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/

It is safe to say that although you lose heat and energy through gaps in windows and doors, the biggest culprit of energy loss in the home is through the basement or the attic.  Basically, cold air enters in your basement, rises up through the home, causing drafts and exits through the attic, otherwise known as the chimney effect.  When repairing energy loss in the attic or basement, it is sometimes more beneficial to call in the professionals to do the job, rather than attempting to do it yourself.  However, there are some things to look for and fix immediately.

One cause of heat and energy loss in the attic is through the attic pull down stairs, door or access panel.  A quick fix is to attach fire rated insulation to the backside and install a weather stripping around the sides of the door.  Ensuring that the door has a tight fit will prevent air from flowing up into the attic.  Recessed lights are another perpetrator of air leaks.  To right the problem, the lights either need to be replaced, or consider having a professional properly seal the top side of the box with the appropriate insulation.  Chimneys and vent stacks may have gaps around them; these can be filled with foam sealant or caulk.

By taking care of these problems, the chimney effect has been minimized.  However, there are still leaks in the basement, and it is wise to take care of them to prevent any more heat or energy loss.  The most common source of leakage in the basement is through cracks or gaps in the rim joist.  The rim joist is the perimeter framing of the flooring.  These gaps can sufficiently be filled with caulk or spray foam.  In addition, be sure to seal other gaps around dryer vents or ductwork, electrical passages or any other utilities that require access to the outside.  Now that the major causes of leaks have been taken care of, fixing gaps in windows and doors will make more of a difference.

http://www.energycircle.com/learn/air-sealing/plan-your-attack

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

Ice dams are a common threat in the northern climates.  There are a few ways to deal with them.  However, one must understand how they are formed before they can be removed.

Ice dams form at the edge of the roof near the gutters.  In a situation where there is poor ventilation from the attic, warm air rises and melts the snow closest to the roof.  The water then travels to the bottom of the roof where it wants to run off, but cannot, either due to gutter blockage or excessive snow.   Eventually, the water turns to ice and the cycle continues.  The ice forces its way underneath the shingle.  If and when this ice melts, it will create a leak on the inside of the home

Try to keep as much snow off your roof as possible.  This obviously does not mean putting yourself in danger.  Research the various methods of removing snow from the roof, or call in the professionals.  If you do notice water damage in your home, it is best to have the roof or attic repaired in the spring, summer or fall months, to prevent the same problems from happening again.

Source:  http://ezinearticles.com/?Ice-Dams-That-Create-Home-Water-Damage&id=3371331