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Debunking Some Snow Guard Misconceptions: Things That Homeowners Need To Know

Snow guards are a vital part of keeping a home safe in areas where regular snowfall is a part of every winter, but there are some misconceptions that people have about those guards. Bad information leads to bad decision making, and you cannot afford to put your family or your property at risk by making bad decisions concerning your snow guards. These are some of the most common misconceptions people have about snow guards.

“My Home Does Not Need A Guard”

The single biggest issue that comes up when discussing snow guards is the number of people who think they do not need a guard. Sometimes this is because they do not understand the dangers that come with snow and ice sliding off of the roof, or it is because they do not think that there is enough snow in their area to warrant installing a guard. This past winter has shown that any part of the continental United States can get heavy snow at any time, so location is not a reason to avoid installing a guard. It almost does not matter where you live; if there is a chance that you will get heavy snow, you need some kind of guard.

“My Old ‘L” Shaped Guards Are Enough”

There are a lot of homes that already have snow guards in place, but if those guards are more than a few years old, they are probably using the old “L” shaped guard model. This design provides very little protection and they have recently been replaced by the triangular shaped guards from companies like Snoshield. The new guards are better about weight distribution and are rated for heavier snowfalls than the “L” shaped designs, so even if you have a guard system, you may need an upgrade.

“Snow Guards Are Ugly And Will Ruin My Home’s Value”

Finally, there are some homeowners who will not install guards because they think that the guards will detract from the appearance of the home and decrease its value. New coloring technologies have made it possible to match the guard to the color of the roof, so you cannot see the guard from street level, and what you will find is that snow guards actually increase the value of the home because of the safety that they provide against injury and property damage.

In most areas of the country snow guards are vital to keeping your family and property safe from damage caused by snow. By breaking down some of the misconceptions hopefully you will understand the benefits and the reasons behind snow guard installation.

Making The Case For A Modern Design: The Benefits Of Triangular Guards

Snow guards have been around for decades, but until recently there has not been a lot of change in the market. The traditional “L” shaped design was the standard for most of that time, and few people thought to challenge the status quo; however, recent innovations in snow guard technology show that the triangular design is far superior. Homeowners who already have a snow guard system in place may find it hard to make the switch over to the triangular guards, but there are some compelling reasons to do so.

Snow Retention

The first thing that you will notice about the triangular guards is that they are able to retain more snow than a “L” shaped guard. At their widest point an “L” guard may only be a couple of inches, but a triangular guard can be almost as wide as you want it. The standard sizes will see triangular guards come in at nearly three times as wide at their base as the most common “L” guards. This means that the guard holds back more snow, and keeps greater control over the snow and ice that slides down the roof than the “L” guards.

Failure Rates

Another issue that “L” guards tend to have is a higher than average rates of failure. With an “L” guard all of the pressure of the ice and snow comes along a single access, and this can cause movement to the point where the guard breaks free from the roof. On the other hand, a triangular guard distributes the weight of the snow and the pressure that it causes along multiple axes, meaning that they can hold many more times the weight of ice and snow before they start to fail.

Ease Of Installation

Finally, many of the older model “L” guards required screws or bolts to keep them in place on the roof. Most homeowners needed someone else to come and install them, and that raise the price of the unit considerably. The new triangular designs are meant to be installed with nothing more than an adhesive, and that means homeowners can do the work on their own. This makes the triangular guards not only easier to install, but cheaper as well.

Triangular snow guards from companies like Snoshield give your home the best coverage and the highest level of protection on the market. If you find that you need to have a snow guard system put in place, be sure to go with a triangular guard.

The Job Is All About The Prep: Getting Ready For A Snow Guard Installation

Happy Valentines Day! Just as all relationships require the right preparation, so do snow guard installations.

Snow guards are necessary to keep your home and your family safe from potentially deadly damaging falling snow, and the guards are something that you can install on your own. Most snow guard systems are very cheap, especially because it is a do it yourself project, so there is no reason not to do the work. A snow guard system does not take long to install, but there are some items that you need to make sure that you have handy, so you can get the job done right the first time.

Alcohol Wipes

The biggest problem homeowners have with snow guard installation is that they are unable to get a good seal between the guard and the roof. Companies like Sno Shield recommend the use of an alcohol wipe to clean the area where you are going to put the guard and the bottom of the guard as well. By keeping both areas clean you will ensure that dirt and grime do not interfere with your sealant and the guard will stick on the roof the way that it was designed.

Bonding Agent

Next, you are going to need a high quality bonding agent to keep the guards in place for years to come. The last thing that you want to see is the guards come loose because your bonding agent did not stand up to the elements. One of the best choices for the job is Surebond. It is designed for cold temperatures, as well as exposure to water and other weather related situations. The bond will stand up for years and years, and you do not have to worry about failure.

Caulking Gun

Finally, you fill need some way to get the bonding agent on to the roof and the bottom of the snow guard. A caulking gun is not something that every homeowner has at their disposal, and you will need to get one when you go to the hardware store to get your bonding agent. Even a very basic gun will be more than enough to do the job, and you do not need to spend a lot of money on this particular item.

With the right tools in hand you can tackle your snow guard installation without the need to hire someone to do the work for you. Just make sure that you do the work when the roof is dry and when you have time to do the work from start to finish in one sitting. This will help with consistency and make sure that the job gets done.

Upgrades That Can Save A Life: Three Things Your Home Needs

Accidents around the home are one of the leading causes of death in the United States for people under the age of forty. Many of the victims are children, and the deaths are caused by things that were completely preventable, if the homeowner took the initiative to make some very simple upgrades to the home. These are three of the most important changes that you can make to your home to make it safer and reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

Snow Guards

When snow falls on the roof it begins to pack and the longer it stays on the roof, the more dangerous the snow becomes. Once the temperature starts to rise, the snow will get loose and begin sliding off of the roof towards the ground. If you have a metal roof, the danger is magnified even more, since the lack of friction increases the speed at which the snow slides. A snow guard from a company like Sno Shield will help to break up the largest pieces of snow and keep them from all falling at the same time, which will reduce the risk of serious head injury or death to people walking near the eaves of the home.

New Smoke Alarms

The only time you really think about your fire alarm is probably when it starts to beep while you are in the middle of cooking dinner, or when the battery starts to get low. Most homes have smoke alarms that are extremely old and the technology is out dated. New designs incorporate the best features of traditional alarms and add new things like air sampling and carbon monoxide/dioxide detection. A new model smoke alarm is much more sensitive than one more than five years old, and they can provide a crucial early warning in the event of a home fire.

Gas Line Inspections

Finally, your home’s gas line connections can start to get weak and will eventually need to be tightened or repaired. The failure to do so can cause leaks in the gas lines that will contribute to the buildup of deadly gas in your home. The gas is a danger because of the risk of asphyxiation or because of the potential explosive hazard, and annual inspections will ensure that there are no small problems that will grow into larger issues.

These small upgrades to your home can help to save a life and make you feel safer. None of these things cost a lot of money, so there is no reason not to get started on them right away.

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