The 2015 winter has been a brutal time for many states in the Northeast, with much of the U.S. affected by the Arctic Blast and chilly temperatures reaching 20 to 35 degrees below average. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and surrounding states have been overwhelmed by ice, snow, rain, wind and freezing weather causing property damage and power outages. Even Florida, a state known for its suntanning environment, is facing chilly weather in the 20 degree range, which is almost hot compared to the below freezing temperatures felt by places like Boston.
A big problem is when consistent snow builds overtime, which forms into ice and “weighs about eight times more” than snow, according to Garrick Goldenberg, a Wentworth Institute of Technology professor.* 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 ceilings, walls, insulation, furnishings, and floors. This can then lead to mold and severe health risks. Heavy snow has continued for the last few days with snow forming on top of homes, businesses and other properties causing hundreds of roofs to collapse just in the Boston area alone. *WCVB.com
Paul Davis has 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 residential and commercial 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 much 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 family.
- 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, turn each faucet on and pour hot water over pipes or you can use a hair dryer.
- Keep an Emergency Kit around.
- The best type of kit contains emergency contacts, insurance and doctor information, a 3-day supply of food and water, medications, toiletries, weather radio with batteries, blankets, flashlights and other needed items.
- Use an Family Emergency Plan to keep your loved ones safe: http://locations.pauldavis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wp_EmergencyPlan_form-reduced.pdf
- Check on your neighbors and their homes, especially if they are elderly, disabled, or living alone.
We hope these chilly weather tips will keep you safe from harm as you stay warm during this chilly winter. If you do encounter property damage, 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 there for you 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