Ice dams are formed during frequent warm/cold cycles where snow on the roof melts and runs down to the gutters. Since gutters and eaves are generally colder than the roof itself, any water that gets trapped in gutters freezes when the temperature drops. The first freeze begins the process of building up an ice dam. As water continues to run down the roof and is trapped by the already formed ice, it also freezes. This process continues as ice climbs farther and farther up the roof. Any water behind that ice gets forced underneath the shingles, where it forms small ponds that will damage the underlying structure of the roof.

Roof rakes are one solution to help prevent ice dams. If you live in a ranch or split-level style home, the roof rake is an ideal way to keep snow and ice off the roof. If you live in a 2 1/2 story colonial or Victorian-style house, a roof rake may not be an option for you. Just remember that you should never attempt to use a roof rake while standing on a ladder, and you should never climb up onto the roof during the winter months. If you cannot access your roof safely with a roof rake, your next best option is to ensure proper attic insulation and ventilation.

Experts recommend attic insulation with an R-value of 38 for states like Michigan. You need to insulate not only the roof of your attic, but also the floors. Doing so prevents excess heat from rising into the attic from the rooms below. Proper ventilation will prevent the attic from getting too warm and contributing to the freeze/thaw cycle. Peak ventilation is optimal because it provides the best airflow and a more constant room temperature along the entire length of the attic.

If you see an excess number icicles forming on your gutters or eaves you may be facing an ice dam and subsequent damage. Do what you can to safely remove snow and ice from your roof. And next year, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean long before the snow flies.

Surely by now you have pulled your winter clothes out of storage and found your hat, gloves and boots at the back of the closet. But what about your home? Is it ready for the winter months?

You will be a lot less happy and comfortable this winter if you have not protected your home from Old Man Winter. There are a few things you should do as a homeowner to assure that you will sail through the coldest part of the year without something catastrophic happening. For starters, get outside and clean out those gutters. Once the leaves have fallen from the trees you need to get up on a ladder wearing a pair of gloves and proceed to pull the gunk out of the gutters. You can use a scraper or spatula to make it a bit easier. Next take your garden hose and rinse the gutters out so that the cold rains and melting snow can drain away. Clogged drain spouts can form ice dams which causes water to seep inside your home. Be sure to check for leaks and mis-aligned pipes and be sure that the downspouts are directed out and away from the foundation of your home.

Another important task you must undertake is to check your furnace. Turn the furnace on and take notice if the strong, odd smell that is emitted lasts more than a few minutes. If it smell does lasts longer than five minutes, shut the furnace off and call in a professional because it most likely needs to be cleaned and tuned. It will cost you around $100 to have your furnace serviced but it is money very well spent. Many a home fire has started in the furnace so be sure to set some money aside to have your furnace professionally checked and serviced.

If you have a fireplace, that means you have a chimney. You need to have your chimney inspected each fall and cleaned if it is dirty. Do not put off your chimney needs before you use the fireplace. You do not want to risk having a chimney fire start because this type of fire tends to go unnoticed until it suddenly spreads out of control. If you have a wood stove at home it will need to be swept by a professional as well.

Just one burst pipe in the winter time is a nightmare and can create substanital amounts of water damage. Before Jack Frost takes a bite out of your pipes make sure that you take the time to wrap your pipes with specially-made pipe insulation. Be especially careful to wrap those pipes that run through crawl spaces and in the basement because these pipes run through unheated space, meaning that they are prone to freezing and bursting.

Finally, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries and conduct tests to make sure that every single one is working. If you take the time to do the above, you should not become a victim of winter.

Water Damage:

This isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a fire, but something has to be used to put out the flames. The water can douse the fire but it often has some ill effects of its own, especially when it comes to electronic appliances. It’s a known fact that water and electricity doesn’t mix, or rather that they mix too well, and that’s the problem. In the event of a fire, any remaining appliances should be carefully unplugged. If one is wary of doing this, have the fire department officers do it instead.

Water damage can also affect floor and wall coverings. Carpets and draperies might be able to be salvaged if they haven’t been soaked too much. However, these may have to be completely replaced if drying proves to be difficult, especially if they have been contaminated with dust and soot. The same goes for wallpaper. Any moisture remaining in the home can lead to the proliferation of bacteria and black mold. The latter has been proven to contribute to respiratory distress and must be avoided at all costs.

Smoke Damage:

No one wants to be reminded of what they’ve lost in a fire. Unfortunately, lingering smoke odors can do just that. They tend to be trapped everywhere: in draperies, furniture, appliances, even within the walls of the home itself. Smoke damage tends to be difficult to get rid of. Washable objects are easier to deal with but larger items need to be specially treated. Walls have to be opened up to get rid of trapped smells. Not only can smoke damage be a nuisance, it can also be dangerous depending on what materials were burnt. For example, the by-products of burning some types of plastic can be toxic.

Fires cause so many types of damage that it can be difficult to even think about where to start. That’s where a good restoration company comes in. They will typically have the knowledge and the experience necessary to deal with any issue which might arise.