Tip on Gutter Replacement

Everybody, just about Everywhere, is done with snow right now...
And it's Officially Spring!

After the massive blizzards, just last month, it's time to talk about Gutter Replacement and Gutter Fixing...

We lost our back gutter to Snow and Ice Dams, and our front gutter was very damaged, due to the same stuff.

We are lucky to have a Great Roofer, who, we came to find out, is also great at installing and replacing gutters...

So Here's Today's Tip:

1.  Ask Your Neighbors for a good 'gutter company', Ask Your Friends...

Word of Mouth is usually the best way to find a good contractor, etc.

2.  Gutters don't always have to be replaced!  Our 'Gutter Guy'

replaced the back gutter, because it had fallen off our house, 

but simply fixed/reformed the front gutter-

and it looks brand new!

So, In Summary:

Get A Trusted Contractor,

and don't assume your gutters need to be replaced,

bring up to your contractor the possibility

of remolding your existing gutter!

Good Luck and Happy Spring...

Finally!

Window Well Covers Help Snow Removal

Another page taken from,

'What I Learned from the DC Snowpocalypse of 2010' is...

Get Window Well Covers!


Window Well Covers are permanent or temporary covers for your window wells... hence, the name.


I'm getting window well covers (temporary ones, I'll explain in a minute) for the 2 front window wells of our house, because I spent a lot of time over the past month digging and digging and digging snow out of them.

You need to get snow out of window wells because

• when the snow melts, it can cause leaks... and leaks are never good.  
• the snow can freeze and damage the screen or the window (we have to replace a screen).

PLUS, You're also saving yourself a-whole-lotta work by simply getting a sturdy, plastic, window well cover to protect your basement window- because you won't have to shovel out the snow!

If you live in a very cold place where snowfalls-of-a-foot are commonplace, you probably already have window well covers... and they are permanent.  Good for you, you need them!


For The Rest Of Us-


Here's the simplest, easiest route to take-

Get temporary, sturdy plastic window well covers that can be snapped on and snapped off, or just placed over your window well...

• You can place the covers over the window wells at the sign of the first snow, and just leave them there for the winter
• Make sure to get a rounded/dome one, not flat (we all know what happens to flat roofs when a lot of snow falls- it's the same with window wells covers)
• you can find these 'temporary window well covers' EVERYWHERE, I googled them and every major home/garden store sells them
• And they are very reasonable- they can range from just under $20 to $30 or $40.  That is a small price to pay to guarantee empty, snow-free window wells.

That last statement was an understatement.  I am almost having the feeling of, 

'I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner,

this is an easy solution,

you don't have to worry about water damage to your basement,

basement windows...'

Sorry, gotta run, I'm going out to get those window well covers now!


* I'm getting temporary ones because I don't want them permanently on the front of the house
and the basement gets a lot of light from the windows.

Prevent Ice Dams in Your Gutters

Prevent Ice Dams in Your Gutters... now.

You can thank me later.

Ice Dams form in your gutters after a lot of snow has fallen, snow starts melting and then refreezes in your gutters.  In the interest of full-self-disclosure- I had never heard of 'ice dams' or gave them ANY thought whatsoever before last week, or rather- before the DC Snowpocalypse of 2010.  I personally like the term- KaiserSnoze, which I've heard bantered about, a little better :)

With that said, it's a good idea to INSULATE your roof... especially insulate the ends so heat doesn't escape- right where the gutters are.


You can buy insulation and put it tightly at the bottom of your attic, where the roof and ceilings meet.

I found a thorough article about Ice Dams and Preventing them at Do It Yourself Life.

Please click on the link for more information!

Happy Households... and roofs and gutters!

Winter Roof Tip

Tip for Today:  Take Care of Your Roof!

We happen to have a slate roof,
but whatever type of roof you have-
take care of it!

We found a very good, honest roofer in our area,
and every March, after the snows and cold weather,
we have him come over to inspect our roof and
replace any slates that need it.  It doesn't cost very much, and frankly, you are gradually,
replacing your roof;
you never have problems with it,
and it's very cost effective.  

So take care of the roof you have, and it'll never give you any worry!

Snow Removal

Today some tips on Snow Removal!
You may have heard, the DC Region has gotten pummeled
with over 3 feet of snow this past week,
so I have become an 'instant expert' in snow removal.

1.  Dig out in stages.  Don't wait til it's all over.
It's easier to go out every 2 or 3 hours and dig out,
especially for your back, heart, and sanity.

2.  Don't pile up snow around your house (aka- your foundation).
This prevents possible leaks when the 'big thaw' comes.

3.  Have fun!  Make other paths that are 'snow forts'.
My son loves this!

Always Have Firewood

Okay, I tried to upload a cute image of firewood, but I was unable to.
That is because we are in the middle of our 2nd blizzard within a week...
And I'm using my husband's computer; my laptop is broken right now,
and I'm unable, once again, to get to the Apple store.

So now, for the HouseHold Tip: even if you never use your fireplace,
like us,
Always have at least a small pile of firewood on hand,
in case the power goes out.
We learned this the hard way,
so for this 2nd blizzard:
we are equipped with
firewood,
kindling,
newspapers,
emergency lights,
and batteries.
I'll be back with more HouseHold Tips in a couple of days when things... and the weather, are back to normal :)