What to do in the Fall to Prevent Winter Water Damage

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Winter weather can bring more issues than just slippery roads and a sidewalk to shovel. As a homeowner in Canandaigua, NY it is important to prepare your home for winter. Common causes of winter water damage include leaks, burst pipes, and drainage issues. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help prevent these issues from occurring in the cold winter months:

1. Clean your gutters.

I know, I know. All home owners know this is an important but tedious task. When your gutters are clogged, this stops the outward flow of water that gets collected in your gutters. When water isn’t flowing out of your home, you can bet that it’s floating in. Thankfully, this is an easy issue to address.

2. Protect your pipes from the cold.

Before the cold weather hits, we suggest insulating the pipes most susceptible to freezing. In order to properly insulate and keep cold air out, you can use heat tape to wrap around any spots that leak.

3. Test your sump pump.

Before winter begins, check that your sump pump is still working correctly to keep your house dry from the wet season. You can do this yourself by slowly pouring a few gallons of water into the pit to assure that the pump turns on.

These are just a few tips to help you get your home ready for the winter months. If water damage does happen to you this winter, just know that SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here to help at (585) 393-0310.