The hidden “old house” failure that’s showing up in claims again this winter

Winter is exposing a quiet weakness in older homes that is now showing up in insurance files: aging plumbing and hidden water pathways that fail under sustained cold. As temperatures swing and storms stack up, small gaps in insulation, outdated pipes, and forgotten service lines are turning into costly claims that many owners never saw coming. If you live in an older house, you are on the front line of this shift, and the decisions you make before the next freeze will determine whether you are filing a claim or avoiding one.

The “old house” problem hiding behind winter’s most common claims

When adjusters talk about winter losses, they usually start with a familiar list: frozen pipes, ice, wind, and slip and fall injuries. Those categories are real, but in older homes the pattern behind them is different, because age magnifies every weakness in your building envelope and plumbing. Insulation that was thin even when it was new, drafty windows, and long, uninsulated pipe runs in basements and crawl spaces all make your house more vulnerable when temperatures plunge and stay low. That is why you see the same addresses show up in claim files winter after winter, even when the weather is not record breaking.

Industry breakdowns of winter losses consistently put frozen or burst pipes at the top of the list, alongside ice related roof damage, windstorm losses, and liability claims from people slipping on ice. Analyses of The Most Common Winter Insurance Claims and other winter claim data point to frozen or burst pipes as a leading driver of payouts, with windstorms and ice contributing a significant share of property damage. When you overlay that with the realities of older construction, from outdated plumbing materials to marginal attic insulation, it becomes clear that the “old house” factor is not just cosmetic charm, it is a structural risk that winter is now exploiting more aggressively.

Why frozen pipes are surging in older homes

Frozen plumbing is not a new hazard, but the way it plays out in older houses is changing. Many prewar and mid century homes were built with long pipe runs along exterior walls, unheated basements, or crawl spaces that were never designed for modern comfort levels. When you turn down the thermostat to save on heating bills, those marginal areas can drop below freezing even if your living room feels fine. As water turns to ice, it expands inside the pipe, and the pressure can split copper, steel, or plastic lines, sometimes in places you cannot see until the thaw sends water pouring into finished spaces.

Guides to winter claims repeatedly flag frozen plumbing as a top exposure, noting that Frozen pipes are among the most common winter losses and that pressure from expanding ice is what turns a cold snap into a major water event. Regional breakdowns, including advice tailored to Minnesota winters, describe how extreme cold puts pipes at risk and emphasize that older layouts, outdoor spigots, and uninsulated sections are especially vulnerable. When you combine that with aging joints and valves, a freeze that a newer home might shrug off can turn into a catastrophic failure in an older one.

The overlooked weak link: service lines and buried plumbing

While most owners focus on the pipes they can see, some of the most expensive failures in older homes start underground. Many historic and mid century properties still rely on original water service lines, sometimes made of materials that are now considered obsolete. These buried lines can crack from soil movement, corrosion, or root intrusion, and winter adds another layer of stress as freeze and thaw cycles shift the ground. When a service line fails, you are not just dealing with a leak in a wall, you may be facing excavation, replacement of a long run of pipe, and restoration of landscaping or hardscaping that has to be torn up to reach the break.

Specialized guidance for historic properties highlights Water Backup and Service Line for Older Wells Plumbing as key concerns, noting that Wells and other historic homes often have aging plumbing systems that cause leaks, backups, and failures that are both disruptive and expensive. Those same discussions point out that dedicated service line coverage can help pay for repair or replacement of damaged underground pipes, as well as related restoration work. If your house predates modern building codes, it is worth assuming that at least some of your buried infrastructure is living on borrowed time, and winter is when those quiet weaknesses are most likely to surface.

How winter reveals hidden flaws in insulation and building envelope

Cold weather does more than stress pipes, it also acts like a diagnostic tool for your entire building envelope. Drafts around windows and doors, thin attic insulation, and poorly sealed penetrations in walls and ceilings all show up more clearly when the temperature drops. In older homes, where original windows, plaster walls, and uninsulated attics are common, those flaws can create cold pockets that put nearby plumbing at risk and contribute to ice formation on roofs. You might notice certain rooms that never quite warm up, or see frost forming on interior surfaces, both of which are clues that your house is losing heat in ways that can feed into insurance losses.

Practical winter checklists encourage you to Check for Drafts and Insulation issues during cold spells, using the season as a chance to spot problem areas that are invisible in milder weather. Those same guides point out that snow and ice patterns on your roof can reveal where heat is escaping, which in turn can lead to ice buildup and water intrusion. When you connect that advice to the realities of older construction, it becomes clear that every draft you ignore is not just a comfort problem, it is a potential contributor to frozen pipes, roof leaks, and other claims that will show up in your file long after the snow melts.

