Baldwin / Welsh & Parker (BWP) Insurance Agency Provides Steps to Prevent Property Damage Due to Winter Storms

With record-breaking snow, the Baldwin / Welsh & Parker Insurance Agency wants to remind residents to continue working to prevent property damage due to snow, ice and spring melting. Here are their top Four (4) Right Away, Don’t Delay Tips

1. Remove excess snow from the roof. Prevent the need for water damage restoration and encourage water flow by carefully removing excess snow from the roof or hiring a contractor to do this for you.
2. Clear gutters, drains and downspouts: When rains and rapid snowmelts are imminent, cleaning gutters and drains will direct water away from the building. Make sure a channel to the storm drain is clear of debris.
3. Move the snow: After a winter storm, move piled snow away from the property’s foundation.
4. Secure property on lower levels. Move items up onto waterproof shelving, to higher levels of your property, or have waterproof containers to help prevent water damage.

In addition, here is great information offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA):

Homeowners, tenants, and businesses should be cognizant of the danger posed by heavy snow loads on roofs, and the importance of recognizing the warning signs of potential structural weaknesses. In many instances, the risks posed by accumulated snow can be mitigated by safely removing snow from roofs. Flat and low pitched roofs, most often found on industrial buildings, but also used in certain home designs, are at the greatest risk of buckling under heavy snow and ice accumulations.

To safely remove snow from roofs, the following tips are recommended:

DO

• Use a snow rake for pitched roofs (available at most hardware stores) to remove snow from your roof.
• Start from the edge and work your way into the roof.
• Try to shave the snow down to 2 or 3 inches on the roof instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering.
  • Keep all ladders, shovels and roof rakes away from utility wires.
  • Plastic shovels are usually best. Metal tools may cause damage to your roof.
  • Shovel snow from flat roofs throwing the snow over the side away from the building.
• Remove large icicles carefully if they’re hanging over doorways and walkways. Consider knocking down icicles through windows using a broom stick.
• Wear protective headgear and goggles when performing any of these tasks.
• Consider hiring professionals to do the job. The combination of heights plus ice makes this one of the more dangerous house chores. If you choose to do the task yourself, have someone outside with you to assist.
• Keep gutters and drains clean, free of ice and snow and keep downspouts clean at ground level.

DON’T

• Unless approved by a registered professional engineer, don’t add your weight or the weight of equipment to the roof.
• Don’t use a ladder since ice tends to build up on both the rungs of the ladder and the soles of your boots.
• Don’t use blow torches, open-flame, or electric heating devices like hair dryers or heat guns to remove snow and ice.
• Don’t try to remove ice or icicles from utility wires or meters. Call your utility company for assistance.

How to Recognize Problems with Roofs

• Sagging roofs
• Severe roof leaks
• Cracked or split wood members
• Bends or ripples in supports
• Cracks in walls or masonry
• Sheared off screws from steel frames
• Sprinkler heads that have dropped down below ceiling tiles
• Doors that pop open
• Doors or windows that are difficult to open
• Bowed utility pipes or conduit attached at ceiling
• Creaking, cracking or popping sounds

What to Do if You Have Problems

• If you notice any signs that you have a problem with your roof, or suspect a gas leak, leave the building immediately without touching light switches and call 9-1-1 from safely outside.
• For general questions, call your local building or fire department business line.

Other Safety Tips for Homeowners

• Clear snow away from furnace and dryer exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
• Clear snow from fire hydrants near your home or business.
• Clear snow from storm drains near your home or business to prevent street flooding.

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About the Agency.  Baldwin / Welsh & Parker Insurance Agencies has four offices in eastern Massachusetts—Wayland, Bedford, Hudson and Winthrop—and is one of the most respected agencies in the Commonwealth. The Agency has been selected as a national ‘Best Practices Agency’ for its 13th consecutive year by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA). Only 203 agencies nationwide merited this distinction from more than 1200 nominations out of 26,000 member agencies. Only nine are in Massachusetts. The award is based on outstanding customer service, growth, stability, and financial management.