Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Ice Jams – Know What to Look For

The winter storm in the forecast for this week is expected to start with a layer of ice, followed by a significant snowfall.

When you have a layer of ice under snow, there is a potential for ice jams to form. Ice jams occur when snow is in a pattern of melting and refreezing. Snow that melts during the day will refreeze at night if the temperatures drop back below freezing, and this can cause water and ice to collect under shingles on the roof. As the ice melts again, it can lead to water leaking in your house.

According to the team at Prairie Construction, heat can escape into your attic is your home has inadequate insulation. The roof deck warms as the heat reaches the attic, causing snow the roof to melt. If there is a pattern of melting and refreezing, a layer ice will form under the snow on the surface of your roof which can potentially damage the roof and cause water to leak into your home.

It may be hard to detect ice jams on your roof, especially if they are hidden under a layer of snow. Icicles hanging from your roof can be a sign because they indicate a pattern of melting and refreezing. Signs of water leaking in your home may be a sign, but this so undetected if your attic is not finished or easily accessible.

If you own a roof rake, and can safely reach your roof from the ground, it may help if remove the snow you can reach. It is not safe to climb on your roof when it is covered in ice and snow, and you may cause more damage to your roof by trying to remove ice or snow.

The team at Prairie Construction recommends that you watch for signs of ice jams but leave it alone for now. If you notice water damage in your home or office, don’t try to fix it yourself, call a professional!

For now, stay safe and warm and wait for the ice and snow to melt.

Posted on By JM Online Categories Uncategorized

New Year, New Projects

Happy New Year from all of us at Prairie Construction! The start of the new year is always a good time to look ahead and set goals for the new year. Perhaps you have been considering a remodel or new build project for your home or businesses but put it off because of rising material costs and supply delays. In recent months we have seen improvements in costs and supply and demand issues. We think 2023 is the right time to plan your construction project, and the Prairie Construction team is ready to help! We have some tips to keep in mind to ensure your new construction or remodel project, big or small, is successful:
  • Choose a trusted contractor! Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.
  • Pick a company has a solid reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
  • Working with contractor or construction company that will manage your project from start to finish will save you from having to find subcontractors.
  • Ask your contractor if they have experience with projects like yours and ask if you can see them.
  • Work with a company that has a good understanding of architectural design.
Choosing the right company for your project will make the process successful and eliminate stress, so trust your instinct and do your homework. Contact the Prairie Construction to start planning your 2023 construction project!
Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Holiday Greetings from Prairie Construction

As we prepare for the Holiday season, and look ahead to 2023, the Prairie Construction team is reflecting on the last year.

We are grateful for the many gifts we have received and celebrated during the last year, the greatest of which is the opportunity to continue working with our trusted team, partners, and clients.

We consider it a gift when you trust our team enough to partner with us, especially when you have worked with our team on other projects. We value your trust and confidence in us.

We value the continued support and collaboration from our partners and contractors. Your professionalism and commitment to quality work make it easy for us to provide excellent customer service to each of our customers.

We owe a huge part of our success to our team of dedicated professionals. We are grateful for each member of our team, and we appreciate your dedication and loyalty. Thank you for your commitment to providing excellent service to our customers.

We wish you all the joy and happiness of the Holiday season. May the New Year bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and yours. Happy Holidays from all of us at Prairie Construction!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Prevent Energy Loss in Your Home this Winter

Winter is slowly creeping in, and the colder temperatures have already given our furnaces a workout.

Assuming we experience typical temperatures this Winter, MUD estimates on average residential customers will pay 17-18% more on their natural gas bill this winter. Add this to higher costs across the board due to inflation, and many homeowners will be feeling a pinch this year.

We can’t do much about the weather, but we can take steps to reduce costly energy loss in our homes.

The Prairie Construction team share these tips for homeowners:

  • Make sure your attic is properly insulated. Without it, rising heat will escape through the roof.
  • Insulation can be blown into wall cavities, which will reduce air circulation and prevent energy loss.
  • Seal cracks and fill gaps around windows and doors to prevent air from escaping.
  • Seal off an unused chimney with a chimney balloon inserted into the chimney, or with airtight glass doors.
  • Cover air conditioner units to prevent cold air from entering the home through them.

Taking these steps will help reduce the loss of energy through your home this Winter, combatting the rising energy costs that will impact all of us.

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Prepare Your Home for Winter

It won’t be long before Winter settles into the Midwest. Before the first snowfall, the Prairie Construction teams recommend you take some precautions to avoid ice jams and costly energy loss in your home.

One important aspect of winter home preparation is ensuring that you have a reliable and efficient source of heating fuel, such as oil. If you use oil to heat your home, it’s a good idea to read the FAQ’s from GreenSeal Oil Tank Service or a similar company before the winter season starts. This can help you understand the process of ordering and receiving oil deliveries, as well as any policies or procedures that you need to be aware of. Knowing what to expect can help you plan and budget accordingly, and ensure that you’re never without heat during the winter months.

Ice jams occur when precipitation, like snow, is in a pattern of melting and refreezing. Snow will melt as the temperature climbs during the day, and refreeze as the temperatures dip in the evenings. This forces the water and ice under shingles and the roof underlayment which can eventually lead to water leaking in your house. But the problem is not the roof, it’s what is happening under your roof that is to blame.