Wind, ice, and the compounding effect on aging structures

Winter losses in older homes rarely come from a single cause. Wind, ice, and snow interact with aging materials in ways that compound damage and increase the odds of a claim. A windstorm that a newer roof might handle without incident can lift shingles on an older structure, exposing underlayment and allowing meltwater to seep in. Ice that forms along the eaves because of poor insulation and ventilation can back water up under those loosened shingles, turning a minor wind event into a significant interior water loss weeks later.

Claim data on Common Homeowner Winter Property Claims notes that Windstorm Claims account for a significant share of winter homeowner losses, with Windstorms responsible for about 20 percent of claims in the colder months. Other breakdowns of common winter insurance claims emphasize that ice and snow loads, falling tree limbs, and related hazards are all part of the seasonal risk picture. For an older house with mature trees, a weathered roof, and possibly outdated structural connections, those forces can be more damaging, and the repairs more complicated, than they would be in a newer build.

The coverage gap: when “wear and tear” meets winter damage

One of the most frustrating surprises for owners of older homes is learning that not every winter loss is covered, even when the damage feels sudden. Standard homeowners policies are designed to respond to abrupt, accidental events, not gradual deterioration. If an insurer can point to long term neglect, deferred maintenance, or pre existing wear and tear, it may argue that the resulting damage falls outside the scope of coverage. In practice, that means a burst pipe in a poorly heated crawl space or a roof leak under worn shingles can trigger difficult conversations about what is sudden and what is simply the end point of years of aging.

Coverage explanations make it clear that a typical policy will often pay for water damage from a burst pipe, a ruptured water heater, or other plumbing malfunctions, but they also warn that neglect can change the outcome. One major carrier notes that Please be aware that if you fail to maintain heat or otherwise protect your plumbing, resulting bursts may not be covered. Separate reporting on mold underscores how insurers pulled back from that peril after finding it too risky, with Mark Friedlander of the III explaining that high claim volume and frequency can drive coverage restrictions. For an older home where water damage and mold are more likely after a winter incident, those gaps can be financially devastating if you have not read your policy closely.

Why insurers are getting tougher on older properties

As winter losses mount and climate patterns shift, insurers are rethinking how much risk they are willing to carry, and older homes are feeling that pressure first. Carriers look at claim history, construction type, age of systems, and local weather trends when deciding whether to renew a policy or how to price it. If your house has a track record of winter water losses, wind damage, or liability claims, you may find that your options narrow or your premiums climb, even if you have never missed a payment. In some markets, entire categories of older housing stock are being flagged as higher risk simply because of their age and location.

Recent analysis shared by Professional Insurance Agents Western Alliance reports that 25 percent of Homeowners in 2025 were Dropped by their Insurer, a figure that underscores how aggressively the market is tightening. While that statistic covers all types of homes, not just older ones, it illustrates the broader environment you are operating in. In a world where one in four owners can lose coverage, an aging property with recurring winter issues is an obvious candidate for scrutiny unless you can show that you are actively managing the risk.

Practical steps to harden an older home before the next freeze

The good news is that you are not powerless against these trends. Many of the vulnerabilities that drive winter claims in older homes can be reduced with targeted upgrades and disciplined maintenance. Start by mapping where your plumbing actually runs, especially in basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, and then add insulation or heat tape where needed. Keep your thermostat at a consistent setting, even when you are away, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps so warm air can circulate. Simple habits like letting faucets drip slightly during extreme cold can relieve pressure in vulnerable lines.

Prevention guides focused on Preventing Frozen Pipe Claims Quick drops in temperature emphasize the role of insulation, steady heat, and controlled water flow in keeping pipes from freezing. Regional advice on Burst and Frozen Pipes The risk in cold climates recommends disconnecting hoses, draining outdoor lines, and installing insulated covers on exterior spigots. For older homes with historic character, targeted investments in attic insulation, air sealing, and updated plumbing in the most exposed areas can dramatically cut your odds of a winter claim without stripping away the features that make the house unique.

Working with your insurer before, during, and after a winter claim

Managing the “old house” factor is not just about physical upgrades, it is also about how you communicate with your insurer. Before winter sets in, review your policy to understand what is covered and where exclusions might apply, especially around water damage, mold, and service lines. Ask your agent whether you can add endorsements for water backup or underground service line failures, which are particularly relevant for older properties. Document the improvements you make, from pipe insulation to roof repairs, so you can show that you are not simply waiting for something to break.

If a loss does occur, act quickly to limit damage and to put your claim on the strongest footing. Shut off the water if a pipe bursts, take photos and video of the affected areas, and keep receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary housing. When you report the claim, be prepared to explain what you did to maintain heat and protect your plumbing, since that can influence how the adjuster views the loss. Industry discussions of common winter insurance claims and The Most Common Winter Insurance Claims stress that prompt reporting and cooperation can help keep the process smoother. In a market where carriers are increasingly selective, showing that you are a proactive steward of an older home can make the difference between being seen as a partner in risk management or as a liability when renewal time comes around.