Springtime is coming!!!

Before you know it, spring will be here and with it comes a multitude of possible issues for your home. With the early onset of heavy snow this fall it is doubly important to be on the lookout for signs of stress for your home.

Water, water, water! The sheer amount of snow that fell on our roofs and surrounding yards will no doubt create issues with water runoff. It is recommended to monitor your attics and crawl spaces for signs of water entry. When warmer temperatures show up the likelihood that the soil will not be thawed can create a perfect storm of water adjacent to your foundation with nowhere to go except in. You may not have had moisture entry for years, but this year may be different.

What can you do? If there is any way to direct the moisture away from problem areas, now is the time to do it. Many homeowners are shoveling snow as it accumulates away from the foundation. If you remember how your yard is sloped, you might create a path for the melting snow to travel. This may be done with a snowblower when the snowpack is compacted.

For roofs, warmer temperatures and freeze thaw periods can create further ice damming situations. Once again, removing the snow from problem areas such as intersecting gables with valleys or chimneys with large crickets is recommended. If possible, installation of ice melt wire can greatly reduce the propensity for ice damming.