How to Prevent Flooding Caused by Melting Snow
When snow melts, it can only mean one thing – more water. Depending on the density of the snow, there may not be as many floods, but there are also cases where the flooding was more than expected and the flood cleaning in Montreal experts are called in to help remediate the aftermath.
In the absence of a proper residential snow removal plan, rapid slow melting can lead to a lot of flooding in the home, especially in places such as the basement if the property doesn’t have a proper drainage system. However, instead of waiting for the snow to melt and deal with the aftermath, it is prudent to learn how to prevent the flooding from happening in the first place, or knowing what to do to minimize the effects in the event that it happens.
Read below to learn how you can prevent flooding caused by melting snow.
Remove Snow From the Roof
Snow usually looks light and fluffy on the roof, but the weight it exerts can cause a lot of pressure on the roof. Most of the roof designs have the capacity to withstand up to 20 pounds of snow per square foot, though this level can sometimes be exceeded during serious snowstorms, thus making your roof susceptible to collapsing from the weight of the snow.
When the snow on the roof begins to melt, it can easily form pools of water on the roof, and if your roof doesn’t have a proper drainage system, a lot of damage can happen.
Secondly, if there are any leaks when the snow is melting, the water will find its way into the house only for you to come back to a flooded house. As a result, it is highly recommended that you clear all the snow from the roof before the temperature begins to rise.
Ideally, this should be done when the snow is still fresh. All you need is proper roof rakes and shovels to remove them immediately after a storm instead of waiting longer for damages to occur. If you haven’t cleaned the roof for a long time, or you don’t have the necessary tools needed to clean it safely and properly, don’t hesitate to hire a professional residential snow removal to come and help.
Clear the Areas Around Your Home
There is a tendency of snow to pile up around the perimeter around your house as it falls. Though at first the snow may be a Winter Wonderland, if you don’t clear them as soon as you possibly can, it can all turn into a muddy and flooded mess when the temperature starts to rise. Before it starts becoming warmer, shovel at least five feet of snow away from the base of your house.
Also, check the gutters and downspouts after the snow melts to ensure that all the drains are working well. Remember to also check the flow of water around the foundation to see that it doesn’t pool anywhere around and that there are no leaks in the house, especially the basement. If you don’t do this, you can easily wake up to a flooded basement, compelling you to call for basement flood cleanup in Montreal services to help you restore some normalcy.
Keep a Closer Eye on Your Yard
When you have a lot of snow in your yard and it begins to melt, gallons of water will be deposited. The water will then soak the grounds to create a marshy surface. The excess water that won’t be absorbed in the ground will have to pool somewhere and eventually start flowing.
Depending on the location of the pool, water from the backyard can easily flow back to your home and it might access your house through the cracks in the foundation or a damaged drainage system. With such, your basement is always the greatest victim.
To avoid this from happening, consider spreading out, or removing the very large piles of snow before the temperatures start rising. Inspect your yard to identify the potential places where pools of water my form when the snow begins to melt, and then remove snow.
Also, check the general direction of the slope relative to where the snow is, to ensure that when the temperature starts rising, the general direction of the flow will not be towards your home.
Protect Your Basement From Flooding When the Snow Melts
Roofs and basements are the greatest victims when the snow starts to melt. If not protected, a flooded basement may compel you to call for expensive basement flood cleaning and mold cleaning in Montreal services to help bring the basement back to its original condition. However, in the event that your basement is flooded due to melting snow, do the following-:
Remove the water as soon as possible
The faster you remove the standing water in your flooded basement, the less damage the water will cause. You can use a bucket to remove the floodwaters, but if it is too much that some of the items are submerged, then it is highly recommended that you call for flood cleaning experts to come and help out. They have pumps that they can use to quickly pump out the water in a short time.
Removed damaged materials
Once you have removed the water, it is time to assess the damage. Take out all the damaged materials, including damaged drywall, and any other material that has shown signs of sagging, cracking or crumbling due to exposure to floodwaters.
Dry the flooded basement
Once the water and all the damaged materials are removed, the next step is to dry the basement as soon as possible. You can use dehumidifiers and consumer fans, but if possible, you should think about hiring commercial dehumidifiers and air movers for faster and efficient drying of the basement.
Melting Snow and Flood Prevention
Preventing flooding as a result of melting snow is vital in keeping the integrity of your home and avoiding necessary water damages. Use the above tips to help you stay safe from floods caused by melting snow.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of flooding caused by melting snow, don’t try to tackle the cleanup on your own. Let KBS Maintenance handle the job for you. Our experienced team is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and expertise to safely and effectively clean up flood damage and prevent further damage to your property.