The cold drafts that winter brings can make life uncomfortable for many. It is, therefore, critical that homeowners arm their residences with the right kind of protection against inclement weather. Building engineers from Drexel gave tips to keep out the cold and turn up the heat, in the best possible ways.

Among the most beneficial methods that homeowners can do is to fortify their windows and other features of the home against the cold. As posted on Drexel University’s news blog:

“Tightening the envelope: Window insulator kits are widely available at local hardware stores and online. If you have an air-conditioner that is fixed into place year-round, buy an insulating cover to put on it in the winter. Thermal blocks and weather stripping around doors can also help to keep heat inside. Putting plastic sheeting over windows to create a heat seal is another option, but a bit more time consuming.”

Aside from the comfort that these simple methods can provide, homeowners will also be able to reduce their energy bills. Insulating windows and doors reduces the entry and exit points of air and heat, which means that heating and cooling systems will not have to work as hard to maintain ideal indoor temperature.

Should homeowners wish to maximize the advantages offered by insulation, they can ask for the assistance of a professional home improvement contractor such as Waddle Exteriors. Replacement windows in Omaha, for instance, can provide better value where winter-proofing a home is concerned.

Installing energy-efficient windows is an investment that brings in cost savings and optimal comfort for the long term. This is because the materials primarily used in these types of windows are designed to prevent the transfer of hot and cold air, as well as minimize the entry of harmful UV rays into the home.

In addition, trusted NE window replacement contractors such as Waddle Exteriors offer several window styles. In this way, they can address a wide range of budget, aesthetic, and personal requirements. The fact that such home improvement providers are factory-trained by established manufacturers in the country also builds on the rewards from the solution.

(Article Excerpt and Image from ‘Forget the Fireplace’ – Engineers’ Tips For an Energy Efficient, Warm Winter, January 9, 2014, Drexel News Blog)

If you invest in the installation of quality gutters by Des Moines roofing contractors like Waddle Exteriors then you can guarantee that your house’s exterior and foundation are effectively defended against water damage. The very purpose of gutters is to help in controlling and redirecting rainwater flow from the roof to the ground where the drains are located. Hence, it is very important to maintain your gutters and keep them free from debris that may clog them up and compromise their integrity.

A news article written by Sam Nelson last May 31 for reuters.com reported about Iowa receiving the most spring rainfall on record since 141 years ago, which resulted to slow crop plantings and reduced yields. According to Harry Hillaker, Iowa State Climatologist, from March until May of this year, which is the spring record keeping period of the state, Iowa had already received 17.48 inches of rain.It was in 1892 that Iowa received 15.36 inches of rain, which is the most in record, but was beat during this year’s spring rainfall.

As written in the article: Hillaker said typical March-May rainfall in the state was 10.22 inches. “That would be normal and is based on rainfall received for the past 30 years,” he said.

Excessive rainfall has affected corn and soybean plantings, which can reduce the yield potential for the 2013 crop season. Unfortunately, crops are not the only ones affected during these times, houses as well can be negatively affected by this additional rainfall in Iowa.

In this kind of weather, gutters are important to protect your roof from moisture and leaks that may eventually harm your home’s structural components. Moreover, gutters ensure that rainwater will be directed away from your roof, thereby minimizing the incidence of water pooling on its surface.

Homeowners don’t always realize it, but installing a gutter and a gutter cover system like the Gutter Topper in Dubuque or Des Moines is important. It’s also necessary to have them repaired and checked regularly. Take note that it is recommended to have gutter maintenance and repairs on seasons or days when it is least likely to rain or snow.

(Article Excerpt and Image from Top U.S. corn state Iowa receives most spring rain on record, Reuters, May 31, 2013)

An article published by Reuters on July 15, 2013 discussed the current struggles of the construction industry. Homebuilding companies have been struggling to meet deadlines and new orders from prospective homeowners due to the shortage of construction supplies and manpower. Moreover, banks and other lenders are still reluctant to lend to homebuilding companies because of the liquidity crisis of 2007 and 2008.
An excerpt from the article stated that:

A wider housing market recovery has yet to filter down to regional building products makers – the companies that supply the roofing, walls and interior fittings needed to build these new homes.

They are operating in a much tighter credit market, and with workforces pruned during the recession triggered by the housing market crash in 2007.

A much less flexible credit market, combined with the scarcity of building materials and manpower, means that construction has been lagging behind demand. The recent government shut down is also adding fuel to the fire. Since thousands of federal workers have been furloughed, lenders are having a hard time verifying borrowers’ income and other data with the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration, making it hard to authorize loans.

