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How snow and ice can damage your property
Snow and ice not only cause inconvenience to our everyday lives but can also be responsible for significant damage to your home. Before the weather takes a real turn for the worse in the weeks and months ahead, it would be in your best interests to minimise the risk of damage to your property by putting a few simple strategies in place right now.
Here are just a few ways snow and ice can damage your property and how you can overcome these issues:
Clogged guttering
During autumn, leaves fall off the trees rapidly and may clog up your guttering, contributing to blockages known as ice dams during harsh spells. As a result, this prevents thawing ice and snow from moving along the route which can potentially cause water to seep through the ceiling of the house and cause destruction to your interiors. To prevent this occurring, take the time to clear out your gutters regularly and make sure they are free from debris.
It might surprise you, but a warm attic can actually do your property more harm than good when it comes to ice and snow being present on the roof. If situated in the middle of the roof, lumps of snow will melt and flow downwards towards the guttering where they are likely to refreeze if temperatures are substantially lower.
With this in mind, it’s important to keep your attic as cool as possible. Prevent heat escaping from the rest of the household and into the attic by sealing any gaps and cracks in the ceiling.
Damage from loose branches
Storms can cause branches from bushes and trees to break away from the roots and become unsteady. When picked up by the wind, loose branches can cause serious damage to the exterior of your home, car and potentially even injure someone walking by, so it would be wise to trim back trees and bushes and pull out any dead branches before the harsh weather strikes.
Damaged pipework
Ice and snow can significantly damage the pipework that runs inside and outside of your property. When water freezes, it expands – and if this occurs within the pipes themselves, it can cause cracks or even explosions. As a preventative technique, drain water from outdoor valves and disconnect the hose pipe, while ensuring that interior pipes such as those found in the garage, basement or loft are properly insulated to prevent water turning to ice.
Slippery pathways
Potholes occur when water becomes trapped in small cracks within a tarmac surface and expands when it turns to ice. This is not only an aesthetical issue – it can also become a health and safety hazard if not repaired. To prevent guests from slipping on ice when approaching your home, purchase de-icing products such as rock salt and de-icing salt to keep pathways, driveways and gardens clear and clean.
Milestone stocks a full range of winter supplies to help you keep problems caused by rogue snow and ice at bay. Browse our full range online or get in touch with our team for more information on which type of product best suits your requirements.