinges and sturdy door frames that cannot be spread apart. Install slide locks or other equivalent security locks on sliding glass doors or French doors.
Store valuables that you are not taking with you in a safe deposit box or other secure offsite location.
Do not post your vacation or travel plans on social media sites, as potential thieves can use that information to learn that your house is vacant.

3. Protect Your Pipes to Avoid Water Damage by Turning Off Your Water Supply

If a pipe bursts or leaks while you are away, it may cause significant damage. Consider completely turning off the water supply if no one will be in the home for an extended period of time. If your home is heated by an older system, consult with your heating professional.
Drain your pipes of all water by opening the faucets, and flush your toilet to clear the water from the tank and bowl, then consider pouring antifreeze in toilet tanks and bowls to prevent any remaining water from freezing and cracking.* Always use non-toxic antifreeze rated for plumbing systems.
To help confirm that the pipes have been drained, consider having a plumber blow compressed air through the pipes.

4. Keep Your Home and Plumbing Warm if Your Water Supply Stays On

If you decide against draining your water pipes, keep the furnace running to help ensure the home stays warm and the pipes do not freeze.
Set the temperature at around 13°C or higher to help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities, where the water piping is likely located above freezing temperatures. Keeping room and cabinet doors open also helps heat to circulate and warm the areas where pipes are located.
Shut off the water to washing machines and dishwashers and drain the appliances where possible, to avoid any leaks or broken hoses while you are away.
Turn off the heat source and water supply to hot water heaters (unless you have a boiler).
Consider shutting off and draining outdoor water faucets to prevent vandalism and freezing damage.
Have a water flow sensor and low temperature sensor installed on your main water supply pipe and hooked into a constantly monitored alarm system.

5. Perform Routine Maintenance Before You Leave

Have your heating system inspected and serviced before winter. Have your fuel tanks filled before you leave, and ask someone to check on heat and fuel levels regularly while you are gone.
Be sure to maintain electrical power if required to keep the heating system running. If electrical service to the home is to remain on, consider having a licensed electrical contractor inspect your main electrical panel, wiring and outlets, if necessary. This way, they can repair or replace anything that may be defective.
Have your roof inspected before you leave and clean your gutters to help prevent ice from building up.*
Remove dead trees or large overhanging limbs that could damage your house.
Unplug all unnecessary appliances before you leave. Make sure you can retrieve messages on your home answering machine or voicemail so it does not indicate FULL or unattended when someone calls.

6. Make Your Home Unattractive to Pests

Clean your home thoroughly to help discourage new “residents” from moving in.
Clean, defrost and unplug refrigerators and freezers, wiping them dry and leaving doors propped open to prevent mildew. Also clean the oven.
Inspect your home for openings that animals could use to enter. For example, make sure your fireplace flue is closed, as bats, birds and squirrels are known to get inside this way.
Check weather-stripping, insulation and exterior doors and windows to ensure no major deficiencies are present. Water and insects can enter through these openings.
Chimneys should be inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned to ensure that they are free from obstructions such as nesting birds. Install chimney guard screen-caps to help prevent any infestation.

7. Be Ready for Emergencies

Call the non-emergency number of your local police department to see if they would like notice that the property will be vacant. If so, provide emergency notification numbers.
Install smoke detectors on at least every floor (preferably tied to a constantly monitored fire alarm system so the fire department will automatically be notified in case of alarm), and confirm that the sensors and system are tested regularly.
In higher wind-exposed or coastal areas, install storm shutters (or other mitigation measures, such as 5/8” marine plywood) to secure windows. Properly anchor personal property that will remain outdoors.
Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or relative to keep an eye on your home and be available in emergency situations. Give them access to your home and ask that they monitor heating, electrical and water systems. You may wish to hire a professional property management firm to provide this service to ensure it is completed on a regular schedule.
If the weather turns frigid, have your friend or property manager also check the roof for ice dams and inspect for leaks inside. Make sure they have your contact information and a list of local contractors they can reach if repairs or service are needed.

* Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.How-Do-I-Winterize-a-Vacant-House.10834.html

Original Article: https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/safety/snowbirds-winterize-your-vacant-home.aspx

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Summer’s End in Cottage Country

Ross Fraser — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:54:54 +0000

Summer’s End in Cottage Country

Whether used year-round or exclusively in the warmer seasons, the start of fall and the onset of cooler temperatures means that cottagers everywhere will begin their preparations for winter! As we get started on these necessary chores to prepare our cottage before the snow flies, the following are a few important tasks that should be included on the ‘to do’ list to help reduce the chance of damage to your property!

