Winter in the South usually feels pretty mild. We get a few frosty mornings here and there, but we don't typically brace for blizzards or deep freezes. That mild expectation, however, can create a false sense of security. A surprising statistic has surfaced recently: Georgia is the number one state for burst pipe insurance claims during the winter.

It seems odd, right? You would think states up north would have more trouble with freezing pipes. The problem isn't the cold itself; it is how our homes are built. Unlike houses in the Northeast or Midwest, many southern homes don't have the heavy-duty insulation needed to protect plumbing from sudden temperature drops. When a cold snap hits Augusta, our pipes often aren't ready for it.

As if that weren't enough, winter brings another hidden danger. The Red Cross' winter house fire statistics show that they respond to 27% more home fires during the colder months.

This combination of risks makes winter a tricky time for homeowners, but being prepared is half the battle. Let’s walk through how you can protect your home this season and what to do if disaster strikes.

Why Are Georgia Homes So Vulnerable?

The same home design that keeps us cool during humid summers can work against us in the winter. Many of our homes have vented crawl spaces and pipes running through unheated areas like attics or garages. In northern climates, these pipes would be heavily insulated or kept within the home's heated areas. Here, they're often exposed to the cold.

When water freezes, it expands. If that water is inside a copper or PVC pipe, the pressure builds until the pipe splits open. As soon as the ice thaws, water floods into your home, causing massive damage in minutes.

Fire Risks Are Higher, Too

That increase in house fires is largely tied to heating equipment. When the central heat struggles to keep up with a sudden cold front, many of us reach for other heating sources that can be dangerous if not used correctly.

Key Georgia Winter Weather Preparations

You don’t have to remodel your house to keep it safe. A few simple, strategic actions can greatly reduce your risk of damage.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the South

Insulate Your Pipes: Take a look in your attic, crawl space, or garage. Any pipe you can see should be wrapped in a foam sleeve. These are inexpensive and easy to find at a hardware store.
Let Your Faucets Drip: When the weather forecast calls for temperatures below freezing, let a faucet connected to vulnerable pipes drip slowly. Moving water is much less likely to freeze than still water.
Open Cabinet Doors: For sinks on exterior walls (like in the kitchen or a bathroom), open the cabinet doors underneath. This lets warm air from inside your home circulate around the plumbing.
Disconnect Your Hoses: Always remove garden hoses from outdoor spigots before a freeze. If water freezes in the hose, the ice can expand back into the spigot and crack the pipe inside your wall.

Pipe insulation designed to prevent burst pipes in winter weather

Space Heater Safety Tips

If you're using a space heater, keep these safety tips in mind:

The Three-Foot Rule: Keep your space heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, like curtains, blankets, and furniture.
Plug Directly into the Wall: Never use an extension cord or a power strip for a space heater. They can overheat and become a fire hazard.
Turn it Off When You're Out: Don't leave a heater running when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Check Smoke and CO Alarms: Working alarms save lives. Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in any room where you’re using space heaters.

What to Do After a Burst Pipe

Sometimes, even with the best preparations, pipes can freeze and burst. If you find yourself dealing with a sudden flood, you need to act fast.

Shut Off the Water Main: Everyone in your home should know where the main water shut-off valve is located. Turn it off immediately to stop more water from flowing.
Call a Plumber: You'll need a professional to repair the broken pipe before you can safely turn the water back on.
Contact Your Insurance Company: Ask specifically, "Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?" In most cases, sudden and accidental discharge of water is covered, but gradual leaks might not be. Document everything with photos before moving anything.
Start Drying Everything Out: Drying out a flooded house quickly is necessary for preventing mold, which can begin to grow in just 24-48 hours.

Managing the Cleanup and Restoration

Recovering from winter storm damage in Georgia involves more than just fixing a pipe. You often need to remove wet drywall, replace flooring, and clear out furniture to make room for industrial fans and dehumidifiers.

This is where things can get complicated. You can't properly dry out a room that's full of furniture, but you also don't want to put your sofa on the wet lawn.

Smart Emergency Water Damage Storage

During a restoration project, you need a safe place to keep your belongings. This is where portable storage for water damage proves to be incredibly helpful.

Go Mini's of Augusta offers on-site storage for restoration that makes the process more manageable. We deliver a secure, weather-resistant storage container right to your driveway, giving you a safe staging area just steps from your door.

Here’s how it helps:

Clear the Area Instantly: You can move furniture, boxes, and electronics out of the damaged area right away.
Protection: Your items stay safe from the weather and theft while contractors work inside your home.
Easy Access: You can get to your belongings whenever you need them, unlike with off-site storage where your items are locked away across town.

When to Use Go Mini’s vs. Packout Services

It's good to know which service best fits your needs. If your belongings are heavily damaged by water or smoke and need professional cleaning, a "packout" service is what you're looking for. Our sister company, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz of Augusta, specializes in content restoration. They take your items, clean and restore them at their professional facility, and return them to you.

However, if your items are mostly dry and just need to be moved out of the way for repairs, Augusta GA emergency storage from Go Mini's is the perfect solution. We provide the storage container, and you or your restoration crew can load it up, clearing the house for repairs.

Emergency Storage for Restoration Companies

We’re proud to partner with restoration companies like Southeast Restoration to make home recovery smoother for everyone. Read our case study to see how we’ve work alongside restoration teams and helped homeowners recover.

Don't Wait for a Disaster to Strike

Dealing with home damage is stressful, but being proactive can save you a lot of trouble. Whether it's taking an afternoon to wrap your pipes or knowing who to call for emergency water damage storage, preparation is your best tool.

Take some time now to get your home ready for the winter. And if you ever find yourself needing on-site storage for restoration, remember that Go Mini’s and Blue Kangaroo Packoutz are here to help you get your home back to normal.

Need portable storage in a hurry? Contact Go Mini’s of Augusta today for a quote and get the space you need to handle any project.