Prevent Winter Water Damage

During winter, waterpipes can freeze and burst, ice dams can form, and thawed snow can infiltrate your home – any of which may cause severe water damage. Here’s a look at how frozen pipes and ice dams occur and how you can prevent them.

FROZEN PIPES
Pipes that are susceptible to freezing are usually found in unheated interior areas such as basements, crawl, attics, garages, and kitchen cabinets, in addition to pipes that run against exterior walls with little or no insulation. Besides the cold, other factors that lead to frozen pipes are the type of building construction, the quality and quantity of insulation, and the direction and force of wind.

TIPS TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

When it’s freezing outside, let cold water drip from the faucets served by exposed pipes.
• Set the thermostat to the same temperature during the day and night.
• Insulate all water pipes in unheated areas.
• If you are leaving home for a day or more, leave the heat on – no lower than 55° F.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. During winter, water pipes can freeze and
burst, ice dams can form, and thawed snow can infiltrate your home – any of which may cause
severe water damage.

ICE DAMS
After snowfall, ice dams can form on the edge of your roof before the gutter. They occur when heat from your home melts the snow on your roof causing it to run off towards the gutters to drain. When this water hits the cold edge of the roofline, it may refreeze and block a drainage path the gutters to drain. When a drainage path becomes blocked, the other melting water has the potential to seep in between the roof shingles, leading to water damage and mold growth in your home. Water enters the home gradually and typically damages the attic first.

TIPS TO PREVENT ICE DAMS
• Remove as much snow as possible from your roof.
• Make sure that downspouts are clear.
• Insulate the attic.

• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated.
• Install a water membrane underneath the roof shingles.
• Install a snow shield under you shingles to prevent
leaks.
• Install gutter screens.

OTHER WINTER WATER DAMAGE SAFETY TIPS

• Install water leak detectors in areas that are more prone to water damage: on sump pumps, fixtures, and behind or near water bearing fixtures, and beneath or behind pipes.
• Check water supply lines once a year for leaks.
• Get sewage back-up coverage, which is usually not included in your homeowner’s insurance.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses if they aren’t being used.
• Clear snow from your home’s foundation.

Even with all the proper measures in place, you may still be susceptible to frozen pipes or ice dams damaging your home. If that happens, PuroClean of Massapequa can help restore your property. For more information on PuroClean of Massapequa’s water damage restoration services, as well as disaster restoration, mold and bio-recovery services, contact us today at (516) 604-1200. Also, please be safe this winter.