Don't Let Water Damage Spook You! Protect Your Home With These 6 Easy Steps!

Spooky season has arrived! But the only thing scaring you this season should be trick-or-treaters. Not costly home water damage.

Homeowners don’t typically consider water damage prevention during the fall and winter. But it’s a sneaky thing!

Leaks, mould and rot can quietly creep into your home over the winter without you even noticing. Leaving a frightful trail of costly damages in its wake.

This fall, don’t let unexpected water damage catch you by surprise.

In this article, we teach you all about fall and winter water damage, including:

a) Some of the common culprits for fall and winter water damage, and

b) How to shield your home from these potential damages.

Keep reading for expert tips from our professional team of Gravenhurst plumbers!

Stay On Your Toes! Fall and Winter Water Damage Is Sneakier Than You Think…

You’ll typically hear us talk about water damage in preparation for spring. After all, with all that melted snow and rain, it's obvious that water can quickly seep into your home. That’s why our Gravenhurst plumbing team always ensures your sump pump is ready for spring well before the rainy season arrives!

But what about the water damage that creeps into your home throughout the colder months? Fall and winter water damage may not be as popular a topic, but it can be just as costly. 

If these damages aren’t from melting snow and torrential downpours, where do they come from?

Common Culprits For Fall and Winter Water Damage:

• Blocked Drains
• Leaking Water Heater
• Water Supply Line Leak
• Plumbing Leaks
• Clogged Gutters
• Failure To Close Off Exterior Water Supply
• Improper Outdoor Drainage

Don’t let these sneaky culprits trick you into costly home repairs. Learn how to prevent them below!

6 Steps To Protect Your Home From Water Damage This Fall and Winter!

As the list above suggests, home water damages aren’t always caused by external sources. In fact, internal factors like plumbing and HVAC alone are a common cause! Which is why they go unnoticed.

We’ll explore each of these factors, as well as how to prevent them, below:

1. Unblock your indoor drains.

The first step to helping prevent water damage in your home this fall is to unblock your indoor drains. This includes the bathroom and kitchen sinks, bathtubs, showers etc.

Over time, these drains become clogged with hair, dirt and grease, causing,

• Inefficient drainage
• Flooding and
• Water damage.

Keeping these drains clear will ensure water can pass through without causing overflow, leakage or bursting.

2. Inspect the water heater for leaks, loose connections etc.

If your water heater is old, unmaintained or poorly installed, it has a higher chance of developing a leak.

Simply failing to maintain your water heater can cause a buildup of pressure within the tank. Which can then lead to bursting and flooding. 

You'll want to ensure your water heater doesn’t cause further damage to the rest of your home by inspecting and repairing parts as needed.

3. Make sure your washing machine’s water supply lines are intact.

Your washing machine is typically not something you think about in relation to water damage. In fact, most homeowners don’t even think about their washing machine at all until it becomes a problem.

However, this machine can flood your entire laundry room if left unchecked!

Or, to be more precise, its water supply line could.

Water supply lines carry hot and cold water to your machine as it’s needed. 

In an ideal world, these lines use braided stainless steel. However, that’s not always the case.

Many washing machines use rubber or PVC for their supply lines, which are more apt to wear out or rupture.

AKA, instant flooding in your laundry room!

The solution?

Inspect your water supply lines frequently and ensure you replace the hoses as needed.

4. Repair any leaking pipes.

When was the last time you checked your plumbing pipes for wear and tear?

While some of these pipes are easy to locate, like those beneath your kitchen sink, others involve a little more work.

The pipes located behind your walls are a perfect example of this!

These pipes are difficult to get to. But if they develop a leak, they could wreak havoc on your drywall - causing mould, rot and destruction.

That’s why our Gravenhurst plumbing team recommends monitoring your plumbing for leaks.

• Check for changes in water pressure.
• Monitor the water bill for strange fluctuations.
• Install a water security system.

Frozen pipes are another common cause of plumbing leaks over the colder months.

As we all know, winters up north are far from mild. And protecting your plumbing is a must during potential power outages and furnace failures.

Exposed pipes in attics, garages and basements are especially vulnerable to the cold - making them equally prone to bursting.

Protect your plumbing this winter with Frozen Pipe Protection!

5. Clear the gutters.

Over the winter, snow and ice pile up on your roof. And as the sun warms the roof, that water runoff needs somewhere to go. The purpose of your gutters is to draw that water runoff away from your home’s roof and walls.

But it can’t drain properly with a jammed-up pathway. And without anywhere to go, that water will begin to seep over the sides - putting your walls, basement and foundation at risk!

If you’ve begun seeing water spilling over the sides of the gutters or even stains developing on your siding, you know it’s time for a thorough de-griming!

6. Ensure proper exterior drainage from the house.

Once your gutters are clear, you also need to consider the placement of your downspouts.

We always recommend placing your downspouts at least 5-10 feet away from your home. This prevents the water from seeping back into your home and damaging your foundation.

Get Ready For The Cold Season Ahead With Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric  

In Northern Ontario, you can never be too prepared. Winter comes out of nowhere. And if your home isn’t protected, the damages can become extensive.

At Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric, we ensure nothing catches you off guard this season.

Follow the steps above to ensure your home is in good condition. And don’t forget to give our Gravenhurst plumbing team a call if you find anything amiss! You can reach us at (705) 687-3402.