Build Up of Ice and Snow on Your Roof
Ice dams occur when heat from a house escapes the attic and warms the roof. Snow on the roof melts and then refreezes, causing a ridge of ice to form and trap water on the roof. This water can leak into the home, causing major damage. Safeguard your roof by:
- Thoroughly clean gutters in the spring and late fall
- Clogged gutters may allow ice to form and back up under the roofline
- Ensure continued ventilation of attic air, which should be 5-10 degrees warmer than outside
- Make sure proper attic insulation is in place, which reduces snow melt on the roof
- Heavy ice and snow build-up on your roof can cause seepage or even a collapse
- If snow accumulation is significant, hire a professional to “shovel” the roof
Plumbing Inside and Outside Your Home
- Plumbing located within exterior walls or unheated crawl spaces are most vulnerable to freezing or bursting
- All interior pipes should be insulated or have wall insulation around them
- Use weather -resistant insulation to protect exterior pipes
- Cabinet doors under sinks should be kept open during a heavy freeze to allow heat to circulate around pipes
- Properly insulate unfinished areas such as basements and garages, where pipes may be exposed
- Disconnect exterior hoses from their faucets and install frost-free hoses and hose bibs
- Hire a professional to winterize outdoor sprinkler systems and remove all residual water
- Keep your thermostat set at a minimum of 55 degrees in the winter
- Install a low temperature alarm if you are away often
- It will activate your alarm system if the home temperature falls below a pre-set level
- If you suspect a frozen pipe, shut off the water main source and call a plumber
Fireplaces, Furnaces and Heating Systems
- Poor maintenance of heating systems can cause fire, puff-backs and smoke damage
- Clean chimneys and flues on fireplaces and stoves annually
- Service and clean gas fireplaces annually
- Service furnaces and boilers at least once a year
- Check for scorch marks from baseboard heaters on interior walls
- Use a fire screen to control flying embers and burn only seasoned hardwood to reduce the potential for creosote buildup.
- Place ashes in a metal container and remove from the house immediately
- Never put ashes in or near the trash
- Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects, such as window treatments, furniture and bedding
- Do not use extension cords to power the unit
- Change smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries every six months. Replace detectors after 10 years
Emergency Access
- Severe weather could impact access to your home in the event of a fire, medical or other emergency
- Your house number should be clearly marked at the front of the home
- Contract a snow removal service which guarantees snow removal after every 6 inches of accumulation
Exterior of Your Home:
- Ensure the ground slopes away from your home on all sides, including patios and walkways
- If the grade cannot easily be altered, consider installing swales, berms or drains on the upslope side of your home to divert water away from your foundation
- If your driveway slopes towards your home, make sure there is a drain near its lower edge that captures and diverts water away from the foundation
- Annually clean and inspect gutters and downspouts
- Ensure downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from the foundation
- For downspouts tied in to underground lines, ensure the drain lines are clear and free of debris
- Ensure basement window wells and doors have watertight seals and that window wells remain clear of debris and leaf litter that could block drains
- Consider installing covers over window wells to keep them clean and dry
- Trim dense shrubs and plants in close proximity to your home so the soil is exposed to sunlight and able to dry
- Make sure garden borders, debris or mulch do not create dams that hold surface water next to the house
- Look for voids, depressions or other evidence of soil settlement near your foundation that might allow water to pool
- Fill these areas with solid compactable soil, like clay, so that there is a constant slope away from the foundation
- Look for cracks in your foundation wall
- Hire a contractor professionally seal or repair any that might allow moisture to penetrate in to the basement
- If you are in an area with a high water table consider flood-proofing your basement by sealing the exterior surface or installing footing drains
Interior of Your Home:
- Install, maintain and service sump pumps annually
- Ensure all pump discharges are clear and downslope from the home
- Having multiple pumps is preferable to relying on a single pump.
- Consider a back-up power supply such as a battery back-up or generator, so your pump will continue to operate during power outages
- Consider installing a high water alarm on your sump pump that will notify you and your alarm company if the pump
- At least twice per year and before the winter/wet season, test the sump pump to ensure it is operational
- Ensure all basement drains are clear and free of debris
- Consider installing a back-flow check valve on any basement sewer lines to prevent back-up of sewer if municipal sewer systems become overwhelmed
- Consider installing an automatic water shut-off device that will detect plumbing leaks and close the main water supply line valve
- Elevate all valuable contents in your basement above the floor level
