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It is estimated that nine out of ten homes in North America do not have adequate ventilation. Most people don’t understand the long term effects this can have on their entire home. Proper attic ventilation is very important to avoid moisture buildup and aid in temperature control.

In the winter, warm air from your living area, bathroom vents, cooking vapors, and other home appliances can contribute to excess moisture build-up. Without proper ventilation, this moisture will collect on the underside of the roof. The moisture will fall and soak the insulation, reducing its efficiency.

Some other types of damage that can result from an improperly ventilated attic are listed below:

1. Premature aging of your roofing system caused by extremely hot air baking the underside of the roof.

2. Depressions in the roof sheathing between rafters caused by moisture on the bottom side of the plywood.

3. Damage to the siding, paint, and wallpaper

4. Higher energy costs resulting from warm or cold air exchanging between the attic and the living space below.

5. Ice dams caused by warm air in the attic space melting the bottom layer of snow on the roof and refreezing at the gutter. This buildup of ice traps additional melting snow causing it to pressurize and back up under the roofing system and into your home. This can cause extensive damage to your ceilings and walls.

6. Mildew and mold growth.

7. Buckling or curling shingles and felt.

Proper attic ventilation allows constant fresh air to flow into the attic space. This consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves or soffits and air exhaust at or near the roof’s ridge.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation, both intake and exhaust, for every 300 square feet of attic floor space.

Calculating Your Ventilation Requirements – Example

Example:

Step 1- Calculate attic square footage

How: Multiply length x width of attic (in feet)

30’ x 40’ = 1,200 square feet

Step 2- Calculate the Net Free Area (NFA) using the “1 in 300” rule

How: Divide the attic square footage by 300

1,200 sq. ft. ÷ 300 = 4 square feet of attic ventilation

Step 3- Convert square feet of NFA to square inches

How: Multiply square feet of NFA by 144

4 sq. ft. x 144 =576 square inches of NFA needed

Step 4- Split the amount of NFA needed equally between the intake and the exhaust

How: Divide square inches of NFA needed by 2

576 sq. in. ÷ 2 = 288 square inches of NFA needed equally for exhaust and intake

Most ventilation products are broken down into square inches. This means that if you are using a soffit vent that provides 56 square inches of NFA per vent. You would divide 288 ÷ 56 = 5.14 soffit vents total. If your ridge vent provides 18 sq. in. of NFA per linear foot, then 288 ÷ 18 = 16 ft. of ridge vent needed. Now, there’s a bit of fun math for you.

Aside from having proper ventilation, it is also a good idea to make sure your attic has sufficient insulation. This will keep hot attic air from penetrating through the ceilings or vice versa. Having sufficient ventilation and attic insulation are key components in keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When thinking about replacing your roof, it is important to make sure any ventilation issues are addressed and corrected in order to eliminate any future problems.

Please leave any questions or comments below or if you would like to speak to a professional from our company about any of your roofing or ventilation needs, please call us today at 866-365-5056.

Don’t cry! Don’t sneer! McKinnis Roofing snow removal is here! Even Frosty is amazed on how well we get around in the snow. We have trucks with blades, snow blowers, skid loaders, front-end loaders, and dump trucks to haul snow. Oh My!

From large commercial lots to private resident sidewalks – we do it all. Once the snow has been cleared, we can provide you with ice melt to help save you a trip, or should I say slip, to the doctor! Ouch!

Those of you in Blair, Lincoln, and Norfolk who don’t want to be trapped in by the snow, don’t fight or argue about whose turn it is to scoop the walk. Instead, call a snow removal therapist at McKinnis Roofing for a free quote, because we care about your marriage and we would love to scoop your snow.

Here are some helpful hints for easier and safer snow removal for the do-it-yourselfers:

• Apply a thin layer of ice melt to your sidewalk or driveway before it starts to snow. This will keep the ice and snow from sticking to the concrete.

• Never overload your shovel with snow. Use half loads at a time to move quicker and avoid strain to your back, wrists, and arms.

• Always lift with your legs and keep the shovel close to your body. This will reduce pressure on your lower back. Lower back injuries are the number one snow removal injury.

• Wear eye protection while using a snow blower. Debris may be trapped under the snow and could cause an eye injury.

• Remember to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Please leave your questions or comments below. McKinnis Roofing does commercial and residential snow removal in Blair and Lincoln and residential snow removal only in Norfolk. If you live in these areas and would like a free quote for snow removal, Call us today at 866-365-5056.

