2019 Tips on Preventing Water Damage To Your Home

Preventing Water Damage in Winter

Water can damage your house even in winter. Uninsulated water pipes may freeze and burst, and ice dams can form in your roof. Moreover, thawed snow may enter your basement, causing water damage from flood. But don't worry yet -- here's what you can do to prevent winter damage in your house:

Insulate water pipes in unheated areas, such as the crawl space, basement, garage, loft, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Permit warmer air to circulate around the plumbing by opening bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors. Transfer the products stored in these cabinets up out of the reach of children and pets.

Allow cold water trickle from the taps served by exposed pipes. Running a trickle of water via pipes helps prevent them from freezing.

Place the thermostat to the Identical temperature during the day and during the night. Your heating prices may grow, but you'll stop pipes from freezing and bursting.

In case you are leaving home for a day or more, set the thermostat to 55° F. Shut off the water supply and drain pipes and appliances that use water.

Eliminate the snowin your roof when it is about six inches deep. Use a roof rake or a long-handled brush to remove the snow without a ladder.

Make certain that downspouts are clear so that filtered water may drain properly.

More long-term alternatives to prevent ice dams comprise:

Insulate the loft to stop warm air from penetrating. Warm air can melt the snow on the roof, which refreezes, forming ice dams.

Make sure that your attic is properly ventilated. Warm air must escape vents near the top of the attic. Cold air must flow in through vents near the eaves.

Install a water valve underneath the roof shingles.

Put in a snow shield to stop escapes. The shield goes below the shingles beginning from the minimal edge of the roof and extending up at least three feet inside the exterior wall of the house.

Install gutter screens to keep the debris out that leads to build-up and harm.

Additional Winter Water Damage Security Tips

Install water leak sensors anyplace a water issue may occur, such as on sump pumps, close water-bearing fixtures, and behind or beneath pipes.

Check water supply lines yearly for escapes. Inspect your hot water heater, washing machine, ice cream in your refrigerator, and other appliances which can leak.

Get sewage backup policy , which is often not contained in your homeowner's insurance. Heavy rains and melting snow may overload your storm water system, causing sewage or water to back up in your property.

Disconnect outside hoses if you aren't using them. This prevents water from freezing at the line, developing a blockage that can lead to backflow.

Clear snow around your home's foundation. Melting ice and snow may cause leaks in vulnerable regions of your base.

As winter water damage also generates the risk of mold growth, check out how to avoid mold growth in winter. For flood water damage repair and water removal services, contact