Ask any home maintenance expert about the biggest risks to your home, chances are they’ll say: “Water.” When it comes to preventing water damage, we tend to think about water in its liquid form. We imagine a broken pipe or a leaking roof. But what about ice and snow?
As the temperatures drop and we proceed into the depths of winter, our attention turns to the impacts of water in its solid form. Without the proper attention, snow and ice can do a number on your home.
Here’s a list of common issues caused by snow and ice, and what to do about them:
Ice dams
Ice dams are thick ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof. They’re created when heat from inside your home melts snow on your roof. Melted snow drips down to the roof edge and freezes again … and voila! Ice dams form.
Ice dams can damage your roof cover (shingles, slates, shakes, etc.) and cause water leaks that lead to rot and mold. They can also fall and damage your home or injure people. Before you go knock them down, you may want to think about hiring a pro. Removing ice dams can damage your roof, and trying to climb ladders or walk on your roof while it’s icy can lead to serious falls.
Prevention is the best way to deal with ice dams. Usually, the problem comes from an insulation issue. To prevent ice dams, you need to keep your roof below 32 degrees, which limits snowmelt and refreezing. Along with bulking up attic insulation, removing snow from your roof and installing heat cables to melt ice at the edge of your roof can also help.
Detached gutters
Gutters aren’t designed to hold the weight of snow and ice. Extra weight can pull them away from your roof, and even bring them to the ground. Detached gutters often trap water against your roof edge, which can cause rot. And dripping water can lead to siding and foundation issues.
Maintenance is key to preventing gutter damage. Debris remaining from the summer or fall can trap water in your gutters. That water and debris freezes when temperatures drop, causing ice build up over time. Eventually, the weight becomes too much for your poor gutters to bear.
In the spring, assess the winter damage. If your gutters are detached from your roof edge, reattach them securely.
Cracked concrete and brick
Even concrete and brick are no match for ice. As porous building materials, they take in water and hold onto it. When the water freezes it can cause cracking or flaking (aka spalling).
Most cracks or flaking aren’t an emergency. If the crack is wider than 1/8 inch or if flaking is deeper than 1/8 inch, have a professional take a look. With brick, be especially aware of step pattern cracks or bricks that are cracked all the way through.
Fill small cracks in concrete using a simple patching compound found at any hardware store. Filling can prevent worsening over time as more water penetrates the concrete. To prevent the water from penetrating the concrete or brick in the first place, try sealant. Experts recommend reapplying sealant every 4-5 years.
Broken tree limbs
The weight of ice and snow can crack limbs and cause them to fall. While it’s unfortunate for your trees, it’s especially dangerous if branches fall on or near your home or utility lines.
Do some tree maintenance before the threat of ice and snow arrives. Look for damaged, dead, or otherwise weakened branches and take them down. Also, remove branches that hang over your home. No matter how strong they look, if they fall, they can do costly damage to your roof, roof structure, and siding.
To address branches near power lines, call your utility company. They’ll likely do the work for you. If not, hire a professional. DIY tree work around power lines can be dangerous.
Damaged HVAC equipment
If you have a heat pump, central air system, or ductless mini-split system, you likely have some equipment outside of your home. While this equipment is built to withstand the weather, extreme amounts of ice and snow can cause damage. Plus, they likely aren’t designed to withstand the force of ice or snow falling off your roof.
Protect your HVAC units by removing leaves or debris before winter. After snowstorms, dig your units out and clean off the tops. Also, make sure vents aren’t blocked by piles of snow. Blocked vents can send dangerous fumes back into your home.
Hardware stores also sell covers for outdoor HVAC units. And If you’re looking to solve the problem of falling snow and ice all together, an awning can protect your unit from snow and ice falling from the roof. Just make sure you give your unit plenty of room to do its job. Pros recommend three feet of clearance for any awning above the unit.
Looking for a Pro? Find a local HVAC specialist if the winter weather has wreaked havoc and you need a repair.
Burst pipes
Water expands when it freezes. This can cause problems when it’s crammed into a skinny pipe. Water leaks from busted pipes can do serious damage: A ½ inch pipe can spray 14-21 gallons per minute, which can damage your home’s drywall, woodwork, and electrical system.
While the pipes in your walls should already be well insulated, pipes in your yard, basement, and under sinks, where there isn’t as much insulation can be vulnerable. For outdoor pipes and fixtures, drain the water before temperatures drop below freezing. Then, insulate exposed pipes in your basement and below sinks, especially if they are close to outside walls. Hardware stores sell insulation made specifically for pipes.
If there’s a serious drop in temperature for a short period of time, or if you don’t have heat due to a power outage, open your sinks to a steady drip. This will keep water moving through your pipes so it doesn’t freeze. Yes, it will waste some water and raise your bill a bit. But trust us, it’s much less expensive than replacing waterlogged drywall!
Weight on your roof
Have you ever heard snow slide off a roof? If it sounds like rolling thunder, that’s because snow is so heavy. Add ice to the mix, and you can have a recipe for disaster when it comes to your home’s structure.
Generally, as long as your roof is in good shape, it should be able to hold about 20 pounds per square foot. Translate that into snow, and the average roof can hold about 4 feet of fresh snow. You may be thinking, “4 feet? I don’t live in the North Pole!” It’s true, 4 feet is a lot of snow for a single storm. But over the course of a winter, it’s not unheard of, and packed snow weighs a lot more than the fresh, fluffy stuff. Plus, as other kinds of winter precipitation, like rain or freezing rain, are added in, the weight can increase drastically.
To prevent structural damage, remove large amounts of snow from your roof. You can buy a roof rake from a hardware store for less than $50. Also, watch for signs of a stressed roof. Bowed rafters, cracks in your home’s walls, doors, and windows that don’t open and close easily, or any creaking or popping sounds may be cause for concern. Call in a professional home inspector if you’re worried about your home’s structure.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Now that you know the main challenges you’ll face this winter, and are ready to handle them, you can bundle up and enjoy a nice mug of hot cocoa. For more winter-related tips, check out these posts:
- Blizzard on its way? Here’s how to get your home ready for a snowstorm.
- Not sure how to work your furnace? Learn all about it with our guide to home heating systems.
