Do you own a vacation home? If so, you know the joy of having a getaway spot to escape to. But did you know that water is the top preventable cause of damage, even more than fire or theft? According to industry data, only 1 in 55 insured homes experiences water or freezing damage annually, but for vacation homes that sit vacant for extended periods, the risk increases significantly.

Undetected leaks in a secondary home can cause severe financial consequences. A slow drip from a pipe or appliance can go unnoticed for days or even weeks when no one is around, leading to extensive water damage, mold growth, and costly repairs.

Here are some recommendations to help protect your vacation home from water damage:

• Hire a professional caretaker or contractor to check on your home regularly. They should monitor the temperature daily during cold weather to ensure pipes don’t freeze.
• Drain water lines to faucets and toilets before leaving for an extended period. This helps prevent frozen pipes from bursting.
• Shut off the water supply before extended absences. This simple step can prevent major water damage from unexpected leaks.
• Enhance your alarm system with temperature and water flow monitoring. Modern smart home devices can alert you to drops in temperature or unusual water usage.
• Install a programmable thermostat to maintain a consistent temperature in your home, even when you are away. Keep it set to at least 55 degrees F to prevent freezing.
• Install an emergency electrical generator to keep your heating system running during power outages, which are common during winter storms.
• Schedule infrared inspections by a professional to identify potential problem areas in your home’s plumbing, insulation, and electrical systems.

With proper maintenance and oversight, you can reduce the risk drastically. Taking these preventative steps will help protect your investment and give you peace of mind while you are away from your vacation property.

If you would like a free quote or want to learn more about protecting your vacation home, give us a call at (303) 932-1700. At All Access Insurance, we specialize in helping homeowners find the right coverage for their primary and secondary residences.