Prepare Your Building for Deep Freeze Through the Weekend

With a jet stream out of Canada diving southward, the northern Plains, Midwest and Southeast are expected to see temperatures 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit below historical averages through the end of the week and this weekend. These extremely cold temperatures pose a serious risk of frozen pipes and costly property damage. Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)¹ offers the following essential tips to help building owners and facility managers prepare for the cold and reduce the chances of damage.

How to protect your property:

1. Keep the temperature above 55°F.
   • Never turn off your heat. Cold buildings are the leading cause of frozen pipes.
2. Insulate exposed pipes.
   • Add insulation to attics, crawl spaces and water pipes to minimize heat loss and prevent freezing.
3. Seal drafts and leaks.
   • Ensure doors and windows are tightly closed. Even small drafts can lead to frozen pipes.
4. Let faucets drip.
   • During extreme cold, allow the faucet furthest from the water supply to drip, relieving pressure and preventing bursts.
5. Turn off water if the building will be unoccupied.
   • If your building won’t be used for an extended period, turn off the water and drain the pipes to reduce freezing risks.
6. Install a temperature alert system.
   • Use a remote monitoring system, like the CM Sensor®, to receive alerts if temperatures drop or systems fail.
7. Maintain plumbing and HVAC systems.
   • Ensure proper drainage, seal cracks and service heating systems to keep your property winter ready.
8. Be prepared for burst pipes.
   • If pipes freeze, open faucets and apply heat to thaw them safely. In case of a burst pipe, shut off the water immediately and call a plumber.

For more information and resources:

Visit churchmutual.com/winterwx for a complete guide to winter preparedness. Prepare today to minimize disruptions tomorrow and protect your buildings from the freeze!

About Church Mutual

Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit churchmutual.com.

¹Church Mutual is a stock insurer whose policyholders are members of the parent mutual holding company formed on 1/1/20. S.I. = a stock insurer.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107948061/en/