Snow and ice during winter bring an increased risk of water damage to your home. In large amounts, melting ice and snow can have severe consequences to your property.
This winter, spend less time worrying about water damage and more time enjoying the season with your family and friends. Learn three of the top causes of winter water damage and how to reduce your risk from the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy.
Causes of Winter Water Damage
Burst or Frozen Pipes
- Frozen pipes build up significant pressure, which can lead to cracks and flooding once the ice melts.
- Make sure your outer walls and any exposed pipes are properly insulated. Caulk cracks and holes you see in your exterior walls to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. Shield exposed pipes from freezing temperatures by wrapping them with insulating tape or old towels.
- When temperatures are very low or you plan to be away from home for several days, leave the faucets lightly dripping and keep the cabinets under your sink open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Doing so will keep water flowing and can help prevent your pipes from freezing.
- For maximum protection against hidden or sudden leaks, install a detection system that can monitor water pressure and automatically signal a water shut-off in the event of a leak or blocked pipe. This technology can reduce the amount of water damage caused by burst or frozen pipes in winter.
How to Deal With Frozen Pipes?
In case freezing has not been prevented ahead of time, here’s what a homeowner should do.
- Turn off the water supply to reduce pressure on the frozen pipe and to minimize flooding in case the pipe bursts.
- Warm the pipe by using an electric hairdryer or by wrapping a section with an electric heating pad or with towels soaked in hot water. This would melt the ice inside. It would be better if the frozen area can be located to concentrate the heat there. Open flames should not be used to heat the pipe. If the ice cannot be thawed or if the frozen area is not accessible, call a licensed plumber to inspect it.
- If the pipe is large enough and can be accessed, a garden hose may be pushed through it. Hot water should then be run through the garden hose slowly, until the ice melts. Be careful with this process since the hot water can back up on your end when the garden hose is overfilled
- Inspect the pipe for leaks since water can run through them after the pipe has been thawed.
When a pipe bursts unexpectedly, it’s time to call a professional water damage restoration company to assess and handle the damage.
Ice Dams and Roof Leaks
- Icicles may be a staple of winter, but they can wreak havoc on your home.
- If your gutters are clogged, snow that melts off your roof won’t pass through the drainage system properly.
- As the water trapped in your gutters refreezes, a wall of icicles will build up, eventually causing ice dams. The melt from these ice dams can damage your roof and seep into your attic, causing structural damage or mold.
- Any ice melt that drips over the sides of your gutters has the potential to pool next to your home’s foundation and cause additional water damage, as well. Finally, sharp icicles may break off as they melt, posing a serious safety hazard.
- Clean your gutters before the cold weather hits to keep the dangers of ice dams and roof leaks at bay.
Water Sources
- Neglecting your outdoor water sources could cause problems when spring rolls around.
- When the temperatures drop, you should shut off the water to your outdoor hoses and spigots. Drain any water from your hoses, and then store them so they don't freeze, crack or break in the cold.
How to Prevent Water Damage?
- Clean your gutter twice a year.
- Check your sump pump once a year.
- Fix visible water leaks in the ceilings and pipes.
- Inspect your roof for possible damaged roof shingles.
- Check and repair any cracked caulking.
Contact Us for Mold Removal & Remediation in Conyers, GA
Call the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy at (678) 293-0297 for Conyers customers or (770) 983-6665 for Roswell customers. You may also schedule an appointment online.
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We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to being faster to any size of disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial water damage emergency.
