Spring is officially here, and judging by weather forecasts, it may be around to stay. This means that Calgary is entering into a phase known as ‘The Great Thaw.’ The Great Thaw is that time of year when month-old piles of frozen snow begin to melt, when foundations begin to settle back in and when the trees start to stretch their limbs. Calgary is getting ready to say goodbye to another long winter and to welcome a fresh spring.
The Great Thaw is a beautiful, exciting time of year. Calgary’s colour palette turns back from grey to green. Outdoor sporting events, BBQ’s, evening walks and blooming flower beds are on the horizon. However, The Great Thaw also comes with its own unique set of challenges. At the foremost of these challenges is the effects it will have on your home. Read on to find out how you can give your home a helping hand during this time.
On the top of your list of things to watch out for this spring should be pooling water. This happens when the snow melts and spring rain showers begin. These pools of water can leak into your home and wreak havoc. Mike Holmes warns, “if you do notice water pooling on your property, you need to keep an eye out for signs of moisture in your home. Look for things like water stains or a musty scent in the basement. Moisture problems lead to a whole different can of worms: mould, rot and poor indoor air quality. And unfortunately, the fix is rarely cheap” (source).
Frozen pipes are another major issue. If you turn on a faucet and notice that only a trickle of water is coming through, you are likely dealing with a frozen pipe. If you can’t wait for it to thaw out, “apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber” (source). If the pipe burst due to frozen water, you may also notice water pressure is minimal. Call a plumber right away, because a leaking pipe is incredibly dangerous.
As the ground freezes and thaws, anything rooted in it will adjust. This is a major problem in Calgary. You will likely notice this most with your fences and gates: come spring the locks won’t align like they once did. You will have to manually fix this. Usually the shift is small and not worrisome, but it is still important to keep an eye on this as it could damage structures.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Posted by Ken Richter on
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