Its Raining, Take the Time...

As we know its going to be raining for a while so we thought to send out a note on taking the time to look for water damage inside the house.

When its raining is the perfect opportunity to check for wet spots, or previous ceiling damage from water leakage through the roof.  Normally when ceiling damage happens such as the pictures below, there are two major causes.  (Roof experts can probably get more in depth and explain additional causes). One cause can be of moved, damaged, or torn/blown off roof shingling allowing for easy access for the rainwater to make its way inside.  Another cause can be of damaged, torn off, or rotted fascia on the side just underneath the roofing area. Moisture can flow in or rainwater can be blown in by winds into this area.  Any rain damage you have has a possibility of turning into mold, so it is recommended that you keep an eye on the damaged area and fix the problem if able to do so.  Minor water damage is less painful than mold infestation.

Another aspect of rain damage is the damage it can do to wood flooring.  Now everyone would love to have wonderful wood flooring such as the picture below shows.

However, once the rain settles in or a large amount of moisture (humidity) comes in and is captured, the wood will begin to swell and warp.  While not easily noticeable at first, the damage very quickly becomes evident.  Buckling and warping are the effects of the wood flooring swelling with moisture; In some cases depending on if a house has been vacant and uncared for, the wood flooring can go through a cycle of drying out and releasing the water into a very dry atmosphere and when the surrounding area is humid again the wood recaptures the moisture.  If any of this happens and you manage to capture it early, seek the assistance of a professional to see if you can minor repairs to the affected area.

Today's Tidbit: Take the time to look around.  You'll never know what you'll see when its raining.  Sometimes you might see that hidden damage, and it could save your pocketbook in the long run especially if you plan on putting your house up for sale.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Winterization or Don't Let the Dollars Float Away

With the Temperatures deciding to drop quickly this week into possibly below freezing territory, we decided to put out a quick and informal checklist just for you to get started on.  Add your own ideas to this list as this is only a jumping off point.  Being here in the South, I'm sure we're going to be missing several big things that would be an automatic to put on the list in a more deeply colder area such as Minnesota or New Hampshire.

Check your HVAC and make sure its working correctly.  There is no use in waiting for it to conk out in December or January if it can be prevented.

If you have a chimney and use it, make sure its checked out for the safety of everyone living in the house.

Clean your Gutters.  We've said this before under fall cleaning but as we know it takes forever for some leaves to fall off the trees and they'll do it when they're good and ready.  Sometimes we have a problem with sleet and the leaves in the gutters are just in the right spot to be exposed to the elements to refreeze the water that's left behind.  And  if you have lots of leaves in the gutter and they're all frozen its possible that the gutter won't be able to hold the weight and it could come crashing down.  But its better to be safe than sorry and avoid other damages.  And remember if it seems to risky for you to do it, get others who can do it or use a professional.

Winterize your hoses and exterior faucets.  Make sure you get all the water out of your hoses (hang them up & put away) and sometimes just a simple cover of Styrofoam can work to protect the faucet by covering it and attaching it to the house exterior.

Check the weatherstripping and caulk on windows, doors, and any other place where there are holes, gaps, and bad seals.  The heat loss can cost you extra money that you won't even realize!

Now an easy one which many people won't realize.  Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detectors.  Make sure they are working and change their batteries.  Fall/Winter are the months in which all the windows are closed and sealed and there's no movement of air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  Remember it is odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that can kill while people are sleeping.

Remember this is just a starting off point.  Get involved yourself and see what you can find to get your house ready for the colder months.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Different Types of Roofing

Today we're getting back on track after the wonderful Memorial Day Weekend with a short comment on the roofing.  Just a short blurb if you will.  There are several different types of house tops that stand out.  3 Tab, Architectural, Tile, and Aluminum.

Let's begin and just jump right in.  Differences can vary by cost, strength, and looks among other things. The 3 Tab is the low end and is just your slap them on and hammer them down roof shingles.  They are the most vulnerable to destruction.  Architectural shingles have more depth, providing that 3-D effect and usually last around 30 years, but can have 50% more weight. A grade higher than 3 Tab.  Tile roofs can give a more glamorous appearance, but at a higher cost.  There is also a greater strength than shingles, don't rot, don't burn, and the normal life expectancy is near 50 years, however they can weigh more than shingles.  Make sure your walls can support it.  Ah and now we talk aluminum roofing.  These are among the highest costs of roofing, but also the long lasting.  But how do the advantages and disadvantages weight out?  High cost, high strength, won't rust or rot.  Although its slick for anyone needing to get rooftop, the shine will dull in time, the dents in it will be easily identifiable from the street whether it be rocks, animals, or hail.  Speaking of hail and heavy rain as well, we know that this causes the roof to sound and ring through the neighborhood.  The homeowners might not be able to hear the noise themselves due to insulation, but the neighbors sure can.  Although, a strong surface underneath might bring down the noise level considerably.

Today's Tidbit:  Roof selection is a big choice.  Make it wisely, you'll be living with it for a good while.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Weather Influence and Past Impact on Huntsville Metro Real Estate

The Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Market is like a magnet for major weather events.  From tornado outbreaks through floods and to the winter variety, Huntsville has managed to deal with more than its fair share of problems that weather has thrown its way.

When Tornado Outbreaks happen around the Huntsville Metro Area they are usually confined to several spots that get hit time and time again.  In the past few decades ( 1974, 1989, 1995, 2010, and 2011 ), these tornadoes have managed to touch down and do a varying extent of damage.  Places like Anderson Hills subdivision in Harvest, along the Tennessee River between Decatur and Huntsville, and Airport Road have seen considerable damage when tornadoes ripped through their areas.  Many homeowners insurance will cover damage from tornadoes.  However when ALFA tried backing out of paying their clients due to the mass enormity of the break out in April 2011 which hit many different states and cities, the media raked the company over the coals in what left ALFA in a horrible PR situation.


Every now and again flooding becomes a major issue in the Huntsville area.  Areas affected are usually Aldridge Creek, Downtown Huntsville by the Von Braun Center on Monroe Street, and the low lying areas in deep South Huntsville near Redstone Arsenal.  To help people to know if they need flood insurance or want to find out about the area's flood capabilities there are Flood Studies released by the City of Huntsville. The City of Huntsville has also put out an interactive map which overlays flood prone areas for 100 year flood zones, 500 year flood zones, etc.


Blizzards, Ice Storms and your basic snowfall are actually more common than flooding.  There have been many times in the past decades where the conditions became just right for a breakout of the cold flurries to come and build up.  The years of 1963, 1993, 1996, 2010, and 2011 immediately spring to mind.  These years several inches of snow fell causing the city to be shut down for a minimum of a few days.  This can be done due to the lack of snow clearing equipment in this southern city as well as the drivers high lack of experience in driving in hazardous conditions.

Today's Tidbit:

When severe weather is in the area, don't shrug it off.  The least you can do is be aware of the situation.  It could help you in the long run if an emergency breaks out.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes