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Roofing

Five Ways to Prep Your House for Winter

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Winter is Wisconsin the most grueling time for a home. Insulation is put to the test to keep your family warm. Your chimney’s structural integrity works double-time. Precipitation and debris put your roof and gutters at risk. Not to mention that there is a higher risk for a fire and carbon monoxide leak. Read on to learn the five ways to prep your house for winter. 

#1 Inspect Your Insulation

Insulation keeps your warm air inside during the winters and cool air during the summers. And although insulation might not always be seen, it is in almost every area of the house. The attic, however, is the most important to keep insulated and prepared for winter. This is mainly because heat rises into the attic. If your house is not properly insulated, your family won’t be warm and your energy bills will skyrocket. Choosing the correct insulation for your attic and installing it yourself can be difficult and risky. Homeowners should contact a professional.

#2 Check Your Chimney

Checking your chimney is a good idea at any time, but it is imperative before a harsh winter. Debris and precipitation can eat away at the structural integrity of the chimney and create air leaks over time. A specialist should take care of these leaks, as well as the chimney damper. This way, rooftop accidents are avoided,  little to no heating and cooling will escape, and your energy bill will decrease. 

#3 Maintain Your Gutters

Much like your chimney, debris and weather can take a toll on your gutters. Fall leaves get stuck inside gutters, making them impassible for water and snow. 

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If this happens water can roll off and flow down your house, which can lead to exterior and foundation issues. This process during the winter puts your house at risk of ice dams. With enough damage over time, gutters will need to be replaced. 

#4 Prevent and Repair Roof Damage

Repairing roof damage can be an ongoing project if the right preventions are not taken. Branches and leaves can pile up and create damage over time. So, keep an eye on any trees, especially sick and dying ones, as they pose a threat to your house. Wetness and snow can make an already treacherous roof dangerous, so hire a professional if you notice any problems. 

#5 Review Your Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Believe it or not, most fires and carbon monoxide poisonings happen during colder months. This is due to increased chimney and furnace use. Houses are sealed up tight and toxic gases in your heating agents become a serious hazard. Therefore, detectors must be checked once a month. You can easily do this to keep your family safe. For more DIY projects to prep your house for winter, check out MoneyTalks News.

Adding Skylights to Your Home

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Spring is here and adding a skylight can breathe new life into your home. Skylights make a great addition that leaves an everlasting impression. While they’re far from being a new innovation, skylights are still stylish. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of installing skylights in your home.

What are Skylights?

A skylight is a window in a roof or ceiling. They are super versatile and can be installed in living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. However, a skylight isn’t simply a glass plated window. There are many different types of skylights with their own purpose.

Fixed Skylight

Fixed skylights are windows in ceilings and roofs that can’t be opened. These skylights are great for letting a little more light shine through.

Ventilated Skylight

Ventilated skylights are able to open and close. According to a post from Go Smart Bricks, they are ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms, which may need extra ventilation.

Tubular Skylight

A tubular skylight is a good alternative to fixed and ventilated skylights. This type of skylight is essentially a large tube that looks like a telescope. Windows and Sidings recommend installing tubular skylights in bedrooms, closets, or any room that doesn’t have windows.

Skylights are very unique in their design and their ability to brighten up rooms. Therefore, there are many benefits to installing skylights in your home.

The Benefits of Installing Skylights

Increases Your Home’s Resale Value

Skylights are “greener” home additions that can help boost your home’s resale value. According to an article from Consumer Affairs, the natural light that comes through is a good mood booster that buyers are looking for. Furthermore, homeowners who invest in skylights may save money on their monthly energy bill.

A Great Way to Reduce Energy Costs

Homeowners who install a skylight may see a reduction in their energy bills. Skylights can let natural light in and help reduce the need for heat and lighting. However, it’s highly disputed whether or not it reduces your home’s energy use.

Having more windows in your homes means more potential for heat/air loss. But, as the United States Department of Energy points out, “Manufacturers use various glazing technologies to reduce these impacts, including heat-absorbing tints, insulated glazing, and low-emissivity (low-e) coatings.” Making sure your skylights are properly installed will minimize energy loss.

Above all, skylights are a great way to redefine a room’s look.

Making Rooms Breathable and Look Bigger

It’s no secret that natural light reveals true beauty. According to a post from Flynn Roofing Co., adding a skylight can make rooms look bigger, which may help up your resale value! Additionally, adding ventilated skylights can let more air flow in, which is helpful in places that are exposed to excessive moisture.

Now that you know the types of skylights and their benefits, you can learn more about installing one today by contacting local roofing professionals. Over the Top Roofing specializes in roofing and construction work and can get you on the way to installing skylights in your home today.

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.

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.

Step Aside and Let the Experts Take Care of Your Chimney Repair Needs

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From 2012 to 2014, the average number of structural residential fires due to chimneys and chimney connectors was 22,300. That’s a lot of costly damage and personal injury that could have been avoided with a little chimney TLC.

Anyone who lives in a cold climate knows how integral their chimney is to their quality of life. As you relax in front of a beautiful fire in your cozy living room, the last thing on your mind is fire safety. The fact is, however, that chimney safety is fire safety.

Many homeowners cut corners where they can to save costs, but when it comes to the wellbeing of your family, it’s not worth it. That’s why you need a professional doing your chimney repair.

Worker repairing a chimney stack

Here are some of the different fine points you’ll want your chimney repair person to know.

Mortar Joints

Mortar is the combination of cement and sand that holds the bricks in your chimney together. Needless to say, these are an essential part of the integrity of your chimney.

While most homeowners know that regular chimney cleanings are important, they don’t realize that some mansonry upkeep is also necessary. The harsh Milwaukee climate is likely to damage the mortar joints of your chimney. That could potentially lead to a chimney collapse.

Repairing mortar joints is no easy task. First, you need to ground out the old mortar. Then, fill in the new mortar, but remember that it dries quickly, so you’ll have to make the mortar in small batches.

Considering how important mortar joints are, it’s best to call in a fully insured and bonded chimney professional.

Signs of Rust

Moisture is an enemy of almost every structural element, but it’s nearly unavoidable. That means you’ll have to be proactive about your maintenance or deal with the later fallout.

When you regularly inspect your chimney, make sure to look for rust. Even if you spot the smallest amount, it’s time to call a professional chimney sweeper.

Moisture is dangerous because of the extreme climate fluctuations around your chimney. When it’s hot and in use, it creates condensation. When your chimney cools down, that condensation will freeze.

That push and pull from liquid to frozen can easily create dangerous cracks in multiple areas of your chimney, but a chimney expert can pinpoint the issue and prevent any future disasters.

A Safe Investment

While a DIY job is good for most household needs, the chimney is an especially complicated and precarious part of your home.

Not only do you risk a fire from an improperly completed chimney repair job, but harmful toxins can make the air in your home unsafe. A professional chimney sweeper is aware of all these dangers and is professionally bound to avoid them.

The Chimney Repair Experts

At Over the Top Roofing and Construction, we help Milwaukee residents maintain the safety and stability of their chimneys, as well as other structural residential needs. Our company is fully insured and bonded, we hold many contractor certifications, and we received Angie’s List Super Service Award every year since 2009.

If you’re looking for chimney experts to handle the job, give us a call!