Snow Melt on Your Rockville-Olney-Silver Spring North Property

11/6/2019 (Permalink)

Keep these tips in mind as winter is quickly approaching!

As the temperatures are beginning to rapidly drop here in Montgomery County, Maryland, it’s safe to assume we can expect snowfall in a month or two. While a snow fall can be fascinating to watch and supports a wide variety of winter activities, such as sledding and skiing, it can also cause many home problems.

A buildup of snow can create massive drifts which gather and lean against the exterior walls of your property. As the temperatures begin to warm, the sun melts the snow, which can result in home flooding.

Below are a few consequences of snow melt/flooding:

• Water damage
• Warped/rotted wood and floorboards
• Mold
• Electrical damage

To avoid the potential problems snow can bring upon your property, keep the following tips in mind:

• Shovel all snow away from the foundation of your home/office. Make sure all snow is away from ground level windows and doors to avoid seeping, etc.
• Clear all drainage areas around your home/office
• Make sure any garden beds are not creating dams the retain water (add extra soil if this is an issue)
• Inspect your roof and eaves for ice and snow buildup. This is very important as melted snow can get under your shingles, causing damage inside your home. It can also result in giant icicles that can fall and break car windows, fall on people causing injury, etc.
• Have your roof inspected before winter! Ice and snow weight on a roof can cause a roof to collapse. An over-stressed roof can begin to crack, then leak, then sag (or collapse). This weight can also pry open gutters.
• Insulate and ventilate your attic

We at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North wish you a safe winter! We want you to enjoy the snow, not to become a victim of it!