Home Weather CATsCATs ManualsPreventing Winter Storm Damage
Preventing Winter Storm Damage
Introduction
Winter storms are likely again this winter season. These storms can cause structural and property damage. With some planning it is possible to mitigate the possibly damaging effects of these storms before the cold weather warms and the snow and ice melt.Ice Dams – a common problem
The most common type of damage is the ice dam. Snow eventually melts on a warm roof surface and the water drains toward the colder eve, where it freezes. Additional melting water backs up behind the dam of ice that forms at the eve. This melting water pushes under the roofing shingles and drains into the house.
This sort of water backup can cause damage to the attic insulation, ceiling plaster or sheetrock, as well as wall insulation, wall plaster or sheetrock. It can also damage the flooring and sub-flooring, in addition to furnishings such as window treatments and upholstery.
Ice Dams – easy mitigation
Mitigating damage from an ice dam is easy to accomplish. The most fundamental prevention technique is to have adequate insulation in the attic to keep the warm air in the occupied areas of the building. Ideally the air in the attic should be close to the outdoor temperature. This keeps the roof cold and the snow on it from melting.
A second important step is to remove some or all of the snow from the roof. Sometimes removing the snow is necessary even with adequate attic insulation. It becomes critically important to do this when the atmosphere has gone through warm and cold cycles that cause the snow to begin melting and then refreeze, the more melting and refreezing, and eventually water is backing up behind an ice dam.
Snow removal is safely done with the aid of a snow puller or a snow rake. This is a long-handled tool that allows the puller to stand on the ground. Snow removal becomes more dangerous when the puller is standing on a ladder or is actually on the roof using a shovel.
Freezing of Plumbing Systems
Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze. The expanding water cracks the pipes or breaks the soldered joints as the freezing occurs. When the air temperature warms above freezing the frozen water melts and pours through the broken pipe or joint.
Freezing – unheated buildings
Winter storms often create conditions that severe electrical utility service. Most heating systems, even those fueled by natural gas, propane, or heating oil, will not operate without electricity. Buildings will remain above freezing for varying periods of time after heat is no longer available. If the temperatures will go below freezing, it is important that any pipes containing water be drained to prevent freezing and breaking.
Freezing – heated buildings
The outside temperature can become so cold that pipes inside a heating building will still freeze. This often happens in closed spaces that are unlikely to warm up to room temperature. Such areas can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, and so on. An easy way to prevent such freeze damage is to open doors, such as kitchen cabinet doors, from the concealed space to the warmer room.
Another way for pipes in heated buildings to freeze in very cold weather is when wind pushes the cold air through cracks in walls or around un-caulked window and door casements. If water pipes are exposed to this cold, wind-driven air it is possible for them to freeze. Checking the building for openings in need of caulk is easily done in the fall.
