Water damage is a concern for homeowners in Bountiful, Utah, throughout the year. However, during the winter months, homeowners experience the greatest risk of water damage due to weather conditions such as heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
Water damage occurs when conditions create issues such as leaks or flooding, as well as damage to the home’s structure or foundation. Knowing these risks is the first step towards protecting your home from winter-related issues; also, knowing when to contact a professional for Water Damage Restoration in Bountiful, UT, will save homeowners thousands of dollars in repair costs.
This blog shares the most common causes of water damage in Bountiful and breaks them down into three main categories: ice dams, melting snow, and burst pipes.
How Does Local Weather Affect Water Damage?
In Bountiful, there is a lot of snow, changeable temperatures, and sometimes extreme changes in these temperatures, which can create excellent environments for the accumulation of any moisture that may be hidden. When the dead of winter (or a few days before), large amounts of snow can begin to melt.
The most important step that homeowners can take is to get the professional restoration of any water damage that occurs. Older local residences will likely experience accelerated impacts from winter elements relative to newer homes because of their use of outdated insulation and materials; when moisture permeates the structure, it causes warping of floors along with stains on walls, allows for the growth of mold, and ultimately compromises the home’s structural integrity.
Snow-Melt Gives You A Real Problem
In particular, in Utah and even more so in cities that are located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, like Bountiful, significant amounts of snow create one of the leading causes of water damage.
Heavy snow accumulations that melt quickly, either because of uncharacteristically warm weather or due to a rain event falling upon a pile of previous snow, create large amounts of water running towards homes.
Why Does Snow-Melting Cause Water Damage?
Rapidly rising ambient temperatures may actually force the ground to remain frozen, thereby stopping the standard process of absorption of that cold, melted snow into the ground that would typically occur. Instead, the melted snow forms into a sheet of water that runs down the hillside toward a home(s).
Many times, the melted snow will flow through the cracks in a home’s foundation/wall/crawlspace/doorframe (which are located outside of a home) and into a basement or other area of the home where there is sufficient coverage to not allow the average homeowner to see the damage occur until it becomes very evident.
Often, as this infiltration builds up, it will create a rotting odor or discoloration on the basement walls from mold or mildew growth beneath the floor of the basement or in other areas of the home. In general, the primary locations for damage due to snowmelt will be as follows:
- Basement Water Damage
- Floor Crack Expansion
- Water in Crawl Spaces
- Damage to Siding and External Walls
Calling a Water Restoration Company in Bountiful, Utah will result in the removal of excess water, identification of the initial cause of the problem, and complete drying of the entire house, preventing long-term damage, in addition.
Ice Dams: A Common Roof Problem During Winter Months in Bountiful, Utah
Ice Dams occur as a result of heating from inside the house and allowing the melted snow water to flow down toward the eaves. When the water reaches the eaves, it refreezes, forming an ice dam on the roof, creating an ice dam that traps additional water behind the ice dam.
As the water continues to melt from the snow on the roof, it starts to accumulate behind and on top of the shingles of the roof deck and interior ceilings.
Why Ice Dams Form?
Ice Dams do not only occur with the snow; the ice dam forms because of uneven roof surface temperatures. Poor insulation and poor attic ventilation, in addition to fluctuating winter temperatures, aggravate the situation further. Once the water becomes trapped behind the ice dam, it searches for the least resistance and often enters the attic, into the walls, or into the seams between the ceilings and Walls.
The water entry usually occurs gradually and is hidden from view, and many times the homeowner will only find out they have an ice dam when the ceiling begins to bubble, or stains form on the walls. The damage caused to homes by ice dams can be extremely costly, depending on the severity of the ice dam and the number of affected areas:
- Roof Leaks or Structural Deterioration
- Growth of Mold within the Attic Space
- Impaired Insulation
- Sagging Ceilings and/or Wall Stain
A homeowner who experiences a roof leak or visual signs of moisture within their home should call a team specializing in Water Damage Services in Bountiful as soon as possible to assess the amount of internal damage.
Burst Pipes During Extreme Cold Weather
Many homeowners experience burst pipes due to extreme cold weather conditions. Burst pipe incidents typically cause the most extensive and destructive amounts of flood damage and water damage in a very quick timeframe. This is because a small crack may release hundreds of gallons of water into your home in less than a minute.
What Causes Pipes to Burst Due to Cold Weather?
When water freezes inside a pipe, the water expands approximately 9% of its volume. As a result, the pressure created by the expansion causes the pipe walls to fail and ultimately split open. The pipes that are most likely to experience pipe burst incidents do so in unheated areas and/or poorly insulated spaces such as Crawl Spaces, Attics, Basements, and Exterior Walls.
In many cases, if the outside temperatures go below freezing overnight, a pipe could freeze while the homeowner is sleeping. When the temperature rises again or the pipes thaw, the pipes will then release water at an extremely high-pressure rate. Depending on the amount of water released, flooding can occur within the home, carpets can get soaked, and drywall can be destroyed within minutes.
How to Tell if Your Pipes Are Frozen or About to Burst
Signs to look for in your home:
- Low or No Water Flow
- Frost on Pipes
- Weird Sounds when you turn on your faucet
- Wet Smells near Walls
If your pipe bursts, you will want to shut off the main water supply as soon as possible. Next, you should call a local water damage restoration company in Bountiful, UT, to start the damage mitigation process immediately.
Why Immediate Water Damage Restoration Is Important
The best way to protect your home against mold is to act quickly after you notice any signs of moisture in your home. Mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours after exposure to moisture and can cause serious degradation. As wood framing starts to rot, the structural integrity of the home may be compromised, and electrical hazards can develop behind walls due to the presence of water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damage Restoration
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If I see water damage in my house, what is my first step?
If you see water in your home, immediately turn off your water supply, avoid contacting any old electrical connections within the water-damaged areas, and contact a certified restoration company for an assessment of the damage.
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What can I do to avoid having ice dams on my roof?
Proper ventilation and insulation in attics can help keep the temperature regulated so that ice does not build up in the eaves of your roof.
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Will most insurance cover damage caused by a burst pipe?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover sudden and catastrophic water-related damage that results from a burst pipe, yet water leaks that are due to negligent water loss will not be covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies.
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How fast can mold start to grow in my home after a water damage event?
Depending on the conditions of the surrounding area, mold can grow within 24–48 hours after water has entered your premises.
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Does snow going through (thawing) always flood your basement?
Generally no. Homes that do not have the proper drainage systems, have cracks in foundations, or do not have adequate waterproofing systems are at an increased risk for flooding due to snow melts.
Wrapping Up
When water damage occurs in Bountiful, it can create serious problems. Homeowners need to know the risks involved with water damage from snow melts, frozen pipes, and flooded basements. By keeping up to date on all of the dangers associated with winter water damage and staying vigilant throughout the entire winter months, we can keep our families and homes safe and prevent extensive damage to our property. Need help with water damage restoration? Contact us today to schedule a service.
