Winter Weather Disasters

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

Ice Dams

Ice dams can be a major problem during the winter season. An ice dam is a buildup of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. This water that is building up needs a place to go and often will leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.

Tip:

• Ensure gutters are clean and secure. Leaves and debris accumulate, causing a damming effect on gutters, which could lead to roof problems and water damage. 

Frozen Pipes

Almost everyone in Indiana has experienced a frozen pipe at some point in their life. Frozen pipes can burst at the point of the ice blockage, but more often rupture between the water source and blockage due to the backflow pressure. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly. SERVPRO of Henry and Randolph Counties is faster to any size disaster, bringing the latest equipment and training to help make your water damage "Like it never even happened."

Tips: 

• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes. 
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets run through unheated or uninsulated areas of the structure. 
• Shut off outdoor faucets. Find the faucets shut-off valve in the basement or crawlspace and turn it to "off". Then open the outdoor faucet to help ensure it drains completely and the inner valve is shut off.

Puffbacks

A puffback is a messy furnace malfunction that occurs when an oil burner backfires, sending soot throughout your home or business. Puffbacks can leak soot particles slowly over time. More commonly, puffbacks happen all at once, covering your belongings and structure in a grimy soot. SERVPRO is equipped and trained to quickly and efficiently clean and restore your home or business following a puffback. 

Tip:

• Clean and maintain your HVAC system. Proper maintenance of your furnace can help reduce the risk of puffbacks. 

Have Questions? Call Us Today–(765) 575-8654