We recently came across an article in Traditional Roofing Magazine. The article explains how to build a snow apron on a slate roof by installing soldered copper flat-lock pans. Our service department manager, Dave Berg, really liked this idea. Our repair crew was called to a home that had been experiencing extreme ice damming because of an improperly installed concrete tile roofing system. Dave thought this would be a perfect opportunity to put the snow apron to use.

The repair crew began by removing all the tiles at the low slope roof area. They then removed any water damaged decking and supports and replaced it with heavier 5/8” plywood and installed ice and moisture guard on the entire decking area.

Once the area had been prepared, they installed and soldered the copper snow apron pans over the entire low slope roof area. Each horizontal and vertical seam was completely soldered and then the lower slope roof was tied into the existing concrete tile roof. This creates an eave assembly that is completely waterproof, thus solving the previous ice damming issue.

In addition to the copper pans, our crew performed various other maintenance repairs to the rest of the roof system and upgraded the leaf protection system on the front gutter.

This repair and replacement took time and detail but it will be a permanent and long lasting solution for the homeowner. Our service department takes pride in finding your roof leaks or other home issues and implementing the best solution for you and your home. We have many years of experience doing maintenance and repairs and are always coming up with new and innovative ways to solve our customer’s problems.

Please leave your comments below or call us today at 1-866-365-5056 for repair and maintenance pricing. Or if you would like to request a free estimate for roof, siding, window, or gutter replacement, Please Click Here.

Click here to learn more about the copper flat-lock pan snow apron.

Replacing your windows can have a positive effect on the overall look of your home. Also, with utility costs rising, many homeowners’ may wonder if it is time to replace their drafty, old windows with better, more efficient ones. Here are a few reasons to replace those windows.

Air Infiltration

Your windows will experience air infiltration when the window frame and sash do not fit properly. This can leave gaps around the window, and even small gaps can cost a lot of money in energy bills.

Heat Conduction

Heat traveling through the center of the window is a very important factor in energy loss. You should have efficient windows that prevent most of this heat loss from occurring, especially if you live in a cold climate.

Convection

Convection is when air transfers from warm spaces to cold spaces. Inefficient windows will transfer a lot of energy between your home and the outside. Installing new, high quality windows will block this transfer of air, keeping the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Condensation

Condensation happens when there’s a big difference between the air temperature inside the window and outside. The humid air causes moisture to buildup on the glass panes which will collect around the window edges causing mold and bacterial growth and damage to the window frame or seal. This also indicates that the windows are doing a poor job of insulating your home.

Leaky Windows

Old, Leaky windows can cause damage to your property and lead to mold.

Return on Investment

Replacement windows have become very energy efficient with new technology updates. They can make your home more quiet, comfortable, and appealing to the eye. This is why installing new windows can be a huge value-added improvement to your home.

Replacing the windows on your home can be a very good investment. New Windows will add value to your home with increased energy-efficiency, attractiveness, and comfort. We specialize in the installation of high quality replacement windows. If you would like to speak to someone about window options for your home please call us today or click here to request a free estimate.

Please leave your questions or comments below.

Soon you will be seeing ghouls, goblins, and other creatures of the night roaming the streets looking for candy and sweets. Halloween is only days away and if you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, there are a few things a homeowner can do to make sure their house and yard are safe for their spooky visitors, family, and friends. If you are taking your little ones trick-or-treating, there are also a few tips for a fun and safe Halloween:

For Homeowners expecting scary visitors:

• Use battery operated lights or chemical light sticks to illuminate carved pumpkins. If real fire must be used, use votive candles and keep the jack o’lanterns away from walking areas where they can be knocked over.
• Do not overload extension cords or let them run through the wet ground.
• Make sure your porch or front entrance is well lit and remember to replace burned-out light bulbs.
• Remove clutter, hoses, bikes, toys, and other objects from walkways or the yard to prevent injuries from falls.
• Next to July 4^th, Halloween is the most agitating holiday for pets because the number of people walking around and coming to the door. Keep animals confined in a safe place, away from trick-or-treaters.
• Consider handing out healthy treats or non-candy treats as a substitute to the usual sweets.
• Verify that your alarms and smoke detectors are working and in good condition.

