Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather- Avoiding Water Damage

10/31/2017 (Permalink)

Inspect your roof and gutters on a regular basis — at least twice a year.

With winter on the way, we’re heading into a busy time of year that includes several major holidays coming back-to-back. The last thing we want to worry about is the risk of water damage due to the changing weather.

Here are some wintertime considerations to keep your home safe and reduce, or even prevent, possible insurance risks:

1. Keep your drains and gutters clean. Exactly how frequently depends on where you live, but you want to plan for twice a year. Clogged gutters can cause a few issues including roof leaks. If your gutters can't drain properly, the excess water can soak through the shingles and eventually start leaking into your home. Don't forget melting snow can also fill up the gutters, causing similar issues!
2. Inspect your roof for damage and leaks. While you're cleaning those gutters, take the time to inspect your roof. Keep an eye our for cracks, leaks where different parts of the roof meet, and general wear and tear. You should do this also twice a year at least.
3. Water expands, its mass increasing by about 9% when it freezes. Blocked pipes result in a buildup of pressure, which can cause a burst pipe, equipment malfunction, or contaminated water back-up inside the building. To avoid this, consider insulating your water lines and using heat tape as well.
4. For extreme weather, it is wise to always leave a tap running at a trickle because running water is less likely to freeze.

Watch for our next blog post on how to defrost a frozen water pipe.