As winter sets in, water damage related to snow and ice becomes a very real possibility. Failure to properly winterize your home and protect it from the elements can end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and worse, it may not be covered by insurance.
Over 10% of all water damage related losses are the result of winter storms and the average claim for such damage is just over $3,000. If you haven’t already done so, make preparations now for winter weather.
Start with your home’s exterior, as it will bear the brunt of the elements. Make sure your gutters are free from obstruction. Clean out all leaves, sticks, or other debris that may clog up the gutters or your downspouts. Failure to provide for proper drainage may result in “ice damming”, where the water is unable to drain and instead seeps into the house, causing damage within ceilings and walls. You can also install gutter guards which are screened shields designed to keep unwanted debris out of the gutter assembly.
Trim trees and remove any dead branches that you find. The weight of ice or snow could cause branches to break, causing damage to cars or potentially injuring someone standing in the wrong place.
Keep your steps and handrails clean and in good shape. This can prevent falls due to ice. You should also seal up cracks in your outside wall or foundation. This will prevent any snowmelt or runoff from seeping in.
Disconnect all hoses from outside spigots. Failure to do so may result in your pipes freezing.
As for the inside of your home, keep your thermostat set no lower than 65 degrees. Remember that the temp inside the walls will be substantially colder.
Add extra insulation to your attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Heat rises, and as it escapes through the roof, it can cause the snow on the roof to melt.
Have your heating system (furnaces, boilers, chimneys, etc.) serviced at least once a year to prevent possible fire and smoke damage. Check all pipes for leaks or cracks and have the pipes repaired immediately. Any exposed pipes should be wrapped with heating tape or insulation.
Have an emergency pressure release valve installed. This will prevent increased pressure from bursting frozen pipes.
Make sure all smoke and fire alarms are working properly, and look into adding a carbon monoxide detector, because a winterized home may be sufficiently sealed to retain a significant amount of this lethal gas.
In the event of frozen pipes, know where and how to cut off the water to your home. This is important to prevent the pipes from bursting.
If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period, either turn your water off or have the system professionally drained to prevent freezing or bursting. If possible, have a friend or neighbor check on your home on a regular basis.
For emergency water damage repair....
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