Wintertime Home Tips - Ice Dams

This morning at my networking group, our restoration/construction expert, Shawn McDonough of Laurens Construction, passed along some great tips regarding roofs and ice dams. Yup, it's that time of year again.

USE A SNOW RAKE before the dam builds.

NEVER THROW ROCK SALT ON YOUR ROOF - it damages the shingles and will kill the flowers in the garden beds below the roof line.  Instead put some calcium chloride in old pantyhose and put them on the edge of the eve.  Cutting off the legs and using the remaining section gives you three pieces to use.

DO NOT TRY TO HAMMER, CHISEL OR CHIP AWAY the ice as you are more likely to cause damage. 

Like most things, prevention is better than having to deal with an emergency, but if you need help, Shawn and Laurens Construction are available 24/7.  They serve all of SE Michigan, including Livingston County.  248-528.2880.

You can read his post at facebook.com/LBN.H3 under 'recent posts by others' on the right side of the page.

Image courtesy of Suat Eman/freedigitalphotos.net