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Winterizing your Home and Pool

​With the threat of an upcoming Winter Storm to North Texas and freezing temperatures, we wanted to share some recommendations to keep you and your loved ones safe, and minimize damage caused by the storm.

How to Prepare Your Home for Freezing Rain, Snow or Extreme Cold:

  1. Stock Up on Food & Water.
  2. Consider Cooking & Easy Food Prep.
  3. Stock Up on Supplies.
  4. Purchase an Emergency Sump Pump.
  5. Install a Freeze Alarm.
  6. Consider Portable Power.
  7. Stay Safe From Carbon Monoxide.
  8. Clean Your Chimneys.

How to Winterize your Pool in the event of a power outage:

  1. Turn off all power in the breaker box located at the pool equipment.
  2. Open air relief valve on the filter to release water.
  3. Unscrew or open lid on filter pump.
  4. Unscrew both drain plugs on bottom of filter pumps.
  5. Open faucet or hose bib above filter.
  6. Unscrew large drain plug on back side of the filters.
  7. Pull up push/pool valve and unscrew drain plugs in backwash line. (applies to DE filter only).
  8. If you have in-line chlorinator, remove the lid and unscrew the drain plug if there is one.
  9. If you have a heater, unscrew the wing nuts under the front header (located where the plumbing pipes go in and out of the heater).
  10. If you have a Polaris cleaner booster pump, remove the drain plug that is located in front of the pump under the plumbing pipe.
  11. If you have any other devices that can hold water need to also be drained (UV, Ozone, etc.).
  12. To assure all drain plugs do not get lost, place them within the pump strainer basket.

How to start up your pool after freezing conditions are gone

  1. Reassemble all drain plugs and lids removed
  2. Take water hose and fill up all pumps with water hose
  3. Turn pool equipment back on
  4. Turn on pumps one at a time, and allow pumps to prime 1. 2. 3. 4.
  5. Note: Pumps prime faster if you are only pulling from one water line, adjust valve as needed

It’s always a good idea to have an emergency car kit. Especially with the threat of Freezing Rain accumulations:

  1. Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries.
  2. Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets.
  3. Windshield scraper.
  4. Shovel.
  5. Battery-powered radio with extra batteries.
  6. Flashlight with extra batteries.
  7. Water and snack food.

In the Event that your power does go out, we have the following tips to help with damages associated with burst pipes.

  • If you have a burst pipe or leak, shut off the water ASAP to prevent additional damage to your property.
  • Take photos/videos to document what is occurring for future use with any claim that may be needed.
  • Keep all receipts for any repairs, equipment, hotel stay, etc.
  • As needed, reach out to a water mitigation company for cleanup of excess water in your home. Depending on the severity of your leak/water incident, this step may or may not be needed.
  • If your damage is severe/significant, file the claim with your insurance carrier ASAP. Keep in mind that you WILL have a deductible, so if your damage is minor, a claim may not be warranted if the repairs do not exceed your deductible. You can find the claims information for each carrier at this link: https://taylorreedinsurance.com/client-center/report-claim/ If you need to know your deductible, reach out to our office at 817-350-4485 via phone or text. You can also reach us by email: info@taylorreedinsurance.com
  • Typically, the repairs to the pipes are not covered – but the damage resulting from the water leaks from those pipes IS covered. There may be exceptions to either of these, but this is a good general rule.
  • Once a claim is filed, and adjuster will be assigned and that is when you will be able to schedule your field inspection. The adjuster will complete the report and estimate an will then provide the full detail to you so you can work with your chosen contractors to complete the work.
  • Loss of Use coverage only triggers when the home becomes uninhabitable due to the covered peril on the policy. If you have to check into a hotel, there is a chance that expense may be covered so be sure to discuss with your assigned claims adjuster during the process.

We hope that the events of last year are not repeated, however, we are here for you if you need us.

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