Name: Johnson Insurance Agency
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Colorado winters are famous for sunny days, but Arctic cold fronts can push Denver-area temperatures below zero overnight with little warning. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands, builds pressure, and can split the pipe. The damage usually shows up when it thaws, as water pours into walls, ceilings, or a finished basement.

Where Pipes Freeze Most Often

Pipes in exterior walls, especially on the north side of the house
Garages, crawlspaces, and unheated basements
Outdoor spigots and sprinkler lines
Kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls
Older homes with little insulation, which describes many of Englewood’s mid-century houses

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze. Have your sprinkler system blown out each fall.
Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher, day and night, even when you’re away.
During a deep freeze, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip.
Insulate pipes in garages and crawlspaces, and seal drafts near pipes.
Know where your main water shutoff is, and make sure everyone in the house can find it.
Consider smart leak detectors or an automatic water shutoff valve. Some carriers offer discounts for them.

What Homeowners Insurance Covers

A standard homeowners policy generally covers sudden and accidental water damage from a frozen pipe that bursts, including drywall, flooring, cabinets, and damaged belongings, minus your deductible. It usually covers the cost of opening the wall to reach the pipe, but not the pipe repair itself.

There are important exceptions:

Vacant or unheated homes: many policies exclude freezing damage if you didn’t maintain heat or drain the plumbing while the home was unoccupied.
Slow leaks that happened over weeks or months are usually excluded as maintenance.
Sewer and drain backups need a separate water backup endorsement.
Underground service lines to the street usually need service line coverage.

If a Pipe Bursts

Shut off the main water valve.
Turn off electricity to affected areas if water is near outlets or fixtures.
Take photos and video before cleanup.
Start drying out the space to prevent mold, and save receipts.
Call us or your carrier to report the claim.

Condo owners should also check how their HOA master policy and their own HO-6 policy split water damage responsibility. Request a home quote or ask us to review your water coverage.

Sources

Have questions about your coverage? Call Johnson Insurance Agency at 303-768-8130 or stop by our office at 14 Inverness Dr. E, Suite G236, in Englewood. We compare coverage from multiple carriers for families and businesses across the Denver metro area and Colorado.