Fast Facts About Summer Roofing & Insulation
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 651-989-9226. Here’s the must-know information our COO, Andy Lindus, shared on 6.5.21.
Seasoned roofers know that installing shingles in hot temperatures requires several precautions. Installers should stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke. Installers also need to take special care to make sure that they do not scuff the shingles on sweltering days. Many times, roof installers will start very in the morning with the goal of stopping by the early afternoon.
Prior to signing a contract for a new roof, be sure you have it stated in writing the exact terms of payment. Beware of any contractor that’s asking for more than 1/3 down. Paying more than this can be an incentive for a storm chasing contractor to take your money and leave the area without ever having done any work.
Many homeowners choose to have skylights and sun tunnels included as part of their roofing project. With their installation, more natural light can reach a home’s interior.
See How Skylights & Sun Tunnels Are Installed:
Homeowners should be aware that the appropriate levels of humidity within their home vary by season. In the winter, it’s important to keep humidity levels low. High levels of home humidity in the winter can lead to frost in the attic. When temperatures warm up and the frost melts, insulation can get wet, rendering it useless. Mold and mildew are also quick to form. In the summer months, humidity levels can be around 45% without issue.
An easy way to keep a home’s humidity levels in check is to run a bath fan each time the shower or bathtub is used. It’s wise to connect a bath fan with a timer, as newer models run so quietly that they can easily be forgotten about.
Homes without proper insulation and ventilation levels can experience the stack effect. In the winter months, this causes cold air to be pulled down from the attic into the livable spaces of home. In the summer months, the opposite happens. The stack effect causes cold to be pulled out of a home’s interior and into the walls. An inadequately air sealed home with shoddy windows can cause your HVAC unit to work harder than it should. Ultimately, this can lead to the unit’s premature failure. Another result can be abnormally high cooling costs.
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