Water damage claims are the top insurance claims in Canada. And while that may be true overall, you don’t have to experience it this winter. As a homeowner or renter, water damage can be a scary thing. But you can prevent your home from acquiring water damage over the winter with Grimebusters’ help. Keep reading about methods you can use to keep your home safe this winter.

Prevent Bursting or Leaking

Burst pipes are a common occurrence in homes. Your roof is exposed to the elements year-round. Unfortunately, this can mean it sustains damage over time. If you notice that your walls or ceiling have water stains or that your shingles are cracked or curled, you might have a leak in your roof that leads to water damage in your home. Your drywall can expand and crumble if water damage occurs, which can mean water damage restoration work in the near future and potential mould growth in the meantime. Another scenario that can occur during the colder months is water freezing over in pipes, expanding to the point where the metal warps and often bursts. If your pipes burst, it can spill water into every area of your home and lead to significant damage. 

To prevent your roof and pipes from causing water damage, keep your home warm, even while you are away. Allowing the house to grow cold may save on energy, but at subzero temperatures, you may experience plumbing and roof problems. This simple solution is the best preventative measure. If this is not possible, leave your taps dripping to avoid the water from freezing as quickly. If your pipes are insulated and your shingles regularly replaced, you are in a better position already for the winter.

Waterproof Your Basement

Basement flooding can happen to anyone and for a couple of different reasons: sump pump failure, cracks in the foundation, and groundwater drainage. Luckily, Grimebusters offers water damage restoration services that include foundation repair, drywall installation, plumbing, electrical and more. 

In order to prepare for the worst-case scenario, make sure to keep everything off the floor by at least five inches—and if your basement isn’t finished, that should be a priority! Know the location of the water shutoff valve, and install a sump pump alarm in case of sump pump failure. Grimebusters has worked with many basement floods, and we have written a whole blog dedicated to waterproofing your basement before flooding happens to you.

Watch the Sloping of Land

The most proactive thing you can do to avoid water from seeping into older homes is to ensure the soil grading around your home is up to standard, and to check it often. The land should slope away from the foundation, not be level or slope towards it. Any damaged or older foundation is susceptible to collecting runoff, which puts your home at risk. Make sure that you do not push the snow toward your home and inspect your foundation for leaks and cracks regularly.

24/7 Water Damage Restoration For Edmonton Residents

Water damage restoration can be easy. Trust professionals who have been in the industry for more than two decades, cleaning everything from carpets to biohazards. We are happy to offer full reconstruction and water damage restoration services to the Edmonton area. Contact Grimebusters to access friendly and knowledgeable staff. We’d love to hear from you!