Understanding Destructive Tendencies of Winter Weather on Chicago Homes

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Winter weather brings the potential for frozen pipes and ice damming.

Preliminary Efforts can Prevent Costly Damage to Chicago Properties This Winter

Steep temperature drops and brutal winds are a staple of some of the city's worst winter days and nights. With these conditions comes the threat of damage to local homes and businesses, keeping our SERVPRO team on alert to respond fast to help. 

Preparing for Damaging Winter Conditions

During the harsh winter months, conditions like frozen pipes and ice damming in Chicago homes are more frequent than it might seem. Frozen pipes are among the primary causes of restoration and rebuilding in the winter months, making it a situation that needs attention throughout the entire season. Both freezing pipes and ice damming on the roof can be highly destructive to the property, making it essential to avoid these circumstances whenever possible. Here are some options available:

• Circulate Warm Air – Cold snaps and harsh winter nights are not the time to limit warm air in the house. Ensure that you have pathways for warm air to reach all problem areas of your home where possible, like opening cabinets to exposed kitchen pipes. 

• Better Insulate the House and Pipes – Insulation is always a good way to ward off winter's destructive touch on household plumbing. By directly insulating the pipe or improving the insulation of the entire house, cold air has less of an effect.

• Install Heated Cables on Roof – To limit the growth and buildup of ice along the edge of roofs, installing heated cables early in the winter season keeps this area of the property too warm to support ice. 

Cleaning Up After Water Damage

One of the benefits of always having a team of experienced restoration professionals nearby is our ability to help when things get out of hand. While preventative measures can ward off some of the unfortunate circumstances your home might experience in its lifetime, we are always ready to help when necessary. After situations like frozen burst pipes, we mitigate losses with extraction tools and drying equipment. Additionally, we have a general contractor license to help when ice damming has compromised the roof. 

Winter weather can have extreme effects on homes and businesses. A cold snap could spell disaster, but our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team is Here to Help. Contact us anytime you need us at (773) 337-3900.