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When cold weather is in play.

Reach for this when a problem shows up in cold weather, or work must go on in the cold.

Blaming the cold too fast misses other causes, and blaming everything else misses real freeze damage.

Run it on a job in ForeBotAll checklists

Step by step

7

  1. Check for danger first

    If a foundation wall is bowing or water reaches electrical equipment, keep people clear. Call emergency services or an engineer.

    Write down · Decision

  2. List cold and non-cold causes

    Keep freeze causes next to lookalikes like settling fill, expansive clay, a plumbing leak, or pipe condensation.

    Write down · Note

  3. Find exposed pipes

    Note lines in exterior walls or above ceiling insulation, and cold air leaks at the pipe. A qualified person opens finishes.

    Write down · Note

  4. Look for wet insulation

    A leak in a cold wall can soak insulation that dries slowly. Note it and check for growth.

    Write down · Photo

  5. Ask for the cold-weather records

    For concrete or earthwork, ask for temperature and protection records. A contractor's memory is not a record.

    Write down · Note

  6. Record weather and location

    Record outdoor temperature, recent weather, and where the damage sits. A damage pattern alone proves nothing.

    Write down · Reading

  7. Hold the remedy

    Do not sell digging, insulation, or heat trace until the likely cause is known. Each remedy addresses only one cause.

    Write down · Decision
Done when

A finished run leaves weather notes, located damage, the cause list with what each check showed, and the next decision.

General guidance for a qualified person, not a finding about any home. The person on site decides.