Frozen Pipes and the Resulting Water Leaks

So far this winter, the Denver area has experienced mostly unseasonably warm, dry weather, which has spared us from the usual flurry of frozen pipe claims.  But as the frigid temperatures of the last few days have reminded us, Colorado weather changes often and a cold snap is likely to strike at any time.  When the temperatures plummet, we begin to hear the horror stories about frozen pipes and the resulting water leaks, especially when it comes to condominium and some townhome communities.  So, who’s responsible for the maintenance, repairs and damages?  As all governing documents are different, there’s no one right answer.  It’s dependent on where the unit boundaries are located and what exactly the homeowner is responsible for maintaining versus the association.  We recommend that association’s work with legal counsel to set up a maintenance and insurance chart to clearly define maintenance responsibilities.

Below are some helpful tips to avoid frozen pipes during these frigid temperatures:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
• Leave your faucets dripping to keep the water running through your pipes
• Keep your thermostat set to a minimum of 65 degrees, even if you are out of town.

If you need help defining maintenance obligations, don’t hesitate to contact us today.