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Copyright: Legacy Builders Group Ltd., 5946 Cheviot Road; Cin., OH 45247
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...lifetime memories
Topics:
03.10.10 Rotten Door Jambs
02.24.10 Causes of Ice Dams
02.02.10 Lesson Learned
01.31.10 Hiring a Professional
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03.10.10
Rotten Door Jambs
Entrance doors come in many shapes and sizes and can be make such a difference in the architectural appearance of your home. Unfortunately for years even the best-made doors had wood jambs and moldings on the exterior that turned a positive architectural feature into a negative one real quick. If you have had any kind of entry door with wood jambs for more than a few years chances are the lower portions of the jambs are a bit unsightly and on their way to causing you some problems.
Warning Signs:
- Pealing Paint
- Worn Paint
- Exposed Raw Wood
- Jamb has changed shape
- Jamb appears sunken
Can this be repaired?
Yes, depending upon the level of damage to the door trim and jambs.
- Scrape out loose wood and replace with a two-part epoxy found at your local hardware store. Build up the epoxy, sand smooth and repaint. Be sure all areas are caulked and painted well. Some epoxies and wood fillers do accept stains, although a perfect match is very difficult to achieve.
- Cut out portions of wood jamb and replace with new wood or composite material. Place epoxy or wood filler in the seams, sand smooth and paint. Be sure all areas are caulked and painted well. Some epoxies and wood fillers do accept stains, although a perfect match is very difficult to achieve.
- Replace brick mould or exterior casing. Sometimes the jambs are in decent shape and all that is needed replacement trim.
- Add aluminum cladding to doorjamb and moulding. Repair the damaged wood with one of the above methods but skip the painting or staining step and add a complimentary aluminum cladding to the doorjamb and face mouldings. The aluminum will hold up to the weather much better than the wood. It’s important to caulk all the joints with a clear silicone so the water does not penetrate below the cladding. This method requires some skill and an aluminum brake.
Doesn’t sound like a do it yourself project you can handle? Call us, we would be glad to help!
What should I look for if I replace the door?
When replacing an entry door there are many things to consider, type of door, style, colors, hardware, etc. But for the purposes of this article we are focusing on the jambs and exterior trim of the door. Many manufactures now offer a Frame Saver option and a composite frame and trim option for your entry doors. You can also add a factory applied aluminum cladding in the color of your choice. A continuous sill is also an important feature to seek. Do your homework and make sure you know what you are purchasing or in just a few short years you will be very frustrated with your new door unit.
Visit Milliken Millwork and browse their site to view more about entry door systems.
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02.24.10
Causes of Ice Dams
Ice Dams can occur on almost any residential roofing system in the Cincinnati area. The most common causes are inadequate insulation and poor ventilation. Ideal conditions for ice dams to occur are often seen in ranch style houses or houses with low roof slopes and large overhangs.
Ice dams occur when the outside temperature is below freezing and snow is present on the roof. Homes with poor insulation allow heat to escape from the living quarters into the attic. If the roof system is not properly ventilated, the heat will build up in the attic and warm the roof deck. Since the underside of the roof deck is warm the snow begins to melt. When the melted snow reaches cooler roof areas, usually the gutters or areas near the overhang (eaves) it will refreeze. The freeze- thaw process is not ideal for shingled roofs since the ice can travel "upslope" and get underneath the shingles.
For more information on this topic go here: Deer Park Roofing/Ice Dams
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02.02.10
Lesson Learned
I remember a valuable lesson I learned as a young man. I thought I would do my father a big favor and check the oil in his van. It read two quarts low so; I took the initiative and added some oil for him. Once Dad caught wind of it he was a bit nervous. He was skeptical about my general knowledge of motor vehicles so he asked a few questions. Good thing he did, I had just poured 2 quarts of 10W40 oil into his power steering unit! Lesson learned. Disaster averted.
When it comes to our homes, people often take for granted the sophisticated systems and components within them. A project that starts out as a cost saving measure can easily turn into a disaster. Before starting a project, do your research, start with good planning, and call in a pro when needed.
