8 Methods to Prevent Winter Flooding in Your Home

Winter flooding can cause severe damage to homes, wracking up a hefty repair bill that can give you a headache. However, vigilant homeowners can prevent this issue with proper maintenance. Water can cause extensive damage that is difficult to fix.

Winter Flooding and How To Detect and Stop It

To keep your residence safe, follow these eight tips.

Evaluate Your House for Winter Flooding Threats

Eliminating risks is the best approach to preventing a winter flood. For example, foundation cracks allow water into the concrete; when it freezes, it enlarges the cracks, letting in even more moisture. Yearly foundation inspections can prevent this destructive cycle.

Take Care With Meltwater

Snow blowers are incredibly convenient, but they pose a danger if misused. For example, you can accidentally blow snow against your home's exterior while clearing the drive. If this snow melts, it can seep into walls, the basement, and even the foundation.

Trim Your Trees

Winter storms can wreak havoc on dead or weakened trees. If you're unlucky, a branch may end up through the window or roof, allowing snow into your home. While flood insurance typically covers this situation, you can save yourself a headache by trimming high-risk branches and removing dead trees.

Invest in Proper Insulation

Insulation keeps your home comfortable, but does it also prevent ice dams? Escaping heat can melt snow, which collects on and seeps into your roof. Sometimes, these puddles freeze into ice dams, putting excessive weight on a compromised roof.

Clean the Gutters

Cluttered gutters don't allow rainwater and snow melt to funnel away from your roof safely. Instead, water may accumulate on the top or cascade over the gutter edge, causing puddles to form near your foundations. Both undermine your home's stability and create opportunities for winter flooding.

Maintain Your Roof

Rooftops don't last forever; depending on the type, they require replacement every 15 to 75 years. You can keep your roof strong in between with a few maintenance tips:

• Replace missing shingles
• Schedule yearly inspections
• Reapply caulk annually
• Clear away algae, moss, and lichen
• Remove natural debris such as sticks and leaves

Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

While personal flood insurance covers water damage from natural disasters, it won't pay for the aftermath of burst pipes. To avoid disaster, take steps to prevent frozen plumbing:

• Insulate pipes
• Inspect water heaters and boilers
• Open under-sink cabinets to increase airflow

Irrigation lines have similar issues, so winterize your system before temperatures drop below freezing.

Fix Leaks Before They Turn Into Winter Flooding

Small leaks may not seem urgent, but they can quickly become a significant issue if not addressed. Water damage can weaken wood structures with rot and mold, causing them to give under pressure. The result is winter flooding that ruins personal belongings and drives you into alternative accommodations.

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors.  Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation!