When we were children we used to love when winter arrived. Building snowmen, getting into snowballs fights, and my personal favorite school snow days! As we get older we start to see the damage that the cold and the snow cause during the season. Winter can wreak havoc on a Utah home’s exterior. There are several very common problems brought on by the winter months, including but not limited to, damaged roofs, cracked foundations and broken pipes.

Check for Storm Damage

First check your roof, gutters and siding for storm damage. March is the best time to do this because the weather is finally starting to warm up. Getting on your ladder to check your roof for damage is a bit safer, no slick ladder rungs. Check your roof for damage. If you have shingles check for lifting. During the winter, ice could have become lodged in between the shingles causing them to lift and making them weak. Check your attic for any unwanted moisture or water damage from a leaky roof. Check to see so if any spots in your roof are loose or missing. If your roof has been damaged you may want to think about repairs sooner than later. The next heavy rain could lead to a water damage disaster.

Make sure your gutters are clear of debris and in working order. This includes checking your drain spouts for any dents, or rusting. This is also a good time to check for ice dams. Ice dams are formed by melting snow that freezes at the edge of your roof line. Ice dams most commonly form at the edge of your roof, but that is not always the case. Once the ice dam forms it will prevent the melted water from draining down the gutters and then the trapped water will build up. Over time it will back up underneath the roof shingles and make its way into your home. During the winter months you are going to want to watch closely for the icicles confined around the gutter of your property. When icicles are present, usually an ice dam is present as well. In the winter months you’ll want to remove icicles as soon as possible to avoid water damage issues in the Spring. Check your attic for moisture or water stains if you think you have had issues with ice dams over the winter.

Check small spaces like attics and basements for signs of water damage. Signs of water damage may include moisture, water marks, mold or mildew. Water damage is 10 times more likely to occur in your Utah home than a fire.

The winter cold isn’t picky when it comes to damage. You will want to check your water pipes for any freezing, cracking, or leaking. You may think that a frozen pipe would be noticeable, and most of the time they are, but there are times when a frozen pipe doesn’t affect the water pressure. The aftermath of a slow leak can be devastating because the water damage can go unnoticed for an extended period of time.

The harsh winter weather can also wreak havoc on your home’s foundation. The cold weather conditions and the melting snow at the end of the season can cause your foundation to crack and deteriorate. You may want to check your basement for flooding or water damage.

If you need help checking your home for water damage after the winter season or your home has suffered from water damage contact the water damage experts at Swift Restoration in Utah. Our certified technicians are ready to help you in your time of need!