Three ways a winter storm can damage your property

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Old roofs are susceptible to roof collapses under heavy snow accumulation.

During the winter in West Michigan, lake effect snow storms can dump massive amounts of snow in a short period of time. While Michiganders are generally well equipped to deal with snowfall, blizzards can cause a large amount of damage to your property if you are ill-prepared. You can help prevent irreparable damage by:

? Replacing your building's roof every 20-30 years
? Updating appliances
? Insulating your building's plumbing system

Damage from a storm can catch property owners off guard, especially if they are new to owning their own property. Here are some of the most common damages inclement winter weather can do to a building.

1. Plumbing Issues
A common cause of burst pipes is cold weather brought on by winter storms. Lowered temperatures cause water to freeze inside of pipes. The frozen water then increases the pressure inside of your building's plumbing system. Pipes can burst under this pressure and can result in devastating water damage. If you experience a burst pipe, stop the flow of water immediately to prevent further damage.

2. Roof Collapse
Roofs are engineers to carry at least 20 pounds per square foot. When a winter storm hits, the snow can pack on top of your roof putting extra weight and strain on the structure. An older roof can cave in under the stress of packed snow. Ice dams are another common cause of roof collapse. Insurance companies will often cover a replacement roof if you have experiences this type of storm damage.

3. House Fires
Property owners crank up the heat during inclement weather by using furnaces and gas heaters. This increases the risk of a fire, especially if appliances are outdated. The stress of added heat can cause the old appliances to catch fire, causing sever damage to the building. To prevent a fire, keep your heating and electrical systems updated before a storm hits.

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Dealing with damage from a winter storm? Give us a call! 616-647-4300