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Prevent Ice And Snow Damage This Winter

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by Sela Roofing

The snow is starting to fall in Minnesota. Ice and snow accumulations bring the potential for headaches beyond those associated with white-knuckle driving: it can also damage a home’s roof and gutters.

Damage from ice and snow can occur for two reasons. The first is that the sheer weight of snow can dislodge gutters from a building. Several inches of snow on a fairly flat roof can also carry enough weight to collapse the roof. A roof that is under stress can make the doors and windows of the house difficult to open, or the homeowner will hear popping or creaking noises.

The second, and more prevalent, cause of roof and gutter damage is the formation of ice dams. An ice dam is created when heat emanating from a home’s attic melts snow on the roof, which then refreezes after it trickles into the gutters. The ice buildup prevents melt water from flowing through the gutters and out the downspouts. Ice dams can cause melt water to back up and go under the roof’s shingles, that leads to leaks and water damage to the roof, fascia and soffit. An ice dam can also cause water to spill over the side of the gutter and soak into the ground next to the home’s foundation. In turn, this leads to foundation damage or water seeping into the basement or crawlspace.

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Excessive snow on the roof is easily removed using a roof rake. This tool is available at most hardware stores. It is normally made of lightweight aluminum, has a telescoping handle and allows the homeowner to stand on the ground and pull snow off the roof. Removing excess snow is one way to prevent ice dams as well.

There are three more ways a homeowner can do to prevent ice dams. First the home should have good attic insulation. A well insulated attic prevents heat loss that leads to the formation of ice dams. Attic ventilation should also be considered, as a poorly ventilated attic is likely to trap ambient heat. Second, cleaning leaves and other debris out of guttering in the fall keeps the paths open for water to flow freely. Third, in areas where heavy snows are routine, adding heating cables to the roof prevents the buildup of snow and keeps water from refreezing in the gutters. Heating cables are only appropriate for roofs made of noncombustible tab shingles and inclined roofs, however.

Preventive measures may not be part of a homeowner’s routine in areas that are normally snow-free. Once the snow and ice are gone, be sure to inspect the roof and guttering for any damage it may have left behind.

Insulation – What You Know Can Make A Difference!

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by Sela Roofing

When  insulating your attic you will need to choose from batt or roll insulation, and loose fill insulation. So what are the differences between the two? We thought  we would spell it out for you so you have a general knowledge of the differences.

insulation

Batt or Roll Insulation – The more common type of insulation that comes in the form of a roll that consists of flexible fibers, usually fiberglass. You also can find rolls made from minerals, wool, plastic and natural fibers, such as cotton or sheep’s wool.
Rolls are available in widths of standard spacing of wall studs, and attic or floor joists.They are available with or without facings. Manufacturers often attach a facing to act as a vapor or air barrier. Rolls with special flame-resistant facing are available where the insulation will be left exposed. A facing also helps with  fastening during installation. However, it’s recommended that you use unfaced rolls if you’re reinsulating over existing insulation.

Loose Fill Insulation – Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other material. These particles form an insulation material that conforms to any size or type of space. The ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for situations  where it’s difficult to install other types of insulation.
Most material used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool. These materials are made using recycled materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20%–30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content.

If you need help making a decision, we are here to help!

GAF Introduces Timberline American Harvest Shingles

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by Sela Roofing

We are proud of our long partnership with GAF Roofing and are excited to introduce their latest line of shingles. The color palettes are amazing, diverse and have the GAF guarantee!

timberline american harvest GAF shingles

Timberline® American Harvest® Shingles with Advanced Protection®Shingle Technology are architecturally stylish, yet practically priced, resulting in a high-performance shingle that provides excellent protection for your home.

Contact Sela today to learn more about your shingle options!

Trust Your Next Home Improvement Project To Sela!

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by Sela Roofing

We are proud of our team and the great work they do on every project. We love the fact our clients are happy with the work we do and are willing to share their experiences!

Is It Time For A New Roof?

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by Sela Roofing

When is it time to get a new roof?

When buying a new house, or getting a roof put on, you get a roofing material that is rated for a period of time. For years, the most common was a twenty- or twenty-five year asphalt shingle. Now, roofing materials are much more adventurous and better looking. You can look around your neighborhood and see some great-looking roofs on houses very similar to your own. You may still have ten years on your twenty-year shingles, but is that a good enough reason to put off getting a roof you really like? If you’ve done frequent roof repair, or have discovered that a different roof may save money on your power bill, or even if you’ve seen a roof that would make your house look great, you should consider getting a new roof.

Exterior Expansions

What options are there in roofs?

Asphalt roofs can usually have up to three layers, so you can get a new roof without having to do a tear off. Newer asphalt shingles have exciting new cuts and colors and are rated for a much longer period of time than common 3-tab. Laminated shingles have designs called architectural or presidential, and they can give a roof a much more three-dimensional look.

Metal roofs look much better than in past years when they were used more for industrial and commercial buildings. Now, they are a top-of-the-line residential product. Newer metal roofing panels are treated to absorb heat in the winter and reflect it in the summer and they’ve gotten much more durable.

Composite materials have also enjoyed a surge in the roofing market do to sustainable building practices and green living. Roofing tiles made from recycled tires and building materials are quite strong. They also offer color options you won’t find anywhere else.

Where is the best place to find a roof?

A roofing contractor like Sela will be your best source in finding the roof you want. We have the experience, product knowledge and contacts needed to get prices and make an informed decision. Do you really want to spend another ten years doing roof repair? Or do you want to have a spectacular-looking roof with the Sela guarantee?

