Solving water issues in the basement

One of the big issues I deal with here at Creative Contracting is water in basements. I am always asked why it is so wet or where does it come from. There are multiple reasons our basements are damp or wet.

I will share what happened at my own home – we have had water issues from the time we moved in, we tried everything, sealing the walls, cleaning out the perimeter trench, caulking, patching the list goes on and on. I always knew what I told my clients “get the water away from the house” but I kept ignoring my best advice to clients. Well last year we finely had to replace our 25 year old roof (it should have been replaced 5 years earlier – the shoemaker kids). I wanted to add some character so I extended the roof on 2 of the gables to create some overhang like the older homes. This resulted in new capping, trims, soffits and gutters. We decided that the gutters aesthetically could be a little bigger (K-5 is the residential standard we went with K-6), with the added benefit of being able to handle more water. Well we put new gutters on and got the downspouts away from the house and low and behold – our basements has dried up. Save yourself time and frustration:

1. Most of the homes we work on in this area of the country have gutters. Gutters are a critical element in the overall roof "health," performance, and durability. We recommend troubleshooting the gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks at least at the start of the summer (when most of the spring junk has fallen of the trees) and again in the early winter (when most of the leaves are of the trees).

2. The critical chore is clearing the gutters of debris. From leaves and twigs to rocks and sludge, debris not only clogs the system but can also cause damage or loosen gutter supports. At the same time, identify and repair any gaps in the gutters or downspouts and make sure their supports hold these components tight to the structure.

3. Clearing debris and repairing gaps will ensure that water and light debris are carried to the downspouts and completely flushed out. To make sure that's happening, hose down and flush the inside of the gutters once they're clean, gap-free, and properly supported. Clearing the gutters can be hazardous to the owner and the roof. Consider hiring a professional. Whenever possible, use a ladder (safely!) to clean out the gutters instead of walking on the roof, which can damage that surface.

4. Lastly, make sure water exits the downspouts away from the foundation to avoid water pressure on the home's structure. Extend the downspouts, if necessary, and consider installing splash blocks at the end of each downspout to divert and dissipate water instead of allowing it to pool.

If you are concerned about your gutters give us a call today we will come out and inspect the gutters (at no charge). If they need service we will with your approval; clean the gutters and downspouts, insure the hangers and connections are all holding properly, insure that the outlets are extended away from the foundation. If you continue to have water issues in the basement let us know and we can discuss the next steps to drying out your basement but we do find that this stops 75% of the water issues we see. Call or write with any questions or concerns you may have: Bob@creativecontracting.biz /215-661-8581

A new look in Porcelain Tile

I recently stopped by the Dal-Tile showroom and was pleasantly surprised by the new lines of tile they are featuring. Striated tones in soft colors and a large rectangular style create an Asian-inspired organic feel that has been gaining popularity. The Veranda series has launched a new line in this textured tile to coordinate with the solid suede-finished colors in the series. http://www.daltileproducts.com/series.cfm?series=130

“Feel” by the Italian Tile Maker “Caesar” is available through our distributor, but is not available to view through the Dal-Tile website.

P’ZAZZ is another porcelain color-body line by Dal-tile which has the soft feel of a natural fiber, rather than a stone-tile look.

Please feel free to contact me (215-661-8581) regarding your interior design needs.

Top Five Avoidable Hazards in Your Kitchen

Kitchen Hazard Number One:
Careless cooks leaving pot handles past the side or front of the stove/ range. When you or your family members cook, always remember to have the handles of the pots and pans turned to the side.


Kitchen Hazard Number Two:
Lack of safe storage for sharp kitchen knives. Throwing knives loosely into a drawer not only cuts up your hands, but it also dulls the knives you probably spent a lot of money on.


Kitchen Hazard Number Three:
Improperly using kitchen chairs, bar stools, and other types of furniture to reach high places such as above the cabinets. Always keep an approved ladder or step stool handy in order to reach those high places.


Kitchen Hazard Number Four:
A simple little mistake of leaving the cabinet doors and drawers open. You could lift up your head and hit the open cabinet door. Open drawers can cause injuries also, especially to children.


Kitchen Hazard Number Five:
Rugs on the kitchen's hardwood or tile floor with slippery backs. Make sure you buy and use the rubber backing that can be inserted behind rugs on slippery surfaces.

Appliance maintenance tips

As many of us struggle to maintain our homes I thought it would be helpful to post an entry on appliance maintenance. We believe these tips will extend the life, reduced energy consumption and reduce repair bills on the already reliable products found throughout all of our homes.
We deal with appliances on a large percentage of our remodeling projects. We recommend appliances, in an attempt to maximize our client’s level of satisfaction, based on many factors:

• Performance
• Energy efficiency
• Budgets
• Aesthetics
• Finishes

The old saying, “they don’t build them like they use to”, is so true, but not in the sense that the statement is made. Today’s appliances are built better and much more complex than even 5 years ago. Periodic care and maintenance by homeowners is essential to keep them in optimum working order. Lack of cleaning or care can make an appliance work harder than it needs to, straining its motor and other moving parts and, in turn, shortening its usable life. Major repairs and replacement costs can be expensive so even routine preventive maintenance is worth a small effort.

