Winter Home maintenance tips

Our Canadian Winters have their frosty reputation for good reason. These extreme temperatures can affect the condition of your home and how it functions.

Removing Snow Safely
Your roof is one of the most important lines of defense between you and the natural elements. It helps keep warm air locked in during the winter months and prevents snow, rain or the cold from penetrating the exterior of your home.

A certain amount of snow accumulation on your roof is normal. However, if there is an excessive accumulation on the roof of your home, particularly if the snow is wet, there is a possibility of damage to the structure of the property. 
 
Flat or low sloped roofs usually have a greater risk of damage.
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An excessive load of snow accumulating on a roof may actually cause the roof to cave in.  
However, removing the snow from your roof can be a dangerous task.  
 
If you are not sure how to safely remove the snow from your roof then do not hesitate to hire a professional to remove the snow for you.  
 
Avoiding Ice Dams
This is an ideal time to examine your attic for frost accumulation. Look for excessive frost or staining of the wood on the underside of the roof.

Ice dams on the exterior surface of the roof can be a problem, particularly for low-sloped roofs with an overhang. This is the result of snow accumulation on the roof and is more common on poorly insulated homes. After a snowfall, heat escapes from the attic and melts the snow on the roof. The water runs down and encounters the snow on the overhang, which has not melted because there is no attic below it. The water, which meets this snow, will freeze forming a dam at the lower edge of the roof. This moisture can then back up beneath the shingles and result in damage below. A well-insulated and ventilated attic will help reduce this problem; consult a roofing/insulation professional.
 
Clear Snow from Vents
Make sure that all snow, ice and other obstructions are removed from your venting systems during the winter months. 
 
Keep an eye on outdoor vents, gas meters and chimneys for ice or snow buildup. Abnormal snow and ice build-up may block gas appliance exhaust and combustion air vents (especially those side wall vents exiting close to ground level) causing appliance failure as well as possible buildup of Carbon Monoxide.