Water damage in the winter is usually caused by burst pipes. As a homeowner, you should implement some preventative measures to prevent a catastrophe from occurring.
During the winter,
water damage can happen in a home that has pipes which have frozen, thawed, and burst. Homeowners might not think about their plumbing pipes running through their house until this catastrophe happens. When these devices crack, major flooding can occur. In fact, a tiny break even one-eighth of an inch is enough to allow 250 gallons of H2O to spew into the building. This can result in ruined carpets, flooring, wallboards and drywall. Eventually, this dampness can also result in mold and mildew and make the house even less habitable.
What are some reasons for ruptures? When the outdoor thermometer registers freezing temperatures, these problems may occur. This is especially true of a sudden drop in temp. If a house has inadequate insulation, this can lead to frozen and broken copper or plastic pipe ways. Having the household HVAC system set too low can lead to freezing and flooding, as well.
There are various ways to prevent this situation from occurring.
- Heat tape: Heat tape is available at the local hardware store to wrap pipes in for warmth. This is a device powered by electricity to keep everything warm enough to remain fluid and thawed.
- Insulation: Having walls, attics, basements, and crawlspaces adequately insulated will make a big difference. This can be in the form of batting or fiberfill that's sprayed into the spaces. There are also foam cylindrical insulating devices that can be purchased to surround the plumbing pathways within a building.
- Put away garden hoses: Instead of leaving garden hoses coiled outside and hooked up to a spigot, it's important to unscrew them and put them away. Water that remains in them will freeze and can back up into the wall, causing problems. In fact, the water should be shut off to the outside sprinklers and hose bibs before the freezing weather sets in.
- Caulking, weather-stripping, and sealants: If there are any cracks or openings around doorways, light plates or windows, it's crucial to seal them up before the frozen season arrives. Using caulk, weather-stripping, or another type of sealant would be beneficial as a preventative measure.
- Drain pipes before going out of town: If a homeowner is planning to go on vacation during the winter, draining the pathways and switching off the H2O is advisable. By performing this preventative tactic, a rude shock of flooding and water damage will be avoided.
What to do if water damage has occurred: If the pipes have frozen, thawed, and burst, there will be lots of clean-up to do. In fact, this won't be a simple case of calling a plumber. There will likely be structural damage and a call to one's home insurance policy provider will need to be placed.
When winter hits, damage from frozen plumbing pathways is a common disaster. If a homeowner takes preventative steps, these problems can hopefully be avoided. If not, a plumber, contractor and insurance company will likely have to be called in.
