Winter Water Damage Woes: Protect Your Home from Damage this Season

The winter months can be particularly hard on homes, as the cold temperatures, ice and snow can leave behind devastating damage.  Being vigilant can help to prevent winter damage, ensuring that your home comes out of the season without any lasting problems.

Frozen Pipes

This is a common fear for any homeowner in New England.  Frozen pipes can quickly lead to flooding, as the pipe swells to the point of cracking.  Frozen pipes often occur during extreme cold weather in those pipes that are on the exterior of the home or in unheated areas. 

The following are some tips to prevent frozen pipes:

• Insulate piping that is at risk for freezing, including those that are in the basement, attic and garage.
• Keep the garage and exterior doors securely closed.
• Seal windows and doors with weather-stripping.
• Keep the home’s thermostat consistent throughout the day and night.
• Even when away, do not set the thermostat lower than 55 degrees.
• If you lose power and the indoor temperature is dropping, let the faucets drip to allow water to continue running through the pipes.

Ice Dams

Snow and ice that builds-up on the roof and gutter of a home can melt and refreeze, creating drainage problems.  With nowhere to go, the water can leak into the roof causing significant damage and flooding in the home. 

Follow these tips to prevent ice dams from damaging your home:

• Use a roof rake to clear heavy snow.
• Keep gutters clean and free of debris.
• Ensure that the attic has good ventilation to allow for continuous airflow.
• Eliminate any heat sources that are located in the attic.
• If ice has begun forming, apply calcium chloride (or any ice-melt product).

Flooding

Despite your best effort, your home may experience flooding damage during the winter.  If you do experience a flood in your home, remove the water as quickly as possible.  This will ensure the best chance of preventing mold growth, which can lead to big problems in the future. 

Even after the standing water has been removed, the humidity levels are often very high, with underlying moisture in the walls, flooring and other areas that cannot be seen by the naked eye.  Soil-Away can ensure that all of the moisture is removed after a flood has damaged your home.  This will not only restore your home to its pre-flood state, but you can also be confident that the area is not a breeding ground for mold growth.

After a flood has damaged your home, contact Soil-Away at 603-641-6555.