When the snow starts to fall, every homeowner and property owner needs to be proactive about managing winter drainage to avoid seasonal problems during this time of year. Winter brings unique drainage problems that can cause various types of issues, including water damage. If you don’t have an effective drainage system in place, then you might be dealing with expensive repairs in the future.
Some of the most common issues that can occur in cold weather include frozen pipes, soil saturation, and water accumulation – all of which add up to costly damage to your property. So investing in drainage solutions is a smart choice, as an effective system helps to prevent water damage throughout the year.
Why Winter Drainage Solutions Are Essential
There are several reasons why it’s essential to be proactive about managing drainage issues, especially in the winter months. Avoiding water damage issues helps to protect your foundation. These drainage solutions prevent water from accumulating around the foundation of your home or commercial building, which is important for long-term durability.
Water accumulation can be an issue throughout the year, even in warm weather. But cold weather exacerbates the issues, especially when the water starts to freeze. Water can seep into cracks and crevices and then freeze, expanding as it transforms into ice. This expansion can result in serious damage to the foundation and other parts of your home.
To avoid this, you need to make sure that the drainage systems are working correctly, especially when the temperatures turn cold and you experience extreme winter conditions.
Common Winter Drainage Challenges and Solutions
The first step to ensuring that you have an effective system for winter drainage is to understand the most common issues that can occur during this season. Once you know what problems you are working to prevent, then you can install a drainage system to avoid these issues.
Our experienced team at Mikula Contracting has been helping homeowners and property owners for many years with solutions for drainage problems. If you need assistance or personalized recommendations, then we encourage you to reach out at your convenience to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.
Frozen Pipes
When you are in freezing temperatures, the extremely cold weather can cause frozen pipes to burst. Water sitting in the pipes is exposed to cold temperatures, and the pipes aren’t large enough to contain everything as the water freezes into ice and expands in the process.
The good news is that simple solutions can be used to protect any exposed pipes. You might consider several options, depending on the location of the pipes. For example, some pipes simply need to be insulated, with protective materials wrapped around the piping to minimize cold exposure. Consider installing frost-proof spigots, using pipe heating cables, or installing other heating solutions near the pipes that are at risk.
Saturated or Frozen Soil
The winter weather in New Jersey can cause soil to become waterlogged, which might eventually freeze depending on the conditions. These yard drainage problems often damage landscaping and other features on your property, resulting in a big mess that needs to be cleaned up in the spring.
If you know that you have issues with oversaturated soil, then talk to our team about your options for using a sump pump to control the water. Any excess water can be quickly removed before it ices over and starts causing blockages in the area.
Drainage System Overload
When a lot of freezing rain, sleet, snow, and even hail is coming down during a storm, will your drainage system be sufficient to handle the water load? If your winter drainage system is over capacity, then it can lead to water damage and other complications. Not only that, but, melting snow can overload your drainage system once the weather warms up.
Other drainage solutions can help if your system is overloaded, including catch basins or more piping.
Water Accumulation in Low-Lying Areas
If you have any low-lying areas, then these are likely the spots where standing water will accumulate, either from winter weather itself or from the impact of melting snow. Eventually, excess water in the low-lying areas can lead to bigger drainage problems and even flooding.
You might need to regrade the landscaping to adjust how the water is flowing through the yard. Or, consider installing a dry well that will manage the water.
Ensure Proper Drainage This Winter with the Right Solutions
Do you need help with your winter drainage solutions? Our team at Mikula is just a phone call away. We offer full-service solutions to ensure the best results possible for each of our clients. We are here to help with both residential and commercial drainage systems. For more information and personalized recommendations for your drainage system, contact us to schedule a consultation.
