Spring Checkup: How to Inspect Your Property for Winter Damage

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

With a long winter behind us, New Yorkers can look forward to blooming flowers and spring cleaning. To make sure your home is in good shape, here are some tips to inspect for damage to save you money in the long term from property damage.

Even after a mild winter, it is critical to assess your property’s exterior to make sure the cold weather hasn’t left you with water damage. It is also important to react quickly and take the necessary steps to prevent property damage from compounding effect of rain showers to come this spring.

Winter weather can be hard on your residential and commercial property be sure to look for problems that frigid temperatures, snow and ice may have caused.

Winter storms are accompanied by lots of moisture – snow, freezing rain, ice, hail and wind. This can create common issues like ice dams, frozen pipes and frost heave that may cause damage to your home or business. SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan is always here to help resolve your property damage restoration needs quickly.

Our local disaster restoration services includes:

• Inspection and Assessment of any damaged areas
• Water Removal
• Water Extraction
• Drying and Dehumidification
• Cleaning and Repairs
• Restoration and Reconstruction, as necessary.

There are several common problem areas to inspect during spring for potential damage, including your roof and gutter system, foundation and yard, plumbing system and your property’s exterior. From the top down these areas could see potential damage from the worst that the winter elements can bring. 

From your roof to your plumbing, here are some signs of damage to look out for:

Roof and Gutter System Damage

The function of your roof and gutter system is to remove excess water from your property to prevent damage. High winds, hail and winter storms can tear off or destroy shingles and ice can obstruct the flow of water in gutters and downspouts, allowing water to breach the structure. Winter forces can cause obvious holes in your roof from wind or branches, but additionally less noticeable damage from hail or other debris can cause indentations and divots that overtime can lead to ice and moisture damage. Heavy buildup of ice on your roof can cause your gutters and downspouts to separate from your roofline, disrupting the flow of water and cause water intrusion and damage to the inside of your home or business. 

Window, Door and Exterior Damage

Cold temperatures, snow and hail can take a toll on the structure of your property including the windows, doors and exterior of your home or business. Without proper repair, peeling paint, cracks in sealant and other damage could lead to moisture infiltration and a water damage disaster. After winter passes, damaged paint should be removed, primed, sealed and repainted. Cracks and air leaks should be sealed and repaired to prevent more devastating damage later, and missing siding should be replaced before springtime showers arrive to prevent additional water and structural damages.

Foundation and Other Drainage Problems

Another potential casualty of winter weather is your foundation and yard. Hairline cracks in the concrete of a foundation that develop naturally over time can expand, causing major structural damage over time if not properly taken care of quickly. Water can find its way into cracks, freeze and make them larger during the frigid cold months of winter. Getting your foundation repaired in the spring can help prevent more problems from developing as time goes by. The best way to avoid foundation damage is to keep moisture moving away from your foundation. Each spring check your gutters and downspouts for debris or clogs, make sure they are functioning properly, and that they drain at least 10 feet away from your home. Make sure the ground around your home is graded away from your foundation and consider adding a rain garden to your property to combat a bigger problem.

Plumbing Damage

Another vulnerable system in your home or business that could be damaged from cold winter temperatures is your plumbing. To adequately deliver water to and from your sinks, boiler, and your plumbing system keeps the water forever flowing. However, during cold winter days and nights cracks and stresses can occur and eventually lead to leaks and pipe breaks that can have a damaging effect on your local commercial or residential property. Remember to survey your pipes regularly for cracks and leaks, paying closest attention to the pipes that are closest to the elements or in poorly insulated areas such as the basement or crawlspace, or outside walls and attics. Take this opportunity to add some additional insulation as a precautionary measure for the future winter weather to come.

Preventing Property Damage Starts With Routine Inspection

Taking a proactive approach to property damage starts with inspecting your property for damage. First and Secondary water damage is multi-faceted and can affect almost every area of your home or business which had water or flood intrusion. If you see any signs of suspected water damage or other types of property damage including mold, smoke, biohazard, your best course of action is to contact SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan. We are trained and certified to handle your water restoration, mold remediation, and other cleanup and property restoration needs. We can arrive quickly perform an inspection, and get you started on the road to recovery and restoration, “Like it never even happened.” 

Need help with Storm Damage? Give us a call at (212) 768-9400!