It’s no secret that this Minnesota winter has given us some headaches already, and it’s only the beginning of February. The amount of snow has taken a toll on not only our lower backs, but our homes too.
This time of year, we turn to experts in the home maintenance industry to share tips and tricks on how to keep our home running smoothly. This month, we asked our new Member Sponsor, Stinson Services, Inc., what obstacles we should be aware of.
Remove the Snow On Roof
This winter we have experienced a record amount of snow. With nearly 50″ of snow in Minnesota homeowners are experiencing new issues. If the snow isn’t melting quickly, it means that heat from your home isn’t escaping through your attic. The issue is if heat is transferring from your home to your attic you’ll start to develop ice dams. Try to remove snow that is on top of the roof to help avoid ice dams and issues inside the home.
How Ice Dams Form
An ice dam is caused by different heat temperatures on your roof. Warm air can escape into your attic if you don’t have proper insulation and attic air sealing. This means the top of the roof is most often warmer than the bottom, which causes the snow to melt and then refreeze. This process of melting and refreezing snow is what forms the ice dam. Remove the ice dams for your roof by a qualified company using a steam machine. Click here for more information on ice dams.
Humidity in the Attic
40% to 50% indoor humidity is desirable for health and comfort but keeping winter air that moist is difficult for most homes in Minnesota. If your home is very dry that indicates that too much air is coming indoors. If there is moisture or ice on windows it is likely collecting in wall and attic cavities. Cold air cannot hold much water vapor so the colder the air the drier it is. Adjust your homes humidifier based on the outside temperature. We have put together the ideal humidity levels to set your home at during the winter months. Click here to learn more.
