Preventing Water Damage Cleanup During The Winter Months

Water damage cleanup is a serious concern during any time of the year. However, the threat of water damage is amplified during the freezing winter months. From our water damage cleanup experts at Restoration 1 of Winston-Salem, here are simple things you can do to keep water damage at bay during the winter months. 

Water Damage Cleanup In Winston-Salem

Inspect Your Water Supply Lines

You should inspect the water supply lines to your home at least once annually. When doing this, look for signs of wear or signs of obvious damage. Look for leaks around your hot water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances that require a water supply line. Most supply lines last about five years so their duration is limited. Moreover, freezing temperatures can pose an additional threat to your supply lines so make sure to heed them extra attention in the winter. 

Set Your Thermostat To A Minimum Temperature

An easy way to protect your pipes during the winter months is to keep your thermostat set to a minimum temperature. Doing this will ensure that the temperature doesn’t drop too low in your home and cause any potential problems or damage for you. 

Protect your Pipes From The Freezing Temperatures

Insulate accessible pipes with pipe insulation materials, especially in attics and crawl spaces. When it gets very cold, keep cabinet or closet doors open to help prevent pipes there from freezing. Consider low-temperature detectors, which can send an alert to your smartphone if the temperature in areas of your home near pipes dips below freezing. In addition, you can also set your faucet to a drip on cold nights to keep water from freezing as it actively moves through your pipes throughout the night. 

Clean Out Your Rain Gutters

You should regularly remove leaves and other debris from your rain gutters. Failing to do this will allow rainwater (or snow after it melts) to pool up within your gutters, spill over the top, and settle around the foundation of your home. Also, take care to inspect your roof often and repair any missing or damaged shingles since these can allow water to come through the roof. In addition to your rain gutters, you should also consider the importance of your downspouts. A general rule of thumb is that your downspouts should end at least 5-10 feet away from your home and point directly away from it. Failing to do this is problematic because it will allow water to runoff toward your home instead of away from it.

Don’t let your home be an easy target for water damage during the winter! Make sure you implement the tips above well before temperatures begin to drop below freezing and you should be able to prevent any winter water damage in your home. For any advice about winterizing your home against water damage or for a cleanup job, give us a call at Restoration 1 of Winston-Salem