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Roof Maintenance Tips to Get Through Winter in Wisconsin

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Nothing says winter in Wisconsin like a fresh coat of snow covering rooftops. While snow can be beautiful, too much of it can be a hassle to get rid of. The headache of getting rid of snow can worsen if you put it off over time. It’s important that you maintain your roof and gutters in the winter time to avoid potential leaks and structural damage. Here are five roof maintenance tips that will get you through the cold and wet months during winter in Wisconsin.

1. You May Want to Get Your Home Inspected

Ideally, you’d get your roof inspected before the cold weather comes. Having an inspection done on your roof, chimney and gutter system will stop a problem in it’s tracks. However, things happen that may prevent you from calling an expert. Professionals can easily spot existing problems and give you advice on your concerns as the weather turns by showing you the best methods and tools for roof maintenance.

2. Get the Right Tools for Removing Ice and Snow

Hopping on your roof and shoveling off snow is never a good option, even in the most desperate times. Many hardware stores sell snow rakes, which are designed for getting snow off of your roof from below. Having the right tools will ensure your personal safety and the structural integrity of your roof. While de-icing your roof isn’t always needed, it can prevent damage from ice and water.

3. Act Fast on Ice Dams and Leaks

If you saw our last blog post on ice dams, then you’ll know how important it is to take care of them right away. Ice dams form when the snow on your roof melts and then freezes again, causing a build up on your roof and gutters. Ice dams left untreated can cause leaks in your roof. Changes in the weather and in your home can attribute to the formation of ice dams.

4. Keep an Eye on the Weather

Knowing the weekly forecast can help prevent a headache of snow removal. If the weather calls for freezing rain or varied temperatures, you can easily plan to tackle it head-on. Being ahead of the weather means ensuring you are making your home ready for whatever mother nature brings. But as the temperature drops, you’re going to want your home to be as warm and cozy as possible.

5. Keep Your Home Well Insulated

Keeping your home well insulated in the weather will make it cozier and built to last the colder months. By checking the condition of your home’s ventilation system, you can ensure that heat is being distributed throughout the home. Did you know that heat from your home often causes your roof to melt snow and cause ice dams? Adding plastic to windows, maintaining the ventilation system and fixing your windows can ensure your home stays warm and your roof intact.

Getting You and Your Home Through The Winter in Wisconsin

Roof problems are never good, especially in the cold months. Having the right tools, paying attention to the weather and your home, and seeking assistance from professionals can help make winter a smooth ride. If you need assistance with fixing your roof before winter or need work done right away, call on Over the Top Roofing to help you get through.

How an Ice Dam Can Affect Your Wisconsin Home

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Wisconsin’s climate can be tricky to navigate in the winter, where snowfalls and deep thaws happen weekly. And changes in climate can cause unexpected problems, such as when ice dams form on the roof.

Learn what an ice dam is, how it starts, and how to get rid of it to prevent damage to your home.

What Are Ice Dams? How Do They Happen?

Ice dams are masses of ice that form on your roof and in your gutters. An ice dam forms when water from melting snow freezes. It then forms a mass of ice that starts out small but can grow immensely when the temperature fluctuates.

According to research from the University of Minnesota, ice dams form mainly due to heat loss from your house or exhaust systems. And although they’re common, ice dams should never be taken lightly, as they can cause tremendous damage to your gutters and roof.

How Do Ice Dams Affect My Home?

When left untreated, an ice dam can really do a number on your home’s roof and drainage system. For instance:

  • According to a blog post from Nationwide Insurance, ice dams can cause your roof shingles to lift up, allowing water to seep into your home.
  • They can also affect your home’s drainage system since the mass of ice clogs your gutters, which can lead to flooding in and around your home.

While you can’t control the weather, there are both short- and long-term methods to prevent ice dams from forming.

