Ice Dam Prevention Through Blower Door Testing
Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830 AM from 9:00 am-10:00 am. Have your most pressing home improvement questions answered by calling 651-989-9226 or texting 81807. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 1.20.18.
Weather conditions this month are creating the ideal situation for ice dams to form on Twin Cities homes. Ice dams are problematic because they compromise the integrity of your home. Results can include torn off gutters, loosened shingles, and even water backing up into a home, causing thousands of dollars in damage. While there are many temporary fixes available in the marketplace, the only true solution to fixing your ice dam problem is to have a home performance test done at your home to see where the air leaks are. This will allow you to know where you are lacking insulation in your home. Adding insulation will create a barrier to prevent heat from escaping from your roof, which results in ice dams.
A question came from a homeowner interested in getting a blower door test. They wanted to know if the test could be performed year-round or if it should be restricted to the winter months. While testing can be done throughout the year, winter provides the optimal time because infrared imaging will be much easier to conduct in the winter because of such drastic differences in temperature between a home’s interior and exterior. Blower door testing is the best way for a homeowner to be provided with a road map that shows where their home is energy efficient and where improvements are needed.
Here’s How a Blower Door Test is Conducted:
Randy in Burnsville is working with a general contractor and wanted to understand what government agency licenses this group and how you can understand if they have any complaints against them. Andy informed him that while it’s a good idea to interview several contractors prior to retaining the services of one, the government agency that oversees them is the Department of Labor. Other agencies that allow homeowners to vet a contractor include NARI, home builder associations, the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List.
Don in Blaine has had his roof replaced twice in the past 15 years due to storm damage. Both times included the installation of a new skylight. On an occasional basis, he noticed dripping and wanted advice as to what the cause might be. Andy advised him that some roofer’s reuse flashing around skylights and while this can save money upfront, in the long run; it’s problematic because leaking can occur.
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