How to Protect Your Home from Winter Weather

House with lots of snow on its roof

Updated January 1st, 2023

If your home is in Twin Falls or the Magic Valley, you know how crazy our winter seasons can get. In fact, back in 2017, Twin Falls had some of the most snow it’s had in the last 100 years! The snow caused a ton of flooding to homes, as well as eroded, collapsed, and even temporarily shut down many roads! The city of Twin Falls even had to close down schools and businesses temporarily because of the crazy weather. The flooding actually got so bad that the governor had to issue a disaster warning.

With all of the flood damage that happened to homes in Twin Falls, Elite Restoration wants to give some tips on how to protect your home from the winter weather! While we aren’t looking to break any snowfall records this year, there are still steps you can take to keep your home safe from the regular winter weather.

Here are 7 ways that you can protect your home this winter season. Of course, these tips apply for homes outside of Idaho, too! If you live somewhere with cold winter weather, these tips are for you, too!

 

Keep Your Rain Gutters Clear

Overflowing rain gutters can let water into your house potentially causing water damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. Your roof is just a large, impermeable surface. All water runoff heads straight to your gutters. If the gutters are clogged, the water can end up going where it isn’t supposed to. In the winter, the water can freeze and expand, causing even more damage than it normally would. It’s vital to keep your rain gutters cleaned out and pointed away from your home, so water doesn’t pool at the base. Check out our post How to Properly Clean Rain Gutters for a more in-depth guide on how to tackle this important chore!

On the subject of the base of your home…

 

Inspect the Foundation and Perimeter

Check your home’s foundation to make sure that no water can enter. If you find that water pools near the foundation, it’s possible that the water can get inside. Large puddles of water can accumulate if the grading at the perimeter doesn’t slope away from your house. If those large puddles of water can’t sink into the ground, they can end up flooding your basement and causing water damage to your home! In addition to checking out the foundation of your home, you should also…

 

Check Your Home’s Siding for Holes

Caulk any cracks and holes that you may find in the home’s siding or foundation. Many people aren’t aware that holes left by cable installation, for example, can leave pipes exposed to the frigid winter air outside.

 

Check Your Roof for Damage

Without the correct insulation in your attic, the heat in your home will escape. This can melt the snow on your roof before the sun does, causing it to run down to a colder part of your roof and freeze. When this happens, it can force the frozen water under roof shingles, which is a recipe for disaster! It also might be wise to invest in a roof rake, which is a tool that lets you to stand safely on the ground in order to brush off snow from the roof.

 

Inspect Your Home’s Water Supply Line

Most rubber water supply lines tend to last for about five years on average, and steel-braided hoses tend to last longer. Check for leaks from your hot water heater, washing machine, ice machine in your refrigerator, and any other appliances that can leak, such as dishwasher or any secondary refrigerators or freezers you may have. This is wise to do at least once a year as soon as it starts getting cold.

 

Shut Off Water Before Leaving Town

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but so many travel during the holidays and sometimes in the hustle and bustle of it all, things like shutting off the water are easily forgotten. If you’d rather not turn it off, you can always ask a friend to check your house at least once while you’re gone to make sure there aren’t any leaks or that no pipes have frozen. Frozen pipes can burst. If this happens when you’re out of town for several days, it can lead to extensive water damage. And speaking of freezing pipes…

 

Maintain the Pipes Inside Your Home

Insulate the pipes under the sinks in your home. Or, expose pipes to your home’s warmth by leaving the cabinet doors open at night. Another possible option is leaving a very small amount of water running at night to keep water flowing, thus preventing potential freezing. Also, check your walls, windows, ceilings, and floors for potential leaks or holes. If a pipe does burst, it’s also a good idea to know where your home’s main water valve is, so that you can shut the water off quickly and prevent further damage.

 

Following these tips can help prevent winter water damage and ensure a warm and cozy season! However, if you live in the Twin Falls area, and if you unfortunately experience any water damage this winter, know that Elite Restoration is here to help, and 24/7 emergency service is available.