Winter Water Damage: 3 Disastrous Causes To Know About

11/28/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO professionals can be at your property in a matter of minutes when you suffer from water damage.

As winter approaches, Atlanta residents must know what can cause winter water damage. 

Wintertime brings many fun family activities, holidays, and traditions. But, before preparing for the holiday festivities, assessing potential areas for winter water damage in your home helps ensure your gatherings take place as planned!

The professionals at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta know firsthand that water damage is a common issue that can occur in any season. But there are particular causes in winter because of the dropping temperatures, snow, and ice—these can all lead to roof leaks and pipe bursts. Knowing the top three causes of winter water damage can help you prevent disaster from happening in the first place!

In the following blog post, we will review the top three causes of water damage in the winter and what you can do to prevent winter water damage in your home. 

The signs of winter water damage

Water damage is extremely destructive to a property's structure when it is not promptly mitigated and restored. Some of the clear, distinct signs of winter water damage are:

• Water stains on the ceiling or walls
• Peeling paint
• Cracked plaster
• Warped floors
• Mold and mildew growth

If you notice any of these signs in your home, you must immediately call a professional water damage restoration company. They can help ensure your property doesn’t suffer further damage by removing the water, addressing the leak’s cause, and drying out your property.  

The 3 leading causes of winter water damage

Now that you know the signs of winter water damage let's review the three leading causes. 

1) Ice dams 

An ice dam is one of the most common winter weather-related causes of water damage. Ice dams form when the heat from your home melts the snow on your roof. The melted snow then runs down to the edge of your roof, refreezing away from the warmth and forming a wall of ice. This wall of ice prevents any additional melting snow from draining off your roof, causing this melted water to back up and eventually leak into your home through the eaves, soffits, and shingles. Keeping the appropriate temperature in your attic by ensuring that your attic is adequately ventilated will prevent an ice dam from causing winter water damage in your home.

2) Frozen pipes 

Another leading cause of winter water damage is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and lead to significant flooding in your home, particularly in the basement. The key preventative measure here is insulating exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing. It would help if you also allowed water to run through any faucets on exterior walls, as this flow will help prevent the pipes from freezing.

3) Water infiltration due to melted snow 

The third leading cause of winter water damage is water infiltration due to melted snow. Melted snow can leak into your home through cracks in the foundation, gaps in the windows or doors, or any other openings. Therefore, it is best to ensure all cracks in your foundation and any gaps around your windows and doors are correctly sealed to prevent water from finding its way into your home. You should also regularly check your gutters to ensure they are clear of debris so that melting snow can drain properly.

How SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta can help combat winter water damage 

SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta is a professional water damage restoration company that can help you to mitigate and restore winter water damage in your home. We have extensive experience in water damage restoration, and our team of experts will work quickly and efficiently to get your home back to its pre-damage condition.

We understand that winter water damage can be devastating, and we are here to help you through every step of the restoration process. If you are experiencing winter water damage in your home, please contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we will respond to your call immediately.