Freezing Weather Condition and Water Damage
Home damage triggered by freezing weather takes place more frequently and produces higher damage than is commonly believed. When water freezes, its volume boosts by approximately eleven percent and this expansion applies remarkable force. This force is sufficient to break concrete and even steel! When even a small amount of water freezes and enters a structure, the resulting expansion more damages and deteriorates the structure enabling more water to get in. The damage cycle continues till the source problem (the preliminary entry point) is repaired.
A variety of variables acting independently or together add to freeze damage. A drop in temperature, the type of structure construction, the quantity and quality of insulation, the instructions and force of wind, and other weather condition related conditions are all contributing factors.
An occupied structure is not completely devoid of freeze related damages, even when it is built to stand up to freezing weather condition and is appropriately kept and heated up. Nevertheless, a significant amount of freeze damage occurs when a structure is not inhabited, especially if the owners are chosen a prolonged duration, and the heating system is not on during the freezing weather. In northern climates, many people go south for the winter. They winterize their homes before they leave by draining pipes the pipes system and adding antifreeze to plumbing components. Regularly this is not completely effective, and the owners find freeze damage when they return.
The damage then is found only after the water is turned back on and escapes from that break. As a result, a freeze triggered leak is just found when water damage to floors, carpet, walls, or ceilings becomes noticeable. The leakage has currently caused some degree of damage.
People living in the south normally consider themselves immune from this type of damage. Since of this sense of security, building and construction in the southern parts of the country typically does not sufficiently consider that fact that the temperature level does occasionally drop below freezing. Then damage will occur when that happens and property is badly insulated.
Winter wind, ice or snow storms frequently damage electric power lines and devices leading to interruptions of electric power. The majority of heating unit depend upon electrical power, and when the power goes off, so does the heat. In severe winter, this can lead to comprehensive freeze damage prior to power is restored.
Structures that are inadequately designed and do not stand up to weather well can contribute to their own damage. Lots of old buildings were not insulated at all. To avoid freezing, plumbing lines were frequently run along the inside of interior walls and ceilings instead of enclosed within the walls. In many cases, lots of lines simply ran inside un-insulated walls. Throughout renovation of some old houses, blown or foam insulation has been added into wall cavities between outside and interior wall surface areas and between each stud. This procedure numerous times served to insulate heat far from pipelines that were situated within walls and adjacent to the exterior wall surface areas or in attics, actually making them more susceptible to freezing.
When freeze growth happens, such pipes will often divide open. As thawing begins or when the water is turned back on, this circumstance will result in water damage.
There is likewise a type of direct damage that can happen from extreme cold even though no wetness is present. Exceptionally cold temperatures can damage some sensitive computer system and other electronic components.
Regardless of the scenarios-- if water damage happens from freezing or other sources, call your insurance coverage declares workplace. The professionals in your insurer's claims center will use you emergency suggestions to mitigate the loss to avoid additional damage; they will appoint an adjustor who will make an appointment to examine the damage and make recommendations for the proper repair work of the scenario
Home damage caused by freezing weather happens more often and creates higher damage than is commonly believed. A considerable amount of freeze damage takes place when a structure is not inhabited, especially if the owners are gone for an extended duration, and the heating system is not on throughout the freezing weather condition. The damage then is found just after the water is turned back on and gets away from that break. As a result, a freeze caused leakage is just discovered when water damage to floors, carpet, walls, or ceilings becomes noticeable. As thawing starts or when the water is turned back on, this circumstance will result in water damage.