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Colder weather can wreak havoc on even the sturdiest of properties and whether it’s your own home or rental properties you own, you’ll want to make sure they are safeguarded against the perils of winter. Therefore, protect your own pocket at the same time by having an insurance policy that covers the most likely culprits of home insurance claims.

One of the most common reasons for home insurance claims during the winter months is water leaks and bursts caused by freezing pipes. The good news is freezing pipes are easily avoided and a few preventative steps could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

The simplest of things can cause frozen pipes; even garden hoses that are left connected to the tap can cause problems so make sure all hoses are removed and stored away when they are no longer needed. Repairing any dripping taps is another easy preventative action to take. It also pays to make sure both yourself and any tenants in your property know where the mains water stop valve is located and how to turn it on off.

Water tank insulation is an effective way of avoiding pipe problems in winter. Start by looking in the loft space to see whether it contains any water pipes and tanks. Once you’ve tracked down the water tank and adjoining pipes take a look at the insulation, checking to see how intact it is. If the insulation is loose, damaged or thin you should improve or replace it as tanks and pipes in loft spaces are prone to freezing.

It is also vital to have the heating on for at least a few hours every day during the colder months of the year. This usually presents no problem if a property is tenanted, but if empty the heating still needs to be utilised on a daily basis to ensure a little bit of warmth is circulating and thus preventing burst pipes.

In addition, if you know that a property is going to be empty for a few weeks or more you may want to consider draining the water supply pipes. All you need to do is shut off the main water supply valve of the home and open up all the faucets on all the fixtures. This will allow the water to drain through those located on the lowest level of the house.

And, if the property has a loft then leave the trap door open to allow warm air from other parts of the house to circulate and help prevent pipes freezing. As it goes, insulating behind pipes located near exterior walls will help isolate them during cold snaps.

The last step you should take is to make sure your insurance policy covers eventualities such as freezing and burst pipes. Specialist landlords insurance can help to keep investment properties well maintained. And this of course, can help benefit both landlords and tenants alike.
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Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.