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Put Your Trust in Phoenix Builders
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Bruce Murray, owner of Phoenix Builders, has been in the commercial and residential related construction business for over 30 years. These helpful hints are provided by Bruce to help any homeowner spot potential problem areas in, on or around the home. Look for new tips every month.
WINTER BLUES Now is a very difficult time for us all. The holidays and Superbowl have passed and now we wait for spring. What a long wait that can be. To help make this time a little more enjoyable and productive we can all start planning our spring home maintenance projects. We are getting close to spring thaw which is the time we find out how our roofs are holding up. Do you have signs of water intrusion? Where are they located? Actual leaks most commonly occur at valley areas, chimneys or sides of dormers. This could be due to improper or deteriorating flashing or underlayments. If stains occur in other areas the cause is often times due to condensation. Now is a good time to inspect all those windows to see how they are fairing the weather. Check for fog between the glass panes, ice build up on the inside of the window, visible mold on the wood frames and bad weather stripping. Start planning the landscaping around the outside of the home. Proper landscaping can protect your home from water intrusion as well as maximize curb appeal. This also can help cheer you up this time of year. If you think you may have a problem or just want some advice for improvement, call a professional now. Not only can a reputable professional help pinpoint the cause of the problem(s) or provide great suggestions on improvements, you might be able to save yourself some money. This time of year contractors need to get business and are more willing to swing a nice deal with you now rather than later in the year when business is good, not to mention the tax credit(s). Here is hoping for an early spring! Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips.
When we think of chimneys we think fire places, period. What most homeowners don’t know is that chimneys house a tile or metal flue that vent low efficiency water heaters and low efficiency furnaces. These water heaters and furnaces generally share a common flue which is sized to emit both appliances. Therefore chimney/flue maintenance is very important in regards to appliance ventilation. It is common to have a high efficiency furnace installed utilizing exterior venting and combustion air intake separate from the original flue. Homeowners are often unaware of the potential hazards created by reduction of the volume of warm gasses venting through the existing flue. The potential problem is created due to the relatively small amount of warm gases emitted by the water heater. In this situation it is possible for cold air to drop into the flue from the exterior of the home, preventing proper ventilation which could result in carbon monoxide build up in the home. If the water heater is not replaced with a high efficiency unit along with the furnace then the only appliance utilizing the existing chimney/flue is the water heater. Basically the water heater makes the chimney more hospitable for critters to nest, such as squirrels. We recommend replacement of the water heater with a high efficiency unit and at a minimum, if the water heater is not changed, it is crucial to cap the flue with a wire mesh to prevent animals from nesting. High efficiency furnaces and high efficiency water heaters have such low temperature exhaust that they are vented thru PVC piping eliminating the need for a chimney. What to do with the chimney now that it is not needed? Simple, have it removed. If removal is not an option have it capped. That is all for today. Now we wait for spring. Here is hoping we don't have to wait very long. , Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. ____________________________
Cold weather brings with it the opportunity to make sure your furnace is operating properly and moisture levels in the home are maintained at proper levels. All furnaces that have been serviced in the last few years have been required to use outside air for combustion. Homes with fireplaces and high efficiency furnaces are especially prone to a lack of combustion air since the only appliance venting into the flue quite likely is the water heater. This reduces the amount of warm exhaust fumes considerably. When the furnace ignites it can extinguish the pilot light in a gas water heater. To compensate for this condition and overly tight (no air leaks) homes outside air is required to ensure a sufficient source for combustion. You may find the furnace room and adjacent areas cold do to this exterior air source. A solution to this unwanted cold air can be as simple as dropping the end of the outside air duct into a five gallon bucket which will retain the heavier cold air while still providing the air source when needed. It is very common to use a furnace room as a storage area. This can be dangerous not to mention may compromise proper air flow to the furnace. Do not use your furnace room for storage period. Proper moisture levels should always be maintained in a home especially during the heating season. Remember water plus time equals damage inside or outside the home. Rule of thumb if you get shocked with static electricity while walking through your home the moisture level is too low. If you have significant moisture build up on your windows the moisture level is too high. You may find areas such as kitchens and bathrooms will have high moisture levels, this is normal. Although compensating with air movement (fans) will help decrease the condition. If you discover your home is too dry get a humidifier. If you discover your home has too much moisture you may find operating your furnace in the fan on mode, rather than in auto mode, may be helpful. All of us at Phoenix Builders wish you all the Merriest of Christmas and Happiest of New Year.
