When temperatures drop, and snow and ice accumulate, homes and businesses are susceptible to winter water damage. In Northern New England, tales of frozen pipes and ice dams on rooftops leading to costly repairs and lengthy disruptions are as common as a January deep freeze.
Winter Water Damage Prevention: Essential Tips for Protecting Your Property
To avoid costly repairs, minimize stress, and ensure your home or business remains safe and secure, Octagon Cleaning & Restoration Services wants to remind every property owner that now is the time to prepare for the long winter ahead. The best way to prevent water damage during the winter months is to understand the common causes that lead to water damage and take proactive steps to guard against it. Octagon is here to support you, help protect your property, and enjoy a worry-free winter. Offer a few insights to help prepare your property for the winter ahead:
Prevent Pipes From Freezing
Pipes in unheated spaces, such as basements, attics, garages, or exterior walls, are highly vulnerable to water damage during winter. They are more exposed to cold temperatures, which can cause the water inside to freeze. When water freezes, it expands, putting immense pressure on the pipes and potentially causing them to crack or burst. Even a tiny crack in a pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water per day once it thaws, leading to flooding, significant property damage, and costly repairs.
Since unheated spaces lack adequate warmth to prevent freezing, cold drafts or temperature drops can quickly affect pipes in these areas. Insufficient insulation and poor ventilation increase the risk, allowing cold air to settle around the pipes. To prevent this, Octagon recommends insulating pipes in vulnerable areas or using heat tape on at-risk pipes. Sealing off any drafts that may bring in cold air is also good. On very cold nights, keep a small trickle of water running through faucets near exterior walls, and open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, especially if you’re away, also helps prevent frozen pipes. These steps can significantly reduce the likelihood of pipes freezing and protect your property from water damage throughout the winter.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
To ensure proper roof water flow, it’s important to maintain gutters and downspouts by clearing them of leaves and debris in the fall. Otherwise, clogged gutters and downspouts can trap melting snow and ice, leading to water overflow and ice dams that cause water damage to a property. When gutters are blocked, water backs up and can seep under roof shingles or overflow, causing damage to the roof, siding, and foundation.
When water from melted snow or rain cannot drain properly through downspouts, it can pool around the foundation, increasing the risk of basement flooding and structural damage. If your budget allows, consider installing gutter guards to prevent clogging. Make sure downspouts direct water at least 5-10 feet away from the foundation of your property to prevent water from seeping into the basement. Keeping gutters and downspouts clear will help keep water flowing freely away from the home or business, reducing the risk of costly winter water damage.
Preventing Ice Dams
Ice dams, sometimes called ice jams, are not only a nuisance but can also be costly for property owners. They form when snow on a warmer section of a roof melts, flows down to the colder roof edges, and then refreezes there, creating a barrier that blocks further melting snow from draining. It’s important to note that barriers can form along the roof’s edge more easily if gutters and downspouts are filled with debris. Moreover, once these trapped water pools, they can seep under shingles and leak into the attic or walls, causing major water damage, mold contamination, and structural issues.
Ways to prevent ice dams begin with a well-insulated and ventilated attic that will maintain a consistent roof temperature, which minimizes snowmelt. Another step is regularly clearing snow from roof edges with a roof rake, especially after a heavy snowfall. This relieves the weight that could damage shingles and helps reduce the risk of ice buildup, which can lead to ice dams forming along the edge of the roof. Together, these measures help protect the home from water damage caused by ice dams during winter.
Damage From Condensation
Condensation issues can arise in winter due to temperature differences between warm indoor air coming into contact with cold surfaces, especially in poorly insulated areas like attics or around windows, doors, and foundations. This moisture buildup can lead to dampness, mold growth, and structural decay in affected areas, especially in spaces with poor ventilation. To prevent condensation-related damage, homeowners can improve insulation in vulnerable areas like attics and around windows, keeping surfaces warmer and reducing moisture buildup. Dehumidifiers to control indoor humidity levels and ensure adequate ventilation, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and attics, can reduce condensation. Regularly checking for and sealing air leaks around doors, windows, and other openings can also prevent warm air from escaping, reducing the chance of condensation and related water damage.
The best defense against winter water damage is to take steps in the fall to prepare your home or business for the winter ahead. If winter water damage does occur on your property, Octagon Cleaning and Restoration can help restore your property to its original condition. With years of expertise and experience in the industry, our team of professionals is equipped to handle even the most complex winter water damage situations.
Contact Octagon for Water Damage Help
At Octagon, we pride ourselves on our commitment to customer satisfaction and our dedication to delivering exceptional results. For more information about how we can help, contact us today.
