Snow’s Melting -- Yay! Basement’s Flooding -- Oh no!

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you’re returning home from a fantastic getaway or just an afternoon spent running errands, discovering your basement flooding will certainly take the wind out of your sails. 

As we New Englanders know, the weather patterns around here change on a dime and an Arctic freeze one week can turn to mild temperatures the next. When this happens, especially if the rising temps are accompanied by rain, whatever snow is on the ground tends to melt too quickly. 

The result? Flooded basements, frustration, and the need for water damage restoration ASAP. 

Fortunately, our SERVPRO team has a few snow-savvy tips to help you avoid this situation and the need for water damage remediation.

Protect Your Basement from Melting Snow

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast, even after our area has experienced significant snow accumulation. If the prediction includes a warming trend or rain, you’ll want to make time for some strategic snow removal, to avoid the need for professional water removal.  

• Start by pulling down snow from the roof with a roof rake. 
• Shovel any snow that’s fallen from the roof, along with snow that has accumulated on the ground, well away from the foundation of your home. Ensure a good five-foot buffer between the snow pile and your home’s structure.

Of course, you’ll want to check the condition of your basement, too. Take a walk around and identify any cracks where water could leak in from the outside. 

Sometimes even our best efforts fall flat and we’re left dealing with a basement flood, anyway. In this case, contact your SERVPRO of Haverhill / Newburyport team for fast and reliable water removal.