Category: General Article

Snowflakes may look light and fluffy as they fall, but the accumulated weight of snow can cause serious damage to your roof. These three methods can help you prevent snow from damaging your roof.

1. Calculate Snow Load

Most residential roofs are built to withstand up to 20 pounds per square foot and industrial roofs may be able to accommodate more than that. However, older roofs and flat roofs usually can sustain less weight before damage occurs. Not all snow weighs the same because of differing water content, but you can estimate the snow load on your roof by multiplying the depth in inches of the snow on your roof by 1.25 to get the pounds per square foot. For a more high tech solution, consider using predictive monitoring equipment to alert you when the snow load is dangerously high.

2. Prevent Ice Dams

Ice can accumulate and block sections of your roof preventing snow from sliding off. Not only can ice dams increase the amount of snow that collects on your roof, but the weight of the ice itself can cause problems. Heating cables can prevent ice build-up and help snow slide off the roof. However, they can run your electricity …

Termites are damaging and cause costly damage to homes and buildings. Consider learning about the signs, prevention methods and termite fumigation Key West.

Signs

Signs of termite activity include swarms of termites around windows and doors, woodpiles, stumps and foundations. You may also look for mud tubes around the foundation, walls, sill plates and floor joists of your home. Look for hollowed-out wood along the grain and dried mud lining the trenches in the wood. Tiny holes in drywall or plaster, buckled paint and piles of wood shavings are also signs.

Prevention

Seal any cracks you find in your foundation. Move wood and wood products at least 20 feet from your home and place plastic sheeting between the wood and soil. Use non-wood fencing materials. Clear away dead trees and unused wood from around your home and property.

Repair roofs, leaky pipes, downspouts and gutters to prevent excess water near the foundation. Do not overwater your lawn, and keep mulch at least 15 inches away from your foundation.

Treatments

Physical barriers, such as steel mesh and different sizes of sand, are typically used during construction and are used to keep termites from your home. These barriers can be kept …

If you ask homeowners like yourself what they dislike most about their home maintenance list, most will claim it is the list’s length and how daunting the jobs can be to tackle. You would probably agree that those Saturday tasks can take over the summer months completely. To help you narrow the list down to a more manageable group, here are four tasks you can do to prolong your home’s life and protect its future.

1. Shell

Whether your house has siding, brick, or stucco, the shell is your home’s first defense against vicious winters, sweltering heat, and torrential rains. When cracks appear in the outer envelope, problems can begin to emerge. Damage from moisture and dirt can cause cracks to turn into fissures that allow mold and insects into the structure. Repairing the shell at the first sign of a problem can keep your home safe.

2. Roof

More than 11.5 million homeowners require roofing repairs each year. From torn shingles, storm damage, or broken tiles, the issue requires your immediate attention to keep your home safe. Dealing with your minor roofing concerns costs much less than replacing the entire structure, so it is essential to look for those signs.

3. Plumbing

Our planet is home to millions of bugs. But, that does not necessarily mean that you have to share your abode with them. Even if they sneak into your living spaces, there’s nothing to worry about. While many resorts to natural home remedies to ward off bugs, you can rely on professional service providers to get rid of bugs near your home.

Here’s a list of few simple steps to follow to keep your home bug-free.

Be Watchful

Remember, bugs do not infest your home overnight. They take some time to grow and wreak havoc. So, be watchful. Look out for signs of infestation to prevent a massive bug infestation. Regularly check the areas around doors, windows and gardens.

Don’t let water accumulate or leave logs piled up near the home. It can lead to the growth of mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches or ants. Keep an eye on vents, pipes, windows and chimneys that connect your home to the outdoors. It may be a pathway for bugs to creep into your home.

Keep Your Home Clean

Cleanliness is key to keeping bugs away from your home. Messy rooms can be perfect breeding grounds for different types of bugs. Vacuum cracks …

Decks are an affordable, low-cost option to add living space to your home. Decks make it easy to sit outside in the sunshine or under the stars. They help to open up your home and provide you with a location for outdoor dining and entertaining friends and family.

However, wood decks Pikesville MD are also impacted by weather, sun, and other elements that can result in damage, deterioration, and other issues. This is why deck care and maintenance are so important. Keep reading for some helpful tips on how you can ensure your deck remains in good, problem-free condition.

Inspect and Prepare Your Deck

As a part of your deck maintenance, you need to inspect it carefully every few years. It’s a good idea to look for any loose boards or nails that protrude through the board and need repair. Remove anything on your deck, sweep the surface, and then clean it well. In some cases, using a pressure washer is advised, as this can help remove any grime or slime that is present.

Consider Staining Your Deck

While there are many people who choose to paint your decks, stain is another good option. With stain, you can choose a …