How to Keep Your Basement Dry During the Winter Thaw

We’ve had weeks of below-zero temperatures and a solid foot of snow parked in our yards. Now the forecast is shifting into the 30s and 40s, and a whole lot of melting is happening. While that feels like progress, it’s actually one of the riskiest times of year for basement moisture problems.

Why? Because all that snow has to go somewhere, and if your home isn’t ready, it often heads straight for your foundation. So here’s how to stay ahead of snowmelt season and keep your basement dry while winter makes its messy exit.

Start with the Foundation

Your foundation is ground zero when the snow starts to melt. Take a walk around your home and look closely for cracks, gaps, or areas where water could sneak in. Even hairline cracks can become entry points once meltwater builds up.

Seal visible cracks with a quality waterproof masonry sealant, and pay attention to where the ground meets your foundation. If the soil has settled and now slopes toward the house, melting snow will follow that path right inside. Long-term, regrading may be needed, but even small fixes now can make a difference.

Clear Snow Away, Especially Now

Snow removal isn’t just about shoveling walkways. As temperatures rise, snow piled along the foundation, bulkhead, or basement windows becomes a slow-release water source.

Pull snow away from:

• Foundation walls

• Basement windows and window wells

• Bulkheads and exterior stairwells

This gives meltwater room to disperse instead of pooling against your home. Think of it as redirecting traffic before there’s a pileup.

Make Sure Gutters Can Handle the Thaw

When snow melts from the roof, gutters and downspouts become critical. If they’re clogged with leaves, ice, or debris, water will overflow and dump straight at your foundation, exactly where you don’t want it.

Check that:

• Gutters are clear and securely attached

• Downspouts are open and directing water several feet away from the house

• Ice hasn’t pulled gutters loose or changed their pitch

This is one of the most common causes of basement water during a thaw and one of the easiest to prevent.

Don’t Ignore Window Wells

Basement window wells love to collect snow, ice, and debris. When everything melts at once, those wells can fill up like a bathtub and leak straight through window frames.

Clear them out now and make sure the drains at the bottom are open and functioning. If you’ve had issues in the past, window well covers can help keep snow and water out altogether.

Prepare from the Inside, Too

If moisture does get in, you want to limit the damage. Interior waterproof coatings on basement walls can help reduce seepage, and a dehumidifier can keep humidity levels under control during the thaw, when damp air is common.

Condensation plus cold surfaces equals moisture, so controlling humidity helps prevent mold and musty smells from taking hold.

Test Your Sump Pump Before You Need It

Snowmelt can overwhelm a sump pump fast. Now is the time to test it, not during the first warm rain on top of melting snow.

Pour water into the sump pit to confirm it turns on, pumps efficiently, and drains properly outside. Clear any debris, and make sure the discharge pipe isn’t blocked by snow or ice.

If your sump pump fails during a thaw, water can rise quickly and cleanup is never fun.

A winter thaw might feel like relief, but it’s also when many homeowners discover problems they didn’t know they had. A little attention now can save you from water damage, mold, and expensive repairs later.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. For remodeling or home improvement needs, call (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

When (and How) to Shovel Your Roof After Heavy Snow

If it feels like we’ve been living inside a snow globe lately, you’re not imagining it. Connecticut has taken a serious beating this week, and while most of us have been focused on clearing driveways and walkways, there’s another place snow quietly causes trouble: your roof.

Last week, we talked about ice dams, those thick ridges of ice that form along the roof edge and trap melting snow, often forcing water back under shingles. One of the best ways to prevent ice dams is also one of the most overlooked winter maintenance tasks: roof shoveling.

So when should you shovel your roof, why does it matter, and how do you do it safely (or decide not to do it yourself at all)?

When to shovel your roof

There’s no hard-and-fast rule like “six inches equals shovel time,” but there are some clear signals. If your roof has accumulated a foot or more of snow, especially heavy, wet snow, it’s worth paying attention. The same goes if you’re seeing icicles forming along the eaves, uneven snow melt, or signs of ice dams starting to build.

Older homes, homes with flatter or low-pitch roofs, and houses with less insulation or ventilation tend to be more vulnerable. And if we’re in one of those cycles where snow melts during the day and refreezes at night (hello, New England winter), snow buildup becomes more than just a cosmetic issue. It becomes a structural and water-infiltration risk.

Why roof shoveling matters

Snow is deceptively heavy. A roof holding several inches of wet snow can be supporting thousands of extra pounds. Over time, that stress can contribute to sagging, cracks, or long-term damage, especially if your roof was already nearing the end of its lifespan.

