Snow + Rain Cause Problems for Bucks County Residents

With lots of snow remaining on and around many homes throughout Philadelphia and Bucks County, it may seem the forecast of rain could help finally melt the snow. Unfortunately, the rain on top of so much snow poses a serious danger to homes and residents.

Bucks County Safety Precautions

Bucks County Emergency Management issued a warning to residents this week, in the face of rain forecasts. Rain, on top of the current amounts of snow and ice, increase the risk of buildings collapsing. 

“If rain falls on the standing snow and ice, it may have an effect like a sponge and absorb all of the moisture, making the load on a building heavier,” stated Bucks County Emergency Services Director Scott T. Forster. “While it is dangerous for owners to remove snow from a roof by climbing on it, snow rakes that reach a sloped roof from the ground are a possible solution for those who are concerned about the weight.  This should only be performed by a professional contractor to prevent injury and damages to the roof.”

Although most roofs, whether commercial or residential, are designed to withstand far more than exists at this point, there still is a danger of the rain and snow together causing a full or partial collapse.
The snow can be removed with a snow rake. The Bucks County Emergency Management notice states that homeowners should never stand or climb on the roof to try to remove the snow. The snow must be removed using a snow rake while standing on the ground. Homeowners should not attempt this on their own, as it is an extremely dangerous task.

Ice dams and ponding can signal structural problems that must be addressed.

Tips For Managing Snow Accumulation 

Removing heavy snow from the roof or other structures is dangerous and should only be undertaken by a professional. Contact a Bucks County landscaper or other qualified contractor and be sure they have insurance and other credentials. In addition, homeowners should keep the following precautions in mind:

• Flat roofs are at greatest risk. If you have a flat roof with heavy snow and water, especially if ponding (standing water which generally indicates a structural problem or structural damage) is visible, contact a professional who can determine the load capacity and the best means to resolve the problem.
• If a collapse seems imminent, call 911 and remove people and animals from the immediate area.
• Call a professional if you have concerns of any kind about the load capacity of your roof or other structure.

Resources:

FEMA Snow Load Safety Guidance: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1857-25045-4422/fema_snow_load_safety_guidance.pdf

Bucks County Emergency Management Notificiations:  http://www.buckscounty.org/newreader/2014/02/18/DangersofSnowandRainAccumulation

Spring Cleaning the Outside of Your Home

The exterior of your house needs attention after a harsh winter

Ice dams can cause severe damage and must be removed properly.

Winter is coming to an end but its marks of destruction remain. The damage from the harsh winter is visible in all of the outdoor areas: the house, garage, roof and in lawns and gardens.

The first order of business before the spring decorating and gardening is spring cleaning. Spring cleaning the inside of the house is a big task that most people take on this time of year, but don't forget about spring cleaning the outside of the house and the lawn.

The cold, wet weather takes a toll on the outside areas of a house: paint, wood, masonry, shingles and more can be in disrepair without your noticing. Hire a qualified house painter to check and repair hidden as well as visible damage. Hidden damage to the trim can become very costly later when it allows rain to collect in spots or leak into the house. Such damage also provides access to various critters and insects.

Cleaning the exterior and gutters

Power washing and gutter cleaning are necessities this time of year, especially considering the rough winter. Ignoring these tasks can allow damage to remain unseen, destroy your home's curb appeal, and allow rain to back up and eventually cause leaks and rotting.

Spring Clean Your Lawn Now For a Beautiful, Green Yard Later

Restoring the natural appearance of a lawn and garden after winter may require the help of an expert landscaper, especially if you are pressed for time or have difficulty performing heavy work -- spring cleaning outside is not an easy task to perform, especially after the particularly harsh winter the Bucks County and Philadelphia areas have seen this year. It needs to be planned effectively to make sure of excellent results during the growing season. The main purpose is to clear the lawn so that the soil, grass and plants can breathe and receive sunlight.
Pick up and remove the debris from winter storms. It can be done manually or with the use of simple cleaning tools like a rake. Remove all fallen branches and tree limbs, as well as any leaves that were not removed last Fall. If there are any very large limbs that have fallen in your yard, you may need to hire a landscaping company. Otherwise, a rake will serve as an effective garden tool for removing the dry leaves and broken branches. If you do this work yourself, be sure to check the regulations and disposal schedules for your township.

Tip: Mulch helps to maintain the fertility of the soil when distributed on flower beds and around trees. Plants grow healthier when the soil is rich with mulch.

After removing the debris, cut the grass if it has grown long enough over the cold winter. Never cut too much at one time: Cutting the grass too short damages it and allows disease and pests to overtake the lawn. As the weather continues to warm, you'll want to continue spring cleaning by keeping debris picked up from any straggling, late-winter storms and planning your gardens and planting times. You also may want to consider aerating, fertilizing, and overseeding your lawn in the days to come.

Check the roof

Once the snow has been cleared, hire a roofer to inspect your roof for damage and weak spots caused by the onslaught of winter storms, wind, snow and ice. The ice storms in the Philadelphia area this winter did great amounts of damage. It's better to find out now than wait until the damage is worse.