Michigan Water Damage

Wherever you have snow and roofs you have the potential of ice dams. Michigan, like most other upper Midwestern states, sees its fair share of property damage caused by ice damming on roofs of homes and businesses. Ice dams are so pervasive in areas with harsh winters, that a good number of residents suffer water damage to their homes without even knowing it. The problem is exacerbated where an unfinished attic is used only for storage space, because homeowners fail to catch the early signs of water damage.

Ice dams are formed during frequent warm/cold cycles where snow on the roof melts and runs down to the gutters. Since gutters and eaves are generally colder than the roof itself, any water that gets trapped in gutters freezes when the temperature drops. The first freeze begins the process of building up an ice dam. As water continues to run down the roof and is trapped by the already formed ice, it also freezes. This process continues as ice climbs farther and farther up the roof. Any water behind that ice gets forced underneath the shingles, where it forms small ponds that will damage the underlying structure of the roof.

Roof rakes are one solution to help prevent ice dams. If you live in a ranch or split-level style home, the roof rake is an ideal way to keep snow and ice off the roof. If you live in a 2 1/2 story colonial or Victorian-style house, a roof rake may not be an option for you. Just remember that you should never attempt to use a roof rake while standing on a ladder, and you should never climb up onto the roof during the winter months. If you cannot access your roof safely with a roof rake, your next best option is to ensure proper attic insulation and ventilation.

Experts recommend attic insulation with an R-value of 38 for states like Michigan. You need to insulate not only the roof of your attic, but also the floors. Doing so prevents excess heat from rising into the attic from the rooms below. Proper ventilation will prevent the attic from getting too warm and contributing to the freeze/thaw cycle. Peak ventilation is optimal because it provides the best airflow and a more constant room temperature along the entire length of the attic.

If you see an excess number icicles forming on your gutters or eaves you may be facing an ice dam and subsequent damage. Do what you can to safely remove snow and ice from your roof. And next year, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean long before the snow flies. If your property experiences roof problems, water or flood damage problems you may need to call a restoration company to help remove the ice, fix your roof and repair any damages that have occurred as a result.

As a Michigander, you know that winters can be brutal. Not only does the state of Michigan receive a large amount of snow during the typical winter but the temperatures can be downright bone-chilling as they can dip far below zero during any month of the winter season.

This means that you need to be aware of the fact that your Michigan home is susceptible to frozen pipes. The term ‘frozen pipes’ is considered a dirty work in the state of Michigan because no homeowner would wish this calamity on their worst enemy. Waking up one morning, stepping in shower and finding out that you have no water because your pipes are frozen is enough to make you want to pack it all up and head down to Florida! Worse yet, your frozen pipes can burst and we don’t even want to go there, do we?

So how do you prepare your Michigan home so that you do not have to experience the nightmare of frozen pipes? An “ounce of prevention goes a long way so they say and being proactive and taking a few preventative measures can potentially save you thousands of dollars in the future. You should insulate your pipes before the cold sets in and do some things outside like disconnect your garden hose from the house so that the water inside doesn’t freeze and cause pressure to build, which can burst the pipes going into your home.  Hopefully you have already disconnected your hose but if not, do so immediately.

If you are planning on going away during the winter, as many Michiganders do, be sure to set the thermometer in your home to about 57 degrees. This temperature will be warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing. Ask someone you trust to check on your house every couple of days just in case a water leak occurs. You should also allow a slow trickle of water to drip from the faucets in your house as this too can prevent pipes from freezing.

If you do get frozen pipes be sure to turn the water off at the main valve. If the pipes are not split or broken, allow water to run from the nearest faucet and then try to warm the pipes by using a blow dryer, electric heating pad or a heat lamp. Do not ever use a torch as the pipe may very well explode. Many Michigan homeowners falsely believe that pipes burst because of freezing but it is actually water pressure that causes the rupture. Be smart, stay warm and enjoy the beauty that the Michigan winter offers!

You can rely on the following local services for help with water damage in Michigan:

Flood Cleanup Michigan, Taylor Water Damage Restoration, Michigan Water Damage Repair

You can receive expert cleaning and repair services from the above local water damage service providers. It’s very important to remember that water damage can lead to mildew and mold in as short as the first 48 hours, ensure that your home is properly dried on to reduce this risk.