What’s The Cold Truth About Winter Storm Damage To Your Tiffin Property?

11/29/2023 (Permalink)

Wintertime in the Tiffiin area brings an average of 2 - 3 feet of snow yearly, as well as sleet, ice, and rain, and our temperatures can reach lows of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather conditions like these can cause damage to your home or business. 

The cold truth about winter storm damage to your Tiffin property is that if you're not prepared for it, that damage can be worse than it needs to be!

What Types Of Damage Can Winter Weather Conditions Do To My Tiffin Home Or Business?

Here are some of the ways winter weather conditions can damage your home or business:

• Ice dams are one important way snow and ice can damage your home. With clogged gutters, melted water from the snow on your roof has no avenue of escape. Instead of running down the drains and away from your house, that water will back up under the roof and refreeze, creating an ice dam. Ice dams can cause water damage, mold growth, and rot when they melt.
• As heavy snow accumulates on your roof, its weight can cause damage to the structural framing supporting the rooftop.
• External plumbing and faucets in unheated areas, such as your crawlspace or garage - have the highest risk of freezing and bursting.
• If trees are growing too near the power lines by your home, snow-laden branches could pose a problem. Heavy branches can droop and end up scratching your windows and siding; they may even cause dents or add too much weight to your roof.

How Can I Prevent The Worst Winter Weather Damage?

With proper preparation, you can prevent the worst of the winter weather damage. Here are a few examples of pre-emptive steps you can take:

• Clean your gutters before the first frost and ensure your attic is adequately insulated to prevent ice dams; a cold attic will prevent the snow from melting. You can also use a roof rake to remove excess snow and apply heat cables in autumn if your home is prone to ice damming.
• Clear your gutters before your first snow, and use a roof rake to relieve the pressure. Replace missing or damaged shingles and check for deteriorated flashing around your chimney, walls, skylights, and vent pipes. Use roofing cement and a caulking gun to seal joints.
• Applying heat tape and insulation will help to prevent frozen pipes, and you can keep faucets at a trickle to avoid pressure build-up. Turning off your water if you go out of town is also wise.
• Before snow and ice accumulate, trim branches away from the house and power lines. Brush fresh snow off branches if you're concerned about damaging the tree by trimming when it's already frozen solid.

Repairing winter weather damage can be challenging. Here at SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties, we manage all kinds of damage to your Tiffin home so you can get back to normal as soon as possible.

We're to help you handle storm damage restoration, water damage, and mold remediation and prevention.

This franchise is independently owned and operated.