Cleaning out your Gutters

 

Why is it important to clean out your gutters?

The purpose of installing a gutter system in your house is to divert rain water from the roof away from the property. As debris piles in the gutters, it prevents the gutters from doing their job. This can end up in serious issues like roof damage and basement flooding. A regular check and maintenance of your gutter scan avoid expensive home repairs.

A clogged gutter system can result in basement flooding. As the gutters get clogged, the rain water overflows from the roof and finds its way to the basement – causing water damage. The accumulated water in a basement weakens the foundation and can result in the formation of cracks. As the accumulated water freezes during the cold season, the cracks become severe which can be an expensive repair. In order to avoid basement leaks or flooding, clean your gutters on a regular basis to avoid recurring expensive repairs.

When Is The Best Time To Clean Out Your Gutters?

The time to clean your gutters can depend on the trees around your house, the debris they drop and time of the year. It is recommended to inspect your roof regularly and clean the debris at least twice a year.Late autumn and late spring are the best times to clean your gutters. By late autumn, the gutters get clogged by leaves and by pollen and seedlings in late spring.During your inspection, if you notice any clogs or damaged gutters, it is best to contact a professional to make the necessary repairs to avoid any further damage.

Stay Ahead of Ice Dams

Ice damming occurs as a result of a temperature difference under and above the roof of a house or building. The warm air from inside the house or building heats the roof and melts the snow above it. The melted snow then re-freezes at unheated areas of the roof resulting in the formation of icicles at areas like eaves troughs. As the snow above the heated surface continues to melt further, it forms water pools on the roof as the icicles prevent the water from draining outwards from the roof. Eventually, the pool of water finds its way into your house through sheathing, insulation and wall cavities.

Damages Caused by Ice Damming:

The formation of ice dams on the roof can cause different types of damages. Water that seeps into the house can damage ceilings, walls and cause structural damages. It may damage roof coverings as well. Dampness on ceilings and walls attract mould growth, which can cause further damage to your house. On the other hand, as more and more ice re-freezes on the gutter, pressure builds-up and can collapse the gutters, damaging the exterior structure of your house.

• Structural Damage
The water from ice dams flows under the shingles resulting in water leaks. Water leaks damage ceilings, walls, floors and insulation. As the leak gets severe, it causes wood rot and ends up as severe structural damage.


• Gutter System Damage
Ice damming damages the exterior of the house also. The increasing weight of snow and ice on the roof puts pressure on the gutter system resulting in its misalignment. As a result, the gutter system will no longer effectively drain off water from the roof. In extreme cases, part of the gutter system under the pressure of built-up ice can collapse as well.






• Growth of Mould
Mould thrives on surfaces with dampness. Moist wood, wall paper and ceilings are favourable surfaces for mould to germinate and grow, which damages your house further. In short, ice damming badly affects the structural integrity of your house.

Preventing Ice Damming:

Ice damming is preventable. Taking proper precautions will prevent ice damming and the damages resulting from it.

 

• Proper Insulation
  
  Heat from inside the house or building comes to the attic and warms up the roof. This is how ice dams start to form on the roof. Insulating the attic properly will minimize this heating process.
• Ensure Proper Ventilation
  
  To avoid ice damming, the roof of your house needs to be vented at the peak and at the eaves. Cold air moves freely above the insulation in the attic or ceiling. This keeps the roof cold and prevents the snow from melting to ice dams.
• Snow and Ice Shield
  
  Installing snow and ice shields beneath the shingles or on the top of the roof prevents water from routing its way into the interiors of your house. It is the protective feature of the shield that seals the attic and stands as a barrier to water making its way in.

In order to properly remove icicles, ice dams or snow that is accumulated on your roof, it is best advised to contact a restoration expert to avoid any further or possible damage from occurring. For more information on how to best prevent ice damming or for a quote on the installation of preventive measures, please contact your local Winmar Georgian Bay Muskoka at 1-888-656-6092.

Water Line Issues and Solutions

Plumbing issues can pop in at any time of the day or night. Catastrophic plumbing issues never happen all of a sudden. Every major plumbing problem starts off with some or other warning sign. As you fail to read those warnings, things go out of your control, panicking on which will be of no use. Here are the two most common water line issues or rather basic warning signs of major plumbing issues that you may come across in your house.

Low Water Pressure

Do you feel the water coming out from the pipes doesn’t flow as fast as it used to? Low water pressure is never a minor issue to be ignored. These are just warning signs of major issues, for which immediate action is a must before it turns into a nightmare. Though low water pressure can be an issue at the main water supply, sedimentation or corrosion in the plumbing system can also be the reasons. After 16-20 years services in the plumbing system, 70% of the pipes will begin to lose its flow capacity due to sediments and corrosion build-up, resulting in low pressure water from the faucets.

Why is it a concern?

Ø  Low water pressure resulting from pipe corrosion can cause heavy metal percolation into the drinking water supply of your house. In short, they not only clog the aerators but also get consumed by people who drink water coming out of the corroded pipe.

Ø  As you leave the corrosion untreated, the thinning pipe walls eventually lead to pinhole leaks which eventually leads to flooding followed by costly structural damages.

