Is your home well-equipped to handle the cold winter months? Harsh snowstorms and freezing temperatures are to be expected, and these can be tough on your property, and may even cause substantial damage if adequate preparations haven’t been made in advance. Winterizing your home can keep the heat in, lower your energy bills, and can even reduce the risk of injury to household members.
In addition, winterizing could also save you from costly repairs as a result of either water or mold damage, which would require the intervention of a professional damage restoration company. To lessen expenses and protect your property, ServiceMaster by LoveJoy has prepared steps to winterize your home before the weather turns colder.
Takeaway
The winter season can be harsh on your home and property. Preparation is key to avoiding winter damage, and securing pipes, interior and exterior spaces, insulation, HVAC, and the thermostat setting helps keep the heat in, lower your energy bills, and protect the home and family.
Common Causes of Winter Damage in Georgia
Winter weather can be tough on homes, and several factors often lead to damage during the colder months. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Frozen or Burst Pipes – Low temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and burst, leading to flooding inside walls, basements, or utility areas.
- Ice Dams on Roofs – Snow and ice accumulation can block water drainage, forcing it under shingles and into your home.
- Storms and Heavy Rain – Sudden heavy rain can leak into roofs, windows, and basements, creating water damage.
- Clogged Gutters and Downspouts – When gutters are blocked, melting snow or rain can pool near your foundation, causing flooding.
- Condensation and Humidity – Poor ventilation in attics and crawl spaces can lead to moisture buildup, which may result in mold growth.
Steps to Winterize Your Home
Prepare your property this winter by taking appropriate actions in the following areas.
Pipes
Frozen or burst pipes are common problems during the cold season. Protect pipes by draining water from the swimming pool and sprinkler system water lines. Garden hoses must be detached from spigots and must be drained before storing. Pipes in the unheated areas of the home, such as the attic, garage, and basement must be insulated. If there is a huge drop in temperature, let the faucet drip.
Exterior
Gutters must be cleared of leaves, twigs, and other materials to allow melted ice to flow freely and prevent the occurrence of ice dams, which could enable water to seep into the attic or roof and cause water damage. Cracks and air leaks around windows and doors should be caulked or sealed.
Interior
It is important to keep the heat in during cold winter months. Do this by adding interior weather stripping around windows and doors. In order to decrease the heat lost through glass windows, it would be helpful to apply an insulation film. A storm door may be added to entryways leading outside the house. For doors leading to an attached garage, draft guards may be used. In order to keep the indoors warm, ceiling fans must be set to rotate clockwise to push the warm air back down into the room. Also, fireplaces and chimneys must be checked and cleaned properly.
Insulation and HVAC
Ensure that the home has adequate insulation, including unheated areas such as the crawl space and basement. It is ideal to have the HVAC inspected and serviced before the weather gets cold in order to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition and a system breakdown can be avoided. Also, change air filters before turning on the heat.
Thermostat
The U.S Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home.
It is still early enough in the winter for you to complete these tasks and winterize your home for the rest of the season. By following these steps, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home, keep your heating system functioning normally, and prevent frozen or burst pipes that can lead to water damage problems.
What to Do When Winter Damage Strikes
Even with preparation, winter damage can still occur. It’s essential to act quickly to minimize losses and protect your property. Here are the steps to take!
- Ensure Safety First – Before entering the affected area, check for electrical hazards, slippery floors, or unstable structures.
- Stop the Source of Water – Shut off the main water supply if a pipe has burst or flooding occurs.
- Document the Damage – Take photos and videos of all affected areas and property for insurance purposes.
- Move Valuables to Safety – Protect furniture, electronics, and important documents from further exposure to water.
- Call a Professional Immediately – Experts like ServiceMaster by LoveJoy can quickly extract water, dry affected areas, and prevent mold growth.
- Prevent Secondary Damage – Avoid using HVAC systems until they’ve been inspected, and do not attempt DIY cleanup if significant flooding or contaminated water is involved.
Winter Water or Mold Damage? Contact Us Today
Disasters do not have a schedule. When water or mold damage strikes your property this winter, trust the restoration specialists at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy, your Conyers water damage restoration company, to remove the damage and restore your property to pre-loss condition!
Since 1999, ServiceMaster by LoveJoy has been providing businesses and homeowners with the highest quality of water and mold damage restoration and cleaning services. Our IICRC Certified Firm has a team of licensed and fully bonded technicians who have the qualifications, training, and experience to handle any size of disaster using cutting-edge restoration equipment and the best industry practices.
Contact ServiceMaster by LoveJoy today at (770) 787-4777 or message us online for a FREE estimate. Our Emergency Response Team is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with your water or mold damage emergency immediately.
