Waukesha County Home

By Sara Rae Lancaster Special to HomesPlus With the rush of the holidays behind us, it's "last call" for some home maintenance tasks before the bitter cold settles in for the long haul. Neglecting them could lead to costly home maintenance emergencies and heating bills. ■ Problem: Ice damming ■ What happens: If you didn't get around to cleaning your gutters this fall, or if your home is lacking attic insulation and proper ventilation, your roof could be at risk of an ice dam. "This causes cold areas on the the roof, so when the snow melts and is running down the roof, it gets to a cold spot and freezes up again," explained Randy Miller, owner of Allrite Home and Remodeling. That ice forms a dam that blocks any additional melting snow from running off the roof, causing it to pool and freeze in one area. If left attended it can lead to costly repairs, including damage to the roof as well as interior water damage to ceilings, walls and insulation. ■ Quick fix: There are two short-term Band-Aids for an ice dam. The first is to fill a pair of nylon panty hose with calcium chloride. Tie off the top of the nylon and lay it vertically across the ice dam and near the gutters. "That will melt the built-up ice so it drains properly through the gutters and downspouts," Miller said. The second temporary fix is to remove the snow before it melts with a roof rake. "When raking, you don't have to go down to the shingles. You can leave an inch or two of snow," Miller said. "But you do want to make sure to reach up a minimum of 2 feet, past the fascia and the soffit, onto the roof." ■ How to avoid it next year: Sodium chloride and roof rakes might resolve the issue for now, but the only way to cure a roof dam is to add insulation to the attic. The good news is insulation can be installed any time of year, even in the win- ter. "Now is a great time to add insulation because you can begin recouping the costs right away," said Scott Cline, owner of J&B Construction Co., Inc. It's not just older homes that need more insulation. Homes built as recently as 10 years to 20 years ago could be in need of an upgrade to the U.S. Department of Energy recommended R-value of R49 to R60. In fact, most homes that Cline sees only have a rating of R-20. "People talk about changing their windows to prevent heat loss, but that's only about 10 percent of it," Cline said. "If 40 percent of your home's heat loss is through the insulation, that savings adds up much quicker. Most people will earn back what they spent in four years to six years. And it will help with your air-conditioning bill in the summer." ■ Problem: Faulty furnace ■ What happens: If the furnace is going to fail, it never fails to happen on the coldest night of the year. An emergency visit from your local HVAC specialist is expensive by itself. If you end up needing a new furnace, you could spend a few grand in just a few minutes. Avoid a costly furnace fiasco by knowing how to troubleshoot the situation and what to do to prevent one from happen- ing in the first place. ■ Quick fix: Sometimes the furnace will go out because the condensation hose is clogged or crimped. If you lose heat, first check the hose said Nick Kerzner at Kerzn- er Remodeling and Construction. "A clogged hose will stop the furnace from working, as will a clogged furnace fil- ter," Kerzner said. Clear the hose of any debris or blockage. If a dirty or clogged filter is the issue, replace it with a high-quality filter. Kerzner recommends one with a Merv 7 rating or better. "They're a little more money, but they're worth it because it makes a healthier envi- ronment and its easier on the furnace blow- er," he added. Check the filter once a month and replace when necessary. ■ How to avoid it next year: The best way to avoid problems with the furnace is to stop them before they start. In the fall (or at least before the bitter cold arrives), schedule a maintenance check of the fur- nace and entire heating system. ■ Problem: A drafty house ■ What happens: Baby, it's cold outside. But inside, your house should remain a comfortable temperature even on the cold- est days. That won't happen if there are cracks and openings that allow cold air to sneak inside. "When people are getting their home ready for winter, give the exterior a once over," Cline suggested. Look for cracked or missing caulking around windows and doors where cold air can get inside the home. "When you have a lot of air infiltration it causes the house to be less comfortable and energy efficient," Cline said. ■ Quick fix: Seal up any visible cracks. Use compressed caulk to seal up any visible gaps and, as a temporary fix, you can also apply plastic window insulation around the window exterior. "Plastic on the windows is OK if you are going to replace the window that spring," Kerzner said, "but it shouldn't be considered a permanent solution." ■ How to avoid it next year: Like ice dams, air infiltration issues can be solved by adding insulation to attic spaces and other lightly insulated areas, like cathedral ceilings and sills. If the windows and doors are older, consider replacing them with more energy-efficient models. JANUARY 2017 HOMES PLUS 3 Fo r m o re i n fo r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t B e t h Wa l s h a t 414 . 3 3 3 . 5 8 5 3 o r v i s i t w w w. Fox L a k e Vi l l a g e . c o m 2 5 2 3 6 2 0 0 3 Speculative Homes Under Construction Now 45 N EW LOTS AVAI LABLE NOW Hurry! $5,000 Construction Discount for Lots Reserved Prior to 3/31/17 • 23-acre water feature • Fully improved homesites with city sewer and city water • Homesites from $86,900 and speculative home/lot packages from $415,900 • Waterfront homesites available Enjoy the best of all worlds in this community as you discover the beauty of nature, as well as the conveniences that the City of Waukesha provides. The Easton Ranch $449,500 Exceptional design prevails in this new 3BR/2BA ranch home to be ready on 2/1/17. Open concept great room/kitchen with painted cabinetry and huge island. Fully exposed basement with 9' poured walls and large windows. MLS#1497959 Avoiding, fixing winter maintenance issues There's a short-term fix and a long-term fix to ice damming.

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