The Snow Is Melting. Do This Today.

As snow melts off the roof during the first thaw, gutters and downspouts need a clear path to carry water safely away from the foundation.

We’ve had record snowfall, followed by weeks of freezing temperatures that kept the white stuff firmly in place.

So yes: we’re thrilled to see the sun today, and temperatures in the 40s feel positively tropical.

But the first real thaw is now underway, and all that snow is turning into water. The snow on your roof is melting and trying to drain through your gutters and downspouts to the street.

If that escape route is blocked, the water doesn’t just disappear. It backs up, overflows, and often ends up right where you don’t want it: against your foundation and in your basement.

Here are two things you can do today to protect your home from water damage:

1️⃣ Grab a shovel and clear a path for water at the curb

When streets are plowed, snow gets piled high along the curb, often directly in front of where your downspout drains. That pile frequently freezes solid.

Right now, meltwater may be rushing down your downspouts with nowhere to go.

What to do today:

• Go to the curb where your downspout meets the street

• Use a shovel to create a clear channel through snow and ice

• Make sure water can flow freely into the street

If water can’t escape at the curb, it will back up and overflow, sending water toward the foundation instead.

This is one of the most common causes of winter-to-spring basement water issues - and it’s completely preventable.

2️⃣ Check that your sump pump is working — and keeping up

When exterior drainage is compromised, your sump pump becomes your home’s last line of defense.

Check today:

• Is the pump turning on when water enters the pit?

• Does it sound normal (not straining, not silent)?

• Is the discharge line clear and unfrozen?

With this much snowmelt happening at once, sump pumps are under real stress. If yours fails now, water can accumulate quickly.

We’re here to help

If you discover an issue, like a sump pump that isn’t working properly, drainage that needs attention, or something that just doesn’t look right, we’re happy to help. We can recommend trusted local contractors and talk through next steps to protect your home.

Helping homeowners maintain their homes and protect the investment they’ve made is a big part of what we do, whether you’re staying put or thinking about a future move. Let’s connect.

Kenney & Co. Group at KW Consultants Realty
Local Roots. Smart Moves. Lasting Wealth.

📍 Based in Central Ohio | Helping Buyers, Sellers, and Investors
Teresa 📞 614-975-8370 📧 teresakenney@kw.com
Sheila 📞 614-264-1800 📧 sheilagibbons@kw.com
Liz 📞 614-517-2268 📧 lizkoehler@kw.com
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