Ice Dam Prevention Strategies

If you are a homeowner you might be thinking how you can prevent ice dams from forming on your roof this winter. If you haven’t already, consider blow in insulation. Blow in insulation provides homeowners with many benefits that not only keep ice dams from forming and even damaging your roof and gutters, but will also help keep your home warm and energy efficient.

What are ice dams exactly?

Ice dams are blocks of ice that form on roofs and gutters and prevent melting snow and water from properly draining from your roof. Water that sits stagnant on roofs can not only cause damage to the roof itself, but also leak into the home and damage walls, insulation, and ceilings. If bad enough, they can even ruin carpets, furniture, and other home prized possessions.

How do ice dams form?

Ice dams form only when there is snow on the roof. The temperature underneath the snow must be at least 32 degrees F while the outside surface of the snow must be over 32 degrees F over a period of time. The snow on the outside surface, the area above 32 degrees, will melt, such as on a warmer or sunny day, and when the water runs down over the portion that is below 32 degrees, it freezes…forming an ice dam.

So what are some ice dam prevention strategies?

One of the sure ways to prevent ice dams from forming is considering home insulation. Attics should be composed of three major elements, which include: attic insulation, attic ventilation, and radiant barrier. These elements are necessary to heating and cooling your home and keeping overall energy costs down, as well as preventing ice dams from forming.

Minneapolis Insulation Installers are knowledgeable and experienced with cellulose blown in insulation. Depending on your home and the type of installation you choose, different insulation processes are recommended. Most of these insulation practices and process are designed for those properties located in the Minneapolis area and meet certain codes and Minneapolis criteria.

Finally, blown in insulation is an effective form of insulation that homeowners should consider prior to choosing a type of insulation for their homes and attics. Not only will it keep your energy costs down and save you bundles over the long term, but it is one of the most effective ice dam prevention strategies. In addition to keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, blown in insulation also keeps your home dry. Proper insulation in your attic or anywhere in your home will also serve as a return on investment for your home.

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*This topic was written and posted by J.H. Language Solutions on behalf of a third party.  J.H. Language Solutions in no way assumes ownership of the content above.

How to Select Your Type of Gutter? Different Types of Gutters!

You may be a homeowner who needs to install gutters or replace the existing gutters on your home. If you’ve never had to replace or update them before, how do you know which ones to choose? What are the different types of gutters available, and how do you know what type of gutter is right for your home? Minneapolis gutter services can help!

Do I Even Need Gutters For My Home?

Are gutters even necessary for a home? Of course! Gutters help direct water away from windows, entranceways, paths, and even help avoid flooding or water damage to your home. However, while it may seem easy to choose any type of gutter for your home, there’s actually more behind the type of gutter you choose and what would suit your home best.

What Gutter Styles Are Available?

Before choosing a type of gutter, the following factors that should be taken into consideration include: material, profile, size, production, and coating. The blend of these factors depend on if you are replacing or updating your current gutters or if you are installing brand new ones from scratch.

Like any material or item built for your home, gutters are available in a wide variety of materials, styles, colors, sizes, and coatings. Some of the materials include copper, steel, aluminum, and zinc. Some of the styles include K-Style, Fascia, Half Round, Seamless, and Sectional.

What Gutter Style Should I Choose?

The most common type of gutter used on homes—particularly on the homes where you are replacing gutters—are sectional. The sectional gutters are screwed together and sit on a bracket that is mounted and screwed to the actual house structure. On each corner of the house, an end cap is installed in order to add sections for the water to channel down along the house and direct it away from your home in order to avoid flooding and other water damage. You can even add gutter screens afterwards in order to minimize the amount of leaves, sticks and twigs, and other elements that may clog up your gutters and prevent them from functioning the way they are designed to.

In regards to gutter styles, the “Fascia” style is the most popular and the most commonly used. This style is probably the most plain of all gutter styles but this is due to the fact that they can hold more water since they typically appear boxier than the curved gutter styles.

K-Style gutters are another popular gutter style. They have a little more design to them, which often resemble the crown molding that is popular among many homes today. Although they don’t hold as much water as the Fascia style, they are still just as effective are one of the most reasonably priced gutter styles available.

What is This Going to Cost Me?

Next to gutter style and type and the right one to choose for your home, the next item to consider is cost. Gutter installation costs vary from home to home, depending on the style you choose. The costs are broken down into basic material costs and gutter installation costs. Typical gutter installation and material costs are broken down to cost per linear foot. The costs all depend on the zip code you are located in as that is where materials to do the job will be purchased.

In addition, it is always best to hire a professional, experienced, and competent Minnesota gutter contractor to help you with your gutter installation. A contractor should be reputable, licensed, and insured.

All in all, gutters are an extremely important item that no home should be without. While most gutter installations are relatively reasonable and affordable, it can cost more money to your home and property if you do not have them. Water can be a very damaging element not only to your home, but to your foundation and property. Consult with a knowledgeable and helpful Minnesota gutter contractor for some advice on gutter information and installation.





Cover image: OLD WEATHERSTRIP
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*This article was written by J.H. Language Solutions for a third party. J.H. Language Solutions in no way assumes ownership of the content above. Written for and posted by third party permission.

Proper Window Maintenance

Checking your windows needs to be done every year, especially before winter. Today it’s more important than ever to control the cost of utilities, particularly heat. It is important to make sure your windows are airtight and sealed properly to keep the weather out. Living in Minneapolis exposes your home to some harsh weather conditions. As a result, you may need to find new Minneapolis replacement windows.

The sealing is probably one of the most important things to check on your windows. You can check the sealing with a bright light to make sure that it it hasn’t given away. If you feel a draft from the windows, it is most likely time to replace them. This is usually an indication that the weather stripping has broken away leaving you and your home susceptible to cold weather, rain, and even bugs. It is important to remember that the colder it gets, the less the sealing will stick.

If your house is cool and drafty, putting in new windows can help reduce your heating costs. New windows will keep the cold air where it belongs–outside. This means that you will use less heat, and the cost of your overall heating costs will greatly decrease. Prior to replacing your windows, consult reputable windows replacement contractors on information regarding installation procedures, costs, and even window types and styles.

On the other hand, during the summer, window glass reflects the sun, which can cause a room to really heat up. You may want to look into special windows from a window replacement contractor that help with heat resistance. These windows have a special glass coating that won’t reflect the sun as much and will keep rooms cooler. You can also put up white window shades, drapes, or blinds which can also help keep the sun out of the room.

All in all, replacing windows can be expensive, but can be a great investment for your home. Having new windows installed can help the cold air out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Contact Stinson Services today for some additional information on how to get brand new replacement windows in Minneapolis installed in your home.















*This article was written by J.H. Language Solutions for a third party. J.H. Language Solutions in no way assumes ownership of the content above. Posted by third party permission.