Most people are interested in saving money in these difficult economic times, and after the holiday season many businesses are having big sales.  But if your bargain hunting involves and exterior remodeling project for like roofing, siding, or replacement windows and doors for your St. Paul/Minneapolis area home, you need to do a little investigating to make sure that the deal you think you’re getting doesn’t end up to be a costly nightmare.  For over 27 years, the exterior home improvement pros at Quarve Contracting have been helping Twin Cities area homeowners save money with energy-efficient, low- and no-maintenance building products.  We’ve learned that the bottom line on the estimate isn’t the only thing you should look at when hiring a contractor.  Here are some other things to consider:

• Is the estimate verbal?  Always get it in writing.  And if you have any questions before signing the proposal, now is the time to ask them. 
• Is the contractor licensed and insured?  Ask for verification.  Reputable contractors will be happy to provide proof of insurance as well as their Minnesota building contractor’s license. 
• If you have an older home, does the contractor have an EPA lead-safe certificate?  For homes built before 1978, this certification is required for many types of home repair and remodeling. 
• Will the contractor give you a list of references?  If not, this could be a warning sign.  And if you get references, be sure to follow up on them to make sure they are legitimate.  If a customer has agreed to be a reference for a contractor, he or she won’t have any problems telling you how their project went.  Be sure to ask about problems, call-back issues, etc. 
• Is the contractor a member of any oganizations such as the Better Business Bureau or your local Chamber of Commerce?  Even if they aren’t, you can inquire to see whether they have had any complaints filed. 
• Does the contract specify brands and/or specific types of materials to be used?  Make sure you’re getting what you pay for, not a cheap substitution. 
• Ask about both manufacturer and contractor warranties.  Is labor covered as well as materials?   If you have problems after your project is done, you may need to hire someone else to fix them if your “bargain” contractor won’t return your calls. 

You’ve made a substantial investment in your home.  If you’re looking to increase its value, replace deteriorated components, or add to its energy efficiency, make sure you’re getting a good deal in the process.  Often home improvement “bargains” can prove to be costly in the long run.  If you’re unsure, get a second (or third) estimate.  Most reputable companies like Quarve don’t charge for estimates.  And if saving money is your ultimate goal, contact Quarve Contracting today.  We’re fully license and insured.  And we’ve got a variety of options to suggest that can really help.

A new homeowner in Minneapolis asks:

I recently moved to Minnesota from the South, and with winter beginning I’m hearing from my neighbors that I need to watch out for ice dams on my roof.   Why is this a problem?

Welcome to Minnesota’s winter wonderland, where our sometimes harsh weather can wreak havoc on roofs.  Ice dams are a prevalent problem in this climate.  You’re wise to find out about ice dams now before the cold really sets in.   Many Twin Cities area home owners are aware of (or have experienced) ice dams, but not everyone understands what causes them and their potential problems.    As the leading Minneapolis area roofing company, Quarve Contracting wants you to know the basics about ice dams. 

• What is an ice dam?  An ice dam is a block of ice or a row of icicles that forms by melting snow re-freezing at the roof’s edge.  The ridge formed traps more melting snow, which re-freezes and builds up the dam.  It can also spread under shingles or shakes.   Ice dams can also form when the bottom layer of snow melts and is trapped under a blanket of snow.  As it moves down to the edge of the roof, it refreezes, 
• What causes ice dams?  There are a variety of causes; the most frequent are poor attic insulation  and/or a lack of air circulation underneath the roof edge, but a leaky or damaged roof can also cause an ice dam. 
• Can ice dams cause damage to my roof, or worse?  Yes.  Since the melting snow can’t drain off the roof, it may back up under your roofing material.  This can cause a variety of problems, including wet insulation, mold, and leaky ceilings.  Left untended, major structural damage can result. 
• If I get an ice dam, can I remove it myself?  If you have an ice dam build-up on your roof, it’s best left to professional ice dam removal company like Quarve to remove.  You can, however, knock away icicles on the roof’s edge to keep more melting snow from freezing.  Never use a chipper on your roof; you could damage the roofing. 
• How can I prevent ice dams from forming on my roof?  The solution depends on the cause.  If ice dams are a problem for your roof, contact an ice dam expert.  

Ice dams are a serious matter, and can result in expensive winter roofing repairs, or worse.  If you have ice dams or believe they have already caused damage to your roof, contact the roofing professionals at Quarve Contracting today.  For nearly three decades we’ve been helping Minneapolis area home owners protect their homes with quality roofing installation and repair.   We can help you with professional ice dam removal and prevention.

If you’re wondering whether your home’s exterior can withstand the upcoming snowstorm season, it would be a good time to give your siding a thorough inspection.  If you notice any loose or damaged areas, now is the time to take care of potential problems.  Cold weather with wind-driven snow is ahead, and that can spell trouble for loose or damaged siding.  And with the forecasted colder-than-average temperatures, higher heating bills are in store as well.   Perhaps now is the time to consider installing new energy-efficient siding from Quarve Contracting, one of the Twin Cities area’s leading exterior home improvement contractors. 

