Does your Garage Need a Facelift?
Entries Tagged as 'Outdoor Handyman Services'
Deck Refinishing – The Cheapest Bid
We presented a bid to refinish eight decks for a condo association and were informed that someone offered to do it for 40% less than us. I reworked the numbers and felt that our price was reasonable. As a cost saving measure The Condo Association selects the lower bidder. Conclusion: the decks need to be redone; the contractor splashed stain/sealer onto the roof, metal flashings, gutter, AC unit, door threshold(s), painted wood trim and recently painted metal railing. Stain/Sealer cannot be removed from a rubber roof, and it will cost the association far more than our original estimate to complete the remaining repairs. BTW, lowest bidder did not have insurance.
Not good!
Power Washing Decks, Fences or Siding Using a Green Cleaner
We have field tested a nice outdoor cleaning product. It removes dirt, mildew, algae and fungus stains on a range of outdoor surfaces, including wood and composite decks, fences, concrete, masonry, brick, stucco, outdoor furniture, roofs, siding and some fabrics such as awnings and vinyl plastics. It is an effective, oxygen powered cleaner concentrate that is biodegradable and gentler than chlorine bleach-based formulas.
It’s not inexpensive, when compared to more traditional products, and still requires a lot of elbow grease, the proper scrub brushes and a professional grade power washer for decks and fencing but it is less harmful to pets, shrubs and trees.
We have learned several things to improve its performance and we recommend you follow the manufactures instructions on the back of the bottle before you give Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Oxy Foaming Action Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner a try. Or have Ask Lon! Remodeling and Handyman Services do the cleaning for you just like this Condo Associations has…Next up – the fence!
Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
Lon and Pam’s Dream Home
Over the last few years, seems that people are staying longer in their existing homes. Even the rate of home entertaining and stay at home vacations has dramatically increased. Makes us wonder why then, do so many people wait to make home improvements until they are ready to sell? Whether you’re planning to stay or prepping to sell – please take a moment to view our latest “before & after” video and discount offer. Please give me a call to schedule a Free Estimate and thank you for your continued support.
Ask Lon! Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
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Lon Thomas Owner/Operator Ask Lon! 5632 Church Street Morton Grove, IL 60053 (847)636-0771 www.asklon.com———————————–
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Home Fall Checklist
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Residential Homes & Condo Associations
Replace batteries in smoke/ fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Heating and Cooling: (Check the literature that came with your furnace – can’t find it? We can help!)
Inspect the chimney to be certain it is clear of nests and debris. Clean A/C condenser and cover unit. Vacuum around furnace and be certain nothing flammable has been placed near heating system. Replace air filter, check room for proper ventilation and move air duct vent to “winter” position. Test the thermostat to assure the heating system ignites and shuts down properly.
Humidifier:
Some forced air systems have built-in humidifiers which need to be cleaned prior to use and the water supply turned on then tested for leaks. Failure to maintain the unit invites mechanical failure and corrosion of the air ducts. Worse yet, poorly maintained systems can provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and mold. Even those standalone humidifiers must be cleaned and inspected.
Plumbing:
Drain garden hose & close exterior water supply. Are all exterior stairwell drains clear and working properly?
Roof:
Check for leaks. Check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. Check vents and louvers for birds, nests, squirrels, and insects. Inspect flashing around roof stacks, vents, and skylights for leaks.
Attic:
Examine internally and externally for holes or leaks along the roofline. Make certain that attic insulation doesn’t cover ventilation vents in the eaves. Keeping them clear helps prevent winter ice dams. Remove or add as insulation necessary. Check for evidence of birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc. Check for proper ventilation.
Windows & Doors:
Check condition of caulk, glazing and weather stripping around windows and doors. Clean out window and screen door weep wells. Lower storms and test window locks. Make sure the basement window wells are high enough to prevent ground water from flowing into them and that the bottoms are cleared of leaves and that dirt or gravel is at least 12 inches below the window sill. When was the last time you loosened the soil within them to improve drainage?
Garage Doors:
Adjust to eliminate openings where critters gain entry and lubricate wheels and opener. Good time to replace remote batteries too!
Exterior walls:
Check for cracks, openings and deteriorating bricks and mortar. Check for loose or damaged siding. Check painted surfaces for flaking.
