This winter has been a brutal time for many states in the Northeast, with much of the U.S. impacted by the Arctic Blast and chilly temperatures reaching 20 to 35 degrees below average. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and surrounding states have been engulfed by snow, rain, ice, wind and freezing weather causing property damage and power outages. Even Florida, a state known for its humid environment, is facing colder weather in the 20 degree range, which is much warmer compared to the below freezing temperatures felt by cities like Boston.
A huge issue is when consistent snow builds during a long period of time, which forms into ice and “weighs about eight times more” than snow, according to Garrick Goldenberg, a professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology.* This accumulation can lead to “ice dams” – thick ice that forms along the eaves of the roof. When ice dams form, the freezing and thawing cycle during the winter causes water to back up on roofs, seep into homes, and damage walls, ceilings, insulation, furnishings, and floors. This can then lead to mold and severe health risks for humans. Heavy snow has continued for the past week with snow forming on top of homes, businesses and other properties causing many roofs to collapse just in the Boston area alone. *WCVB.com
Experts at Paul Davis have been working around the clock to help the thousands of calls received from homeowners, insurance agents and adjusters, property managers and others needing help with commercial and residential building damage.
Here are a few Extreme Cold Weather Tips to prevent your house or office from getting damaged:
- Scrape the snow off your roof as frequently as possible to prevent ice dams from forming.
- Use fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.
- Practice safety by checking ventilation, using fireplace screens and monitoring your fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Create a Fire Escape Plan and practice with your loved ones.
- Avoid frozen pipes.
- Wrap all pipes with insulation, heat tape or newspapers to keep moisture out.
- Drip every faucet in the home or property.
- For already frozen pipes, open each faucet and pour hot water over pipes or use a hair dryer.
- Keep an Emergency Kit handy.
- The best type of kit contains emergency contacts, insurance information, a 3-day supply of water and food, medications, toiletries, weather radio with batteries, blankets, flashlights and necessities.
- Use an Family Emergency Plan to keep your loved ones safe: http://locations.helium.pauldavis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wp_EmergencyPlan_form-reduced.pdf
- Check on your neighboring homes, especially if they are elderly, disabled, or living alone.
We are confident these cold weather tips will keep you safe from harm as you stay warm during this chilly winter. If you do encounter damage to your property, please do not hesitate to Call Paul! We are here to assist you with multiple property damage services including water, fire, wind and storm damage to any type of residential or commercial building, including the furnishings and contents inside. Every Paul Davis expert is certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning Restoration Certification) and available with 24/7 response.
Resources:
http://www.wcvb.com/weather/icy-rainy-weekend-storm-could-add-to-massachusetts-roof-dangers/31338328
http://www.weather.com/storms/winter/news/arctic-blast-record-lows-midwest-south-northeast
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/ready-massachusetts/extreme-cold.html
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Top-Ten-Red-Cross-Cold-Weather-Safety-Tips
