Maintaining Melting Snow to Avoid Home Damage

Melting snow has the potential to flood the basements of those who live in older homes or on saturated land (near creeks, ponds, and low-lying areas). As the warm sun melts the snow during the day, the still-frozen ground prevents absorption of the water; therefore, leaving running water finding its way into your house as it runs along the surface of the ground. As the ground remains frozen, the water has nowhere to go. It is important that you prepare for snow melting to avoid damage to your home.

• Perform a sump pump check-up, if you have one.
• Locate any window wells, low-lying doors or stairwells that may be holding snow. Clear these areas of snow to minimize water seepage.
• Clear a path through the snow for water to drain through as the snow melts. Water will find the path of least resistance; providing an easy route for the water to run away from your home will help keep it from entering your home.
• Clean your gutters and run-off spouts, shovel snow off the roof, and check for ice dams. Roofs without properly removed snow can develop a buildup of ice, tearing off gutters and causing snow melt on a sunny day to seep through your shingles and into your house.

Using these tips to prevent snow melt from seeping into your home will help keep your belongings safe each year.