The Damaging Effects Of Snow

This winter the East End has seen its share of snowstorms. And with nearly three feet of snow dumped since December 26, inclement conditions have forced homeowners from Montauk to the Moriches to face a mixed bag of problems courtesy of the white stuff.

As flurries fall and snow piles high, the first, most obvious, place abundant snowfall becomes a major hassle is the driveway.

There are basically two options residents have at their disposal when concerned with cutting a path from their driveway to the street: the old-fashioned way—grabbing a shovel and testing one’s strength, endurance and stamina—or snow removal by private hire.

“Driveways can be really tricky,” said Joe Hren III, a landscaping and maintenance specialist who also plows private residences from East Hampton to Bridgehampton. “Stone driveways are the most difficult surfaces to plow without doing any damage at all ... If the ground wasn’t frozen before, the snow attaches to the rocks like glue and if you don’t plow slow and steady, the stones get picked up and your driveway will be damaged.”

Though the cost of hiring a private plow varies based on the size and scope of a person’s driveway, it’s a worthy expense at times, according to Mr. Hren.

“There’s a lot of folks with those real long driveways and sometimes doing it yourself, especially if the snow is still coming down when you start, is just too much for a person to handle,” he said.

Though asphalt driveways provide a smoother plow-and-shovel surface, the threat of property damage remains.

According to Mr. Hren, when he begins to plow, he must be mindful of every move he makes.

“I keep a close eye on where snow drifts level off, especially if at first glance it isn’t easy to tell where edges begin and end. It’s better to go slow and bump something instead of going fast and breaking something” he added.

Joseph Tortorella, owner of Tortorella Pools in Southampton and Hampton Bays, is also in the business of snowplowing. Mr. Tortorella has several industrial-size snowplows at his disposal and has been privately contracted by Suffolk County to clean up county roads. Though he does not plow residential roads or driveways, a lot of the same rules apply, he said.

“We have to go slow and easy. You have to watch those gutter drains and curbs or else you can really damage your plow. But the best way to prevent damage from happening is by surveying the area before heading out to plow,” Mr. Tortorella said.

For private homes, to avoid corroding a driveway’s integrity, Mr. Tortorella suggests using a blended de-icer composed of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) versus traditional sodium chloride-based rock salt.

“CMA is a lot less obtrusive and won’t deteriorate walkways or patios as much,” he added.

Moving from blacktops to treetops, Michael Gaines of CW Arborists in East Hampton is hyper-aware of the threat heavy snow, freezing rain and ice storms pose to bountiful branches.

“As a general rule, if there are trees on the property that are heavily laden with ice or snow and you’re concerned about branches supporting the weight, it’s best to tap it off and then leave it alone,” said Mr. Gaines. “Most people forget it’s often better to just let nature take its course. Unless a branch poses an immediate danger, it’s better to leave the tree alone, in the very least you will protect its structural integrity.”

Mr. Gaines went on to explain that most trees are like fishing poles—they are built to bend under pressure—and most tree branches will not break of their own accord unless there’s a structural flaw within, namely fungus or rot. In the end, Mr. Gaines says the best way to avoid problems altogether is to adhere to a simple adage.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he laughed. “Honestly, there isn’t one time of year that is best to have an arborist assess trees on your property. For instance, I haven’t had one call this winter from homeowners who routinely maintain trees year-round.”

As a coastal community, lingering moisture is an ever-present threat as well, according to Brad Slack, owner of MoldPro, an air quality inspection service based in Wading River with many clients on the East End. Mr. Slack said he believes the best way to avoid property damage from mold is to take as many preventative measures as possible.

“Make sure your gutters are clean, make sure the grade around your property is sufficient to drain water away from the home and keep snow out of the window wells,” he said.

All of these suggestions, he said, are of utmost importance because as moisture remains in contact with a surface, the surface weakens over time and cracks. Moisture stays locked into place and mold appears not long after.

Mr. Slack also noted homeowners should be weary of mold inspection services that promise both consultation and remediation.

“It’s best to find someone who only does one or the other. It’s not always the case, but sometimes companies that offer both services might not always have your best interest at heart,” he said.

Though the promise of spring is enough to make memories of digging out driveways seem distant, the threat of possible snow damage continues to loom well into March. In the end, when contending with unpredictable weather conditions, only one thing remains certain for homeowners: in order to mitigate overall damage, preventative measures are key.