Homes Plus
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HOMES PLUS During the thaw, maintenance tips for exterior surfaces MILWAUKEE – As old man winter teases us about releasing his hold, it's important to remember that taking care of your home is a full-time, four-season job. That means staying on top of things, even as we transition from winter to spring. The members of the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Inc. recommend the following maintenance tips as we experience a thaw or two, and get ready for spring. Driveway "When it comes to driveway maintenance, shovel regularly and don't allow the water to seep into the concrete to freeze and cause breaking," said Lawrence Brinkman, president of Dornbrook Construction in Wauwatosa. "Remove all snow and ice right away after a snowstorm, especially on any north-facing concrete driveways or sidewalks," he added. Daytime sunshine and then freezing temperatures overnight create a freeze and thaw cycle that will eventually break the surface. "In addition, bent or worn metal shovels, and any other sharp metal object used to break up ice, can tear up a concrete surface. Therefore, it is better to use plastic shovels," Brinkman said. Deicing agents containing ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate or magnesium chloride attack concrete chemically and cause damage over and above the effects of freeze and thaw cycles. Rock salt or calcium chloride are a better choice as they will do less damage, but they have drawbacks as well and can harm vegetation and corrode metal. Garage floors "Just like the driveway it is important to , keep concrete garage floors clean and free of water, salt, etc.," Brinkman said. Many pros will actually recommend that, in this climate, you don't park your vehicle in the garage because of the constant freeze and thaw that goes on, with the added bonus of road salt to eat away the floor. However, not many of us have that luxury . Therefore, once the garage floor is dry , Brinkman recommends vacuuming the debris with a shop vac or old vacuum. "Then mop the floor with a solution of liquid dish soap, laundry detergent or vinegar with water. Afterwards, dry it with a dry mop or cloth so nothing else freezes," Brinkman said. Protective finishes for garage floors have their pros and cons, but most will tell you that because there is a lot of important prep work before you even get to the application, it is smarter to let a pro install one. These can vary from epoxy compounds to mats or tiles. If you go the epoxy route, many also recommend sand be placed in the mix as it's applied for traction. Wood decks "If you have a wood deck, or even a synthetic deck, try and avoid shoveling the snow off," said Randy Miller, owner of Allrite Home & Remodeling, Inc. in Milwaukee. The deck was built with plenty of strength in mind and the weight of the snow should not damage it (heat and dryness are actually worse). If you must, try a broom first or shovel with a plastic shovel parallel with the deck boards. "Never chop ice off your deck, and never put salt on a wood deck," Miller said. Prevention is better, so seal and repair when weather permits during warmer months, and be sure that no nail or screw heads are sticking up come fall. In fact, Miller recommends a synthetic material over wood, for "they are maintenance free, including requiring no staining." Roofs The best way to care for your roof is to have biannual inspections. During the winter, just like everything else, a build-up snow and ice is the enemy . "Ice dams can form when snow is not removed and it later begins to melt, and then refreezes at night. This makes a dam and blocks runoff, weakening shingles and can cause leaks. Therefore, we recommend that you purchase a roof rake and use it after every storm," Miller said. Another option for chronic problem areas is heat tape, applied in a zig-zag pattern, to promote drainage. Ventilation and proper insulation can also can be huge a factors, so be sure your inspections include an assessment of these, as well. "People forget that gutters are a critical component of draining water off your roof, and more importantly away from your , home," Miller said. Icicles, while pretty can cause serious , damage and should gently be removed. They can bend or even collapse a good, working gutter system. Gutter covers are an option, but simply paying attention and keeping your gutters clean and working will pay off. In addition, keep an eye on downspouts, as they can blow off or bend during storms and cause serious issues. "Remember, you never want a downspout facing a neighbor's house and they should be three- to five-feet long to route water away from your home. Keep an eye on these and be sure their drainage path is also free and clear," Miller said. 231009005 MARCH 2013 5