Preventing Frozen Pipes: Tips from The Hanover Insurance Group

Frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks of property damage when the temperature drops. A burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage, according to IBHS research. There are several effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing, including keeping the interior temperature from dropping below 32 degrees and properly insulating the space. Keep the following tips provided by The Hanover Insurance Group in mind throughout our winter season:

• Provide a reliable back-up power source, such as a stand-by generator, to ensure continuous power to the building.

• Interior building temperature can be monitored by a central monitoring company to ensure prompt notification if the interior of the building reaches low temperatures during after hours, power outages or idle periods.

• Recessed light fixtures in the ceiling below the open area that is directly under a roof, such as attic space, should be insulated to prevent the release of heat into the attic.

• Check to see if there is any visible light from recessed light fixtures in the attic.

• If there is, they are not adequately sealed or insulated. Sometimes, especially in low sloped roof buildings, the space above a suspended ceiling located below the roof may be heated and cooled like the occupied area below.

• If that is the case, there is no need to insulate above the suspended ceiling or seal the ceiling’s penetrations.

• Insulate all attic penetrations such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, electric and mechanical chases, and access doors that are not properly sealed.

• Ensure proper seals on all doors and windows. Depending on the building or room size, fan tests can be conducted to ensure room and pressurization tests.

• Seal all wall cracks and penetrations including domestic and fire protection lines, electrical conduit, other utility service line, etc.

• Sprinkler systems should be monitored by a constantly attended central station to provide early detection of a sprinkler pipe rupture due to freezing.

• Insulation and/or heat trace tape with a reliable power source may be installed on various wet sprinkler system piping. This includes main lines coming up from underground passing through a wall as well as sprinkler branch lines.

• UL-approved gas or electric unit heaters can be installed in unheated sprinkler control valve/fire pump rooms. If back-up power is provided, the heaters should also be connected to this power source.

• A monitored automatic excess flow switch can be placed on the main incoming domestic water line to provide early detection of a broken pipe or valve when the space is unoccupied.

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH the protection of your home, business, and other valuable assets is our priority. For additional property maintenance tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.         

5 Winter Tire Tips

Do You Need Winter Tires?

 
Winter is here in New Hampshire and we all know what to expect - snow and slush, freezing rain, and maybe even black ice. Do you know if your tires are ready to withstand all of that?
 
When driving in New Hampshire in the wintertime, your tires just might be the most important safety feature on your car. The right ones can get you to your destination safely, whereas the wrong ones could be responsible for an accident or leave you stuck in an otherwise unfavorable situation.

So how do you determine what’s best for your vehicle? Here are five things to keep in mind about winter tires:

1.     Winter tires really are different than regular tires.
Winter tires have deeper tread, along with siping (slits in the tread blocks). This increases the number of edges that touch the road, resulting in better traction and handling. They also stay softer than other tires do in cold weather, thanks to special rubber compounds designed specifically for winter use, which help increase traction as well.

2.     If your area regularly drops below 45 degrees, you probably need winter tires.
Winter tires don’t just perform better in snow and ice – they are better for cold weather in general. So if you get some chilly days where you live like we do here in NH, consider a set – a full set. Installing just two winter tires can cause handling problems.

3.     There are two main categories.
Studless snow and ice tires are designed for extreme conditions. They are better in deep snow than performance winter tires, which are for light snow and ice. What about studded tires? Well, they give you great traction on ice but also damage roads. And some experts say chains do just as well.

4.     You still need to check the pressure — once a week.
If your tires are underinflated, they are at risk of failing. In winter, if they’re overinflated, your traction will be significantly reduced.

5.     You still need to check the tread, too.
An inexpensive tool found at auto parts stores can be used for this, or you can use a free tool you likely already have in your possession – a penny. Stick the coin into the groove of the tire, with Lincoln’s head down. Is some of his hair hidden? Good. Can you see all of Abe’s hair? It’s time for new tires.

 

 

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH we know that nobody wants to spend too much time thinking about tires, and the good news is that you don’t have to. Just a little bit of preparation, along with some routine maintenance, will keep you driving safely in New Hampshire all winter long.

 

For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.         

 

Image credit: Safeco Insurance 

 

 

Winter Storms Ahead: Are You Ready?

