With winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to ensure your home is protected from the unpredictable Minnesota weather!
Dealing with your insurance company? We can help take that stress off your shoulders!
Let us give you peace of mind a recieve a courtesy inspection from Advanced Home Improvements TODAY!!!
The winter season will soon be upon us; here are a few things you should know about ice dams before the snow and cold hits!!
If your home has asphalt shingles (which most do), then you are at a significant risk for developing ice dams.
What are ice dams?
If you let snow build up on your roof, you are putting yourself at risk for ice dams developing. When snow on your roof melts and runs down the roof to the edge/ eaves (which are not insulated) it will freeze again. As more and more snow melts, the ice builds up, creating an ice dam.
If gone untreated, the water will back up into the shingles, creating a potentially bigger problem – roof leaks.
This illustration shows how ice dams develope.
(-photo credit http://www.roofcalc.org/top-10-ice-dams-prevention-products/)
What are some ways to prevent these ice dams from forming?
For more information about ice dams, visit our website! www.advancedhomeimprovement.com
If you suspect that ice dams have ruined your roof, call us for a FREE roof estimate!!
Ever notice the drops of water that form on your glass when you’re sitting outside enjoying a cold beverage on a hot day?
Window condensation is just that…moisture from warm air collecting on a cool glass surface. Condensating windows doesn’t necessarily mean they are defective; this is more of an indication that your home is too humid, isn’t ventilating correctly, or both.
Fortunately, there are a few small things you can do to reduce the moisture in your home.
If the necessary steps to controll moisture in your home are not taken; serious consequences can occur:
For more information about window condensation, or to get an estimate for new windows, contact Advanced Home Improvements, your window experts!
As a homeowner, you may wonder, when is it time for me to get a new roof?
There are a few things to take into consideration; the age of your roof, are you selling your home in the next few years, do you notice any leaks, and has there been any potential for storm damage recently.
If you notice that your roof is just plain looking old and worn out, or if your neighbors happen to be replacing their roofs (and your homes were built around the same time), it may be time to replace your roof. Some signs to look out for are: curling shingles, cracked shingles, and bald spots where granules are missing.
Are you planning on moving in the near future? If so, and your roof is looking old and outdated, a new roof can give your home just the right amount of curb appeal it may need in order to sell. Remember, the first impression is the most important, and one of the first things a potential home buyer will see is the roof.
Have you noticed any areas in your ceiling that appear to be getting wet? Then you may want to have your roof looked at. Water leaks left untreated by roof damage can cause a whole lot more problems, and may end up costing you more money in the future.
With the terrible weather we have had in Minnesota the past few years, our homes have taken a beating. You may even have damage that you don’t even realize because it hasn’t become a problem yet. Let us give you peace of mind and come inspect your roof for you. Hail or wind damage gone untreated can lead to many more problems in the future; especially with winter coming.
If you suspect that you may have storm damage, don’t wait! Call us for a complimentary inspection!
- How old is your home/ siding?
If your home was built before 1978, you will need to have it tested for lead. The test is very simple, if lead is found, the tearing off and disposal of the siding will need to be done a bit more carefully.
- Have there been any bad storms recently in your area?
Hail and wind can wreak havoc on your home. Let us come inspect your siding to give you peace of mind that the exterior of your home is doing its’ job! We are experienced in handling insurance claims and will make sure your home is restored to its’ previous condition!
- Have you ever had any water problems?
Water leaks coming in through the walls could be a sign that your siding has been damaged and isn’t protecting your home as well as it could be.
- Do you have any area’s around your home that may allow for any critters to get in (birds, mice, bats, ants, termites, etc.)? These area’s could be as small as a quarter, and can be located in your soffits, fascia, or siding.
- What type of neighborhood do you live in? What type of siding do the other homes predominately have?
In 2009 we sided a home in Maple Grove, MN, in a very nice neighborhood. A block away, there are 1 million dollar homes; a block in the other direction, the homes value around $250,000. This home was right smack in between the two. We could have put up vinyl siding, but after looking at the surrounding areas, and being in a neighborhood that would yield a higher dollar amount in a few years, we researched the best value for this customer and went with a fiber cement board to give the front of the home more value. This type of face lift will position your home to sell and to be envied.
- What type of house wrap do you currently have?
Tyvek is the pioneer, and ultimately created housing wrap. House wrap needs to breath…a great test is to hold the product face out, it should hold water; when you turn it around, water should drip through.
- Do you also require new windows?
If so, you will want the windows installed prior to the installation of your new siding. It will make the installation of the windows more airtight, and the flashing will be better because a window tape will be used to the house and the house wrap. However, if new windows are not in your budget, then using a bit more care, and aluminum flashing, we can still do the job right.
- What type of siding do you currently have? What type of siding is best?
As mentioned earlier, your neighborhood can help you out with that answer. There are a few different types: vinyl and steel siding are very popular.
Vinyl siding has gotten a bad reputation in the past due to bad seams, bubbling, wind tearing it off, cracking in the winter time, and fading; but it has come a long way in the past 10 years. Here is a little advice coming from 20 years in business and the process of trial and error:
Bad seams – bad seams, more often than not, stem from a poorly made product. Another cause of this is poor installation, as vinyl siding is known to expand and contract.
Bubbling – this comes from poor installation; not hitting studs, nailing tight, or using a staple gun and not hitting a stud. It is important to have installers who are certified in the product being installed. Every manufacturer has certain ways they want their siding product installed; using a professional who will follow those guidelines will allow you to get your full warranty. If a company is certified, that means their installers will be as well.
