Preventing Winter Water Damage: How to Protect Your Home from Frozen Pipes and Ice Dams

1/20/2025 (Permalink)

Winter can be a beautiful season, but it also brings some serious risks for homeowners. Frozen pipes and ice dams are common causes of water damage, leading to costly repairs if not handled properly. This December, learn how to protect your home from winter water damage with these essential tips. If water damage does occur, SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma is here to provide expert water damage restoration services to get your home back in shape.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are a major concern during the winter, as water expands when it freezes, potentially causing pipes to burst. Here’s how to prevent this:

Insulate Exposed Pipes

One of the best ways to prevent frozen pipes is by insulating any pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Foam pipe insulation or heating tape can help keep pipes warm, reducing the risk of freezing.

Let Faucets Drip

During extremely cold weather, allow a small trickle of water to flow from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes. This keeps the water moving, making it less likely to freeze.

Keep the Heat On

If you're leaving your home for an extended period during the winter, make sure to keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F. This will help prevent the temperature from dropping low enough for pipes to freeze.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

Inspect your home for any gaps or cracks near pipes, especially in exterior walls, and seal them with caulk. Cold air entering through these spaces can cause pipes to freeze, so sealing them is crucial.

Preventing Ice Dams

Ice dams form when snow melts on a warm roof and refreezes at the edge, blocking drainage and potentially causing water to back up into your home. Here's how to prevent them:

Keep Your Attic Cool

A warm attic causes snow to melt on your roof, contributing to ice dams. Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic can help keep the roof cold, preventing snow from melting too quickly.

Clear Gutters

Clogged gutters can trap water and lead to ice dams. Be sure to clean your gutters before the first snowfall to allow for proper drainage and avoid water backups that can damage your roof.

Use a Roof Rake

After a heavy snowfall, use a roof rake to remove snow from the edge of your roof. This helps prevent the formation of ice dams by minimizing the amount of snow that can melt and refreeze.

What to Do If You Have Water Damage

Even with the best precautions, winter water damage can still happen. If your home experiences water damage due to frozen pipes or ice dams, it’s essential to act quickly. SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma offers professional water damage restoration services to ensure your home is restored quickly and effectively. From removing excess water to repairing damaged areas, we handle it all.

Protect your home this winter by following these preventive measures. And remember, if water damage strikes, SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma is ready to provide fast and reliable water damage restoration services to get your home back to normal. Contact us for reliable water damage restoration if frozen pipes or ice dams cause damage this winter.