We admit it: as insurance agents, our picture of winter isn’t exactly cozy. Winter storms mean traffic snarls, hillsides turning to sheets of ice, and cars sliding around like hockey pucks. Cold temperatures can cause pipes to burst, frost swells and many other types of damage. In addition, heating your home with fireplaces and decorating with holiday lighting can increase the risk of fire.

Winter Safety Precautions

To help reduce weather-related hassles this winter, keep the following safety tips in mind:

·       Winter-proof your car with good snow tires or chains, new wiper blades, antifreeze, and emergency road supplies.

·       Keep your attic cool to help prevent ice dams. Insulate the attic floor and make sure it is well-ventilated.

·       Never overload circuits with holiday decorations.

What to Do When a Winter Storm Hits

·       If you do not have to drive, stay put. If you must drive, make sure you’ve winterized your car and have a full tank of gas.

·       When the air is cold, keep bath and kitchen cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes. If pipes do freeze, let them thaw normally, as they’ll be less likely to burst.

 

·       If the power goes out, make sure to never leave candles or fires burning unattended. If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions in the user manual and do not use it indoors.

Know What Your Insurance Covers

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we want to help you rest easy, and you will be more relaxed knowing that you have protection in the event that a winter storm damages your property. Remember that your insurance policy will cover repair or rebuilding costs, but your deductible will apply. Check your policy to confirm what specifically is covered as well as the deductible you have chosen.

For additional information about winter storm protection and to review your coverage, give us a call at 800-427-3975. For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.   

7 Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

Snow removal is part of life in New Hampshire and clearing your driveway and walkways of snow can be strenuous and at times, dangerous. However, using common sense and the following snow shoveling safety tips will make clearing snow easier and safer for those of us in charge of the task.

Shoveling snow is a physically demanding exercise and it takes strength to get the job done. Before the winter begins, remember to talk to your doctor to make sure you are physically able to undergo the strain of shoveling. After you are cleared, apply these seven tips to help stay safe while shoveling snow:

• Warm up – Just as you warm up before engaging in a strenuous activity, a little slow stretching goes a long way to ensuring that you do not strain yourself while shoveling snow.
  
  
• Lighten the load – Use the right shovel for the job. Keep in mind that while a big bucket shovel looks efficient, a small bladed shovel is easier to lift when it’s full.
  
  
• Pace yourself – Do not rush through the job; remember to take breaks about every 15 minutes and drink plenty of water.
  
  
• Stand correctly – Proper posture is crucial to preventing injury while shoveling snow. Wear winter boots, plant your feet firmly, use your legs instead of your back, and move the snow the shortest distance possible.
  
  
• Pay attention to your body – Watch for signs of injury or muscle strain. Stop shoveling immediately if you recognize symptoms of a heart attack such as lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and tightness or burning in your chest, neck, arms or back.
  
  
• Get a head start – Beginning early before the snowfall ends is a smart idea. Shoveling in two shifts keeps you from having to clear all the snow at once.
  
  
• Team up – To save time and increase morale, grab a partner and divide the labor. Recruit family members, friends, and neighbors, and arrange to help each other clear the snow.

Keeping these snow shoveling safety tips in mind will help you prevent injuries while freeing your walks and driveway of snow this winter. At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, our agents work to ensure that you, your family, and your hard-earned assets remain safe. For additional safety tips and valuable resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

How to Prevent Ice Dams: 5 Tips for Homeowners

Although New England weather can be quite unpredictable, here in New Hampshire we can expect our winter season to include freezing temperatures and significant amounts of snowfall. Unfortunately, this extreme weather can pave the way for the formation of ice dams, so it’s important to be proactive to prevent ice from building up and damaging your home. Let’s take a closer look at what ice dams are, how to prevent them from forming, and how to determine whether you will have coverage in the event that your home sustains this type of damage.

What Are Ice Dams?

Ice dams are walls of ice that typically form at the edge of your roof or gutters when these areas clog up with ice. When ice dams form, they trap water runoff from your roof, creating a pool of water that can eventually travel underneath the roof’s shingles and leak into your home, damaging your roof, walls, ceilings, flooring, insulation, and personal property. Factors that can increase the chances of ice dams forming on your roof include heavy snowfall and improper ventilation in your attic. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, it will contain warmer areas where less snow will build up and begin to melt, even if the outside temperature is freezing.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

In order to prevent ice dams from damaging your home, there are several short- and long-term steps you can take.  

