After weeks of subfreezing temperatures, freezing rain, snowfall, and ice, the Treasure Valley faces the risk of flooding and water damage from thick slush and quickly melting snow and ice. To avoid water damage and expensive repairs caused by winter weather, you can take these simple steps:
Remove large accumulations of snow from areas where it could melt and enter your home. Shovel snow away from the perimeter of your home. Also consider clearing decks, patios, and driveways that slope toward the house.
Clean snow and debris from ground drains and gutters. Make sure drains near your home, typically around the driveway, and gutters are not blocked. Ice and compact snow can create dams that prevent water from draining.
Consider where snow will go when it melts. The combination of melting snow plus rain can create extreme runoff conditions. When shoveling snow on your property, think about which direction it will drain when it melts. You may want to dig channels to divert water to the nearest drain.
Do not get on a ladder and do not attempt to climb onto your roof to remove snow. If you see the snow melting and dropping off the edge of your roof, that’s a good sign. It indicates dangerous and problematic ice dams are probably not developing. In extreme circumstances when ice dams are growing and need to be removed from your gutters, contact us to professionally assess and remedy your problem.
It is also beneficial for you to know what is covered by your insurance policy. Not all household water damage is treated alike – freezing pipes may be assessed differently than seeping snow. Check your policy or call your local agent to determine what’s covered. At the first sign of dampness inside your home, call UltraClean immediately for professional help before long-term damage sets in. Reach us for 24 hour service at (208) 887-4740, contact us for advice, or send us an email.
