Preventing Winter Water Damage to Your Home

1/25/2019 (Permalink)

Connecticut's cold, snowy and icy winters pose a real risk of water damage to your home.

Winter is not just coming—it’s here already! And with a New England winter comes the increased risk of damage to your home from water leaks. Whether caused by burst pipes, storm damage, rooftop ice dams or other cold-weather hazards, your winter will be a little easier if you prepare your home to withstand the challenges and remain water-tight.

Brace Your Home for Winter’s Storms

When the wind howls and the snow and ice pile up, damage to your house can happen quickly and unexpectedly. These tasks can prevent storm-related damage to your home.

• Clean out the gutters, and disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off the inside valves that supply water to outdoor faucets.
• Have a contractor check your roof to see if it can sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall. Repair roof leaks.
• Remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house—or your neighbor's.

For professional water damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Prevent Burst Pipes

Since water expands when it freezes, it puts unwanted pressure on pipes, which can cause them to burst. You may not know right away that you have a burst pipe, as the water has turned to ice, but once the temperature warms and thawing begins, leaking and flooding can occur.

Not only will these tips help prevent a big leak from a pipe that bursts, you’ll also save some money on your heating costs in the long run.

• Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves. Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater.
• Keep your home’s temperature set at a minimum of 55 degrees, and make sure your furniture isn't blocking your heating vents. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you're not using it.
• Close inside valves supplying water to outdoor faucets and hookups. Open outdoor faucets to allow residual water to drain, and keep them open during the cold weather months, while the water supply is turned off.

During cold spells, you’ll want to:

• Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
• If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider draining the water system.

Avoid Ice Dams

Ice dams form when water from melted snow refreezes above your eaves or in the gutters and seeps in under the roof, soaking interior walls. Here’s how to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof:

• Adequately ventilate your attic.
• Insulate the attic floor well to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
• Clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris.
• Consider having a water-repellent membrane installed under your roof covering.

For professional water damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

If your home has suffered water damage from a storm, leak or burst pipe, call a professional with a solid record of serving the Connecticut region: SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791, around the clock. We will treat your water damage like the emergency it is by responding promptly, evaluating the situation and repairing the damage to your home and possessions.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

Every month on the SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield blog we publish educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, and winter storm damage. 

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