Expert Home Improvement Advice
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement quandaries addressed by calling or texting 651-461-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 12.4.21.
Reputable insulation contractors utilize a variety of methods to verify if a home is losing energy and how. The first step is checking the entire exterior of the home, basement, and attic. Drafts are a tell-tale sign that there may be energy loss. Infrared imaging can give further clarification. Spray foam insulation is a popular option with homeowners because it increases a home’s overall level of comfort and quickly pays for itself by lowering utility bills.
It’s important to note that attic air sealing should be a part of any insulation project. Without proper attic air sealing, the attic air space is breathing too much and heat from the inside of the house is entering the attic. Some homeowners try to correct this problem by adding more insulation. In fact, this creates more problems because an easier condensation point is created. This is because a colder surface is created on the roof deck. When the warm air from the house meets the roof deck, condensation can form. This can lead to attic mold, stained ceilings, and failed insulation.
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Many homeowners use the winter months to plan for their spring decking project. Traditional deck footings that are dug into the ground need to wait until the spring thaw. However, helical and diamond piers are a bit more forgiving and can be installed later into the season. Many decking contractors work throughout the winter months because they install their deck footings while weather conditions are still favorable and then work on deck boards and railings at a future date.
Before installing a new roof, it’s wise to understand the pros and cons of popular materials. Two common roofing types are metal and asphalt shingles. While it’s hard to object to the beauty of a metal roof, they can prove problematic in the winter months when they shed heavy amounts of snow. This is particularly concerning in high pedestrian traffic areas. A common misconception is that metal roofs are louder than asphalt roofs. This typically only happens in pole barns, not residential roofs with roof sheathing and insulation. However, asphalt roofs are available in more colors and styles. Homeowners with homes near large oak trees should consider having zinc strips installed, as they can prevent algae growth on a roof.
Another factor to consider when installing a new roof is the warranty that accompanies it. It is important to know whether your roof has a time of incident warranty or a time of replacement warranty. A time of incident warranty is better because it covers costs associated with a total loss as if you bought the product today. A time of replacement warranty takes into consideration how long the roof has been on your home and deducts how much money you receive should you file a warranty claim. Another piece of fine print to look for is whether a warranty is non-prorated.
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