The winter months bring wet, dreary weather. As we all know, ice, snow and wind can be hard on your home. Although winter cold does not arrive until mid to late November, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your home from water damage during the winter months.
Careful preparation can help save you from potentially costly damage. Here are some steps you should take to protect your home from potential damage winter can cause.
Insulate pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the leading causes of winter water damage. Pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and attics are among those likely to freeze. Protect exposed pipes using insulation tape or pipe sleeves to guard them from freezing temperature.
Keep gutters clean
An overflowing gutter can cause a lot of damage. That said, it is important to clean your gutters before the snow starts to fall. Remove leaves, dirt and other debris to ensure water is flowing unobstructed through the drain system.
Turn off water supply lines
Water supply lines are common points of weakness in your home’s plumbing system. If you’re among those who deal with winter fatigue by going on vacations, you might want to turn off the water supply line. You should know ahead of time where the main shut off valve is.
Drain water
Water expands with incredible force when it freezes, which can lead to pipes bursting. Frozen and burst pipes can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day. Think how much damage it can do your home.
A huge percentage of insurance claims come from external hoses that use the internal pipe supply. Drain swimming pool lines, Jacuzzis and sprinkler systems. Be sure to take all hoses indoors after draining.
Ask a friend to keep an eye on your home
Nobody wants to come home to a flooded house. If you are going on a month-long vacation, ask a friend or a neighbor to check on your home from time to time to ensure that your home doesn’t sustain water damage while you’re away.
AdvantaClean of North Eastern Colorado 