- A water leak anywhere should not be ignored. Whether it's a stain on your ceiling, a toilet that leaks or white powdery stuff that grows on your bricks or foundation the culprit is water and damage can be severe. Left unchecked, it can lead to rot, dry rot, or mold. Water may cause a roof to collapse, foundations to buckle and any number of expensive repairs. And the water damage may get you in trouble with your insurance company. The answer is to stop the leak by any means necessary, repair the damage and take the required steps to make sure the problem doesn't reappear.
- A smokey chimney may lead to some serious repercussions. A chimney that isn't properly cleaned and maintained can catch fire placing your family in significant danger. Creosote, a by-product of wood burning, can build up in the flue and ignite unless removed. Get your chimney swept and inspected annually; the cost is about $100.
- Rodent Invasions: If you're hearing the pitter patter of little rodent feet, then you may have a serious problem in your house. It's not just that they carry disease, but rats, mice and other vermin love to chew through insulation and wiring which can cause a house fire. Use traps and bait products or call an exterminator.
- Soaring fuel bills can be caused by more than just price hikes. The culprit could be problems with your furnace. This is more than a pocket book issue, since poorly functioning systems can cause deadly carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Have your furnace professionally cleaned and inspected annually, including the flue. Install carbon monoxide detectors which cost $25 to $50 each to keep your family safe.
- A ground fault circuit interrupter is an electrical outlet with distinctive red and black buttons designed to prevent deadly short circuits. Outlets in bathrooms and those in kitchens within six feet of the sink should be replaced with GFCI outlets. If there is an accident where an appliance may short out, the GFCI will trip the electricity to turn off. It will be the best $7 you ever spent. The exception is the refrigerator. Do not put your fridge on a GFCI. Its normal on-and-off surges can trip the interrupter and leave you with an icebox full of spoiled food.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Top 5 Home Repairs You Cannot Ignore
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Our Unique Roof Projects
This summer and fall we've had the opportunity to work on three rather unique roof projects, projects somewhat different and more challenging than the typical tear-off and re-shingle project.
Steep Roof and Metal Shingles: We were selected as the general contractor for the St. John Lutheran Church 2009 Re-roof Project. This roof was a very steep 18/12 & 24/12 pitch. The project required proper, licensed removal of the existing asbestos shingles and the single layer of buffalo board underneath the waterproof felts. We installed a new roof consisting of two layers of 3 inch foam insulation with an OSB nailer layer on top. Roof felts and metal shingles were installed over the nailer.
It was originally an uninsulated "hot roof" construction where the underside of the roof boards were also the visible ceiling in the church, so the screws to attach the insulation and nailer had to be long enough for sufficient hold, but not too long to penetrate through the roof deck. We found the specified screws had insufficient hold so we located a better screw, which the project architect and warranting manufacturer approved.
We had concerns that the support blocking specified was insufficient to hold the weight of the roof, given how steep the roof was. The design drawings showed a generic blocking detail for a much lower pitched roof. After further engineering the architect agreed with our concern, accepted our proposed stronger support blocking details, and increased the screw count for each sheet of insulation.
Some of the work was done from tall boom lifts, mainly to lift the material up or down. But for greater efficiency the demolition and installation was done mostly while standing on the roof, using safety harnesses with climbing hardware to easily adjust the rope length for mobility and to assist in climbing the roof.
Steep Roof and Metal Shingles: We were selected as the general contractor for the St. John Lutheran Church 2009 Re-roof Project. This roof was a very steep 18/12 & 24/12 pitch. The project required proper, licensed removal of the existing asbestos shingles and the single layer of buffalo board underneath the waterproof felts. We installed a new roof consisting of two layers of 3 inch foam insulation with an OSB nailer layer on top. Roof felts and metal shingles were installed over the nailer.
It was originally an uninsulated "hot roof" construction where the underside of the roof boards were also the visible ceiling in the church, so the screws to attach the insulation and nailer had to be long enough for sufficient hold, but not too long to penetrate through the roof deck. We found the specified screws had insufficient hold so we located a better screw, which the project architect and warranting manufacturer approved.
We had concerns that the support blocking specified was insufficient to hold the weight of the roof, given how steep the roof was. The design drawings showed a generic blocking detail for a much lower pitched roof. After further engineering the architect agreed with our concern, accepted our proposed stronger support blocking details, and increased the screw count for each sheet of insulation.
Some of the work was done from tall boom lifts, mainly to lift the material up or down. But for greater efficiency the demolition and installation was done mostly while standing on the roof, using safety harnesses with climbing hardware to easily adjust the rope length for mobility and to assist in climbing the roof.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Maintenance of Brick Masonry
Brick is a handsome, durable and nearly trouble free exterior for both residential and commercial construction. But to properly maintain the appearance and durability of a masonry facade it is essential that it be properly constructed and periodically maintained.
Weather, meaning rain, moisture and or Minnesota freeze and thaw cycle, is the enemy of masonry. If given the opportunity, wind driven moisture will seep its way into the thinnest crack, freeze, then spal off a tiny piece of mortar. Leaving a slightly bigger crack for the next cycle.
Weather, meaning rain, moisture and or Minnesota freeze and thaw cycle, is the enemy of masonry. If given the opportunity, wind driven moisture will seep its way into the thinnest crack, freeze, then spal off a tiny piece of mortar. Leaving a slightly bigger crack for the next cycle.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Mold Remediation Guidelines
Cleanup Methods
A variety of mold cleanup methods are available for remediating damage to building materials and furnishings caused by moisture control problems and mold growth. The specific method or group of methods used will depend on the type of material affected.
Method 1: Wet Vacuum
Wet vacuums are vacuum cleaners designed to collect water. They can be used to remove water from floors, carpets, and hard surfaces where water has accumulated. They should be used only when materials are still wet-wet vacuums may spread spores if sufficient liquid is not present. The tanks, hoses, and attachments of those vacuums should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use since mold and mold spores may stick to the surfaces.
A variety of mold cleanup methods are available for remediating damage to building materials and furnishings caused by moisture control problems and mold growth. The specific method or group of methods used will depend on the type of material affected.
Method 1: Wet Vacuum
Wet vacuums are vacuum cleaners designed to collect water. They can be used to remove water from floors, carpets, and hard surfaces where water has accumulated. They should be used only when materials are still wet-wet vacuums may spread spores if sufficient liquid is not present. The tanks, hoses, and attachments of those vacuums should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use since mold and mold spores may stick to the surfaces.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Mold in Commercial & Residential Buildings
Concern about indoor exposure to mold has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. In addition, molds gradually destroy the materials they grow on. These health and financial concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth.
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Our new website & blog
Last night we launched a new web site for our company, www.caseygroesbeck.com. Our company is an industrial, commercial and residential General Contracting company. Check out the site to learn more about us.
Meanwhile, today I enter my 1st blog post.
Check back for updates of what we are working on, up to date information about our company, and articles of interest to building owners, facilities managers and homeowners.
Meanwhile, today I enter my 1st blog post.
Check back for updates of what we are working on, up to date information about our company, and articles of interest to building owners, facilities managers and homeowners.
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