How Winter Storms Can Impact Your Home: Essential Tips for Protection and Restoration

2/18/2025 (Permalink)

Winter storms can happen without warning, and cause severe damage to your home. From freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall to high winds and flooding, it is important to know the risks winter storms can bring, and take steps to prepare your home before damage occurs. These practical tips will help you protect your home and know what to do if restoration is needed. 

The Impact of Winter Storms on Homes 

The damage winter storms bring can be significant. It is essential to know the risks that can occur to your home to know how to best prepare and avoid damage. 

• Frozen pipes are a major concern during the winter, as the water inside can expand, causing pipes to burst unexpectedly. When this happens, the results can be disastrous, possibly leading to flooding, ruined floors or walls and damage to your personal belongings. 
• High wind forecasts can easily break or uproot tree branches, resulting in possible damage to exterior windows and siding. Strong winds can also weaken tree roots overtime, which increases the risk of large trees being toppled, potentially causing severe structural damage. 
• In addition, heavy snow can add weight to your home’s roof, increasing the risk of a roof collapse. Ice buildup can also form around roof edges, which can prevent proper water drainage, potentially leading to leaks, rot, or structural damage. 

Pre-Storm Preparation Tips 

Preparing your home before a winter storm occurs is key to staying safe and avoiding costly damage repairs. Here are a few tips to ensure you are ready for whatever a storm may bring. 

• Maintaining your home’s gutters with regular cleaning can help you to prevent ice dams, and ensure that water can flow freely. 
• Make sure to trim trees, especially branches that look damaged or dead, to avoid harm to your windows and siding. 
• Insulating pipes inside your home is an easy way to prevent them from freezing when a winter storm hits. Also, using weather stripping on doors and windows can help seal heat and keep your home at a consistent temperature. 
• Check your roof in advance for any weak spots or leaks to prepare for heavy snowfall and ice damage. 

Immediate Steps to Take After a Winter Storm

In the case that harsh winter weather impacts your home, it is important to inspect the damage safely, and reach out to a professional restoration team if the damage requires expert attention. 

• Avoiding climbing onto your roof after a winter storm, as ice and snow can cause a safety hazard. Instead, consider using binoculars or a camera to assess the damage from a safe distance. 
• If you notice flooding, stay a safe distance away from standing water, as there could be potential hazards beneath the surface, such as exposed electrical wires, or unstable ground. 
• In areas that are accessible, act quickly and use towels to dry out affected spaces to help prevent mold growth and long-term damage. 
• If you come across downed power lines, stay far away and contact your electric company immediately to report the damage. NEVER attempt to move power lines! 

When it comes to winter storm damage, being proactive with storm preparedness before a winter storm hits can significantly reduce repair costs and minimize the risks associated with harsh weather. In the case that your home is impacted by a winter storm, taking action quickly is key to preventing future damage. However, if winter storm damage becomes overwhelming and requires professional attention, our restoration specialists at SERVPRO are experts in water damage restoration and storm cleanup, helping homes recover quickly and efficiently. Contact us anytime, and we'll work quickly to make it ‘Like it never even happened.’