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How to Prevent Water Damage Due to Ice Dams
A common source of water damage that happens during the winter is due to ice dams. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. To prevent an ice dam, don't heat the roof- keep it cold. That way, the snow on the roof eventually dissipates without making large amounts of meltwater. The underside of the roof deck should not exceed 30 degrees F. The best way to maintain low temperatures is by ensuring that there is adequate insulation and sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. The attic must also be ventilated, so that cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes rapidly. Some remodeling contractors are under the impression that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, when just the opposite is true.&n
Continue ReadingHomeowner Tip:Stove Top Grease Fire
On this blog, we sometimes like to provide tips for homeowners how they can prevent some disasters from happening to their home. This blog entry is unique with the fact that we get the help of the Mythbusters from the Discovery Channel to show what not to do in the case of a kitchen grease fire. To start off, we'd like to share what you should do. The number one prevention of house fires starting in the kitchen is to pay attention. Pay attention to the items you are cooking and what is around you. Leaving the stove unattended or having flammable objects nearby can prove to be disastrous. If a grease fire does occur, try to smother it with a non-glass lid. In most cases, this will take care of the problem. If unable to find a lid or suitable tool to smother the fire, if you have an extinguisher, put it out with that. If unsuccesful with either of these and the fire continues to grow, call 911.&nbs
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