When we think of winter weather, we often think of pretty snowflakes, icicles decorating trees and windows in an attractive way and lots of lovely leaves in various shades of brown and red, being blown around by big gusts of wind and of course, all of those things can happen in winter, but for many of us, the reality is often less the picture perfect winter and more lots and lots of rain.
So, it is not surprising that many properties are much more prone to flooding during the winter than at any other time of the year, right? If you are worried about wet winter weather causing havok on your property, do read on for my top tips on how to prevent winter flooding effectively.
1. Clear Your Gutters Before Snow Arrives
Okay, so one of the simplest, but most powerful, things you can do to help prevent winter flooding on your property during the winter months, is to have a gutter company come in and remove all of the debris from your gutters, whether it be leaves, dirt or fallen branches, so that they can actually do their jobs and keep water from spilling over the sides of your home and pooling on your property where it can do tons of damage. Ideally, while they’re at your home, you should get the gutter company to install leaf guards that will help to prevent the future build-up of debris, too. Oh, and do consider heat cables if ice dams are a recurring issue, because they are easy to install and will help a whole lot.
2. Improve Drainage Around Your Foundation
Poor grading is one of the biggest risk factors for flooding on just about any property, so you are definitely going to want to get to grips with it, especially if you live in an area that tends to get lots of snow, because the biggest risk is when snow starts to melt. If water naturally slopes toward your home instead of away from it, your basement or crawlspace could be in trouble.
Some of the best ways to go about fixing this particular issue include:
Regrade soil so it slopes downward at least 6 inches over 10 feet away from your foundation.
Add French drains to capture and redirect excess groundwater.
Extend downspouts with flexible extenders or buried piping to move water farther away.
Use landscape contours to guide meltwater toward storm drains, gravel pits, or lower areas on your property.
Proper grading prevents meltwater from settling against your foundation, where it can easily seep inside.
4. Insulate and Protect Your Pipes
Pipes are a big risk factor when it gets very cold because, if they freeze, they can burst, and that can cause flooding on your property to be a big problem. The good news is, it is really easy to mitigate against this risk by making sure that your pipes are insulated and protected from the elements. How do you do that?
- Insulate exposed pipes, especially in basements, attics, garages, and crawlspaces.
- Seal drafts around pipe entry points to keep warm air in.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks during freezing temperatures to promote airflow.
- Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold to keep water moving.
- Shut off and drain outdoor spigots before the first freeze.
If you plan to be away from home for an extended period, then you should absolutely shut off your water at the mains and drain the pipes, so that if they do freeze, they will not be able to burst and flood your entire property without you being on hand to take action immediately.
4. Keep Your Roof in Top Shape
Your roof plays a significant role in protecting your home from flooding, so it goes without saying that you need to make sure it is in tip-top condition when winter rolls around. A single weakness, such as missing shingles, loose flashing, and gaps around vents, can become a major issue when it’s raining like cats and dogs, or there’s snow on the roof that starts to melt, so before winter gets into full swing, you are going to want to do the following:
- Have a roofer inspect for damage.
- Repair or replace compromised shingles.
- Seal gaps around chimneys, skylights, and vents.
- Remove debris like branches and moss.
A healthy roof prevents meltwater from entering your attic and dripping down into walls, insulation, or living spaces, thus avoiding a “slow flood” that may not be caught until damage is extensive.
5. Prevent Ice Dams Before They Form
Ice dams are something that can happen when warm air in the attic causes snow and ice on the roof to melt, and run down the house, refreezing as it goes, and trapping new meltwater behind the ice. When this happens, that water can often seep into the home, causing damp and potentially flooding as it does so.
How do you prevent these ice dams from forming?
- Improve attic insulation to keep heat inside your living space.
- Make sure attic ventilation allows cold air to circulate properly.
- Use a roof rake to safely remove heavy snow from roof edges.
- Install heat cables if your home has a history of ice dam formation.
Ice dams are sneaky winter flood-causers, but proactive insulation and ventilation make a huge difference.
6. Keep Exterior Drains and Inlets Clear
Your property likely has several key drainage points – storm drains, driveway drains, area drains, basement stairwell drains. When these freeze or clog with debris, water has nowhere to go.
Throughout fall and winter:
- Remove leaves from exterior drains weekly.
- Check for ice buildup after freezing rain.
- Make sure driveway channels and culverts are unobstructed.
- Use an ice melt safe for concrete if drains freeze shut.
Keeping drains clear helps melting snow move away quickly instead of pooling into unwanted areas.
Flooding is common in winter, but it is by no means inevitable, and if you take the time to do these six things, then chances are you will not have to worry about water this winter.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
