During the winter months, homeowners have a few concerns they need to be aware of.  One of those very important concerns is ice dams and snow build-up.

Ice dams occur on the roof and can create a back-up of water on your roof that can lead to leaks.  An improperly vented attic melts the snow on the roof, which in turn melts and freezes near the gutters.  As the water melts and freezes, the back-up begins.  Removing the ice can be a challenge as the ice freezes around the shingles and can cause extensive damage.  Clearing your roof and working to prevent the problem during the warmer months is the ideal way to prevent ice dams.

There are many tactics home owners can use to ensure that ice dams do not negatively affect their homes.  Proper attic ventilation and maintenance of the roof are first and foremost.  Other products offers help in dealing the problem as well.  Heat tapes and special additions to the home clear the problem mid winter.  It is important to take care of the problems as they arise to prevent damage to the home or injury to people.

Source:  http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Preparing-for-Ice-Dams/6_GGxOhhk0yfluZq_hqSoA.cspx

The snow has already fallen in many parts of North America.  Some people are already experiencing the damage and trouble that snow build-up and ice dams can cause.  Here are some tips for winterizing your home to prevent ice dams and snow build-up next winter.

1. Clean leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent water from freezing and causing a blockage.  Cleared gutters allow any water underneath snow to effectively run off the roof, instead of getting backed up and causing freezing.
2. Inspect the roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing or leaky vents.  Repairing these problems in the fall will prevent them from causing more problems during the winter.  Ensure that any questionable areas are repaired or replaced.
3. Check the ventilation in the attic.  As most ice dams are caused by poor ventilation, and warm air rising to the roof and melting the snow, this is the number one prevention tactic to avoid the headache of ice dams.

Taking care of these problems during warmer months, when you can see them, will save you time and money.  Time because you will not be racing the clock before the next snowfall and money because replacing some shingles or having minor repairs done is much less expensive than having your entire roof replaced or repairing any damage to the interior of your home.

Source:  http://www.thebestwaystosavemoney.com/more-savings/winterizing-tips-for-homeowners-14-easy-winterizing-tips-that-will-save-you-time-frustration-money-and-your-life/

Having your roof replaced, as can be imagined, is a noisy, dirty and invasive home improvement.  By avoiding the problem of ice dams, and letting them wreak havoc on the structure of your home, you are inviting a big roof repair in the future years.  Not only can the ice and water affect the roof, but gravity takes over and causes the water to run down into the interior of the home and causes water damage and can even be the cause of mold.

Roofing material is expensive, and if you only plan on having this job done once, then you will want it done right.  A quality installation is required to avoid running into these problems again.  Be prepared to fork over a pretty penny to contractors to ensure that the job is done well and correctly.

Your roof is the one element of your home that is directly exposed to all the elements.  No other part of the home sees as wide a variety of seasonal elements as the roof.  It is a major home improvement, and chances are you would only have it done it you had to because of damage.  The trick is to prevent the damage by properly taking care of your roof and getting it ready for the onslaught of winter.

Source:  http://kingstonroofing.ca/why-roof-replacement-is-a-major-home-improvement-project

It is possible to remove small areas of black mold yourself, if you are very careful.  Be sure to call in the professionals to remove larger areas of infestation.  Always wear adequate protective clothing, including gloves and face masks.  It is extremely dangerous to breathe in the mold spores.  Remember that in addition to removing the mold you can see, you will also have to locate its source and where it might be hidden.  Here are some tips for removing black mold.

Identify the damp areas – The first step is to locate the problem and where the moisture is coming from in the first place.  Anywhere moisture is allowed to accumulate is a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Preventing mold from spreading – As you are working, be sure to seal off the room, this prevents the mold from spreading.  In addition it is a good idea to keep dust levels down to prevent the dust from spreading.

Removing the black mold – Thoroughly clean the affected area with a solution that is specific for killing and cleaning black mold.  The mold may also be living in area where you can’t see it, so it important to clean all visible surfaces.

Once the area is clean it is important to dispose of the contaminated materials you used to clean.   Place the pieces in heavy duty plastic bags and keep them outside until they can be disposed of properly.

Source:  http://roofjack.co.cc/dryer-vent-pipe/toxic-black-mold-removal-doing-it-yourself

For those who live in the northern climates and who have to deal with excessive snow fall and ice dams.  For the most part, most home are built to withstand the snow element.  However, for older homes or homes that experience heavy snowfall it is important to be aware of the steps you can take to prevent damage.

Gutters can get damaged from excessive snow and ice.  One major clue is the long icicles that dangle dangerously from them.  This is also a major clue that and ice dam is forming.  Ice and snow in the gutters can cause severe damage and even injury if the gutter should fall from the weight.  The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to ensure that your gutters are cleared out before the snow falls.  However once it has already happened, having the snow removed from you roof will prevent any further damage or injury.

It is very dangerous to try and remove the snow yourself with no experience.  In addition it is highly likely that you will do more damage, and the ice will be under the shingles, and you run the risk of ripping them up in the process.  It is always best to call in the professionals for this job.

Source:  http://www.ehow.com/way_5860274_rooftop-snow-removal.html

One of the best ways to prevent ice dams in the wintertime is by improving the ventilation in your attic.  No other method is as effective, and now is energy efficient.  In addition, not only will you be improving your attics defences in the wintertime, but it will also improve the cooling of your house in the summer and the quality of indoor air.

The system is basic, an attic fan that is powered by a solar panel.  Since the panels provide renewable energy, the fan is not drawing power from the home.  The fan expels warm air from the attic space.  An added bonus is that by removing the warm air, the home’s air conditioning system will work more effectively.  The most important advantages of solar attic ventilation are that it is inexpensive, its use of renewable energy, no operating cost, improves the homes air quality and it will extend the life of your roof by preventing ice dams.

Attic ventilation and solar panels are a great addition to your home and will be a benefit your roof.  They are easy to install and can be retrofitted to fit older homes.

Source:  http://www.sneakyreviews.com/alternative-energy/solar-attic-ventilation-improved-energy-efficiency-powered-by-renewable-solar-electricity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-attic-ventilation-improved-energy-efficiency-powered-by-renewable-solar-electricity