Month: September 2015

Why You Should Invest In Window Replacement  To Save Money On Heating And Cooling Bills

Older style windows did not place a lot of emphasis on whether or not they insulated enough to help you save on your heating and cooling bills. Aesthetics was the driving force behind most designs, if not pure functionality. Yet as energy costs have sky rocketed in recent decades, the desire to find as many energy efficient, cost effective devices as possible to bring into our lives has also risen. Windows may not seem like the first place to start with helping make your home more environmentally friendly. They let light in and we are happy with that outcome. But they are perhaps the most vulnerable spots in your house, where hot and cold air sometimes moves freely in and out of your house. If you have ever wondered why your air conditioning bill is so expensive in the summer, and heating expenditures so great in the winter, it could very well be the panes of glass you take for granted.

Aside from seeing larger than expected energy bills in the mail every month, there are certain clues that will help you to know when is the proper time to replace your old windows. For starters, certain rooms seem hotter and/or colder than the temperature set on the thermostat. There should be one uniform reading for the entire house since the ducts blow the same air throughout. On the same token, if you find that your air conditioning system works a bit harder than it should, then that could be a sign that your windows are not doing their job. More physical evidence can be an extra bit of dust around the panes, especially on the sill. If there are cracks or leaks anywhere on its surface or the edges, then not only will heat or cold be seeping in and out, but so will dirt. This could lead to health problems, as dust and dirt often carry with them allergens.

When you have finally had enough of paying extra on energy costs or extra visits to the doctor, the gold standard in efficient windows are the ones that are Energy Star rated. Though there are a variety of panes that they can replace, they will help you to save up to hundreds of dollars a year on utilities. Governments also value making their citizen more conscious of their energy usage. In the United States, those who make the switch to Energy Star rated windows receive a tax credit of up to ten percent on every $200 spent. While some might think of these new products as bulky and unlovely, this is a bit of a misrepresentation. Whether you are involved with a historic preservation project, or simply looking to upgrade the look of your home, you can do so in a way that is environmentally responsible and aesthetically pleasing. After all, you should not have to sacrifice style in the name of science.

If you are looking for a window replacement contractor in Prince George VA, contact Timothy’s Home Improvement.

We tend not to think of our roofs until there is water seeping through our ceilings, or some other disaster befalls our homes from without. However, more strict attention to that area of our houses above our heads can helps us avoid greater problems in the future. Here are ten common roof problems that could spell not only headaches, but also severe financial difficulties:

Leaky Roof: In many respects, these are the most common but most difficult to spot until you feel that telltale drip on your forehead. When standing on the ground by your house, you also cannot see any flaws in your tiles. Therefore, climbing up there and performing regular inspections is key.

Poor Installation: Perhaps you hired a roofing contractor on the cheap? Or were busy with other details of your house’s construction that you did not check out their credentials? These are easy mistakes to make, but make sure you do not repeat that when you get it fixed.

Brutal Sun: Most places are sunny most days of the year. Even in cold environments with short winter days, continuous exposure to the sun’s rays can warp tiles, split boards, and deteriorate linings.

Plant Life: The converse of the sun’s rays is moisture. When combined with the dust and dirt that can collect on roof’s surface, there then grows various mosses and fungi that eat away at the structural integrity of the roof itself.

Storms: Rain, snow, sleet, or hail are not possible impediments to just mail carriers. Aside from the problems of moisture discussed already, wind can blow tiles off and open up not simply leaks but giant holes in your roof.

Accessories: Various kinds of gutters and vents are necessary parts of roofs, but they can pose separate issues that can affect the good condition of your roof. If they tear off in a storm, for example, they can open up difficult to plug holes.

Trees: We all like a well-shaded yard, but trees harbor a number of potential problems for roofs. Letting falling leaves gather up there can eventually lead to a cave-in. Falling branches, or the entire tree itself, can accomplish this event instantaneously.

Chimneys: Chimneys are a part of your house, but sealing them up with the roof can sometimes be a tricky task. If not done properly, then moisture can seep in through any gap in the roof and undermine the roof and the structure of the house itself.

Ice Dams: For those who live in areas that experience large amounts of snowfall, the buildup of icicles along the roof edge can lead to an ice dam. Snow seems so light, but the ice dam is heavy and if left unattended, can bring the entire roof down with it.

Improper Interior Insulation: We like to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When insulation is not done correctly inside, cold and warm air meet in the attic creating condensation. That moisture literally rot your roof from the inside.