Water damage is a frustrating possibility throughout the year but it’s particularly prevalent during the winter months. The combination of low temperatures and precipitation can cause significant damage to structures that aren’t sufficiently prepared to handle wintertime weather conditions. However, if you want to safeguard your home from the stresses of winter water damage, then you can rely on our tried and tested professionals at Xtreme Home Improvement any time. It can be a terrific idea to take note of potential triggers of water damage in the winter as well.
Common Sources of Winter Water Damage
Cold temperatures and inclement weather can combine to trigger winter water damage such as leaks and water intrusion. Another aspect of winter damage is the simple fact that it’s an inconvenient time of year to have to dry out a house. Keep a lookout for these signs of water damage and how they may occur.
Frozen Pipes – Ice forming in a water supply line can cause high internal pressure and rupture the pipe, releasing hundreds of gallons per hour. Uninsulated pipes that run along the exterior wall of a home and those that are located to unheated areas like attic, basement, under kitchen sinks, and crawlspace are prone to bursting.
Ice Dams – When the underside of the upper portion of the roof is disproportionately warm, snow melts faster. Water runs down to the colder portion of the roof then freezes again, obstructing flow of runoff into gutters. Pooling water then seeps through shingles and sub-roofing and causes water damage in the attic. Uneven roof warming is caused by excess attic warmth.
Snow Melt – Melting snow around the perimeter of the house can saturate the soil. If the water does not flow away from your home, it can seep through the foundation and basement walls of your home causing flooding and water damage.
Water Damage Restoration
You can take all the necessary precautions and still be met with a disaster. If you experience an emergency you should contact a professional restoration company like Xtreme Home Improvement right way. Experienced companies will provide a full spectrum of services from moisture detection to reconstruction. They have the equipment necessary to remove excess moisture much faster than home remedies like basic dehumidifiers. It’s necessary to get rid of any standing water immediately to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria that can grow in a matter of hours. Professional technicians will utilize advanced meters to detect the level of moisture and bring in high powered air movers to thoroughly dry out the affected areas.
Identifying Moisture Sources
One of the major issues with winter water damage is that it can take a long time for a moisture intrusion to become evident to a homeowner. Once moisture damage is spotted, however, you will need the issue resolved promptly and with a minimum amount of disruption.
Restoration experts have to be able to isolate the source of a moisture intrusion quickly, identify moisture-compromised materials accurately, and narrow down the source of an intrusion. To make winter water damage restoration efforts as quick and efficient as possible, it’s important to find these moisture sources. The sooner the cause of the moisture intrusion can be found and remediated, the sooner the restoration work can be completed.
To quickly identify moisture sources in a structure, restoration professionals often use meters to quickly establish if water is present in building materials and find the depth and edge of the moisture pocket. By tracing the outside edges of moisture pockets in building materials, restoration experts can make finding the source of moisture intrusion easier or at least narrow the source down to a specific area.
Some specific areas to check for moisture intrusion sources include:
- Attic/Rooftop Areas – Since heavy snow buildup often causes damage to the roof, this is a major area of concern for moisture checks. Meters can be used to quickly check support beams and the underside of the roof. This can help quickly prove or disprove the roof as the source of water intrusion in the structure. If a support beam does have excess moisture, then a meter can be used to help pinpoint the source of the moisture intrusion.
- Burst Pipes – For many burst pipes, the sheer amount of water involved makes find the damaged areas easy to spot. However, the origin point of the moisture intrusion may be located far away from the visible damage. Using a moisture meter to track the moisture to its source can help precisely locate the placement of the burst pipe so it can be repaired or replaced as necessary.
- Insulation Behind Walls – When moisture reaches the insulation in a structure, the damage it causes isn’t always immediately visible to the naked eye. Testing insulation is crucial for finding moisture pockets in insulation that would otherwise be hidden from view.
- Flooring and Foundations – Moisture intrusion sources in flooring and foundations can be especially difficult to find. However, moisture meters can help identify moisture-compromised flooring so it can be removed as needed for dry-out operations.
Let Us Handle the Mess
If your home or business has been affected by winter water damage, be sure to contact the pros at Xtreme Home Improvement. Our restoration team has years of experience in the field and is available 24 hours a day for emergency service. We’ll ease all your worries and make sure that your home is safe and free from any damage winter brings.