Common Types of Water Damage to Watch for During Winter

Water can damage your San Diego home any time of year. Still, the winter season brings a unique set of challenges that could increase the risk. Southern California winters may be milder than most, but you must remain on your guard for common types of water damage in the winter so you can actively prevent them.

How Can Water Damage Your San Diego Home in the Winter?

Most Southern California residents don’t need to worry about snowmelt, ice dams, and other snow-related water damage. After all, it has only snowed in San Diego five times in the last 125 years. Still, water damage can come from several other sources, including:

• Frozen and burst pipes: While the average wintertime low hovers around 50 degrees, frozen pipes are certainly not unheard of in San Diego. In fact, exposed pipes and poor insulation run rampant in our mild climate, making cold snaps particularly damaging.
• Flash flooding: January is San Diego’s wettest month, though the average rainfall is just 2.28 inches. Still, heavy rain has definitely made an impact in California this winter, leading to destructive flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
• Overflowing gutters: Clogged gutters prevent the roof from draining properly. When water flows over the sides and soaks the soil near the foundation, cracking and shifting are more likely to occur.
• Leaky water heater: Cold outdoor temperatures force your water heater to work harder, which could increase the risk of leaks.

Tips for Preventing Water Damage

While insurance often covers flood restoration costs, this isn’t always true. And even if you receive reimbursement, it’s best to avoid problems in the first place. Here’s how to protect your San Diego home from water damage this winter:

• Insulate your pipes: If you have exposed plumbing on exterior walls, add foam pipe insulation to shield against falling temperatures.
• Keep your home warm: Never set the thermostat below 55 degrees, even if you leave town. This helps keep pipes warm and prevents them from freezing.
• Improve soil grading and drainage: Keep floodwater at bay by ensuring the ground slopes away from your home. Adding a French drain can also help prevent the soil around the foundation from becoming oversaturated.
• Clean the gutters: Remove dead leaves, pine needles, and other gunk from your gutters every fall. Check them in the spring as well, and clean the gutters again if necessary.
• Maintain your water heater: Flush the tank once a year to remove sediment, and replace the anode rod as needed to protect the water heater from rusting through.

If your home or business succumbs to water damage this winter, turn to Pacific Flood Restoration for help. Our water damage restoration services aim to return your property to its pre-flood condition as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. We use state-of-the-art water removal and structural drying techniques for the best results. To request a water damage consultation, please call us at 832-294-5462 or contact us online today. We serve Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, and other communities across North County.