What Problems Can This Sudden Cold Snap Cause?

Cache Valley’s weather is always a bit unpredictable. It’s been a long time since I remember there being snow in October, but this year, that’s what we got. As much as a foot of snow in some places, the sudden snowstorm caused a lot of problems around the valley. What should you be worried about? And how can we help? Let’s take a look.

1. Freezing Pipes

The most obvious concern with a sudden cold snap is freezing pipes, especially if it happens early. Fortunately, as far as we’ve seen, our early snowstorm doesn’t seem to have done that, but it does serve as a warning. The cold is coming, and we need to get ready for it. It would be a good idea to take some time soon to make sure your home is ready. We have previous articles on tips for preventing frozen pipes and frozen faucets and hoses that you can look over. Take these precautions as soon as you can. You don’t want to come back from a Thanksgiving family gathering to find your basement flooded from busted water pipes!

2. Storm Damage

Freezing pipes is a problem from the cold in general, but the snow also provides other problems, especially when it comes early. In many places in Cache Valley, we’re seeing tree branches breaking off due to the weight. They still had their leaves on them, so they couldn’t handle the added weight of the snow. Along with snowstorms, we might also have heavy winds like last year. The damage caused by falling tree limbs can be costly.

3. Fires

You might not think that a snowstorm could cause a fire, but that’s a very real risk. With all the branches falling from trees, some of them might fall on the power lines. This not only knocks out the power, but creates a lot of sparks. If the sparks fall the wrong way, they might start fires. Additionally, fires are generally more common in winter just because of our attempts to keep our houses warm. The sudden cold will have us breaking out the space heaters, which are one of the most common causes of house fires. Before you do, make sure you review the basic safety precautions for their use.

Check Your Insurance Policy

How good is your home insurance? It might not be as good as you think. Over the summer, we’ve run into many unfortunate situations where people found out their insurance wasn’t as good as they thought. The policy covers a home for a certain value, but lately, the price of homes has been going up dramatically. Between a shortage of workers and materials caused by the Covid outbreak, we’re seeing a housing cost bubble. The value of homes is rising and the insurance policy you’re on may not be enough to cover the costs it would take to repair your home from any damage. Now is a good time to review your insurance policy and make sure your coverage is sufficient.

How Can We Help?

Hopefully, you won’t need our help with these issues, but that’s not something you can always control. The weather in Cache Valley is unpredictable. Between crazy windstorms, early snowstorms, and increased risk of house fires, you could be looking at some serious damage. That’s what we’re here for. If you have any problems caused by a sudden cold snap, or any other winter problems, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll help you get the most out of your repairs.