The Second Floor Sauna Problem

If your second floor feels like a sauna every July, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common complaints we get from homeowners this time of year.

“Bob, the thermostat says 72 degrees, but when I walk upstairs it feels like I’m in a sauna. Is something wrong with my air conditioner?”

Maybe but more than likely, your air conditioner isn’t the problem. It’s how your home is handling the summer weather. We all know heat rises, which is why the second floor is usually hotter than the ground level. As the sun beats down on your roof all day, your attic can easily reach temperatures of 130 to 150 degrees. That heat doesn’t just stay up there. It radiates through your ceiling, while warm air from the first floor naturally rises, too.

Your air conditioner is working hard, but it’s trying to cool the part of the house that’s getting hit with the most heat.

Why do Cape Cod homes seem to have it the worst?

If you own a Cape, you’ve probably been nodding your head the whole time. Cape Cod homes are charming, but they weren’t exactly designed with central air conditioning in mind.

Many of the upstairs bedrooms are built right under the roof, with those beautiful sloped ceilings everyone loves. The downside is that there’s often very little attic space separating your bedroom from a roof that’s been baking in the Connecticut sun all afternoon.

That means less room for insulation, less room for ventilation, and a lot more heat making its way inside.

So…does this mean I need a new air conditioner?

Not so fast. Sometimes an older AC system is part of the problem. But we’ve also seen plenty of homeowners replace their air conditioner only to find the upstairs is still uncomfortable.

Think about trying to keep a cooler full of ice cold while someone leaves the lid open all day. Eventually, even the best cooler is going to struggle.

Your house works the same way. If heat is constantly pouring into your home through the roof, attic, windows, or poorly insulated spaces, your cooling system is always trying to catch up.

What should I check first?

I’d start with the attic.

How’s the ventilation? If hot air can’t escape, your attic becomes a giant oven sitting right above your bedrooms.

How’s the insulation? Insulation isn’t just for winter. During the summer, it’s what helps keep all that attic heat from working its way into your living space.

Are there air leaks? Small openings around attic hatches, recessed lights, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring might not seem like much, but together they can let a surprising amount of hot attic air seep into the house.

Can my windows make that much of a difference?

Absolutely. If your upstairs bedrooms face west, they spend the hottest part of the day soaking up direct afternoon sun. Closing blinds or shades before the afternoon heat arrives can help. So can energy-efficient windows if yours are older and due for replacement.

Sometimes it’s not one big problem, it’s several little ones adding up.

What about the roof itself?

The roof plays a bigger role than many people realize. An aging roof, poor ventilation, or roofing materials that absorb a lot of heat can all contribute to a hotter attic. If you’re already planning a roof replacement, it’s worth talking with your contractor about ventilation and roofing products that reflect more of the sun’s heat.

Anything else I should know?

Here’s the good news: if your upstairs is warmer than the first floor, that doesn’t automatically mean something is broken. To some degree, it’s just the nature of a two-story home. But if there’s a huge difference between floors or if certain rooms are almost impossible to keep comfortable, it’s usually worth taking a closer look.

A combination of better attic ventilation, proper insulation, sealing air leaks, making sure your ductwork is in good shape, and having a healthy roof can make a much bigger difference than many homeowners expect.

You may never get your upstairs to feel exactly like the first floor on a 95-degree day, but you can absolutely make it more comfortable and maybe even stop arguing over who gets the downstairs bedroom every summer.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Got a home issue you’d like Bob to tackle? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Grill Season Is in Full Swing. Is Your Backyard Safe?

By now, most of us have settled into the rhythm of summer. The grill is getting plenty of use, dinner is happening outside whenever the weather cooperates, and weekends are filled with family and friends. But since it’s been a month or two of regular grilling, now is a great time to take a quick look around your backyard and make sure everything is still in good shape. Here are a few things worth checking before you fire up the grill tonight.

Give Your Grill a Little More Space Than You Think It Needs

Every year we replace melted vinyl siding because a grill was sitting just a little too close to the house. People are often surprised to learn that it doesn’t take direct flames to cause damage. The heat coming off the grill alone can warp siding, discolor trim, and even damage nearby windows.

If possible, keep your grill at least ten feet away from your home, deck railings, fences, and anything overhead like awnings or low tree branches. A little extra distance can save you from a repair you never saw coming.

Your Grill Could Probably Use a Mid-Summer Cleaning

If you’ve been grilling a few nights a week since Memorial Day, your grill has earned a little attention.

Grease builds up faster than most people realize, and that’s one of the biggest causes of flare-ups. Spend a few minutes brushing the grates, emptying the grease tray, and cleaning out any debris underneath. Not only is it safer, but your food will cook more evenly too.

Take a Walk Around Your Deck or Patio

While you’re at it, give the area around your grill a quick once-over.

Look for loose deck boards, popped nails, wobbly railings, cracked steps, or anything else that doesn’t feel quite right. You’re carrying hot food, propane tanks, and serving trays back and forth all summer long. It’s much better to tighten a loose railing today than discover it when someone leans against it tomorrow, especially considering the storms we’ve had.

