Frozen Pipes? Not So Nice! Beat Winter Water Woes Before They Strike!

State Farm® has released its latest data on frozen pipe and winter water damage claims, highlighting the top ten states affected.

From 2024 through June 2025, more than 20,000 claims were filed, totaling over $628 million in paid losses. The average claim payment exceeded $30,000.

This data covers water damage caused by freezing, including damage to foundations and slabs, other freeze-related damage, and water damage resulting from frozen conditions.

The five states with the highest total claim costs paid were Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Tennessee.

As winter approaches, frozen pipes and ice dams pose a serious risk of costly water damage. When pipes freeze and burst, the resulting damage can be much more extensive than most homeowners expect. Frozen pipes can ruin drywall, foundations, floors, toilets, electrical systems, and personal belongings. Plus, repairs often take weeks or even months to complete.

Fortunately, spending just a few minutes on simple prevention steps can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Frozen Pipes
A small crack in a pipe can release over 250 gallons of water daily, damaging floors, furniture, and valuables. Pipes in uninsulated areas—like attics, crawl spaces, or exterior walls—are most at risk, especially when temperatures drop below 20°F.

What to Do if Pipes Freeze:

• If faucets run dry, keep them open and call a plumber.
• Avoid using electrical appliances near standing water—risk of electrocution.
• Never use an open flame to thaw pipes; it’s a fire hazard.
• Use a hair dryer cautiously to warm pipes, starting near the faucet and moving toward the frozen section—avoid standing water.
• If pipes burst, shut off your main water valve and leave faucets open. Know where your shutoff valve is before an emergency.
• Contact your insurance company if damage occurs.

Prevent Frozen Pipes:

• Let faucets drip during cold nights to keep water flowing.
• Open cabinet doors to warm pipes under sinks and exterior walls.
• Seal leaks that let cold air in.
• Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor pipes.
• Winterize pools by draining equipment and turning off freeze guards.
• Keep your home heated to at least 55°F.
• Note: Shutting off water can prevent freezing but disables fire sprinklers. 

Ice Dams
Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes at the roof edge, causing leaks that damage walls, ceilings, and insulation—and can lead to mold.

Prevent Ice Dams:

• Ventilate eaves and ridges to circulate cold air under the roof.
• Seal attic hatches and whole-house fans to keep heat inside.
• Add insulation to the attic floor.
• Replace recessed lights with sealed “IC” fixtures to safely insulate.
• Properly flash chimneys with steel and fire-stop sealant—avoid spray foam.
• Seal and insulate HVAC ducts with mastic and foil-faced fiberglass.
• Caulk around cables, vents, and any spots letting air escape. 

If You Have an Ice Dam:

• Use a box fan in the attic aimed at the roof’s underside where leaking occurs.
• Carefully remove snow with a long-handled aluminum roof rake from the ground—never climb on the roof.

Taking these steps now can help prevent expensive water damage later to your home and ensure your family stays safe during cold weather.