Solving and Preventing Ice Dams on Your Roof

Sometimes a problem with your roof can catch you off guard. Here are a few short-term solutions to fixing an ice dam:

  1. Since heat from your home may be the most likely cause of ice dam formations, you can flip the script by cooling your roof down. According to a post from This Old House, you can slow down the rate that snow melts by blowing cold air through the roof. If there is water coming out of cracks in your roof, you can blow cold air into any crack or opening to freeze leaking water.
  2. Applying calcium chloride on your roof will melt snow and ice on your roof without any additional damage.

There are also a few preventative measures you can take to reduce the chance of ice dams forming. These include:

  1. Regularly removing snow from your roof. Rakes are exceptionally helpful for this.
  2. Performing maintenance on your gutter system before winter arrives. Regular maintenance on your gutters can be beneficial in preventing other gutter problems too.
  3. Calling on a roofing and gutters expert to perform an inspection. Pros have a lot of experience, so they can often help you spot a problem before it even happens. By having a roofing professional assess your roof and drainage system, they can better advise you on how you can prevent damage from snow and ice.

Get More Information

Here in Wisconsin, ice dams can cause considerable damage to your roof and drainage system. If you are a homeowner and have concerns about your roof’s condition, it may be best to contact a professional.

For expert advise on your roof, call Over the Top Roofing to schedule an appointment. We service the greater Milwaukee area and Menomonee Falls.

“Where’s That Draft Coming From?” Signs Your Windows Need Work

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Have you ever gone to sleep and woke up feeling like you left the window open overnight? Even if your windows are closed and the heat is cranked up, you may feel a draft coming in. As frustrating as it is, drafts can be an easy fix when you can narrow down the source.

From your window frames to the glass itself, here are some signs your windows need work.

Window Seal Failure

Between the double and triple panes in a window, gas fills the void to provide a sealant to ensure quality insulation. When that sealant breaks, there’s a higher chance of cold air seeping into your home and shaking you to the bone. This can happen from poor window installation, materials wearing down and changes in the weather. If you suspect any of these to be the cause, it may be time to call a professional to get it fixed. Your windows may not be up to date if you live in an older home, so it may be time to upgrade.

Cracked and Old Glass

If you live in an older home, you’re most likely going to have single-pane windows. Single-pane windows are extremely fragile, which means they may be likely to crack or break with impact or temperature changes. If you have cracked windows, drafts can seep through, causing a chilly setting to a room. The most cost-efficient solutions would be to replace single-pane with double-pane windows or to apply plastic to your windows.

Damage to Your Window Frames

Temperature changes can put a damper on your mood but can cause a bigger problem for your window frames. As the weather transitions from warm to cold, this can cause the joints and caulking in frames to separate.

According to The Craftsman Blog, if you can see light coming through or can fit a quarter in the crack, then you should fill it. Large cracks that spread throughout the frames should be inspected by a professional. However, one should keep in mind that as the weather goes from cold to warm, the cracks may close.

Keeping your house insulated is one way you can help cut down on temperature fluctuations in your home. If you’re in the greater Milwaukee area, see how Over the Top can help insulate your home.

Drafts Coming Through the Plastic on Your Windows

Insulating your home with plastic on the windows can save you money and help keep you warm. But after all that hard work, you still shiver when you walk around your home. What gives? You may not have applied the plastic right. Applying plastic insulation on windows requires both attention and detail when applying.

According to a blog from Daily News-Miner, applying plastic to windows can reduce 50% of heat loss from drafty windows. But remember that if the plastic is too loose or becomes undone along the corners, cold air is more likely to seep through.

When You Need to Call a Professional

Working with windows calls for a lot of care and attention to detail. If you’ve looked into all the possibilities discussed in this post and still feel a draft, it may be time to consult a professional. Over the Top Roofing and Construction offers professional window and insulation work in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

Top 3 Roofing Scams in Milwaukee and How to Avoid Them

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You know to be on the lookout for shady salespeople, commission-hungry investment advisors, and even your coworker who always seems to try to make you look bad in front of your boss. But what is one of the biggest home improvement scams that even the savviest of consumers aren’t always immune from? Roofing scams.

