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Wisconsin

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.

Maintenance-Free Solutions to Update Your Wisconsin Home’s Exterior

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Preparing for the Wisconsin Winter and Eventual Resale

When Jim and Chara Harris contacted us looking for maintenance-free solutions to update their home’s exterior, they had done their homework. They found our stellar reviews on Angie’s List and wanted us to help them prepare their house for the fast-approaching winter.

Moreover, they explained the issues and concerns they had for their home and wanted to ensure that the house would be ready for resale in five to seven years. After a complete walk-through of the house’s perimeter, we discovered that the high winds common at their location in Elkhorn, Wisconsin were damaging their home. Additionally, there was some insect damage, rotten wood, and a few windows that needed to be updated.

Looking for Maintenance-Free Solutions

After the initial assessment, we determined that siding, soffit, window and trim updates would be the best combination to prepare the house for the winter and eventual resale. We discussed all of the options within their budget and came up with a plan.

Getting to Work On New Siding, Soffits, Trim and Windows

Within six weeks of deciding what our plan of attack would be, our construction team got to work on replacing their siding, soffit, trim, and windows. As the project progressed, the team did not find any other areas of concern. The Harrises were pleased that our initial assessment was spot on—which meant no unexpected costs to them. We completed our maintenance-free solutions to update their home within a week-and-a-half—right on schedule.

Their Home’s New Exterior Look

We pride ourselves on providing individualized services for specific needs. The best compliments we can receive are your referrals. Jimand Charra, who described our work as fantastic, added that “they’ve already had neighbors come up to them asking who completed their project.” This is music to our ears, and not altogether uncommon.

Contact Over the Top Roofing and Construction

Let us demonstrate to you our commitment to excellence. Please contact us online, or give us a call at 414-531-ROOF for your free project quote and comprehensive needs analysis.

See Jim and Charra’s project for yourself!

Have a bigger project you need to dive in to? Beyond roofing, we offer all types of repair, remodeling and construction services. 

Chimney Fires: How to Protect Your Wisconsin Home

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No matter where you live, a fire can start where you least expect it. The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that United States fire departments responded to 355,440 house fires from 2015 to 2016. However, your chimney can also cause a house fire. Here’s what you need to know about chimney fires and protecting your Wisconsin home.

How Common are Chimney Fires?

Chimney fires sounds strange when you say it out loud. However, they are more common than you think. According to statistics from the Chimney Safety Institute of America, there was an average of 22,300 chimney fires between 2012 and 2014.  Knowing the signs of a chimney fire can help save you and your home. The Chimney Safety Institute of America says that homeowners should look out for popping noises, dense smoke, and a “hot smell.”

Common Causes of Chimney Fires

Chimney fires are often the result of improper care and maintenance. Here are some of the common causes of chimney fires:

Creosote

The number one cause of chimney fires is creosote. Creosote is a black, tarry substance that occurs due to incomplete burning. When creosote builds up, it prevents fumes from fully exhausting and prevents chimneys from controlling a fire. Besides causing a fire, the incomplete burning causes the exhaustion of fumes that are harmful to humans, leading to a buildup of soot.

Soot

Soot is another by-product of incomplete burning that looks like  black stains. This by-product occurs when homeowners burn untreated wood, plastics, or don’t completely burn wood. Soot is especially dangerous since it can exhaust carcinogenic gases. Breathing in carcinogens often leads to respiratory illness.

Improper Maintenance

Calling the chimney sweeper can help prevent chimney fires. The job of chimney sweepers is to clean soot and make sure your chimney is functioning properly. Homeowners should have their chimney swept at least once a year.

Knowing is half the battle, and when it comes to chimney fires, knowing how to prevent them is everything.

Preventing Chimney Fires

There are a number of things you can do in order to prevent chimney fires and producing carcinogenic gases:

  1. Get an annual chimney inspection. Inspectors will be able to tell you if your chimney needs maintenance, or whether creosote has built up.
  2. Use a chimney liner. Also called a flue liner, this will help contain combustion.
  3. Build small fires with dry wood. Wet wood can attribute to creosote build up and bigger fires create more smoke.

Final Word on Chimney Fires

Performing maintenance, and knowing the signs of a chimney fire is essential for homeowners. If you recently had a chimney fire or you need maintenance done, Over the Top specializes in rebuilds and restoration of chimneys!