Winter is Coming

Winter is just around the corner! And in a place like Ogden , that means there will be plenty of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to accompany it. We at Swift Restoration and Cleaning have found that this change in season brings with it a host of new dangers concerning water damage. Instead of worrying so much about flooding it is much more an issue of dealing with the snow, ice, and freezing cold. The key to preventing these new dangers from reaching your home is to prepare and be vigilant. Here are a few tips as to how you can do that.

Clean Your Gutters

This is a must in preparation for the freezing temperatures that are to come. If you do nothing else in preparation, this may be the most important thing to do. There are two aspects when it comes to preparing your gutters for the winter, cleaning any extra debris out and making sure the water from the gutters runs away from your house. There are a couple reasons why it is so important to clean your gutters from the clutter that will accumulate them. If they are already full of debris, the added weight of snow or ice could cause them to crack or break. Also, the extra debris could simply cause the excess moisture to overflow in your gutter and run off where you don’t want it to. In regards to making sure none of the run-off water is close to your house, this is pretty simple. Ideally, your gutters would empty into a rain gutter, but if not the case just make sure it drains far enough away from your home and that there aren’t any leaks.

Fortify Your Foundation

Water getting into your foundation and causing potential damage isn’t just something to look out for in the winter, but the cold temperatures can magnify the problem. If water does leak into your foundation and the freezing temperatures turn it into ice, the ice will expand and could cause major foundational problems. This can be prevented by periodically surveying the perimeter of your home to make sure there are no new ways for water to leak in.

Protect Your Pipes

One of the most destructive and common winter water dangers is broken pipes. To protect against this from happening, insulate your home’s outdoors faucets with a faucet cover. The other pipes at the highest risk are those near an exterior wall. You will want to ensure those pipes are insulated as well. The last measure you can take to protect your pipes is to, on the coldest nights, open the faucets just slightly so they are at a drip. This will keep water running through the pipes and greatly decrease the odds of your pipes freezing.

Winter really is a wonderful time of the year. Don’t let your holiday season be ruined by preventable water damage. Remember that Swift Restoration and Cleaning is always just one call away. We offer 24/7 emergency service rain, shine, or snow so if you find that your home has received water damage of any kind don’t hesitate to let us help you return it to normal!