If you are looking forward to spring, there is hope it will soon be here. Don’t worry, there also may be hope for those of you that want just one more blizzard! That’s because the weather seems to change by the minute here in Tennessee. After last weekend’s warmth that felt like summer, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to imagine another snowfall before the end of winter. While the fluctuation in weather may cause you to try to plan for what is to come in the sky over your home, we urge you to also consider the condition of what these fluctuations are doing to your home under the ground.
Many Tennessee homes have distinct soil compositions that tend to absorb and hold lots of water, unlike other states that have sandy soils that drain fast. This can pose a serious issue for structures like the concrete foundation of your home during the impending freeze and thaw cycle, which might last for several weeks.
Just as the name of the cycle indicates, the cold winter weather freezes any water that has been accumulated by the soil surrounding your home. Then, as warmer spring weather rolls in, it thaws any deeply frozen areas, subjecting the deepest parts of your foundation to high amounts of moisture.
There are plenty of ways to help protect your home from water damage, the most effective of which is to have a professional exterior waterproofing system installed. For other options that might be feasible to implement right away, albeit less effective, the lists below may help.
How To Protect Your Home From Winter Water Damage
Preventing Frozen Pipes
- Crawl spaces, basements, garages, attics, and kitchen and bathroom cupboards are examples of unheated spaces where water pipes should be insulated.
- Heat tape or similar insulators should be used to insulate the hot and cold water lines, respectively.
- By opening the doors to the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, warmer air should be allowed to circulate around the plumbing. Move the items kept in these cabinets up and out from children’s and animals’ reach.
- The faucets that are supplied by exposed pipes must be made to leak cold water in freezing temperatures. Even a small trickle of water flowing through pipes will help keep them from freezing.
- The temperature on the thermostat should be the same during the day and at night. Although heating expenses might go up, pipes won’t freeze and burst as frequently.
- All water-using devices should set the thermostat to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit when leaving their residence for a day or longer. Additionally, pipelines and fixtures need to be turned off. Shutting off the master valve for the house can be effective.
- Be cautious while thawing frozen pipes, as this can also lead to bursting if done too quickly or recklessly.
Preventing Ice Dams
- When snow on the roof melts due to heat from the attic and then refreezes at the gutters, ice dams can form at the roof’s margins.
- When the snow is roughly 6 inches deep, it should be removed from the roof. It can be safer to use a roof rake or a long-handled brush to clear the snow without using a ladder.
- To ensure that melted snow flows efficiently through the drainage system, the gutters and downspouts should be examined and cleaned on a regular basis.
- Additional long-term measures to stop ice dams include:
- Adding insulation to the attic to keep warm air out. Snow on the roof may melt from the warm air, refreeze, and create ice dams. It is necessary to maintain an attic temperature that is 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. Any damaged roof area should first be repaired if the insulation has to be replaced.
- Ensuring optimum attic ventilation. Vents towards the attic’s top should allow warm air to leave. Vents near the eaves should let cold air in.
- Putting up a waterproof layer beneath the roof shingles. This can aid in preventing water intrusion.
- Putting up a snow shield to stop leaks. The shield extends up at least one yard around the outer wall of the house and beneath the shingles, commencing at the low border of the roof.
- Gutter screens can be installed to assist with keeping out the debris that can accumulate and damage structures.
Snow on Roofs
- Ice dams and structural damage to the roof (cave-ins) can result from excessive snow accumulation on roofs.
- If the snow is not cleared when it is around 6 inches deep, it can cause property damage.
- To prevent harming the roof covering, a maximum of 2 inches of snow should be left on the roof.
- One-story homes should clear the snow off their roofs using a rake with a telescoping handle. Taller homes’ overhangs can be removed with rakes as well.
- Make sure the ladder is secure and that anyone ready to shovel snow from a roof is wearing a safety harness. Shoveling for sloping roofs needs to begin at the ridge and terminate at the eaves.
Other Winter Water Damage Safety Tips
- Anywhere a water issue can arise, such as on sump pumps, next to water-bearing fixtures, and behind or below pipelines, water leak detectors ought to be put in.
- Every year, leaks in the water supply pipes should be examined. The hot water heater, washing machine, ice maker in the refrigerator, and other appliances might leak.
- Sewage backup insurance should be purchased by property owners. Stormwater systems can get overloaded by heavy rains and melting snow, which can lead to sewage or water backing up into homes.
- When not in use, outside hoses must be disconnected. By doing this, water in the pipe is kept from freezing and forming a barrier that can result in backflow.
Professional Exterior Waterproofing For A Permanent Solution
The team here at Smoky Mountain Crawlspace Systems stands ready to provide professional waterproofing services to any property affected by water or ice damage, as well as mold or foundation damage. Our solutions can last generations to keep your home protected from moisture both inside and out. For more information about our range of services, give us a call today at (865) 299-2315.
