How Can Winter Weather Lead To Water Damage In My Home?

Winter poses unique water damage threats to your home. These threats are caused by cold temperatures, structural damage such as water freezes and unfreezes, and snow accumulation. 

Savannah Water Damage Restoration

From our water damage restoration professionals at Harper Special Services, here are five ways that winter weather can lead to water damage in your home.

Weakened Roof

Your roof is subject to a great deal of strain during the winter months. As water freezes and unfreezes, expands, and contracts, the shingles on your roof can become cracked or damaged. Moreover, the gradual accumulation of weight due to ice or snow can also exert a lot of pressure on your roof. If you have an older roof or if it has not been inspected for some time, you should consider having your roof inspected before the winter so any necessary repairs can be made before it is too late.

Ice Dams

An ice dam is a blockage of ice that forms on the edge of a roof. They literally create a dam that keeps ice and snowmelt from flowing properly through your gutters and out your downspouts. This is problematic for several reasons. For one, it will lead to increased strain on certain parts of your roof. The most troubling issue, however, is that rain of melting snow won’t run through your downspouts and will instead pool around the base of your home. This can easily lead to flooding in your basement