No Meltdowns: Protect your home from the eventual thaw

It’s going to melt.

If it goes fast, which is possible with temperatures likely to shoot above freezing this weekend, we’re all in for a world of wet.

Homeowners who’ve had water problems in the past, especially in basements, can expect to have them again when the snow melts, said Ken Harris with Bodine Construction of Lynnwood, which specializes in drainage systems.

Most local ground is already soaked, leaving snowmelt no place to go.

“It’s pretty saturated right now,” Harris said. “You want to get the water as far away from the house as you can.”

Homeowners who know they don’t have good drainage or who live in low-lying areas should take precautions.

Move snow away: Now is the time to clear snow away from the house. Clear at least a 10-foot perimeter. Move snow to an area where it can drain away from the house, ideally on a slope. Clear snow off areas or structures that slope toward the house, such as driveways.

Remember that the snow is sodden and heavy enough to cave in roofs. Expect an aerobic workout; don’t overdo it.

Extend downspouts: Hardware and home improvement stores sell downspout extenders that divert water with flexible hoses up to 4 ½ feet long, said Mike Stovall of Lowe’s in Lynnwood.

If you want to channel water even farther, ask for corrugated ABS pipe, which is available in 10- to 50-foot lengths and can be attached to downspouts.

Think before you pour: Don’t divert water into a neighbor’s yard, and think twice before piping it directly onto your sidewalk or street. If the water freezes and someone slips on it, you could have a bigger problem.

“You’ve got to get creative,” Harris said. “You don’t want to create a hazard.”

Test sump pumps: Brent Bissell, owner of B. Bissell General Contractors of Snohomish, said now is the time to test sump pumps, especially those that haven’t been activated in years.

“Make sure they’re functioning so you’re not caught there at the last second,” Bissell said.

Homeowners can pour water in to see if the sensor activates the pump. On sump pumps with float-activated sensors, homeowners can simply lift the float device to see if it activates the pump, Harris said.

Be extra careful to avoid electrical shock.

Stay off the roof: Now is not the time to jump on a ladder to remove snow off your housetop. Call a professional if you’re concerned about damage to your home.

Leave icicle-trimmed gutters alone, too, said Tod Kienitz of Five Star Gutters of Everett.

“They’re going to be full. It’s not going to be pretty,” Kienitz said. “I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting up there.”

Instead, resolve to maintain the gutters when the weather improves.

“Clean your gutters every year,” Kienitz said. “If your gutters aren’t draining or flowing properly, water goes out where it’s not supposed to and it just starts causing problems.”

Improve drainage: Keeping on top of drainage around your foundation and yard in a rainy climate is just common sense. Though it’s too late now to make changes before the melt, it’s something to consider when the ground clears, especially if your system appears to be failing.

Harris said not all repairs are labor intensive.

Instead of digging up an entire yard, his crews can investigate drainage problems with a video pipe camera.

“Sometimes roots or the ground shifts,” Harris said. “We can dig down there and do a surgical repair or auger it out or jet clean it.”

Rake a drain, report problems: Snow, leaves and debris can clog city storm drains and cause flooding. If you have a partially blocked drain on your street, gently use a rake or shovel to clear it, if possible.

If you notice a drain that isn’t functioning property, report it to your city or county public works office.

“If people see something that just doesn’t look right, most of the time someone’s not doing something about it because we don’t know about it,” said city of Everett spokeswoman Kate Reardon. “Give us a call.”

Everett has already anticipated the flooding by lowering the water level in the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

“When this snow event began, we were already doing preparation to make sure that, when it starts to melt, our sewer system is going to be able to handle it,” Reardon said.

Reporter Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037 or sjackson@heraldnet.com.