Fall Preparation for Winter

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Did you get those gutters cleaned and cleared before the cold weather came upon us?  Did you disconnect the outdoor hoses?  And shut off the outside spigots?  There will still be some above freezing days coming our way in order to get that done.  They just won’t be warm tasks to complete!

If you do not get these outdoor chores completed, the brutal cold of a polar vortex could make your life even more inconvenient and uncomfortable.  Those clogged gutters won’t allow the melting snow from the roof to flow easily or freely.  Since water seeks the path of least resistance, it will cascade over the gutters onto sidewalks, landings and other walkways.  This makes for dangerously icy walking spaces.  As it makes its way closer to the foundation of your home, it may find a way through your foundation into your home…  Remember the note about the path of least resistance?!

That snow on the roof that spills over the gutters can become ice dams, damaging roofing, soffits, facia and gutters from the sheer weight of ice and snow.  The water from this can often make its way along the inside walls of your home.  Wet ceilings, walls, insulation, flooring and baseboards can make such a mess.  Left to dry on their own, they can soon harbor mold.  The roof itself can be damaged and continue to have leakage problems.  (NOTE:  Do not use standard rock salt on your roof!  Calcium Chloride based products are safer for roofing materials and will work at lower temperatures.)

If that hose is still connected or the water has not been shut off to those outside spigots, freezing weather causes the water in those lines to expand.  Breaks and cracks are frequently the result.  Where does the water from those broken lines go?  Back into the house, of course, where it is warmer and the water can flow freely!  What a mess!

Yes, “Baby, it’s cold outside!”  But it will only get colder as winter progresses.  Take advantage of the next warmer – above freezing – day and get those outside chores completed.  Otherwise, you will find yourself needing to call SERVPRO of Rockford to make those water damages “Like it never even happened.”