Late Season Storms and What Can Happen to Your Warren, OH Home

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

Winter storms pose several problems for homeowners if left unattended.

Northeast Ohio statistics from Dec 1, 2019 to Feb 29, 2020, which by definition is ‘Meteorological Winter,’ was the 4th warmest on record and about 2 feet below average on snowfall. There is currently less than a 20% ice coverage across the Great Lakes.

March 1^st represented the first day of ‘Meteorological Spring.’ With Northeast Ohio averaging 16 inches of snow over the span of March, April and May for the last 127 years, there is likely some snow in our future.

Historically, spring is an active weather season. As we exit February, wet days and periodic warm and cold spells are still expected. So, what can we expect if a late winter storm hits Northeast Ohio communities?

As home and business owners, here are some last-minute tips to help prevent damage and keep families and employees safe.

Avoid Ice Dams – When the heat from your home causes ice to melt in the middle of the roof and it drips to the edge where it refreezes near the edge, an ice dam is created and can lead to leaks in your roof, ceilings and walls. If icicles hang from your roof, that’s a sign of ice dams.

• To help protect against this, keep the attic no more than 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.
• Seal around light fixtures and ceiling fans to prevent warm air from escaping

Make Sure Pipes Are Warm – Winter is pipe burst season! The water in the pipes in attics, basements and behind cabinets can freeze. To prevent these pipes from bursting, try these tips.

• Wrap the cold pipes in insulation
• Open cabinets to expose the pipes to warmer air
• Let the faucet drip slowly so that there is a flow of water running through the pipes

Invest in a Gutter Guard System – Or, if you want to keep costs down, clean your gutters so water doesn’t accumulate due to clogging.  Also, you can try these other preventative measures:

• Check down spouts to make sure that water is being diverted away from the home or building properly
• Use caulk or weather stripping to lessen the draft from doors and windows
• Make sure you disconnect any garden hoses and store in a warmer climate.

Consider Investing in A Generator – This is a long-term investment and something to keep in mind. Insurance companies may offer discounts for those that have them. You can also expect it to be an additional heat and power source for:

• Sump Pumps
• Security Alarms
• Fire Alarms

SERVPRO of Southern Trumbull County is available to help with any needed services that pertain to water damage in your home or business. Please call us at 330-392-6355.