Inadequate insulation in your home allows heat to escape into your attic, which can be a costly loss of energy but can also be the cause of ice jams. As the heat in the attic reaches the roof, the roof deck warms and melts the snow on top of the roof. The melting/refreezing cycle causes a layer of ice to form under the snow on the surface of your roof, which can lead to roof damage and leaks in the home. You may then have to contact a roof repair company (check roofing marietta ga if you need your roof fixed) in your vicinity that can fix the roof damage. Therefore, insulating your home properly before winter could be necessary.

The Prairie Construction recommend tips to avoid energy loss and ice jams this Winter:

  • Make sure your home has enough soffit vents, and they are clear of debris.
  • If your attic is unfinished, you should see light from the outdoors. If you are unable to see light, your soffit vents may be plugged with debris. Clean plugged vents, or replace with newer vents that don’t get plugged as easily.
  • The attic should have a few feet of insulation. If you are unsure if your home has enough insulation, have a contractor check it out.
  • Seal up holes and cracks which can be a source of energy loss. Caulk and weather strip around windows to reduce air leakage.

This Winter, watch for icicles to form on your roof. They can be an indication of an ice jam. Take the time now before the cold settles in to avoid costly damage and energy loss this Winter. If you have concerns, give us a call!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Industry News, Uncategorized

Time to Build

We could see an increase of close to 10 percent in construction projects in 2023, according to the American Institute of Architect’s AIA Consensus Construction Forecast. And 2024 could see an additional increase of six percent. This is great news!

The construction industry, like most industries, slowed down during the pandemic. Labor shortages and supply chain issues posed additional challenges. But things are looking up! Unemployment is low, and there are many positions available in the industry. 

Construction spending has been trending upwards this year, and is not showing signs of slowing. Projects that may have been put on hold during the pandemic are now being scheduled, and this is contributing to the brighter forecast as more businesses have returned to the office.

Are you ready to move forward with your project that has been on hold? Don’t wait any longer to reach out to the Prairie Construction team to get your renovation or new build on the schedule for 2023. We are looking forward to working and building with you!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Get Your Home Ready for Early Record Cold

The forecast is calling for record lows, the first hard freeze of the season. It might be catching some of us off guard because we have been enjoying nice days with cool nights.

The Prairie Construction team suggests a few quick things you should do around the house before the temperatures dip below freezing:

  • Make sure all windows, including the storm windows, are closed.
  • Keep your garage door closed to protect any plumbing out there and prevent cold air from entering the home.
  • Disconnect hoses from the exterior and cover the spout with a spigot cover.
  • Replace any missing insulation, especially around exposed pipes.

If you have a sprinkler system for your yard, our friends at Millard Sprinkler recommend you have your sprinkler system drained before the first freeze of the winter.

They share a helpful video for homeowners who haven’t had their system professionally drained.

The forecast has a return to unseasonably warm temperatures by the weekend, but these quick steps will prevent frozen pipes which can cause a lot of damage and are costly to repair.

The Prairie Construction team will share more tips for a thorough winterization of your home soon!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Empty Office Space Makes Renovation an Option

Pandemic restrictions have essentially been lifted, and many companies have implemented a return-to-work policy. But for several companies, it won’t be a return to “normal”. Many businesses have adopted a hybrid schedule, while others are deciding not to return at all and stay remote. That means a lot of office space is sitting empty in Omaha.

The surge in empty office spaces means renovation may be a more feasible option than building new for companies considering a change. Renovation can be a quicker, less expensive option than building new.

The Prairie Construction team recently helped Colliers International with renovation of an existing office space in the Northpark area.

Renovation projects often take less time than a new build and can be less expensive, but there are other considerations. Plans may be limited to the existing infrastructure, and the space made need modifications to comply with updated codes. 

Give the Prairie Construction team a call if you are ready to renovate existing commercial space, or to discuss potential new construction plans. 

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Renovate vs. Build

The Prairie Construction team would like to thank O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills & Ferdig, LLP for partnering with us on their recent office renovation project.

The Omaha-based certified public accounting company occupied the second floor of the First National Bank building located at 114th & Dodge St. The OFWF team recognized the need for an updated space and chose to renovate their existing space.

We work many clients who have a desire for an updated space, but aren’t sure whether to move and build new, or renovate their existing space. We found ourselves in the same position a few years ago, and we made the decision to the renovate instead of building new – and what a great decision that was!

If your existing space has adequate room for your needs, an upgrade may be the way to go. Renovation projects are often quicker because the necessary elements are already in place. 

Cost is always a factor for any project, and a huge consideration when it comes to renovating vs. building. While a renovation project can be costly, depending on design and chosen materials, it is almost always less expensive than a new build.

Renovation projects may come with some restrictions from a design standpoint because you are limited to the confines of the existing space. However, if the space is adequate, there are endless possibilities when it comes to redesigning a space.

We enjoyed the renovation of the OFWF office. If you have questions about renovating vs. building, call the Prairie Construction team today!

Posted on By Julie Swartz Categories Uncategorized

Memorial Day Greetings 

The Prairie Construction team would like to send Memorial Day greetings to all of our friends and customers. This weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, but more importantly, it is a time for us to reflect on those who have served our country.

The brave men and women who serve or have served in the US military are heroes. On this Memorial Day we hope everyone pauses and considers those who have sacrificed so all of us can enjoy the freedoms we have in this country.

We are looking ahead to a busy summer of exciting projects. We look forward to sharing news and updates on jobs around the city. We hope you all enjoy a fun, safe summer!