Frozen Pipe Risk Alert

Cold Weather – Frozen Pipe Alert

February 11, 2021 (Risk Alert 2021-06)

The forecast calls for single digit temperatures Friday morning, and there is a possibility the cold will continue throughout the long holiday weekend. This is the time of year when we typically experience costly and damaging frozen pipe losses. Because this is a three-day weekend for many schools and parish offices, and because of low occupancy due to COVID-19 closures, please be sure to maintain a temperature of 68° in all buildings, including vacant buildings, until at least Wednesday, February 17. This may temporarily increase your heating costs, but it’s a small price to pay to avoid more costly damage and inconvenience caused by frozen pipes.

Frozen and burst pipes can result in millions of dollars in property damage.

At this time, we urge you to make the following preliminary preparations:

  • Maintain a temperature of 68° F until at least Wednesday, February 17 in your buildings.
  • Maintenance personnel should check facilities, ESPECIALLY UNOCCUPIED BUILDINGS, in the morning and evening each day. Open faucets to make sure water is flowing in all the pipes.
  • If you lose heat and are unable to restore heat before the low temperatures begin, shut off the water supply and drain pipes. This will prevent water from freezing and bursting the pipes. If you are unable to drain the pipes, open the taps a little to allow water to trickle out. If you chose this option, please monitor the taps on a regular basis.

Please be vigilant! Previous cold snaps resulted in over $8 million in property damage from frozen pipes alone. Frozen pipes can be prevented!

Heating Safety

When heating your facility, rectory or home, do it safely. For heating safety tips, go to: https://www.mass.gov/winter-home-heating-safety

Property Damage
If you experience property damage, immediately call Alicia Gray at 781-664-3990. For a list of service vendors, go to Vendors.

Keep Informed

  • All locations should have a battery-powered radio on hand. Please monitor weather reports.

Reporting a Claim

If you experience property damage or injury as a result of the storm, report the claim immediately. Contact Alicia Gray at 781-664-3990, or report the claim online.