What to Do After a Snow Storm - A Guide from ACCORD Restoration
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Download a printable version of the guide by clicking the image
above. |
After the snow has stopped, there are things you can do to
help prevent potential hazards caused by large amounts of snow on your roof and
around your property. Melting snow especially presents potential hazards for
flooding that you should watch for. ACCORD Restoration has prepared some helpful
information that can alleviate some of your concerns.
Prevention and Safety
To prevent equipment malfunctions and to
maintain safety, keep heat pumps, dryer vents, furnace exhaust
pipes, sump pumps, and water heater ventilation pipes and
electrical meters clear of snow and ice buildup. Be prepared by
planning ahead before another winter storm hits. This includes
stocking up on some key items and emergency supplies. See our
Storm Supply List.
Ice Dams
An
ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and
prevents water from draining. Standing water behind the ice dam
can leak into your home and cause extensive damage to your
ceilings, walls, insulation, and other areas.
What to Do
To avoid damage from ice dams, such as
water seeping into your property, contact a professional to see
what can be done to mitigate the damage. Methods may include
cutting channels in ice dams, removing snow and possibly
removing gutters depending on the extent of the problem.
Check
with your insurance carrier for guidance and approval. Make sure
that removing gutters will not add to or cause a flooding
problem later.
If water is dripping from a drywall
ceiling, poke a small hole in the ceiling with a screwdriver to
create a drainage hole for the water to escape. After that you
can place a bucket under the leak to capture the water. Keep in
mind that many insurance policies do not cover contents damage
related to ice damming. If water starts dripping into your
property, be sure to immediately remove any contents out of the
damaged area.
Snow Loads and Roof Collapse
Snow
loading is a weight factor considered in the design of a flat or
pitched roof for the probable amount of accumulated snow the
roofing structure can handle.
Several factors affect the amount of snow that can build
up on a roof, including the pitch of the roof, snow drifts which can result in
uneven snow loads on the roofing structure, type of roofing material, roof
valleys or other roof areas which tend to collect larger amounts of snow.
What to Do
Know your snow load. Snow loads for flat
roofs in most jurisdictions in our region are typically 30
pounds per square foot. This roughly translates to 24" to 30" of
snow depending on the moisture density of the snow. Sloped roofs
allow for lower snow loads; the steeper the slope, the lower the
allowable snow load. Watch for the warning signs of a potential
roof collapse:
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Sagging ceiling or drywall. |
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New cracks in the wall or the ceiling. |
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Cracking or dripping sounds. |
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Windows and doors that are difficult to open or close. |
Ground-Water Flooding
Ground-water flooding occurs in low-lying
areas when the water table rises above the land surface and/or
when water sourced from the exterior of the property floods the
interior. This can cause sewer system back-ups, electrical
malfunctions, damaged appliances and serious structural damage.
What to Do
Flooding from outside water is typically
not covered by your insurance policy. Check with your local
insurance agent. An additional insurance rider, such as �sewer
backup insurance� or �drain or sump pump malfunction insurance�
may provide the additional coverage you need. If there is
standing water, try to remove as much of it as possible and run
a dehumidifier or a fan to help dry out the area. If wet areas
are dried out quickly, mold can be avoided. Make sure all sump
pumps, drains, and gutters are unobstructed and working
properly.
Here to Help
ACCORD Restoration offers mitigation and
damage repair services. Contact any of our branch offices for
assistance.
24-Hour Emergency Response
The professionals at ACCORD Restoration
are available 24/7/365 to provide you with timely estimates and
guaranteed completion times. Call 888-277-0651 and our crews can
be on-site in one hour.
ACCORD Restoration
gets the job done right the first time. Our team has extensive experience and
has completed advanced training. You can rest assured that your property is in
the hands of the best.