Wishing you all a very happy new year!! To make the year 2002 a safe and comfortable year for you, here are some common problems that most homeownwers encounter during the cold winter months. These problems are indicators of what is wrong and hence provide clues to what needs to be done. Read on to find what you can do this year for a more comfortable home.
Problem #1 - Moisture and condensation on windows
Reasons of occurence - Inadequate ventilation is one of the major reasons. When the moist air inside comes in contact with the cold glass, it condenses. Also, having single-pane windows with metal frames can also cause this problem.
What you can do - If you have a humidifyier installed in the house, please ensure that the humidity level is not very high. (Ideal levels are between 30 and 55) Moisture is generated in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Make sure they are ventilated properly. If you have exhaust fans in bathrooms, it is a good idea to use them after a hot shower. If you have single pane windows, the solution becomes more expensive. Most likey you will need new double pane windows. For this information, it is best to visit a local home store for finding the right window type for your area.
Problem #2 - Ice dams form on the edges of your gutters or roofs
Reasons of occurence - The main reason for this happening is a badly ventilated attic. As warm air rises inside your house, it reaches the attic level. When the attic is not ventilated, the warm air has no place to escape and heats up the roof. As a result the snow begins to melt. But since the air temperature is low, it freezes again to form ice dams on the edges of the roofs.
What you can do - Sealing the attic is one option. This will prevent the warm air from leaking into the attic. The other option is to ventilate the attic so that a warm air reservoir is not created in the attic space. You might be able to do some of this work yourself (if you are good at work around the house), but it is recommended to get a professional to take care of this.
