Winter-Proofing Made Easy: Protect Your Home from Water Damage
Winter is coming. Portland’s wet, freezing weather doesn’t mess around. If you’re not ready, your home will feel the impact. The good news? You can stop water damage before it happens. Here’s how to get ahead of the storm.
4 Things You Need to Do Right Now
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how your home handles it. Do these four things, and you’ll be ahead of 99% of homeowners.
1. Roof & Gutters: Clear & Strong or Risk It All
Clogged gutters? Leaky roof? That’s a recipe for water creeping into your home. Clean gutters and a solid roof are your first line of defense.
Do This Now: Have your roof inspected and gutters cleaned before the rain hits. This small investment saves you from major headaches down the road.
2. Foundation & Drainage: Stop Flooding Before It Starts
Portland’s constant rain puts a lot of pressure on your foundation. Without proper drainage, water can flood your basement or damage the foundation itself.
Do This Now: Check the ground around your house—make sure it slopes away from your foundation. If you’ve had problems in the past, consider installing a sump pump or adding waterproofing.
3. Exterior Sealing: No Gaps, No Water
Tiny cracks around doors and windows are like open doors to water. Sealing them now is an easy, cost-effective fix that’ll keep your home dry and warm.
Do This Now: Inspect your windows and doors for gaps. Use weatherproof sealant to lock out moisture and cold air.
4. Plumbing & Insulation: Don’t Let Pipes Freeze
Frozen pipes are a nightmare. Don’t wait for a burst pipe to ruin your day. Insulating pipes now will keep them from freezing and cracking when temperatures drop.
Do This Now: Insulate exposed pipes and use heat tape for extra protection.
What to Do if Water Damage Happens Anyway
Even with all the prep in the world, accidents happen. If water damage sneaks up on you, you need to act fast. Here’s what to do.
1. Stop the Source. NOW.
Find the water source and shut it off. Leaking roof? Broken pipe? Whatever it is, stop the flow ASAP to minimize damage.
2. Dry It Out Fast.
Water spreads quickly. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the area in a hurry. The longer it sits, the more damage it causes.
3. Call in the Pros.
If the damage is big, don’t DIY it. Call in the pros. Get it fixed right before it becomes a bigger issue.
Why HD Contractor?
We don’t just patch things up—we fix the problem. Our team specializes in proactive solutions that protect your home from water damage before it happens. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just results.
Winter-Proof Your Home Today
Stop waiting for the storm to hit. Call us now to get your home ready for winter.
Call 360-980-0418 or visit www.hdcontractor.net to schedule your consultation. Don’t let water damage ruin your winter.