Protecting your Home in the Winter

Everyone knows we can't change the weather, but it is important to try and minimize the threats winter can pose to your home.  Heavy snow can pose a threat to your home as it piles on and as it melts. According to The Weather Channel® , here are some precautions you can  take:

• Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor for a referral.
• Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.
• Keep your attic well-ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice dams forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

Another threat to look out for is Ice dams which are an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof that can reek havoc and cause water to be forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

To help reduce the risk of ice dams:

• Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
• Keep the attic well-ventilated so snow doesn't melt and refreeze on the roof's edge.
• Make sure the attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

Weather you love the snow or not, there is no avoiding it in New England. If at the very least you can protect your home through bad weather then you will avoid the headaches. When the warmer weather arrives you will be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy!

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