home-kitchen

Experts in remodeling.

We have the education, experience and team for your dream project.

Posts Tagged ‘Roof’

Spring Cleaning Should Include Gutters

by admin, 8:53 AM on April 18th, 2012, Comments Off

It might seem like a fall job, but gutters can collect leaves and other junk during the winter and spring, too.   Rain gutters protect you and your home from water damage.  With that in mind, here’s a reminder of last fall’s post on gutter maintenance.

Wet leaves and debris can cause water to back up in the gutters. That can force water to overflow the sidewalls or worse can pull the gutters away from the fascia boards. It can also cause erosion around the foundation, wet basements, and siding rot.

Cleaning Gutters

You should inspect and clean your rain gutters at least twice a year, once in the late fall and once in early spring. By cleaning rain gutters in late fall you can be sure to remove any leaves, branches and other debris that may have accumulated during the summer and fall seasons.  You also ensure that gutters work properly during the winter, or at least minimize ice build-up.  Spring cleaning gutters gives you a chance to check for any ice damage and to remove any debris that may have accumulated.

Gutter cleaning typically requires a ladder, garden hose with spray nozzle, and a pair of rubber gloves. Make sure the ladder is properly and stably positioned on the ground. A stepladder works well but, make sure it is tall enough that you can safely use it without having to stand on the top two steps. If you need to use an extension ladder, place a piece of 2×4 lumber inside the gutter to keep the gutter from bending when you lean the ladder on it.  Remove the leaves and debris by hand where you can reach them.  Use the hose to clean hard to reach areas.  Before you finish, be sure to spray out the down spouts.  Leaves can accumulate there as well.

Gutter Shields and Gutter Guards

Though your rain gutters may be outfitted with gutter shields or gutter guards don’t think you are immune from gutter cleanings. These systems help minimize gutter clogs but they are not perfect. Small debris inevitably finds its way underneath them and into your gutters.

Protect your biggest investment with regular gutter cleaning.  Your new home addition will thank you!

Protect Your Home Addition With Regular Gutter Cleaning

by admin, 11:10 AM on October 20th, 2011, Comments Off

You’ve made a significant investment in your new home addition.  An important part of protecting that investment is proper rain gutter cleaning and maintenance.  Rain gutters protect you and your home from water damage.

Wet leaves and debris can cause water to back up in the gutters. That can force water to overflow the sidewalls or worse can pull the gutters away from the fascia boards. It can also cause erosion around the foundation, wet basements, and siding rot.

Cleaning Gutters

You should inspect and clean your rain gutters at least twice a year, once in the late fall and once in early spring. By cleaning rain gutters in late fall you can be sure to remove any leaves, branches and other debris that may have accumulated during the summer and fall seasons.  You also ensure that gutters work properly during the winter, or at least minimize ice build-up.  Spring cleaning gutters gives you a chance to check for any ice damage and to remove any debris that may have accumulated.

Gutter cleaning typically requires a ladder, garden hose with spray nozzle, and a pair of rubber gloves. Make sure the ladder is properly and stably positioned on the ground. A stepladder works well but, make sure it is tall enough that you can safely use it without having to stand on the top two steps. If you need to use an extension ladder, place a piece of 2×4 lumber inside the gutter to keep the gutter from bending when you lean the ladder on it.  Remove the leaves and debris by hand where you can reach them.  Use the hose to clean hard to reach areas.  Before you finish, be sure to spray out the down spouts.  Leaves can accumulate there as well.

Gutter Shields and Gutter Guards

Though your rain gutters may be outfitted with gutter shields or gutter guards don’t think you are immune from gutter cleanings. These systems help minimize gutter clogs but they are not perfect. Small debris inevitably finds its way underneath them and into your gutters.

Protect your biggest investment with regular gutter cleaning.  Your new home addition will thank you!

Home Additions: Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

by admin, 10:06 AM on September 23rd, 2011, Comments Off

Building an addition onto an existing home can create a wonderful new living space.  Gourmet kitchens, cozy family rooms and productive home offices are just a few of the dramatic expansions possible with a home addition.  A comprehensive plan makes the dream of a home addition achievable.  That plan must include a review of several structural challenges that can lead to design changes or added expense.

As part of each home addition plan, we research and evaluate the home’s “bones” as well as the skin.  That effort includes inspection and discussion of the foundation, links to the existing structure and the roof, among many other topics.  As you consider your home addition, be prepared to think about the following topics.

Foundation

The existing foundation must be prepared to handle some of the load of the new construction.  This is particularly true when additional stories are added to a home.  Any new foundations necessary to support the addition must have proper drainage and must integrate seamlessly into the existing foundation.

We use time-tested foundation construction practices, suitable for local soil and water conditions to ensure a well-insulated, dry foundation that will carry the loads placed on it by the new structure.

Connection to the existing structure

The new addition must also fit well with the existing structure to prevent cracks, settling or other damage to the structure.  Some additions include the removal or improvement of structural walls, lintels or stairways that can affect load-bearing within both the new and old structure.  This is especially true when a second story is added to a single-level section of a home.

We look carefully at the existing load-bearing walls and structures to provide the best design for a solid, beautiful extension to your home.

Roof

Water and ice can have a tremendous negative impact on a home.  It’s crucial that any new addition remove, reduce or avoid build-up of water or ice during the winter and prevent leaks during spring and summer rains.

We work carefully with the existing home plans to be sure that water and ice issues are reduced or eliminated in the new addition.

 

A new addition to a home requires a thoughtful, comprehensive plan that includes both structural and aesthetic concerns.  Our design team has years of experience creating wonderful living spaces.  Contact us today to start designing your new addition.