ICE DAMS, GUTTERS, SNOW AND YOUR INVESTMENT
Lets start with ice dams. It is not your gutters fault that the ice dam has formed, it is your insulation. Below is an explanation of what an ice dam is and how to prevent them.
What is an ice dam?
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Figure 1 shows a cross section of a home with an ice dam.
What causes ice dams?
There is a complex interaction among the amount of heat loss from a house, snow cover and outside temperatures that leads to ice dam formation. For ice dams to form there must be snow on the roof, and, at the same time, higher portions of the roof's outside surface must be above 32 degrees F while lower surfaces are below 32. For a portion of the roof to be below 32, outside temperatures must also be below 32. When we say temperatures above or below 32, we are talking about average temperature over sustained periods of time.
The snow on a roof surface that is above 32 will melt. As water flows down the roof it reaches the portion of the roof that is below 32 and freezes. Voila! - an ice dam.
The dam grows as it is fed by the melting snow above it, but it will limit itself to the portions of the roof that are on the average below 32. So the water above backs up behind the ice dam and remains a liquid. This water finds cracks and openings in the exterior roof covering and flows into the attic space. From the attic it could flow into exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation and stain the ceiling finish.
Preventing and dealing with ice dams
In all Minnesota communities it is possible to find homes that do not have ice dams. Ice dams can be prevented by controlling the heat loss from the home.
Immediate action
- Remove snow from the roof. This eliminates one of the ingredients necessary for the formation of an ice dam. A "roof rake" and push broom can be used to remove snow, but be careful it may damage the roofing materials.
- In an emergency situation where water is flowing into the house structure, making channels through the ice dam allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof. Hosing with tap water on a warm day will do this job. Work upward from the lower edge of the dam. The channel will become ineffective within days and is only a temporary solution to ice dam damage.
Long-term action
- First, make the ceiling air tight so no warm, moist air can flow from the house into the attic space.
- After sealing air leakage paths between the house and attic space, consider increasing the ceiling/roof insulation to cut down on heat loss by conduction.
Any person on the roof during the winter or performing work on the roof from below is risking injury and risking damage to the roof and house. It is important to contact professionals to carry out this job
Snow, Ice and the extra weight
Ice - One inch of ice weighs a little less than 5 pounds per square foot, and 1 foot of ice weighs approximately 57 pounds per square foot. Ice weighs significantly more than heavy, wet snow per inch depth. In part, this is why it is important to prevent ice buildup on a roof structure and gutters. Ice dams are very heavy and dangerous.
This most recent snowfall is putting serious stress on your gutters and the fascia board that they are attached to. Frozen debris in gutters will add weight to the gutters increasing the stress, clean your gutters regularly to prevent additional damage. If your gutters are not properly secured or your fascia has begun to deteriorate due to the everyday weather conditions your gutters can fall off. A fallen gutter that is not damaged is not as bad as a gutter that is hanging and bent. Once the gutter is bent it can not be repaired.
A yearly gutter maintenance check-up will alert you to any issues that may be going on with your gutters. Check out the information on regarding gutter cleanings, repairs, installations, and Service Agreements.
Fall is coming quickly….Schedule your gutter cleaning NOW!!
Don’t wait too long….the trucks are filling up quickly. We are currently scheduling for the Fall and are here to help.
Scheduling your gutter cleaning before the harsh winter is one of the most important chores you have to do. A gutter cleaning will ensure the gutter is debris free. Any debris when wet can add extra weight causing stress to the fascia board holding the gutters onto the house.
Snow and ice are extremely heavy and the weight of it in your gutters can cause serious damage to your current gutter system which will allow your home to be subject to water damage once the weather clears and everything starts melting. If your gutters are not properly secured or your fascia has begun to deteriorate due to the everyday weather conditions your gutters can fall off. Once a gutter falls off and gets bent it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. This type of repair can be expensive and easily avoided with regular maintenance of your gutters.
A yearly gutter maintenance check-up will alert you to any issues that may be going on with your gutters. Keltom Gutter Service offers a maintenance plan to fit every home....if you have tons of leaves and debris all year long or if only in the Fall we have a maintenance plan to fit your home.
Check out more information on the importance of regular gutter maintenance on our website; keltomgutters.com
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A GUTTER CLEANING.
