improve outdoor space Archives - McDonald Contracting

Although New England winters bring many opportunities for fun, they also can create challenging and costly situations… especially for homeowners. One winter struggle that we deal with quite frequently here at Mcdonald Contracting is ice dams.

What are ice dams? Ice dams form on a roof when heat escapes and melts the snow; when the melted snow refreezes, it creates a blockage at the end of the roof that interferes with draining. This causes the water to leak under the roofing, which leads to costly interior damage.

So how can you protect and prevent your home from ice dams? The first thing that you need to know is that ice dams are not roofing problems but air-sealing problems.

Here are 5 tips to help solve and prevent ice dam issues –

1. Seal any air leaks: Grab some canned spray foam or sealant and fill any gap, crack, or hole. Look for gaps around lights, ceiling-mounted electrical boxes, and vent pipes.

2. Install heated cables: These are a great option if you use them before a storm or a spout of bad weather. To install, you clip the cables in a zig-zag pattern along the roofline. The heated cables melt the snow at the edge of the roof before the dams have the chance to form.

3. Keep your roof clean: Investing in a roof rake (which resembles a long-handled shovel) is a great solution to preventing ice dams. You simply pull off the snow with the rake to avoid the buildup of snow and ice.

4. Add insulation: As we know, ice dams are caused by air-sealing issues; adding more insulation to areas that the leakage occurs in will keep the heat where it belongs!

5. Cap the hatch: If you have an unsealed attic hatch, this can create a huge opening for heat to leak out. To prevent any heat from coming out, cover the hatch with weatherstripped caps.

If you are dealing with ice dams this winter or worried about them in the future, we can help! If you haven’t had to deal with them yet, you may want to consider taking the correct measures to prevent any future damage.

New England weather can be unpredictable, which is why we often get asked if outdoor kitchens are worth the investment. So, we’re breaking down all the choices you have including materials to use, optional add-ons and how to prepare your outdoor kitchen for winter so that you can get the most out of your space for seasons to come.

Setting expectations and budgets: When working with a client who wants an outdoor kitchen, it’s important we review their expectations first. They may have a vision to use the space for all four seasons… so keeping that in mind when designing the space is very important, and will also create the need for a larger budget. We ask clients –
- How often do you plan to use the space?
- Is it worth investing in higher-end grills, cabinets, decking, stones and furniture to last through the years?
- What value will this add to your home for resale – does that matter to you?
- We also discuss all of the following topics:

Big Challenges: Weather, bugs, winterizing your outdoor kitchen (gas lines, electrical outlets, etc. will need to be protected from snow and harsh winter weather)

Placement of outdoor kitchen:
- Think about prevailing winds (shelter your grill and seating area from harsh winds)
- Sun exposure (for shading options)
- Flooding zones/areas
- Incorporation with current landscaping
- Privacy from neighbors
- Proximity to house when deciding on the placement (you don’t want to be walking super far if you plan on using the space often)

Materials to use or not use:
- Choose Azek Decking/composite over wood (last longer and easier to maintain through long winters)
- Avoid porous stones like limestone which can absorb stains easily. Sealed granite and stainless steel are good choices for materials to use in your outdoor kitchen.
- Invest in cabinets that are made from marine grade High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
  - It was engineered for direct exposure to rain, snow, and extreme temperatures, hot or cold. This cabinetry will not split, fade, crack, or chalk. And they definitely won’t absorb water and swell like wood cabinetry does.
  - HDPE is very stain resistant. Glues and adhesives won’t stick to the board, which also means dirt has a very hard time bonding to the material.
- Stainless Steel Grills seem to be the best option to avoid damage from harsh weather
- Learn more about stainless steel vs. cast iron here.
  - Add-ons:
    - Radiant heating – a very expensive option but could be worth it if you plan to grill all winter long
    - Outdoor heating lamps
    - Gas fireplaces
    - Screened in porch with glass inserts for winter
    - Awnings and grilling canvases
    - Hot tubs (I mean, why not)
    - Pizza ovens
    - Built-in brick grills
    - Pergola(s)
    - Outdoor lighting
    - Extra prep space
    - Side burners

Winterizing your outdoor kitchen:
- Shut off water to your outdoor kitchen — an indoor shutoff valve is ideal because it won’t freeze.
- Drain all water lines; residual water might freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. At risk: outdoor sinks, ice makers, refrigerators, and kegerators. Leave drain valves open.
- Switch off power to all electrically powered units — either unplug them or turn off the circuit breaker that controls the unit.
- Give your cabinets, outdoor refrigerator, and grill a thorough cleaning, inside and out, to remove any crumbs and spills. Finish things off by wiping exteriors down with a good stainless steel polish.
- Refrigerators –
  - Don’t cover outdoor refrigerators and ice makers — moisture can get trapped under the cover and damage electrical parts.
  - Remove any ice from trays and automatic ice maker bins. Wipe down interiors to remove any residual moisture.
- Sinks –
  - Close shutoff valves and disconnect hot and cold water supply lines.
  - Make sure supply lines are drained.
  - Completely remove faucets and store them indoors.
  - Cover sinks to prevent debris from settling in the basin.
- Stone countertops –
  - Seal stone countertops to prevent winter weather from damaging to surfaces. If you don’t, you could wind up with leaf stains, or worse, cracked and chipped counters caused by freezing moisture.