Tips for Checking Your Home After a Snowstorm

Snowy weather is all fun and games until it’s time to shovel. Just like you prepped your home before the snow, there are steps you should take afterwards that will make things safer and easier for you and your home. Get tips for checking your home after a snowstorm in this Ace Hardware video:

Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. This is especially true if you’re running on generator power. Most detectors have a test button or light indicator.

Check your interior walls and ceilings for leaks or ice dams. Typically, signs of ice dams occur near the ceiling where the gutter meets the wall.

When checking your property, look for signs of downed or damaged power lines. If you see anything, contact your utility company and don’t touch or move anything in that area.
Check your trees for signs of any risks like falling branches. Consider carefully removing them or contact a professional for assistance.

Check your gutters to prevent ice dams from forming. Make sure snow is able to drain from the roof properly. Ice dams form when water freezes into hard ridges that act as treads, preventing snow melt from draining off your roof. Without anywhere to go, water will soak into your roof and find its way into your home.

A roof rake and roof pucks can help with removing snow and mitigating potential problems. Roof pucks are large pellets of salt; when tossed on various parts of your roof, they make removal of snow and ice easy and fast.

Remove icicles from your roof and gutters. This will help prevent injust not just to people but also to your property.

Clear the snow and ice from any furnace or dryer vents. This will help the system perform best.

As the snow begins to melt, test your sump pump again right after the storm ends by pouring a 5-gallon bucket of water in it.