Cold Snap
Home Maintenance
Ideally you got ahead of the game and have already winterized your home and property. For some Canadians the winter has caught us off guard. Temperatures have been far below seasonal norms. Snowfall has also exceeded averages in many regions across the county. Even if you prepared for the winter season, this is a good time to check-in around the house.
Gutters
This is one area around the house that all homeowners in Canada need to be checking. The temperatures have fluctuated quite dramatically. This
has resulted in melting and freezing that can lead to ice dams.
While children can be in awe of icicles, and they can be spectacular looking, they can also be super destructive.
Ice dams can damage your gutters. They can loosen shingles, and just like the name implies, can dam up melting ice and cause water to back up into your house.
It is relatively easy to know if you have the potential of ice dams having formed in your gutters. Walk outside and visually inspect the full perimeter of your home. Look for thick ridges of solid ice that has built up along the eaves. If ice dams have formed, you might also see evidence of thick ice forming around the corners of your gutters or where there is a downspout. It might seem like the obvious solution is to get your hammer—maybe a chisel—and start hacking away. STOP! Not only can this be dangerous to you, you might cause more damage than good.
Using salt to melt the ice might seem like your next best bet? Using a deicer such as salt can do more harm than good and could damage the siding of your home. Here is a sure approach you can take to deal with ice dams.
- Use a Roof Rake
Use a long-handled aluminum roof rake to remove snow (these are available at most hardware stores or online). Safely remove excess snow while you are standing on the ground. - Safe De-icing Method
Take a pair of pantyhose and fill them with calcium chloride ice melter. Place the pantyhose on top of an ice dam. Lay the calcium chloride onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter.
Preventative maintenance like winterizing can save you costly repairs later. Checking now can help to rule out any damages, or at least address any damage before it becomes more signi cant.
