Winter Water Damage

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

Be prepared for anything this winter, and if disaster strikes call SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes at 712-262-4379.

We are two weeks away from the official start to winter.  2020 has brought us nearly every disaster and concern we could have thought of with the exception of wet and bitterly cold conditions.  While the mild weather has been much appreciated, it too can bring some winter water damage concerns.  

Many of you have no doubt already taken care of prepping for winter by cleaning your gutters, unhooking the hose, and making sure the downspouts are ready for that snow melt.  Here are 5 additional areas that may be cause for concern this winter season...

1. Burst Pipes - While unhooking the hose helps, living in northwest Iowa we are all familiar with how bitter a north wind can be.  Any waterlines or fixtures located on a north wall should be more heavily insulated to lessen the risk of pipes freezing and bursting. 
2. Ice Dams - These can be difficult to prevent due to the frequent melting that happens late in the afternoons.  When ice dams form and are left for long periods of time the water can begin to seep into the house causing issues in your attic and wall cavities.  In addition to water and mold risk, there can be damage to your roof and shingles which can drastically increase restoration costs.  Check your roof regularly to ensure you do not have ice dams building throughout the winter months.  
3. Wind Damage - High winds are no stranger to our region.  While they can cause major issues on roadways, they can also cause damage to your roof and shingles.  Any roof damage throughout the course of winter, when left unattended, can cause damage for many months to come from snow melt to spring rains you may have extra moisture leaking into your attic, wall cavities, and/or ceilings.  A simple roof inspection after a period of high winds can help save you thousands in the end. 
4. Exterior Water Lines - With much of northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota experiencing drought-like conditions we are left with dry and cracked soil in some areas.  When this happens throughout the winter that increases the chance for the soil to freeze deeper than usual potentially making it to your main water lines or for some your sprinkler lines.  Draining your sprinkler lines should help but if the water lines get cold enough they may crack throughout the course of the winter and causing you issues in the spring.  Main water lines become an issue when your home or business has cracks in the foundation or floor allowing for the significant amounts of water that will be pushing towards your home/business to find its way inside.  It is difficult to prevent an issue like this from happening, but making sure your foundation is properly tiled and free of cracks is a start.  You can also have your pipes professionally inspected for any potential causes of concern.  
5. Leaky Appliances - Throughout the course of time our appliances get their fair share of wear and tear.  Our team has responded to a number of homes who experienced a water loss due to a faulty water line to a washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator. We have received calls for burst water heaters and broken ice machines. It's important to inspect your appliances from time to time to ensure all water lines are still secured correctly, all hoses are draining properly and not deteriorating, and that your water heater does not have any standing water on top of or below which are signs of major issues ahead.  

While many water issues in the home do have steps that can be taken to prevent potential loss, we can't plan for everything.  That's why SERVPRO of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes is Here to Help.  

If disaster strikes, call the team that's Faster to Any Disaster at 712-262-4379.