This is the time of year when homeowners begin to think about their annual ice damming. Who wants to stress about anything extra during the holidays, aren’t they stressful enough? With this issue let’s keep Ben Franklin’s quote in mind “an ounce of prevention with worth a pound of cure”. Prevention is the only way to ward off ice dams. Ice dams occur when the heat from the living space flows into, what should be, unheated attic space. This heated air melts the snow which flows in the form of water to the unheated and ventilated soffits which causes it to refreeze in the form ice. Understanding the causes of the heat getting into the attic is the key to preventing ice dams. Use the following checklist to make sure heat from your living space does not flow into the attic.
Do you have an older home? In older homes where insufficient soffit ventilation and lack of vapor barriers can not be overcome, the only solution may be to use heat tape at the eves. DON’T SHOVEL SNOW OFF THE ROOF! Shoveling snow off of a roof drastically accelerates the aging of the shingles…not to mention the danger involved. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips.
Hopefully not in your home! I hate to say it but it is that time of year to start preparing for the winter. Now is the perfect time to inspect the exterior of the home for possible needed repairs to keep the critters out. Follow these handy (and easy to do) tips to ensure those pesky little animals stay out of your home this winter. CHECK: Check for holes in soffits/facias and penetration through exterior walls by wires or conduits. DO: If you find holes simply seal with anti rodent materials such as non-corrosive wire meshes, brass wool, etc. DO NOT: Do not use expanding foams as these will hold water and induce rot. CHECK: Check for gaps below garage doors. These can be sealed to keep critters and water from getting into garages. DO: If you have a gap below your garage door attach a rubber threshold to the floor. These should be readily available at your local building supply store. CHECK: Check all of your gutters. Gutters should be free of any debris that could keep water from flowing freely throughout the gutter system. DO: Clean gutters immediately after the leaves have stopped falling. This will keep the debris from freezing which induces ice damning. CHECK: Check the direction of your downspouts to keep your stairs and walkways safe and the most forgotten item by homeowners to prepare for winter. DO: Direct water from downspouts away from walkways and driveways. Happy Fall! Bruce Murray ______________________________ DO YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY? Proper heating and cooling of the house produces comfortable temperature levels in the living space. Improper heating and cooling may be a result of restricted venting. Proper ventilation in the attic space is necessary to maintain comfortable temperature levels in the living space during all seasons. Warm air from the attic flows through the visible vents on the roof. This venting is balanced by the vents at the soffit which pull cool air in to replace the warm vented air. To ensure proper ventilation, it is important to make certain that soffit venting is unobstructed and not preventing the roof venting to function properly. If you find your living space temperature levels are not remaining comfortable, check your soffit vents. Visually inspect the soffit venting. Some homeowners mistakenly paint over the vents, sealing the vent so air is unable to flow freely. Also check the vents for obstructions; this may be accomplished by using a flashlight to look through the vent. If vent screen is clogged an inexpensive fix may be simply cleaning them. Most vents on wood soffits can be removed and the screens cleaned. If one vent screen is clogged most likely all are. Also look to the highest point of the roof; often times subsequent insulation upgrades can block this crucial flow of air. If insulation is found to be obstructing the soffit venting, cardboard chutes are available at any local building supply store and can be easily placed between rafters to allow proper air flow. I sure hope these tips help to make your lives more comfortable. Wishing you all a comfy summer, Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. _______________________________ TAX CREDIT, TAX CREDIT, TAX CREDIT I can't stress enough...If you have not taken advantage of the tax credit yet and you will need home improvements within the next year, do it now! With prices going up everyday now is the time to get some cash back in your pocket. Is your air conditioning bill high? Heat bills high in the winter? Take a look at those windows, they could be a cause of heat/air loss. Insulated doors and windows can save so much money they will pay for themselves in the long run. Inspect your windows for the following signs: 1) Fog between the glass panes are an indication that the seal is broken and the energy efficient gas has leaked out. 2) Ice build up on the inside of the window in the winter. This is an indication of lack of energy efficiency. 3) Visible mold on the wood frame indicates high humidity and insufficient sealing of the frame. 4) Air leaks could be due to dried out or missing weather stripping. Look at your windows now and if they need to be replaced take advantage of the tax credits. I sure hope your summer is going great. Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. _______________________________ LEAKY ROOF? Well we didn't exactly get storms this spring but we have finally gotten some rain. Do you have obvious water damage? You think you may have a leakey roof? It may not be a leaky roof at all. Water stains often times are mistaken for a leaky roof but those stains may be caused by condensation due to inadequate attic insulation and ventilation. This often occurs during a very cold winter such as the winter we just had. Actual leaks most commonly occur at valley areas, chimneys or sides of dormers. This could be due to improper or deteriorating flashing or underlayments. If stains occur in other areas the cause is often times due to condensation. Mold on the ceiling can often times be attributed to improper ventilation. Here is a story of my friend and his wife who thought they had roofing problems. One note, my friend does not live in this state, if he had I would have been on the job and would have been able to warn him about this situation. They had just remodeled their bathroom. It was beautiful with an open shower, whirlpool tub, very stylish vanity and beautiful marble tile. After about six months they noticed their vaulted ceiling in their living room discoloring. Thinking they had roof problems they couldn't afford they didn't do anything. Then I came to visit and we discussed all the possible causes. I started asking them about the new bathroom and we were able to pinpoint that the problem started after the new bathroom was finished. Alas, I went into the new bathroom and noticed no new venting. The bathroom was three times larger than the old but the same old small bathroom exhaust fan was still there. The contractor had not take into consideration that the bathroom was larger with an open shower now and needed more ventilation. The moisture had no place to go but to the vaulted ceiling above the split entry and up into the living room vaulted ceiling which then turned into mold because the vaulted ceiling had no ventilation. My point is this, if you have water stains or mold on your ceilings it may not be due a leakey roof. Then again it may. My advice is to seek a professional you trust to repair the problem. See below for tips on checking out a contractor. I hope you are having a wonderful spring so far. Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. _______________________________ STORM SEASON HAS ARRIVED! BEWARE OF STORM CHASERS Has your roof been damaged by a storm? Be wary of the guy who knocks on your door offering to inspect your roof for free then pulls out his ladder and declares storm damage (even a blind squirrel can find a nut occasionally!). The regularity of storms has bred companies that solely rely on declaring storm damage where no damage actually exists. This is most likely an attempt to procure a signature from you, the homeowner(s), roping you into a contract to purchase from that company even if you decide to repair without insurance reimbursement. 1) There is no need to sign a contract to have your insurance company evaluate storm damage.
Only your insurance company can determine whether storm damage has occurred and only your insurance company can authorize reimbursement for storm damage. A signed contract is not required by your insurance company to determine if storm damage is present. 2) Storm damage does not insure the replacement of the entire roof. Wind damage repairs are generally spot damage, replacing only shingles that have blown off. Hail damage repairs only replace the side that is damaged. Typically the only way the insurance company will replace the whole roof is if a match to the existing shingle is not possible. 3) Pick a contractor you trust to help you through the claims process. Insurance companies have a formula for determining damage. The contractor you chose should be able to explain in detail the formula used by the adjusters to determine claimable damage. If the contractor is not willing or able to explain these formulas then he may not be the contractor for you. Ask friends, neighbors and/or co-workers to suggest a reliable contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau by going to http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/. Also check with the State of Minnesota to ensure the contractor you choose has a valid license by going to http://www.doli.state.mn.us/license_search.html. Last but not least go with your gut. If something seems too good to be true it usually is. Stay safe & dry, Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. _______________________________ SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Spring provides many opportunities to evaluate the condition of the exterior of your home. Winter can really take its toll on your home with the expansion and contraction of the materials that make up the exterior. Here are a few tips that will help you know what to look for when visually inspecting and maintaining your home.
1) Clean out the gutters. Blockage of the gutters results in the water spilling over the edge of the gutters rather than draining out. This could undermine the foundation. Proper guttering is vital to the protection of the foundation of the home. Make sure the water is draining out of the gutters properly with no obstructions. Many people wonder why the basement is wet this time of year and most write it off as “just the way it is”. However, basements are not supposed to be wet. One of the causes of a wet basement may be due to improper guttering. If the water is not being distributed properly away from the home then it will force its way in. 2) Look for loosely nailed metal trim. Moisture will get to the structure of the home if the trim is not attached properly. 3) Inspect the caulking around the windows. Look for cracks and gaps. Improper caulking will result in water seeping in around the window.
4) Landscape is not just to beautify the home but also to protect the home. Proper landscaping should direct all water away from the home. Happy Spring!
Bruce Murray Check back next month for more tips. |
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