Water damage in homes is a hassle at any time of the year, but it can be especially troublesome during the winter when dropping temperatures make certain home features more fragile and prone to letting in unwanted water. Florida water damage restoration can be inconvenient and time-consuming, so it’s smart to take preventive measures and regularly inspect the house for signs of potential trouble.
Bursting frozen pipes is one of the most talked about causes of water damage. When temperatures drop significantly during the winter, pipes are at risk of freezing, especially those in the most exposed areas of the home such as garages, sheds, crawl spaces and attics. Pressure builds inside frozen pipes, which can lead to cracks and ruptures that can cause floods. Make sure you shield exposed pipes from the cold by wrapping them with insulating tape, tubular sleeves or old towels. Moreover, if a freeze is forecast, leave faucets lightly dripping to relieve some pressure and open the cabinets under sinks to allow warm air from inside the home to circulate around the pipes. If your pipes have burst, call a professional for water extraction. The sooner the water is drained out, the better the chance of salvaging items.
Sometimes water damage sneaks into your home in slower and less noticeable ways than pipes bursting violently. For instance, water or ice dams can form on top of roofs after precipitation. Leaves and other debris can accumulate during fall and winter and clog gutters, sending water pouring down the side of the house or under the roof. You may want to clean the gutters at least once this season. Also, if there is a freeze, ice may form on the roof and obstruct runoff into gutters. Pooling water can then seep into the house through shingles and sub-roofing and cause water damage in rarely visited areas of houses, such as attics. To reduce risk, conduct a water damage inspection in every room of your house at least once each year.
Early water leak detection can make a big difference in the extent of the water damage and repairs. Water can leak into homes through roofs, walls and various fixtures. We recommend giving your house leak checkups at least once a year, inspecting all water supply lines and appliances. Look for signs of wear and tear in washing machine hoses, hot water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, ice machines and any other appliances that may leak. You may need to replace rubber hoses with steel-braided hoses to make them more durable. Also, seal any cracks or gaps you find with caulking to prevent heat loss and water transfer.
Pooling water can quickly lead to mold infestations, especially it if happens in low-light, high-humidity areas and/or goes undetected for a while. If you recently had water damage or spillage in hard-to-reach areas of your home, a damage restoration company can perform a mold inspection. If you suspect you may have mold damage, it’s best not to postpone remedying it because mold can be resilient and multiply rapidly.
Given that water damage and mold damage often go together, there are some things you can do to prevent and mitigate the appearance of mold in your home. For example, eliminate clutter that could enable your HVAC system to circulate air properly. Shut windows and doors when the AC is on to prevent humid air from coming inside and causing condensation. Evaluate the AC to make sure that the coils are clean, the thermostat is set not too high or low, and the condensate drain pipe is working correctly without accumulating water inside the unit or on your floor. Purchasing devices such as humidity monitors and dehumidifiers is an other option. Finally, always look out for standing water or chronic dampness that may be increasing indoor humidity and providing an ideal environment for mold. Inspect basements and crawl spaces for moisture coming from groundwater vapor. If you find anything unusual, call professionals immediately for mold damage repair to prevent the infestation from spreading.
When DIY solutions don’t seem to be enough to solve the flooding and humidity problems in your home, contact Maven Restoration Group to receive help from local experts. We provide residential water damage and mold remediation Gainesville, FL residents can rely on to set their homes back to ideal conditions. Call us today!
Locally owned and operated in Gainesville, FL, Maven Construction Group is a licensed general contractor, Angie’s List Certified Contractor, and is accredited and A-rated by the Better Business Bureau. Maven has delivered the best damage restoration and reconstruction services in North Central Florida for more than 15 years.
Certified General Contractor Lic # CGC1519003 Certified Mold Remediation Lic # MRSR2344