Lots of people relate the cause of water damage restoration to heavy spring storms. Winter weather is just as problematic as ice and snow are nothing more than frozen water. As it usually dams up when temperatures dip, most people do not discover significant water damage until the spring thaw. Here are winter tips from Restore Pro to keep your home and family safe and water damage-free.
How Can Snow and Ice Damage Lead To Water Damage Restoration?
The DOE recommends heating a home at 68 degrees but the average American sets a thermostat at 72 degrees or above. Heat rises to the attic or highest floor, so any snow and ice refreezes and creates ice dams. Snow on a rooftop can cause damage and structural cracks to form from icicles. Water can also seep into porous building material through the roof or saturated soil and cause serious damage.
- Ice Dams
Ice dams are a major issue for homeowners as frozen water creates natural barriers to normal roof and gutter water drainage. As ice dams begin to melt during the day, the formed blockade creates hazardous circumstances as the melting ice eventually finds other escape routes through roof and foundation damage that eventually leads to roof damage, water damage, and mold.
- Melting Snow
Massachusetts days are warmer than nights, so small amounts of snow buildup will melt quickly and cause water damage to occur in a home, especially if it is older, has a damaged foundation, or has fireplace cracks near the basement or first floor of a home. Melting snow can also build up quickly since 25 centimeters of snow equals 2.5 centimeters of water, making flooding likely.
- Soil Saturation Because Of Blocked Drainage Routes
Depending on the soil depth, an abundance of soil saturation can lead to flooding and erosion. Building material is often porous, meaning it has tiny pores that allow water to escape. It is the primary reason that homes with basements experience a range of issues including water damage or complete flooding. Having your home inspected at the start of the winter is recommended.
- Frozen Pipes
Water freezes when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. People don’t always follow the weather, may not be at home, or may have improper insulation. Winter water damage and mold from frozen pipes bursting can happen in any area of a home as well, so you’ll want to inspect the basement, crawl spaces, wood flooring, ceilings, and interior sections of cabinets for any signs.
- Snow Buildup on Rooftops
For every inch of snow buildup, it equates to 1.25 pounds of rooftop weight, which is why it is important to scrape the snow buildup off the roof to prevent roof damage, cracks, and flooding.
If you find water damage from snow and ice, you can call us at 1-800-847-0114 for water damage restoration or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/RestorePro911/ to receive immediate attention. You can also follow us on Facebook to learn more about how wintry weather can affect your home. We’d also love to hear from you, so add a comment or like a post to let us know you stopped by.
