McDonald Remodeling Blog

It’s that time of year where the weather really tests our homes. In older homes a fairly routine event is the buildup of ice at the edge of the roof. If it builds up enough, there’s a strong chance that water finds its way inside and shows up on the ceiling.

The common reaction to this phenomenon is that there is something wrong with the roof or the shingles, but in all likelihood the real culprit is the ceiling itself. How can this be? When warm air from inside the home is allowed to seep into the attic it will warm up the roof deck and melt the snow. The water runs down the roof like it’s supposed to, but when it reaches the overhang it re-freezes because that part of the roof deck is cold.

Eventually, the ice will build up enough to hold the water and force it to seep back underneath the shingles. Then it drips into the insulation and eventually to the ceiling below making a big mess.

So what’s the solution? Insulation such as fiberglass does little to stop moving air, so it’s critical to also “seal the lid”. Typical areas of leakage are recessed lights, speakers, electrical boxes, plumbing stacks, etc.  Sometimes these leaks are easy to find, but the sure way to find them is to have a blower door test performed.

In simple terms, this test pressurizes your home while infrared photos are taken to expose air movement around doors and windows and through the roof. It’s truly amazing how leaky most homes are. This simple test will go a long way toward determining how to make your home more energy efficient and durable.

As we hit the frigid months in Minnesota you are probably talking about the cold.  Mostly likely not just the cold outside, but in your house too.  Those drafts creeping around the house that make you not want to leave the warmth of a blanket or the covers on your bed.  At some point you’ve probably compared heating bills with a neighbor or a co-worker and wished you had bragging rights with a minuscule bill.

Well the good news is that you could get rid of those drafts and lower those heating bills.  The best news is that over the long-term these solution help pay for themselves.  There are a few options for you to consider to keep cozy and warm for the next five months until we start thawing out.

The industry leading technologies like geo-thermal, wind, and solar are becoming popular option.  The question is, are they really worthwhile? It depends. Some technologies work better in Minnesota than others. Solar clearly works better in southern climates, but as technology improves it becomes more viable every day. Wind is great, but not totally reliable and while everyone likes cheap electricity most don’t like looking at towers. Geo-thermal gets lots of press and promotion. I love geo-thermal and would strongly consider it in my next home. However, if I were to put that same amount of money into the shell of the home geo-thermal system may no longer make sense.

In other words, the less energy a home consumes the less energy there is to save. That’s why I always recommend attacking the shell of an older home first. This includes air sealing, insulation, windows , siding, etc. Once the shell is performing the way it should, the mechanical needs will change dramatically. Then one can determine which mechanical systems make the most sense. No point in bringing a firetruck to put out a match.

As added incentive many of the these options have tax credits right now too.  If you’re starting to warm up to the idea of saving on you electrical and heating bills, getting some great tax credits, and enjoying your cozy home even more  send us an email or give us a call to discuss what might be right for your home.