Cold temperatures are making an impact on many New Jersey property owners, SERVPRO has property damage mitigation and restoration services to help

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, frozen water, snow, and ice can cause significant property damage

Severe winter weather property damage including pipe bursts and frozen water leaks: a winter water damage emergency

Frigid winter temperatures are common here in the Northeast, over the next several weeks Middlesex County and the surrounding areas will likely have variable freezing temperatures. Frozen water damage events and pipe breaks are one of the most common causes of property damage in our area. These lower temperatures cause a new set of seasonal property disasters including frozen pipes, ice dams and other frozen water damage concerns that can cost property owners thousands. Every winter our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury disaster property restoration professionals help countless home and business owners in Middlesex County, with the restoration, mitigation, cleaning and repair of their residential and commercial property following a frozen water property disaster.

A Professional Inspection can determine the many factors that specify the exact process for your property damage recovery: level of water, type of contamination, and amount of exposure all play a vital role in the balance between restore and replace.

Our SERVPRO staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

WINTER WATER PROPERTY DAMAGE

• ICE DAMS
  Ice dams occur after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures, common weather conditions in the Northeast during winter. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt. The melted water refreezes on the cold overhang and can form icicles and an ice dam on the roof and gutters. This process can cause damage to the roof which can cause water to leak into the home causing water damage to the ceiling, walls, insulation, and other areas.
  
  
• LEAKING BASEMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS
  Basement and ground floor apartment flooding are a common occurrence for many homeowners throughout New Jersey, the impact of heavy snow, ice and rain can overflow sewer drains and pavement often leading to water leaks, flooding, and other types of lower lever water damage. Ground level flooding can lead to significant structural damage, destroy furnishings and other belongings, and commonly lead to elevated mold and humidity issues.
  
  
• FROZEN WATER PIPES
  When Northeast temperatures drop to at or below freezing, the water flowing in your plumbing has the potential to freeze. Water expands when it freezes, the expansion of the frozen water can cause a rupture, causing catastrophic flood damage. It’s important to note that the break often occurs between the frozen point and the faucet, as the ice blocks the pipe and the water pressure increases leading to stress on the pipe. Pipes that run through the exterior walls are particularly at risk, but those that run through low- or uninsulated attics and crawl spaces can also freeze.

Although these frozen water damage situations are very common, sometimes the damage could have largely been prevented by taking a few preventative steps ahead of time. These are a few tips you can take to try and avoid turning the coming frigid days and nights into inconvenient and expensive property disasters.

HELP PREVENT WINTER WEATHER & FREEZING WATER ISSUES WITH THESE TIPS

• Exposed pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, so insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes and prevent ice dams.
• Seal air leaks in your attic, basement,­­­ and exterior walls, look for air leaks around electrical wiring, vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
• To avoid ice dam concerns, add roof and soffit vents to regulate the air temperature close to the underside of the roof.
• Sump pumps and sub-floor drainage systems are typically used to avoid the continued damage associated with basements and other foundation issues.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
• Let warm water drip overnight, from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

New Jersey weather can be unpredictable even when winter temperatures aren’t extremely cold; property water damages happen to home and business owners often. When water begins spilling across the floor or filling the basement, it is usually from a failed water heater shut-off valve or a split line on a washing machine. Many factors contribute to the length and cost of your property damage cleanup and restoration project, including the amount and type of water involved, length of time before service and the total area impacted. Our qualified and experienced staff can help answer your disaster restoration questions and provide a step-by-step plan for a full recovery of your flooded commercial or residential property.