Archive for the ‘Roofing’ Category

You’re at home and you just happen to look up at the ceiling and…what is that?  Is that a spot on the ceiling?  Do you have a water leak?  How bad is it?  What should you do?

The passage of time, as well as the changing of seasons, take their toll on a roof, and can result in a breach that lets water in.

One thing is for sure:  you don’t want to ignore the problem.  A leaky roof left untreated can wreak all sorts of havoc on your home, and the money you “save” by waiting will be spent later when you have to repair drywall, or even furniture.

Assuming you call in several roofing companies to get their opinions and estimates, you may get wildly different results.  One roofer may suggest a mere repair, while other roofers want to replace the whole thing, with substantially different estimates for the total costs of their work.  How do you know whom to trust?

First, let’s address the repair-or-replace question.  The most difficult part of a roof repair can be simply diagnosing the problem.  But a reputable roofer will take the time to find the source of a minor leak, and should be able to repair it easily.  However, if your roof is at or near twenty years of age, you might consider this problem as the tip of the iceberg and replacement might be the more cost-effective option.  To replace the roof might be in order if:

• Your shingles are curling
• You have numerous missing or broken shingles
• You have rotting or damaged shingles
• There are spots of discoloration on your roof, which suggests moisture accumulation
• You see sagging in your ceilings or in your attic
• You are considering selling your home, and other homes in the area have newer roofs

So, assuming you’ve decided to replace your roof, how do you choose a good company?

• Check with friends and neighbors.  Ask people you trust who’ve had recent roof work.  Were they satisfied with the company they used?  Did the company finish the job on time and within the estimate?  Was it a quality job, or did the company have to come back out?
• Check with the Better Business Bureau.  Look at roofing companies in your area to see if your neighbors have complained about them.  What did the complaints say?  Stinson Services is very proud of its track record of no BBB complaints to date!
• Ask Questions.  It’s tempting to go with the roofer that gives the cheapest estimate, but it can cost you more in the long run.  Ask the roofer how long they’ve been in business and how many roofs they’ve replaced.  Ask about the expertise of their employees.  Ask for references.
• What’s the Plan?  Ask how the prospective roofer plans to proceed.  Does he plan to remove the existing roof, or is the roofer going to put the new roof over the existing roof?  Either method has pros and cons, but putting a new roof on top of an old does not tend to last as long.

Ice dams are an unwanted surprise that many Minneapolis / St. Paul MN property owners find themselves dealing with during our nasty Minnesota winters. Ice dams are caused by heated air leaking into unheated attics. This warm air causes a warm area on the roof which in turn causes the snow on the exterior of the roof to melt. The melting snow moves down the roof slope until it reaches the cold overhang, where it refreezes. This process continues over and over again which causes a build up of ice on the roof edge and soon water will pool behind the ice. Once this happens the water will eventually find its way into the attic, ceiling and walls below.

Stinson Services Attic Insulation, Bypass Sealing

The solution to this problem is to seal attic bypasses and ensure that the proper amount of ventilation and insulation is present in the attic. Air sealing in the attics may have not been properly completed during the construction of many Minnesota homes, condos, apartments and commercial buildings. Common air sealing problems include the following areas:

• Penetrations in the building envelope for electrical & telecommunications equipment
• Electrical boxes and fan housings
• Rim joists
• Lighting fixtures, recessed lights & wire penetrations
• All plumbing and heating penetrations (including chimneys, flue pipes and ducting)
• Attic hatches
• Interior partition walls

Other factors may play a role in ice dam formation. Complex roof construction including valleys, angles and exposure to sunlight can cause an extensive amount of ice to form in the valley sections of roofs. A substantial amount of snow (more than a foot) on a properly insulated roof combined with varying warm / cold temperatures during the winter season can cause snow melt and ice dams on the eves. To remove the ice from the edge of a roof the use of steam or ice melt is the safest means of removing the ice. The most critical component of preventing ice dams however is to seal the air bypasses providing the warm air into the attic space. Stinson Services, Inc provides Minnesota attic insulation installation services

