By the time March rolls around, we all like to think there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and snow and ice will soon be just a memory as spring nears.
But, we live in Maine.
It’s just the reality of life in the Northeast: Snowstorms are a real possibility well into March and April. To ease the pain of a late season snowstorm, it helps to be ready to tackle the mess of one. Here are two crucial tips to help you prepare for the inevitable spring storm.
Make sure salt, sand and shovels are easily accessible
Once we have a couple of warm March days, it might be tempting to put the salt and sand away in the back of the garage for next year. Remember though, doing so will just make dealing with a late season storm that much harder. When you already have to deal with snow and ice, why add to the frustration by having to fight your way to the back of the garage before work? Or when you’ve just gotten home from a day at the office? Keep your salt and sand easily accessible until the threat of snow and ice really has passed.
The same goes for shovels – don’t pack them away or leave them out where they might get covered if there is an unexpected storm. Have them ready to grab and ready to go. If you have a snowblower, keep it gassed up and ready to start. The quicker you can get started on clearing snow, the quicker you’ll be done with clearing it away.
Roof maintenance
During the depths of winter in Maine, snow and ice collect quickly on the roof. Both present dangerous and potentially expensive problems if not taken care of, and a late-season storm can just exacerbate those problems.
Raking your roof regularly throughout the winter can ensure that a late-season storm doesn’t catch you by surprise and cause problems. One square foot of snow weighs about 20 pounds. That quickly adds up to create a dangerous situation with the potential for roof damage — or even collapse — as well as an environment where ice dams can easily form.
Ice dams are not only a danger to your property because of their weight (57 pounds for one square foot of ice!) but because they cause backups that cause water to seep through your roof and into your house. As we have warmer days followed by cooler days, melting snow and ice get trapped on your roof; the water freezes again, then melts again, and throughout this process, it backs up and you might start seeing leaks in your roof. This isn’t just annoying — it’s expensive, especially when you consider the potential for mold growth on top of the water damage caused.
Taking care of the snow and ice on your roof regularly throughout the winter can help you prevent many headaches when all you want to do is start enjoying the warmer weather.
If you’d prefer to call in the professionals — as well as ensure you don’t have to worry about plowing and snow blowing — contact AC Yard Services to find out how we can help you take care of your property year-round.
