Melting Snow In Spring Can Cause Water Damage In a Home

With the bulk of winter practically gone, it’s only a matter of time before the snow starts to melt. This is also the time when snow and ice deposits contribute to water damage in and around the home. Noticeable or not, water damage can create havoc in a number of ways. Even with some conventional preventive measures, snow and ice have a sneaky way of causing trouble. And with melting, there’s no way to really predict where the runoff will stream and where it might settle.

When snow starts to melt, and sometimes quite quickly, there’s a chance that water will leak into the roof cavity or attic. At times, this could be a slow leak as the melting water finds the easiest path to drip. And because this type of melting remains largely unnoticed, the water damage might be late in identifying. Structurally, there could be some ruined areas, but with water and moisture there is also the potential for mold to grow, something that requires professional remediation.

Melting snow can also cause water to enter the basement of a home through the foundation walls. This type of water intrusion poses the same problems as the roof and attic, and the water damage can be just as extensive. This is when a reputable restoration company can come to the rescue - providing a thorough cleanup, proper repairs, and comprehensive remediation. Whether there is insurance coverage or not, water damage of this type will need to be resolved straightaway.

Once melting snow or ice has penetrated into the building structure, cleanup and restoration has to be immediate. Any delay could propagate more damage, and cause the cleanup to be far more extensive and expensive. Here again, it’s the professionals who know how to correctly assess the severity of damage and then plot out a restoration plan. Clearly, damage that has been done is not reversible – the idea is to mitigate damage going forward and to effectively restore the space.

For homeowners, it’s important to understand that water damage from melting snow or ice is not a simple cleanup process. Professionals have the tools and equipment to ensure proper drying and effective ventilation - both designed to prevent further deterioration and the eventuality of mold. The remediation process has to be comprehensive, with an emphasis on averting potential health hazards for the occupants or residents. This is not the time for quick cleanup shortcuts.

Throughout the winter months, and as spring approaches, there are many preventive measures that a homeowner can take in order to better manage melting snow and ice damming. However, melting snow water always finds a ready path of flow, sometimes obvious to the sight, sometimes hidden. The goal for the homeowner is to be watchful and attentive, keeping an eye on anything that might be unusual. In a situation where water intrusion does materialize, quick response and action is imperative, and contacting water damage experts is highly recommended.