Selecting a Remodeling Contractor – Hedge Your Bets
Get your search for a remodeling contractor off to a fast, reliable start with a detailed planning guide.
Whether you’ve planned for changes or they come as a result of unforeseen events, selecting a remodeling contractor for your Madison WI home is a major decision. Contractors bring many skills to the table and when you’re in the market for a home renovation you want a professional you can count on. Before your remodeling or repair project is completed you’re likely to have holes in the walls or roof – or have pieces missing on purpose or as the result of the weather. In each case, you want to be sure the remodeling contractor you hire will be around the complete the task. And that company do it right and stand behind it every step today and into the future. Continue reading
Efficient Attic Ventilation Protects Roof, Reduces Energy Costs
Clues to potential roof problems – both inside and out – may show up as minor changes like these loose shingles, or major damage from ice or heavy snow.
For insulation to do its job and attic has to have free-flowing air, making attic ventilation a critical element in the efficient use of energy. After protecting your family home in Madison WI through the harsh temperatures of winter, it’s time to offer the same protection against the baking heat of the summer sun. Efficient attic ventilation will keep your cooling costs down and reduce the risk of costly roof repairs.
Attic Ventilation Saves Energy and Money
“Up in the attic” is the one place, especially in older homes, where there is an opportunity to make improvements to save on energy cost. And, cost savings are attained in several ways, not by adding insulation alone. Maintaining an even air flow all year long is the key to insulation doing its job. Keeping the attic cold in winter and cool in summer reduces the threat of ice dams, condensation and overheating roofing materials from the inside. Continue reading
Rain Gutters Need Springtime Attention
The weight of ice and snow can cause structural damage to a roof as well as gutters if downspouts are clogged. Fasteners pull away from the structure, metal gutters sag, crack and leak and the roof is needs repair.
Rain gutters are often overlooked and under-appreciated. Broken, loose and leaking gutters and downspouts are not only unattractive they represent a risk to the roof of your Madison WI home. To avoid costly repairs, roof maintenance inspections including gutters should be a regular springtime task.
Check Rain Gutters for Winter Stress
Most people consider maintenance for rain gutters to be a fall or early winter concern – removing fallen leaves and debris. That is a critical element in good roof maintenance. Checking again in the spring for damage from ice, snow and winter stress is also critical.
A springtime checklist includes surveying the whole roof: Continue reading
Siding Replacement Choices Add Curb Appeal – Protection
Today’s siding options include more colors, shapes and textures than ever before. Siding replacement can create a new home on the block.
“Curb appeal” is the goal of homeowners and nothing boosts that image faster than siding replacement. Changing a home’s siding not only increases its attraction to passersby, it increases its energy efficiency and overall value. There are many siding options available in Madison WI and the surrounding area.
Siding protects a home from all the harshest elements and in doing so often takes a beating. Finding a siding replacement is a common challenge, especially after decades of exposure to sun, wind, rain, snow and ice.
There are several siding options seen most often in Madison WI, each with its own advantages. Some perform better in the Wisconsin climate than others while some offer more variety in architectural style, color and resale value. Continue reading
Timely Roof Inspection Helps Avoid Costly Roof Repair
Icicles are indicators of extra stress on gutters and a heavy buildup leads to ice dams and potentially serious roof repair.
Snow and ice, freezing and thawing apply pressure to every roof in Madison WI and the surrounding area. Left unchecked, these whims of nature can lead to costly roof repair. A timely roof inspection can catch a potential problem while fixing it is easier and cheaper.
The buildup of heavy ice on gutters is an obvious problem that gets plenty of attention. As is a heavy load of snow, especially on flat roofs. But there are less obvious, but equally serious concerns:
• Condensation — When warm air from under the roof meets a cold surface, there’s condensation. A poorly insulated attic promotes condensation which can lead to mold, mildew and damage to the interior structures and underside of the roof. A roof inspection can catch roof vents that are blocked by snow or ice dams. Continue reading
Roof Insulation and Attic Ventilation Protect Roofing and Enhance Indoor Comfort
When it’s time to evaluate your home’s roof insulation and attic ventilation, it’s time to tap the skills of a Sims professional.
Roof insulation and attic ventilation work in tandem to protect the roof and the home from extremes of heat and cold. The heat of a Madison WI summer can literally bake shingles from the inside out. Free air flow is critical in allowing radiant heat from inside melt snow that can cause ice dams and similar problems. Each element, structural insulation and roof ventilation, provide positive benefits on their own and each contributes to improving energy efficiency and protecting the roof from premature wear. Continue reading
Rain Gutter and Downspout Care Prevents Roof Damage
A costly roof repair just waiting to happen – all this debris, rain troughs separating from the building with snow and ice adding to the mix. All this potential damage can be headed off with advanced planning and proper guards.
A building’s rain gutter and downspout network are its first line of defense when it comes to limiting roof repair from ice dams and unexpected water backing up as a result of Madison WI summer downpours. A clear, free flowing downspout delivers torrents away from susceptible shingles. A rain gutter free from debris prevents damage to interior ceilings, walls and floors, too.
