Tips For Protecting Your Home From Snow, Ice Damage
(CBS) --If you've weathered winters like this before, you may think you've got all the bases covered. But there are some home hazards you may not know.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports just because you dug yourself out and made it to work today doesn't mean you've survived the blizzard unscathed. All this snow could be damaging your house in ways you just can't see.
Snow covered homes may make for pretty pictures, but a closer look reveals problems.
"The snow as you can see is still stuck up there, we have a lot of icicles," said Ev Greenberg. "What does it do to the gutters?"
Roofer Chuck Newhouse recommends getting a professional to clear off the roof because it is too dangerous. Newhouse says if the snow is over a foot deep- it could lead to damaging ice dams.
"If you have a lot of icicles, you might want to have someone take them down so they don't fall onto the lower roof and poke a hole in it," Newhouse said.
Another possible hazard includes the dryer vent.
"There's a dryer exhaust vent there, because she was using dryer it's open but if there was snow piled up against it you'd probably want to take that away."
Same thing with furnace vents.
Nicor warns homeowners to keep gas meters clear too to avoid malfunctions that could cost you money.
Greenberg got a crash course today she hopes will save her money later.
"Sometimes it's really good to catch something early before it get bad," she said.