SCHEDULING THE MOST IMPORTANT CHORE - GUTTER CLEANING
Scheduling your gutter cleaning after snow, ice, and Spring or Fall debris is down is one of the most important chores to do. You can have peace of mind knowing that there is no debris in the gutter to help contribute to damaged gutters. Leftover debris from last fall is already putting serious stress on your gutters and the fascia board that they are attached to. If your gutters are not properly secured or your fascia has begun to deteriorate due to the everyday weather conditions your gutters can fall off. By having your gutters checked during a routine cleaning you can help prevent damage. A fallen gutter that is not damaged is not as bad as a gutter that is hanging and bent. Once the gutter is bent it can not be repaired.
A yearly gutter maintenance check-up will alert you to any issues that may be going on with your gutters. Keltom Gutters offers a maintenance plan to fit every home....whether you have tons of leaves and need it done more often or if your home gets hardly any leaves and wants to clean your gutters once a year, we can help.
Snow and ice are heavy and the weight of it in your gutters can cause serious damage to your current gutter system which will allow your home to be subject to water damage once the weather clears and everything starts melting. The problem that you run into is that after the heavy snow, your gutter repairs and evaluation are too late. You also forgot to clean your gutters in the Fall so now there is even more weight in your gutter. This is why proper regular gutter maintenance is so important.
We are currently scheduling for Spring gutter cleaning and as a new customer or recurring customer, we are here to help.
Check out more information on the importance of regular gutter maintenance.
October Home Maintenance - always top-down
Many homeowners think okay I'll do the easy stuff first...mostly on the ground. Doing top-down is the best way to avoid double work. I mean think about it....your roof needs repair whether it is wood, asphalt shingle,or slate repairs are messy. Gutters need repair, cleaning or maybe even new ones, again messy. Chimney needs cleaning or repair - messy. Having your windows cleaned for the holidays? Top-down!! Why clean the landscaping twice?? So the best thing to do is take a look at the list below and try to get in the mood to do all that is necessary to protect your most valuable asset - your home.
The fun of owning your own home........below is a list of the top fall maintenance chores.
-
Have your furnace or chimney cleaned-It’s been awhile since you’ve had to light any fires or turn on the heat, but soon those cold temperatures will be back. Have a qualified technician come in and check it out. Don’t forget to change your furnace filter too!
-
Check for roof damage– Now is the time to see the damage before it’s covered up by ice, snow, and whatever Oklahoma weather throws at us.
-
Clean out gutters and downspouts-Don’t let that debris clutter up. It could cause bigger damage later on.
-
Double check your caulk-Check for caulk corrosion around doors and windows to make sure there’s not deterioration. Also, check around showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets to make they are all seal accordingly. With cold temperatures, bugs love to find any path into a warm space.
-
Clean out the clothes dryer exhaust duct and area beneath the dryer– Remove any fire hazard by removing all lint, dust, and pieces of material that may have made its way down there.
-
Exam your electrical outlets for any wear and tear or potential fire hazards. Frayed wires or ill-fitting plugs can all be red flags.
-
Update your fire extinguisher– Make sure your fire extinguisher is still up to date. Not to mention, some companies offer a discount just for having one.
-
Inspect your smoke detectors– Check all the batteries and make sure there is at least one on each floor of your home, because you missed the day on March 31.
-
Have your wood-burning fireplace inspected, cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
-
Wrap water pipes that run along exterior walls with heating tape. It will save energy and prevent them from freezing.
-
Clean and replace filters in your furnace or heating system. Contact a licensed heating contractor to inspect and service your gas heater or furnace to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Your local utility company will often provide this service for free.
-
If you use a hot water system for heating, drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, and bleed your radiators.
-
Check the attic to make sure the insulation is installed properly. The vapor barrier on insulation should face down toward the living space. If it is installed incorrectly (with the vapor barrier facing up) then the insulation will trap moisture causing possible water problems. Cut slits in the vapor barrier to allow moisture to escape. To install attic insulation, unroll the insulation with the paper side out. Install small pieces of insulation between the joists on the attic floor. Be careful not to step between the joists.
Many of the chores listed you can do your self but I personally don’t recommend that you go on the roof for any chore. Accidents happen – why take a chance when there are people like us whose job it is to inspect, clean and service your gutters. Been in business over 23 years in 13 counties in NJ so by this time we know what we are doing. That’s our job.
