Maintaining your Property During Snowy Weather
Winter in Durango is stunning! The vast amount of snow allows for awesome snow sports and activities and then a lot of cozy days at home, but the extra water that comes from snow melt can cause damage to your property. We want to go through some of the main potential problems and share with you our tips on finding a solution.
Problem Area: Condensation on Windows
During winter, the extreme difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures will often cause condensation on the inside of your windows. These water droplets fall to the windowsill and can cause water damage and/or mold buildup at the base of your windows.
Solution:
There are 2 main ways that we help protect your property from water damage from condensation. Firstly, our company proactively checks for worn or damaged window openings during the fall season to prevent wintertime moisture damage. The seals are mold and water-damage-resistant and will go a long way toward protecting your property. During each scheduled inspection, we will check the cleanliness of the windowsills to ensure there is no mold buildup. Staying on top of proactive inspections allows us to note and fix any signs of water damage around your windows.
Problem Area: Inside Flooring Wear
Indoor flooring is designed for comfort and cosmetics, not necessarily water resistance. This can cause a problem because of the extra slush that makes its way inside during the winter months. If melting snow is left on flooring that swells in standing water, like some wood or laminate flooring, or can grow mold if left wet too long, like carpet, then you will end up having to replace flooring more often than you planned.
Solution:
Protecting your indoor floor is pretty simple, but it does involve your tenants keeping up with the melting snow. We recommend that you provide a sturdy entry mat at each of the doors. A boot rack/tray set up at the main entry door of your property can also protect your floors from the extra damage.
We do check all the entry areas for damage during our winter property inspections to help stay on top of any potential problems. Finding water damage early can keep you from having to replace the flooring.
Problem Area: Roof Leaks
Any worn or defective roofing is more susceptible to winter weather damage. The winter weather is hard on exterior surfaces because of the expanding and contracting process of freezing and warming temperatures. And living in Colorado, where the sun causes our temperatures to fluctuate even more than in other states, makes our roofs not last as long as as most people expect.
Other potential roof-related problem areas are the gutters and downspouts. An excessive amount of moisture can make them freeze and overflow, causing water damage to unprotected areas.
Solution:
The best solution for potential winter roof leaks is preventative maintenance. We will help make sure your roof is in good condition before winter. Each spring and fall, we perform a roof inspection and communicate with you about any weak areas and potential fixes needed.
It is also very important to perform a thorough clean-out of all gutters and downspouts before winter weather sets in. This is a part of our winter prep routine. Clean gutters and downspouts are much more likely to allow for water and snowmelt to keep flowing and protect your property from standing water damage.
Extra Tips: Any outdoor water-related storage and equipment must be prepared correctly for winter. Double-check that nothing water related is left in place in your yard (ex: always disconnect hoses from hose spigots before winter). You can further protect your spigots with insulators that connect to your spigot and help keep water lines from freezing. Insulators can be purchased at your local home improvement store.
Problem Area: Ice and Snow Melt Product Damage
Ice melt product damage might be something you have not thought about. Some snow melt products are not made for concrete or brick exteriors. If the wrong product is used, you will end up having to replace expensive landscaping and outdoor walkways.
Solution:
Knowledge is more than half the battle for this one. Make sure you or your tenant always checks the manufacturer information before use. You need a product that doesn’t damage exterior hard surfaces like concrete sidewalks or other surfaces that are on your property.
We hope that this blog can help you stay on top of the potential water damage that comes with the beautiful snow we get here in Colorado. Please reach out to us if you would like to become a part of our winter property preparation and maintenance plan.
Links
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/prepare-for-winter-weather/
https://www.mrhandyman.com/tips-ideas/checklists-resources/winter-maintenance/
