3 Common Types Of Winter Water Damage
Although water damage can happen year-round, winter gives water damage a variety of outlets that the other seasons don’t offer. Because of this, winter storms cause billions of dollars in damage every year in the United States. Cousino Restoration & Environmental is here to explain three different types of common winter water damage that can affect your home or business.
Water Damage Caused by Freezing Pipes
Freezing pipes are probably one of the most known culprits of water damage in the winter. But why does it even matter if your pipes freeze?
When water freezes and becomes ice, its particles expand, putting pressure on the pipes. This can sometimes push the pipes past their elastic capacity, causing the pipes to burst. Once a pipe bursts, you obviously will have a difficult time getting water to go to where it was intended to go. Although pipes can freeze almost anywhere in your home or business, pipes are most likely to freeze and burst in spaces that are unheated. This may include areas like the basement, garages, storage rooms, or attics. The pipes running through these areas of a building may not seem like the most essential ones to the functionality of your home or business since unheated areas are generally low importance and low traffic areas, but keep in mind that many of the pipes that feed to other areas of a building run through these unheated areas. Consequently, it is good to keep an eye on these pipes during the winter time and to contact a water damage cleanup company if they burst.
Roof Damage from the Weight of Snow or Ice
One of the first things people forget to worry about during the winter is their roofs. This is unfortunate because roofs are one of the top parts of the house at risk for water damage during the winter. The buildup of snow and ice on your roof becomes heavy overtime, putting a lot of pressure on your roof. Sometimes this can lead to part of your roof sagging, getting a hole in it, or collapsing. Older roofs are especially at risk for this type of winter water damage.
Flood Damage from Melting Snow or Excessive Rain
Whether the precipitation in your area takes the form of rain, snow, or both, it is sure to have the potential to flood your home or business. When the snow melts rapidly during a warmer period during the winter or the end of the winter or your area experiences heavy rainfall, the runoff can surpass the amount that the area can handle, resulting in the excess going to the only place it can – your home or business. This leads to undesired flooding and water damage that needs to be cleaned up by a professional.
If your home or business is in need of water damage cleanup as the result of winter water issues, you are not alone. The first thing you should do when you notice signs of winter water damage is to contact your local water damage cleanup company to assist you in the restoration process. If you live in or near Toledo, contact Cousino Restoration & Environmental.
Heavy snow and ice accumulation can cause serious damage to homes and businesses. Snow buildup on rooftops can lead to water damage from melting snow, while ice dams can create pools of standing water that seep into walls and ceilings. Ice accumulation around foundations and walkways can cause cracking and other structural issues as the ground expands and contracts with temperature changes.
When water damage occurs and it’s not appliance related, it’s usually not a singular event that causes it. For most water mitigation jobs we discover that the water damage happened over a sustained period of time. At Cousino Restoration & Environmental, we provide elite water damage restoration services in Ohio and Michigan. Our service areas are no strangers to snow accumulation, ice, and high winds.
Residential Winter Water Damage:
The average lifespan of a roof is around 15-20 years, and snow damage can be a contributing factor to its failure. In snow-prone areas, roofs must be regularly maintained in order to protect against snow damage. This includes removing snow buildup from rooftop drains and keeping snow off of vulnerable areas of the roof. If snow is left on the roof it can cause sections to sag. Sagging areas over time are prone to leaking.
Residential Ice Damage:
Ice buildup can be as detrimental to your home. In snow-prone areas, roofs can be prone to ice dams. Ice dams form when the snow melts and then refreezes near the eaves of the roof. As snow accumulates on top of the ice, water pools up behind it and finds its way into walls or ceilings, causing serious water damage.
Commercial Snow Damage:
For snow-heavy regions, commercial properties should be regularly inspected and snow removal services hired as needed to prevent snow damage. These inspections should include the evaluation of snow on the roof, ice buildup near gutters, water intrusion, or potential structural weakness caused by snow accumulation and ice dams.
Commercial Ice Damage:
Ice damage can be equally damaging to commercial properties. Commercial roofs are prone to ice dams, snow buildup, and water infiltration. In addition to roofing inspections, snow removal services should be hired to clear excess snow from walkways and parking lots. This prevents the formation of dangerous ice patches that can cause slips or falls.
How to spot moisture accumulation in your business or home:
Many snow and ice damage-related issues occur over a period of time, so it’s important to be alert for signs of water intrusion. Moisture accumulation can be spotted in several ways, including the presence of mold or mildew, damp walls or ceilings that become discolored, water marks along baseboards or trim work, musty smells, or water bubbling up from below laminate flooring. Even condensation on your windows could be a sign of possible water damage.
At Cousino Restoration & Environmental, we are experts in snow and ice damage restoration. Our professional team of technicians can assess the damage, provide water mitigation services, and restore your home or business back to its original condition. Contact us today for more information!