Season by SeasonSeasonal Water Damage Risks Across Indiana, IN
Call volume on our line follows the weather. The kind of water damage you are likely to see in March is different from what shows up in August or January, and the right first move changes with it. Here is what the independent contractors in our network run into through a typical year across Indiana, IN.
Spring: thaw, saturated ground and heavy rain. In parts of the state that get snow, the spring melt and the first heavy rains arrive while the ground is still frozen or already soaked. Water has nowhere to go but sideways, and it finds the cove joint where the basement wall meets the slab, the window wells, and the old clay drain tile. Sump pumps that sat idle all winter get switched on hard, and a stuck float switch or a tripped breaker is often all it takes. In warmer parts of Indiana, IN without much snow, spring is when long rain events and early severe storms test gutters, grading and flat roofs.
Summer: thunderstorms, power outages and humidity. Summer storms drop a lot of water in a short time. Roof leaks, overwhelmed gutters, and storm drains backing up into low-lying streets are common. A storm that knocks out power also knocks out sump pumps without a battery backup. The other summer problem is humidity. A slow leak in a hot, humid house turns into a mold problem faster than the same leak in February, and drying takes more dehumidification because the outdoor air is already carrying a heavy moisture load. Air conditioner condensate lines that clog and overflow into attics and closets are a steady summer call too.
Fall: leaves, gutters and the first cold snaps. Fall is when gutters fill with leaves and downspouts clog, so rainwater sheets over the edge and soaks the fascia, the siding and the foundation below. Tropical systems and late-season storms can still bring heavy rain to parts of the state. Fall is also the season to check your sump pump, insulate exposed pipes, and disconnect garden hoses before the first hard freeze. A frost-free hose bib with a hose still attached can split inside the wall and leak for weeks before anyone notices.
Winter: frozen pipes and ice dams. The calls that keep dispatchers busiest come after a hard freeze. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawlspaces, attics and garages freeze, split, and then start leaking when the temperature rises and the ice thaws. That is why so many burst pipe calls come in late morning on the day after the coldest night. In snowy areas, ice dams form along the eaves and push meltwater up under the shingles and down into the wall cavities. Even in milder parts of Indiana, IN, a rare deep freeze catches homes with pipes that were never insulated because nobody expected to need it.
A dispatcher's tip for any season: know where your main water shutoff is before you need it, and make sure it turns. A gate valve that has not moved in fifteen years may not close all the way. If you have a sump pump, pour a bucket of water in the pit once a season and watch it cycle.
- Clean gutters and extend downspouts at least several feet from the foundation
- Test the sump pump and consider a battery backup before storm season
- Insulate pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces and garages before the first freeze
- Replace rubber washing machine hoses with braided stainless lines
- Check the water heater pan and drain line once a year
- Keep heat on and cabinet doors open under sinks during a deep cold snap
None of this makes a house waterproof. It just cuts down the odds, and it gives you a head start when something does go wrong.