How to fix this issue?

The first step in fixing the low water pressure issue is to find out the reason behind it.

Ø  Replacing Pressure Regulators

A malfunctioning pressure regulator in the plumbing system of your house can cause low water pressure in all or some water fixtures of your house. If you can tackle on your own, get a new pressure regulator and replace the existing ones. On the other hand, if you are unaware of doing it, better get it done by any plumbing professional instead of worsening the situation.

Ø  Repairing Leaks If Any

Damages in the pipe system can also be a reason for low water pressure as not all the water flowing in is making its way to the faucets. As some amount of water moves out through the cracked pipe, you need to trace the damaged area and fix the minor damages using duct tape or pipe clamp and major leaks by replacing the damaged part completely.

Ø  Removing Mineral Deposit Build-ups

As mineral deposit builds-up over time, they clog the showerheads and faucets, reducing the water pressure. Cleaning out the showerheads and faucet heads can alleviate the water pressure and fix the problem.

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes are always a nightmare as they can cause serious health issues due to unhygienic condition and even cause subsequent damage to the structural integrity of your house. The impact of the leaking pipes initially starts off with minor structural damage which later becomes a catastrophic failure resulting in huge flooding. Improperly fitted joints of pipes are usually the most common cause, particularly the PVC ones. PVC joint fitting is a tricky art. Only the expert professionals mastered in fitting the joints with perfection can prevent the leakage. Joints that aren’t cleaned and sealed properly fail under water pressure leading to subsequent damages. In addition, even corrosion in the pipes can be a reason behind the leak.

Why is it a concern?

Ø  Water leaks from improperly joined pipes that are embedded to the slab foundation can cause wrapping of the flooring, wet spots and discoloration. It can even cause seepage from the foundation base of your house.

Ø  A similar internal flooding and catastrophic failure can occur from the water pipes that run through the walls of your house. These leaks results in the formation of hot spots, wet spots and discoloration leading to visible structural damage to the walls.

How to fix this issue?

The first step in fixing leaky pipes is to trace the roots of the leak.

Ø  Fixing The Leak At The Joint

For fixing the leak using epoxy you first need to shut off the water and clean dry the damaged pipe joint. Using a putty knife or gloved fingers, force epoxy at the joints of the pipes. Go through the instructions for the cure time and make sure not to turn on the water for the cure time and let the epoxy fix appropriately.

Ø  Between Pipes

In case of pinhole leaks, you can make use of duct tape to wrap the pipe as a temporary fix. For a permanent solution, make use of a pipe clamp. For this you need to place the rubber gasket on the damaged area and firmly tighten the clamp over the gasket and pipe to hinder the leak. In case of larger leaks, you must remove the damaged section and replace the section with a brand new piece of pipe of the same measurement as the removed one.

Winmar Georgian Bay Muskoka is a family owned and operated business with over 35 years of experience in the construction and restoration industry. The business is fully trained and experienced in providing high quality service for all construction, restoration or maintenance types of issues in homes, office or property. http://www.winmargbm.com/ 

Common Plumbing Issues That You May Come Across

Just like a gadget, even your house wear and tear after staying in for a long period. Slowly, as months and years pass by issues start circling your haven. Not all issues are urgent and need to be fixed immediately. But, if it is a plumbing issue, you must act as early as possible before the situation goes out of control. Water overflowing from your toilet or sink can ruin your entire house. So, plumbing issues must be fixed as early as possible. To fix the plumbing issues right at the initial stage, it is important for you to know different types of plumbing issues that can happen. This can help you in fixing the plumbing issue right away. Here are some of the common plumbing issues that can occur in your home or office.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains occur when any particle gets stuck in the drain pipes. The stuck particle prevents water from flowing down and causes water clog. Materials like soap, hair and food particles that are allowed into the drain are the most common substances that get stuck in the drain leading to water clog. If the water in your sink moves slow and takes time to drain out, you can consider it as a beginning to the clog. On figuring slow movement of water, make it a point to get the drain pipes cleaned before it gets clogged further and ruin your house.

Leaky Pipes

People wonder how a leaky pipe can mess up their house. Amid of their hectic schedule, people overlook the dripping pipe in their kitchen or bathroom. Though leaky pipes do not cause much damage in the initial stage, as you leave it unfixed the pipes gets damaged further or even breaks creating an overwhelming situation. So even if it is minor leak, fix it as early as possible. In case of major issue, seek the service of any water damage expert to fix the issue and prevent it from causing further damages.

Clogged Toilet

Just like a clogged drain, even your toilet can get clogged if anything gets stuck in the drain pipe. Clogged toilet creates more loss than a clogged drain. So, as you notice water taking too much of time to drain out of the toilet, identify the possibility of a clog and take necessary steps to fix the issue at the earliest.

If you have sufficient knowledge of identifying and fixing the plumbing issues, you can try fixing it on your own. But if you are not pretty confident, it is better to hire an expert professional rather than worsening the issue further. Hiring a water damage expert is now quite easy. You just need to browse online to get the list of water damage service providers in your locality. Since you are spending money to fix the water damage, you have the rights to ask for better service to fix the issue. From now on, never overlook any plumbing issue. Make sure to either fix it on your own or seek the service of any expert professional as early as possible.

