As temperatures drop across Northern Nevada, your home faces new risks that many property owners overlook. Poulin Fire & Flood understands how seasonal transitions can impact your plumbing, basement, and crawl space. Preparing now can help you avoid costly repairs, water damage, and even health hazards later. Whether you’re in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, or surrounding areas, here’s what you need to know and how we can help.
How Cold Weather Affects Pipes
Frozen Pipes Can Burst Without Warning
When temperatures dip below freezing, water inside exposed or poorly insulated pipes can freeze and expand. This pressure buildup may cause pipes to crack or burst—leading to sudden water damage when temperatures rise again and the ice thaws.
Key Vulnerable Areas:
- Pipes located in unheated crawl spaces or basements
- Outdoor hose bibs and irrigation lines
- Plumbing behind exterior walls
Preventative Tips:
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or heat tape
- Open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes
- Allow faucets to drip during freezing nights to keep water moving
Why Basements Are At Risk In The Fall & Winter
Shifting Soil & Saturation
Autumn rain and early snowmelt can saturate the ground around your home. This added pressure on basement walls and foundations can force water into cracks and seams, leading to basement flooding, mildew, and structural damage.
Cold Weather Can Worsen Cracks
Moisture that enters basement walls or foundation cracks can freeze, expand, and cause even more damage. This freeze-thaw cycle creates larger gaps and worsens long-term issues.
Crawl Space Vulnerabilities During Colder Months
Crawl spaces are often overlooked but are critical to your home’s structural health and air quality.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Standing water from poor drainage or pipe leaks can lead to mold growth
- Uninsulated crawl spaces increase the risk of frozen plumbing lines
- Cold, moist environments encourage pests to nest for winter
Preventative Measures:
- Install vapor barriers and insulation
- Ensure proper drainage and downspout direction
- Schedule regular crawl space inspections with professionals
How Poulin Fire & Flood Can Help
At Poulin Fire & Flood, we offer 24/7 emergency response for burst pipes, basement flooding, and crawl space water damage. Our services include:
- Water damage restoration
- Frozen pipe repair
- Crawl space remediation
- Mold prevention and removal
- Structural drying and dehumidification
- Direct insurance billing
We also offer free inspections and consultations to help you catch issues before they become disasters.
Stay Ahead Of Seasonal Damage With Poulin Fire & Flood
Don’t wait for a pipe to burst or your crawl space to flood before taking action. As Northern Nevada enters the colder months, now is the time to winterize your home and book a seasonal inspection with the professionals at Poulin Fire & Flood.
