Ask The Experts: Water can be fun, and not so much (Part 2)

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to water, there are so many good things. Water parks are fun. Water after a hard workout tastes refreshing. A hot shower can help to start your morning off right. However, there are some bad things that water can bring as well, and today, we are going to discuss some ways to prevent those bad water situations. 

Prevent Ice Dams from forming. In the cold Indiana winter, an ice dam forms when warm air from the attic melts the snow on the roof which freezes in the cold air. If left unchecked, the ice can build up and push into cracks between the walls and roof. Leading to leaks which can cause water damage throughout your home. Prevention of this includes:

• Have your gutters and downspouts cleaned, inspected, and repaired during the fall to ensure clear passage of water. 
• Insulate your attic properly — heat in the home should not reach the attic. Warm air can melt the snow on the roof, which refreezes, forming ice dams. Make sure the attic floor is airtight by sealing any openings.
• Provide enough ventilation to the attic to keep the roof cool. Warm air should escape through vents near the top of the attic. Cold air should flow in through vents near the eaves. The temperature in the attic should be 5 to 10 °F warmer than the outside temperature.
• Remove the snow on your roof when it’s about six inches deep. Use a roof rake or a long-handled brush to remove the snow without a ladder.

The best way to prevent water damage is to maintain and upkeep the quality of your home. These small, affordable home projects can prevent large, expensive calls down the road. 

If water damage does hit your home or business, call the professionals at SERVPRO! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get things back to "Like it never even happened."