But the bigger issue for many homeowners is water. Snow melts, water moves, and when it refreezes at the roof edge, it has nowhere to go. That’s how you end up with leaks, stained ceilings, peeling paint, and mold growth, sometimes weeks after the snow is gone.

Roof shoveling reduces the amount of snow available to melt and refreeze, helping to prevent the ice dam cycle we talked about last week before it starts.

How to shovel your roof safely

If you’re going the DIY route, safety comes first. You should never climb onto a snow-covered roof. Instead, use a roof rake with a long extension and work from the ground. Pull snow down gently, starting at the roof edge and working upward a few feet at a time.

The goal isn’t to scrape the roof bare. In fact, you don’t want to. Leave a thin layer of snow to avoid damaging shingles. And always be aware of what’s below—snow and ice come down fast and heavy, and no one wants a surprise avalanche landing on them or their landscaping.

If your roof is steep, high, or difficult to access, or if ice has already formed, that’s your cue to stop.

When to call a professional

There’s no prize for doing this yourself. Roof shoveling can be dangerous, and every winter, people get hurt trying to save a few dollars. A professional has the right tools, safety equipment, and experience to remove snow and ice without damaging your roof or themselves.

Many local home improvement companies like ours offer roof shoveling during heavy snow seasons. We already understand roofing systems inside and out, can assess whether snow removal is necessary and handle it safely when it is. That kind of experience matters, especially when ice dams or existing roof issues are in play.

Roof shoveling isn’t something most homeowners think about until there’s a problem. But paired with good insulation, ventilation, and awareness (like spotting ice dams early), it’s one more way to protect your home during a tough Connecticut winter.

If you’re unsure whether your roof needs attention, trust that instinct or call a pro. It’s always better to address snow buildup proactively than to deal with water damage once everything melts.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ice Dam Prevention This Winter

If this winter feels unpredictable, you’re not wrong. We’ve been experiencing a familiar but frustrating pattern: cold temperatures and snow followed by milder daytime weather, then freezing again overnight. That constant freeze-thaw cycle is the perfect recipe for ice dams, even in years when snowfall totals are relatively modest.

Ice dams form when snow accumulates on a roof and begins to melt during warmer daytime temperatures. Heat escaping from the home, often through an under-insulated attic, warms sections of the roof just enough to melt the snow. The water then runs down toward the eaves and gutters, where roof temperatures are colder. As nighttime temperatures drop, that water refreezes. When this melting and refreezing happens repeatedly, a thick ridge of ice builds up along the roof edge, creating an ice dam.

These icy barriers don’t just sit harmlessly at the edge of your roof. They block proper drainage, forcing melting snow to back up under shingles. That water can seep into the attic, soak insulation, stain ceilings, damage walls, and create conditions that encourage mold growth. The weight of the ice itself can also pull gutters away from the house or loosen shingles, opening the door to even more water damage.

Homeowners should watch for early warning signs. Large icicles hanging from gutters, uneven snow melt across the roof, or water stains appearing on interior walls during winter are all indicators that heat is escaping and ice dams may be forming.

When ice dams appear, many homeowners are tempted to take matters into their own hands, but this is where things often go wrong. One of the most common mistakes is hacking away at ice with a shovel, axe, or ice chopper. While it may feel productive in the moment, this can easily damage shingles, puncture the roof, or dent gutters, leading to repairs that cost far more than the ice dam ever would have. Another risky approach is climbing onto an icy roof without proper safety equipment. Slips and falls are a serious hazard during winter and can result in severe injury.

Chemical deicers can also cause problems if used improperly. Products not designed specifically for roofs may damage shingles, kill nearby landscaping, or corrode metal gutters. Even roof-safe deicing products should be used cautiously and viewed as a temporary measure, not a long-term solution.

The real fix for ice dams isn’t on the roof at all. It starts in the attic. Proper insulation and ventilation help keep roof temperatures consistent, preventing snow from melting unevenly in the first place. Unfortunately, more than 75% of New England homes are under-insulated, often because they were built before modern energy standards were in place. As a result, heat escapes easily, setting the stage for ice dam formation.

Improving insulation helps keep warm air inside the living space where it belongs, while proper ventilation allows cold air to circulate in the attic and keeps the roof surface cold. Together, these upgrades not only reduce the risk of ice dams but also improve comfort year-round and lower energy bills. They can also help reduce moisture buildup in the attic, decreasing the likelihood of mold and mildew.

With today’s increasingly unpredictable winter weather, ice dams are no longer just a problem after major snowstorms. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles mean they can form quickly and unexpectedly. Addressing insulation and ventilation now, before damage occurs, is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.