Avoid Water Damage And Restoration During Cold Weather
November is a great time of year to start preparing for the upcoming holidays. But did you know that it is also a great time to prepare your home for winter weather? Winters in Quincy can be harsh and cold, and all that cold weather could mean possible trouble and water damage in your home if the proper precautions aren’t taken in advance. From our water damage restoration experts, here are a few steps you can take before the temperatures drop too low to reduce the risk of possible water damage and restoration costs.
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- Perform a visual inspection around the outside of your home and look for any cracks or damaged areas in the foundation. Chips, cracks or any other damaged areas provide a route for water to enter your home, especially when snow and ice hit. If you notice any areas that look like they need repaired, do not put it off.
- The roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so it is important that it is in good condition before snow falls. Best practice is to call in a roofer to inspect your roof and look for any signs of damage or areas where water may be a threat. Any loose or missing shingles need to be addressed right away. Regular and routine roof inspections by a trained professional will help keep your roof properly fortified to withstand all the elements.
- Clean out your gutters and downspouts. If dirt, leaves, or any other debris are allowed to sit in your rain gutters, they can cause blockages which lead to water backup and overflow. If water is allowed to drain next to and pool up around the foundation of your home, it can easily work its way inside. Gutter and downspouts should properly drain the water away from your home to help prevent any water damage. Also, if not properly drained from your gutters, standing water can freeze when temperatures drop. These ice dams can cause serious problems and lead to extensive water damage and restoration costs.
- Check the seals around every door and window in your home. Loose, damaged, or missing weather strips not only let the cold air in but can also let in water. If there are poor seals around any of your doors or windows, buy new weathers tripping or use caulk to seal them off. This will also help keep warm air inside and may even lower that heat bill.
- Drain and disconnect exterior hoses from faucets and store them away during winter. Water left standing in hoses can freeze back up into the faucet and pipe, and frozen pipes often lead to water leaks and damage when they thaw. If you have a sprinkler system, it is important to get it properly turned off and blown out to ensure no standing water is left behind to freeze.
- While we are discussing frozen pipes, be sure to properly insulate pipes that are exposed to exterior walls of your home. This step can prevent a costly water damage restoration in the future. Frozen pipes are a leading cause of water damage because they cause the pipes to burst or spring leaks that often go unnoticed until the damage is extensive.
While all of these steps are great to help safeguard your home from potential water damage, they do not guarantee water damage won’t occur. If you do find yourself in need of water damage restoration, Clean Restoration is here for you.
