Water Damage Repair: How to Prevent Winter Water Damage in New Hampshire for Vacated Properties
With the cold weather upon us, many New Hampshire residents will face the problem of water damage stemming from colder temperatures and other problems including power outages. This is a serious concern for owners of vacated properties. This could mean a seasonal home, a family on extended vacation or a house for sale. Our water damage repair experts at Soil Away have compiled the following blog to give you some tips for preventing water damage in vacated properties. The goal is to keep your home in shape throughout the winter months.
Water Supply
Water damage from frozen pipes is a common occurance in NH. One effective way of preventing water damage in the winter is to turn off the water supply to your vacated home. If the property is going to be vacant for an extended period of time, there’s no point in keeping it running and risking damage to your pipes and home. Turning off your water supply can be done in the following manner:
- Locate the valve of the main water supply and turn it off
- Open a tap on the upper floor of your home
- If the flow decreases to a dribble, your supply is sealed
- If it continues to run, try turning the supply off again
- Contact a plumbing professional if you have any concerns or hesitations
Water Taps
Another great way to prevent water damage is to leave your taps open when your supply is off. Sometimes, water that remains in your pipes will freeze and expand, which can lead to damage. By leaving your taps open, you allow the expansion to proceed naturally and this will push the remaining water towards the open tap and into your sink.
Draining Your Water System
Draining your water system is another way to prevent water damage. Most water systems have a “stop and drain” button or valve located near the shut-off that makes this process very simple. For very long absences, consider adding non-toxic anti-freeze into your drains and toilet bowls. Again, contact a plumbing professional if you have any concerns or hesitations
Heat and Monitoring
If the above suggestions are not an option, we recommend maintaining proper heat levels. Maintaining adequate temperature in the vacated property will help prevent water damage from frozen pipes. You should also make arrangements with a trusted family member or friend to check on the house. Regular inspections should be scheduled to make sure no problems have developed.
The water damage repair process is a lot of work. Avoiding water damage should be a property owner’s priority. Vacated properties in the cold NH winter months are extra vulnerable to damage. However, by following the tips above you can avoid this repair process altogether with a little bit of effort and understanding of your home’s water supply system. For further questions or concerns, give us a call anytime at (603) 301-4863 and we’ll be happy to help you out.