For parents with little trick-or-treaters:

• Ensure that your children’s costume is safe.
  • Masks should fit well and not obstruct vision, or, consider face paint instead
  • Wear reflective clothing
  • Wear comfortable and stable footwear
  • Costumes should be non-flammable and not too long, causing tripping
  • Use a flashlight

• Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Enter and exit your vehicle at the curb, not in the street.
• Walk (Don’t Run) on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks
• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Only go to houses where a front light is on and never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
• Be wary of dogs or other potentially aggressive animals.
• Examine all treats before eating them and throw out suspicious or spoiled items.

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for kids and adults alike. Following the tips above should ensure that you and your family have a safe and fun Halloween. Make sure you scare lots of unsuspecting victims and collect many treats and goodies. Have a Happy Halloween from McKinnis Roofing. BOO!

You have probably heard the term “Cool Roof”, but may not know what it means. By definition: A cool roof helps reflect the sun’s heat back to the sky instead of allowing it into the building below. Most of these roof systems are white or very light in color. Those of us who are located in the Midwest will see benefits from both dark and light roof systems. Because the weather in Nebraska and Iowa can be extremely hot or cold, it may be beneficial to track your heating and cooling bills to see where the most money is spent on utilities. If your answer is cooling your building, then a cool roof system might be the best option.

Below are some benefits of a cool roof system:

1. Energy savings and global warming mitigation

2. Reduction in air pollution and the urban heat island effect (where a metropolitan area is significantly warmer that its surrounding rural areas)

3. Improved occupant comfort

4. Complies with codes and green building programs

5. Enhances the life expectancy of the roof membrane and the building’s cooling equipment

The following are some popular types of cool roof systems:

-Thermoplastic systems ( TPO )

-Polyvinyl Chloride ( PVC )

-Modified Bitumen with white or light colored mineral granules

-Metal roofs that are white or light in color

-Ballasted Roof systems

Please leave your comments or questions below. If you would like an estimate for a cool roof from the coolest company on the planet, feel free to call one of our cool estimators to discuss some cool options. Or, click here to request a free estimate.

Many roof issues can easily be remedied before they become a major problem by having an annual or bi-annual roof inspection. Most issues are obvious and can easily be found and corrected by having a trained professional inspect the roof for common failures before a significant leak develops. Some of these common failures of neglected maintenance include faulty flashing and failure to caulk joints on penetrations and flashing.

There are also other roof issues that often go unnoticed until it is too late. Some of these include inadequate ventilation and lack of insulation in the attic space. This is a specific balance per square foot of intake and exhaust and the proper venting application can vary depending on each structures design. A few signs of poor ventilation or lack of insulation are:

1. Frost occurring in the attic space during colder temperatures

2. Ice forming on nails through the sheeting

3. Black mold spores occurring at the underside of the decking

4. Water stains on drywall, usually in connection with cathedral ceilings

5. Above or below average temperatures in the upper level of the home

6. Damaged plywood or excessive sagging between the rafters

7. Excessive ice damming on the eaves of the roof

If you notice any of the above issues, you very well could have a ventilation or insulation problem. I suggest that you have a professional inspect the issue to see what the best solution is for your home.

I have stated just a few roof issues that can create leaks or further damage to your home if they are not caught early. Most of these things are easy to spot and correct by being proactive and getting a regular roof inspection as opposed to waiting until you have a more significant problem. Please call us today to speak to an experienced maintenance and repair professional about regular roof maintenance.

After large hailstorms similar to the one that recently pounded the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas, many out of town contractors or “storm chasers” will show up. Many of these people will go around giving out low-ball estimates to try to undercut local, legitimate companies. This may be because they are not carrying the proper insurance, are using inferior products, and do not plan on backing up their warranties once they head back out of town.

Using a company that does not have both liability and workers compensation insurance can leave the homeowner liable for injuries or accidents that may happen on their property. Also, it is important to make sure that any company doing work on your property is a licensed contractor. This ensures that they are familiar with all of the codes.

Recently, the City of Council Bluffs, IA has begun cracking down on unlicensed contractors, kicking them off of roofs that are not complete. This is unfortunate for the homeowner and is why it is critical to hire a local, experienced company that is carrying the proper insurance and licenses. You can also check to make sure the company is a member of the BBB and see that they have a permanent, established place of business.

