Owners of homes with flat roofs to be aware of weight loads that the recent snowstorms might have created. An estimated 42 inches of snow that fell on the Annapolis area over the past week has created unprecedented snow loads on flat roofs. Also, preliminary forecasts call for additional snow to fall on Sunday and Monday. Melting snow can weigh as much as 20 lbs. per square foot per foot of depth, and ice can be much heavier. For buildings in Central Maryland, structural load capabilities of 25 pounds per square feet, according to state officials.

The recent winter weather may be responsible for cosmetic and structural changes to your home. Damage can range from the roof dipping (because of the heavy snow load) to loose gutters and lost siding. Unscrupulous individuals prey on the vulnerability of homeowners, including the elderly. If you need repairs or inspections, be sure to only hire contractors that are licensed by the state.

Only send qualified people to inspect roofs and make sure all appropriate safety measures are followed.

Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) licensed contractors are protected by the Home Improvement Law, and are eligible for coverage by the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. The Guaranty Fund provides homeowners with up to $20,000 for losses caused by poor or incomplete work by MHIC licensed contractors. If homeowners hire an unlicensed contractor, they are not eligible for payment from the guaranty fund. Their only recourse is through the courts.

Remember, if a contractor offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Saving money in the short term by hiring an unlicensed contractor could cost you in the long run. Call 888-218-5925 to check the status of a contractor's license before you sign a contract, or visit the Maryland Home Improvement Commission Web page at www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic.

Each year, MHIC investigates approximately 3,000 complaints against contractors. In the last fiscal year, MHIC helped recover close to $2.5 million for homeowners who were cheated by unlicensed contractors. Acting as a contractor, subcontractor, or selling a home improvement service without a license is a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to 30 days, or both. Each subsequent conviction is subject to a fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to two years, or both.

Property owners or residents should take the following precautions:

During a Storm

   1. Monitor the weather and condition of the roof.
   2. Inspect roofs for leaks or structural deficiencies that may develop during the storm.
   3. Clear leaves, snow, ice, silt, or other debris from gutters, drains, downspouts, and scuppers.

After a Storm

   1. If you are concerned about your roof, have a professional, licensed contractor remove all snow immediately from every roof surface, including roof overhangs and covered porches.
   2. Remove snow from side walls to prevent high snow mounds from pushing them in.
   3. Temporarily shore up and brace dipping or sagging roofs or walls.
   4. Verify that drains are clear of ice and snow to allow melting and runoff. If the roof is pitched and without drains, open paths to the eaves to ensure drainage and prevent ponding.
   5. Avoid ice dams by keeping the attic well ventilated so snow doesn't melt and refreeze at the roof's edge. Also make certain the attic floor is well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising from the house into the attic.

Here are several other points to consider:

    * Improper operation of doors or windows, deflection of ceiling finishes or exposed beams, roof leaks or sprinkler heads moved for their normal positions all could be signs of roof failure.
    * Contact a structural engineer, building inspector or other qualified individual if you are concerned about the structural integrity of a building. Consider evacuating or moving out of the building if appropriate.
    * Because of the anticipated cold temperatures, this threat will remain in place for a considerable time after the snow fall ends.

Thank you for all you are doing to help your fellow residents. Over the past week, so many of you have stepped forward to help in many ways. We must continue to check on each other as we work to clear sidewalks, driveways, fire hydrants, and even the roofs of our homes and businesses.   Volunteer groups through the Department of Aging have been working tirelessly to assist Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities to clear driveways, pick up supplies or give rides to the store or medical appointments.
 
Our county employees have been working around the clock to clear our county roads and to protect the health and safety of our residents. You should see big improvements over the next few days in all of our communities.  
 
County Executive Leopold wants to know about those who have helped others during the Blizzard of 2010. If  you want to recognize someone for their outstanding service as a "Snow Angel", please send a brief description of what he or she did with their name, address, phone number to  jleopold@aacounty.org  or to ccservices@aacounty.org.
 

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