Melting Snow And Water Damage

As warmer temperatures are finally making a welcome appearance here in Logan, there is one thing that comes with the warmth that is not as welcome – water damage. Melting snow can result in water damage to your Logan home in several ways. When snow accumulates on the roof or around your home’s foundation, it can create a significant amount of water accumulation when it melts. This water can then find its way inside through cracks, holes, or other openings. 

Logan Water Damage Cleanup

Here are some of the ways melting snow can leave you needing a water damage cleanup:

• Ice Dams: When snow on the roof melts and then refreezes near the roof’s edge, it creates an ice dam. The dam prevents water from flowing off the and can cause the water to back up under the shingles and leak inside your home as it melts. 
• Roof Leaks: When snow on a roof melts, it can seep into cracks or holes in the roof and cause leaks. The water can damage the insulation, walls, and ceilings, leading to mold growth and structural damage.
• Foundation Leaks: Melting snow around your home’s foundation can seep into cracks and holes and cause leaks in your basement or crawl space. This water can damage walls, floors, and furniture and lead to mold growth.
• Basement Flooding: Window wells that have been filled with snow may end up being filled with water as the snow melts. Often, the snow melts faster than the frozen ground is able to absorb it, causing buildup. Inside the window wells, it will eventually work its way inside your home, flooding your basement. Another common occurrence is when ground-level water rises too high from the fast-melting snow and backs up into your basement. 
• Burst Pipes: Pipes that have been frozen during the colder weather will now begin to thaw as the temperatures warm up. This causes increased pressure in the pipes, creating bursts or leaks where the water can now flow into your home since it is no longer frozen. This can result in significant damage to your home. 

While we welcome this warmer weather, we must take the necessary precautions to avoid needing water damage cleanup from all the melting snow. Some things you can do to prevent water damage from melting snow are:

• Add sandbags around your basement windows and foundation to help absorb the excess water
• Keep gutters and downspouts clean and clear, so water is not obstructed and is able to flow through them freely 
• Seal any cracks or holes in your roof and your foundation
• Install a sump pump in your basement, or make sure the one you have is functioning correctly
• Have a professional inspect your roof, foundation, and plumbing system regularly to catch any weak areas, damages, or potential sources of water entry to your home and get them repaired as soon as possible

As the snow starts melting here in Logan, be on the lookout for potential water damage, and be sure to call the water damage cleanup experts at Sierra Restoration if you find any water damage in your home.