Winter Tips You Can Use

• Eave-trough down-spouts should carry the water several feet from a house to a well drained area. About 2,500 gallons of water will come from a 1,000 square foot roof with one foot of snow depth across the roof. This much water may cause problems if allowed to drain next to the house.
  
  
• Use calcium chloride to break away ice at the top and bottom openings on downspouts. It can also be used to melt ice in gutters once the snow is cleared out. Grab another person to help you because you will need someone to hold the ladder for you and hand you supplies.
  
  
• Move snow on the ground away from the house and from around any vents. Snow melt water may cause a wet basement if allowed to run down along the basement wall. If the ground is sloped 1 inch per foot near the house, moving the snow just 3-5 feet from the house will reduce problems.
  
  
• The most common roof failure occurs when heavy loads of snow and ice cause wood fibers to bend.
  
  
• If the level of snow of your roof is significantly high, you may want to hire a contractor to remove it. But if you've got around 6 inches on your roof, feel free to take the job on yourself. Without having to set foot on your roof, which you shouldn't do during the winter, use a roof rake with a long handle to remove the snow from your roof. A roof rake can be found at your local hardware store.

 

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