Prepare Your Property for Winter!

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

#winterize #frozenpipe #waterrestoration #watermitigation #floodedbasement #rebuild #restoration #waterextraction #24houremergencyservice #restoration

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not properly prepared. Whether it is heavy rain, freezing temperatures, damaging winds, sleet or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the following precautions to protect your property before colder weather hits.

• Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries
• Roofs, water pipes and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can lead to a damming effect that can lead to roof damage and interior water problems.
• Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
• Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.
• Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open allowing Warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe.
• Ask SERVPRO of Dane County West about completing an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) for your business. The ERP is a no cost assessment to your facility, and provides you with a plan to get back in business fast following a disaster.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells.  This allows warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets run through unheated or uninsulated areas of your home.
• Consider shutting off outdoor faucets.  Find the shut-off valve in the basement or crawl space and turn it to off. 
• If you follow the previous step, then open the outdoor faucet to help ensure it drains completely and the inner valve is shut off. 
• Ensure gutters are clean and secure.  Leaves and debris accumulate, causing a damming effect on gutters, which could lead to roof problems and water damage. 
• Proper maintenance of your furnace can help reduce the risk of puffbacks. 

When winter strikes, call SERVPRO of Dane County West to strike back.

24/7 Emergency Services, #608-497-3331

http://www.SERVPROdanecountywest.com/blog

SERVPRO of Dane County West wish you a safe and happy holiday season!