Protect Your Home from Severe Winter Storms

Here’s what to do right now if dangerous cold is heading your way:

Protect Your Pipes (Next 30 Minutes)

• Open cabinet doors under sinks (let warm air reach pipes)
• Let faucets drip slightly just a pencil-thin stream
• Find your main water shut-off valve (usually near your water heater)

Keep Heat In (Next Hour)

• Close all curtains and blinds (creates an air barrier)
• Stuff towels against drafty doors and windows
• Close doors to unused rooms, focus heat where you are

Emergency Prep (Today)

• Charge devices and portable battery packs
• Fill containers with water (in case pipes freeze)
• Gather flashlights, batteries, blankets, snacks in one spot

Most Important: Never let your place drop below 55°F, even to save money.

1. Prevent frozen and burst pipes

Frozen pipes are every homeowner’s worst nightmare because they can burst and cause thousands in water damage. When water freezes, it expands and can crack pipes, flooding your home when they thaw.

Critical pipe protection steps:

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around pipes
• Let faucets drip slightly when temperatures drop below freezing (moving water is harder to freeze)
• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and how to use it quickly
• If you’re leaving during a storm, either maintain heat in the house or shut off the water supply

Keep several days’ worth of water stored (1 gallon per day per person) in case your pipes do freeze and you lose water access temporarily.

What’s covered by insurance: If your pipes freeze and burst, causing damage to your home or belongings, you’re covered for both the repairs and temporary hotel stays… as long as you maintained reasonable heat in your home or shut off the water supply if you were away during the storm.

However, if pipes just freeze without bursting and you temporarily lose water access, that’s not covered under loss of use. 

2. Protect your roof from snow and ice damage

Your roof takes a beating during winter storms. Heavy snow can cause structural damage, while ice dams can force water into your home and destroy walls, ceilings, and belongings.

Snow is deceptively heavy. A severe snowstorm can pile hundreds of pounds of weight on your roof. Add ice and wind damage, and you’re looking at potential roof collapse or major leaks.

Roof protection strategies:

• Clean and maintain gutters regularly (clogged gutters contribute to ice dams)
• Remove snow from your roof using a roof rake after heavy storms (never climb on your roof)
• Have your roof inspected twice yearly for missing shingles, damaged vents, and wear around chimneys
• Replace missing or damaged shingles immediately, don’t wait for spring
• Ensure proper attic insulation to prevent heat from melting snow unevenly

Understanding ice dams: When heat from your house melts roof snow, that water can refreeze at the roof’s edge, creating an ice dam. This blocks your gutters and forces water under shingles and into your home.

What’s covered by insurance: Storm damage to your roof from snow weight, wind, or falling trees is typically covered, including resulting water damage to your belongings. 

3. Prepare for power outages

Losing power during extreme cold puts your family and home at serious risk. Without heat, pipes can freeze, and without lights or communication, emergency situations become dangerous.

Power outages alone aren’t covered by homeowners insurance unless they cause actual damage to your home. That’s why preparation is crucial.

Power outage preparation checklist:

• Consider buying a generator (properly installed and used outside only)
• Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors
• Get surge protectors for valuable electronics
• Stock flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered radios
• Keep non-perishable food and water for several days
• Have a landline phone or ensure cell phones stay charged
• Know how to manually open garage doors if power fails

If you do get a generator, never run it inside your home, garage, or near windows: carbon monoxide from generators kills people every winter.

4. Seal and insulate windows

Drafty, inefficient windows make your heating system work overtime and create uncomfortable cold spots throughout your home. While full window replacement is expensive, there are affordable ways to improve their winter performance.

Window winterization steps:

• Apply weatherstripping around window frames to seal drafts
• Use caulk to seal gaps where windows meet the house frame
• Install clear plastic film insulation kits on the inside of frames
• Hang thermal or insulated curtains to keep warmth in and cold out
• Check that window locks work properly (tight locks reduce air infiltration)
• Use foam tape to fill gaps on window sides

Walk around your house with a lit candle or incense stick. Wherever the flame flickers, you’ve found an air leak that’s costing you money on heating bills.

