Protect Your Home From Snow

Even though snow is beautiful and at times even fun, it can pose a real danger to your home.  Large quantities of snow can be a danger to a structure so steps should be taken to minimize the damage.  Let's take a look at a few things you can do before and after snow to protect your home.

Snow can be beautiful and dangerous.

1.  It is important to keep water away from the house.  Clear out any basement window wells of snow or water to prevent it from seeping through window frames.

2.  Create a barrier of packed snow around basement window wells to prevent water from running into them.

3.  Shovel snow away from beside the home’s walls if possible to reduce water intrusion.

4.  Make sure that water overflowing from eavestroughs and downspouts runs away from the house.

Remove snow from doors and windows to prevent water intrusion.

5.  Remove snow from doors and windows to prevent water intrusion. Windows facing directly against the snow or wind may be more prone to heavy snow damage.

6.  Clear the areas around exhaust pipes and air vents on heaters, furnaces and dryers.

7.  Watch out for snow-covered trees close to buildings since branches can break and cause damage to nearby structures.

8.  Ensure that all drains and gutters are free from dirt and debris. Make sure to chip away any ice
covering drains.

Watch out for snow-covered trees.

9.  Excess snow on roofs that melts quickly can freeze in the eaves and cause ice dams where the melting snow seeps under the shingles. Remove snow using a roof rake or hire a roofing professional. Insulating the attic area to keep it cold can also reduce rapid melting and the risk of ice dams.

10.  Make sure to remove snow blocking roof vents.

11.  Do not climb on the roof to remove snow or unblock vents. When using a ladder, make sure some is there to hold it steady to prevent it from tipping or sliding.

12.  Don’t overestimate your abilities, the safest course is to do any clearance work from the ground using proper tools.

Remove snow from roof with tool.

13.  Icicles, while pretty, can be an indicator of water drainage problems. They can also pose a hazard to anyone working below them, so knock them down before working under or near them.

14.  When the snow finally does start to melt, watch for unexpected flooding since the hard ground will not be able to absorb a lot of moisture.

15.  Because of fire hazards, never leave lighted candles or active fireplaces unattended.

16.  When using a space heater, do not place near young children, run cords under carpets or leave it unattended or operating while sleeping.

Icicles can also pose a hazard

17.  If you leave home for an extended period of time, don’t turn off the heat. (This could result in frozen pipes that could burst and cause serious water damage.)

18.  Open sink and vanity cabinet doors so warm air can get to the pipes.

19.  Have someone check on the house twice a day to make sure there is no flooding or water intrusion, that pilot lights are lit, and that refrigerators and freezers are running properly.


No matter what's in store for your home this winter, UWDS is here to help.  Contact any of our locations if we can be of assistance.




*Original post from the Restoration Industry Association *