Home Maintenance to Prepare for Snow and Ice

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

The sight of falling snow is a beautiful part of the winter season, but it can also pose potential dangers for homeowners. Winter safety concerns caused by snow, ice and other conditions arise around the home's interior and exterior, requiring extra work on the part of homeowners to ensure no problems show up. Increased moisture during the winter months can lead to ice around the home, ice dams on the roof, and even basement flooding or damage to the foundation.

Watch for Water Issues on the Roof

Excess Snowfall

Large accumulations of heavy, wet snow can put tremendous pressure on the roofs of homes and buildings. Gravity tends to lend a helping hand with clearing snow from high-pitched roofs, but for flat or low-pitched roofs, you may need to intervene if the snow accumulation is severe.

Signs that the weight of the snow is compromising your roof may include visible sagging in the snow buildup, ceiling leaks in your upper floor, cracks developing in interior drywall or masonry, and creaking or popping sounds coming from the roof. In extreme scenarios, snow accumulation can lead to roof collapse.

Removing this snow yourself can be extremely dangerous, especially on multi-story homes or where there are already signs of roof damage. Because of this, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with professional rooftop snow-clearing services in your area before severe winter weather strikes. The earlier you can get the snow cleared after a major snowfall, the more likely you are to prevent serious damage.