When Winter’s Weight Becomes Your Home’s Nightmare: How St. John’s Heavy Snowfall Threatens Your Plumbing System
St. John’s, Newfoundland, holds the distinction of being Canada’s snowiest city, typically receiving 335 cm of snow per year, with about 114 days a year having at least a centimetre of snow on the ground and mid-winter snowpack averaging around 31 cm deep. While this winter wonderland creates picturesque landscapes, it poses serious challenges for homeowners, particularly when it comes to protecting their plumbing systems from the devastating effects of heavy snow loads.
The Hidden Dangers of Accumulated Snow on Your Roof
Heavy snow accumulation creates multiple threats to your home’s plumbing infrastructure that many homeowners don’t consider until it’s too late. Heavy snowfall can exert immense pressure on your roof, with snow putting as much as 20 pounds of pressure per square foot, and this weight doesn’t just threaten structural integrity—it directly impacts your plumbing system in several critical ways.
One of the most immediate concerns is damage to plumbing vent pipes. Since the vent stack is on the roof, it’s susceptible to clogging from a variety of sources, and in snowy climates, a buildup of snow and ice can block the vent pipe and keep it from working properly. When these vents become blocked, air pressure cannot regulate your system, and smelly, potentially dangerous gases can back up into your living space.
The structural stress from snow loads can also affect pipes running through exterior walls and attics. Frigid temperatures can damage your indoor plumbing system and leave you with frozen pipes within walls, with some homes more susceptible than others, particularly those with water supply lines or drain pipes in vulnerable, unheated areas like exterior walls, the attic and the basement.
Ice Dams: The Silent Plumbing Destroyer
St. John’s variable winter weather patterns, which often include storms delivering a sequence beginning with snow, followed by ice pellets and/or freezing rain or rain, then reverting to snow flurries, create perfect conditions for ice dam formation. Ice icicles hanging from the eaves of your home may indicate ice dams and future plumbing damage, as moisture dams melt, water seeps over your roof eaves and creates icicles, and as more snow melts, water flowing along your gutters and roof may back up behind these dams, leaking into the attic or sidewalls of the home.
These ice dams don’t just cause roof leaks—they can freeze pipes within your walls. Pipes on exterior walls or in your attic may be more likely to freeze in the winter, and if water enters your home, freezing temperatures and a lack of insulation can turn the water into ice, freezing the water on or inside the pipes, with frozen pipes potentially bursting if not addressed promptly.
Protecting Your Plumbing System from Snow Load Damage
Prevention is always better than costly emergency repairs. Even a foot of snow can cause your roof to collapse, so after the first heavy snow, make sure you remove snow from the top of your house, as well as in and around your chimney, using scraping tools designed for safe snow removal.
For plumbing vent protection, if snow blocks your plumbing vent frequently, hiring a plumber to put in a new vent pipe that’s taller can help, and insulating the pipe as it runs through your attic can also help by keeping the vent warmer and reducing the risk of snow or ice buildup.
Pipe insulation is crucial for St. John’s homeowners. Look in your basement, crawl space, garage and attic for exposed pipes, and you can insulate them with pipe insulation or newspapers, with heating cables added to your waterlines providing additional protection.
When Emergency Strikes: Professional Help You Can Trust
When winter weather overwhelms your home’s defenses and you’re dealing with frozen pipes st. john, you need immediate professional assistance. The City provides a service to thaw frozen water services to owner-occupied residences, but they will thaw external water service laterals only, not frozen plumbing inside the residence.
For comprehensive plumbing solutions, Chicago-based All Rooter Hydro Jetting Experts provides reliable emergency services. They’re dedicated to keeping your plumbing running smoothly and offering honest, reliable service at a fair price, with local expertise, fast response times, and satisfaction guaranteed. Located in Chicago, IL, All Rooter Hydro Jetting Experts services the city and surrounding suburbs and are available for 24-hour emergency plumbing services.
The Cost of Inaction
The financial impact of ignoring snow load threats to your plumbing can be devastating. Cold temperatures can freeze water inside plumbing lines, causing pipes to expand and burst, with a single burst pipe potentially releasing hundreds of gallons of water, flooding floors, walls, and basements. Winter storms caused $2.1 billion in insured losses in 2019, with wind, hail, water and freezing issues leading the list on homeowners’ claims.
Seasonal Maintenance: Your Best Defense
Given that St. John’s first snowfall usually arrives in October or November, with the season’s last snowfall often happening in May, homeowners have a long window of vulnerability. Regular maintenance should include clearing gutters, inspecting roof integrity, and ensuring proper insulation around all plumbing components.
Proactive winter maintenance is paramount when caring for roofs during heavy snowfall, with regular inspections by professional contractors needed to identify any existing issues or potential weak areas that may be exacerbated by snow load, and taking time to clear off accumulated snow can prevent damage and ensure longevity.
Don’t let St. John’s notorious winter weather catch you unprepared. By understanding the risks, implementing preventive measures, and knowing when to call professionals, you can protect your home’s plumbing system from the costly consequences of heavy snow loads. Remember, in plumbing emergencies, quick action can mean the difference between a minor repair and a major disaster that affects your entire home.