The winter weather has a tendency to take a toll on just about everything it touches. Your home is no exception. Left unchecked, winter home damage can quickly turn into water damage. One in 50 homes makes a claim for damage caused by freezing or water damage every year.
If your home has suffered damage from water and/or freezing weather, it’s important that you get it repaired right away. After all, water damage can quickly become mold damage if left unchecked. For freezing and water damage restoration in the Springfield, Ohio area, Reliant Restoration can help. As experts in emergency home restoration, we’ve worked in countless homes that have suffered water damage due to winter conditions.
Here are just a few of the situations we’ve seen where winter weather turned to water damage.
Burst Pipes
Though your water pipes are technically inside of your home, they’re more exposed to the cold than you may realize. As long as water is constantly running through them, they’re generally safe from freezing. When the water stops moving, however, it can start to freeze and eventually burst your pipe open.
This is one of the reasons why every homeowner should know where their main water valve is. There are actually a number of situations where you might have to turn off the water in your home, such as if a pipe bursts or if your shower handle breaks. It also allows you to turn off your water if you’re gone, which is especially important in the winter.
Of course, freezing temperatures aren’t the only cause of burst pipes. Sometimes, they can simply break due to general wear, poor installation, etc. If this happens while you’re out of town, you could end up with a lot of water flooding into your home.
Clogged Gutters
Gutters are critical for moving water away from your foundation. If they’re clogged up with leaves and other debris, they can’t do their job. This is especially problematic in the winter, as blocked up gutters can quickly freeze, rendering them completely useless.
When the temperatures rise, and snow starts melting, you could find yourself with a basement full of water.
Snow Drifts Around Your Home
The weather can change fast in the winter. One day, it could be dark, cold, and snowy. The next day, it could be warm and sunny. If snow has accumulated against the sides of your home, that melted snow could go straight into your home.
Scooping the snow just a few feet away from your foundation can make a big difference.
What to Do If You Suffer Water Damage
Even if you take all of the right precautions, water damage can still happen. If you end up experiencing flooding or any other kind of water damage, there are a few things you should immediately do. First, you should try and find the cause and see if there’s anything you can do to stop it. Just make sure you’re watching out for electricity while you do. If there is any risk of electric shock, stay away.
Next, you should call your insurance company to explain the situation. The good news is, home insurance policies tend to cover a number of water and weather-related damage (outside of flooding). Regardless, you should have it repaired by a professional who specializes in emergency repair. They’ll help ensure that the damage is repaired correctly so that you can avoid future wear, rotting, mold development, etc.
For all of your emergency repair needs in the Miami Valley area, contact Reliant Restoration today!