Pacific Sheet Metal Blog

If you’re experiencing water dripping through your ceiling during the winter and it’s not due to an actual roof leak or ice dam problem, condensation is the most likely culprit. Regardless of the source, excess moisture is one of the home’s worst enemies. It can lead to poor indoor air quality, mold and mildew, rot, and deterioration. Attic condensation is a common problem for many homeowners during the colder months. Today, we’ll explain why it forms and what you can do to fight it. 

Heat tape, or heat cable, is insulated electrical wire that raises the temperature of rooftops, gutters, downspouts, and pipes to prevent ice buildup during the winter. Heat tape is installed in areas prone to developing ice dams, which can wreak havoc on your home and pose a dangerous threat to anyone standing or walking nearby. 

If your home has had an ice dam problem in the past, heat tape may be an affordable and effective solution to minimize ice buildup. Here are some tips to help you safely install heat tape on your roof and in your gutters and downspouts. 

A short circuit occurs when electricity strays from its intended path and completes its journey via a shorter route—one of less resistance. This occurs when the flow of electricity is interrupted by a flaw in the established wiring. If a short circuit in your electrical system is not found and promptly fixed, it could produce sparks, smoke, or fire or cause electric shock. 

Before we get into common causes of short circuits in a home, a brief science lesson is in order to help you better understand how circuits work. 

Choosing the right siding for your home can be a difficult process. There are a few wildly different options, and some of which require higher labor and/or material costs than others. To get started, the following questions may prove helpful in deciding which type of siding is right for your home:

How much thought have you given your roof in the last year? Particularly for owners of second homes, who may enjoy their property only a few times per year, the security and stability of the roof is too often assumed. Without a major issue, few people want to invest their vacation time in the attic inspecting the roof for damage and leaks.

Maintaining any home comes with its lumps and bumps—particularly for the second home owner who might see their investment once or twice per year. Few people want to invest their vacation time in the crawlspace checking the pipes for breaks and leaks. Often, however, a second home is among a family’s largest investments, so protecting it is vitally important.

Lighting can make all the difference in the appearance of your home. Fortunately, there are plenty of upgrades you can make to take your lighting design to the next level. Check out these easy lighting upgrades to give your home a makeover. 

Selecting a roof for your home is kind of a big deal. In many ways, the roof acts as your home’s first line of defense against the elements. The success and effectiveness of your roof have a direct impact on the function of your home as a whole, so it's crucial to choose the right material. In many cases, a metal roof can be the optimal selection for a home. Here's why you should consider a new metal roof when the time comes to replace yours. 

Plumbing is part of your everyday life. Unfortunately, so are its defects. Don’t let common plumbing issues trip you up! Check out these five commonly asked plumbing questions—and their answers. 

Metal has become more accepted in recent years as an effective siding material. Sheet metal is a competitive option for homeowners seeking reliable, durable siding. Like any material, metal has its drawbacks, but if you can approach metal siding with an informed point of view, it can be an excellent addition to your home. Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of metal siding.