Heating

As the temperatures start to drop, be sure to carefully check your heating system before activating it, especially if it has not been used this year. To avoid an unexpected fire, baseboard heaters in particular should be clear from furniture, window coverings and other items that might have collected nearby over the summer. If you are going to make use of a small plug-in space heater, first check your electrical system to be sure it can handle the draw. Then, be very careful with its placement, and while it is on, never leave it unattended.

Woodstoves and fireplaces are beautiful ways of warming your cottage during the colder weather. Again, if you haven’t used either since last winter or early spring, take a moment to check the unit/fireplace and make sure it is clean and ready for use. Inspect the chimney stack for damage or loosening of any support straps and/or buildup of creosote, check your fire extinguishers, clear any ashes and remove any flammables from the surrounding area. Click here for more tips on the safe use of your woodstove or fireplace!

Water

If your cottage is used only in the warmer seasons, and you turn off all power and board it up for the winter, then much of your activities on closing weekend will be all about your water system! The water pump should be shut off and all plumbing systems and appliances should be drained completely of their water. By draining your system and all connected appliances, freezing damage is avoided and the process of turning the water on next spring is much easier (and dryer!).

For year-round cottagers, it is important that your water lines be protected from the elements and that your cottage maintains a minimum level of heat throughout the winter to prevent freezing temperatures inside. No two insurance policies are alike, but many Insurers still include a ‘freezing exclusion’. We recommend that you confirm with your own insurance provider/agent/broker what exclusions exist on your own policy. Typically, if the temperature in your cottage falls below the level which would be sufficient to maintain reasonable heat, some policies will not respond to claims arising from the resultant freezing of the water pipes. An unexpected power failure or furnace breakdown during your absence might cause considerable water damage, which may not be insured. Some Insurers remove the ‘freezing’ exclusion if you install a monitored low-temperature alarm, and others if the owner takes ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that the heating is operating properly while away from the property or coordinate regular visits by a reliable person. Regardless, year-round cottagers should speak with their broker/agent to review this exclusion as it relates to their policy.

Roofs

Eaves troughs and roofs should be cleared to allow for easy drainage of water and winter debris away from the roof and away from the cottage footings or foundations. While checking the roof before leaving, ensure that there are no areas at obvious risk of ice damming and that large overhanging branches are removed. Consideration should be given to hiring a contractor to clear snow off the roof throughout the winter, as heavy snow does put extensive strain on the roof and some insurance policies may not respond to collapse due to weight of snow or ice. Again, please review with your broker to be certain that your policy includes this important coverage.

Whether closing up for the season, or simply preparing for the cold, we wish all cottagers a fantastic Canadian winter ahead!

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Getting Ready for Winter

Ross Fraser — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 18:00:30 +0000

With memories of the deep freezes of the last two winters fresh in our minds, we must all take the appropriate steps to prepare our vehicles and homes for the changing of the seasons. To help you spend more time thinking of warm fireplaces and hot chocolate, we have created a brief list of things to remember!

PREPARING YOUR VEHICLES FOR WINTER

Winter Tires – Winter tires should be near the top of your list when planning for winter. While all-season tires claim to be capable year-round, the soft rubber composition of winter tires allows for increased contact and therefore traction on the road during the cold of winter. Improved traction means better control and shortened braking distances.
- If you have Winter Tires for your vehicle, you may qualify for a modest discount from your insurer on the renewal of your policy. Generally, to be eligible for the discount, you must have a set of four tires specifically designed for winter (not all-season) on your vehicle from November to April. We recommend you keep your receipt for the purchase or installation of the tires, if the Insurer requests them. Winter tires usually have a lifespan of about 5 years, so be sure to get your tires inspected or replaced regularly. The average Winter Tire discount is about 2% – 3%. If your vehicle qualifies for this discount, give our office a call or email so that we can apply the discount on renewal.

