Prevent Winter Water Damage in Fort Wayne with Some Fall Home Prep
The first hard freeze of the season has you concerned? You may be thinking of a clogged gutter or frozen pipe and what it will do to your basement come January. Or perhaps you are at a loss as to how to see your home through the winter without any water trouble.
There is no need to put your mind to it on your own. We have been around in Northeast Indiana since 1976, so at Springfield Restoration & Remodeling we have encountered most of the ways a Fort Wayne winter can make its way into a house in our nearly 50 years. Give us a ring at (260) 305-9199 if you should require us. Though ideally one does not have to make that call, which is why we offer some pointers for your preparation.
It is seldom an overnight affair when winter water damage occurs. More often than not it is a slow build from something you could have put right back in October. Put in a weekend of fall prep and you will be spared an expensive January. Regrettably the average homeowner puts it off and only gives water damage a thought once he is standing in it.
Your Gutters Need a Once Over
All the autumn leaves are lovely until they have packed your gutters. The water has nowhere to go then, it overflows and pools at your foundation. In due course it will freeze and expand, finding cracks you were unaware of.
Do this before the freeze sets in:
- Gutter and downspout should be free of twigs, leaves and the like
- Run a hose through them to see that the water is unimpeded
- Make sure downspouts are discharging well clear of the foundation
- Any loose fasteners or sagging calls for repair
- A look at the roofline for shingles in need of attention
Freezing Pipes are a Fact of Life Here
In the Fort Wayne area a frozen pipe is a leading source of winter water damage. Should one burst it will put hundreds of gallons in your floors and walls in hours as the water expands.
You can stay ahead of it:
- Put insulation on exposed pipes in the garage, crawl space or basement
- Shut off exterior spigots and drain any outdoor hoses
- Where cold air can get to your plumbing lines, seal up the cracks
- Maintain a consistent heat in the house even while you are away
- A dripping faucet will ease the pressure in very cold weather
If you are going to be out for a while have someone in on the house; a furnace going out in a cold spell will do in your pipes quick enough.
Basement and Sump Pump
Heavy melt and a thaw will put water in your lowest level in short order. Your sump pump is there to stop it, so verify it is in working order. Pour some water in the pit and see the pump engage. A battery backup is worth having for an outage. While in the basement, check for staining or a musty odour on the walls and floor. Better to put a stop to mold in its early stages than face a remediation project down the road.
Windows, Doors and Foundation
Drafts around a window or door mean moisture is getting in too. Walk the property and put in some caulk or weatherstripping as you see fit. On the outside, hairline cracks in the foundation are enough for water to seep in and widen with the cold. Now is the time to fix them.
Should the Unforeseen Occur
An ice dam or a sudden thaw can catch anyone off guard. You cannot let standing water sit for a day or two and have it soak in and breed mold. Swift action is called for.
Springfield Restoration & Remodeling is here for that. We are a local concern, not some franchise, and our line is open 24/7. With an A+ from the BBB and over 200 reviews on Google to show for it, our Dewald Academy trained technicians know modern mitigation. We will document the loss and deal with your adjuster so the insurance side of things is not a burden, and with our reconstruction skills we see the job through to rebuild instead of passing you along.
So make your preparations for the fall. And if the winter comes calling in Fort Wayne or anywhere in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio, the water cleanup people at (260) 305-9199 are available night or day.