Understanding Water and Fire Damage: The Seasonal Guide

Spring and Summer:

Threats of the season: 

Depending on where you live in MN, there are seasonal threats that could lead to water or fire damage. 

Flooding: Melting snow piles, rain and rising rivers can lead to increased flooding. If you live in a valley, near a large body of water or on a hill, a flood might be the greatest threat to your home. To see if your home or business is in danger of a flood path, check out this flood map tool by the Department of Homeland Security. Heavy rainfall and a faulty home foundation could also lead to basement flooding.

Dry brush/wildfires: The second threat of a spring or summer season is dry brush and forest fires. When winter weather is extra dry, Minnesota springtime becomes a dangerous time for dry brush and wildfires. To see if your home is in danger of a wildfire region, check out this updated interactive MN map! While your home may not be in the path of a fire, the dry brush in your gardens or backyard could be cause for concern. Accidental fires caused by lightning, cigarette butts, refracted light, or electrical sparks could damage your property and even your home!

Spring and summer proactive measures: 

In the case of water flooding your home, installing a basement sump pump is the best way to move accumulated water to a drainage area outside. Sump pumps also push groundwater and floodwater away from the basement foundation. Another proactive measure to take is inspecting your home’s foundation for cracks. If you find cracks in your foundation, consider applying sealants or coatings to minimize the risk of water damage in the event of a heavy rain or a flood. On the roof of your home, be sure to point the downspouts away from your home so rainwater doesn’t collect near the foundation. 

When taking proactive measures for spring and summer fires, there are several things you can do. First off, keep the dry brush in your backyard to a minimum. Secondly, make sure to brush up on your fire safety knowledge. Check out this burning restriction map for updated information on where and how you can safely make fires. 

Fall and Winter: 

Threats of the Season: 

When the colder months roll around, the season’s threats for fire and flood damage become centralized inside your house. With holiday parties, crockpots and stovetops full of food–unattended heat becomes the main cause for concern. On the other hand, cold weather, old pipes, and dripping taps can also be a concern for water damage. Here is what you should watch out for!

Home fire damage threats: 

Unfortunately, the contents inside your home are much more likely to cause a fire than dry garden brush. In the colder months, there are several causes for concern. Fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, gas stoves, and other electrical appliances that generate heat are all candidates for starting house fires. With many merry holiday festivities, it’s easy to forget about an electrical appliance or the gas stove. Faulty electrical wiring can also be an underlying cause of home fires. 

Home water damage threats:

Burst pipes, water from the roof trickling into the foundation, sewage backups, and of course–the infamous running tap. These are all winter water damage threats. While they might not seem as dangerous as a spring flood, they can cause an equal amount of damage. A slow water trickle could lead to mold and mildew growth, wreaking havoc behind walls or in your basement. 

Proactive Measures: 

Thankfully, there are many preventative measures you can take to minimize the risk of water or fire damage to your home. We’ve included a library in four different languages of fact sheets on fire safety and prevention visit: National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration.

For preventative measures on water damage, here are a few:

• Have your water softener and water heaters inspected annually
• Inspect your home gutters and landscaping to be sure rain water is diverted away from your home’s foundation.
• Set up water leak sensors. For a few dollars each, place a sensor in areas of concern (on the floor next to a water heater or on the floor next to a sump pump) and if water does flow on the floor, this battery operated sensor will sound, providing you advanced timing in fixing the issue.
• Check the foundation of your home for cracks or holes and have them professional repaired if needed

Call Anytime Restoration

Though you might not be facing immediate water or fire damage, it’s important to know who to call in case of an emergency. At Anytime Restoration, we want you to know that we are here to help in the event of an emergency. You can count on us for immediate service in an emergency. Bookmark our contact us page and phone number (952) 345-4444 for any future water or fire restoration needs!