For over 27 years we’ve been helping St. Paul and Minneapolis area residents protect their homes with roofing, siding, replacement windows and doors, and rain handling systems.  Keeping the exterior of  your home in shape is important both for protecting the underlying structure as well as making the interior comfortable.  The right siding products can help.  Quarve installs siding products such as seamless steel from U.S. Seamless as well as fiberboard cement siding from the James Hardie Company.  Both siding materials are extremely durable and will hold up well in Minnesota’s harsh winter climate.  And properly installed, these siding products can also help improve the insulating value of your home’s outer skin, reducing your heating bills in the process. 

Both of these siding products require very little maintenance.  One of the other benefits of seamless steel siding is that because of the lack of seams, there are no potential gaps for wind or moisture to penetrate beneath the siding.  And both siding materials are resistant to damage from insects and rodents who are seeking a warm home for the winter.  

If you’re concerned about the condition of your home’s exterior, contact the siding professionals at Quarve Contracting.  We want you to enjoy the entire home improvement experience, so  consultations are always free and cheerfully given.   Happy New Year from Quarve!

Heavy, wet snowfalls like those common to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area can put a strain on the roofs of most Twin Cities area homes.  However, with a steel roof over your head — like one from Kassel & Irons installed by Quarve Contracting — you can rest easy, knowing your roof will hold up to harsh Minnesota winters.  A little snow isn’t a problem for most roofs.  However, certain winter conditions can put extreme stress on traditional roofing materials such as asphalt, wood shakes, or tile.  If that’s your roof, you should be aware of these things:

• Heavy, wet snow.  Inch for inch, wet snow weighs much more than dry snow, resulting in an increased weight load.  If your roof and/or its underlying structure are older, this could be a problem. 
• Deep snow build-up.  Even light snow, if left to accumulate to significant depth, can strain a roof.  Some home owners use roof rakes to periodically remove snow so that it doesn’t build up.  Unfortunately, when used improperly roof rakes can cause shingle or shake damage.  And then there’s the safety factor of crawling up on a ladder in snowy or icy winter conditions. 
• Wind-driven snow.  Snow accompanied by strong winds can be blown under the edges of shingles, causing them to lift up.  Repeated melted and re-freezing of the trapped snow can then damage or loosen them. 

One method many home owners use to keep their roofs snow-free is heat tape.  This electrical cable is installed at the lower edge of the roof and is designed to melt the snow above the roof’s edge.  While this can help prevent the occurrence of roof-damaging ice dams, it has its disadvantages.  It takes time to install in the fall and remove in the spring, and it is somewhat unsightly.  And it only deals with the snow on the lower portion of the roof. Also, there is the cost of electricity.  

Roof rakes and heat tape are just maintenance, not solutions.  For a permanent answer to the snow-on-the-roof threat, nothing beats a steel roof.  In addition to being the most durable roofing material available, there are no loose edges to trap snow or moisture, and snow tends to simply slide off the surface.  No more raking or energy-consuming heat cables. 

Steel bears up under the weight of heavy snow better than any other roofing material.  Plus, its virtually maintenance-free.  If you’re interested in finding out more about how a steel roof can help protect your home, call the St. Paul/Minneapolis roofing contractors at Quarve Contracting today.  For over 27 years we’ve been helping Twin Cities home owners keep a good roof over their heads. 

Whether they’re obvious to the naked eye or lurking behind the scenes, roof problems are always a pain and can undoubtedly put a significant dent in ones bank account. Regardless of what sorts of precautionary measures you take to ensure that your roof holds good and steady over time, unfortunately, problems are inevitable as your roof ages. Without proper and routine maintenance, some of these relatively minor problems can even become . . . dare I say: disastrous.

Leaks, moisture, blow-offs, tenting, billowing, ponding water, punctures, shingle blistering . . . these are just a sampling of what you’ll probably come across over time. During the winter, roof problems take on slightly different forms, ice dams being one type.

No matter what kind of roof-related issues you happen to stumble upon, you’ll be doing yourself, and your home, a huge favor by turning to the team of professionals at Quarve Contracting (763) 785-1472. Dedicated to serving each customer’s needs fully from the first phone call until your project is finished, Quarve is the #1 choice for every type of roof damage repair including ice dam removal services in and around the Fridley area.

Generally speaking, the main cause of ice dam formation on roofs can be traced back to improper insulation. Heat conducted through the insufficient insulation and warm air from the attic warms the roof and melts the snow on those areas of the roof that are above living spaces, but does not melt the snow on roof overhangs. And when an overhang that stays below freezing gets bunched up with snow, the melt water above can’t drain properly off the roof due to this ‘ice dam’ blocking its passage. If left in place for too long, this pool of trapped cold water can leak into your home and cause all kinds of additional problems to ceilings, insulation and walls. Then you’ve got a minor disaster on your hands . . .

Even without roof problems, the holiday season is pretty costly for most, what with gifts, visiting relatives, and travel expenses. There’s no need to add ‘ice dam repair’ onto your Christmas wish list, so try and stay on top of them before one puts a damper on your holiday cheer.