$15 OFF YOUR FIRST GUTTER CLEANING - FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS ONLY
CALL TO SCHEDULE NOW - 973-852-7100
THE PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFT?
WHAT DO YOU GET A MAN FOR FATHER'S DAY? I mean really how many barbecue, landscaping, power tools and electronic devices does he need??? Maybe, just maybe you should get him a gift that will help keep him around longer....a gift certificate. No, not one to Amazon or Itunes but one that could just save his life or prevent serious injury.
- According to the World Health Organization the US leads the world in ladder injuries. Each year there are more than 164,000 emergency room-related injuries and 300 ladder fatalities. It can be a dangerous job and requires skilled professionals. Don't let Dad on the ladder!! Our techs are trained to manage ladders and use the proper equipment to safely clean out your gutters. We have liability and workers compensation insurance let us take the risk.
Working off the 32' ladder is our job
How We Clean Gutters
- With just a few questions and answers our fully trained office staff will provide a price quote immediately when you call
- Courtesy – our technicians will knock on the door to let you know they are on your property
- We bring our own hoses – all we need is an outside faucet available with water available
- Gutters are hand cleaned – we don’t use blowers
- All debris is bagged at the roofline and removed from the premises
- Gutters and downspouts are flushed (temperature must be over 40°)
- A door tag will be left at the site upon completion
- No pre-payment required – we will mail the invoice
Debris Clean Up
We will bag all debris at the roofline – reducing the amount of debris that blower usage may cause. We will remove it from the premises upon the completion of the job. It will appear as if we were never at your home, aside from your gutters being empty, fully functional and the door tag left on your door.
CALL NOW TO SCHEDULE A GUTTER CLEANING FOR DAD. WE HAVE GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE.
877-535-8660 keltomgutters.wpengine.com
Why take a chance on falling off your roof? Let Keltom clean your gutters.
How tall is your house? Even if you think about going on your roof to clean your gutters read below......this is serious.
People who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. A total of 20,498 occupational fatalities occurred from 1992-2009. Of these deaths, nearly one-third – 6,591 – were attributed to fall injuries, with 2,163 fatalities resulting from roof falls.
Because of the heights, falls from roofs usually cause bad injuries. Here are some of the injuries that can result from a rooftop fall:
Death;
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
Paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia;
Back injuries;
Ankle, foot and knee injuries;
Bone fractures, including hairline and compound fractures
Spinal cord damage;
Bruises;
Sprains, and more.
Keltom Gutter Services is fully insured with both workers compensation and liability to provide gutter cleaning services in 12 counties in NJ. Call or contact us today to schedule your gutter cleaning.
WHY DO I NEED AN UNDERGROUND DRAIN??
Underground drains are not the best way for drainage. Downspouts that flow into underground drains are found in more than 1/3 of the houses in NJ. Why is that? Undergrounds as they are called direct the water from your gutters into this tiny little pipe that either goes to a dry well (which believe me is not all that dry and clogs up) or supposedly to a downward slope area on your property with an exit point. Have you ever looked for this exit point? Can you even find it after the weeds have grown in and the landscapers ran over it with the mower 132 times? Is there even an exit point or somehow the pipe just goes into a black hole? Did you watch when they put that pipe in?
Clogs in your underground drains are caused by a number of reasons.............time (how old are they?) debris which falls all year long, animals taking up residence (making nests, having babies), weeds and vegetation growing (especially if your drains were installed when PVC perforated was the way to go) Clay pipes? Even older and have their own problems....moisture over time allows them to soften. AND repairs are expensive....
There are different ways that you can channel the water in your gutters away from your home. Some houses use downspouts that direct the flow of water downhill or down a slanted driveway. Extensions put on the downspouts direct the water away from the foundation. Even though the ground elevation is relatively flat the water will flow. Call us to see if you can have your downspouts moved...I mean why is it there? Can it be redirected? I personally have extensions that are 6' long to bypass my mulch and spill out into the lawn. Yeah I know that they are not as pretty but....they also don't clog and just so you know they match my gutters.
Ditch the underground drains and Call us to help.
SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE - TOP TO BOTTOM
THE FLOWERS ARE OUT, SUNNY DAYS ARE HERE AND NOW YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING HOME MAINTENANCE. Top to Bottom is the way to go......
To help you cover all the bases, we’ve come up with a handy spring-maintenance checklist. Consult it every year and your home will thank you.