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01.31.10
Hiring a Professional
Making the decision to spend money on a home improvement or repair project is not always easy. Often the question of whether or not the job can be a do-it-yourself project or one that must be completed by a professional is seemingly the toughest aspect of that decision. Additionally, hiring a professional contractor can be an exceptionally daunting task – especially if you don’t know exactly what to look for or what questions to ask.
The following list of common misconceptions and question guidelines should help guide you in choosing the right contractor.
Avoid Common Misconceptions
1.If the Better Business Bureau does not list any complaints against the contractor, he must be qualified. This is a common and often costly misconception. To ensure that the company is reputable, use the BBB as a starting place to gather information, not the only place.
If the Better Business Bureau does not list any complaints against the contractor, he must be qualified. This is a common and often costly misconception. To ensure that the company is reputable, use the BBB as a starting place to gather information, not the only place.2.Going with the lowest price saves money. In most cases, if one estimate is significantly lower than another, there is a reason. It is important to consider what might have been left out or what shortcuts were factored in.
Going with the lowest price saves money. In most cases, if one estimate is significantly lower than another, there is a reason. It is important to consider what might have been left out or what shortcuts were factored in. 3.Doing it yourself saves money. Small projects like painting, routine repairs, etc. can be undertaken by someone with limited experience, but larger projects should be left up to professionals. Substandard work could end up costing much more than a professional contractor from the start.
Doing it yourself saves money. Small projects like painting, routine repairs, etc. can be undertaken by someone with limited experience, but larger projects should be left up to professionals. Substandard work could end up costing much more than a professional contractor from the start.4.If a person claims to have many years of experience, they must do quality work. The number of years in the business does not directly translate into superior craftsmanship. Investigate to ensure the contractor is a qualified professional.
If a person claims to have many years of experience, they must do quality work. The number of years in the business does not directly translate into superior craftsmanship. Investigate to ensure the contractor is a qualified professional.Questions to Ask
1.Do you carry general liability insurance? Make sure any contractor hired carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damaged caused by the contractor and/or his employees. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance.
Do you carry general liability insurance? Make sure any contractor hired carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damaged caused by the contractor and/or his employees. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance.2.Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance? This type of insurance will protect you from any liability if a worker is injured while on your property.
Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance? This type of insurance will protect you from any liability if a worker is injured while on your property.3.Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? This is a legal document that claims you, the homeowner, have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered.
Will you provide me with a written lien waiver? This is a legal document that claims you, the homeowner, have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered. 4.Are you a paying member of NARI or NAHB? National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) most often attract conscientious contractors interested in bettering the industry.
Are you a paying member of NARI or NAHB? National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) most often attract conscientious contractors interested in bettering the industry. 5.Will you pull all the required building permits? It is imperative that the contractor pull all the required building permits. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.
Will you pull all the required building permits? It is imperative that the contractor pull all the required building permits. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.6.Do you guarantee your work? A contractor should guarantee his work for a minimum of one year from the date of completion.
Do you guarantee your work? A contractor should guarantee his work for a minimum of one year from the date of completion. 7.Who will be in charge of the job? The contractor, or his foreman, must be on site whenever work performed.
Who will be in charge of the job? The contractor, or his foreman, must be on site whenever work performed. 8.Will you provide me with written references? A contractor should be well-established and able to supply references from projects within the last 6-12 months.
Will you provide me with written references? A contractor should be well-established and able to supply references from projects within the last 6-12 months.9.What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? If a significant amount of a contractor’s business is derived from repeat or referral business that generally indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they have received.
What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? If a significant amount of a contractor’s business is derived from repeat or referral business that generally indicates that his clients are pleased with the work they have received. 10.How do you handle “dirty work?” Make sure the contractor will make an honest effort to keep the dust and dirt contained, or notify you when the heavy dust generating operations will take place so you can protect your furniture and other sensitive belongings.
How do you handle “dirty work?” Make sure the contractor will make an honest effort to keep the dust and dirt contained, or notify you when the heavy dust generating operations will take place so you can protect your furniture and other sensitive belongings.
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