Icicles in the winter time…they look pretty and magical hanging from your house, but once you learn what kind of damage they can cause, they start looking pesky and problematic.
Any kind of winter weather that allows for the formation of icicles creates the perfect conditions for the formation of an ice dam, a buildup of solid ice along your gutter line.
What kind of damage can they do?
-Tear off your gutters
-Loosen your roof’s shingles
-Create a water backup that could leak into your house (Think, peeling paint, saggy ceilings, deformed floors, and mold!)
Fortunately, our winter has been mild so far. But, we’ve still got a few months to go before we can say spring has sprung and who knows what kind of wicked weather those few months might bring.
Preventing ice dams is easy.
- Invest in CertainTeed’s Winter Guard Shingles, which are specifically designed to prevent winter damages, such as ice dams, and protect the most vulnerable parts of your roof.
- Protect your gutters with Rhino Gutter Guards, which will keep snow & debris from clogging your gutters. This helps eliminate the added weight a heavy snowfall can dump on your roof.
- Line the outskirts of your roof with heated cables, which help to equalize your roof’s pressure by heating it from the outside.
- Add insulation to your attic. This simple fix prevents ice buildup by stopping heat from drafting where it doesn’t belong.
REMEMBER: Never try to hammer away or throw salt on an ice dam. Both are bad for your roof and could also put you in danger from falling ice.
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We’re always looking for ways to update and improve our homes. After all, the little quirky additions we add along the way are what make our houses the place we call home. One of the best, but least obvious ways to create a dramatic makeover effect in any room, that most people often overlook, is by introducing a different perspective with new windows or skylights.
If you’re thinking a part of your home might be ready for a spruce up by the addition of some extra sunlight and the illusion of a bigger space, you have many, many options to choose from. The following are a few quick guidelines that will help you choose the most flattering styles and features.
If you want to add more light to a room…
Keep into consideration factors such as size, angle, and room color. Yes it’s obvious, but for more light, you’ll want larger windows. Bow and Bay windows are excellent choices for brightening up and expanding the view of any room in your home.
Don’t forget to take into account the direction that your home faces and the way in which the sun hits your house at different times of the day during different times of the year. Here is how light typically hits a home:
- East & West Facing Windows let in the the glow of dawn and dusk, but also allow the harsh glares of that strong afternoon sun.
- Southern Facing Windows are best for a soft, ambient light.
- Northern Facing Windows will catch cooly lit, indirect light.
If you want better ventilation…
Casement windows, which openly completely outward by the twist of a metal gear, are most effective for regulating airflow. Some things to keep in mind:
- Seasonal wind patterns – windows can be strategically paired to best capture cross ventilation
- Airflow is maximized when windows are placed away from corners
- The ability for windows to cool down your home increases if a breeze enters through a smaller window and exits through a larger one
If you want to add character to a room…
Just like with aiming for more light, bow and bay windows are also great for defining a workplace or family room because of their 3-dimensional qualities. For a detailed impact, group windows at one specific focal point or introduce a single fixed pane to a bold place. Really take the time to discover your home and pin point places you may have overlooked where an accent window would be just the thing to turn a room into a place that feels like home.
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Did you know that your thermostat controls half of your energy bill? That’s right, half! That’s huge! So if you’re not really familiar with all of the functions and settings on your current thermostat (some can be annoyingly confusing!), you could potentially be losing money that would otherwise be saved.
That’s why we think the new Nest Learning Thermostat is so totally awesome. After you install it and begin using it, it learns your routine and adjusts itself based on when it knows you leave for the day, go to sleep, and hang around in your house. It makes conserving energy easy and effortless for everyone and everyone.
In addition to efficiently controlling your home’s temperature, there are several other things you can do to make sure you’re conserving as much energy as possible and keeping your energy bill lower than ever.
- How old is your home’s insulation? Making sure that your home is properly and sufficiently insulated is one of the number one factors for making sure that the heat you’re using to keep your home warm isn’t being wasted or lost.
- Check that roof. Having your roof checked for cracks and crevices or old and broken shingles can make or break your energy bill. Hot air rises and preventing it from escaping through your roof is an easy way to make sure you’re conserving energy.
- Seal your windows nice and tight. Just like air can escape through unnoticed cracks in your roof, you could also be losing heat through your windows. Double check for any small cracks in the glass and make sure the area around your windows is tightly sealed as well.
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Winter’s cold is long settled in by now and as the temperature’s have dropped, we bet you’ve watched your home heating costs rise. However, keeping your home warm and cozy during the cold months of the year doesn’t have to make you feel like there’s an undetected hole in your wallet.
CertainTeed has offered up some great energy-efficient winterization tips that can help you keep the heat in your home and money in your wallet this season. Check em’ out.
Adding insulation
Installing insulation is one of the easiest ways to reduce your utility bills. Think about your attic for a second. Chances are if any ceiling joists are visible when you look up, it would be a good idea to add some extra insulation. CertainTeed makes a fiberglass blowing insulation that works well in attics because it fills those hard to reach spaces that are most prone to air leakage. It’s also a good idea to insulate any exposed pipes, especially ones that are located in outer walls, crawl spaces, and the garage.
