Most of us think that summer and spring is the worst season for home flooding. During these seasons, the high amount of rain can soften the soil allowing the water to penetrate your home. However, home flooding is just as possible during winter. During this coldest time of the year, your home can still be exposed to home flooding.
However, it doesn’t mean that your home should suffer from flooding during winter. When your home is flooded, it can be uncomfortable for you, not to mention putting your home at risk for greater water damage. Fortunately, there are ways on how to prevent your house from flooding situations in the winter. Here are some tips for you:
- Protect your home foundation
Heavy snowfall can happen and when there is a sudden thaw, this ice and snow can melt quickly and may find its way into the cracks and into your home. Worst is, when the water freezes over in the cracks of your home, it can widen the cracks and weaken your foundation. Make sure you remove this snow so it will not seep into your home. Do not let the snow pile up within your home’s perimeter. Shovel them away from your home to prevent interior flooding when they start melting.
- Remove snow from the roof
Your roof is as important and vulnerable as your foundation. Snow piling up on your roof can get heavy and damage the structure. Heavy snow on your roof can leak into your home when it melts plus it can cause structural damage too. And when there is structural damage, there is also a great possibility of water infiltration. Do not let the snow pile up for more than 2 feet on your roof.
- Avoid ice dams
An ice dam is a common problem that many homeowners experience during winter. When your home lacks proper insulation, the heat escapes your home through the roof; melting the ice and snow on it, creating a pool of water. The problem occurs when this pool of water refreezes and blocks any drainage.
- Clean up your gutters
The main purpose of your gutters is to let the water flow through and direct it away from your home’s foundation. However, your gutters won’t be able to perform its function effectively if there is debris such as falling leaves and twigs blocking it. A clogged gutter can overflow and may flood your foundation. Before the winter arrives, clear up your gutters with everything that can block the flow of water.
- Seal all the leaks
Water from the outside can infiltrate your home and causes interior flooding if there are cracks and leaks somewhere in your home. You can check your home yourself for any cracks or call a professional to do the job for you. Make sure to seal the cracks you found with a waterproof sealant to make sure that winter water will not be able to seep through it.