5. Maintain safe walkways

Icy steps and walkways aren’t just inconvenient, they’re liability risks. If someone gets injured on your property due to ice, your homeowners insurance personal liability coverage may help, but prevention is always better.

Winter walkway safety:

• Apply ice melt products to stairs, walkways, and driveways before and after storms
• Choose pet-safe ice melts with non-toxic ingredients to protect animals
• Shovel snow promptly before it turns to ice
• Keep ice melt supplies stocked throughout winter
• Consider installing outdoor lighting to improve visibility of potential hazards

Don’t wait until after someone falls: be proactive about keeping walkways clear and safe.

6. Prevent snowmelt flooding

When winter ends and temperatures rise quickly, melting snow can overwhelm drainage systems and flood basements. This type of flooding usually isn’t covered by standard homeowners insurance. It’s considered a flood, which requires separate flood insurance.

Before winter storms:

• Inspect your basement walls and foundation for cracks, then seal them with caulk
• Ensure your landscaping slopes away from your house foundation
• Test your sump pump regularly and have it serviced if needed
• Clean gutters and ensure downspouts direct water away from your foundation
• Consider installing a backup sump pump or battery backup system

After winter storms:

• Shovel snow at least 5 feet away from your home’s foundation
• Clear gutters and street drains of snow and ice buildup
• If water does enter your basement, remove it immediately with wet vacuums and call professionals

The key is keeping water away from your foundation before it becomes a problem.

7. Emergency preparedness essentials

Severe winter storms can leave you stranded at home for days without power, heat, or the ability to travel safely. Having proper emergency supplies means you can weather the storm safely.

Winter emergency kit must-haves:

• Flashlights and extra batteries for each family member
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates
• Non-perishable food for at least one week
• Water storage (1 gallon per person per day for a week)
• Warm blankets, sleeping bags, and extra winter clothing
• First aid kit and prescription medications
• Manual can opener and basic cooking supplies
• Cell phone chargers (battery-powered or car chargers)
• Cash in small bills
• Important documents in waterproof container

Store supplies in an accessible location and check expiration dates regularly. Don’t wait until a storm is forecast to gather these items.

8. Know what your homeowners insurance covers

Understanding your coverage helps you prepare better and know what to expect if damage occurs. Here’s what’s typically covered and what isn’t:

Usually covered	Usually not covered
Burst pipe damage to your home and belongings, plus temporary housing costs	Power outages without physical damage to your home
Roof damage from snow weight, wind, or falling trees	Frozen pipes that don’t burst (no temporary housing coverage)
Interior damage from ice dams (though roof damage from ice dams may not be)	Snowmelt flooding (requires separate flood insurance)
Personal liability if someone is injured on your property	Lack of heat or normal winter weather inconveniences

Every policy has exclusions, and these are standard across the insurance industry. The key is preventing damage before it happens rather than relying on insurance to fix problems.

Seasonal maintenance checklist

Regular maintenance is your best defense against winter storm damage. Don’t wait until severe weather is forecast to address these items.

Fall preparation (before first freeze):

• Schedule roof inspection and repair missing shingles
• Clean gutters thoroughly and check for proper drainage
• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas
• Test heating system and change filters
• Seal air leaks around windows and doors
• Trim tree branches that could fall on your roof
• Stock emergency supplies and ice melt

During winter:

• Remove snow from roof after heavy storms
• Keep gutters clear of ice buildup
• Monitor pipes during extreme cold spells
• Maintain clear walkways with ice melt
• Check that heating system is working efficiently

Spring follow-up:

• Inspect for winter damage and make repairs promptly
• Clear remaining snow and ice from around foundation
• Service sump pump and drainage systems
• Plan any major repairs or improvements for next winter

You’re protected

Preparing your home for severe winter weather isn’t just about comfort, it’s about preventing thousands of dollars in damage and keeping your family safe. The key is acting before severe weather hits, not scrambling to fix problems after they start. A well-prepared home weathers winter storms without major damage, while unprepared homes can suffer devastating losses.

Start with the most critical items, pipe protection and roof maintenance, then work through the complete checklist. Your future self will thank you when you’re warm and dry while others are dealing with frozen pipes and emergency repairs. And while you’re at it, check out how you can protect your home with Lemonade insurance.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.