How to Safely Remove Snow from Your Roof

When multiple and large snowfalls accumulate, building owners often begin to think about the dangers of excessive snow on their roofs. After all, we have all heard of buildings collapsing in winter due to the weight of snow on roofs. When the likelihood of roof collapse looms, it’s a good idea to find the correct tools and follow proper methods to safely remove snow from your roof.

Although it may look pretty, excessive snow on your roof can be dangerous. Two feet of snow on an average roof can add up to 38,000 pounds of weight, heavy by any standard. Even if your roof can handle this additional weight, the pounds will still stress it and possibly contribute to future problems.

Excessive snow on a roof can also produce additional problems, particularly when melt occurs. Water seepage has the potential to produce rot, flood attics and destroy other household structures, necessitating repairs. Thus, it is in your best interests to remove large amounts of snow whenever possible.

Keep in mind, however, that it is dangerous to simply jump on top of a roof to remove snow. In addition to the elevation and pitch, snowy roofs can also be icy, meaning a wrong step can send you sliding haphazardly down to the ground.

Sagging is the most most obvious sign that a roof collapse is imminent. Creaking, crack and popping sounds also indicate that a roof is in trouble. Interior signs include severe leaks, cracks in walls or doors and windows difficult to open are also warning signs.

The best way to remove snow from a roof is with a snow rake that has an an extended handle, allowing you to pull off snow from the safety of the ground. Start from the edge and work your way into the center by using downward strokes. Scrape snow from along the bottom of the roof and take at least two to three inches off. Avoid using ladders. Instead, buy extension poles or a longer rake to reach higher areas of the roof. Removing snow from roofs also helps avoid ice damage that can occur after snow melts and refreezes.

Follow American Southwest Magazine for other tips to keep your home safe in winter.

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How To Make Yogurt Cheese

Delicious and wholesome go well together more often than many people realize. One tasty example of this is yogurt cheese. Because this smooth and luscious spread is not exactly cheese, the name is something of a misnomer. It is actually yogurt that has been gradually thickened to a rich, creamy consistency that resembles cream cheese and cheese spreads. The end result may be enjoyed with bagels, sandwiches and as a dip. It is also surprisingly easy to make.

1-Ingredient Recipe for Delicious Cheese

Ingredients are limited to the yogurt and any flavorings that are desired. As long as the yogurt has no fruit, any flavor will work. The basic recipe only calls for a 32 oz. container of plain yogurt, a bowl, a colander and cheesecloth. This is the best place to start with a first attempt.

Begin by placing the colander in the bowl. Next, use the cheesecloth to line the colander. Up to 8 layers will do. With the cheesecloth prepared, spoon the yogurt into the colander. Depending on the amount of yogurt cheese desired and the size of the bowl and colander, half of the container is also a good batch size. Once the desired amount is scooped into the colander, place it and the bowl in the refrigerator for approximately 6 to 12 hours.

In general, expect to have about a third cup of yogurt cheese for each cup of yogurt used. The final yield will also depend on how long the batch is drained. The longer the yogurt drains, the thicker the yogurt cheese will be. Longer draining times will result in a little less of the spread, but some might prefer the taste and consistency. The whey can discarded or kept as an ingredient in other cooking adventures. Look for recipes in which sweet whey can replace milk or water.

Storing Your Yogurt Cheese

The yogurt cheese should be refrigerated in a lidded container, and it will last just about a week. When experimenting with additional ingredients, be sure to gently fold them into the yogurt cheese to avoid breaking it down. Most importantly, enjoy the delicious results.

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Your Common Furnace Repair Costs Guide

At a time when it is freezing outside and the furnace is not working as desired, many homeowners would pay any price so as to restore its operation.  However, when you have such a mindset, you might end up paying much more than the necessary furnace repair costs. Rather than getting blinded by furnace technicians out there, it is vital to know the common things which might go wrong with your furnace or heating system and the amount of money that it might cost you to fix those issues.

Average Furnace Repair Cost for Common Problems

The average homeowner in the United States has to part with $439 so as to get their furnace repaired.  However, this amount might be much lower or larger in some instances. This depends on the problem at hand and the company that one chooses to fix the issue. Knowing furnace repair costs and keeping them in line matters a lot and depends largely on how much information you have with regards to the same. Since many homeowners are not well-versed in HVAC systems and furnaces in general, they can fall prey to unscrupulous technicians. Here is a guide on the average repair costs and the common fixes that you might need:

• Replacing A Blown Breaker: This is generally a minor furnace repair issue or cost.  In case where the breaker is not working as desired, it tends to prevent the heating system from getting the power that it requires and then causes it to shut down.  Replacing a furnace breaker should cost you anything in the region of $25-$50.
• Cleaning The Furnace: One of the main reasons why heating systems fail is due to the accumulation of debris and dirt in the system. This then forces the system to work harder and even shorten its life span considerably.  That is why it is advisable to clean the system annually.  This can cost you less than $100.
• Replacing the Thermostat: When looking at furnace repair costs, it is also vital to think about replacing the thermostat.  This furnace repair cost normally depends on the type of thermostat that you choose and this can range from $50 to $100 factoring in the labor costs involved.

You might have to ask for guidance from furnace repair experts in your locality so that you can know what to expect. What you need to do is to know how much it will cost you to have the unit repaired and whether you can get the best quality services.

