Before the season’s first major storm hits, is your home in good order? You should be able to tell where water will make its way in when it gets cold. Or perhaps you have been left to wonder after a basement flood what you might have done to avert it.
For anyone who can relate, we are here for you. For over 35 years J Brian Day has put property owners in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Eastern Massachusetts back on their feet following water damage. We would much prefer to stave off trouble than to have to put in the work of cleaning it up. Give us a ring at (866)-621-2102.
There is no better time than fall to forestall the kind of water damage winter brings. The weather is still clement enough to be out of doors and you can put right any minor problems before ice and snow compound them. These are the ones that count.
Clean and Inspect Your Gutters
You will find clogged gutters are a prime reason for water damage in the winter. Leaves and other debris put an end to the flow and water will run over the sides. In a freeze this becomes an ice dam, forcing moisture under the roofline.
Make these checks before the cold comes:
- Clear out all the leaves, twigs and the like from the gutters
- See that downspouts are putting water several feet from the foundation
- Tighten any brackets that are loose or sagging
- Examine for rust or a seam prone to leaking
- Put a hose to them to be sure the water runs unimpeded
Windows and Doors
Gaps around your windows and doors let in more than just the chill; wind driven rain and snowmelt will as well. Do a walk around and you may spot daylight at the frames, some caulk in bad shape or old weatherstripping.
A new roll of caulk or weatherstripping is not costly and it will spare you rot, mold and water stains later on. Be sure to check the basement windows in particular, being low they are subject to the worst of the runoff.
Basement and Foundation
Water damage usually makes itself known in the basement first, but a bit of forethought helps.
Go round the foundation and note any cracks in the concrete or openings at the pipe entries. If the soil has given way and is now sloping to the house, water will take that easy route to your walls.
Test your sump pump while there is still time. A bucket of water in the pit will tell you if it is working as it should. A battery backup is wise too, since the power is apt to go out in the course of a winter storm.
Your Pipes
The pressure of expanding frozen water can split a pipe and the resulting mess is something to avoid. So before a freeze do the following:
- Shut off exterior faucets and drain any outdoor hoses
- Insulate pipes in the attic, garage or crawl space
- Make note of where the main shutoff valve is
- Maintain a consistent heat in the house even in your absence
- On very cold nights let a faucet run a little to keep things moving
Roof and Attic
While the weather holds, have a look at your roof which will be hard put to it all winter. Shingles in disrepair are an invitation to water and an attic with poor insulation is liable to ice dams.
On a clear day go up and see if there is any sign of dampness in the insulation or water stains. Better to deal with it then than in January.
Of Course, Sometimes It Happens
Storms are not predictable and despite your best efforts you cannot control everything. When water does get in, you want to act quickly; the longer it is left the more of a job it is to eradicate.
We are there for that. J Brian Day provides emergency restoration around the clock and is fully licensed and insured. Our 4.8 star rating on Google is testimony to the fact our neighbors in the region have confidence in us. We stand behind what we do with a 100 per cent guarantee.
So do your prep and have our number handy. Should a winter storm win out, call us at (866)-621-2102 day or night.
