winter: Articles tagged with “winter”

Q: Is an ice guard mandatory on a roof, and where should it be?

For homeowners who live in an area prone to harsh winters, you know what a nightmare snow and ice can cause for your roof. During the worst months of winter, snow sometimes accumulates faster than it can be removed, which causes a buildup on your roof. Continued cold weather causes the presence of ice, which can cause even more damage. As temperatures begin to warm up, it would seem that problems should be over when the snow begins to melt. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case.

Removing heavy snow from your roof can prevent costly water damage to your roof, walls and ceilings. Water leaks from ice and snow are caused by interior heat from the house. Water from this melting is trapped and creates an ice dam on the roof, gutters and downspouts. The water then takes the path of least resistance and under the roof system, or sideways and through flashings which were not designed for ponded water. When this happens, interior water damage can occur. But unless you can do it safely, don't jeopardize your well-being by trying to remove it yourself. Leave it to a professional.

This consumer guide to ice dams will help you understand what ice dams are, what causes them, and what you can do to prevent them.

As homeowners, we always concern ourselves with the harsh weather that accompanies the winter season. The cold temperatures and build-up of snow and ice can cause a wide array of roofing problems. Snow and ice shield installation is one way to protect your roof from the worst Mother Nature has to offer. Snow is a beautiful thing, but not if it's sitting on our roof and costing us big bucks in repairs.

Q: Recently the weather dropped below freezing for a few days. When we came home from work, we noticed we had no water coming from our kitchen sink. I checked all other faucets, and they are fine. Is there a way to thaw the pipes without having to tear into the wall?

Q: How do I winterize a vacant house? Should I drain the hot water heater? Should I put anti freeze down the toilet? The water is turned off. What else should I do? Should the heat be left on just above freezing?

Snow removal is necessary for safety, convenience and to protect property. Weight on decks and roofs is a big concern. Snow removal can also be a huge hassle, particularly when the unexpected blizzard strikes and snow removal services are at a premium. You can avoid the hassles by contracting in advance with a snow removal service to clear the way when you need it most.

If you live where it snows frequently, once in a while or even a couple times a winter, you know that getting rid of the fluffy white stuff can suddenly turn the beauty into a burdensome chore. However, there are some methods that can alleviate this hassle so that you might be able to enjoy the winter wonderland around you.

While snow can be pretty and make children's wishes come true, it can also be a messy hassle for homeowners. Depending on where you live and how much snow you are used to getting, your needs for hiring snow removal might vary. If your area typically gets a lot of snow or even if your area gets a few heavy snowfalls per year, start considering your options now.

As the weather grows colder, homeowners should look ahead to the stormy winter months. There are many things we can and should do to protect our families and homes from the ravages of winter. Good planning can also help to reduce maintenance and utility costs.

Late fall is an ideal time to take stock of your home and make sure everything is ready for winter's onslaught. If you act now, there are still some nice days left to get things in order.

As cold weather approaches, it is important to take a few preventative measures to protect your home through the chilly months. Here is a checklist to help you prepare.

Yardwork is usually the last thing on the minds of most homeowners once winter sets in. But this can actually be a good time time to renovate the lawn and eliminate the brown spots and crab grass left over from last summer.

With fall fast approaching and winter rains not far behind, it is not too soon to start planning your landscape improvements to solve drainage problems that might have surfaced last winter, clean up any mess left by last year's water and create an attractive new yard that will help prevent property damage in the future.

With fall and winter quickly approaching, animal lovers can start to think of options for their pets and other animals, such as birds, who visit their yards. For the most part, cats and dogs don't like to be stuck outside in rain, wind, snow, sleet or ice. However, they do enjoy being outside when the sun's shining and it's a moderate day. Anyone with animals knows that we make accommodations for our pets to make their lives happier. Let's explore some ideas.

Get ready for cold weather! Here's a checklist to prepare.

Leaf raking and snow shoveling season is here. Meaning, it is time to confront the garage. You know, that part of the house that can sometimes be a dangerous jungle of machinery, gadgets, tools and sporting equipment. This area is--if you live at my house anyway--the garage. Cleaning, or even contemplating cleaning the garage can be a tiresome, fleeting thought for many homeowners. It's the one place that we all seem to love to be disorganized. However, with approaching messy weather, a serious overhaul of the garage should be considered. On a freezing cold day when you just need to find a shovel and ice scraper, you'll be grateful you tackled this project in warmer weather.

If the summer has taken a toll on your deck - or if you've just invested in a new one - fall is the time to clean, restore and protect the wood from possible moisture damage during the winter months. Here are some tips for "winterizing" your deck from the experts at Wolman Wood Care Products.