The Dodd Blog

Drafty windows in Fargo come from worn weatherstripping, failed seals, uninsulated gaps behind the trim, or cold glass. Here is how to tell which one you have and when replacement makes sense.

Vinyl siding warps in the Treasure Valley from tight nailing, reflected sunlight off low-E windows, or age. Here is how to tell which one you have and what to do about it.

Shingles crack and curl when the asphalt dries out, and Fargo temperature swings speed that up. Learn the difference between curling and cracking, what cold and ventilation do, and when repair or replacement makes sense.

Overflowing gutters in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell usually come down to a clog, lost pitch, too few downspouts, or gutters too small for the roof. Here is how to tell which one you have and when to fix it.

Not required by law, but a pre-listing roof inspection in the FM metro protects your price. What it finds, when to file a hail claim first, and repair vs replace vs credit.

A cracked rubber pipe boot is the usual cause of a vent pipe leak in the Treasure Valley. Here is how to confirm it, and how to fix it without replacing the roof.

Fargo homes need at least R-49 in the attic, and newer codes call for R-60. Here is how to measure what you have and why it matters for ice dams, attic frost, and roof life.

Synthetic underlayment outlasts felt in Idaho heat and wind. Here is what goes under the shingles on a Treasure Valley roof and what to look for on your estimate.

Yes, siding can be installed in winter in Fargo, but the material matters. Steel and engineered wood handle the cold well, vinyl needs careful handling. What a good winter siding job looks like in the FM metro.

Roof pitch changes replacement cost through added surface area, slower labor, and safety setup. Here is how steep and low slope roofs price out in Boise, Meridian, Eagle and across the Treasure Valley.

Usually not. Freeze and thaw cycles turn bruised shingles into leaks over a Fargo winter, and waiting can weaken your insurance claim. Here is which hail damage can wait and which needs to be fixed before the ground freezes.

Yes. Drip edge is required by the residential code enforced across Ada and Canyon counties. Here is what it does, how it should be installed, and how to tell if your older Boise or Nampa home is missing it.

Many Fargo commercial roofs can be coated instead of replaced, but only if the insulation is dry and the membrane is sound. Here is how to tell which side your building is on.

Fiberglass windows last longer and handle Boise heat better, while vinyl is the most affordable choice. Here is how to decide for a Treasure Valley home.

Yes, an old roof can get you nonrenewed in North Dakota. Here is what insurers ask for, how an inspection can save your policy, and when replacement makes sense.

A roof leak around the chimney is almost always a flashing problem, not a shingle problem. Here is how to tell, what fails, and how it gets fixed without a new roof.

Steel siding is worth it for most Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead homes because it handles hail, wind, and deep cold far better than vinyl and lasts roughly twice as long. Here is how it compares on durability, dents, cost, and timing.

A metal roof is worth it for most Treasure Valley homeowners who plan to stay 15 years or more. Here is how metal compares to shingles on lifespan, heat, wind, hail, and cost in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell.

Most North Dakota homeowner policies require prompt notice and set a one year deadline to file a hail claim, some allow two. Here is how the clock works in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, and Horace.

Most like for like siding and window swaps in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell are exempt from permits, but opening changes, framing repair, and egress windows are not. Here is how to check.