Exterior prep
- Double check for and replace any worn out, old shingles.
- Remove any debris, such as leaves and branches, from your roof and gutters. This is an important step in preventing ice dams in the event of snowfall.
- Shut off any water supplies to your outdoor faucets and hoses.
A few more tricks and tips
- Have your furnace checked so you know it’s in good, working condition (Bonus tip: change your furnace filters every 1 to 3 months)
- A bit obvious and very simple but, keep drapes and curtains closed to prevent drafts and excess cold air from entering
- Create extra moisture in the rooms your family uses most often with a humidifier. This will make the air feel warmer and helps lower your chances of getting sick!
- You know how the warm air always gets trapped up by the ceiling? Get it to come down and warm up the room by reversing the direction of your ceiling fans.
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DryHome Roofing & Siding has selected Barbara Green, a recent widow and Loudoun County native, as the recipient of its ninth annual Free Roof for the Holidays program. Nominated by her daughter and many friends and neighbors, the life-long Leesburg resident will celebrate the holidays under a new roof.
“There was a tremendous outpouring of support for Mrs. Green from her friends and neighbors who nominated her. She has clearly made a positive mark on our community and given a lot to those around her, and now she is in desperate need of help. We’re excited to be able to make her holiday special with a new roof and hope it helps ease her burden,” said Steve Gotschi, DryHome’s owner.
Throughout November, Sterling-based DryHome accepted nominations from customers and the community to identify a Northern Virginia individual, family or nonprofit in need. Receiving a number of nominations, DryHome selected Barbara Green as the recipient based on her needs, the condition of her roof, and how she’s inspired her family and friends through her hard work and community service.
Green’s husband passed away in October after a five-year battle with lung cancer, which exhausted their resources. At the onset of his illness, her husband lost his job of 32 years after his employer went out of business, leaving him with no benefits or retirement. In addition, Green is recovering from hip replacement surgery and had to attend her husband’s funeral in a wheelchair. Despite her ailments, she continues working as a school bus driver with Loudoun County Public Schools, a position she has proudly held for more than 35 years.
Green received more than 20 glowing nominations. In nominating her, neighbors, family and friends provided these insights:
“My mom and dad are hard working, ethical, and have never asked for a hand out during their 46 years of marriage. She desperately needs a new roof…but with my dad’s passing, she was forced to use her savings to pay his final expenses.” –Kelly Wing
“Barbara deserves this roof….she is a wonderful and caring woman who has given service and time to others, asking for nothing in return.”–Brigid Duffy
“They are the most kind, down-to-earth people you will ever meet…After everything they have gone through, it would be good for something good to come out of it.” –Virginia Schrank
“I can’t think of a more deserving person for your free roof!” –Melinda McCandless
“Mrs. Green has given to this community over the years, and is now looking for someone to help her in her time of need.” –Mariann Boyd
“Her home desperately needs a roof before the winter… She has served the community, its families and children her entire life. She has no savings and now her husband is gone. We have been trying to fundraise to finance the cost of this roof, but winning this roof would be such a blessing for someone who could really use the help.” –Julie Anderson
“This is a warm and loving family that has been hit hard by illness and the economy.”—Sharyl Peluso
“There has not been a more sincere family…their kindness and generosity was extended to me on a regular basis. I cannot imagine a more deserving individual to receive this roof.”—Steve Saylor
“This program inspires the whole DryHome team. Using our skills to give a roof to a neighbor in need is great way to finish the year,” added Gotschi. “Next year is the 10th anniversary of our free roof program. To celebrate, we plan to give away two roofs in 2012.”
Last year, Hubert Laconia, a grandfather and Korean War veteran of Sterling, Va., won the award. Other winners have included: Good Shepherd Alliance, a nonprofit that serves Loudoun County’s homeless, Reston Interfaith, a nonprofit serving the homeless; Falls Church Cub Scout House; Gabriel Homes, a nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities; Mrs. Caylor, a Leesburg resident and volunteer; and Bernie Cline, an elderly Alexandria resident in desperate need of a roof replacement.
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For the 9th year, DryHome Roofing and Siding, a Sterling, VA based roofing company, continues its tradition of helping the community by giving a free roof away this holiday season to a Northern Virginia individual, family or nonprofit in need.
DryHome Roofing and Siding has been serving Northern Virginia for more than 20 years and is committed to making a difference in the community. Everyday, DryHome’s work ensures that families and organizations have safe, high-quality roofs. The “Free Roof for the Holidays” program enables DryHome to thank its customers and the community by helping those less fortunate have a safe roof over their heads too.
It is that time of year again when we ask our friends, customers and peers for nominations for our annual “FREE ROOF FOR THE HOLIDAYS”.
In the past:
- Our first roof, in 2003, went to the Falls Church Cub Scout house located in the City of Falls Church.
