This winter has been an unbearable time for most states in the Northeast, with much of the U.S. affected by the Arctic Blast and bone-chilling temperatures reaching 20 to 35 degrees below average. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and surrounding states have been engulfed by snow, rain, ice, wind and freezing weather causing power outages and property damage. Even Florida, a state known for its suntanning environment, is facing colder weather in the 20 degree range, which is much warmer compared to the negative temperatures felt by cities like Boston.
A huge problem is when consistent snow builds overtime, which turns to 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 ridges of ice that form 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, floors, and furnishings. This could cause mold and severe health risks for humans. Heavy snow has continued for the past week with snow piling on top of homes, businesses and other properties causing hundreds of 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 residential and commercial building damage.
Below 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 glass doors and monitoring your fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
- Create a Fire Escape Plan and practice with your family or roommates.
- Eliminate 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 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 water and food, medications, toiletries, weather radio with batteries, blankets, flashlights and necessities.
- Use this 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 cold weather tips will keep you safe from harm as you bundle up during this chilly winter. If you do encounter property damage, please do not hesitate to Call Paul! We are there to help 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