One of the things that lots of people look forward to in the winter is the snow – it covers the earth with a beautiful blanket making the landscape look stunning, and of course for the young and the young at heart it is an opportunity to go out and enjoy sledging, snowball fights and building a snowman! However, it is also the source of many problems, and here are some of the things to watch out for when it snows…
Driving – This is a big problem for many during periods of snowy weather – you only have to watch videos like this, of cars slipping in heavy snow on the roads of Gloucestershire to realise how dangerous it can be for drivers.
The best thing to do when there is heavy snowfall is to not try to drive anywhere in it, especially if the roads in your area haven’t been treated with grit. It is often the smaller roads that are problematic, so if in doubt don’t go out!
Your Roof – The roof of your home can be put under much more pressure when the snow starts to fall. The layer of snow that blankets a roof might look pretty, but it also puts a lot of pressure on the roof of a building and if there are areas where the roof is weakened it can cause a lot of damage. It is advisable to have your roof checked regularly by a professional like this Cheltenham roofing company, especially if you live in an older property. That way you can repair any problems before they are worsened.
Flooding – When the snow melts this is where the problems can start for many people. In the winter, there are lots of floods caused in the UK by snow that has melted and travelled in huge volumes down hills into rivers and streams which then become overloaded, bursting their banks and causing flooding. When this comes at a time of torrential rainfall, as is common in the winter months, the effects are even worse. Flood defences are in place in many areas, but these can only do so much. It is important to keep an eye on flood alerts in the winter, especially if you are in an area that is prone to flooding or live near a river.