Landscaping:
Remove tree limbs, branches, or debris that can attract insects. Be certain ground around your home drops away ½ inch per-foot as you move away from the house.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Remove debris and check for leaks, misalignment, or damage. Are those downspout extensions in place and secure?
Would you like us to handel these details?
Dial 847-636-0771 for a free evaluation.
Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 info@asklon.com www.asklon.comPrevent Ice Damming with Proper Attic Care
Does your home have large icicles hanging off its gutters? If so, this could be a telltale sign of a much more serious condition called ice damming.
Ice damming is caused by the refreezing of melted snow at the roof overhang which creates a “dam” that can trap water under shingles or other roof finishing layers, causing leaks through roof deck joints, nail holes which may appear inside as stains, cracks or bubbles within drywall and must be inspected for mold prior to repair. To see a quality drawing click here.
The problem of ice damming is a much deeper issue than it may first appear, and may be indicative of poor construction, insulation or ventilation problems and possibly lead to serious health related issues in the home. Because ice damming can force water backward and underneath your roofing material it can damage the roof sheathing, cause the wood rafters to rot, and accelerate the deterioration of your insulation – leading to higher fuel bills, the development of mold growth, health problems and costly repairs.
The rule of thumb is that properly ventilated attic air should never be more than 15 degrees hotter than the outside air. If it is hotter, that is an indication of additional heat sources in the attic that should be eliminated, and/or an indication of unsatisfactory attic ventilation that must be corrected immediately. Purchase a good thermometer and test it yourself!
Health Hazards
One of the most common types of mold that thrives in a moist attic environment is black mold. Black mold spreads by spores, and there is growing evidence of serious health hazards associated with breathing in the black mold spores. This is an unhealthy home syndrome that must be corrected immediately. (Black Mold photo) Remember, just because you are not allergic to molds today does not insure that you will not be allergic to molds tomorrow. If you are experiencing breathing and allergic type reactions, contact your doctor and then have your attic inspected for proper insulation, ventilation and heat sources. Visit the EPA for additional information on mold: http://www.epa.gov/mold/hiddenmold.html
Excessive Attic Heat: The Primary Culprit
How does heat enter the attic? How does heat exit the attic? These are two very important questions that must be asked for every construction design. Without heat, there are no ice dams, no moisture condensation problems and no health issues to be concerned about. The following are examples of common ways unwanted heat enters the attic space, telltale signs of ice damming conditions and some reasons why heat can not exit that attic space:
• Attic air space should be considered unheated space. Thus, all walls adjoining that space must be insulated to help reduce heat entry into that attic space. Doors leading to unheated spaces should be addressed and trimmed as if they were outside doors, complete with saddles and weather stripping.
• While standing in your attic can you see down into the open space around the framed box of a fireplace? If so, this is a major heat source, open directly into the attic space due to unsatisfactory construction and will cause ice dams and must be corrected.
• Un-insulated walls or ceilings allow heat to penetrate into the attic and will result in huge utility bills for heating and air conditioning and create an ice damming situation.
• Some homes have been retrofitted with new energy efficient h.v.a.c. systems which may have been run through attic space. Big mistake! Un-insulated ductwork allows increasing heat build-up in the attic, leading to snow melt and ice damming.
• Has your home been resided? Be certain that the original wood-covered soffit overhangs were removed and that new perforated soffit vents (to assure inlet air flow to the attic) were properly installed. This is an important and necessary element for a healthy home.
• Check inside to see if attic insulation is covering the soffit vents if so, remove it. Soffit vent protectors should have been installed to help keep insulation from blocking these vents.
• Check the wood in your attic by looking for “white vertical lines” which would indicate that frozen water had infiltrated the home and then froze again when exiting through the siding weep holes and soffit vent holes. This condition could lead to major problem if not corrected.
• Did someone install” standard” recessed lighting fixtures in the ceilings? If located in very close proximity to the low sloped roof it can pre-mature ice melt and ultimately an ice dam. Note: Don’t cover a light fixture with insulation! Is it a double-walled insulated light fixture? Has insulation been installed according to local fire code? If you can’t answer these questions call for help.
