When Winter Strikes Vacant: The Hidden Plumbing Crisis Plaguing Lakeville’s Seasonal Properties

As temperatures plummet across Massachusetts, owners of vacation homes, seasonal cottages, and investment properties in Lakeville face a stark reality: approximately 250,000 Americans go through this ordeal every year when dealing with frozen and burst pipe damage. While year-round residents can monitor their plumbing systems daily, seasonal properties sit vulnerable and unattended during the harshest months, creating a perfect storm for catastrophic plumbing failures.

The Alarming Statistics Behind Seasonal Property Damage

The numbers paint a sobering picture for property owners. Between 2019 and 2023, approximately 22.6% of home insurance claims were due to water damage or freezing, second only to wind or hail damage. The average claim for water damage or freezing costs over $15,000. However, seasonal properties face exponentially higher risks due to their unoccupied status during winter months.

The most common problems include air leaks or drafts from poor insulation (22%), heating system or HVAC system failures (18%), frozen or burst pipes (17%), and damaged driveways or sidewalks (14%), according to recent homeowner surveys. For seasonal properties, these percentages skyrocket when homes remain unmonitored for extended periods.

Why Lakeville’s Seasonal Properties Are Particularly Vulnerable

Lakeville’s geographic location and climate create unique challenges for seasonal property owners. Water pipe bursts are common in Lakeville where extreme winter cold and high winds that drive the wind chill well below freezing temperatures. Pipes that lack proper insulation and are exposed to the winter’s cold are far more likely to create a need for restoration.

The problem compounds when properties remain vacant. Homes that are poorly insulated or that are left vacant with no furnace to regulate the heat can be a common culprit of frozen water pipes and frozen water lines in the wintertime. These breaks are also often hard to notice immediately because they most commonly occur in the basement where the heat is not as well regulated.

The Devastating Cost of Delayed Discovery

Unlike year-round residences where frozen pipes are quickly detected, seasonal properties can suffer extensive damage before problems are discovered. Without winterizing your plumbing system, the pipes can freeze and burst, causing significant damage to your pipes and flooding your vacation home. The worst part is you might not even realize it happened until you open the doors next spring.

The financial impact can be staggering. Just 1 inch of water in the typical home can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When seasonal properties suffer undetected water damage for weeks or months, the destruction often extends far beyond simple pipe repairs to include structural damage, mold remediation, and complete interior restoration.

Critical Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Properties

Preventing freeze damage requires proactive winterization measures that go beyond what year-round residents typically need. Before leaving your vacation home for the year, set your thermostat to a temperature low enough that you aren’t wasting energy while the property is empty, but high enough that it will prevent indoor fixtures from freezing — 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit is considered an ideal temperature while you’re away.

Professional winterization involves several critical steps:

• Turn off the main water supply to the house. Once the water is shut off, drain all water from faucets and fixtures.
• Pour RV antifreeze down drains and in toilets to eliminate any standing water in the pipes.
• Prevent frozen pipes by insulating any exposed plumbing found in basements, crawl spaces and along exterior walls.
• Shut off the gas and water supplying the hot water heater, then attach a hose to the drain valve to drain any remaining stored water.

When Professional Help Makes the Difference

For Lakeville property owners, working with experienced local professionals can mean the difference between minor maintenance costs and major disaster recovery. Every home is plumbed differently and your summer home may require more steps beyond these basics. Consider calling in a professional plumber to help you protect your pipes in the winter. If you’re not comfortable winterizing your pipes and plumbing on your own, consider reaching out to a licensed plumber.

This is where partnering with a trusted local Plumber in Lakeville, MA becomes invaluable. Dempsey Energy, a family-owned company serving the area since 1992, understands the unique challenges facing seasonal property owners in Plymouth County. For over 30 years, families across Massachusetts have trusted us to keep their homes running efficiently and comfortably. With fast, same-day repairs, fully stocked trucks, and 24/7 emergency services, we’re here when you need us most—ensuring your home stays safe, comfortable, and stress-free.

The Dempsey Energy Advantage for Seasonal Properties

Even though we continue to grow, our plumbing division still carries the same values we started with: reliability, transparency, and showing up when others don’t. Every plumber in Kingston, MA we send is licensed, equipped, and backed by a team that knows the homes in this area like the back of their hand. This local expertise proves crucial for seasonal property owners who need reliable service partners they can trust with their investments.

The company’s comprehensive approach addresses the full spectrum of seasonal property needs. We provide comprehensive residential plumbing services including routine maintenance, fixture installations, water heater service and replacement, drain cleaning, pipe repairs and replacements, and plumbing system inspections. We also offer preventive maintenance through our Dempsey Comfort Club membership program, which includes regular check-ups to catch problems early and priority scheduling for any repairs you need.

Emergency Response When Prevention Fails

Despite best prevention efforts, emergencies can still occur. For emergency calls, we typically respond within 1-2 hours, often faster depending on our current schedule and your location in Plympton. This rapid response capability proves essential for seasonal property owners who may discover problems during surprise visits or through property management checks.

The company’s commitment to quality service extends beyond emergency repairs. Yes, we stand behind all our plumbing work with warranties on both parts and labor. If something goes wrong with our repair or installation, we’ll come back and make it right at no additional cost. We’ve built our reputation on quality work that lasts, and our warranty reflects our confidence in what we do.

Protecting Your Investment Year-Round

For seasonal property owners in Lakeville, the message is clear: proactive prevention and professional partnerships are essential for protecting your investment. Winterizing your vacation home helps prevent frozen pipes, reduces the risk of water damage, and ensures that your property remains secure and well-maintained during the colder months.

As winter approaches, don’t let your seasonal property become another statistic in the growing number of freeze-damage claims. Whether you need comprehensive winterization services, emergency repairs, or ongoing maintenance support, partnering with experienced local professionals like Dempsey Energy can help ensure your Lakeville property remains protected throughout the harsh New England winter months.

Remember, This kind of damage to your home or business is fixable, but it requires immediate action on your part. You need to get the right water damage repair company in as soon as possible to mitigate damage and prevent further problems from arising that could affect the structure of the property. Don’t wait until spring to discover winter’s damage – take action now to protect your seasonal property investment.