Rain Gutter – Downspout Maintenance Checklist
Every rain collection system requires regular maintenance. Much of which should be left to professionals – insurance company reports indicate falls from ladders are among the most frequent and most dangerous household risks. Each year more than 300 people die from falling off a ladder. Thousands more break bones and suffer additional injuries – many as a result of attempting to clean and inspect the edges of their own roofs. Here’s a checklist of what should be reviewed: Continue reading
Roof Insulation Plus Attic Ventilation Extends Roof Life
The reliable, even flow of air through insulation is critical to a comfortable, efficient home.
Proper roof insulation plus sufficient attic ventilation is the formula to extend the life of your roof and avoid a costly roof repair. Adequate attic insulation and ventilation work together to lessen the impact of the extreme heat and cold characteristic of Madison WI.
The primary job of your roof is to protect what’s beneath it. The job of the roof insulation and ventilation is to help protect the roof. Consistent airflow through the house is critical to keep the summer heat from “cooking” shingles from the inside and keep radiant heat from melting winter snow – reducing the risk of ice dams. Continue reading
Rain Gutter Covers – Designed With Your Safety In Mind
Rain gutter covers help you gutters protect your home’s foundation – and you – click to enlarge
One of the most important pieces of equipment designed to protect your home is the rain gutter.
In concept, the task is very simple. Rain Gutters help direct roof runoff away from the foundation of your house. Any water pooling at your home’s foundation can lead to soil erosion, rotted siding, create a breeding ground for mold and insects, and lead to water in your basement.
In order for gutters to work properly, you have to keep them clean. Debris such as leaves, pine needles, twigs, bird’s nests, hornet’s nests and a wide array of other materials can limit your gutter’s effectiveness. Continue reading
Proper Attic Insulation and Ventilation Extends Roofing Life
The free airflow with proper attic ventilation saves energy, protects your roof and makes your home most comfortable
Proper attic insulation and ventilation extend the life of your roofing. The two working together helps you avoid extreme heat in the summer that literally cooks your shingles from the inside and in the winter will not allow radiant heat from your home to melt snow cover causing ice dams and related problems.
Proper attic insulation and attic ventilation are part of an effective roofing system. Each alone have a positive impact but together protect the longevity of your roof, improving energy efficiency and allowing all of the mechanical systems to work most efficiently. Proper ventilation and attic insulation make your home a more comfortable place. Continue reading
Know When To Replace Your Roofing – Just Look
Stains on interior ceilings and walls or mold and mildew growth are often caused by inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment allowing leakage or inadequate ventilation
Traditionally, a good roof, depending on type of shingles and the craftsmanship in the installation, lasted between twenty to forty years. Now your roof can last a lifetime with the new style GAF shingles.
But the roof most homeowners have on their homes has a much shorter lifetime. Environmental issues can have a significant affect on the performance and longevity of existing roofs. Weather issues in Madison WI such as hail, heavy winters with ‘melt & freeze’ cycles, larger trees surrounding your home or unknown issues with the manufacturer of your shingles can all play a role in diminishing shingle function or shortening shingle life. Continue reading
Roofing Contractor Mistakes To Avoid
Secure a Lifetime Warranty with an installation by a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor
Roofing can last a lifetime. A good roof has the proper type of shingles, superior craftsmanship and correct and complete installation.
It’s possible to get shingles to last the life of your home if they are installed as part of a well-designed roofing system. In climates such as we have in Madison, WI, the system must be designed for weather issues such as hail, heavy winters with ‘melt & freeze’ cycles and even larger trees surrounding a home and so on. These are conditions to be considered if you really expect to protect your home. A complete roofing system for your roof is the best way to battle the elements. Continue reading
Selecting Roofing Contractors in Madison WI
Expect to get any two of these three items when selecting a roofing contractor
If you need one in Madison WI, there are plenty of roofing contractors to choose from.
The problem most homeowners have is finding roofing contractors they can trust. After all, most homeowners do not replace roofs often. In some cases maybe only one purchase in a lifetime. Possibly twice, but the purchase date can be twenty years apart. Not a great situation for gaining knowledge and skill at making a decision. Continue reading
Ice Dam Repairs & Roofing Systems
Ice dam problems are always a symptom of other problems within a home.
Proper venting and insulation can help end ice dam problems
If you have an ice dam now, multiple ice dams or other roof ice, there are likely multiple issues affecting your situation. And, believe it or not, your roof may have nothing to do with the problem – it may be an innocent bystander.
It’s important to understand your roof is part of a system including the roof itself, gutters, soffets, siding, ventilation and other systems within a home. How all of these parts of the system work will affect your heating and cooling bills and the life of your roof, if not a lot more.
With that said, certainly, roofs can wear out over time. However, if your roof requires repair or replacement pre-maturely, there is a good chance something within the system is not functioning correctly and has accelerated the aging process.
Ice Dam Prevention In Madison WI
Proper insulation and correcting attic bypasses can help stop ice dam problems
An ice dam, the ridge of ice that builds up on roof eaves, is a common wintertime problem for Madison Wisconsin residents. An ice dam can cause costly structural damage that can affect not only the roof, but the interior of walls, floors and multiple levels in your home.
The shelf of ice and the icicles hanging from the gutters are obvious to the homeowner. What’s not always apparent is the cause of an ice dam. Continue reading
