Residential

With weeks of high temperatures.  Midwest Roofing Services began looking at how to Conserve Energy and Costs. We found some simple tips to reduce energy usage and potentially save on electric bills.

Simple Tips to stay cool, while reducing energy usage and saving on electric bills

1. Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level (78 degrees) when at home. Programable Thermostats are great  to set temps at a higher level when not at home. Lowering themostat setting below the desired temperature will not cool the home faster.

2. To reduce heat and moisture during warmest part of the day, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or evening hours when it is generally cooler outside.

3. Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed.  About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat to your home.  Awnings are even better  and can even reduce heat gain by up to 75 percent.  Window coatings and window film can reflect as much as 80 percent of direct rays from the sun.

*Keep doors to the outside, garage and attics keep firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.

*Use fans to evenly distribute cool air and reduce the air conditioniner's "on" time. Ceiling fans use much lower levels of electricity compared to air conditioners.

*Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.

4.Turn off lights and electronics not in use. These devices not only use extra electricity, but they add heat to your home, making air conditioner work harder.

5. Keep the doors to refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible.

We are all trying to stay cool and save and hopefully these few tips will help you stay cool and save energy too!

Midwest Roofing Services Going Green One Step Time!

In a emergency situation which may call for some drastic measures. A roof which has suffered damage due to heavy rains, tornado, hail, and storms etc. classify sometime for a emergency repair. The roof is perhaps the most important part of the house, besides the people living in the house. A damaged roof will directly affect the stability of the entire structure of the house and is a cause for prompt action.

An extreme weather condition is more often the cause for emergency repair of the roof. If help is available you should make use of it. In conditions where emergency repair is warranted, it is best to make use of an experienced roofer rather than to try to do it yourself.  Midwest Roofing Services has the capability to come out in the event of a need for a emergency repair.  Our qualified crews and service writers will know how to assess the situation and make temporary repairs.  Temporary repairs are just that temporary.  Midwest Roofing can work with you and your insurance company on going about repairs and or replacement of your roof.  

Midwest Roofing Services has been repairing and replacing roofs for over 55 years. We are here to help educate our clients on the products and services that we provide. Midwest Roofing Services has a 4 step process to help eliminate any confusion. Also throughout the 4 step process we will inform and educate our clients to make the right selection that will fit the clients needs. Customers come first here at Midwest Roofing Services and we offer Priority Service  which will help you get on a list to get your roof fixed fast.  On our website click on the Priority Service icon  located on the left side of the front page of the website.  We will send you a email response immediately and begin all of the necessary steps .  When you sign up for our Priority Service, you will get your roof fixed fast, and you can feel safe and secure that your home or business won't suffer any further damage from subsequent storms. Why Wait? Sign up today.  A New Roof is just a few clicks away!

Midwest Roofing Services Going green One Step at a Time!

 Proper Ventilation can help reduce air conditioning costs.  Some regular ridge vents can reduce air conditioning costs with additional vents and a properly vented attic does lower the attic temperature, the only way to dramatically lower the attic temperature is with a power vent.  

Should you install a powered vent?

Powered vents use a fan to force air throught the vent. There are powered roof gable vents available. Some use electricity and others are solar-powered. Most thermostatically controlled, set to run when the attic temp reaches a  defined temp and stop when the air cools by a predetermined amount . (Usually a 15 degree increase)

Power vents do have both benefits and drawbacks. If you are having difficulty cooling your attic with passive vents due to architectural design, lack of venting options, and or too many problems are causing heat to enter the attic.  Powered vents are a good option and possibly your last resort without making drastic changes to your homes design.

Types of Vents

Intake Vents in modern homes are typically located in the soffits under the eaves. Older homes may have been been outfitted with either starter vents or circular vents

Starter Vents are installed when the eaves a top at the wall ad do not overhang to allow for soffits to be installed.

Circular Vents are installed when eaves exist without room soffits. These vents are installed directly into the blocking between the exposed rafters.

Outlet Vents allows the air to escape from your attic and are installed at a higher elevation. Roof vents, ridge vents, and gable vents are used as outlets in the attic.

