Excellent advice from The McMahon Agency- a local insurance company:

The weather forecast next week calls for plummeting temperatures with winds blowing 15-20 miles an hour. This is a recipe for broken pipes! It’s crucial to prepare your property—whether it’s your primary home, secondary residence, or commercial building.

If you have a secondary home, your house is probably already winterized, but if not, you need to get to your home or have a friend who can stop by, to prepare the building. Don’t forget any outdoor water lines, like outdoor showers, to make sure they are off.  

Frozen pipe claims are not fun; neither is coming to the shore in the middle of the winter to have to repair your house due to costly water damage. Here are a few simple steps can help you avoid unnecessary stress and expenses.

How to prevent frozen pipes:

• Maintain indoor temperatures at 65°F or higher, even if the property is unoccupied.
• Turn off water in secondary homes and don’t forget to turn off your hot water heater as well.
• Keep garage doors closed, especially if you have water supply lines in the garage.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Seal air leaks near pipes and insulate pipes in attics, crawl spaces and pipes close to outside walls.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off exterior water supply lines.

What to do if a pipe bursts:

• Turn off the main water supply immediately. It’s a good idea to locate this valve ahead of time.
• Move valuables and electronics away from the affected area to prevent further damage.
• Contact a plumber to assess and repair the damage.