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Yes, insulating your cold water pipes is a great way to prevent condensation. When warm, humid air meets cold pipes, condensation forms, which can drip and cause moisture issues in your home. Pipe insulation acts as a barrier between the warm air and the cold pipes, keeping condensation at bay and helping you avoid potential problems like mold or structural damage.

There’s no way around it—a burst pipe is often a homeowner’s worst nightmare, and the situation can range from semi-serious to dire. If you don’t catch the leak, it can lead to thousands of dollars worth of water damage.

At best, you’ll notice a burst pipe quickly, turn off your water supply, and use a wet vacuum to clean up minor flooding. A plumber can repair the pipe, and you won’t be left with a major bill. At worst, severe water damage can collapse floors, ceilings, walls, and foundations, sometimes leading to major repairs and renovations.

In many cases, homeowners insurance can and does cover water leaks. If your plumbing is leaking because of an unexpected accident or breakdown, your policy likely covers the cost to remediate the problem. But if you simply haven’t been keeping up with appliance and fixture maintenance, you may not be able to get reimbursed for the repair.

Your homeowners insurance may also cover a water leak from your roof, particularly if the leak was caused by storm damage. If the leak stems from simple wear and tear on your roof—that is, your roof is old, and it’s about time to replace it—homeowners insurance likely won’t help.

If you try a drain snake and various DIY methods for unclogging drains to no avail, bring in a professional plumber to assess the situation. Also, if multiple drains in your home are backing up or you smell sewage, a visit from a plumber is best. You can expect your drain cleaning costs to fall around $250, and this can include an assessment of what’s caught in your plumbing and if there’s a larger, underlying problem. You should also consider calling a pro if you need to snake a toilet, as DIYing this could lead to a cracked fixture.