We’re deep into the Winter months, but for those in warmer climates, spring is just around the corner. Here are a few ways you can keep the outside of your home safer until the warm weather comes.
Keep the Driveway and Sidewalk Clear
Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Keep a snow shovel or snow blower handy and aim to remove promptly. Frequent light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. And keep gravel, salt, or straw or wood chips handy and sprinkle around to provide traction.
If you plan to be away during an expected winter storm, hire someone to clear the sidewalk and front steps of your home while you’re gone. Your neighbors and mail carrier will thank you.
Watch for Ice Dams and Icicles
Ice damming occurs when water from melting snow runs down the surface of a roof and re-freezes. The melted snow is caused by warm air in the attic space that heats the underside of a roof. Fluctuating temperatures can also play a role in creating snowmelt.
As the melted snow makes its way down the roof, it eventually comes in contact with the deck over the eaves, which is not exposed to heat from the attic. This is where the ice generally begins to form.
As the water re-freezes, ice builds up and blocks the subsequent run-off, creating a “dam.” Some of the pooled water then finds its way under shingles, which are designed to shed water, not handle pooled water. It then re-freezes, lifting the shingles from the roof deck and giving water an opportunity to enter.
To check for ice dams, keep an eye out for visible ice build up or icicles around your roof’s edge, gutters, siding, or even window frames.
Keep your Rain Gutters Clean
Now, if you live in a warmer area, clean out your gutters this February to prepare for the spring showers. Clogged gutters can cause expensive issues with your roof even if snow and ice aren’t part of the equation.
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