Avoid Winter Old House and Barn Problems
Snow and Ice? Tips for Avoiding Winter Problems with Your Old House and Barn
Deep snow on home and barn roofs should be removed, but it’s best to focus on safe, easily-accessible spots like low-pitched roofs and shed additions, and call in a professional for assessment and assistance of the more challenging areas. Snow rakes, available from hardware stores and home centers, make it relatively easy to clear along the eaves which will prevent build up of snow and ice. If you have gutters, try to keep them free of ice and snow, and be sure that downspouts are not blocked at ground level.
Ice dams and icicles along the eaves are a telltale sign of heat loss through the roof. (The goal is a cold roof!) Historic homes are often under-insulated and not properly sealed so heated air is able to enter the attic space. That warm air then heats the roof, causing the snow to melt. As the water travels down the roof, it refreezes as it reaches the cold eave, forming a ridge of ice called an ice dam--and often spectacular icicles. Water can then back up behind the ice dam and leak into the house which may cause considerable interior damage. Sealing the attic from heated spaces below and adding insulation to the attic roof will help solve these problems.
Check around chimneys and roof vents for signs of warm air leaks. If the melt is evenly dispersed, not just in localized areas, you may just need to add additional insulation throughout the entire attic floor. Take notes (and photos) of your problem areas so you can make appropriate repairs in the spring.
Try this trick: put some ice melt into knee-high nylon stockings, knot at the opening, and toss into those hard-to-reach areas of ice build up to temporarily alleviate icing problems.
Above all, be careful. Working on roofs in winter conditions can be very dangerous. Leave the high or steeply pitched roofs to the experts.
More Ideas
Helpful websites:
Ice Dam Basics
Before you start to tighten up the house, make sure you have the moisture issues under control! Sealing up a house with high relative humidity levels will increase mold and mildew problems. Weatherization suggestions:
• Install proper weatherstripping around doors and windows
• Make sure glass in doors and windows is tightly glazed
• Use door and window locks to keep them shut tightly
• Install storm doors and windows
• Seal gaps in structural and foundation materials with caulking or spray foam
• Limit draw from chimneys by keeping dampers closed when not in use
• Caulk gaps in siding and around doors and windows
• Close gaps in HVAC, chimneys and fireplaces
• Install good window treatments that help insulate from the cold window pane
• Insulate your attic floor
• Seal and insulate attic access
• Install programmable thermostats
Thanks to Noelle Lord for her help with the weatherization list.