Roofing scammers try to con homeowners in Milwaukee all the time, so it’s important to know what to look for.

Before you fork over potentially thousands of dollars for a fraud, read on to learn where you can find roofers you can trust.

Stop Scam Concept on Open Hand.

1. The “I’ll Pay Your Deductible” Con

The Golden Rule of roofing scams—if it’s too good to be true, it probably is—rings true here.

Some people will offer to pay any kind of deductible your home ownership insurance policy requires you to meet. This is a solid foundation for insurance fraud.

First of all, this is absolutely illegal. Additionally, guess who gets to keep the difference when the roofing scammer submits a much higher invoice to the insurance company than is necessary?

2. The “We Just Happened to Be in the Neighborhood” Con

Next up on our list of roof scams? When questionably qualified roofers knock on your door brandishing a professional-looking roofing business card and try to fight their way in.

Good roofing companies don’t need to go door-to-door to get clients. These scammers especially love to prey on the elderly and to operate in neighborhoods that have been hit badly by a storm.

Don’t fall for it.

In some cases, these scammers will bring a picture of an especially beat-up roof and try to tell you it’s a picture of your roof. (Spoiler alert: It’s not.) The best thing you can do in this situation? Slam the door. Then call your neighbors to let them know that scammers are afoot.

3. The “We Only Take Cash” Con

First, the roofer gave you an estimate over the phone, before they’d even actually taken a look at your roof. That should have been enough of a sign that you were dealing with a con artist. However, if they’ve somehow made it out to your house, prepare for things to get worse.

This is likely when they’ll drop the bombshell that they only accept cash payments. Not to mention, they require a seriously steep down payment—that of course, they want in cash, too.

Remember: A trusted roofer would go out of their way to avoid a cash payment because they want to establish a paper trail of proper behavior.

Avoid These Common Roofing Scams

So, what can you do in order to avoid some of the most common roofing scams on this list? We suggest:

  1. Work with trusted, experienced, and insured professional roofing contractors who are willing to give you references and testimonials if needed. Ask family and friends for advice.
  2. Always have someone with you when you’re meeting a roofer for the first time, in case you’ve got a scammer who will try to get you to cave if you’re on your own.

If you need reliable and quality roofing work done, don’t get scammed. Work with us instead. Over the Top Roofing and Construction offers professional roofing in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

How Does a Chimney Work and Why Does it Need Maintenance?

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The first chimney we know about dates back to the 12th century. Before that, people placed fire pits in the middle of their dwellings.

Back then, homeowners didn’t really understand how their chimneys worked or why taking care of them was so important. So, even though there was a hole in the roof, the homes were constantly filled with smoke and there was always the danger of the house going up in flames.

Luckily, those days are long gone. But it’s still a good idea to learn how a chimney works so you can better understand what kind of maintenance yours needs.

Smoke billows from a chimney from a house with an old roof

The Science Behind Chimneys

A chimney works due to principles of airflow. Hot air rises because it is not as dense as cold air. Instead of venting hot air up and out of your home, chimneys remove hot gasses from your house’s heating system. This rising hot gas leads to a difference in pressure. This is called a draft. The draft pulls in combustion air into your furnace and pushes out exhaust gas.

A chimney has both internal and external parts and so, is subject to weather, which can cause damages.

Common Chimney Problems

Understanding how does a chimney work isn’t as easy as it seems. And it’s a complex system that is often overlooked by homeowners. But failure to maintain a chimney can be dangerous.

Here are some of the most common chimney problems of which homeowners should.

Blockages

Debris such as bird nests can block your chimney flue. Even small blockages can prevent your chimney from working effectively. These blockages should be removed to restore your chimney to full functionality.

Creosote Buildup

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, the gasses from the fire cause a buildup that is called creosote. This buildup is combustible and corrosive. A large buildup could even start a fire in your chimney.

One of the easiest ways to remove this buildup is with special logs that you burn in your fireplace. However, this is not a substitute for a yearly professional inspection and cleaning. You should let the experts take care of your chimney inspection and repair.

