We all know that owning a home is a huge responsibility. As soon as one thing is fixed, something else breaks. There are also “the jobs” you can’t afford to put off.

Now that it’s summertime, you need to get started sealing up your home.

• Air seal the trim. The first step is air sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch. Carefully pull down the finish trim. (Pray that the installer used finish nails and not, say, ring-shank nails.) Set aside the trim and, using caulk for smaller gaps (less than 1/4″) or foam sealant for larger ones, seal the gap between the attic hatch framing and the rough cut drywall.
• Apply a bead of caulk on the inside and outside edges of the trim, and then reattach it.
• Air seal the hatch perimeter. The plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip. The standard air sealing recommendation is to install a compression bulb weather-strip. This can also be beefed up to a sealing gasket like the one on your refrigerator door. Gaskets are generally more durable and produce a tighter seal.
• Insulate the hatch. Cut foam board to 1/2″ less than the size of the hatch on each side.
• Foil-faced polyiso is the greenest and best-performing of the rigid foam options. Apply a bead of foam-compatible glue to it and attach it to the plywood hatch. Wash, rinse and repeat until you have added at least 4 inches of foam (but preferably 8 inches + of foam).
• Fasteners. Add a handle and several hook-and-eye fasteners situated so that when the hatch is forcefully pulled down, it tightly compresses the gasket.

Just so you know, attic hatches are the start of house efficiency problems. They’re in plain sight but rarely addressed adequately. Insulate and air seal your attic hatch to save money and improve your house’s comfort.

Climbing a ladder is single-handedly one of the most dangerous things you can do. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 500,000 people are rushed to emergency rooms for ladder accidents every year.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, of these 500,000 injuries, approximately 300 people die each year. Safety experts say ladders are one of the most dangerous tools in your shed. The number of injuries may be lowered however if homeowners would follow a few safety tips. For starters, always let someone know you will be working on a ladder. Also, make sure you always come down a ladder facing it. Never with your back to it. Next, inspect the ladder before stepping on the first rung, and make sure it has been well maintained. Lastly, when planting the base of any ladder, place your feet on a firm, level surface, not on rocks or boards.

Unfortunately, even after following these ladder safety tips, doctors say, homeowners are going to get injured. In fact, the number of emergency room visits from ladder injuries totals more than those for lawn mowers and home workshop saws combined. Bottom line, ladder accidents are serious, so the best advice is is to hire a pro for any job that requires a ladder. You’ll be glad you did!

Metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity. Not only for businesses, but for homeowners as well. Here are a few reasons why many are ditching the traditional roof and going metal.

1. Metal roofs are lightweight.

2. Fireproof. Because it’s made of steel, metal roofs are incombustible and safe from exposure to airborne burning cinders. The patented interlocking fastening system prevents the panels from lifting and allowing blowing embers to ignite the roof deck.

3. Hail resistant. Metal roofs provide weatherproof performance with a hail stone warranty. In some states insurance carriers even offer a discount for installing a steel roof.

4. Extremely durable. Metal roofs do not absorb moisture and therefore have excellent compatibility with snow and ice. The strong, stone-coated steel panels have been tested in excess of 224 lbs per sq. before panel deformation occurs.

5. Green. Steel is 100% recyclable. There is little waste and it can be recycled an infinite number of times without degradation.

6. Good for resale. You can expect to save 10 to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance. Real estate professionals say metal roofs add value to houses listed for sale. The appearance, long life, fire resistance and transferable warranty are definite selling points.

It’s no secret that metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity.

Summertime is extremely busy for those in the metal roof industry. Why, you ask? First of all because high temperatures and intense sun are especially damaging to roofing materials. So, more and more homeowners are looking for more durable, lasting, and energy efficient options.

A traditional, asphalt roof has a hard time in extreme heat. It has to endure triple digit temps and great amounts of sunlight. Heat and sun cause most roofing materials to break down rapidly. They dry out, crack, curl, and disintegrate. As this happens, their lives are shortened and they become more susceptible to leaks and wind damage. But metal doesn’t do that. It is virtually heat and sun resistant.

Another major problem of a traditional roof is that many roofing materials dry out in the hot sun. They lose their fire resistance and can pose a great fire risk to homes and their contents. This is not the case with metal. Metal roofs create a lasting barrier against airborne sparks, providing ultimate home protection. These are just a few of the reasons both business owners and homeowners are making the investment and choosing metal over asphalt.