Posts Tagged ‘Cold’
Lesson 11: Spring Always Comes
It’s spring now!
Originally uploaded by manganite
No matter how cold the season,
How deep the snow,
How long the winter,
Spring always comes.
No matter what you’re going through,
No matter How Rough,
No matter How Long,
Hold on…
The tulips will bloom,
The birds will return,
The sun will again shine,
Spring Alway Comes!
Lesson #4: The Iceman Cometh!
There are probably many questions running through your mind, like why, what do I do, and when is it ever going to end.
Well, it isn’t going to stop until the snow ceases to fall, and since it’s only mid-February, who knows when that will be. But, there are some things you need to know and some things you can do. This is how my husband, the builder, has explained it all to me.
The gutters freeze (yes they are almost always the culprit). The ice builds up on top of those frozen tunnels, grows backwards up the roof and gets under the shingles. This is called an ice dam. Then the cold snow acts as an insulator, trapping the ice between the warmth of the house and the cold temperatures outside. (Yes, believe it or not snow is an insulator.) So, the ice begins to melt.
Since it’s made its way underneath the shingles, with nowhere else to go, the water drips its pesky way, through your attic and onto your ceilings or down your walls, soaking drywall and insulation and wiring and everything in its path.
So, what should you do when you find that leak?
First of all, if you haven’t already done so, stop yelling, grab some towels and a bucket and get things under control. If it’s wet enough, pull back wet carpet, cut out and throw away wet padding. And no matter how bad it is, relocate furniture, electronics, pictures, and any other items that might get damaged by the water. Then, if you notice a few wets spots where the drywall (or drywall tape) is bubbling, use a screw driver or pointy knife, or some other sharp object and poke a hole all the way through the drywall. If the wet area is large enough, you might need to use a utility knife to cut away the bubbling drywall.
The hole(s) you make will give the water a directed outlet and keep it from running aimlessly across the top of the drywall and spreading the moisture. So, remember to place a bucket below the hole to catch any water that finds its way out.
Next place a fan, on the floor, facing up toward the opening and the leak. Turn it on low and let it run. The fan will circulate the warm air and help dry out the dampened area(s).
Okay, now that you’ve got things under control on the inside, you will need to get the snow and ice removed from your roof or deck or porch area above the leak. Problem areas often arise at seams and valleys, such as where two different roof peeks meet or where a deck meets the house. You can purchase a snow rake at your local hardware store which will allow you to pull the snow from the roof. Although the rake won’t remove the ice, it will expose it to the cold temperatures, hopefully causing it to refreeze. But even that will require you get up on a ladder. And the roof is steep and the ice is slick – so it might be wise to call a professional to help you with any roofing issues, even if it means you need to wait a day or two. And don’t just use anyone. Get a reference from a friend, family member or neighbor.
Unfortunately until we are through this very snowy winter, any time it snows you could see more water and will need to continue to remove the snow from your rooftop. So, once you find that reliable person, don’t lose his number!
Don’t make any repairs to the inside of your house until the wet weather has passed and you are absolutely sure everything is completely dry. Otherwise, you risk mold. And once you get that varmint, remediation is expensive and difficult and generally not covered under a homeowners insurance policy.
In the springtime, when you are certain no more snow will fly, but before the rains begin, you’ll need to have a certified roofer inspect the problem area to be sure there’s no permanent damage. Have him check the shingles, gutters and downspouts, and while he’s there ask him about your flashing and ice guard. This might be a good time to enhance both. Additionally, you might want to talk to him about removable gutters. My husband and I are looking into them as that’s where the problem begins!
Originally uploaded by limshouzhi
