Weathering Winter Storms With SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration after a winter storm in Kansas City resulted in frozen water pipes.

Winter can really wreak havoc on your home and property. When disaster strikes, it is worse when it is freezing outside. All too often, one disaster can lead to another.

Made worse by fluctuating temperatures, ice and snow will intermittently melt and freeze. Add heavy snow or sleet, high winds, and even just the weight of the snow, it can be a massive headache for homeowners.

Winter Storms and Problems

Even if you prepare for winter, freezing temperatures and winter storms can still cause damage.

Roof

Heavy snow and ice can damage your roof, even to the point of collapse. If there were already small cracks or holes, the snow and ice can settle in there. This is bad news.

When the sun hits the roof, the snow and ice melt, soaking into any little crevice it can find. This alone causes damage but when it refreezes, it expands, causing even more damage.

Without proper repairs or insulation, it can cause water to pool and then freeze. It can damage vents, your eaves troughs, and tear up your shingles or tiles. Drips, floods, or worse, a cave-in can mean a big job and a big mess.

If you add in blowing wind and snow or sleet, it can tear the shingles right off, not to mention damage your chimney. The wind can also tear off nearby branches and that can fall against your home, damaging the roof and more.

Siding

When the wind blows it causes pressure against the siding and allows moisture to get up underneath of it all. That can seep into your walls and down into the foundation.

Flooding

Floods are a massive problem in severe weather. Whether they start from the roof or fill your basement, they are a common problem. Melting snow and ice can overwhelm your drainage system and flood the yard, the home, and your neighborhood.

Depending on what pipes have ruptured, there can be a problem with toxic or dangerous substances involved. This is not something you can handle on your own.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen or bursting pipes are one of the most common winter problems we encounter. One of the biggest concerns is that you may not know it has burst until it begins to thaw out again.

This can flood the area and cause structural damage to the home. Floods in cold weather can lead to more damage if the water is running into an unheated area. This can turn your basement or crawl space into a hockey rink.

What’s Next?

If you are caught in a winter storm that has caused some severe damage to your home, you do not need to fix it on your own. If it is a water-related problem, shut off the main water source and call your plumber.

You will need a team who can come in and clean up the damage caused by the broken pipes. You want a company that will arrive quickly, assess the damage, and gets to work right away.

Covering up any open holes or broken windows should be done to prevent further damage before the clean-up can get started. This type of storm damage needs to be treated right away.

Cleaning and Restoration

If you find yourself with winter storm damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown. We provide fast and efficient 24-hour service for emergencies.

We are faster in a disaster and specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive water damage restoration training that helps you get back to normal more quickly.