Wet Basements And The Maryland Blizzard Of 2016
It was impossible to miss the blizzard we all suffered through in January, and with the subsequent warm days that followed, the melt that occurred right afterwards. Bethesda and Germantown had 2 of the highest snowfall totals with 27 inches and 33.5 inches respectively, but the entire state saw some pretty serious totals throughout. During the week following the big blizzard, Maryland high temperatures reached from the low 40’s into the higher 50’s, causing all of this snow to begin melting at an alarmingly rapid pace.
To see what this type of melt can do to basements, it serves to look at the type of numbers snow melt creates. With dry powdery snow, 10 inches of snow equal to 1 equivalent inch of rain, or water melt. Now, what we experienced during the blizzard was not a dry or powdery snow at all, and with such a wet and heavy snow, the melt ratio would be more like every 7 inches of snow equaling to 1 inch of liquid water as it melts. Taking Bethesda or Germantown numbers into account, we’re talking just under 4 to 5 inches of liquid water created as the warm temperatures melt the snow away.
Needless to say, the Maryland blizzard of 2016 created plenty of wet basements, particularly with the lightning fast melt caused by the unseasonably warm temperatures right after the snow had finished falling. Those with waterproofed basements could protect themselves from these unexpected melts, providing peace of mind and one less worry to come along with the winter season. Those with un-waterproofed basements don’t have this peace, however, as all of this excess water will need someplace to go.
It’s highly unlikely that this is last blizzard Maryland will experience, and you can get this peace of mind for yourself when you have your basement waterproofed before the next big snow falls. To see how you can protect your home and your basement from these big winter melts, simply call us at AA Action Waterproofing today to get started.