If you still believe in the meteorology profession, we are in for another brutal winter.
January brings colder weather and usually lots more snow. So while you are dusting off your snow shovels and stocking up on ice melt, there are a few things you should be thinking about as well to prevent winter related losses.
Ice Damming:
An ice dam can form when water from melting snow refreezes at the edge of your roof-line. Without roof snow removal, the ice dam may grow large enough to prevent water from draining off the roof. The water can back up underneath the roof shingles and make its way inside your home.
To avoid damming:
- Clear downspouts- this will make it possible for your gutters to drain when snow does melt.
- Use a roof rake- using a roof rake to clear the first three to four feet of snow from your roof immediately after a major winter storm will help prevent ice dams from forming. A good rule of thumb is if there is more than a foot of heavy wet snow and ice on your roof, you should try to have it removed.
Frozen Pipes:
With extreme cold temperatures, there is potential for pipes freezing and bursting, especially when it becomes impossible to maintain your home due to a power outage. If your pipes do burst, turn off the water supply immediately. This way, only water in the pipes will be released, rather than water continuing to pump into your home.
To avoid frozen pipes:
- Wrap pipes that are at risk in insulated heat tape and keep the building heat at an adequate level throughout the winter.
- Open cabinet doors to circulate warm air to pipes on outside walls.
- If you’re going to be out of the home for even a short time, shut off the water supply.
Frozen sidewalks:
Frozen sidewalks are slip hazard we have to deal with regularly. Whether the ice is a result of frozen rain or melting snow that has frozen over again, frozen sidewalks need to be cleared.
To avoid frozen sidewalks:
- Remove ice promptly with a shovel or ice scraper. Apply ice melt or sidewalk salt to the area.
- Make sure that all down spouts from gutters are depositing the melted snow away from your sidewalk and that there is no pooling of water occurring.
Snow, ice and high winds can wreak havoc on our homes, however, the good news, your Homeowners policy should cover you if you should suffer damage from winter weather. So give us a call if you have any coverage related questions.
Stay safe and stay warm Windsor!