Plan for Spring Projects

It's human nature to put things off until the last minute but don’t wait to start planning for Spring time projects. It's a new year, time to begin planning for that remodeling project you are thinking about for Spring. The time is now to start planning, designing and budgeting. Most remodeling projects take at least three to four months from initial discussions to a complete design that is ready to start construction. We need to give City Hall time to approve building permits which is a two week process if no variances are required. For some addition projects, set back variance approvals may be required and that generally takes two to three months to get through the local planning commission and city council, once the basic design is complete. Time flies! Don’t wait. Give us a call to help you get things started so ready when Spring comes.

Prevent Ice Dams

We have all seen ice dams - a ridge of ice that forms at the bottom edge of a sloped roof. This occurs when the temperature of the attic or part of the roof deck rises above freezing. The snow melts and water flows down to the cool eave, re-freezing and building a ridge of ice. Believe it or not, ice dams can cause permanent damage to your home. Some damage occurs to your shingles due to the freeze and thaw of the ice and in some cases shingles are damaged by homeowners using sharp tools trying to chip and smash the ice. The most significant damage is from water getting into the attic and exterior walls. This happens when water from melting snow pools above the dam and flows back under the shingles into your attic space, ceilings and walls below. Once this happens you must open up the wet areas, remove the insulation, treat for any mold that may have grown and rebuild the damaged area.

There is no way to completely prevent ice dams but things can be done to eliminate the causes to reduce their occurrence. The key is proper ventilation and insulation to keep the attic and roof deck as cool as possible to reduce the snow melt. Most homes can have additional insulation and attic ventilation installed - reducing ice dams with a bonus of improved energy efficiency. Homes with partially finished attic space present the greatest challenge in reduction of ice dams because the finished space warms the roof deck directly causing uncontrollable snow melt. In some cases there is no choice but to rake the snow from your roof after each major snowfall or install permanent heating elements to melt the dams. Whatever your situation is, IHP can help you find and implement the right solution.