What should you do to prepare for winter storms and extreme cold?
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO4 min read
The short answer
Most winter storm damage doesn’t come from the snow itself: it comes from ice dams and frozen pipes. Insulate and seal your attic to prevent ice dams, know where your main water shut-off valve is, and keep a winter emergency kit ready in case of a power outage. A little prevention now avoids a much more expensive problem later.
Why winter damage is often preventable
An ice dam forms when heat escaping from your home melts roof snow, which then refreezes at the colder eaves and backs water up under your shingles. It’s a slow, quiet process that causes real damage, and it’s largely preventable with proper insulation and ventilation.
Frozen and burst pipes follow a similar pattern: preventable with basic precautions, expensive without them.
What to do, step by step
- Check your attic insulation and sealing. A well-insulated, well-ventilated attic keeps the roof deck cold and prevents the snowmelt-refreeze cycle that causes ice dams.
- Know your main water shut-off valve location. If a pipe does freeze and burst, being able to shut off water immediately limits the damage significantly.
- Insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated spaces like crawlspaces, attics, and exterior walls.
- Keep a trickle of water running through faucets on extreme cold nights if you have pipes prone to freezing.
- Build a winter emergency kit. Include a way to stay warm without power, extra blankets, flashlights, and enough supplies to manage a multi-day outage.
- Check on masonry. Freeze-thaw cycles are hard on brick, stone, and concrete. Proper sealing prevents cracking over time.
Frequently asked
Does my insurance cover ice dam damage?
Most homeowner’s policies cover the resulting water damage inside your home, but not the cost of removing the ice dam itself. Check your specific policy.
How do I know if I have an ice dam problem?
Icicles along the eaves are a visible sign, but the more telling indicator is water stains on interior ceilings near exterior walls after a snow event.
What’s the single most preventable winter loss?
Frozen pipes. Knowing your shut-off valve location and insulating exposed pipes prevents most of the damage homeowners experience.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy