Preventing Winter Water Damage at Home | SERVPRO® of Pueblo

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

If you have water damage in your home due to a leaky roof or another cause, contact us right away. SERVPRO of Pueblo is available 24/7.

Insurance experts say roughly one in every 50 American homeowners will file a water damage claim every year.

These claims vary in severity. Some homeowners are unfortunate enough to sustain flood damage from major storms. But other claims are from smaller issues that can be avoided with regular maintenance.

Some causes of water damage vary by season. Winter presents unique challenges to homeowners, thanks to the colder weather, snow and ice.

The Power of Regular Maintenance

Taking care of your home is the most effective way to protect your investment against the dangers of water damage.

What should you do before the weather gets colder? Experts have some advice about places to look when you’re getting your home ready to weather winter’s unique home maintenance needs.

Preserve your home’s pipes. Frozen, busted pipes are the most common reason homeowners file claims during the cold winter months. You don’t have to be one of them. How can you keep your pipes intact? If there’s a winter storm or particularly cold night coming, leave the faucets in your home dripping. It doesn’t have to be much. All you need is water flowing to protect your plumbing.

Clean your gutters before it gets cold. It’s smart to keep your gutters cleaned out—and something worth adding to your seasonal home maintenance list. Keeping them free of debris and flowing can help stop water from pooling or flowing in ways that can damage your home. And if there’s no standing water in the gutters, you’re much less likely to have to deal with damage from ice there.

Check your foundation. Water damage in basements is a common reason homeowners need remediation services. Additionally, water can seep into cracks during the winter, and freezing can cause cracks to widen. That happens because water expands when it freezes. You can stop the process by ensuring your foundation doesn’t have cracks that can allow for leaks.

Find spots that need to be sealed. Like checking the foundation, this step is important because water expands when it freezes. If your window panes, shingles and siding aren’t secure enough, they can water into your house.

If a busted pipe, leaky gutter or other winter hazard damages your home, our team is here to help you restore your home. You can get in touch with us ²⁴⁄₇.