Wind damage – again, this is an issue of installation gone wrong. Simply using the incorrect size nails can cause this and will void your warranty…this is why it is so important to have ANY product on your home installed by someone following the manufacturers specifications. Neglecting those specifications can end up costing you more money, as your product will not be in compliance with the warranty.
Cracking and Fading – these are manufacturer issues; consult your warranty information. If you have misplaced it, you can find it easily online by going to the manufacturers website. If you are unsure of the type of product that was used, consult your installer if you did not do it yourself.
All this information should give you a little insight into your siding. Vinyl siding seems like it comes with a lot of issues, but as you can see, the majority of the issues are caused by POOR INSTALLATION! These companies have spent millions of dollars on research on how to make these products better, and over time, they have improved. However, don’t take a chance and lose your warranty by having an uncertified installer working on your home.
Steel siding has always been a great option. Unlike vinyl siding, it contracts and expands very little, and maintains its look for a long period of time.
Here are some pros and cons to steel siding:
- If you dent your steel siding, you’re pretty much stuck with the dent…your contractor can replace it, but it cannot be easily done without residual damage to the surrounding pieces. Though it may contract and expand very little, with seamless steel siding in the colder months you can literally hear it contracting and expanding; and it is very loud.
- Rusting can happen, though it is a rarity.
- You can never get a real wood look with steel siding, as the enamel paint has a sheer look to it, and a matte finish is impossible – unlike vinyl siding where this look can be achieved.
- Steel siding is very durable, and along with correct installation, can last a lifetime with very few issues.
- It is nailed tight so it hardly ever blows off, even with poor installation (missing a stud here and there) the ones they hit will hold the product on.
- Edco makes a great product that you can literally bury in the ground and the warranty will still remain! That is impressive!
There are many factors to take into consideration when you decide to replace your siding, and choosing which product to use. We can help you decide!
Call Advanced Home Improvements for a FREE estimate today!
Check out this beautiful basement remodel we completed in Maple Grove, MN!
If your basement is unfinished, or just needs an update, give Advanced Home Improvements a call for a FREE ESTIMATE!
When you think about remodeling your bathroom, the obvious factors that come into play are: what color to paint the walls, what kind of tile do you want, what needs to be replaced, etc.
Here are some other things to keep in mind when you have a contractor come out to your home to provide you with an estimate to remodel your bathroom:
- Who is the primary user of the bathroom (kids bath, master bath, guest bath, etc.)?
- What do you like about your current bathroom?
- What don’t you like about your current bathroom?
- What is the theme of your bathroom?
- Do you want more outlets?
- How about the lighting?
- Would a higher toilet seat be better?
Along with these factors, you may also want to keep in mind what is currently trending in bathroom designs. Some things we are noticing are:
- Large glass walk-in showers with no doors
- Sun filled rooms (skylights offer natural light when you’re getting ready for work in the morning)
- Larger tiles for the flooring
- Heated floors
- Jacuzzi tubs are being replaced with soaking tubs
These are just a few things to consider when preparing for the first meeting with your contractor to remodel your bathroom.
Check out our project gallery for more ideas on how to remodel your bathroom, and contact us to receive a free estimate!
Every homeowner has at least one room in their home that is conveniently left out of their tour when loved ones come to visit for the first time. For many, especially those with new homes, it is the basement.
Whether it is unfinished, or being used as a big storage room, the basement can be a particularly unsightly area of your home. Advanced Home Improvements can take that cold, empty room nobody wants to go in and turn it into the perfect place for entertaining or just hanging out with your family.
This project we are exceptionally proud of. We took what was basically a lifeless dungeon, and turned it into this:
Having an area in your home such as this one really can bring a family together. There’s a kitchen area to make snacks, a large flatscreen tv with a cozy fireplace below it, along with a ping pong table for both kids and adults to enjoy.
Who doesn’t want to spend more time together as a family?
Often times, your kids get home from school and run off to their friends house to play or barricade themselves in their bedrooms all night. Why not give them a reason to want to stay home and spend time together?
Not only would a remodeled family room invite more family time, but think of the celebrations to be had. You’ll feel proud to have your friends and family over to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations, and all the other milestones in which wonderful memories are made.
Contact us for a FREE estimate!
Nothing is as important as the health as safety of our friends and families. As you watch your loved ones this holiday season, you may notice they have a harder time getting around their home than they use to.
While their health and safety is your number one priority, there is no reason to rush them to an assisted living, or long term care facility any more. With the advances in medicine, home improvements, and the use of home health aids, you can keep your parent or grandparent living in their home as long as possible!
There are many modifications Advanced Home Improvements can make in their home to create a safe environment for them. If wheelchairs are necessary for their mobility, we can widen hallways and doorways to allow them to move about their home with ease. We can also install ramps, hand rails, and any other equipment that they may need in order to complete their activities of daily living.
Another improvement we can make to their bathroom to increase their safety, is installing a walk-in bathtub so there is no risk of slipping and falling when entering/ exiting the bathtub; which is a major cause of falls and injuries.
Contact us today to see how we can help your loved one age in place, safely!
It’s no surprise to any of you that the weather in Minnesota this year has been anything but predictable. From our long winter, to the quick warm up in temperatures, to storms, wind, and hail; your roof has taken quite a beating (especially in the Eden Prairie, Bloomington & Eagan area.)
You may not notice any obvious damage, such as leakes or shingles blown off, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be there.Winter is NOT the time to find out that your roof isn’t protecting your home and your family as it should be.
Let us come take a look at your roof BEFORE winter hits so you know your home is protected from further damage. Dealing with your insurance company? We can help take that stress off your shoulders!
Let us give you peace of mind a recieve a courtesy inspection from Advanced Home Improvements TODAY!!!
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