HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-10-21, Page 17Fresh look
For Phyllis Mitchell a spacious country-style kitchen with new oak cupboards was important.
(Bonnie Gropp photo)
UTUMN HOME
IMPROVEMENT DAYS
General Carpentry
• additions • replacement windows
• framing • siding • roofing
• drywall • taping • trimming
• Residential & Agricultural Structures
Competitive Rates
Estimates & Prints
Construction
R.R. #3
BLYTH 523-9354
"For all your carpentry needs"
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004. PAGE 17.
Fall Home Improvement 2004
Protect your home from ice dama e
(MS) -- You may not know what
ice dams are, but they cost the public
millions of dollars each year.
Ice dams form when warmth from
inside a home causes snow On the
roof to melt and trickle to the roof's
edge, where it refreezes, blocking
gutters and drains. Since water
cannot flow over the built-up ice, it
seeps into the home under the
shingles, often causing extensive
damage to the roof decking and a
home's interior -- particularly
ceilings, walls, carpets and flooring.
Fortunately, there are things that
you can do in the summer and fall to
protect your home.
If your house is susceptible to ice
dams, the best time to take action is
now. During the early spring, there
are routinely hundreds of claims
caused by ice dams. An ounce of
prevention during the warmer
months can help keep things from
snowballing out of control during
the cooler ones.
Following are some tips to
consider during the fall: -
Keep all gutters and downspouts
clear. Be sure that sticks and debris
are removed from your home's
gutters and downspouts. During the
winter, periodically check their
condition, removing any snow or
icicles that accumulate:
Give your roof an overcoat. The
most effective way to eliminate ice
dams is to stop snowmelt by making
the roof colder. This can be achieved
by insulating the floor of the attic
and under the roof, and by blocking
all crevices where warm air from the
interior can rise into the attic.
Identify water entry points within
the home. You may wish to contact a
contractor to locate these entry
points and -take the appropriate
actions to create a waterproof
barrier.
Once winter has arrived, there are
still ways to prevent an ice dam or to
minimize the effects if one has
already occurred. After a snowfall,
consider the following: •
If possible, keep snow off the roof
with a snow rake. Use a roof rake or
push broom to reduce the amount of
snow that could melt. Do not climb
on the roof to clear the snow as
serious injury may result. Also, be
cautious of electrical wires.
To melt the ice, bring new life to
an old set of legs. Placing old nylon
stockings filled with snowmelt over
an ice dam is an effective way to
melt the dam and create a channel
for the water to run off. Be certain to
lay the stockings perpendicular to
the gutter near the edge of the
roof.
In an emergency situation, where
water is seeping into ithe house,
notify a professional contractor at
once.
Although other temporary
solutions do exist, it's a good idea to
leave the work to the professionals.
In the meantime, it's possible to
capture entering water before it
causes significant damage by
placing a bucket under the leak.
Renovation fills need
Continued from page 16
installed. The area was opened up by
removing an island, wall and door.
The spot where the stairs were has
been enclosed to form a pan-
try
The renovation has fit the needs
for a bed and breakfast
establishment in town, without
losing any of the Mitchells' well-
known country charm.
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111
GODERICH
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295 Bayfield Road
Goderich, Ontario
N7A 3G8
Phone: (519) 524-1778
Fax: (519) 524-4926
LOCATED WEST OF .
MOLESWORTH ON HWY. 86
OPEN: Mon. - Fri., 8-6; Sat. 10-4 • www.djssolidoakandpinefurniture.ca
• E-mail: djsolidoak@wightman.ca
335-3228
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