ConstructionDeal.com Update

Throughout the long winter, snow will fall and ice will form. And temperatures will warm up and melt a lot of the snow and ice on your roof. This can cause some problems.

If you own a home in a snowy region of the country, you need to be concerned about ice dams forming on your roof. An ice dam can allow a lot of water and moisture to work its way up through your roof and into your attic where it can cause a lot of damage.

What is an Ice Dam?
An ice dam forms on a roof that is covered with snow. Temperature changes between the inside attic and the air outside can cause one to form. When warmer air from inside the home cause snow to melt, it pushed the water down to a lower and cooler part of the roof. This water re-freezes and forms the ice dam. As more water melts and collects above the ice dam, it can get pushed back under the shingles and through the roof. This water can cause damage to your ceilings, mold, and wood rot.

Is there an Ice Dam Solution?
The trick to stop ice dams from forming is to eliminate that change in temperature that's rising up from inside your home to your roof. The warm air that is melting your snow is coming most likely from heat rising up through a poorly insulated ceiling, through lighting fixtures, or through heating ducts in your attic. Chimneys and stove or dryer vents can also create heat needed to melt snow.

You can go up to your roof and remove the snow every time it falls and accumulated on your roof. But this is a temporary fix.

The key to solving the problem is sealing off the heat access to your attic and adding additional insulation. This prevents the hot air transfer that heats up your roof and melts the snow.

Should You Have Your Roof Inspected?
An insulation contractor can look at your roof to determine if you have the potential for ice dam damage or if there already is a problem.

By allowing moisture and water to get into your attic, you're allowing the wood structures to start rotting which can weaken the structure and cause expensive damage. You're also creating the perfect environment for mold to grow and create toxic airborne particles that can harm your family. And water flowing into a home can easily accumulate on your ceilings causing leaks and damage to drywall, furniture and flooring down in your house.

And, if you do nee to add new insulation, you will also see a reduction in energy costs. It will take less energy to heat your home because of the protective barrier up in your attic that is preventing heat transfer. Whether you add loose-fill insulation, batt insulation or spray foam, you will be increasing the R-value (ie, resistance to heat loss.)

Ready to talk to a qualified insulation company? Get 4 quotes within minutes from our qualified contractors at no cost to you. Multiple quotes means you'll be getting the best price. It saves you time because you won't need to call insulation contractors, at random, from your phone books.

Don't let your ice dam problem eat into your bank account. Save your roof, save money on energy, and protect your health. Submit your request to find insulation contractors, for free, right now and there is no obligation.

Labels: Ice Dams, Insulation, Insulation Contractor, Roofing

You don't have to wait until winter to contact a heating contractor - you'll get better attention and a faster response. Get your house sealed up whenever you can and you'll save money, save the environment, and you'll improve the value of your home.

First, check your insulation. Warm air rises and if you don't have great insulation, it could keep going straight up and through your roof. Most U.S. homes should have insulation with an R value above 22. The higher the value, the greater the thickness. Head up into your attic, with a ruler, and check to make sure your insulation rises up at least 7 inches.

Next, seal up your house. Inside, check for cracks around windows, gaps between your wall and flooring, and near your electrical outlets. Use caulk and caulk gun (or a Handyman) to seal minor gaps. Check the weatherstripping around all doors and windows. Outside, also check around your windows for leaks (have someone hold a light up to expose smaller gaps.)

Check electrical outlets and loose faucets for gaps. Use expanding foam or caulk to fill them in.

This would be a great time to have your air ducts cleaned. Sure, your regularly replace your house air filter (right?) But your ducts also have a build-up of all that crap that you see stuck to your dirty filters every month. A good air duct cleaning will increase flow and efficiency of your duct system.

Make sure you have a professional inspect your heating (or cooling) unit before each new winter or summer season starts to make sure the system is in working order (fans lubricated, belts inspected, etc.) It can seem expensive, but an emergency call when it's Christmas morning and 10 below outside always, always costs more...)

Another cost saving tip: insulate your water heater and pipes. When it's cold outside, your water heater may need to work harder to get water hot and keep it hot. They have kits you can use to wrap insulating blankets around your water heater and insulation wraps for your water pipes. It prevents heat loss and helps the efficiency. However, make sure you follow any instructions provided with the kits -- you do NOT want to cover up anything close to flames or any air vents.

If you need any type of heating experts, use ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to find contractors. Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes the same day.

At no cost.

Labels: Air Duct Cleaning, Heating Contractors, Insulation Contractor