With the presence of freezing cold temperatures, snowfall, and ice formation, it is no secret that winter conditions can be a serious threat to your home. For example, when there is heavy snowfall, your roof can be in danger of experiencing damage or collapse. If the temperature reaches sub-freezing numbers, then it can cause your home’s water pipes to freeze and potentially burst open.
These are just two examples of how the winter season can create problems for your home. But with proper winterization work, you can keep your home protected and in a good condition throughout the winter.
The following information will help you with winterization efforts that can protect your home this season.
Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss
Insulate Your Pipes
One of the property-related issues people may come across during the wintertime is frozen and burst pipes. Sub-freezing temperatures can be harmful to pipes because they can cause pipes to freeze and potentially burst open.
Water inside of these pipes will turn into ice when the temperature becomes cold enough. Water expands in size when it turns into ice, so enough pressure will cause the pipe to burst. In the event of a pipe burst, water can pour into your property and result in water damage.
You cannot prevent the cold temperatures, but you can prevent them from affecting and harming your home’s pipes if you insulate them. You can do this by using fiberglass sleeves, foam insulation, rubber insulation, and other pipe insulation that is available for purchase at your local hardware store.
The same should be done for any faucets you have on the outside of your home as well.
Allow Faucets to Drip
Another way to prevent pipes from freezing during the winter is to let faucets drip. Water movement within the pipes helps prevent it from becoming frozen. That said, water flow from even a minimal drip can aid in stopping frozen and burst pipes. While you may be concerned about having to pay for the wasted water, even a small drip can save pipes from freezing — thus saving you from having to spend money on water damage restoration that would be costlier.
Encourage Warm Air Circulation
Some water pipes in your home are located in areas with poor circulation that do not get enough heat during the winter. One example is the water pipes located beneath sinks. The lack of heat circulation under bathroom and kitchen sinks makes it easier for the pipes to become frozen and eventually burst open. But this can be prevented if you let warm air circulate the pipes.
When you are concerned for these pipes, create an environment that allows for openness and accessibility. Open up the cabinet doors that hide the pipes, so they are not closed off from the heat. This will give any warm air circulating in your home the chance to also reach these usually conceal areas.
To clean gutters by hand, you’ll need a ladder, bucket and a gutter scoop
Perform Roof Maintenance and Clean Gutters
Your home’s roof is an essential component for keeping you, your family, and your home safe from outside elements, such as snow during the winter. However, if you roof is not in good condition, then it cannot provide effective protection.
Knowing this, you need to take the time to perform roof maintenance when you winterize your home. For example, any damaged or missing shingles need to be replaced so that melted snow does not seep into your home and cause water damage.
Clean your gutters as well when you inspect your roof for damage. You want gutters to be free of leaves and other debris to ensure melted snow can flow through them and properly drain away from your property. Otherwise, the debris may cause a clog and create an ice dam. When this happens, the water pools on your roof which makes it easier for water damage to occur.
Additionally, if you do not already have one, invest in a roof rake. It makes for safe and easy snow removal from your roof which will help prevent excessive snow accumulation that can cause the roof to cave in and damage your home.
Weather Strip Your Home
If you have air leaks in your home, then it becomes more difficult to efficiently warm the home during the cold winter months. Air leaks are often found near your windows and doors but can also be found near electrical lines, gas lines, air conditioners, fans, and vents.
Air leaks can be fixed easily by weather stripping your home. Your local hardware store will likely have the necessary weather-stripping supplies.
Professional Water Damage Restoration Services
Even if you take the time to winterize your house, sometimes the winter is too much for your home to handle. Many of the potential problems discussed above can lead to water damage in your home. In such a case, it is imperative that you get professional water damage restoration help right away.
ServiceMaster S&R Systems provides professional water damage restoration services to residential and commercial properties in need in Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties. Our professional water technicians will contain and extract the excess water and moisture. From there, we will conduct restoration and repair work and handle any resulting mold growth.
With help from our water damage restoration services, your home will be restored to a safe and clean environment you can feel comfortable in this winter.