• Another common way for heat to enter the attic involves installing the bathroom exhaust vent duct into the soffit vents, rather than correctly installing the duct to an outlet vent. Soffit vents are inlet vents, not outlet vents. Everything that exits the house at a soffit vent immediately re-enters the house in the attic space, because that is what soffit vents are designed to do. Not only will this add heat, but it will also add humidity and moisture to the attic, defeating the very reason for installing the bathroom fan in the first place. Even a home with functional attic ventilation can now develop molds on the roof sheathing cavities above these unsatisfactory ducts.
• Insulation is designed to keep heat within the living space in winter. All sidewalls facing an unheated surface must be insulated, with the vapor barrier facing the heated surface. Twelve inches of insulation, creating an R-38, is optimal. Remember, only have one vapor barrier and install it facing toward the heated surface. To attain a 12 inch depth use either un-faced insulation or blown-in insulation.
• Further compounding the very unsatisfactory conditions of this attic is the use of loose, blown-in, fiberglass insulation, lacking a vapor barrier, which now doubles the amount of attic ventilation needed. Normally, the ratio of net free-air vent space to attic floor space being ventilated is 1/300, meaning that for every 300 square feet of attic floor space, one square foot of net free-air vent space must be provided. However, that ratio of required vent space now doubles to 1/150 for this type of insulation. Let us not overlook the heating duct near the roof line, too, which also adds additional heat – there is that word again, heat!
Solutions – Proper Attic Ventilation
You now know what not to do to create attic heat. Let us now discuss things to do to get rid of unwanted and damaging attic heat. First, to avoid ice damming and other problems, make sure that every steep sloped roof has continuous soffit inlet vents. Many homes designed and built in the 1950s were constructed without any soffit overhangs, making the installation of conventional soffit inlet vents impossible. Fortunately, the importance of attic air flow, even for homes built without soffit overhangs, is now becoming better understood. There are many new products on the market that will provide inlet air at the eave of the roof by bringing in the air from behind the gutters, through the roof sheathing, and under the shingle materials. Both roofing and carpentry work are required to install these new inlet vents, which are available wherever most roofing materials are sold. Second, you must have ample outlet vents in the form of 9″ roof vents, gable end vents, or ridge vents. Since heat rises to the peak of the roof, the logical outlet vent should be located at the peak of the roof, were an opening to the outside would then let unwanted heat exit quickly and efficiently. If your home does have gable end vents or standard roof vents, do not cover them with plastic during colder weather, thinking that you are saving heat. Doing that is the equivalent of “smothering” your home’s breathing capability. Be aware that just because you see a ridge vent on the outside of your roof, it does not mean that it has been properly installed. Most manufacturers of ridge vents, including all of the major shingle manufacturers, require almost a 2″ cut away on each side of the ridge board (the reason it is called a ridge vent) to allow for the proper and needed amount of net free-air vent space to work properly. Unfortunately, many homes do not have their vents properly and correctly installed.
A note about power vents – many times they won’t do the trick. They are thermostatically controlled and thus do not work in the winter, when it is actually more important to ventilate your attic. Now should your insulation get wet or old, it loses some of its “R” value, or resistance to thermal exchange, thus increasing the work required by heating and air conditioning systems. After reading all of this data, a roofer might say, “All you need is one of the many self-sticking ice and water barriers installed to eliminate ice damming.” You they would be right – to an extent. This material eliminates water infiltration through the roof in most cases. However, it would not solve other conditions related to the “inside” of the attic space, and other problems which would still occur even with the installation of expensive self-sticking barriers. It’s a cold hard fact: If you do not have excessive heat in the attic, you do not need this expensive material. Unfortunately, most homes have excessive heat and now, most roofing manufacturers are insisting on the installation of self-sticking barriers.
Summary
• Reduce unwanted attic heat sources.
• Remove attic heat with proper ventilation and insulation.
• Survey your home for molds and mildews.
• Ask Lon for additional information or support.
If you have questions or need service please give me a call.
Sincerely,
Lon Thomas
Owner-Operator
Ask Lon!
1-847-636-0771
www.asklon.com
Resources: Bill Thomas – Ron Hungarter at Thor Systems Inc – Do it Yourself Community Forum – Scott Prior Construction
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