Have You Checked For Water Damage?
As we wrap up the last days of winter, we want to highlight the damages you might have encountered in our brief, cold weather experience this year. Here are some common issues you might find and how to fix them:
Frozen Pipes
When water freezes, it expands, which puts pressure on the things it interacts with. Mostly, your home’s pipes.
This can lead to the pipes leaking and breaking, which creates costly repairs and damage to your home. A crack as small as1/8th of an inch can spill out over 250 gallons of water a day. As you can imagine, that would cause a lot of damage. Check your pipes regularly and give us a call if any of them have noticeable cracks or are leaking.
Roof
The roof is arguably the most important part of any house. So it’s vital that we keep them strong and sturdy. After the past snow, ice, and hail from winter, it’s time to seal any cracks and damages on the roof to prevent leaks in the spring.
Aside from it being uncomfortable to feel frequent drips, wet houses can breed mildew and mold. If a leak does occur, use air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the affected areas until you can get help in there to seal the crack.
Gutters
Gutters are great for keeping the rainwater away from the house year-long, but when that water turns into heavy ice, your gutters can be easily damaged and cause more problems.
In addition to heavy ice separating the gutters from your house, water freezes inside the gutters and downspouts can lead to damages on your house. The water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on the walls and potentially leading to cracks. Then when the ice melts, the water leaks onto the house.
Driveway
Small cracks develop naturally on your driveway over time due to the high traffic. However, these cracks collect water that often freezes in the winter. When that water freezes and expands, it turns minor cracks into large cracks and potholes in your driveway.
Prevent this in the future by sealing any minor cracks before they have a chance to expand.
Trees
Lastly, be aware of your trees! Snow, ice, and high winds can knock down limbs, causing house damage and even potentially interfering with power lines or commutes.
Getting your trees trimmed can help prevent this type of damage, as well as keep your trees healthy and looking great.
We know you can’t always predict what winter will bring, as damages occur with nature. But you can get a home inspection to minimize any causal incidents in the future. If you experience any water damage, schedule a service with us right away.
