Not the White Christmas We Expected: How to Handle a Wet & Windy Holiday Week

We usually spend the week before Christmas warning you about freezing temperatures, ice dams, and burst pipes. But Utah weather likes to keep us on our toes. The forecast for this holiday week is calling for something different: Wind and Rain.

While you might be relieved to skip the shoveling, a "warm," wet, and windy storm in late December actually creates a unique set of risks for your home. The ground is often hard or saturated, meaning rain doesn't soak in—it runs off. Combine that with high winds and a house full of kids or an empty house while you travel, and you have a recipe for unexpected water intrusion.

Here is how to protect your home (and your holiday peace of mind) during this wet and windy week.

1. The "Spring" Problem in December: Check Your Sump Pump

Most Utahns don't think about their sump pumps until the spring thaw. That is a mistake this week.

• The Risk: When rain falls on winter-hardened ground, it doesn't absorb well. It runs straight toward your foundation. If your sump pump is unplugged, seized up from months of disuse, or burned out, that rainwater will quickly find its way into your basement.

• The Fix: Go downstairs right now. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. Make sure the float rises and the pump kicks on and ejects the water. If you are traveling, ensure it’s plugged in and ready.

2. Secure the Inflatables (Don't Let Santa Fly Away)

The forecast calls for high winds. Those giant inflatable snowmen and reindeer on your lawn are essentially sails.

• The Risk: We see it every year—a strong gust rips an inflatable out of the ground. The tether stakes can tear through siding, smash a window, or worse, the inflatable can get tangled in your gutters, ripping them down right when you need them to manage the rain.

• The Fix: If high winds are in the forecast for Christmas Eve/Day, deflate the decorations and secure them. It’s better to have a flat Santa for one night than a damaged roof.

3. The "Sideways" Rain Check

Snow sits on your roof. Rain—especially wind-driven rain—attacks your home from the side.

• The Risk: Wind drives water into places vertical rain doesn't go: under door sweeps, through cracks in window caulking, and into vents.

• The Fix: With the kids home, keep an eye on the "weather side" of your house (the side the wind is hitting). Check the windowsills and the floor by the doors for dampness. If you spot a leak, dry it immediately and use a towel to block further intrusion until the storm passes.

4. Traveling? Ask for the "Rain Check"

If you are heading out of town for the break, you’ve probably already set your thermostat. But did you ask your neighbor to check for water?

• The Risk: A roof leak or a window leak caused by heavy wind can do massive damage in just 48 hours.

• The Fix: Ask your house-sitter or neighbor to do a quick walk-through of the inside of the house after the storm hits, specifically looking at ceilings and windows. Catching a leak early is the difference between a patch job and a remodel.

5. The Post-Christmas Box Pile-Up

After the gifts are unwrapped on the 25th, the cardboard starts to pile up.

• The Risk: Piling boxes outside against the side of the house is a bad idea in wet weather. The cardboard acts like a wet sponge, holding moisture against your foundation or siding. If the wind picks up, those boxes can also blow over and block storm drains or gutters, leading to localized flooding.

• The Fix: Break down boxes immediately and store them in the garage or a dry bin until recycling day. Don't leave them out in the rain.

Enjoy the (Wet) Holiday!

It might not be a "White Christmas," but it can still be a safe and happy one. Enjoy the time with your family, stay dry, and get ready to ring in the New Year!

As always, Apex Restoration is on call 24/7 through Christmas and New Year's. Whether it’s wind damage or a basement leak, we are ready to help. Call us at (801) 513-1137.