Each year, Showalter Roofing receives numerous calls for condensation problems. Many times after we visit the home and inspect the attic, we find it to be a humidity issue.
When temperatures plummet as typical Chicago weather proves each year, homeowners begin to notice moisture in the attic. Most times it’s due to the humidifiers directly installed on furnaces. If the humidity level on the inside…is above the level on the outside, condensation builds in our attics.
Take a trip up to your attic early in the morning. If you see a layer of frost on the underside of the plywood, it’s most likely condensation. As the outside temperature rises this frost will melt and water spots may occur on your ceiling.
If you notice moisture confined to a specific area of the roof decking, that’s most likely going to be a roofing problem. Call Showalter Roofing at 630.499.7700 to conduct a complete evaluation to verify a roofing issue.
Here are the Top 3 Ways Homeowners Can Combat Condensation Issues:
Turn the humidifier down on your furnace especially when it’s really cold outside. It doesn’t seem logical, however the furnace is turning on more frequently causing an increase of humidity in the air. To see a chart for setting your humidistat go to: http://www.showalterroofing.com/Condensation.php
Check your clothes dryer. Your dryer may not be hooked up properly. If warm moist air is getting into your home from the clothes dryer, it will end up in the attic.
Check if your bathroom fan is connected properly. If there is a problem, the warm moist air will quickly reach the attic.
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When it comes to working on major projects around the house, the roofing system can be one of those projects that can cause many headaches if you don’t have the right team working on the project. It is highly recommended to make sure that the company or team of workers that are offering their services to perform work on major construction projects around your home is bonded, licensed, and insured. Often times, hiring someone that is not bonded or insured will be substantially cheaper and all the responsibility if something bad happens falls into the homeowners lap. Always remember that even though the price may be very appealing, you get what you pay for. Saving a few dollars up front ends up costing more in the long run. Here is a short story of a recent colleague that experienced the hardship of what it means to be bonded and insured.
Owners of a recently purchased bed and breakfast outside the Milwaukee area, experienced heavy rainfall this past autumn and were exasperated to the amount of rain that found its way into the home. Reflecting back on the negotiations of the sale of the house, the previous owners were supposed to have fulfiller their obligations by installing a new roof to the establishment. The problem was that the previous owners contracted a roofing company that was uninsured and un-bonded. The party responsible for the poorly installed roof is now on the previous owner and not on the roofing company that did the work. This makes more headaches and problems for the new owners to be able to resolve the situation in order to continue to make money as a bed and breakfast establishment.
It is very important that anyone you work with is licensed, bonded, and insured. Once you know that they are by researching and confirming that they are being truthful. It’s always a good idea to ask for referrals from a trusted neighbor, friend or co-worker. However, be sure they’re not a family friend, a guy that does side jobs or an unemployed worker trying to make ends meet.
Showalter Roofing Services is a fully bonded and fully insured roofing company. We are committed to exceeding your expectations with the work we do and it shows before, during and after a project is complete. Our customers appreciate the work we deliver and reference us to their family and friends. We appreciate their kind words and continued business. Showalter Roofing wants you to refer us as well.
October 2009 was a record setting month for rainfall in the Chicago area. With 19 days of heavy measurable rain during October, homeowners had a chance to put their roofs to the test. When Mother Nature acts out roofing systems can suffer the effects. Rain-water can build up in valleys and against chimneys forcing water to leak through the roof and causing serious structural damage to the home. Heavy rain damage can be prevented by performing a few routine inspections around your home. The following are the key areas to focus on prior to the rainy season in your area;
1. The Rooftop – This is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the house and is considered the main component for keeping rainwater from entering the home. The construction of rooftops for best results should be pitched or sloped to direct water downwards and does not allow it to collect on the roof. Inspecting the entire rooftop for damaged shingles, cracks, and holes will assist in preventing further damage caused by heavy rain. If you find that your rooftop has developed holes or small cracks that will allow water to leak through or if you feel your rooftop is not pitched or sloped appropriately, Showalter Roofing Services would be happy to come out, take a look at your roof, and provide the best solution to your rooftop so you can prevent damage caused by heavy rainfall.
2. Chimney – The construction of the chimney should be sealed tightly together with no revealing gaps. A chimney cap may be a consideration to install to help prevent water from coming in through the chimney. Finally, inspect the seals and flashing of where the chimney is attached to the roof. If there are signs of damage, get it replaced or repaired as soon as possible. Some brickwork becomes porous over time allowing moisture to actually be absorbed into the brick causing leaks. This is especially true during several consecutive days of rain. Masonry sealant will solve this problem provided the brick and mortar are in good condition.
Remember, roof repairs can be dangerous, so if you have experienced damage to your roof during this fall rain and it is fairly severe, it is best to call in a professional roofing contractor such as Showalter Roofing Service to assess the damage and provide the necessary repairs.
One of the most important aspects of any roofing job is the clean-up process. As with any construction project there is always going to be debris of some sort to clean up and remove from the project site. Prior to every installation, our primary focus is protecting all the landscaping around the entire home. With the prestigious details of home landscaping these days, protecting their delicacies can be tricky and quite an involved process. In the past we have used plywood to protect the ground and flower beds from falling debris, as well as hanging tarps from the roof in order to funnel all the debris into one specific location.
Once the installation has been completed and all the major debris has been removed from the site, we will use mechanical equipment such as blowers to clear any remaining excess debris from the roof, gutters, ground, and landscaping areas. This includes blowing away from porches and patios potential debris that has strayed away from the tarps and plywood. Finally, we like to comb the entire lot of the home including all landscaping areas with a magnet to pick up all nails and other hazardous metal objects from the site. Our goal is to leave the premises the way that it was before the roofing project was started, if not better. If our customers do not notice anything on the ground or in the gutter than we know we have successfully completed the project.
Protecting the home and the landscaping is the key to an excellent roof installation!
