The winter season can be brutally hard on any structure, and it is important to be able to deal with it effectively.
Cleveland OH (PRWEB) November 25, 2013
Restoration Local, one of the leading providers of water damage repair and restoration in the United States, is offering tips to property owners on how to best protect their properties as winter weather begins to set in. The winter season can be brutally hard on any structure, and it is important to be able to deal with it effectively.
The attic should be properly insulated, repairing any holes in walls or ceilings. Windows, vents, pipe openings, crevices, and cracks should be caulked and sealed. Seal any fan openings with an airtight cover.
Inspect the roof for any loose, damaged, or missing shingles. The roof is the first line of defense against the elements, and any defects will allow access to the home by snow, ice, and rain.
Windows and doors provide the easiest access to the home by the elements, for the simple reason that they open and close. This will cause considerable wear and tear on seals and weather stripping. Make sure all windows are sealed and that weather stripping is in good condition. If glass is cracked, replace it, because even a crack can allow condensation to develop inside the home, and it only takes a small amount of moisture to set the stage for mold.
Unused rooms should be sealed off to help cut down on energy bills with regard to heating. Sand filled sealer strips under the doors can assist in the sealing.
Make sure gutters and downspouts are properly cleaned out in the fall and check them again thoroughly before winter sets in. Gutter systems need to function properly in order to properly drain off rapidly melting snow and ice.
Plumbing is the area where neglect can really cause serious water damage. Insulate walls close to cellar pipes as well as any outside wall, and wrap similarly located pipes with insulating materials. Wrap the hot water heater with a thermal blanket, and have a supply of water stored, both for drinking and household needs, in the event of an outage or other disruption of service. Know the location of the water main in the event it must be shut off rapidly, and make sure all garden hoses are properly drained.
In the event of a hard snow, failure to properly clean it up and remove it can also cause water damage once it begins to melt. Have the snow blower gassed up and in good operating condition, have plenty of shovels on hand, and invest in some good ice melt formulas or even sand to help expedite the melting of snow and ice in targeted locations.
Based in Cleveland OH, RestorationLocal.com is one of the leading water damage restoration companies in the country, with contractors in 30 states. They are available 24/7 and all work is guaranteed. More information on water damage prevention and treatment can be found at their website.