The forecast here in Kalispell still calls for freezing temperatures through January and they are not going away any time soon. While we may be used to cold weather, one thing we may not be used to is water damage restoration as a result of the cold. Freezing temperatures could present some serious water damage problems for your home.

Water Damage Restoration Kalispell

Some of the most common causes of water damage restoration our experts at Xtreme Carpet Cleaning and Restoration have encountered during the winter are:

Frozen Pipes

Water has the unusual characteristic of expanding when it freezes. Whatever is confining it, the pipe is put under great pressure as a result of this expansion. No matter how sturdy the pipe is, if the pressure is not released, it will eventually either leak or burst, leaving you with water damage once the water thaws. Pipes that are subject to extreme cold like those in non-heated locations of your home (i.e. garages, attics, and basements) are more prone to freezing because they lack proper insulation and are more exposed to cold. To help avoid needing water damage restoration from a frozen pipe, you should consider the following steps:

• Consider adding more insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces so that they do not have as many temperature fluctuations when the temperature drops. 
• If more insulation is not in the books for you, simply add insulation to the pipes themselves. Pipe sleeves, heat cables, or heat tape are just a couple of insulation types that can be applied to pipes themselves to keep them from freezing. 
• When you know the temperature is going to drop below freezing, allow the cold water to trickle from the faucet. Even turning on the faucet enough for a slow drip will keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing inside the pipe. 

Ice Dams

Ice dams are ridges of ice that develop at the edge of roofs and obstruct the flow of water from melting snow on your roof. The water that builds up behind the dam can leak into your home, causing harm to the insulation, walls, and ceilings – requiring water damage restoration to solve the problem. Mold and mildew can also form in homes where water from ice dams has found its way inside. The heat that rises from your home is what causes the snow to melt on the roof, feeding the ice dam. To help prevent ice dams from forming, ensure that your attic vents are allowing adequate airflow through them, and even consider adding extra insulation to the attic to help keep the temperature from fluctuating too much along your roof. 

Since we know that winter weather is going to be here for a while longer, it is also important to know what our homes are up against. If you find yourself in need of water damage restoration from frozen pipes, ice dams, or any other cause, call Xtreme Carpet Cleaning and Restoration right away.