Cracks and Holes in the Flue

Wood fires can over time cause tiny holes and fissures in your flue. As a result, dangerous gasses could enter your home.

You should have a chimney expert look at your flue each year. They can make repairs as needed to prevent further problems. If untreated, expensive structural repairs will be inevitable.

Damage to Chimney Crown and Cap

Both the crown and cap of a chimney are out in the elements. Their role is to keep debris and rain out of your flue.

If these items become damaged, they may not be able to do their job, which can result in further repairs. In the winter, water in the chimney could cause a leak in the attic as the mortar joints freeze and crack apart.

All chimneys need to be sealed every 8-10 years to prevent water from getting in.

How Does a Chimney Work? Ask No More!

We hope you now can confidently answer the question, “How does a chimney work?” But remember: Just because you understand how it works doesn’t mean you can service it yourself. Always consult certified technicians to treat any problems with your chimney.

If you make a habit of inspecting your chimney and having a professional perform regular maintenance, you will get many years of use out of it.

If your chimney needs servicing, contact us. At Over the Top Roofing and Construction, we offer chimney repair and maintenance, as well as professional roofing in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

5 Ways Blocked Gutters Can Cause Damage to Your Home

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Most homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about their gutters. But ignoring blocked gutters can cause serious problems you likely won’t notice until after the damage is done. That’s especially true here in Milwaukee, where rains often cause flooding.

Gutters are such a simple part of home maintenance that they often get overlooked. But rain and wind can cause leaves and branches to clog the gutters so that water cannot properly drain out. This then causes water to build up and over flow.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common problems that result when this happens.

Lots of autumn leaves on a roof

5 Ways Blocked Gutters Can Cause Damage to Your Home

Blocked gutters are more than a nuisance. In fact, they can cause serious damage to your home. Discover what damage they can cause and how to avoid it.

1. Damage to Your Landscaping and Foundations

Both your landscaping and foundation can suffer when excess water leaks from a blocked gutter. You might not think it, but too much water is bad for trees and bushes. It’s like watering them with a fire hose rather than a garden hose.

A clean gutter allows water to flow out the downspout to be properly channeled away from the house. When this doesn’t happen as designed, the excess water can cause your foundation to shift, sink, or crack.

2. Roof Damage

When water doesn’t flow properly through the gutter at the edge of the roof, the roof’s surface and the underlining materials can become damaged. And once enough damage has been done, your roof will likely need to be replaced.

3. Damage to Doors, Windows, and Walls

Water spilling from blocked gutters eventually causes damage to many parts of your home that aren’t designed to have this much contact with water.

Your patio can flood, causing damage to brickwork and furniture. Walls can begin to sag, warp, and weaken. And the doors and windows can begin to leak, allowing water to seep into the interior of your home.

4. Mold and Mildew Damage

A lot of the damage that is caused by the overflow of water from clogged guttering often goes unnoticed because it’s hidden behind walls or around door and window seals.

Moisture trapped in these areas leads to the growth of mold and mildew. This is not only unsightly and smelly, it’s also a health hazard. Worse yet, getting rid of mold can be an expensive undertaking, and not dealing with it quickly can lead to even more extensive material damage and health issues down the road.

5. Pest Infestations

Standing, stagnant water attracts insects like mosquitoes. This is because they love to lay eggs in damp and decaying environments.

The swampy conditions produced by excess water from clogged gutters also lure unwanted critters, such as termites, carpenter ants, and other pests that destroy wood.

Keep in mind that these pests breed quickly and cause significant property damage when not dealt with swiftly.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Gutters in Milwaukee

As we’ve seen, the damage caused by blocked gutters can be both expensive to repair and have a negative impact on your health. Not sure what you can do to keep them clear and free of damage? Click here to see five gutter maintenance tips every Milwaukee homeowner should know.

But learning how to unclog gutters isn’t your only option. Hire a professional to do it for you and you’ll save yourself time and energy. It might seem expensive, but it is actually money well spent. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!