How to Protect Your Home from Water Damage & Other Winter Hazards

If you live in northeast Ohio, you know how dramatically the winter temperatures can fluctuate. These extreme temperature changes can pose a threat to your home, particularly the risk of water damage from burst pipes. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this and other damage to your home over the winter. By following these recommendations, you can keep your home safe and avoid costly repairs.

5 Must-Dos to Prevent Water Damage Over the Winter

In order to prevent water damage in your home during the winter, make sure you do these five things:

1. Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature

Maintaining a consistent temperature in your home can help prevent your pipes from freezing.

2. Insulate your pipes

Insulating your pipes with materials like foam pipe sleeves or heat tape can help keep them from freezing.

3. Allow faucets to drip

Allowing a slow, steady drip from your faucets can help prevent your pipes from freezing, as the moving water is less likely to freeze.

4. Keep cabinet doors open

If you have pipes located in cabinets, keeping the doors open can allow heat to reach the pipes and prevent freezing.

5. Know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off

In the event of a burst pipe, knowing how to shut off the main water valve can help minimize water damage. It’s a good idea to locate the main water valve and familiarize yourself with how to turn it off before winter arrives.

Prevent Other Winter Damage

Aside from frozen pipes and water damage, there are a few other ways your home might be damaged because of the winter weather.

Roof damage

Heavy snow and ice can cause damage to your roof, including collapsed roofs and damaged shingles. To prevent or mitigate roof damage during the winter months:

Keep your roof clean. Remove leaves, branches, and other debris from your roof to prevent water from pooling and causing damage.
Trim overhanging tree branches. Trimming overhanging branches can help prevent them from breaking and falling on your roof during a winter storm.
Inspect your roof regularly. Look for missing, damaged, or loose shingles, and have them repaired or replaced as needed.
Consider installing a roof rake: A roof rake is a tool that allows you to safely remove snow and ice from your roof.
Keep gutters clean: Clogged gutters can cause water to pool on your roof, which can lead to leaks and other damage.

Foundation and concrete damage

Cold weather can cause foundations and concrete to crack, which can lead to more serious structural damage over time. Prevent damage to concrete and foundations during the winter months by:

Insulate your foundation. Insulating your foundation can help keep the ground beneath it from freezing and expanding, which can cause cracks in the concrete.
Install foundation vent covers. Foundation vent covers can help keep cold air out, which can help prevent the ground beneath your foundation from freezing.
Fix any cracks or damage to your foundation immediately. If you notice any cracks or damage to your foundation, have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Apply a sealant to your concrete. This can help protect it from damage caused by freezing and thawing.

Call Our Repair Team Today

If you have any questions about how to implement these tips, or if you need help insulating your home, please contact us. We offer winterizing services to help ensure our customer’s homes make it through the winter unscathed.