The Big Melt Off
Melting snow can create problems for your home
Nic Wackerly | Newman Restoration & Cleaning
As Spring arrives, hopefully the snow stops and the warm weather stays. While it is nice to return to outside activities, the warm weather can lead to potential problems for a basement or crawl space. Newman Restoration & Cleaning has some helpful hints to prevent damage to a basement or crawl space.
Manipulate snow piles to manage snowmelt and ground saturation - Melting snow can lead to heavily saturated soil and cause problems for basements and crawl spaces. A foundation crack can be the entry point for snow melt to cause water damage in a home. One way to manage snow melt is to remove snow from the foundation perimeter and from the roof of the property. If possible, push the snow to where it will melt away from the property.
Inspect foundation for cracks - It is a worthwhile investment to have an inspector check for cracks in the foundation. Foundation cracks are a common way for a basement to flood in the spring. Sealing a foundation crack may seem expensive, but it can save a property owner from a much larger bill.
Regularly inspect basement and crawl spaces - It is a good idea to check for water in the basement or crawl space during the spring. Every couple of days, make sure to inspect these areas that can flood. Sometimes the water may not be visible and the first indication of water damage can be a mildew or sour smell. If there is any indication of water in your property, call Team Newman right away to dry the area and reduce the chance of microbial growth.
Pay attention when using sprinklers and hose bibs for the first time - It is possible that hose bibs and sprinkler systems could be frozen or developed a crack over the winter. Pay attention when turning them on for the first and inspect for proper water pressure. A leak from the sprinkler system or a hose bib can turn into water damage for your property.
