Dealing With Albuquerque Extremes – Preparing for Snowfall

It’s a trend for temperatures to plummet without any warning in Albuquerque – are you ready for the next snowfall?

Although the summer doles out its fair share of problems to property owners, the extreme winter is definitely harder to prepare for. Between patches of solid ice and the snowstorms that cause blackouts for several days, the extreme winter in Albuquerque can wreak havoc for unprepared property owners.

If you want to keep your house or office – with minimal disruption to business – safe from snowfall, there are a few things you should do.

Take Care of the Gaps Around the Windows and Doors

Those tiny cracks in your windows and doorways may seem harmless in the summer; they can render your heating equipment useless in the winter. All the hot air circulating in your house will escape to the harsh winter outside. This wouldn’t look good on your energy bill either as the HVAC will work overtime to reach your desired temperatures.

So first things first – seal up those gaps and cracks. You can use several low-cost solutions such as caulking (in the case of doorframes) and weather stripping (for windows and doors).

Keep the Gutters Clean

Before the snow starts falling in your area, make sure your gutters are clear of any debris and foreign objects; otherwise, you could be looking at an expensive repair in the future.

One of the worst consequences of snowfall on rooftops is the buildup of ice dams. These ice dams can force water to seep into your property, causing long-term property damage. A fool-proof solution to prevent this from happening is to keep the gutters clear of debris that could allow ice dams to form.

Protect Pipes with Insulation

The water in your pipes is at a higher risk of freezing during snowfall. This increases the risk of pipe leaks that can cause heavy damage. You can prevent this by making sure to drain the sprinkler systems and faucets outside your house. Also, don’t forget to insulate pipes running through unheated interiors (such as basements and garages).

It is important to insulate the pipes if they are situated in any part of the house that received sparse heating.

Don’t Allow the Attics to Get Heated

Warm attics can cause ice dam damage by melting the snow on your roof and draining it toward the gutters where it refreezes.

A good trick to keeping your attic cool is to provide it with proper ventilation. You can also seal any openings and cracks in the ceiling so that the heat from your house doesn’t reach the attic.

Pro tip: Make sure to keep the attic floor insulated to keep the heat outside of the attic.

Don’t Allow the Snow to Overwhelm the Roof

While snow can lead to water damage, it can also lead to something far worse – the structural collapse of your roof. The snow can accumulate over time and become too heavy for your roof to support. If your snow is making strange noises, it’s time to call a roofing contractor nearby to relieve some of this weight.

You try to remove the snow yourself, but doing so is dangerous and not recommended for untrained individuals. An effective DIY strategy is to use a snow rake and see if you can reach the roof from the ground. This step is very effective at clearing out the snow forming near the gutters and can prevent ice dams.

Pro tip: Add a roof rake to your shopping list.

Keep the Heater on (even when you’re out)

The best way to protect your home from snowfall damage is to keep it heated – even when you’re not around. You might not be inside to enjoy the heat, but at least it will keep your pipes from freezing and save you from an expensive bill.

Clean the Chimneys

If you use your fireplace very often, make sure to clean the chimney at least once every year. It is a good idea to schedule an inspection during the summer. Most people wait until the winter to get their chimneys inspected, but most contractors will be overwhelmed by similar requests, and you’ll have to get in line. If you schedule a chimney cleaning service in the summer, the contractor can help you right away.

Pro tip: Make sure you have enough fuel to get through a power outage.

Prepare for Fire Emergencies

House fires often occur during snowfall, even if there has been a power outage. Make sure you and your family are protected from fire damage by stocking up on fire extinguishers and fire blankets. It is also a good idea to create an emergency plan so that all occupants know what they must do during a fire.

Dealing with Water and Fire Damage

If the snowfall leads to water damage, it’s time to act fast and call water damage restoration services in Albuquerque. There is a risk of mold damage only 24 hours after water damage – so you’ll need to call for help as soon as you can. Contact your nearest 911 Restoration Team in Albuquerque.