- Inspect Brickwork and Stucco - Spalling is a chipping or popping away of a brick’s face, leaving the brick’s interior susceptible to moisture and crumbling. Look for this and any deteriorated mortar that typically occurs on older homes.
2. Replace Rotted Siding or Trim, and Repaint as Necessary - Repainting siding or trim is often more than a one-weekend project. For color consistency, you just can’t just touch it up—you need to paint a whole section.
If you live in a place where there’s a lot of freezing and thawing, gutters will expand and contract, so make sure they’re flush to the roof, with no sags or dips. When scheduling your gutter cleaning ask to have us check for repairs. You may need to have your gutters re-secured. 4. Inspect Your Roof - Shingles that curl (turn up) and claw (turn down) can make your roof inefficient and susceptible to leaks. Call a minimum of three roofers before committing to one for repairs. You’ll educate yourself in the process and end up with a better deal.
5. Get a Chimney Checkup - Have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your active or decorative chimney. Professionals should also check the chimney flue and cap for cracks or leaking. 6. Check Your Heat/Air Unit; Change Batteries in Detectors - Change filters and clean the air purifier as needed. - Have your ducts professionally cleaned. It’ll make your indoor air quality healthier and your furnace more efficient.
7. Prune Landscaping and Create Good Drainage - Shrubs and landscaping help against soil erosion and should be planted to form a negative grade, which means water will flow away from the house. 8. Give Concrete a Little TLC - Seal and inspect asphalt or concrete driveways. Most of us put off sealing driveways until the fall, but the spring is an ideal time to do it. The sealer you use, the driveway material and climate will affect how often you need to seal your driveway. - Power-wash concrete patios, and inspect decks for rotting wood and secure railings. Seal both if necessary. 9. Don't Forget the Sump Pump - Make sure the sump pump is operating correctly, and install a battery backup pump. The backup, another pump that floats above the original pump, will kick on when the electricity goes out. If your sump pump fails, an alarm goes off, letting you know the backup is working. A few hundred dollars will save you thousands in water damage.
Happy Spring!! Enjoy the Summer!!
Print the handy check-list....http://www.hgtv.com/content/dam/documents/checklist.pdf
Is that leaf still hanging on? Keltom cleans gutters
Why do some leaves take longer than others??? Keltom has the answer.
“If autumn days are cool, trees quicken the change. If autumn days are warm, trees delay the change".
Those dead, bleached-brown beech and oak leaves rattling in a January wind – but somehow still clinging to their twigs – are symbolic. Like ecological pennants, they announce that beech and oak are not quite finished; that these species are still works in progress. Every leaf has a finite life span; each will fade and fall at some regular interval. But there is great variation in the timing of this leaf fall. At one end of the spectrum, there are evergreens. Though they appear to be fully leafed at all times, evergreen leaves are not always green, and entire age classes of needles die, turn brown, and fall every year. On the other end of the spectrum are deciduous trees, which seem to drop their leaves all at once after a pigment party every fall.
If you waited for every single leaf to fall you would never get your gutters cleaned!! We know leaves and gutters - that's why we are scheduling gutter cleanings NOW!! Dirty gutters are bad...plain and simple ...they can cause all kings of damage to your home, windows, doors and landscape. We offer no mess cleanings...we don't use blowers which reduces the amount of debris that can dirty your landscape. Have a specialty roof? Copper gutters? We use ladder stabilizers and never walk on slate or cedar roofs.
Keltom Gutters Offers Lock in Your Price Maintenance Service
Keltom Gutter Services is preparing for the fall cleaning season and many customers take advantage of the maintenance service plan.
This plan allows customers to:
- LOCK IN THEIR PRICE,
- Choose which months they want to have their gutters cleaned,
- Automatic scheduling, (no need to call)
- Reminder notice sent to them in the mail of their gutter cleaning appointment
- No pre-payment ever! We will mail you the invoice.
- Cancel at any time...non-binding and no cancellation fee
2800 Customers residing in 13 NJ counties take advantage of this service. Our professional technicians take time to clean your gutters by hand, flush all gutters and downspouts and take the debris away with them. Special attention is paid to our many customers who have slate or cedar roofs. Give us a call or visit our website FOR A FREE ESTIMATE on a gutter cleaning, schedule and receive 15$ or $20 OFF! Schedule now before the rush!
973-852-7100
keltomgutters.com