Don’t Hesitate, Insulate and Ventilate

I have to admit that I’m a big fan of the winter. I love skiing, playing ice hockey and hiking in the snow, but what I don’t love is coming home to a cold house. It’s around this time of year when I start to get calls from people all over town wondering why their home is so drafty and freezing when they’re paying a fortune in heating bills. The answer to their question is almost always a lack of insulation. Unfortunately, over 75% of houses in our area are under-insulated which means that heat is quite literally going through the roof.

Insulation is a cotton-looking fiberglass material bundled in pink or yellow colored rolls that you may have seen in your attic or behind the wall of new construction. It also comes in what we call “loose fill” which can be blown into harder to reach areas. Contractors use insulation between walls, in attics and in basements to retain heat in the house in the winter and keep the heat from getting into the house in the summer. The amount of insulation needed for a home is measured by its R-Value, which equates to its resistance to heat moving through it. Simply put, the higher the R-Value, the better the insulating properties.

Back 50 years ago when many of the homes in Central Connecticut areas were built, R-Value wasn’t a popular unit of measurement. Instead, they kept it simple and measured insulation by its thickness in inches. When a home was constructed, the contractor would put about three inches of insulation into the attic, if any was used at all. Three inches of insulation would give that homeowner an R-Value of about R-10. According to EnergyStar, homes in our area should be fitted with insulation that measures between R-49 and R-60. So if you have a home from the 50’s or 60’s and have never done an upgrade to your insulation, your home is definitely not equipped to handle our harsh Connecticut winters.

If you’re one of those homeowners scratching your head, trying to figure out why the house is so cold, take a trip up into the attic. Chances are your insulation isn’t up to scratch and it’s probably time for an upgrade. As a general guideline, insulation with an R-Value of between R-49 and R-60 will sit at between 19 and 22 inches thick when settled. How does your insulation stack up to that? If it doesn’t, you don’t have to worry - insulation is easy and inexpensive to install and has one of the highest resale values of any home improvement job going.

With any proper insulation job also comes ventilation, which allows air to move through the attic, preventing over and under heating and reducing the risk of mold buildup. We will talk about that in detail next week.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

To Salt or Not to Salt, That is the Question

Snow removal is a common chore that we Connecticutians have come to accept as part of our winter routine. And while we have had an early few inches, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the main event come January. 

Shoveling and plowing are pretty straightforward activities, but one question that I get asked time and time again is about salting and how to choose the right product to make snow removal a little easier on the back and the wallet. Snow melting agents generally come in two forms - traditional rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, and calcium chloride. While they sound similar, the two are actually quite different and each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is a dry material that’s mined and applied to pavement using a walk behind residential spreaders or commercial spreaders that are mounted on trucks. Sodium chloride is activated by moisture and will begin to melt the snow when it gets wet. The problem with sodium chloride is that because it’s activated by water, it doesn’t work well if the temperature is below 15 degrees.  However, if temperatures are above 15 degrees, sodium chloride can be a good, inexpensive choice that will take longer to melt but will keep your walkways dry. If you have vegetation or animals, make note that sodium chloride will be harmful to plants and can hurt animals if ingested.

When temperatures dip below 15 degrees, calcium chloride is going to be your best bet. This liquid agent is sprayed onto payment and works instantly to melt snow and ice. In fact, calcium chloride can melt snow up to eight times faster than traditional rock salt alone. Of course, there are a few downsides to consider. Calcium chloride gets hot fast, so while its effective short term, it might not be able to do the full job in a huge storm. It’s also more expensive than traditional rock salt and stays wet which can lead to slippery surfaces. On the plus side, it’s non-corrosive and won’t harm vegetation, although you’ll still want to keep your pets away from it.

So, when choosing whether to use sodium chloride or calcium chloride, stick to the basics to help you decide which product is best to handle your snowy mess. If in doubt, look for a calcium chloride pre-mixed with salt or abrasives to melt snow quickly while reducing the risk of creating a slippery surface.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only

Shop Local and Support Small Businesses This Holiday Season

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and while it might be easier to hit the mall or fill your Amazon cart with gifts for everyone on your list, there is much to be said for shopping local and giving small businesses a part of the action. According to the U.S. Small Business Association Office of Advocacy, small businesses represent 97 percent of companies here in Connecticut, employing nearly half of our workforce. Almost 20 percent of our economy is represented by businesses that have less than 20 employees.

Small businesses make our communities exciting and vibrant places to live, but they need our help to compete with the big guys and thrive. So this holiday season, let’s all do our best to support the small business owners who make our state and local cities special. To get you inspired, here are some of my favorite holiday gifts for the homemade right here in our own backyard.

Customized Push Pin Travel Map

Hailing from Trumbull, Connecticut, Amanda Naqvi and her team at 76th and Newbury create customizable paper goods and prints to help people bring their memories to life. I love the travel maps which can be personalized with names and regions to keep track of all your adventures. Starting from $50 at 76thandnewbury.com

Connecticut Pillow Cover

Laurel Ryan’s pillow covers are a simple and fun way to update your home with a personal design. I like the Connecticut outline, but Laurel can create almost anything from family crests to initialed monograms on both pillows and towels. Best of all, she keeps it local from her studio in Ridgefield. Starting from $40 at etsy.com/shop/LaurelRyanDesigns

Stained Glass Ornaments

John Chapman’s Uncasville stained glass studio is the perfect place to be inspired for that tough to buy for person on your list. With over 100 different designs, John’s ornaments and sun catchers make a beautiful addition to any home and a holiday gift that grandma or your little one’s favorite teacher is sure to enjoy. Starting from $12 at etsy.com/shop/ChapmanStainedGlass

Soy Candles

Manchester-based Lumiere Candle Company hand pours wood wick soy candles and wax melts that last ages and smell awesome. Their small batch runs come in seasonal scents like Crackling Campfire, Eggnog, and Woodland Foliage and make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who loves the smells of the season. Choose any three from $17 at etsy.com/shop/LumiereCandleCompany

Nordic Gnomes

DaVinci Doll Designs makes the perfect pals for little ones in your life. The Hartford-based studio creates classic Scandinavian style gnomes that make unique decorations or a great substitute for the classic Elf on a Shelf. Each one is painstakingly crafted and stitched by hand. Starting from $43.99 at etsy.com/shop/DaVinciDollDesigns

Wood American Flag Wall Art

D&L Designs from Berlin make some of the coolest signs and art using reclaimed wood found right here in Connecticut and beyond. The husband and wife team create everything by hand and designs can be custom made to fit any room in your house. Starting from $49 for signs and $125 for flags at etsy.com/shop/DandLwoodworking

Do you have a favorite small business in our area that makes fantastic holiday gifts? Tell me about them on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.