We recommend you review the manufactures recommendation that can be found with the instructions and warranty material that comes with your appliances. In addition here are a few basic appliance care tips that have a positive impact on the durability and performance of these products:


Dishwasher
* Give dishes at least a light scrub and rinse before loading them. That eases the strain on the dishwasher's built-in system that breaks down and disposes of food particles.
* Dishwashers also benefit from a routine interior wash with special scale-reducing solutions to help keep the parts working properly.
* The dishwasher drain should be cleaned out at least twice a year.
* From time to time, inspect the door seal and keep it clean. Soil, food and soap build-up on the seal can cause deterioration or mold.
* Replace a loose or broken seal to avoid leaks.

Refrigerator and Freezer
* At least twice a year, vacuum the front grill and the radiator coil on back of the refrigerator and freezer (if you have two separate or multiple units), to help ensure proper air circulation and optimum efficiency.
* Don't forget to empty and clean the drip trays located underneath the appliance.
* As with the dishwasher, inspect and clean the perimeter door seal and replace any loose or moldy seals. Good seals help the appliance maintain the temperature settings with less stress to the motor. Note: We have been told (thanks M.G.) that juices high in acidity such as orange juice are one of the lead causes of refrigerator issues.
* Defrost and clean the freezer regularly, as ice build-up will block proper airflow and lower the appliance's efficiency. Shut it down and put a pot of hot water inside will speed the process.
* To maintain an even energy use and extend motor life, keep temperatures constant and within the recommended range.
* A stand-alone freezer, that might be put in a garage or on a covered porch, should be located away from direct sunlight or heat sources so that the appliance does not work harder or less efficiently than it has to. Ideally, find a cool, level and dry spot with adequate clearance at the back for good air circulation.

Laundry Equipment
Today's increasingly popular (and more energy-efficient) front-load washers require more care than their predecessors to prevent the build-up of mold, which can cause myriad problems.
* To reduce that possibility, leave the door open once all of the laundry is done and wipe down the rubber gasket.
* Manufacturers note that we consumers have a tendency to overload both washers and dryers. Each brand of appliance has its practical capacity, but overloading puts a strain on the belt that turns the drum. The extra strain can accelerate wear and lead to repair or replacement costs. Overloading also leads to higher energy consumption and less effective cleaning.
* To maintain the dryer, disconnect the dryer duct and vacuum the duct, the areas surrounding the dryer and the dryer's vent hood outside the house. Restricted air flow can tax the motor. If the lint filter and the areas around it are clean, the dryer will operate more efficiently and safely.
Note: look for the NFPA washer/dryer safety tip sheet on our web site. The 1st email we receive saying they found it will receive 4 free hours of Handyman services.

Our best advice
Review the manuals for your major appliances. But if you don't know where they are or if you're short of time right now, don't wait: Follow these few maintenance tips for a longer and happier life with your appliances!

PS – You can always GOOGLE your appliance online and many manufacturers will provide you manuals you can download.

PSS – If you’d like to discuss handyman services or give them as a gift to a family member or friend call us any time at …..” We are a unique gift for anyone!

Handyman Projects

Most people that Creative Contracting talks to about home improvement projects, often mention return on investment (ROI) in the first meeting. This is a concern that many of our clients have for major renovations. However, there are also handyman projects that literally pay for themselves by lowering bills. I have listed below a couple projects that can start saving you money instantly, and in the current state of the economy, who doesn't want that?

Whole House Fans
Whole house fans work a lot like rolling down your car windows in the summer time to cool the car faster. They effectively cycle out the super heated or cold air in your house in order for the HVAC system to replace it with a more comfortable temperature. Whole house fans put less strain on your HVAC system and can save as much as 25% on your energy bills.

Programmable Thermostats
This is something that should be a necessity for a homeowner or home buyer . A top of the line model can cost $150, but many cost as little as $35. These devices can be programmed to heat or cool specific sections of your house, or they can be programmed to turn off when you leave the house in the morning and warm back up a few minutes before you come back home at the end of the day. Results will vary depending on your heating and cooling preferences, but these devices usually can pay for themselves in 2-3 months, then start saving you money in the long run.

Energy Efficient Appliances and Shower Heads
More than 50% of a home's energy is used to heat water. Washing clothes, washing dishes, baths, and showers are using all this energy. Replacing your washer with an energy efficient model will use 35-40% less water. This saves the amount of water being used, and the amount that needs to be heated by your water heater, which reduces energy bills. The same goes for dishwashers. Another tip is to try and use the cold water setting on your washer more. The cost to not heat cold water is $0.

Showers are hard to reduce, especially if you ask people with long hair, but some low-flow shower heads can help.

Making these small adjustments can mean an energy savings of 25%. With the cost of electricity and heating fuels, this can be a big number every month.