Winter Weather Safety Tips for Your Home in Detroit | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

Winter in Detroit brings a mix of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that can cause significant damage to your home if you’re not prepared. For residents of the New Center and Highland Park neighborhoods, the cold months can be especially challenging due to unpredictable weather, strong winds, and heavy snowfalls.

SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is here to provide essential winter weather safety tips to help protect your property and ensure your family stays safe during the colder months.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing

In Detroit, where temperatures frequently dip well below freezing, frozen pipes are a major concern. When pipes are exposed to freezing temperatures, they can expand and burst, potentially causing significant water damage in your home. To prevent frozen pipes, it’s important to insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

You can use foam or heat tape to protect these vulnerable pipes. During particularly cold nights, let faucets drip slowly to keep water moving through the pipes. Be sure to also drain any outdoor irrigation systems and disconnect hoses to prevent freezing. If your pipes do freeze or burst, SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is available to help with water damage restoration and mitigation.

Keep Your Roof and Gutters in Check

Winter weather in Detroit can bring heavy snowfalls and freezing rain, both of which can damage your roof. Ice dams, which form when snow on the roof melts and refreezes at the eaves, can lead to leaks and water damage inside your home. Before the cold weather sets in, inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles and check the flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights for any gaps.

Clear your gutters of leaves and debris to ensure proper drainage during snowmelt and rainfall. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up onto the roof, increasing the risk of ice dams. If your roof is damaged by snow, ice, or wind, SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is here to assist with repairs and water damage restoration to protect your home.

Be Ready for Power Outages

Winter storms in Detroit can often lead to power outages, leaving your home without heat and electricity. Extended outages during cold weather can be dangerous, especially if temperatures plummet. It’s important to ensure your home’s heating system is well-maintained and ready to perform when needed. In the event of a power outage, make sure you have backup heat sources, such as space heaters, and use them safely—never leave them unattended.

Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food. If a winter storm causes damage to your home or leads to flooding, SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is ready to help restore your property quickly and efficiently.

Stay Safe and Prepared This Winter

Winter in New Center and Highland Park can be harsh, but with the right preparation, you can minimize the risks and keep your home and family safe. By taking steps to protect your pipes, roof, and power supply, you can reduce the likelihood of damage caused by freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. If you do experience water damage or other winter-related issues, SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park is here to help.

Our expert team is available ²⁴⁄₇ for emergency restoration services. Contact us today to ensure your home is ready for winter.