Snowmageddon

February 2010-February 2010 broke the record for the highest accumulation of snowfall in one month in the history of Pittsburgh. It began the weekend of February 5 and 6, when Governor Rendell declared a state of emergency, now known as the Snowmageddon, or the Blizzard of 2010. This unprecedented amount of snowfall caused dangerous road conditions, power outages and we have yet to see what lasting damage it will cause to our homes and offices.

The problems shared by everyone in the state may not end when the snow stops falling. They may just transform from dealing with snowfall, to dealing with what the heavy snow and ice has left behind. The ice build-up in gutters was inevitable. This is referred to as ice damming and occurs in the days after a snowstorm. The icicles hanging from gutters usually indicate that a dangerous ice dam has formed. When more snow melts and is trapped behind this ice, the resulting water backup can soak through roofs causing damage to ceilings, walls, doors, windows and more.

A few steps to prepare for this type of weather include applying heat tape and cleaning gutters in the fall. Also, when replacing shingles or installing a new roof, weather guard can be installed beneath the shingles at the edge of the roof line or on the valleys of the roof to help prevent a path for water entry.

These are just a few tips that may alleviate water damage. However, snowfall and ice build-up of this magnitude are inevitable in a storm of this severe. When the snow finally stops pounding Pittsburgh, and you find you are left with property damage or need clean-up, call Massaro Restoration Services, LLC at 412-599-0023 or 1-866-MASSARO.