7 Common Causes Of Water Damage In Winter
Water damage is not a seasonal problem, so you must keep your house protected, regardless of the season. However, each season has its own challenges. As it’s winter, let’s talk about the common causes of water damage in this freezing season and how to fix and prevent them. Remember that mold is a huge issue too so always consider mold removal as well after dealing with the water.
Causes Of Water Damage In Winter
Frozen Pipes Leading To Bursts
Probably the most common cause of water damage in winter is burst pipes. At freezing temperatures, the water inside the pipes freezes and expands. This creates internal pressure on the pipes, leading to a burst – which means water leakage.
What to do if it happens? Shut off the water supply immediately, open faucets to relieve water pressure, and call in a plumber. Try to remove water if pooling around. If the water damage is major, consult an expert.
When Does It Happen?
There is a risk of frozen pipes as the temperatures go below 32°F (0°C) and the risk increases drastically when the temperature drops below 20°F (-6°C). Another risk factor is several consecutive cold days when daytime temperatures don’t rise significantly.
How To Prevent Burst Pipes In Winter?
- Keep your home’s thermostat setting above 55°F (12°C). Set it to stay above that temperature even when you’re not at home. Think of preventing water damage costs instead of lowering energy costs.
- During freezing temperatures, slightly turn on the faucets to drip water. This will keep the water flow going and it most probably won’t freeze.
- Open the cabinets under sinks to allow warm air reach the pipes.
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves, heat tape, or heat cables.
- If possible, insulate unheated areas like attics and crawl spaces.
Not Emptying And Draining Outdoor Pipes
In winter, you need to shut off the water supply to all the outdoor faucets, spigots, hose bibs, and sprinklers. And after that, don’t forget the next step, which is to drain all the spigots and hose bibs, because if not done, there will still be water in the pipes and it will freeze and burst because those pipes are outside without any weather protection.
Even though there are frost-proof hose bibs and spigots that drain themselves, you should double-check. In many cases, homeowners don’t notice a burst outdoor pipe until spring when they turn on the water supply to the outdoor spigots.
Moreover, if there are any faucets that don’t have a shut-off valve, use a faucet cover or insulate the pipes and faucets. After these precautions, if you notice any leakage (burst pipe), turn off the water supply and consult a plumber.
If you have a pool, draining it completely is not recommended. Winterize it by reducing its water level to 4 to 6 inches below the skimmers or water jets. Plus, clean the pool, add water chemicals, drain the equipment, clear plumbing lines, and install a cover.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are formed by the heat loss from the home’s interior, making the upper part of the roof warm and the edges cold. So, snow on the upper parts melts and when it reaches the edges, it refreezes. You see these large icicles on the edge of the roof. That’s the sign of an ice dam.
This is a huge problem because an ice dam blocks the gutters and the roof. So, the runoff water has nowhere to go. It pools on the roof and can cause many kinds of roof and water damage. For instance, the pooled water may melt and refreeze there, which damages the shingles and leads to roof leakage.
Causes Of Ice Dams
Heat loss from the house and heavy snowfall are the causes of ice dams. Heat can happen due to various reasons, like poor insulation, an uninsulated attic, and poor ventilation. You can’t control the snowfall, but you can fix these problems to try to prevent ice dams.
How To Remove Ice Dams?
- Blow cold air in the attic. Direct the fan directly at the leak or the iced areas
- Use a long-handled rake to rake the ice dam
- Gently use hot water
- Install heat cables on the roof (prevention tip)
- Don’t use chemicals or any other tool other than a rake to remove ice dams
Blocked Gutters And Downspouts
Ice dams block gutters, but they are not the only cause of this problem. Even if you prevent ice dams, your roof gutters may get clogged due to leaves, twigs, debris, and snow. This also leads to water and snow pooling on the roof, causing damage and leaks. So, ensure to clean the gutters and downspouts frequently.
When cleaning gutters and downspouts, never use power washers on high settings. Remove debris manually using gloves and then use warm water to clear snow. Moreover, install gutter guards and rake snow regularly. To avoid many winter problems, plan early and prepare your house for winter.
Water Heater Issues
Water heater problems don’t only mean cold water in the taps, but they could also translate to leaky pipes and water damage, in many cases. There can be leakage from the tank or pipes, creating a mess very quickly.
Causes
- Sediment buildup can cause overheating and leaking pipes
- Frozen pipes leading to bursts
- Loose drain valves
- Improper tank pressure
- Water heater older than 8 years
- Poor installation or service
- Lack of insulation
How To Prevent?
- Flush the water heater tank yearly or twice a year
- Insulate the pipes and install or move the water heater to an enclosed, indoor space
- Use warm water mindfully
- Maintain the water heater regularly
- Install a leak detector
Water Leakage From Window Or Door Frames
Rain or melting snow may leak indoors via window or door frames. Whether it’s due to poor installation, skipping caulking, not cleaning weep holes, or anything else, it’s an issue that may not appear too huge, but it can create other problems like mold growth.
To fix window and door frame leakages, avoid ice dams, rake the snow regularly, reseal the frame from the outside, and install flashing.
Snowmelt Seepage
Even in late winter or early spring, there is a major risk of water damage in parts of the house that are below the ground level due to snowmelt seepage. As snow melts, it can seep into spaces like the basement, the foundation, crawlspaces, and the garage.
Causes Of Snowmelt Seepage
- Saturated soil around the foundation
- Poor grading
- Not frequently clearing snow from the house
- Frozen gutters and downspouts
- Foundation cracks
How To Prevent Snowmelt Seepage?
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Extend downspouts so they drain water away from the foundation and basement
- Clear the snow and shovel it 2 to 3 feet away from the house
- Inspect for and seal foundation cracks
- Improve grading so the water drains away from the house
Fix Water Damage Due To Snowmelt Seepage
- Turn off the power
- Shovel snow away from the foundation
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Remove water using a vacuum or a sump pump
- Consult an expert
Conclusion
Water damage is a real risk in winter and many of the problems can be avoided by raking snow, cleaning the gutters and downspouts, and insulating the plumbing. However, if there is water damage, you should act fast to save your belongings and avoid structural damage by calling in water damage restoration services.