Give Your Propane Tank a Quick Check

Look over your propane hose for cracks or signs of wear, make sure the connections are tight, and if you ever smell gas, don’t light the grill until you’ve figured out why. A little dish soap mixed with water can help you spot a leak by creating bubbles around the connection.

Clear Out the Backyard Clutter

Summer has a funny way of filling up the patio.

Pool toys, bikes, sports equipment, gardening supplies, and coolers all seem to end up around the grill. Before you start cooking, clear away anything that could become a trip hazard or accidentally end up too close to the heat.

Don’t Forget to Look Up

Most people remember to check what’s behind the grill. Fewer people remember to check what’s above it.

Tree branches, patio umbrellas, string lights, pergolas, and roof overhangs can all be affected by the heat rising from your grill. A quick glance overhead before you start cooking is always worth it.

Keep Safety Within Reach

Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s always smart to have a fire extinguisher nearby and know exactly where your garden hose is. And as tempting as it is to run inside to answer the phone or grab another plate, try not to leave a lit grill unattended.

It only takes a moment for a small flare-up to become something much more serious.

A Few Minutes Now Can Save You a Lot Later

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that most expensive repairs don’t start with a major disaster. More often than not, they begin with a small issue that nobody noticed until it became a much bigger problem.

Taking ten minutes to look over your grill, deck, and backyard today can help keep your home safe, your family protected, and your summer focused on what really matters - good food, good company, and enjoying the season.

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.

A Home Maintenance Checklist After a Storm

If your neighborhood looked anything like ours after last week’s storms, you’ve probably spent more time than you planned dragging branches to the curb, filling yard waste bags, or listening to chainsaws in the distance.

Central Connecticut took a pretty good beating. High winds and heavy rain left plenty of downed trees, broken limbs, and debris scattered across neighborhoods. Thankfully, many homeowners escaped with only minor damage, but storms like these are also a good reminder that your home’s exterior takes more of a beating than you might realize.

Once you’ve finished cleaning up the obvious mess, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to walk around your property. A quick inspection now can help you catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs later.

1. Start with Your Roof

Before you even grab a ladder, take a slow walk around your house and look up. You’re looking for anything that seems out of place such as missing shingles, lifted ridge caps, damaged flashing around chimneys or vents, or branches that may have scraped across the roof.

Not every problem is obvious from the ground, but if something catches your eye, don’t ignore it. Even a small area of damage can allow water to work its way underneath the roofing materials, and the leak often doesn’t show up until the next heavy rain.

2. Give Your Gutters Some Attention

After a storm, gutters have a way of collecting everything from leaves and twigs to pine needles and seed pods. Once they’re clogged, they can’t do the job they’re designed to do.

Instead of carrying water away from your home, overflowing gutters can send water behind your siding, damage fascia boards, wash out landscaping, or even contribute to water finding its way into your basement.

If you’ve already been outside cleaning up branches, this is the perfect time to make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and draining properly.

3. Don’t Forget the Trees That Stayed Standing

Most people notice the branches that came down. The ones that are still hanging overhead deserve just as much attention.

Look for cracked limbs, split trunks, or branches that are now hanging over your roof or rubbing against your siding. Storms often weaken trees without bringing them down immediately, which means the next windy day could finish the job.

If you have mature trees close to your home, it’s worth having an arborist take a look if anything seems questionable.

4. Walk the Outside of Your Home

Wind doesn’t have to knock something over to cause damage. Flying debris can loosen siding, crack trim, or damage the caulking around windows and doors.

Take a slow walk around your home and look closely. Small gaps may not seem like a big deal today, but they can allow water, insects, and moisture to find their way inside over time. Catching those little problems early is almost always easier and less expensive than waiting until they become major repairs.

5. Keep an Eye Out for Hidden Water Damage

Not every storm leaves behind obvious damage. Sometimes the warning signs don’t appear for several days.

Over the next week or two, keep an eye out for new water stains on ceilings, damp spots in the attic, peeling paint, musty odors, or discoloration around windows. Those subtle changes are often the first indication that wind-driven rain found a way into your home.

The earlier you catch a leak, the simpler and less costly the repair is likely to be.

6. Use This as a Chance to Get Ahead

One thing we’ve learned over the past several years is that severe weather isn’t as unusual as it once seemed. Strong storms have become part of life here in Connecticut, and the best time to prepare for the next one is while this one is still fresh in your mind.

Ask yourself a few simple questions. Are tree branches hanging over your roof? Are your gutters getting old? Is your roof nearing the end of its life? Are your windows and siding still doing the job they were designed to do?

You don’t have to tackle every project this season, but having a plan is always better than being caught off guard.

Once the branches are piled at the curb and your yard starts looking like itself again, spend just a little more time giving your home a careful once-over. A few minutes of maintenance today can help prevent a much bigger headache tomorrow.

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.