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Signs A House Has Been Used As A Meth Lab

Buying a house is always a nerve wracking proposition, especially because of the worries that come with previous owners. Everything might look good on the outside or decent from afar, but what if there are hidden problems no one can see? What if there are infestations or other severe problems that an inspector misses? One of the major new home dangers that it gaining more attention in recent years is the house that used to be a meth lab. Because meth has become one of the worst drug problems in the country, and because it is so easy to create a meth lab no home or setup is immune from having suffered through this at one point or another.

The Dangers of a Home that Has Been Used as a Meth Lab

Meth labs are a huge blight not just on the health and general well-being of the communities they spring up in, but they can be extremely dangerous, as well. Not only do these drug labs involve a huge number of unsafe chemicals that can get in the air, water, and soil, but there are many cases of these labs exploding. The fires are extremely hazardous, and release all those chemicals into the surrounding air, as well.

Burn Marks

Since meth is made from a combination of multiple common household products, it can be very hard to detect unless you know what signs to look for. One of the first signs to look for are burn marks on counters and tabletops. While these can sometimes be something else, a lot of burns away from the oven where you’d expect them should at least raise the red flag.

Meth-Making Remnants in Trash

During cleanup of a house if you find a large number of cold medicine boxes and coffee filters, that is a definite sign that the house may have been a drug lab at one point. Used coffee filters with red rings make that even more likely.

Dead or Dying Vegetation

Look for dead or dying vegetation, especially if it’s in a circle or appears dead from a liquid spill that’s killed everything in the area. When you see these signs, you need to face the possibility that one of your new home dangers is the change that the house was once a meth lab.

Follow American Southwest Magazine for more helpful and informative articles not only on the things to look out for when purchasing a home, but for a wide variety of other important safety topics, as well.

Comparing A Gas Furnace With An Oil Furnace

In some areas of the US, temperatures have dropped into single figures, and even into minus digits in several other locations. Inevitably, homeowners want to know how to heat their homes affordably and efficiently. Central to this is the question of whether an oil or gas furnace is the best solution. If you are looking for a furnace for your home, these are the advantages and disadvantages of each type:

The majority of gas furnaces have an AFUE rating of eighty-nine to ninety-eight percent, whereas oil furnace AFUE ratings tend to fall between eighty and ninety percent. While gas furnaces have greater efficiency than oil furnaces, they usually cost ten to twenty-five percent more than oil furnaces of the same size. Modern furnaces can be up to thirty percent more efficient than models that were made a decade ago.

Notwithstanding, as far as fuel prices go, gas is definitely more beneficial. The US Energy Data Administration reports that the average home spends $690 on heating with natural gas over the winter months. This compares to $2558 spent with heating oil, $1448 spent with propane (in the Midwest), and $964 spent with electricity. The price of oil is more erratic and prone to fluctuate in response to global events. In contrast, the production of natural gas is centered around Canada and the US, which secures a more reliable supply. Maybe due to this factor, roughly half of American households are heated using gas right now, compared to roughly eight percent of households with oil heating.

Oil furnaces are easily and frequently maintained by the delivery firm (a service agreement is needed). However, servicing is more comprehensive, because of soot and dirt accumulation ˗ oil filters have to be changed and chimneys have to be cleaned regularly. Gas furnaces hardly require any maintenance (service agreements are not needed), however gas offers less warmth than oil per BTU. Gas furnaces are cleaner and less noisy, but they are more expensive than oil furnaces. Always use a certified and trustworthy HVAC firm, and obtain multiple quotes prior to making any significant investment in your property.

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Best Trails For Hiking In Salt Lake City

Hiking on weekends is a great way to unplug yourself from the bells and whistles of modern life. If you live in Salt Lake City, you have more than ten hiking trails to escape to. All of these are short and not too steep. Each one comes with a sweet surprise of its own: a cave, a lake, or a spring.

Hiking Trails from Little Cottonwood Canyon

Salt City City has three main canyons: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and the American Fork. Hundreds of trails lead up from each of these canyons. From the Little Cottonwood, two trails lead up to the Bell Canyon, a circular structure carved by a glacier thousands of years ago. Beginners and children can easily hike to Bell Canyon’s lower reserve whereas the higher reservoir and its set of waterfalls command a full-day of hike, suitable only for more seasoned hikers.

Trails from American Fork Canyon

If you are starting at the American Fork Canyon hiking to Cascade Springs is your best bet.  It is half a mile’s interpretive trail and leads up to shallow waterfalls and springs with beautiful waters inhabited by fish.  The springs are beautiful and the main highlight of the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. The trail is open only between May and October.

Hiking for 3 miles in the Timpanooke trail whose head is 7 miles up the Fork Canyon will lead you to the beautiful Scout Falls. If you looking for the shortest trail with the best payoff, take the Timpanoogos Cave trail. It is only 1.5 miles long and ends at three beautiful caves with a one-hour guided tour that can arranged by calling 801-756-5283.

Trails from Big Cottonwood Canyon

Donut Falls, named because of a donut-shaped rock through which the Big Cottonwood Creek flows, is the most marvelous of the trails possible from the Big Cottonwood. The falls are nine miles from the canyon but the hike is only 2.5 miles if you take the Mill D trailhead and 1.5 miles if you follow the Donut Falls trail. There is a secret cave behind the falls.

Salt Lake City has an abundance of beautiful hiking trails, but most residents go years without discovering hiking; don’t wait another weekend to get a look at these great Utah hiking trails, get out and hike today!