Baby, its cold outside!

Winter maintenance tips
Think ahead and take steps to get your home ready for winter weather.

Inside the home

• Have your furnace or boiler checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year, preferably before the heating season begins.
• Clean or replace the furnace filter, if necessary.
• Have your fuel tanks filled and keep an eye on levels throughout the winter.
• Set your heat no lower than 55 degrees – the temperature inside the walls where water piping is located is colder than the living spaces; open doors to unoccupied rooms to keep an even temperature throughout the house.
• Maintain your wood-burning or pellet stoves according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Have your chimney checked and serviced by a licensed contractor at least once a year to guard against chimney fires.
• Check smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries to ensure they are operating properly.
• Check for water leaks and fix problems immediately; wrap water piping in UL-Listed heat tape and insulate if it is exposed in unheated areas such as garages, crawl spaces or attics. Use only thermostatically controlled heat tape if your water piping is plastic and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Add extra insulation in the attic to guard against ice dams. If too much heat escapes into the attic, it can warm the ice and snow on the roof. When it refreezes, it can cause an ice dam, which can lead to water damage inside your home or possibly even a roof collapse.
• Learn how to shut off your water and know where your pipes are located in case they do freeze; you may be able to prevent water damage.
• Add weather stripping around doors and caulk windows to guard against drafts and heat loss.
• Remove screens from windows, and install storm windows.

Outside the house

• Trim trees and remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone if they fall because of ice, snow or wind.
• Keep gutters clear of leaves, sticks and other debris to ensure melting snow can drain properly. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
• Repair steps and handrails to make them safer in the ice and snow.
• Make sure you have snow shovels and a roof rake on hand.
• Have your snow blower serviced and any necessary repairs made.
• Stock your ice melting compound to melt ice on walkways.
• Have your generator serviced if you have one.
• Keep fuel for snow blowers and generators in approved safety containers and away from heat or flame producing devices.

Tips to help remove an ice dam from your roof
An ice dam has the potential to cause serious damage to both your roof and the inside of your home. It is important to take steps to help protect your home from the risks associated with ice dams.

What is an ice dam?
An ice dam can form when water from melting snow re-freezes at the edge of your roofline. Without roof snow removal, the ice dam may grow large enough to prevent water from draining off the roof. The water can then back up underneath the roof shingles and make its way inside your home.

Immediate steps you can take:
Remove snow from your roof after every storm. Use a roof rake to clear the first three to four feet of snow from your roof immediately after each winter storm to prevent ice dams from forming. While the amount of snow and ice that your roof can handle may vary depending on a number of factors such as the roof type, age and condition of the structure, a good rule of thumb is if there is more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice on your roof, you should try to have it removed.
Clear downspouts. An easy way to help snow and ice drain off your roof is to make sure the area around your downspouts is clear. This will make it possible for your gutters to drain when snow does melt. It will also help prevent flooding when the snow and ice melts.

Longer-term prevention:
Ultimately, the best prevention for ice dams is to eliminate the conditions that make it possible for them to form in the first place.

Insulate your attic. Make sure your attic is well insulated to help prevent the melting-and-freezing cycle that causes ice dams to form. Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic, including vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches and light fixtures.
Install a water-repellant membrane. When replacing a roof, make sure to install a water membrane underneath the shingles. This acts as an extra barrier that helps prevent water from seeping inside the building.

Removing ice dams
Just because an ice dam is present does not necessarily mean water has penetrated the roof membrane. However, it is always best to remove ice dams before they have the opportunity to cause damage. To determine if you have damage, look for water stains or moisture in the attic or around the tops of exterior walls on the top floor.

If you can reach the roof safely, try to knock the ice dam off with a roof rake, or cut a channel through the ice to allow standing water to drain. If you cannot reach the roof safely, consider hiring a contractor to remove it.

Another method is to fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt and place it vertically across the ice dam so that it melts a channel through the dam. If you try this method, make sure you can safely position the ice melt on your roof, and make sure to use calcium chloride, not rock salt. Rock salt will damage your roof. Also be aware that shrubbery and plantings near the gutter or downspout may be damaged.

Look carefully at large icicles. If the icicles are confined to the gutters and there is no water trapped behind them, this does not indicate the presence of an ice dam. However, large icicles can pose a danger to people when they fall off. Try to safely knock the icicles off from the ground, making sure not to stand directly beneath them. If you cannot reach them safely from the ground, consider hiring a contractor to help.

Generally speaking, property owners are responsible for the cost of preventive maintenance. However, each claim is unique, and coverage and claim decisions always require an expert analysis by a licensed Claim professional. Keep in mind that the cost of snow removal is likely to be considerably less than the cost of roof damage or interior property damage caused by water leaks.

Where the streets are what name?!?!

Severn Avenue, Monroe Street, Revell Street, Randall Street. What do they all have in common? They are all street names located in just one Annapolis community – do you know where? Eastport and the historic district are not the answer. Confused? Step back in time to January 1951, when West Annapolis – along with Homewood, Parole, and Eastport – was annexed into the city of Annapolis. After the annexation, the area of West Annapolis had to change several street names that duplicated names already in the city of Annapolis. Melvin Avenue was originally Severn Avenue, Shiley Street originally Monroe Street, Ridgely Avenue originally Revell Street, and Tucker Street was originally Randall Street. 

And can you imagine, this was a time in which Rowe Boulevard did not exist and access in and out of the city was by way of West Street? Also around this time, after running since 1887, the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line Railroad – that ran parallel to Giddings Avenue – discontinued service.