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What is Sump Pump failure?

Sump Pump Failure 

A sump pump is an electrical device installed in the basements of houses or buildings to pump out water accumulated in the basement.The main function of a sump pump is to prevent the basement from flooding and to keep the area dry by pumping the water outside the building or house. Based on the structure of the building, the water can be pumped out through a pipe into storm sewers or to the yard. Sump pump failure results in an accumulation of melted snow or rain water in the basement leading to flooding as they do not get pumped out properly.This accumulation of water in the basement causes water damage in your home or building resulting in further damage like mould growth.

Common Causes for Sump Pump Failure: 

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o Excess wear and tear of the primary pump which can cause sump pump motor burn out

o Presence of clogged pipes due to the accumulation of mud or debris

o Presence of clogged switches that gets stuck in the ‘ON’ position which could prevent the pump from functioning properly

o Broken drive shafts or impeller can result in sump pump failure

How to Avoid Sump Pump Failure:

Water damage caused by sump pump failure can be avoided through proper maintenance. Regular checks and fixes can prevent any future sump pump failure which can cause a lot of damage.

• Keep Sump Pit Free from Debris

A sump pit is a hole drilled in the basement into which the sump pump is installed. The pit must be cleaned on a regular basis in order to prevent any possible build up which could prevent the sump pump from performing properly. You can test the proper functioning of the pump by filling the pit with water and make sure it starts and stops correctly as designed.

• Keep the Impeller Clean

The impeller is a small filter in the sump pump, which is connected to the pump with bolts. This filter and bolts must be cleaned on a regular basis for the pump to function properly. Failing to do so may result in sump pump failure followed by flooding in the basement.

• Back-Up Power Source

Sump pumps cannot perform without a power source so they will not function during a power outage. Power outages are quite common during heavy storms. It is during this storm and rain that you need a sump pump the most. Installing a back-up power system will take over the sump pump during power outages, there by preventing water from flooding in the basement.

Once installed and maintained properly, sump pumps free you from potential water damage caused by basement flooding. Regardless of whether water intrusion is caused by sewer backup, basement flooding or any other reason, a well maintained sump pump can easily pump out the water and protect your home or office from water damage. If you experience sump pump failure or want an experienced professional to check if your sump pump is maintained properly, 

Contact Winmar Georgian Bay Muskoka today at 1-888-656-6092.

Protect your Health: Recognize Mould !

Signs of Mould: How to Detect Mould in your Home

Have you traced mould growth in your house? 

Do you find it hard to identify the mould to know the degree of harm that it can cause? 

There are different types of mould, some of which can cause serious harm to your health. Mould can be categorized into different classes based on the health risks that they impose. The categories are broken into Hazard Class A, Hazard Class B and Hazard Class C.

Hazard Class A – Mould belonging to this group are hazardous to health. If such mould types are found in your house or office, they must be removed as early as possible.

Hazard Class B – Mould belonging to this class can cause allergic reactions that last for a longer period of time.

Hazard Class C – Though mould belonging to this class do not cause any health hazards, they can cause structural damage to your house or office.

Common Mould Types:

• Cladosporium - is a very common mould found in houses or offices. It appears brown, black, grey and/or green in colour. It usually grows on walls, dust, insulation and wood. Exposure to this mould results in allergic reactions and so they can be classified as Hazard Class B.
• Aspergillus - can appear brown, green, black, yellow or white in colour. Aspergillus has many species in its genus and fall into Hazard Classes A or B. Aspergillus germinate and grow on paper products, walls, soil, insulation, clothing and many such places. In people with weak immune systems, these cause lung infections, asthma and fever and in others it may cause only allergic reactions.
• Penicillium - The term Penicillium may be quite familiar as it is from where antibiotics were discovered. It does not mean that it is a harmless type of mould as it can be hazardous as well. You can find this mould in green, blue or white in colour. It usually grows on food substances like cheese, or on walls and insulations. These are classified under Hazard Class B or C.
• Alternaria - is also a common type of mould growth found in a grey or black colour. This type of mould is classified under Hazard Class B as these can cause allergic reactions. Inhaling this mould can cause hay fever and asthmatic reactions as well. Mould found in dusty areas, windows, soil, plants, walls and windows can be categorized as Alternaria.
• Stachybotrys - looks black on surfaces. This type of mould grows on damp areas and is classified as Hazard Class A mould as it creates toxins. Stachybotrys is usually traced on wood, paper, cardboard, hay and wicker. This mould can cause headaches, asthma and cancer.
• Mucor - growth is usually observed in soil. In houses and offices, this type of mould is found on ducting and air conditioning. Mucor grows thick and can be found in a whitish to a greyish colour. This mould can also cause a disease named zygomycosis, which is an infection that affects the face.

Mould of any type is a serious concern and should be dealt with immediately.

If you think you have mould in your house, office or anywhere else, contact an experienced professional to have it assessed.

Contact your local Winmar Georgian Bay Muskoka specialist at 1-888-656-6062.