Make Smart Choices to Keep Your Firework Fun Safe

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by Sela Roofing

Fireworks are a fantastic way to add some real sparkle to your Fourth of July celebration, but these vibrant blasts of explosive color definitely require proper handling. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, there were more than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries in 2014. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent injuries from ruining your Independence Day fun. To keep your firework display safe and enjoyable, make these smart choices.

Series with a Caucasian family outdoors, on a summer day - mother, father, son, daughter. Overall a July 4th holiday theme. Playing with sparklers, dinner on the porch and American flags.
Choose the Right Fireworks
With stands that sell them popping up on every corner, fireworks of all kinds are readily available. Make sure that you purchase your fireworks from an authorized dealer. While any firework has the potential to be dangerous, illegal and homemade fireworks pose a real threat to life and property. Roughly 40 percent of firework injuries are due to illegal fireworks.

Choose the Right Person
Watching fireworks is fun, but handling them is serious business. Make sure the person in charge of your firework display is up to the responsibility. Select an adult who will take their job seriously. Do not allow kids to play with any fireworks or firework debris.

Choose the Right Location
Fireworks need plenty of room. Read the directions on your fireworks so that you’ll know what to expect, and then plan accordingly. Choose an outdoor area that’s free of debris and objects that would be likely to catch fire, including homes, vehicles, children’s play structures and vegetation. Designate separate spaces for your fireworks and your audience. Make sure both groups have plenty of elbow room and that there is a sufficient distance between them.

Choose the Right Technique
When handling fireworks, pay attention to your technique. Always treat fireworks with respect and remember that they can ignite unexpectedly if exposed to friction or a spark. Light one at a time and don’t attempt to relight a firework that fails to go off. Stay alert whenever fireworks are present and maintain a safe distance from any lit fireworks. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or aim them at another person. Never place your hand or any other body part over the firework.

Choose the Right Precautions
Accidents can happen to even the most cautious of people. When handling fireworks, it pays to be ready before things go wrong. Keep a working garden hose and buckets of water nearby whenever you are lighting fireworks. Always have a phone ready to call for professional help if you need it.

Choose the Right Cleanup Method
Fireworks have the potential to go off when you least expect it, so any duds or debris must be handled with care. Never allow children or animals to explore anything left behind by your firework display. Wait at least 20 minutes to limit the possibility of additional detonations. Then soak any debris thoroughly before gathering it up and disposing of it in a covered trashcan that is placed outdoors and away from anything flammable.

Celebrating July Fourth with fireworks is a longstanding tradition that dates back to 1777. If you elect to continue this thrilling custom with your own personal fireworks show, make the right choices so that you can stay safe, avoid injury and enjoy the fun.

5 Reasons To Choose Slate Roofing

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by Sela Roofing

For homeowners committed to green living, roofing provides an opportunity to use one of the greenest materials available. While both asphalt shingles and metal roofing can be recycled, slate is even more environmentally friendly. Here are five reasons slate is the greenest roofing material on the market today.

Residential Roofing

 

  1. Slate is all natural

 

Slate does not contain any toxic synthetic material, chemicals, sealants or adhesives, nor is it mixed with resins or polymers like those present in asphalt roofing. Since it contains no man-made substances and won’t degrade, it doesn’t release anything harmful back into the earth.

 

  1. It will last almost forever

 

All the slate in the world today was formed more than 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era. It existed long before humans, and will be here long after we’re gone. Once slate roofing shingles are installed, they won’t wear out or need to be disposed of.

 

  1. It’s eco-friendly

 

Slate is simply pulled from the earth and shaped. It’s split mostly by hand tools and shaped by small electric cutting machines that use only a minimal amount of energy. Leftover slate is the only by-product; there are no solvents or waste to dump into rivers. Slate is available in many quarries throughout the United States, which reduces the number of miles it needs to be shipped and the amount of fuel needed to transport it.

 

It is also extremely resistant to mold and mildew growth. This means that it rarely needs to be cleaned, so homeowners will use fewer chemical cleaning products.

 

  1. It’s durable and reusable

 

Slate is the longest-lasting roofing material, so a roof will probably never need to be replaced. While individual tiles can be damaged, an entire slate roof will never need to be torn off and replaced because of wear. This means fewer roofing materials will be dumped in landfills. A building will probably collapse before a slate roof wears out; if this happens, the tiles can be simply be collected and reused on another house.

 

  1. It conserves energy

 

The density of a slate roof keeps interior temperatures more constant, so homeowners use less energy making the rooms warmer or colder.

 

Because it is a naturally occurring, low-impact material, slate roofing doesn’t consume much energy to make. Because it is a no-waste product, it won’t take up space in landfills or pollute the environment. It is truly the greenest roofing material on earth.

 

Slate simply offers the greatest value for homeowners out to make their contribution to environmental conservation. Because it is ubiquitous, pure and durable, this is one roofing material that a green home owner cannot go wrong with.

 

Call Sela today to learn more about slate roofing for your home!

Hail Damage?

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by Sela Roofing

Hail damage when it comes to roofing is not always easy to spot from the ground. Instead of taking a chance with your safety, we are here to help with free roof inspections – and work with your insurance company if there is damage that needs to be fixed.

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Remember to Just Say Sela! Call or click today.

Sela Roofing & Remodeling Receives GAF’s Prestigious 2017 President’s Club Award

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by Sela Roofing

We are proud to have been partners with GAF Roofing for 17 years and are honored to receive this award from them for our work together in 2016!

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To qualify for this award, a residential roofing contractor must meet specific criteria in at least one out of three different pathways: the Performance pathway, where contractors focus on giving their property owners the best possible service, quality, and protection; the Reliability pathway, where the contractor has a long history of offering their customers the best quality and protection; and the Service pathway, where contractors consistently offer their customers the best protection available in the marketplace.

Read more about the award here.