The Village of West Annapolis has long remained a thriving and active community, offering a variety of locally owned restaurants, shops, and services. The community also boasts many beautiful homes – take a look at a few of them that are for sale.

Make sure to stop in and support the local businesses while you are in the Village of West Annapolis!

The Evolution of Eastport

Imagine coming over the Spa Creek Bridge and having to pay a toll. That was the case in 1870 when the first bridge was built from Annapolis across the creek that had been known at various times as Todd’s Creek, Acton’s Creek, or Carrol’s Creek. At that time the cost to cross the wooden bridge to the brand new community across the creek was five cents for a person on foot; ten cents for a horse and rider; five cents for each horse, mule, or ox; and three cents for a sheep, calf, or hog. The third, and current, drawbridge was built in 1949 and connected Annapolis with a thriving Eastport centered on the maritime industry and home to watermen, boatbuilders, and employees of the Naval Academy and the naval Experiment Station across the Severn.

Settled in 1665 and farmed for more than 200 years, the Eastport peninsula played a role in the military history of the United States on several occasions. The fort at Horn Point was built in 1776 to defend the Annapolis harbor from British raids during the Revolutionary War. In 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette and his troops camped along the banks of Spa Creek, near the site of the present bridge, on their way to meet General Washington for the battle of Yorktown. During the War of 1812, Fort Horn came into service again, protecting the city of Annapolis and preventing the British from landing and marching on Washington, D.C. Fifty years later, Union soldiers who had contracted smallpox, many while in Southern prison camps, were treated at a hospital for contagious diseases on Horn Point that served as an adjunct to the larger Civil War hospitals on the grounds of the Naval Academy and St. John’s College.

Most recently, the Eastport “militia” revolted in 1998 to form the tongue-in-cheek Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) to promote businesses on the peninsula while the Spa Creek Bridge was closed for repairs. The MRE is still active today, hosting many events throughout the year—including the annual tug of war, “the longest international tug of war over water in the world”—which benefit local charities.

Once known as Horn Point, Horne Point Village, and Severn City, Eastport received its name in 1888, when Charles J. Murphy applied to the federal government for a post office. Murphy, one of the owners of Annapolis Glass Company, which was located at the Spa Creek end of Second Street, suggested naming Eastport after his hometown in Maine. Today, our Eastport is a prosperous community that includes marinas, restaurants, maritime services, a museum, a gallery, and of course, many beautiful homes of all styles and sizes.

The Eastport motto? “We like it this way.”

Click here to view current homes for sale in Eastport.

For more information about Eastport and the history of Annapolis, read Annapolis, City on the Severn: A History by Jane McWilliams, Annapolis native and historian. 

Life on an Island

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on an island? Did you know that was a possibility in the Annapolis area?

Located at the center of Little Round Bay in the Severn River, and just minutes to Annapolis by boat or car, The Cottage at St. Helena Island—a historic Federal-style brick home, located on nearly seven acres of beautifully landscaped waterfront grounds with more than 1,600 feet of shoreline—provides a park-like setting with its mature gardens and trees. 

Shortly after leaving the mainland boat slips and parking area, you will arrive at the island’s expansive pier. The property consists of the main house with a separate one bedroom/one bath guest apartment; a guest house; and an extraordinary 100 ft tall office tower with stunning views across Round Bay. 

inside the water tower

The incomparable quality of design, craftsmanship, and materials of the main house—with three bedrooms, three full baths and one-half bath—is like no other in the area. Benefit from the amenities offered in the metropolitan area while enjoying the privacy and serenity afforded by this unique island that offers a lifestyle that cannot be matched.

the view from the island

For more information and additional pictures of the Cottage at St. Helena Island, visit my web site.

Affordable Hillsmere Waterfront

Located on a large half-acre, waterfront lot in Hillsmere Shores, this well-maintained home at 605 Beach Drive has two bedrooms and two baths. Also included is a two-car garage and a full basement.

The property is situated on protected Duval Creek with approximately 100 feet of bulk-headed shoreline. Take advantage of the private pier that has 5+MLW depth. 

Relax and enjoy the view of the water from the enclosed sunroom.

Contact me with any questions or visit my website for more information and additional pictures.

MLS: AA8062150

Priced to sell waterfront!

Quarter acre lot, priced to sell, waterfront rancher 

on sought after Turkey Point Island 

The property sits at 3707 Parke Drive in a quiet cove and consists of 100+ ft of  rip-wrapped Ramsey Lake shoreline, a private pier, and 3+ MLW, which is navigatible by boat.

The home features both a screened-in and open porch for enjoying the beautiful sunrises and views of the water.

Move right in to the well-matained home that has had upgrades to electric and plumbing.

With the addition of a sump pump, the dry, unfinished basement with 8 foot ceilings and plenty of natural light can be finished off for additional living space.

You can also use the (pending) permits/plans to update the existing home or build a new, custom home. ​

Contact me with any questions or visit my website for more information and additional pictures.

MLS: AA8056086​ 

Eastport Cape Cod

POTENTIAL SHORT SALE - $850,000

The charm has been preserved in the original part of this 1920s Cape Cod at 800 Boucher Avenue, Eastport. The exterior has a metal standing seam roof and a covered front porch.


An addition, built in 1999, includes a private master bedroom. The house has three bedrooms and three and one-half baths. 

Original pine floors are found throughout the house.

The family room opens up to a large kitchen, perfect for entertaining.

Enjoy living with views of Spa Creek and being steps away to the marina. Conveniently located within a short walk to restaurants, shops and city dock.

Contact me with any questions or visit my website for more information and additional pictures.

AA8052023