If You Own An Eastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey Home This Is What You Need To Do About The Snow

Snow removal is never anyone’s favorite thing to do, but after the snowstorm we experienced this past weekend there is plenty of snow that needs to be removed.  If you are a homeowner in Eastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey, there are responsibilities you must take care of to keep your home from being damaged, and to keep you and your guests safe.

Each city and state has their own unique rules that are required when it comes to snow removal and you should check with them to make sure all regulations are followed, but in general here are a few good things to keep in mind.

If you have a sidewalk you may wonder if it is your responsibility to clear it, and yes it is.  As a homeowner, you would be held responsible if someone were to fall and become injured due to falling on your obstructed walkway. There is an exception to this rule and that is if you live in a condo or co-op that charges a fee to hire a snow removal service it may not be your responsibility. Check with your board to see if snow removal includes both driveways and walkways to your condo.

Snow can also result in an ice dam building along your home’s roof which could lead to damage. An ice dam occurs as your home’s roof heats up and the snow higher up melts and freezes once it reaches the gutter. As the water continues to freeze and the frozen section grows bigger, the water is no longer able to drain and it will back up and seep under your home’s shingles and will find its way into your home. The water that leaks inside your home as a result of an ice dam can damage your walls and ceilings among many other places.  Not all leaks are always quickly noticeable. Leaks from water getting under your shingles as a result of water backing up from an ice dam may cause the insulation to get wet and joists to rot, all which could lead to mold growth.

You can prevent an ice dam from happening by stopping heat loss from your roof. Your main objective should be to keep heat from reaching your home’s roof.  You can prevent this by having your attic properly insulated and vented.

The sheer weight of snow on your home’s roof can result in your gutters and downspouts pulling away from your home, and it could take the fascia boards with it. Removing the snow from your roof can stop this from occurring. There are snow rakes you can use, or a broom also works well to help remove the buildup of snow on your roof.

Stay safe this winter season and make your home safe to visit as well. If you are looking to buy or sell your Eastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey home this winter, The Silva Group would be delighted to help.  Contact us at any time or feel free to call us directly at (267) 202-4955.

The Silva Group is comprised of Philadelphia and New Jersey’s best and brightest in the real estate industry. Our team is more than a bunch of real estate agents packed into an office – we are friends and family members who all have one passion – to provide the very best real estate experience possible to our clients.