Many unscrupulous contractors are full of empty promises. They will tell you what you want to hear but do not believe them without proof. You do not want to become a victim by unknowingly hiring illegal companies. To summarize, you should dismiss any contractor that cannot provide proof of the following things:

1. Full name and address of their company (Check up on the address given)
2. Adequate insurance; at least a certificate for workers compensation and comprehensive liability (These should be a minimum of $500,000 each)
3. Licensed and actively involved with a trade association
4. A reference list of satisfied customers

Lately we’ve seen a number of people requesting estimates for metal roofs. This type of roofing system is becoming increasingly popular because of the look and benefits it offers. Just a few years ago, metal roofs were seen mainly on commercial buildings; but they are now a common choice among homeowners because the initial higher cost of metal roofing will likely pay off over time.

Most of the metal roofs installed on homes and commercial buildings
are standing-seam metal roofs. This is a particular type of metal roofing which
is different than the rippled or corrugated tin roofs often seen on barns or
warehouses. Metal roof can also be made to resemble shingles, wood shakes,
tiles, and other types of roofing, but I am going to focus on standing-seam
metal today.

Standing-seam metal roofing is installed by running continuous metal panels down the length of the roof. These panels are usually made of Galvalume-coated steel but can also be made of aluminum, copper and various other metals. Each 12 to 19 inch wide panel overlaps the other concealing the
seam fasteners with a standing seam which runs continuously from the top of the roof to the edge. This seam can vary in height but is typically 1” to 2-1/2”, thus the name “standing seam.” The panels are held in place with clips that are concealed under the panel, thus allowing the panel to float or move back and forth.

We install jobsite-formed panels which are created by taking
a roll of metal and running it through a mobile panel machine to form specific
length panels. Panels can also be created in factories which are called
Pre-formed.

Steel roofs are very durable and much more impact resistant
than shingles as long as you have an acceptable gauge of steel. Some companies
may try to use a thinner gauge of steel than recommended which is much more
flimsy and less durable and creates more oil canning in the panel. A metal roof
installed correctly will often last for more than 50 years.

On top of this, metal roofs are fire retardant, recyclable
and require very little maintenance. Money will also be saved on your energy
bills because metal panels painted with lighter colors reflect much more heat
than asphalt shingles. These roofs also add a bright, impressive look to your
home which can really boost the property value.

Installing a standing seam metal roof can be an elaborate
process which requires more time and craftsmanship. There are a very few
roofing contractors who are able to install this roofing system correctly.
McKinnis Roofing has many years of experience with metal roofing and we can
fabricate an entire metal roofing system from start to finish.

Because of the process installing a metal roof and the
higher cost of materials, the up-front cost for these types of roofs are often
two or three times higher than asphalt shingles. For this reason it is important to calculate
whether the higher initial cost will be a better investment for you over time
as opposed to other types of roofing.

If you are interested in metal roofing, please call McKinnis
Roofing & Sheet Metal to speak to a qualified professional to answer any
questions you may have. Click here to request a free estimate.

With all of the flooding and, consequently, standing water taking
place in the Midwest; I’ve not only noticed a terrible stench, but an
incredible increase in the amount of bugs everywhere. Factor in the sweltering
one-hundred degree heat and being outside is almost unbearable. Believe me
though, I am not complaining about the heat, I will take that any day over the
last couple of winters we’ve had in Nebraska.

I was playing a round of golf this weekend with some other
crazy people who decided to try and brave it out. Let’s just say I don’t know
how the pro golfers wear pants in that kind of weather. Anyway, I swear at
least three gnats flew up my nose and many more flew into my ears and swarmed
my face. Then there were the flies biting my ankles in the middle of my
backswing. Needless to say, this does not help the score any.

I was complaining about the bugs and one of my fellow
golfers said “You should try this, it works wonders” as he was holding up a
small clear bottle of green liquid. “It’s Absorbine Jr, used for joint pain,
but it also works great to keep away the biting flies.” Well I’m not sure if
joint pain medication is something I want to rub all over me, but at this point
I am pretty much willing to try anything. So what other options are there for
keeping away the annoying flying insects?

Obviously there is the good ole fashioned OFF bug spray.
Carry a bottle of this with you and it seems to help, at least with the
mosquitoes and flies, but not so much the gnats.

Then there is vanilla, some people say this was working but
now it’s as if the bugs have adapted to it.

I lathered up with some sunscreen and that seemed to keep
the gnats away for a while anyway, until the sweat wore it off.

There are other creams and things that people swear by and
probably do help, but for the most part, it seems like we’ll have to put up
with the pesky little things until the water recedes and then winter comes along
and kills them off.

In the meantime, if anyone comes up with any better ideas
for the bug issue, let me know below and I will give them a shot.