Protect your home from melting snow damage

It’s winter again and snow accumulation can also mean higher risk of basement flooding during those unexpected thaws and, eventually, spring. What can you do to minimize your risk?

If you have two feet or more of snow accumulation on your roof, consider hiring a professional to rake the snow off the edges. The weight of snow can put a strain on the roof structure and almost certainly will create ice dams, forcing melting snow up and between your shingles and eventually into your home’s interior.

All that snow will melt and, hopefully, make its way down your eavestroughs and away from your foundation. Make sure your eavestroughs are clear of leaves and other debris and check that the downspouts are free of snow and directed away from your home. 

If your home has a sump pump, ensure that it’s working at peak efficiency. Check the sump pit and clear out any debris that might interfere with the float. Also look at where the sump is discharging and clear away any accumulation of snow or ice. Backup sumps may be a wise investment if you’ve had problems with flooding in the past.

Inspect any vents or utilities through your home’s foundation. Clear away snow and ice and use caulk specific to the task to seal up any holes in the foundation around the utilities. Take extra care with vents for your furnace and water heater. Ice buildup could block these vents and cause toxic gases to enter your home. Check these vents regularly and clear away snow and ice.

Finally, shovel excess snow away from your foundation walls regularly to ensure thawing snow will flow away from your home and not into your basement.

Regular maintenance will go a long way to protecting your home from flood damage.