Dec 9, 2019 | Maintenance
It’s that time of the year when weather can be unpredictable and rough. The hustle and bustle of life can make it difficult to to prepare your home for the likely freezing temps. Our simple to-do list will take the guess work out of it for you.
Keep your home happy and healthy this winter season!
To Do:
- Have your fireplace and furnace inspected and/or cleaned.
- Check for any window or door gaps that can cause heat to escape, drafts and higher utility bills.
- Prepare for snow or ice storms by having a shovel on hand and emergency provisions in case of power-loss.
- Check and clean your gutters and down spurts of any debris.
- Have your roof inspected for lose tiles or any other damage that can be made worse by heavy snow.
- Disconnect outside hoses and turn-off the water to outside pipes.
- During frigid temps, set your faucet to drip and open your cabinet doors to prevent freezing pipes.
Most of these simple yet effective tasks can be carried out by the homeowner themselves, but sometimes having a professional come in and tackle everything in one day can save you time and money in the long run.
We can efficiently inspect everything thoroughly and make any fixes and changes that are needed in a timely manner.
Contact us any time!
Jan 24, 2019 | Maintenance, Multifamily
Your roof is probably the most important part of protecting your home. It is first to come into contact with harsh weather conditions and needs to hold up to what Mother Nature throws its way!
Scorching summer sun can do its own damage, but today we are going to look into the wondrous winter weather that can really test your roofs staying power.
Snow accumulation can subject your roof to ice buildups called ice-damming. Ice-damming occurs when the sun comes out and the snow that has collected on your roof starts to melt. The melted water will start to run down the shingles into the gutters, which aren’t warm enough, causing the water to re-freeze. This re-frozen ice can build up in the gutters and downspouts and prevent water from running off the roof. This is where the problems arise from the melting snow working its way back up and under the shingles. Leaks can occur in your attic, ceilings & walls. Your attic is your homes barrier between the outside elements and the inside ceilings of your home. It is vitally important that there are no leaks in your roof and/or attic so your home can be protected at all times.
How to Winter-Ready Your Roof:
- It starts at construction. A water-repellent layer should be inserted under the shingles when the roof is being built. This is imperative in the northern states of our country, where harsher winters can really take a toll on your home. De-icing cables should also be run over the shingles and looped through the upper gutters.
- Insulate your attic thoroughly. This will minimize temperature fluctuations and keep the heat in the interior of your home.
- Periodically have your roof & attic checked. At the first sign of winter-related damage start an action plan to get it fixed and for reoccurrence not to occur.
- Make sure there are no over-hanging tree limbs or branches. Winter can bring with it harsh rain and winds as well as snow & ice, so getting the dangers away from your home now can prevent costly damage from falling limbs.
- Install snow guards. A snow guard allows snow & ice to drop off the roof in small amounts or melt completely before falling to the ground. This will prevent the sudden release of mass amounts of snow which can be extremely dangerous. Lower roof areas, gutters, vents, landscaping and even pets and people can be seriously damaged or harmed by a heavy “roof avalanche”.
Preventing winter from damaging your roof is the first step in protecting your home.
Give P&R a call today to get started!
