Thick snow and ice during winter can cause major problems for many homeowners, from waterlogged basements to felled trees and collapsed roofs. That is where a good Edmonton Arborist comes in handy.
Aside from the health and safety threat that comes with freezing temperatures, inconspicuous ice sheets, and strong snowstorms, winter climate can also be extremely hazardous to your property.
The two major causes for home damages during winter are ice and snow. The mass of snow can damage roofs and collapse them. And after winter, when the snow melts, it can lead to major flooding in basements and problems with septic systems in the house.
Ice during winter can also freeze pipelines. And adding to the problems with ice is the possibility of slip and falls among homeowners. Ice that accumulates on trees can also be a source of damage if a branch from that tree falls in your house.
There are countries all over the world that experience extreme weather conditions from prolonged winter coupled with freezing temperatures. Because of climate change, such experiences of said conditions have been becoming more frequent. With that being said, it’s vital for property owners to be prepared and ready for such extreme conditions and not to disregard the fact that weight loads from snow on properties pose potential threat which can result in substantial damage to properties and damage to what’s inside the properties.
Extreme weather conditions that could happen in a span of several days is unsafe for property owners for the snow doesn’t have enough time to melt on roofs resulting in accumulation and exceeding the roof’s capability. Also, conditions will worsen if rain follows after heavy snowfall since rainwater will be absorbed by the layers of snow, which will add weight to the snow.
Snow along with ice on a roof applies a vertical load that can cause for roofs to bow downwards. Furthermore, this added weight can put horizontal force on structures that can cause walls to bend outward at either the base of the top of the wall. The load imposed on roofs by accumulated snow are within the capacity of the roof then, in general, any minor deflection that occurs on the roof will only be temporary and will disappear after removing the load.
And, snow that’s melting combined with rain can devastate drainage systems which can lead to flooding and damage.
To protect your property against snow related damages, it is crucial to create a well-thought out prevention plan and maintenance program before winter weather arrives, during and after the winter season. These simple and practical safety measures must be part of your property maintenance program.
Thanks to Timber Trim Tree Works for these tips.