- In 2004 we installed a new roof for The Good Shepherd Alliance. They own and run a transitional home and shelter for women and children at Hebron, which can be found right outside the town of Lucketts.
- In 2005 the free roof was awarded to Gabriel Homes of Reston. They are a private non-profit organization that provides care to adults with developmental disabilities and assists them with everyday life activities.
- In 2006, Mrs. Caylor of Leesburg received the free roof for the year, for being a great patron in the community and donating her time to care for local children at the Community Church nursery.
- Mr. Bernie Cline, an 86 year old resident of Alexandria was 2007’s roof recipient. Bernie was referred by Roger Healy, the Project Coordinator of RPJ Housing. RPJ Housing is an affiliate for Rebuilding Together; formerly known as Christmas in April.
- In 2008, Reston Interfaith received our 6th free roof. They are a nonprofit organization with 38 years of experience serving Reston, Herndon and northwestern Fairfax County. They promote self-sufficiency through support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other services.
- In 2009, and for the second time, The Good Shepherd Alliance was the recipient. The roof was for the Hebron Women and Children’s Shelter which houses 22 people at any given time. The facility named after a place in the Bible meaning “place of refuge.” Residents enter into their Six Steps to Self-Sufficiency program upon entering the shelter. This program is an intensive case management program geared to helping families in crisis get back to self-sufficiency. Guests may stay up to 89-days in the emergency shelters. Most are able to progress through the program in this time frame.
- Last year, 87 year-old Hubert Laconia, a World War II vet and grandfather of four from Sterling, VA was the recipient of a new roof.
We love our community and appreciate the opportunity to give back. Nominations will be accepted beginning November 1st. Please fax, call or email us at DryHome Roofing to nominate that special person or organization. Nominator should include their name and phone number as well as nominee’s name, address, phone and reason why they are being nominated. Each entry will be carefully evaluated and the most deserving will be awarded with a free roof during December. Again, this is where we need your help. Thank you in advance for your time.
Nomination Form
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There’s no better feeling than the warm light of the sun wrapping itself around your entire body on a cold winters day. Unfortunately, laying outside to soak up some rays in the middle of December probably isn’t the best idea. However, Skylights and Sun Tunnels let lots of natural sunlight into your home, allowing you and your family to enjoy the warmth of the sun’s light, even during the coldest, snowy months.
Skylights can be extremely beneficial during the winter months when you might be spending extra on heating, because with an increased amount of natural light in your home, your lighting costs and energy consumption will be drastically reduced.
The same can be said for Sun Tunnels, which are designed to let in brighter and whiter natural sunlight. Sun Tunnels are ideal for smaller rooms like second baths and laundry rooms, but they provide many of the same energy efficient benefits as skylights.
With winter time creeping up right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about how you plan to keep your home warm for the season. You don’t have to spend more money on heating and lighting than you need to. The sun’s natural light is one of the best and most energy efficient ways to keep your home cozily heated. Besides, we can’t think of anything that could be much better than curling up on the couch under the warm light of the sun on a cold winters day!
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We can’t believe that fall is here already! The air is getting chillier each day and the sunlight seems to fade earlier and earlier every night. Winter is on its way, which means it won’t be long before we’re sealing up our windows and cranking up the heat.
We encourage our customers to be proactive about preparing and protecting their homes during this time of year. Right now, the weather is still mild enough to easily fix that broken gutter or repair those few loose shingles. But once the temperatures start to drop and snow is added into the mix, not only will these things be more difficult to deal with, but they will leave your home vulnerable to more damage that could have easily been avoided.
Here are a few things that should be inspected to prepare for the season ahead:
- Cracks or open crevices in your home’s exterior
- Cracked window glass
- Worn or broken roof shingles
- Clogged or loose/broken gutters
- Proper insulation
- Chimneys
Don’t wait until it’s too late. The summer flashed by in the blink of an eye and there could be snow on the ground before we know it. Give us a call and we’ll help prepare your home!
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Wow, did you ever expect to feel a high-magnitude earthquake in Virginia? And then right after we watched Hurricane Irene swoop through, thankfully missing most of Loudoun county but still giving us a run for our money with tons of rain and a bit of wind too! Now, we’re starting to feel that fall chill in the air. Winter is coming!
We don’t know if it’s the crazy weather, but our phones have been ringing off the hook and we just wanted to let you guys know that we’re trying our best to get back to everyone! We want to help you keep your home safe, sturdy, and energy efficient as we move into the Fall and Winter seasons!
We hope everyone is keeping warm, the weather this week looks like it’s going to be chilly!!
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Thanks to everyone that came out to the Loudoun Lyme 5K Walk/Run to support the cause and raise awareness about Lyme Disease! With several hundred participants, the event was a huge success! We are so glad not only to have raised money and awareness, but also to have provided an forum for those affected to talk with others about their experiences with Lyme Disease. Thanks again to everyone who participated! It was great to see such immense and spirited support from the Loudoun Community!
http://www.leesburg2day.com/news/article_9fd08866-7f08-11e0-a9d5-001cc4c03286.html
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