Is Water Damage More Common in the Winter?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

If you discover water damage to your home, you can count on SERVPRO of Paulding/Polk Counties to help.

Water damage is something that can occur at different times of the year for different reasons.
Spring downpours can cause leaks, summer storm damage can cause roof damage and fall
conditions can lead to standing water around the house.

However, water damage can occur in winter, too—and while most causes of winter water damage are preventable, if you do not do the prevention work ahead of time, it may turn into a major issue later on.

Fortunately, understanding the common causes of winter water damage can help you prevent
them. Read on to learn the typical reasons that water damage occurs in the winter and how you
can prevent these issues from popping up around your home.

Why Water Damage Occurs in the Winter Months

Freezing pipes that burst. While frozen pipes are typically a concern in areas that get far
colder than Georgia, it is not impossible for them to happen here—especially for the pipes leading to outdoor spigots that may be more exposed. Be sure to disconnect your hoses and drain water from your spigots before freezing weather becomes the norm to prevent this.

Gutters that are blocked with autumn leaves. The autumn leaves are beautiful, but if you live in a home with a lot of tree coverage, they can be a nightmare for your gutter drainage system. It is advised to clean out your gutters at least twice a year anyway, so it makes sense to do this before winter begins to ensure water can drain away quickly. Clogged gutters can damage the roof line and the foundation, and even lead to ice dams when the weather is quite cold.

Unaddressed roof leaks. For obvious reasons, most of us are spending less leisure time outside during the winter months, which means the odds of catching something that is amiss are lower. Roof leaks are a year-round concern, but you may be less likely to notice damage in the winter. Now is a good time to give everything a thorough once-over with binoculars to make sure things are looking good.

If you discover water damage to your home, you can count on us to help. Get in touch at any hour to learn more about our service options.