As these developments have been affecting the housing market, analysts from the National Association of Home Builders recommend that home buyers and builders place their projects on temporary hold until the debt and budget deadlines are settled in Washington. Instead of upgrading to brand new homes, current homeowners should consider refurbishing their current homes. This can be achieved with the help of roofing contractors in Omaha, like Waddle Exteriors.

Homeowners can opt to refurbish and beautify their current homes, and roofing contractors in Des Moines, IA can restore the functionality and aesthetic appeal of roofing systems. Aside from roof repairs and installations, these licensed contractors can also install and repair gutters, siding, and windows. Homeowners are given additional peace of mind, since many roof repairs are covered by homeowners’ insurance.

With the current state of the housing sector and the economy, it is wise for homeowners to stay put in their current abodes. Certified and experienced roofing contractors, from companies like Waddle Exteriors, can boost your home’s resale value and curb appeal with their remodeling work. This way, when the housing market does recover, your home will receive a higher appraisal amount.

(Info from Starved of credit, construction suppliers lag housing rebound; Reuters; Jul 15, 2013)

In April this year, a strong overnight storm damaged several properties in Kearney including the local University of Nebraska campus. According to a report on 1011now.com, the director of emergency management for Buffalo County and Kearney reported no injuries during the storm, which nonetheless tore roofs off a number of buildings. Professional Nebraska roofing teams were called for immediate assessments and repair work.

The storm brought on hail stones the size of golf balls, heavy rains, and winds that were as strong as 70 miles per hour. University of Nebraska staff, together with private contractors, discovered that the winds peeled back the roof of the Fine Arts Building and destroyed the roof of the Calvin T. Ryan library altogether.

Besides getting its roof torn off, the Calvin T. Ryan library was also flooded by seeping rainwater. Barbara Johnson, the university’s vice chancellor for business and finance, was quoted by 1011now.com as saying that they would have to clean up debris that spread all over the campus as well as clear the library of books. Thousands of books and materials were set to be laid outside to air-dry.

Officials also had to inspect and thoroughly assess other areas of the sprawling campus for more potential damage. Johnson added, “We will go over [everything], make an assessment, do something, whatever is necessary temporarily to make it safe for our students, faculty, and staff to be on campus.”

There were more reports of debris scattered on streets all around town and cases of flooding in a number of homes. The roof of a mobile home located on 15th Avenue was blown off completely.

Incidents like this that bring about considerable roof-related issues and necessitate emergency repairs highlight the importance of Nebraska roofing contractors, as their expertise and full assistance will definitely be needed to restore order in affected facilities and communities. There are roofing companies that can deploy rapid-response teams even in the midst of storms, when this is still safe, to patch up minor leaks and prevent further damage. Other companies, such as Waddle Exteriors, can also help in the aftermath with replacements and new installations.

According to an August 26, 2013 news story by The Washington Post, Nebraska, Iowa, and other Midwestern states are in for some “piercing cold with normal snowfall” this winter season. This leaves homeowners in these states a few months to ensure that their roofs are ready for winter. Thus, many of them will have to find roofing contractors, fast. Roofers are a dime a dozen, but homeowners should consider three “must-haves” when hiring roofing contractors in Omaha, Dubuque, or any place in the Midwest.

The first thing a professional roofing contractor must have is a license to practice in the state. Many cities and states require a professional to be licensed there for any contractor work. For example, the Omaha Planning Department requires contractors to be licensed in one of five different classes, one of which (class E) is for roofing, siding, window, and deck installers. One should ask a prospective hire for his license number and then cross-check it at the local government’s website for licensed contractors.

Aside from a license, another thing a professional contractor must have is insurance coverage. Owens Corning, one of the country’s top manufacturers of home-building materials, says that a contractor maintains insurance coverage to protect a home from accidental damage. The Omaha Planning Department also requires a contractor to have insurance. Just like asking the roofer for his license, it is equally important to ask about the coverage plans he carries in case any mishaps occur at a project site.

While this is currently not required by any city or state, one thing a roofer virtually must have is a certification from a renowned organization. A certification, especially one that is verifiable online, proves that the contractor meets the high standards set by an organization that is respected by the public. It lets homeowners know that a particular company is well-versed in certain roof system types, materials, and procedures outlined by a specific manufacturer. For example, an accredited ShingleMaster™ for roofing manufacturer CertainTeed like Waddle Exteriors can be trusted to install that product properly and efficiently.

To recap, reputable roofers must have at least a license, insurance, and a professional certification. For the most part, whether or not they have these three can be verified online. These must-haves can help homeowners search for Nebraska or even Iowa roofing contractors who can be trusted to do the job they need in time for the piercing winter.