Snow Damage in Prior Lake MN | Can Snow Damage My Home?
When you think of snow, you probably imagine it covering the ground and piling up on roofs. But did you know that snow can damage your home in many ways? In fact, during a heavy snowfall in winter, homeowners should be prepared for all kinds of potential problems—including ice dams and even window damage due to insufficient insulation or improper installation. Since these issues can affect everyone from renters to homeowners, we’ve compiled some basic information about how snowstorm damage can wreak havoc on your home’s exterior (and what steps you should take if any such damage occurs, including contacting your local contractor). Snow Damage in Prior Lake MN
Heavy Snow on Your Roof
The weight of snow can be dangerous to your roof. Snow can weigh up to 40 pounds per square foot, leading to costly roof repairs or even complete replacement if the weight causes too much damage.
Snow is also an environmental hazard that can cause water leakage in your home, making it difficult for you to see where you are walking and putting yourself at risk for a fire or car accident. Not only does snow lead to potential danger but it also damages your home! If ice dams begin forming on the roof of your house due to cold temperatures, this will cause permanent damage over time which could require costly repairs when spring comes around again next year
Ice Dams
If you’re thinking about preventing ice dams, it’s important to know that they can be a serious issue. If your roof is already damaged, an ice dam may cause leaks and further damage to the roof. Ice dams can also pose a more serious threat: in rare cases, they can collapse roofs. In addition to causing leaks and damages to your home’s structure, ice dams can cause flooding in homes and even put residents at risk of electrocution from downed power lines.
Fortunately for homeowners, there are several ways to block off entry points for water coming into their homes through gaps around doors and windows during cold weather months—even if these methods seem like overkill at first glance! Ventilating properly will help keep moisture out of your attic spaces where it could potentially freeze later on down the road. You should also pay attention if any cracks occur around doorframes or window panes so they can be repaired immediately before allowing water access into sensitive areas like living rooms or kitchens where people spend most of their time indoors during winter months.
Heavy Snowfall Hitting Windows
The first thing you may notice when heavy snowfall hits your home is that the weight of all that snow can be enough to cause damage to windows. If you’ve ever stood on a pile of freshly fallen snow and watched as it accumulates in a heap, then you’re familiar with how much weight each flake contains.Â
The best way to prevent such damage is by keeping those windows closed during a storm. It might not be what one wants while they’re dealing with freezing temperatures or blizzard conditions—but if you want minimal hassle when everything is over and done with, then this step is vital in ensuring there won’t be any unexpected repair bills later down the line.
However! If despite all precautions taken against them (and despite being indoors), your windows are still showing signs of impact from high-velocity winds or large amounts of precipitation falling from above, you can contact your local contractor for help.Â
Keeping Your Home Safe
Remove snow from around your home by shoveling it or using a snow blower if you have one. Be careful not to break any shingles when removing the snow from around your roof. If you’re going up on a ladder, make sure that the ladder is secure.
Hire a Professional Contractor
If you suspect that your roof is damaged, the first thing to do is check with a professional. Many roofing contractors are happy to visit your home and check for signs of damage, but if you’re careful, you can look for them yourself. The most obvious signs are cracks in the roof or siding and missing shingles, though there are plenty of other things to look out for as well:
- Torn or ripped gutters
- Water damage on the exterior walls of your house
- Any sign of ice dams forming on your gutters or chimney
If any of these potential issues crop up during winter months—or even if you just want some peace of mind before they come—don’t hesitate! Call an expert contractor immediately so they can help prevent further water damage while also fixing whatever issue may exist.
Snow Damage in Prior Lake MN
We hope that this post has helped you better understand when it’s safe to go outside and clear your roof of snow, as well as when it’s not. If you’re unsure about how to proceed with removing ice dams from your home or checking for signs of damage on its structure, we recommend contacting our team of experts for assistance at Capstone Bros. Contracting in Prior Lake, Minnesota!