In this special Q&A with Stefan Figley, President of 1-800-Packouts, we’re tackling key questions that arise during the winter season. We’ll cover everything from burst pipes to the impact of freezing temperatures on electronics and other belongings. With a prediction of above average and below average temperatures across the country, proactive planning is your strongest tool. Share these insights with your team and customers to help them get ahead of frozen pipes and damage to their belongings. Here’s what Stefan had to say about protecting belongings during winter emergencies.

Question: What types of belongings are most at risk during freeze events or burst pipes, and how should people decide what to stabilize or remove first?

Answer: Freeze events and burst pipes create a tricky mix of water damage and rapid temperature change. The most at-risk items tend to be anything porous or layered: think upholstered furniture, mattresses, rugs, clothing, paper goods and boxed storage. These materials soak up water fast and can hold it deep inside, which leads to swelling, staining, odor and mold once conditions warm up. Wood furniture and cabinetry are also vulnerable; they may warp, split or delaminate if water freezes in joints or veneers.

When prioritizing, start with safety and sentimental value. First, remove items that could become hazardous (anything near electrical sources, heaters or heavy saturated materials in unstable stacks). Next, focus on irreplaceables: photos, keepsakes, documents, heirlooms and unique artwork. After that, move to high-value items financially, like electronics, collectibles and specialty furniture. The goal is to stabilize what matters most before thawing accelerates the damage.

Q: When contents have been exposed to freezing temperatures, what early steps help prevent extra damage once items begin to thaw?

A: The key is controlled thawing and moisture control. If you can, keep the environment cool and stable rather than rapidly warming everything up. Fast thawing pulls moisture through materials too quickly, which can cause cracking, peeling finishes and permanent distortion. Avoid using direct heat on furnishings or paper items.

If items are wet and frozen, don’t force them apart or unfold them because that’s when fibers tear or surfaces delaminate. Let a qualified team handle separation and drying. Also, try to reduce humidity early. Even a small amount of thawed water trapped inside a sofa or closet box can create mold within 24–48 hours once temps rise.

Q: How can property owners prepare their belongings before winter to reduce the chance of freeze-related loss?

A: Think prevention and smart storage. Keep valuables and sentimental items off floors, especially in basements, garages, exterior closets and crawl-rooms. Plastic bins with tight lids are better than cardboard boxes, and labeling helps you act quickly if something happens.

If you’re leaving town, set your thermostat no lower than 55°F, open cabinet doors under sinks to keep pipes warmer and shut off the main water if possible. Finally, do a quick seasonal scan: move artwork or keepsake boxes away from exterior walls and windows and don’t store electronics in unheated areas where temperature swings are harsh.

Q:  What signs should people look for to determine whether contents can be restored or need to be replaced after a cold weather incident?

A: A lot can be restored, even when it looks rough at first. But warning signs include severe warping or splitting in wood, insulation swelling inside walls of furniture, persistent odor after initial drying, heavy rust or corrosion on metal components and paper items that are fused together with ink bleeding.

That said, don’t throw things out too early. Many items that seem “done,” like area rugs, upholstered chairs, framed photos or books, can often be professionally cleaned and stabilized if they’re handled quickly and correctly.

Q:  How do low temperatures affect electronics, artwork, documents or sentimental items during a water or freeze event?

A: Cold slows some damage but adds new risks. Electronics may survive initial wetting if power stayed off, but condensation during warm-up can short components. Artwork and photos are especially sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles...you’ll see cracking paint, stuck glass or paper buckling. Documents and keepsakes often look “fine” while frozen, then degrade rapidly as they thaw, especially if they’re stacked together. 

Q: What should people understand about how cold weather can complicate contents recovery timelines, and why early involvement of a qualified team helps prevent avoidable loss?

A: Cold weather creates a false sense of safety. Damage may look paused while items are frozen, but once thawing begins, everything accelerates from swelling to mold risk to odors. Also, drying a structure and contents in winter can take longer because outside air is cold and moisture removal is harder to control.

Bringing in a qualified contents team early helps in two huge ways: we stabilize items before thawing causes secondary damage and we triage correctly so you don’t lose restorable belongings unnecessarily. Early action almost always equals better outcomes and less heartbreak.