Knowing the common causes of winter water damage helps you protect your property, so you can look for signs of frozen pipes, ice dams, and other issues without professional assistance. Rectifying these potential problems can also be straightforward, such as insulating pipes, clearing gutters, and checking your roof.
Preemptive action can keep your house dry and comfortable throughout winter and the rest of the year, and this guide will outline key information you should know.
Understanding Winter Water Damage
Winter brings unique challenges that can lead to water damage in homes and buildings. Cold temperatures and wet conditions create risks that property owners should be aware of.
Types of Water Damage
- Burst pipes are a common winter problem. This occurs when water freezes inside pipes. The pipe then expands, causing it to crack or split, and when the ice melts, this leads to leaks.
- Ice dams on roofs are another issue and form when heat from your attic melts snow on the roof. The water then refreezes at the colder roof edges, creating a dam. This can force water under shingles and into your home.
- Basement flooding happens when melting snow and ice saturate the ground around your foundation. The water pressure can push moisture through cracks in basement walls, resulting in water pooling inside your home.
Contributing Factors
- Inadequate insulation allows heat to escape which melts snow on your roof. This creates ideal conditions for ice dams to form.
- Clogged gutters prevent proper drainage and can lead to water backing up and seeping into your home's walls or foundation.
- Outdoor faucets and hoses left connected can freeze and burst. This is why you should always disconnect hoses and drain outdoor pipes before winter.
- Poor ventilation in attics leads to warm air buildup which melts roof snow unevenly and increases the risk of ice dams.
- Cracks in your foundation or exterior walls allow water to enter your home. You should inspect and seal these areas before winter each year to prevent this issue.
Preventative Measures for Homeowners
You can take steps to protect your home from water damage in winter to keep your house warm and your pipes in good shape.
Insulation and Heating Solutions
Insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing by wrapping exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves. Pay extra attention to pipes in unheated areas like attics and crawl spaces as these are the most prone to bursting.
Take measures to keep your home warm, even when you're away, setting your thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C) to help prevent pipes from freezing. You should also open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach the pipes, and on very cold nights, let faucets drip slowly to keep water moving through the pipes.
Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets, drain them, and store them for the winter. Then, to protect them from freezing, use insulated covers on outdoor faucets.
Plumbing Maintenance Strategies
Check your plumbing system regularly for leaks or damage and fix any issues as soon as possible. If your home is older, consider updating old pipes to newer materials that are often more resistant to freezing and bursting. Also, take note of where your main water shut-off valve is located. In case of a burst pipe, you can quickly turn off the water supply to minimize damage.
You should try to clean your gutters and downspouts in the fall as this allows melting snow to flow away from your home's foundation. Next, drain your sprinkler system before the first freeze to blow out any remaining water to prevent damage to the pipes.
Technology and Detection Tools
New tools can spot water issues early, such as smart devices that alert you to leaks before they cause damage to your home.
Water Leak Detection
Water leak detectors are small devices placed near pipes, sinks, and appliances. When they sense moisture they can send alerts to your phone. There are various types of leak detectors, some models stick to walls or floors, while others float in sump pumps. They are most commonly placed in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
More advanced systems connect to your home's water main and can shut off the water if they detect a major leak. This prevents flooding when you're away.
Water Alarm Systems
Water alarms work like smoke detectors and make loud noises when they sense moisture. They should be installed near water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers for best results. Most alarms can also be linked to your home security system.
Aftermath of Water Damage
Water damage can have serious effects on your home and health, and quick action is key to limiting the impact and preventing long-term issues.
Addressing Water Damage
If water damage has affected your home, first remove any standing water with pumps or wet vacuums. Then use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out wet areas, taking out wet carpets, furniture, and other items. You should throw away anything that can't be fully dried within 48 hours as mold will have started to develop.
Next, clean and disinfect all surfaces touched by water as this stops mold and bacteria growth. Check walls and floors for hidden moisture. You may need to remove drywall or flooring to dry out the structure completely. Call local water damage professionals if the damage is extensive or if you're unclear on how to handle it safely.
Remember to document the damage with photos to help with insurance claims.
Mitigating Mold and Health Risks
Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours of water exposure and obvious signs are musty smells or discolored spots on walls and ceilings.
You clean small mold patches yourself (less than 10 square feet) with detergent and water, ensuring you wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection. However, for larger areas, you will need to call a mold remediation expert.
Try to keep the air moving and humidity low to prevent new mold growth, quickly fixing any leaks or moisture issues that caused the initial damage.
Be aware of health risks from mold exposure, symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and eye irritation. Book an appointment with a doctor if you have concerns.
Contact us today if your home has suffered water damage. We can minimize and fix damage quickly to make your property as good as new.
