Get House Smart.com » downspouts

What icicles mean about your energy consumption

Duane King — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:06:42 +0000

How much damage do icicles like these cause on your roof?

Do you have numerous icicles hanging from the roof of your home ?

It may look enchanting but it could be costing you more to heat your home. It could also be causing damage to your home. Icicles can be a sign of a condition known as ice damming.

Ice damming occurs when heated air inside the home migrates upward into the attic. The warm air then melts snow on the upper portion of the roof. When the melted snow reaches the significantly colder soffit area near the eves it refreezes to form an ice dam which is typically indicated by icicles. The dam will not allow additional melted snow and water to run off the roof so it backs up under the shingles and begins to leak into the home causing damage to insulation and structural components of the roof.

Properly insulating attic spaces and sealing all areas that allow air from inside the house to escape into the attic is the key to preventing ice damming.

If you would like to know more about Ice Damming, Roof Leaks, or Attic Ventilation please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m always available for you!

How important is it to clean out the gutters on my house?

joedearman — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:52:20 +0000

I have been asked the following question more times than I can remember. How important is it to clean out the gutters on my house?

Gutters and downspouts are the first line of defense in preventing water running off of the roof from entering into basement and crawlspace areas of our homes where it can create an ideal environment for bugs, promote mold growth, and cause damage.

When clean, and properly installed, gutters collect water from the roof and direct it away from foundation walls via downspouts. Properly installed gutters slope towards downspouts and downspouts should extend six to eight feet away from foundation walls or discharge the water to a surface that slopes away from the home. All seams should be thoroughly sealed to prevent leaks.

I recommend inspecting and cleaning gutters and downspouts in late spring after the trees have begun to leaf out and again in late fall after the leaves have fallen as part of an annual maintenance plan.

Basement Leaks: What to do when the ground thaws

Duane King — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:39:26 +0000

The warm temperatures that we have been enjoying these past days have caused a lot of snow to melt. As a result, the ground has become saturated and cannot hold any more water.The excess water must go some where.

Some of it will find its way into basements and crawlspaces of homes that have clogged gutters and / or improperly graded landscaping that is not directing the water away from the home. This may in turn allow wall coverings, floor coverings, and appliances located in these areas to be damaged and promote mold growth too.

If the home is equipped with footing tile and a functional sump pump moisture infiltration should not be an issue. Monitor the operation of the sump pump daily though, as it may be running more frequently at this time. I have seen many pumps fail this time of the year.

Side Note: I have experienced a high number of interior plumbing leaks in vacant homes that have been recently de-winterized as well.

If you would like more information on basement leaks, grading, or gutters and downspouts please don’t hesitate to contact me