Wintertime Flood Hazards

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

Preparing Your House For Winter Is Your Best Defense In Preventing Flood Damage To Your Home

Even mild to moderate winters without record-breaking snowfall can cause considerable damage to your home. Ice and fluctuations in temperature and conditions can potentially cause a dangerous situation including a flood hazard. To avoid an emergency, keep an eye out for the following conditions — or you may need water cleanup and restoration services this winter.

3 Wintertime Flood Hazards

1. Ice Dams

Correct ventilation in an attic is key to avoiding ice dams in your home. Without proper ventilation in the attic, heat will rise through the roof peak, making the center of the roof warmer than the edges. After a snowstorm, this uneven spread in temperature causes the snow to melt at different rates. Ice then builds near the edges and blocks snow-melt from draining through the gutter system. This process is called ice damming. As the snow melts, water can dislodge the shingles and roof flashing and even pry apart gutter seams. Because water expands when it freezes, the cycle of freezing and thawing can magnify this damage.

If ice dams form on your gutters, water can eventually permeate the roof and cause wood-rot, mold, and drywall damage in your attic.

To combat ice dams:

• Use insulation and caulk to keep the attic and roof cold.
• Add roof and soffit vents to improve the ventilation outside your home.
• Install a waterproof under-layer beneath the roofing shingles.

2. Snow Accumulation on the Roof

Snow accumulation is another potential risk during the winter. If heavy snowdrifts form on your roof, the weight can cause the structure to collapse. Factors such as the condition and pitch of your roof, affect the likelihood of this scenario. Depending on the type of roof you have, a roof rake may be needed if there are periods of heavy snowfall. If your house is up to code, it should be able to withstand average snowfall. For more information about snow accumulation on the roof, check the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.

3. Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are typical during the winter, especially in unheated or cold rooms with water pipes, like the basement. Pipes along exterior walls (i.e. water sprinkler lines and hose bibs) are also more susceptible to freezing.

As a water pipe freezes, pressure builds up until the pipe bursts. This usually causes flooding until the supply line is turned off. A frozen pipe typically requires water cleanup services.

To keep pipes from freezing:

• Insulate pipes with specially designed foam sleeves.
• Heat areas of your home that have water pipes.
• Winterize outdoor plumbing fixtures.

If a winter storm hits your home or business, call the experts at SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties at (802) 674-8004 for immediate water cleanup and restoration services. Our company is locally owned and operated yet comes with the support and resources of a nationally recognized brand.