Which Home Improvement Products Can be Installed in the Winter?

Our team answers homeowner questions every weekend on WCCO 830AM 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 10.21.17.

Andy opened the show by sharing the story of a woman that called Lindus Construction earlier this week in order to get a roofing estimate.  She mentioned that the project was something that she’d been putting off for a couple of years.  When we informed her that we were in peak season and that it would be over a week before one our reps could provide her with a free estimate, she was in disbelief. She was even more shocked when she learned that our roofing department was now booking spring installations unless it was an absolute emergency.  Many homeowners put off costly home improvements until they have enough funds to pay for the project in full.  However, what they fail to realize is that reputable contractors work with a variety of lenders that have affordable financing options available.  Failing to carefully screen the roofing contractor you’re working with can result in a more knowledgeable company having to come out and repair the mistakes that were made.  That’s because oftentimes shoddy craftsmen often go out of business, move, or change business names.

Learn more about Roof Replacement After a Storm:

When it comes to home improvement projects that can be done in the winter, some are trickier than others.  When at all possible, asphalt roofing should wait until the spring because additional steps must be taken in order to prevent roof leaks.  When installing a roof this time of the year, the daily temperature needs to reach at least 40° for an extended period of time.  This is necessary so that the shingles seal as they should.  Even at 40°, hand sealing of the shingles is often needed.  This is done to prevent shingles from lifting off the roof in windy conditions.  The installation of gutters requires crews to set-up scaffolding.  This task becomes particularly difficult after large amounts of snow.  In the winter months, open style gutters are often full of snow and ice, making them heavy and difficult to remove.  Both are solid reasons why is makes sense to pause this type of work in the winter months.  Windows are a product that can be installed year round, which comes as a surprise to many homeowners.  A skilled contractor only has the rough opening exposed for minutes, and not hours.  While a room’s temperature may dip slightly during install, the situation is temporary.

When asked about trends in asphalt shingles, Andy said that more and more homeowners are looking to designer shingles, such as GAF Glenwood to set their home apart.  Manufacturers are recognizing this trend and are responding with innovative colors and designs. Technology is in place for homeowners to better visualize exactly how a new roof can look on their home.

Get a Bird’s Eye View of a GAF Glenwood® Roofing Project: 

Warranties were also a hot topic of discussion on this week’s show.  Dick in Bloomington called in because his flat roof that was installed a mere two years ago by another contractor is leaking in a corner and causing damage to his insulation.  He wanted Andy’s opinion on if this something his contractor should be responsible for.  Andy explained that on Lindus Construction projects, if there’s an issue associated with workmanship, the problem is covered under our Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee.  Normal wear and tear, roof damage caused by a satellite dish company, and hail damage are not covered under most contractor’s warranties.  Jerry in St. Paul wanted clarification if the no-clog guarantee on LeafGuard® Brand Gutters included pine needles.  Andy assured him that it did.  In addition to the no-clog warranty, LeafGuard® Brand Gutters are accompanied with the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, providing the ultimate peace of mind.

Listen to the Entire Show Here: