older roofs are susceptible to damage from heavy snow
November 16, 2010
Although there’s nothing that looks less harmless than a single snowflake falling from the sky, when lots of snowflakes begin to accumulate on your roof, they’re no longer so harmless. Even though you can check your roof for existing damage, there’s no guarantee that it won’t incur damage. Snow can fall very fast during a storm, and it doesn’t take long for it accumulate on top of a roof.
In many cases, the first sign that you have a problem will be a leak that occurs after a heavy downpour of snow. While you may think that you can deal with a small leak simply by placing a bucket of water underneath it, a leak that is ignored will only continue to grow. Over time, that small leak can actually damage the integrity of your entire roof. Sometimes, the signs of a leak aren’t as obvious as a drip that needs to be caught by a bucket. If you notice even minor water spots on your ceilings or walls, this can also be a sign of a leak in your roof. And just like a leak that is dripping down, a small water spot in your ceiling can eventually result in your entire ceiling collapsing.
Another area that causes issues for many homeowners is the attic. In most homes, even when it’s below freezing outside, it will still be above freezing in the attic. While this is good if you have to go up to the attic to get a box of Christmas ornaments, the heat from the attic can cause snow on your roof to begin melting. As the snow melts, it will slide down the roof. While this may sound like a great way to get rid of snow, the problem occurs when the snow refreezes on the roof. If enough water refreezes, it can damage significant portions of your roof.
An accumulation of snow can also damage the gutters on your roof. If large amounts of snow melt at the same time, it can break your gutters as it flows off the roof. Not only does this require you to replace your gutters, but because there aren’t any gutters to disperse the water, water pouring off your roof can find it’s way into your home and damage your belongings.
If you are unfortunate enough to have snow cause any of these issues in your home, you need to seek professional assistance. By enlisting the help of a professional, you will not only be able to take care of the damage that was done, but you will also be able to take care of the source of the problem. When you contact a restoration company, you can count on service that is prompt and professional. Because restoration companies have a wide range of experience, they will be able to handle your problem as efficiently as possible. With their help, instead of letting the snow ruin your winter, you will be able to enjoy all of the snow that falls throughout the rest of the winter season.
Is Your House Ready for the Long, Cold Winter
November 9, 2010
It’s that time of year again when old man winter is going to move in. That means that you need to take a day or two to get your house ready for winter’s wrath. The first order of business is to clean your furnace. You can do this yourself with a vacuum and pressurized, canned air. By removing the dirt you will make you furnace much less of a fire hazard. If you do not feel comfortable cleaning your furnace, call in a professional. Be sure that the filter gets changed as well.
Remember that water, both in the liquid and vapor state, is your biggest enemy. The water running through your household plumbing is under a good deal of pressure. If a pipe bursts, thousands of gallons of water can quickly flood your home. Imagine the horror to come home from work to find your possessions floating in ice cold water. It has happened and it does happen to many people during the winter months because they failed to properly insulate their pipes. Pipe insulation kits are readily available at any hardware store and it is very easy to do the work yourself. Be sure to insulate those pipes running in crawl spaces and in the basement as they are not subjected to much warmth otherwise.
If you have a fireplace and chimney you must clean them before using them for the season. Check that the chimney is clear of any bird’s nests and be sure the flue damper is operating properly. Make sure that your chimney can draw fire and smoke upwards. You can test this by rolling up some newspaper and lighting it in the fireplace with the damper open. If the smoke does not rise up to the chimney, there is an obstruction. You will most likely have to call in a pro who can clean the creosote and ash out of the chimney. Be sure that there are no open mortar joints showing inside your fireplace because these can cause a fire to spread into the stud wall behind the fireplace.
Go outside, climb up a ladder and inspect your roof. If you notice any loose shingles, replace them asap because winter winds can rip large sections of your roof away which could very easily cause flooding in your attic and second story level. Check that the flashing around the chimney and other roof projections is in place as it should be. Take a look at your gutters while you are up there – if they are full of leaves and debris, clean them out. Wet leaves left in gutters during the winter can add a lot of weight and volume to the gutter when frozen which increases the chances of damage.
Taking the time necessary to locate and fix problem areas around your home before the worst of the winter weather sets in is well worth the effort. Winter is the harshest of all seasons and your house takes a real beating during this time of the year. It’s better to be safe than sorry and there’s no better time than now to winterize your home.