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

Eavestroughs – Heavy snows can lead to a build-up of debris on your roof and a fast melt can test the drainage of even the most recently updated roofs. Be sure to clear out your eavestroughs of falling leaves and other clutter to minimize any backing up and potential leakage or drainage issues. Some home insurance policies include exclusions for water damage arising from the backing up of eavestroughs, so this maintenance is important. Be sure that all eavestrough drains run away from the foundation of the home as well.
Heating System – No one wants to come home to a home without heat in the winter. Now is the time for a maintenance check of your furnace or other home heating system. If your furnace is over 20 years old, it is even more important to have the unit inspected annually for the sake of safety and continued operation.
Fireplaces & Woodstoves – If you have a wood burning unit in your home, be sure to have the chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a WETT-certified contractor. (www.wettinc.ca lets you search for a local contractor). During the significant power failure in Toronto in the winter of 2013, many homeowners found themselves turning to fireplaces that hadn’t been used or cleaned in years. This is extremely dangerous, as a buildup of residue in the chimney can cause a significant fire hazard. Regular cleaning and maintenance is key!
Driveways, Walkways & Sidewalks – With the snows of winter comes everyone’s favourite chore – shoveling! Be certain you have the tools necessary to maintain your driveways, walks and any sidewalks you may be responsible for clearing. Slip & fall claims are far more common in the winter, so ensure that your property is properly cleared and salted when necessary.
Prepare for Power & Service Failures – Recalling the power failures of the past few winters which left homes without power for several days, we have all learned it is best to be prepared in case this coming winter creates another power failure. Be sure that you have enough supplies to last at least 3 days. The Ontario Government has some resources available to help you plan for an emergency, including building a kit and keeping necessary supplies on hand. If your power does fail, pay close attention to your plumbing system. Once the temperature of a home begins to drop, the chance for freezing in pipes skyrockets with a potential for significant water damage when the pipes thaw and rupture. If you suspect your heat will be out for a while, drain your plumbing system completely including all appliances to prevent this freezing damage. Learn more about freezing pipes here.

Storing Seasonal Vehicles – Your summer cars, motorcycles, ATVs and other recreational vehicles are just about due to be put away for the winter. Conducting the storage maintenance routine specific to your vehicle now can prevent damage during the winter and make bringing the vehicle back out in the spring much easier.

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Freezing Pipes: Keep your home warm during cold snaps

Mary Berg — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 20:19:15 +0000

With another cold snap coming our way in an already extensive deep freeze, the threat of freezing pipes is in the forefront of most homeowner’s minds.

Having the unique property of expanding while freezing, water puts a tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it, including the metal and plastic piping found in your home.

While frozen and burst pipes can occur anywhere, some pipes are more prone to freezing than others due to their location. Pipes that are located outside or that run against exterior walls that contain little or no insulation are at high risk of freezing during prolonged cold weather as well as those that are located in unheated interior areas of the home such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and under kitchen cabinets.

In order to help mitigate the chance of frozen or burst pipes, here are some helpful tips and tricks that you can try at home:

Keep your garage doors closed as much as possible
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets in order to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
Use rigid foam insulation to close and seal all foundation vents that are near water pipes
Wrap high-risk pipes with pipe insulation which is widely available at your local hardware store
When an especially cold spell is expected, let the cold water drip from the faucet farthest from your main water intake valve. Running even a small amount of water through the pipes helps prevent freezing and can also help you detect a frozen pipe if the flow of water changes (the first sign of a freezing pipe is reduced water flow).
Make sure to keep your heat on, even when you are not home. Setting your thermostat no lower than 13°C/55°F helps protect against frozen pipes.

If you happen to find yourself with a frozen pipe, here are some methods to help thaw out the affected area:

Apply constant heat to the affected area that is closest to the faucet using a good hair dryer or an electric heating pad. Do not leave the pipe unattended while you attempt to defrost it using one of these tools.
*Do not use a blowtorch or any other open-flame device to defrost a pipe.
Keep faucets open. As you defrost the frozen area and the water begins to melt, it will begin to flow through the pipe helping melt ice in the affected area.
If you are unable to locate the pipe that is frozen, contact a licensed plumber.

If the worst occurs and a pipe bursts in your home, shut off the water at the main valve, call your plumber, and contact your insurance broker.

In terms of your homeowners insurance coverage, losses during the normal heating season relating to frozen pipes that are located within a heated portion of the dwelling hold insurance protection provided that you have not been away from your premises for more than 96 consecutive hours. If you are planning on a trip, please be sure to take at least one of the following precautions in order to ensure that your coverage remains in place:

Shut off the water supply to the home and drain water from all systems and appliances: and/or
Arrange for a competent person to enter your dwelling daily in order to ensure that heat is being maintained.

We here at Cade hope you (and your home) stay nice and warm during this chilly time! As always, if you have any questions regarding frozen pipes or the coverages provided by your habitational insurance policy, please feel free to contact us.

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