• After a snowstorm, use a roof rake or push broom to remove snow from your roof. Use caution when working on your roof to prevent injuring yourself or damaging the roof’s materials. Never use salt or calcium chloride to melt the snow on your roof, as these corrosive chemicals can shorten the lifespan of metal gutters, flashings and downspouts.

• If water is already leaking into your house, making channels through the ice dam will allow the water behind the dam to drain off your roof. Hosing the dam with tap water on a warm day, working upward from the lower edge of the ice dam, will help you accomplish this. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution and that you must use extreme caution when working on your roof.

• Increase the insulation, sealing and ventilation in your attic to reduce heat loss.

• Make your ceilings air tight to prevent warm air from flowing from your house into your attic.

• Call a professional to assist you with this type of work, especially if you are not comfortable or fit to be working on your roof. If damage to your home has already occurred, contact a professional property mitigation and remediation company to prevent the problem from worsening. Before allowing anyone to begin work on your property, remember to make sure they have proper commercial insurance in place, including liability and worker’s compensation coverage.

Ice Dam Damage: Are You Covered?

Unfortunately, in some cases, by the time you discover the ice dam, property damage has already occurred. If this happens to you, it’s important to understand whether your homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for this type of damage. In most situations, the answer is “yes,” but coverage varies from one insurance company to another so it’s best to call your insurance agent to review your specific policy.

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, our agents work to ensure that your home and valuable possessions remain protected. For additional information about ice dam damage and how it applies to your home insurance coverage, or to get a free insurance quote, please call us today at 603-444-3975 or visit us online at www.hunkins-eaton.com.  

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

How to Winterize Your Home

Part of living in New Hampshire and the surrounding states is preparing for a winter season that often brings freezing temperatures and significant amounts of snow. Not only is it important to prepare yourself for the winter season, but it’s also crucial to prepare your home for potentially extreme weather conditions. Use the following tips to help you better understand how to winterize your home to help prevent damage this season.

• Clean out your gutters, removing all leaves, sticks and other debris that may have accumulated there during the fall season. This will allow melting snow and ice to flow freely, preventing the formation of ice dams, which occur when water is unable to drain through your gutters and seeps into your home instead. You may consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from getting stuck in your gutters in the future.

• Although it may seem obvious, it’s crucial to seal all cracks in and around your home to help keep the cold air outside. Inspect your home, especially drafty areas like recessed lighting and door and window frames. It’s a good idea to purchase door sweeps to seal up spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or apply tacky rope to the other drafty areas you identified in your home. Outdoor cracks should be sealed with weather-resistant caulk.

• Trim trees and rid your property of dead branches. With the ice, wind and snowstorms we are accustomed to receiving in the winter, it’s common for trees and branches to fall, and depending on their location, cause damage to your home or vehicle.

• Is your home adequately insulated? According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), your attic should be about five to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air. If it isn’t, consider adding extra insulation to your attic, as well as your basement and any crawl spaces. A lack of insulation can not only increase the chances of your pipes freezing, but heat escaping through the attic can also cause snow and ice on your roof to melt, which can contribute to the formation of ice dams and may even result in roof collapse over time.

• Inspect your pipes for any cracks and leaks, and have any damaged pipes you discover repaired immediately. If your home contains pipes that aren’t insulated or pass through unheated spaces, wrap them with insulated sleeves and/or heating tape. Be sure you know how to shut off the water in the unfortunate event that your pipes freeze. Accomplishing this quickly will help prevent them from bursting.

• Have you had your heating system serviced recently? According to the I.I.I., furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage.

• Keep your ceiling fans on, but reverse their direction. Reversing your fan’s direction so that the blades are turning clockwise helps re-circulate warm air trapped near that ceiling down to floor level, distributing it where it’s needed most.

• Take care of all necessary repairs. With slippery weather conditions coming into play, the risk of an accident occurring on your property is higher, so it’s crucial to ensure that you’ve repaired any broken or damaged stairs and handrails, for instance.

• Check all smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure that they are functioning properly. Considering that more residential fires occur in the winter, it’s crucial to make sure that you can rely on your alarms.

The winter season, especially here in New Hampshire, can bring harsh weather to your home, so it’s important to be prepared. For additional tips on how to winterize your home, please visit the I.I.I.

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, the protection of your home and assets is our priority. To learn more about our agency and to get a free insurance quote, please visit us online at www.hunkins-eaton.com.

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.