Minnesota winters are full of fun activities like snowmobiling, ice fishing, and downhill or cross-country skiing—not to mention views of beautiful snow-covered hills and frozen lakes. But it’s not all good news. As any Midwesterner knows, winter also brings slippery commutes, negative temperatures, and snow mounds that pile up around homes and businesses.
During early spring, this snow can melt—only to refreeze when the temperatures drop again, causing damage. Without proper damage control, snow melt can weaken your foundation, damage your basement, and flood your yard. While the best way to deal with water damage is to avoid it altogether, that sometimes isn’t an option. If disaster strikes, partnering with a water damage restoration company like Royal Renovations can restore your property while keeping costs down.
How Snowmelt Leads to Flooding and Water Damage
As many water damage restoration companies will tell you, effective damage control begins with an understanding of the problem. After snow accumulation occurs, rising temperatures can melt snow rapidly. The increased water flow can overwhelm gutters, drains, and other natural waterways, leading to backup and potential water damage to buildings.
During late winter and early spring, the ground is often still frozen, reducing the amount of water it can absorb. Like electricity, water flows along the path of least resistance, which could force it into the cracks of your foundation and siding. When temperatures drop and water refreezes, it expands—potentially causing significant damage.
Areas Most at Risk for Snowmelt Flooding
Understanding rapid melting goes a long way to effective water damage prevention, but it’s also necessary to identify the areas of your home or business that are at the greatest risk of damage from flooding.
Often, professional water damage restoration companies advise home and business owners to look for clogged gutters, outdated downspouts, or poorly designed drainage systems. These areas are usually more likely to experience water backup and flooding. In addition, homes with basements, crawlspaces, and those without proper waterproofing are more vulnerable to this type of damage. Pay close attention to those key areas—focusing on them can make water damage prevention significantly easier.
Water Damage Restoration Tips
Identifying high-risk areas is part of an overall damage control strategy, but it’s only the first step. Property owners can further minimize the risk of damage with these five water damage restoration tips.
Keep Gutters Clean
Regularly clean gutters and ensure downspouts direct water away from your home. Gutters are a home’s first defense against pooling water. If these areas are clogged, water can’t flow in the right direction. Start by removing large debris by hand and then use a hose to flush any remaining remnants from the gutter. If your gutter system is large or complicated, a professional water damage restoration company can get the job done quickly and easily.
Grade Your Yard
If it seems that water is pooling close to your structure, consider grading your yard. Some water restoration companies recommend home and business owners to look at the slope of their yard and ensure that it allows water to flow away from buildings.
Clear Snow from Around Buildings
An easy way to prevent water damage is to simply keep your property clear of snow. Less snow in your yard means lower waterflow during warm temperatures.
Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump is a small pump designed to remove water from flooded areas. Sump pumps are commonly installed in basements and can be used to remove water from flooded basements and crawlspaces.
Control and Prevent Damage with Royal Renovations
Melting snow and flooding can inflict serious and expensive water damage to your home or business—that’s where professional water restoration companies come in. With the ability to quickly and thoroughly inspect critical areas and provide expert insight, water damage restoration companies not only control damage but also provide useful water damage restoration tips—saving you money in the long run.
If water damage does occur in your home or business, contact Royal Renovations.