5 Homeowner Tips After Heavy Snow
- March 14, 2017
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After a heavy snow, here are some precautions that homeowners can take to help prevent water issues inside the home. These tips will work best before the snow starts melting!
1. Clear snow from outside stairwells
Outside stairwells can often act as catch basins where snow can accumulate. Removing snow from outside stairwells will help reduce the risk of water coming through the basement door during snow melts.
2. Clear snow from window wells and egress exits
Check your window wells and egress window exits to clear out any gathered snow so that the snow melt does not put unnecessary water up against your basement windows and egress entrances.
3. Ensure that drains are flowing properly
Make sure that any drains located in outside stairwells, window wells, and egress exits are draining water properly. If they are connected to a sump pump system, you can slowly pour warm water into the drains to make sure that any snow or ice in the drain line is melted and there is clear passage of water to your sump pump.
4. Check sump pump discharge lines
Snow melts mean a lot of water saturating the soil, and that means your sump pump is going to run. Check your sump pump discharge line to make sure it is not blocked by snow or other obstructions so that water is pumped safely away from your home.
5. Check gutter downspouts
Make sure that your gutters are free-flowing and leading water away from the house as much as possible. Blocked gutters can lead to ice damming, which has the potential to damage the gutters, roof, and inside of the home.
These steps are geared towards managing the water from the snow melt and reducing the stress on your home. If you find that these tips are not enough to help with your Basement waterproofing issue, give us a call and we can come out to help you.