Heavy Snowfall Wreaking Havoc? 7 Home Repairs a Handyman Can Help With
Winter storms may end in a beautiful landscape outside of your home, but all that snow can take a serious toll on your home. Depending on where you live in New England, you could have received up to eighteen inches of snow in the last week alone. From ice dams to frozen pipes, extreme snowfall can lead to damage that, if ignored, can result in expensive repairs. Before small issues become more significant, here are some common problems caused by heavy snowfall—and how a handyman can help you fix them.
1. Ice Dams & Leaks
Snow on your roof might look harmless, but when it melts and refreezes at the edges, it forms ice dams—big, stubborn blocks of ice that trap water behind them. With nowhere to go, that water can seep under your shingles, leading to leaks, mold, and even structural damage. A handyman can safely clear snow off your roof and break up ice dams to keep your home leak-free.
How do you know when it’s time to make a call? If you’re beginning to see huge icicles hanging from your gutters or if your gutters are visibly sagging.
2. When Icicles Become a Problem
About those icicles you see hanging from your gutters? When they’re small, they can make your house even more beautiful. When they get big enough, they can actually be a sign of trouble. Heavy snow and ice can bend, loosen, or completely tear gutters off your house. And if your gutters are clogged with fall leaves that got wet and froze solid, the ice will expand and make things even worse. A handyman can clear out the icy buildup, re-secure sagging gutters, and make sure your drainage system is working properly before the next storm hits.
3. Drafty Doors & Windows
If you have a cold breeze sneaking in under your doors or around your windows, you’re not just feeling uncomfortable—you’re also losing money on your heating bill. This is something I’ll stress time and time again. Cold drafts can force your furnace to work overtime, which isn’t good for your energy efficiency or your wallet. A handyman can seal gaps with weatherstripping, re-caulk windows, and adjust doors to keep your home cozy without the extra heating costs.
4. Collapsing Sheds, Decks, or Carports
Snow might be light and fluffy when it falls, but once it piles up, it gets heavy. Especially in cases where heavy snowfall is followed by light rain, the rain may freeze over and greatly increase the weight of the snow. Decks, sheds, carports, and even pergolas can buckle under too much weight, leading to dangerous collapses and expensive repairs. A handyman can safely remove excess snow, inspect structures for damage, and reinforce weakened areas before things take a turn for the worse.
Call a Handyman Before Small Problems Become Big Headaches
Winter storms may be unavoidable, but the damage they cause doesn’t have to be. While fall is the ideal time to prepare your home for harsh weather, let’s be honest—most people are too busy to check every box on their winter prep list. That means when heavy snow hits, homeowners can find themselves facing unexpected issues like ice dams, frozen pipes, or even structural damage.
If winter has already left its mark on your home, don’t wait for small problems to turn into expensive repairs. A handyman can tackle these issues quickly and efficiently, restoring your home’s safety and saving you time, stress, and money in the long run.
Need help dealing with winter damage? Call a handyman today and get your home back in shape—before the next snowstorm buries you in even bigger problems!
