Winter Flooding in Bristol, SERVPRO Explains Frozen Factors

2/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Mitigate the Damage from Storms and Ice Damage in Bristol

SnowMelt and RainWater: A Combination Leading to Flood Damage in Bristol

Central Connecticut residents tell many stories of severe flooding during all times of the year. Bristol experiences significant damage as the tail-end of hurricanes or summer trains of thunderstorms roar through the community, often filling basements and crawl spaces with contaminated overland floodwaters. The transition between winter and spring adds the potential for a substantial “bump” in flood water quantity, including in the Pequabuck River, because of snowmelt. Winter’s freezing and thawing cycles, forming roof-edge ice dams, can also quietly allow severe water damage rivaling flooding to compromise your home from the top down.

Late Winter Storms Increase Flooding Risk
After months of winter storms and snowmelt, flood damage in Bristol is not unusual. The ground is still frozen in late winter, unable to absorb water. As the ice and snow melts, subsequent sleet and rainstorms add to the moisture load, which then flows into homes rather than soaking into yards and other green spaces.

Cold Weather Flood Remediation Challenges
Even if daytime temperatures rise, overnight temperatures remain at or below freezing. Crawl spaces, in particular, require flood water removal adaptations as much of the moisture forced inside presents as ice, slush, or snow. SERVPRO technicians need to shovel out the partly and completely frozen water to halt further damage when it begins to melt.

Ice Dams--A Unique Type of SnowMelt Flood Damage
SERVPRO technicians responding to mysterious flooding of lower levels look upwards during investigation and evaluation, especially if icicles dangle. When warm air rises through inadequately insulated and sealed joints between the roofline and the cold outdoors, any build-up of icy snow or an ice dam melts a bit, leaking back into your home. Over an extended period, the water flowing silently down between interior and exterior walls can collect in substantial quantities, eventually breaking through ceilings or bubbling wallpaper or paint. It also can accumulate behind baseboards, seeping through to damage floors and soak carpeting on many levels.

Storms, snow, and water can all result in flood damage that SERVPRO of Bristol can help you conquer. Call us at (860) 582-3330 to see what our talented and trained crews can do.