Even if winter weather might not show signs of letting up, there’s no doubt that eventually, warmer days will make their long-awaited appearance. At Kiser Construction, we know that when spring weather finally rolls around, your property is subject to water damage as the snow begins to melt. Fortunately for you, the best way to avoid damage is to practice proactive maintenance, so be sure to heed these three easy tips to keep your property protected.
Practice Routine Snow Removal
This tip might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many homeowners never bother removing snow from around their foundations or from their roofs. Heavy, wet snow can cause serious water damage to your roof and foundation if left unchecked, especially when warmer weather begins setting in. So, one of the simplest, yet most effective things you can do to protect your home from water damage is to clear your roof and foundation of snow after every six inches of accumulation.
Examine and Clean Your Gutters
Keeping your gutters clean is a critical step in protecting your home from snow-related water damage. When debri accumulates inside your gutters, roof runoff can damage the edges of your roof or overflow and seep into the ground around your foundation. In both instances, your home could sustain significant water damage if the issue is left unchecked.
To avoid water damage restoration, be sure to clear ice accumulation from your gutters and remove other forms of debris from within the tracks. To protect your basement from water damage, be sure to position your gutter downspouts so that water flows away from your home. If your current downspouts exist in heavily trafficked areas, you may require new downspout installation to reposition them in a more appropriate location.
Check Your Sump Pump
To avoid basement water damage restoration, one of the best tools you can have is a sump pump, so if you don’t have one, now is the time to start shopping. If, however, your home already features a sump pump, just before the runoff season is the perfect time to give it a test run.
Your sump pump protects the lower level of your home from water damage by pumping sub-foundation water accumulation out and away from your dwelling. That said, over time, normal wear-and-tear can leave the pump non-functional, so unless you routinely test it, you won’t confidently know if your home is well protected.
To test the pump, simply unplug it and then plug it back in. If you can hear a humming sound coming from the device, it’s working properly. Alternatively, you can add just enough water to the sump pit to raise the float within it. Continue adding water until the pump kicks on and begins shuttling water out of the pit. You’ll need to observe the pit for a few minutes to make sure the pump drains the pit fully.
Check Outdoor Taps
If you own your home, chances are good you will have an outdoor tap or faucet. Water can easily sit inside these systems and freeze when the temperature drops. This is why It’s important to remember to check them in the winter months, because if the metal expands and a crack forms, it can potentially damage your home via leaks. And because exterior piping is more vulnerable in the cold, be sure to assess for damages before the snowpack melts to avoid a leak.
Inspect Caulking Around Windows
Your caulking is more critical during the winter than any other time because it helps keep the moisture out of your home. And because buildup of snow and ice is a standard part of the intense Minnesota winters, what happens when the snow begins to melt?
Excess water will start to compile and as it warms, it will slide down the sill. New caulking can help keep the substrates and wood intact while protecting the inside and outside of your home, because the water cannot penetrate it. This is why another recommendation is to check the caulk and ensure that it's in good condition and not peeling or cracking.
Add Soil to the Frostline
The frost line is also known as freezing or frost depth, and it is the depth that the groundwater in the soil is expected to freeze. The depth will depend on the conditions in the area and how the heat transfer's the properties of materials and dirt. Building up this line can help avert melting snow from moving toward your home's foundation, and be an additional step to protecting it.
Check Outer Areas for Cracks
The truth is that thawing and freezing water in the soil can damage your foundation. A thorough inspection of your foundation for cracking can help prevent the runoff from getting inside and extensive damage once the snow melts.
Need Water Damage Restoration? Contact Kiser Construction Today
If your home has suffered water damage, don’t hesitate to contact the Kiser Construction restoration team today. Our full-service restoration contractors hold industry-standard certifications and licensing in every service we offer, so you can rest assured you’ll only receive the highest quality restoration results possible. And, if your roof sustained damage as a result of winter weather, our contractors also provide comprehensive roof repair and replacement to help you streamline your home repairs. To learn more about how we can help you restore your home, give our team a call at 763-633-2010, or reach out to us on our contact page.
If you’re in need of immediate disaster restoration services, we encourage you to call our emergency line at 612-518-8852.