As promised, we're covering plenty more home inspection tips this week as we face colder months with rain/snow ahead.
What is iced damming?
Ice damming is when you see ice build-up on your roof - usually along the exterior eaves. The snow on your roof melts (usually above knee walls or areas with poor insulation) and then freezes as it hits colder temperatures. This can lead to ice and water creeping up underneath your shingles.
Possible solutions: the goal is to prevent inside air from reaching attic or roof space by sealing any leaks. You can also upgrade the insulation in your attic and add ventilation to the outside.
Cracking tiles in bathrooms or kitchen flooring:
Old houses move and shift and if there isn’t a way to absorb some of this movement before it hits your finishes, cracking is inevitable. One of the most effective ways to transfer some of this movement before it hits your tiles is to make sure your installer is using a Schluter (or DITRA) membrane. This membrane also helps with water proofing and load distribution (essential for minimizing cracking).
Why should you re-grade?
It is almost a given that my home inspector will recommend some sort of re-grading to a home that is being purchased. Getting water away from the basement is crucial - both with proper eaves, downspouts, and working weeping tiles. But most basement water issues can be solved by simply re-grading around your foundation walls to make sure the water is flowing away from your house.
What is the best product for regrading?
My foundation specialist recommends using quarter down as the base layer for regrading. You can tamp it down and then add whatever topcoat you like for aesthetic purposes.