Tips for Preventing Winter Water Damage

If sudden snow or freezing temperatures catch you off guard, you can end up with a lot of costly water damage in your home. If temperatures drop too low, your pipes can freeze and burst, leading to leaks where you can't always see them right away. Melting snowfall can also wreak havoc the exterior and interior of your home, particularly when it seeps in through your roof.

To prevent costly repairs from winter water damage, check out our tips below!

Keep Your Pipes Insulated

Protecting your pipes should be your first course of action when it comes to preventing water damage. You can find insulation explicitly made for pipes at relatively low costs in just about any hardware store.

You can keep inaccessible pipes warm by setting your home's thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and leaving your kitchen and bathroom cupboards open. This allows the warm air from your home to warm pipes that you can't physically reach.

Clear Out the Gutters

Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of water damage during winter. They tend to become clogged during the fall, but many homeowners don't realize this until it's too late. Before your gutters end up destroying your home, make sure to check and clean them routinely. Remove any rocks, leaves, nests, and debris that have accumulated to prevent them from clogging and overflowing.

Invest in Coverage

When we talk about investing in coverage, we’re not talking about your homeowners insurance. There are other forms of coverage that can keep your house safe such as sewage-backup coverage. The storm drains might become overwhelmed due to all the water coming from the rain and snow.

This can actually cause sewage and water to flood your home. If you can catch it before it does anything harmful, then you won’t have to worry about much. But if things take a turn for the worst, the insurance can help pay for any damages.

Regardless of the season, no homeowner wants to deal with water damage. However, if you suspect that water damage has taken place in your home, don’t wait to take care of the problem! The first step toward fixing it is getting the damaged area inspected by a professional.

For quality water damage inspections, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

Big and Small Ways to Make Your Home Warmer and Cozier

You’re tired of constantly being cold at home, but on the other hand, you’re also worried about your energy costs. Is there a way to feel warm and cozy at home without having to contend with a monster heating bill at the end of each month?

Yes! In fact, here are six adjustments and improvements you can make around the house to feel warmer and lower your utility costs simultaneously.

1. Cover your crawl space floor.

If your crawl space floor is nothing but dirt, it could be making your home a lot colder than you realize. As warm air rises through your home, cool air from your cold, damp crawl space moves in to fill its place. This is known as the stack effect. Covering your crawl space floor with a vapor barrier will not only prevent cold air from entering into your home, but it will also prevent mold and moisture issues.

2. Seal your windows and doors.

To lower your energy bills, invest in some caulk and weatherstripping! Weatherstripping prevents drafts from sneaking in and out through the gaps between doors and their frames. Weatherstripping also works for windows that you intend to open and close. You can use caulk for windows that are not made to be opened.

3. Make sure your air vents are exposed and open.

Sometimes air vents end up hidden away under a rug or behind a piece of furniture. Inspect your home to make sure that none of the air vents are covered up. Also, make sure that the registers over the vents are open. Closing registers in specific rooms to try to control your home’s temperature will create pressure issues and inhibit your HVAC system’s ability to heat your home effectively.

4. Keep window coverings open during the day.

If you have rooms that get a lot of sunlight, take full advantage! Leaving the curtains or blinds drawn will allow the sun to warm up the room. Not only will your heater get some help, but you can cut down on your lighting costs as well with some of that free illumination.

5. Close window coverings at night.

Your house had a chance to warm up during the day. Once the sun goes down, you’ll want to keep as much of that warmth inside as possible! Close all of your curtains and blinds to prevent heat loss during the night. Thermal curtains are especially effective for retaining heat and can make a room feel a few degrees warmer than it would with only standard curtains.

6. Invest in proper insulation for your home.

When your home was built, it may have contained top-of-the-line insulation at the time. However, the insulation available today may be much more effective than what you have currently. Check out ENERGY STAR’s website to see what the recommended insulation R-Value is for your region of the U.S., and consult an expert about possible upgrades.

Need debris removed from your crawl space before you cover it? Contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for thorough crawl space cleaning services.

The Best Types of Floors for Bathrooms

Because of the humidity released by baths and showers, your bathroom is one of the most mold-prone areas of your home. Plus, no matter how hard you try, your bathroom floor is going to get wet, which can increase the chances of a mold problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a bathroom floor material that’s easy to clean and that will repel moisture.

Before moving forward with your bathroom makeover, these are the ideal types of flooring you’ll want to consider.

The Look of Wood Without the Risks: Vinyl Plank Flooring

If tile is not your cup of tea and you prefer a more rustic look, vinyl plank flooring might be the perfect option for you. It looks like wood planks but does not require the same level of maintenance.

All of this material’s surfaces, including its seams, are completely waterproof. Also, this type of flooring is relatively easy to install for DIY-ers and easy to remove and replace. Just keep in mind that the price is going to vary significantly with the look and quality level.

The Most Versatile: Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

Whether your tastes are traditional or contemporary, you can find a tile style to match your taste. Tiles come in a variety of hues, textures, sizes, and shapes, allowing your floor to take the spotlight or blend discreetly into the background.

Porcelain tile is just one type of ceramic tile. Porcelain, in particular, is categorized by the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) as having a water absorption rate of no more than 0.5 percent. Ceramic tile is waterproof—just remember that you’ll have to seal the grout to prevent mold and mildew.

The Best Resale Value: Natural Stone

When correctly sealed, natural stone is an excellent, durable flooring choice for bathrooms (though at a luxury price point). Polished marble has a classic elegance that can suit modern or traditional tastes. Granite and limestone offer an earthier appeal that’s perfect for transforming your bathroom into your private spa.

Though natural stone will last the longest of these flooring options and offer you the best resale value, it will require regular resealing to protect against moisture. Also, to ensure the stone is cut precisely to your bathroom’s specifications, it’s best to hire a professional to install this flooring.

Do you need a water damage survey in your bathroom? Contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration today at 631-940-8100.