Minnesota has experienced significant amounts of snow during the winter of 2009 & 2010. As a result many Minneapolis / St. Paul Minnesota homeowners have discovered severe ice dams on their homes. Ice dams in MN form on cold days when heat escapes from the interior of the home into the attic. This heat loss melts the snow that has accumulated on the roof and then causes it to freeze on the edges of the roof. Minnesota property owners discover ice dam damage on the interior of their homes as this water pools behind the ice dam on the edge of the roof and seeps into the ceiling or exterior walls. Sometimes you will even notice ice dripping from the soffits as a result of a significant ice dam. If you are a Minneapolis, St. Paul Minnesota property owner who has discovered an ice dam and is looking for the correct way to remove the ice dam and take preventative action you are in the right place.

Stinson Services, Inc is a licensed and insured general building contractor that specializes in exterior remodeling. We have removed and prevented  ice dams for many Minnesota winters. Schedule a no obligation free estimate today to have your ice dam analyzed and removed within 7 days.

Anatomy of a Minnesota Ice Dam

We use high pressure heated water to remove ice dams from Minnesota properties. In addition we offer snow removal services for Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area property owners. Getting the ice dam removed is not the cure though, we will analyze your current attic insulation and ventilation system and offer professional ice dam prevention strategies to help reduce the risk of ice dams forming in the future.

“Roofing” is a scary word, even if you’re building new: it’s expensive, it’s complicated, it’s problematic. If it’s done wrong, you’ll be putting buckets in your kitchen and hiding the TV. Right?

Anything having to do with home repair or home construction can seem intimidating, but roofing doesn’t have to be the things above. You, the homeowner, have the power to choose the right contractor and demand your job is done as it should be. You deserve to know what to expect from your roofing contractor.

Your roof protects everything in your home, and is key in regulating temperature. The right roof means lower heating and cooling costs and a feeling of security about your investment. So how do you find the right one? How do you know who to hire?

You’ve got a lot of choices. There are four major types of roofing available: heavy dimensional roofing, stone-coated steel shingles, painted steel shingles, and cedar shake shingles. Each has benefits and detriments, ranging from cost to durability to warranty period. All types should be covered for at least 15 years, and some for up to 50. Steel shingles provide protection from hail in high-risk areas, as well as superior wind resistance. Do research on the most common roofing types in your area, and ask your neighbors how their experiences have been. Your choice is practical as well as stylistic.

When you’ve made your choice – or even if you haven’t – you have to choose a general contractor. Look for a company whose estimator will take measurements of your roof and provide you a bid on his first visit. Don’t let yourself get the run-around! Be sure to check on their license and company reputation. Make sure you get detailed specifications and materials costs.

A good roofer will then work out a schedule based on weather patterns and worker availability, to ensure your roof is finished as soon as possible, and for the least cost to you. Most jobs start in 3 to 6 weeks. When it’s time to begin, your materials will arrive as well as the site foreman and supervisor to do a site inspection; a sign will be posted on your property.

Your roofer should be sure to protect your bushes and plants from debris with tarps and cloths. After all the preparations are complete, the removal of your existing roofing (in the case of repair or remodeling) begins. The dangers of this process make the outside contracting of roofing highly beneficial. After your old roof is gone, the shingling process begins, which should be rapid and efficient. Don’t let your contractor dawdle.

After your roof is complete (and, hopefully, you are satisfied,) final paperwork and warranty signage comes your way. If you notice any problems, tell your roofer! He should be happy to fix them. Your roofer will likely ask for referrals – it’s kind to oblige if you’re happy with the work he’s done.

Now you can enjoy the security and efficiency of your new roof. Remember, you have the right to demand good, cost-effective work. Be sure your needs are being met throughout the process, and don’t be intimidated. Being knowledgeable is important.