How to Protect Your Somerset County Home from Winter Storm Damage

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

Keeping your Somerset County home safe during winter storms is all about planning and taking action ahead of time. Winter weather can be tough on houses, but there are steps you can take to protect yours. By preparing your home and making sure everything is in good shape, you can reduce the chances of damage. It's important to know what parts of your home might be at risk and take steps to keep them safe.

Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

To prevent your pipes from freezing in winter storms, keep your home warm. Insulate pipes in unheated areas, like the attic or crawl spaces, with foam sleeves or wrapping. Let faucets drip to relieve pressure in the pipes, and open cabinet doors to let warm air reach plumbing along exterior walls. It's also important to seal any cracks or openings near pipes to keep cold air out, and if you're away, set the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees and ask someone to check your home regularly.

Winterize the Interior of Your Home

When you're ready to get your home ready for winter storms, think about keeping the warmth in and the cold out. Start by sealing up any drafts around doors and windows - that's a biggie. Insulate those pipes too, so they don't freeze and cause a mess. Oh, and don't forget your heating system. Change the filters and maybe get a professional to inspect it before the heart of the winter starts. Keep your thermostat at a steady temperature to avoid any sudden drops, and stock up on emergency stuff like batteries, flashlights, and non-perishables just in case the power goes out.

Inspect the Exterior of Your Home

Before a winter storm hits, take a stroll around the outside of your home to check things out. Look for a loose or damaged area of the roof like shingles and holes that might need fixing - as this can cause leaks when the snow starts piling up. Clear out gutters and downspouts to avoid ice dams and water backups. Trim any tree branches that might be hanging close to your house to prevent damage from heavy snow or ice. And don't forget to seal up any cracks or gaps around doors, windows, and foundations to keep that cold air out and warmth in!

Clear Out Pathways and Driveways

Clearing pathways and driveways during a winter storm is essential for both safety and preventing damage. Snow and ice buildup on these surfaces can pose serious risks for slips and falls, not just for you but also for visitors and delivery personnel. Additionally, when snow accumulates on driveways and sidewalks, it can melt and refreeze, creating icy patches that are tough to navigate. Beyond safety concerns, leaving snow on these surfaces can also lead moisture seeping into cracks and causing damage over time, especially when it refreezes. Clearing them promptly helps avoid these issues, keeping your paths safe and preventing potential damage to your property.

How Can SERVPRO of West Somerset County Help?

At SERVPRO, we're here to assist in recovering from water damage caused by winter natural disasters. From plumbing leaks and flooding to roof leaks, sewer backups, and fire damage, we've got you covered. Plus, if water damage has led to mold and mildew, our skilled personnel offer remediation services to help.

When it comes to water damage restoration, we respond swiftly and confidently. These situations can escalate fast, spreading to new areas and causing continuous damage to your property's structure and contents. That's why we prioritize our team's certifications, ensuring every technician holds a Water Restoration Technician certification from the IICRC. This certification means no delays when dealing with ongoing loss incidents.

Our expertise lies in structural drying and content management, as demonstrated in our restoration of the Balogh Company Facility in Somerset. When they acquired a new building, we effectively cleaned and dried the affected area, preserving much of their carpeted spaces and avoiding unnecessary tear-out and reconstruction.

No matter the severity of the water loss, count on us to restore your property, leaving it like it never even happened.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns two other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

So, whether you're dealing with a storm, standing water and flood waters, fire damage, mold, or anything else - we're here for you.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”