It’s time for Old Man Winter to start settling in for a couple of months, but I can’t emphasize too strongly the need to keep him outside.
Water damage to homes is especially common when temperatures plummet, and ice- and snow-related damage ultimately causes homeowners thousands of dollars each year. Renters should be on the lookout as well; water-soaked carpets—and worse—are a major inconvenience, no matter who owns the building.
The good news is it’s fairly easy to be proactive about water damage. Before temperatures dip too far, give your home a once-over to avoid potential issues.
Let the attic stay cold. When water melts and then refreezes on your roof, it can form ice dams at the lower edge of the sloped surfaces, which causes water to back up into your walls. Clear leaves out of gutters, downspouts and drains. This will help prevent ice dams as well.
Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer.
Remove garden hoses from outside spigots, and drain faucets after use.
Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. This is particularly important in the kitchen and bathroom.
Keep water moving. Let a slow trickle of water drip from faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated spaces.
Get a certified checkup for your heating systems. Before the heating season begins in earnest, it’s important to have your chimney, wood-burning stove and heating system maintained by a professional.
And, finally, make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water supply is—and how to turn it off.
Lastly, much damage can be avoided if everyone in the home knows where the main water supply is—and knows how to turn it off!
I wish you a warm, wonderful and water-safe winter.
For answers to your insurance questions about protecting your home, contact Cheryl Brooks, an agent at Caroline County Farm Bureau, 804-633-9825.
