With freezing temperatures returning to Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, we are receiving water damage calls once again. There is much that home owners can do to prevent damage caused by freezing weather. Most winter water damage losses are due to three main causes: frozen pipes, frozen plumbing fixtures, and ice dams that form on eves. Fortunately, all of these problems are easily preventable. Here are some tips to keep your home damage free this winter.
Three Preventable Causes of Winter Water Damage
Water damage caused by frozen pipes occurs when ice forms inside a water pipe. The ice expands causing the pipe to burst. For this reason, it’s very important to insulate pipes properly. Insulation should be applied to all water pipes that are exposed to unheated air. When looking around your house pay special attention to crawl spaces under your home, attics, and any plumbing in exterior walls. If a pipe is located where insulation cannot be applied due to lack of space, heat tape can also be applied as a preventative measure.
Plumbing fixtures can also be a potential source of water damage. Vacation homes are especially prone to frozen plumbing fixtures. Freezing results when the thermostat is set too low during the cold winter months. Extreme cold outside can cause freezing temperatures inside if the thermostat it not set to at least 50 degrees. In addition, it is wise to leave doors and cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate to any plumbing. The most often overlooked plumbing fixture is the hose bib on the outside of the house. Always disconnect to the garden hose and insulate the hose bib during the winter months. Frost free hose bibs are also a great idea that can be added to the house to reduce to the risk or frozen fixtures.
Finally, a third potential source of cold weather damage are ice dams that form on roof of a house. As ice melt flows from warmer spots that originate over heated living areas to colder areas over eves, ice dams can form. These ice dams can cause water to back up under roof shingles and into your home. To prevent ice dams from forming instal heat tape to any area prone to ice build-up. Remember to include gutters and downspouts. The heat tape will reduce the ice buildup along the roofline of the house and prevent ice dams from forming.
Following these simple steps will prevent the most common sources of winter water damage, and as we know, a little prevention will go a long way to keeping your home safe this winter. Despite our best preventative measures, water damage can still occur to the home due to unforeseen circumstances. When disaster strikes, we are ready to assist. If you have water leaks, or damage caused by the winter weather, please contact us so we can help.
The post Freezing Weather Leads to Winter Water Damage, Is Your Home Prepared? appeared first on Northern Arizona Restoration.
