Proper Venting Is Important

When your bathroom vent is not properly terminated to the exterior, this is what you can expect. Mold found in two attics just this past week.

Spring Roof Check-Up

Spring Roof Check-Up

     Every spring after the snow melts it is time to check your roof. Sometimes there is a tell tale sign like a leak, but most times the damage is not as obvious.  So taking a few minutes to view your roof can prevent small problems from turning into big ones.  A good amount can be seen from the ground with a pair of binoculars.

Things to be on the look out for,

1) Broken, cracked, or missing shingles.

2)Cupping or curling shingles, all the shingles should be laying flat.

3)Dark patches, a sign granules being worn away.

4)Slots on three tab shingle that are wide, as the shingles age they shrink and these slots widen.

5)Damage from ice dams and roof raking.

6)Flashings around chimney and skylights.

As the shingles age they become brittle and shrink which can accelerate any or all of the above issues.  Average life expectancy of asphalt shingles is 20 years. If the damage is limited and the shingles fairly new repairs may be sufficient. If the damage is more widespread and the shingles are older replacement may be best. So after this winter which was extremely harsh get out there and take a look before you have water in your house.

Keep Your Exhaust Vents Clear!

Reminder to keep you vents clear of snow and ice during the winter season. The large amounts of snow we can receive can block vents and create a dangerous situation with exhaust fumes backing up into your home. Generally the exhaust will keep itself clear but under certain circumstances such as height of the vent and large amounts of snow over a short period of time they can cause snow to melt and refreeze as ice, completely blocking exhaust and intake pipes. So if you have direct sidewall venting be safe and make sure they are clear.

http://www.houselogic.com/news/heating-cooling/keep-furnace-vents-meters-free-snow-and-ice/#.