Roof Vents are water tight units made of light gauge metal or plastic and are installed directly into the roof system. The common various styles and colors and range in size.

Ridge Vents are installed along the top of the ridge of your home, where the two slopes meet, capping the top courses of shingles. A sufficient opening should be made in the sheathing to allow the vent to work without compromising the water tight integrity.

Ridge Vents are the least conspicuous of all venting solutions, they are usually the smae color as the shingles and are held back fromt he gableendsof the house to provide the best aesthetic look and to protect them from wind driven rain. While a lower profile ridge vent may be chosen for aesthetic reasons, it should be chosen to ensure the best air circulation first and foremost.

Gable Vents are installed in the attic at each end, or gable of the house. It is typically a louvered vent cut and installed directly into the siding.  

Drawbacks to powered vents will need to be weighed before a final decision is made.  

After Roofing company installs the correct type of venting of your home. You will need a licensed electrician if you plan on installing electrical powered vents, and your electric bill could increase.

If you do not have a air tight attic, the vent may pull warm air  up from below, increasing heat in the winter in your attic which can cause snow melt faster near the top of the roof . The snow melt can than refreeze near the end of the roof forming an ice dam. 

Midwest Roofing Services would be glad to look at your roof and to help you make decision on what type of ventilation would be beneficial to your homes needs

Midwest Roofing Services Going Green One Step at Time!

Proper Ventilation of your attic has multiple benefits for your home and your health of your family. Building codes have required that ventilation be installed in every region of the United States.

Proper Ventilation:

Will Help extend the life of your roof shingles by keeping the roof cooler in hot weather.

Will Help reduce cooling costs by allowing the heated air to circulate out of the attic.

Will Help prevent moisture build-up and the growth of mold and mildew that can affect your family's health and  rot the framing which can cause expensive damage.

Will Help in the winter to prevent ice damming. In freezing temps during the day, the attic is often warmer than the outside air. Snow will melt in the higher areas of the roof where the heat accumulates in the attic and refreezes when it cools off by the eaves.

How does proper ventilation help your attic to breathe?

We need to breath to get fresh air in and out. For the same reasons your attic needs to breath as well. Most homes have a passive venting system which requires a balance between the intakes  and outlets. Intakes and outlets are placed strategically to allow the greatest amout of circulation. As hot air rise, intake vents placed at lower points in the attic with outlets higher up. As the hot air escapes throught the outlets vents, it creates a minor vacuum that draws in fresh air through the lower intake vents.

Powered vents can also be used. These vents use electric powered fans to force air throught the vents.

Determining how much venting you need?

The size and placement of vents depends on the roof configuration and the size of the attic. Placement of attic vents should be determined by the size and shape of the attic area as well. Care should be taken to verify that the vent locations will vent all attic areas. If sheathing or fire stopping blocks off an area of the attic, additional vents may be recommended.

How do you know if you are having venting problems?

A through inspection of your attic space should be done to determine if you are having any problems that can attribute to poor venting.

Check for frost on the underside of the roof or on the rafters. This is caused by warm moist air that has been trapped and condensened subsequently freezing on the wood.

1. Look for water-stained or blackened wood, signs of mildew, mold, or rot.

2. Check for rusted nails or other metals. This is also a sign of condensation.

3. Is there any matted down insulation? This could be a sign of a roof leak from ice damming or other damage to your roof.

What are the best solutions for creating a well ventilated attic?

Make sure that your shingle manufacture's guidelines and building codes are followed for proper attic vent design layout. This will reduce the amount of condensation and excess heat that can build-up leading to a longer life of your roof and sheathing. Also proper ventilation will help remove the excess heat in the winter reducing the chances or forming ice dam which can backup in your attic causing water damage, mold, and rot.

Midwest Roofing Services can Help

Midwest Roofing Services has been in the business of installing and repairing roofs for 55 years throughout the Midwest. Ventilation is a part of the roof installation process and if your suspect that you are having ventilation problems give us a call.  We will inspect your attic, roof and ventilation sustem and determine what needs to be done to make your home safer and healthier. 

Midwest Roofing Services Going Green One Step at a Time!