Procrastination Can Lead to a Cold-Water Damage Reality for Minneapolis Homes
Unseasonably warm autumn days can lull Minneapolis homeowners into a false sense of security. October temperatures persistently in the high 80s encourage gardeners to succumb to the temptation to slow down and enjoy another round of homegrown cucumber and tomato salad while grilling in summer shorts.
The unexpected warmth masks an annual truth familiar to anyone who knows about the Halloween Blizzard of 1991, with its eight and a half inches of snow, or the infamous Armistice Day blizzard on November 11, 1940, which started with 65-degree temperatures but deteriorated into a 27-inch snow total. Winter always arrives in Minnesota, bringing the risk of significant water damage that requires restoration, especially if a Minneapolis homeowner fails to complete fall maintenance tasks.
Why Fall Maintenance Is Essential
When the snow flies and the first hard freeze hits, outdoor plumbing, leaf-clogged gutters, and improperly maintained outdoor plumbing become water damage nightmares. Science teaches that when water freezes, it expands. Water lingering in garden hoses, sprinkler lines, or outdoor faucets can cause pipes to split, often without immediate harm. But when a thaw comes, perhaps months later, a crack can become a torrent, and by then, it is too late. Burst lines can send hundreds of gallons of water into basements or behind walls. Prevention costs pennies compared to the expense and disruption of water damage restoration.
Protect Your Home Before Temperatures Plunge
-
Drain and disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets.
-
Shut off the inside valve leading to the outdoor faucet, and then open the tap to allow any residual water to drain.
-
Winterize irrigation systems by using compressed air to blow out the lines, shutting off the supply line for the season.
-
Clean gutters and downspouts thoroughly, and have a plan in place to complete this task twice if leaves cling to the trees during a delayed start to cold weather. Leaf clogs invite ice dams and roof leaks, necessitating water damage restoration as winter progresses.
-
Check grading and foundation drainage to direct snow melt away from your home.
Early autumn warmth makes it easy to put off these chores. Homeowners who procrastinate will pay the price. Once the ground freezes and the snow piles up, the opportunity to make minor fixes vanishes, much like trying to close the barn door after the blizzard starts.
Professional Water Damage Restoration Available in Minneapolis
Preparation is the best form of protection from the restoration demands of preventable water damage. While Lightspeed Restoration of the East Metro has the specialized tools and certified technicians to address any water damage, the goal is to keep your home safe and dry long before an emergency develops. Take advantage of these lingering mild days to perform critical maintenance and prepare for whatever Minnesota weather delivers next.
Be mindful that a sudden temperature drop can catch you off guard as weather returns to its more typical pattern. Minneapolis homes risk a water damage restoration crisis if fall maintenance lists are incomplete. Lightspeed Restoration of the East Metro is ready to help at (651) 459-2662, without judgment, but with recommendations that can help prevent water damage in the future.
Lightspeed Restoration of the Twin Cities East Metro
(651) 459-2662