My Blog
December 2010
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Posted on Friday, December 31, 2010 9:43 AM
In Colorado we have had hurricane force winds that have caused much damage. Semi-Trucks were blown over on the highway; sheds were seen flying through the air. It isn't hard to imagine the type of damage that might be done to your roof under these conditions. Don't wait for your roof to leak, walk around your home and inspect for damage. Below is a list of things to look for. - Shingles lying on the ground, with this wind they might also be your neighbors so check that they match your roof
- Tree limbs and branches lying on the roof or nearby that could have caused damage to the roof on the way down.
- Low lying branches that may rub against your roof during a wind storm
- Bare spots on your roof where you can see the underlayment.
- Loose shingles that wave at you in a breeze.
- Gutters, Soffit or Fascia material hanging loose.
- Anything that looks odd or uneven might be cause for concern.
In general I do not recommend homeowners to get on their roof for any reason, in many cases you can do more damage to your roof or cause harm to yourself. I would recommend that if you suspect there is damage, call a reliable roofer. Most will come and inspect your roof free of charge and if there is damage help you with filing the insurance claims. It never hurts to get a second opinion or quote if work does need to be done. I do not recommend calling your insurance first. Some insurance companies will consider it a claim against your policy even if no money is paid out. Speaking with a qualified roofer first will help you determine if you should contact your insurance company. For a FREE estimate or inspection on Roofing, Siding, Painting, Fascia, Soffits and all Repairs Please call (719) 543-6501 *Call Almighty we’ll make sure your home’s all-righty* Serving Southern Colorado since 1992 almightyexteriors@yahoo.com |
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Posted on Monday, December 27, 2010 7:39 PM
Fall is a good time of year to start thinking about winterizing your home for winter, because as temperatures begin to dip, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. 1) Furnace Inspection - Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
- Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
- Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat.
2) Get the Fireplace Ready - Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
- If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
- Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
- Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
3) Check the Exterior Doors and Windows - Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
- Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
- Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts - If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
- Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.
- Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
- Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment - Drain gas from lawnmowers.
- Service or tune-up snow blowers.
- Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.
6) Check Foundations - Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
- Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
- Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
- Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.
8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes - Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
- Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
- Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
- If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces - Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
- Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
- Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
- Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
10) Prepare an Emergency Kit - Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
- Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
- Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
- Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
- Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.
For a FREE estimate Roofing, Siding, Painting, Windows, Fascia, Soffits, Insulation, and Repairs Please call (719) 543-6501 Serving Southern Colorado since 1992 |
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Posted on Friday, December 24, 2010 8:55 AM
Different types of lien wavers - Conditional waiver on progress payment - The safest waiver for claimants, this waiver generally specifies that if they have indeed been paid to date (and that includes no return or stopped payment checks) the waiver is an effective proof against any lien claim on the property.
- Unconditional waiver on progress payment - This waiver releases all claimant rights through a specific date unconditionally (and that includes no return or stopped payment checks).
- Conditional waiver on final payment - This waiver releases all claimant rights to file a mechanics lien if they have indeed been paid to date (and that includes no return or stopped payment checks).
- Unconditional final waiver final payment - The safest waiver for owners, this waiver generally releases all rights of the claimant to place a lien.
For a FREE estimate Roofing, Siding, Painting, Fascia, Soffits, Insulation, and Repairs Please call (719) 543-6501 Serving Southern Colorado since 1992 almightyexteriors@yahoo.com |
Choosing a Contractor, Roofing Contractor, Siding Contractor, Lein Waivers, Exteriors, Winterizing, Wind Damage, T-Lock Shingles, Recycling, Free Roofing Estimates, Different Types of Roofs, Local Events, Free Siding Estimates, Painting Contractor, Free Painting Estimates, Home Inspections
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Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2010 2:38 PM
What is a lien waiver and why do I need one? A lien waiver is a type of legal document that relinquishes a person's or business' right to place a lien on another party’s assets. In many cases, lien waivers are used by mechanics as well as by contractors. They are signed and provided to customers who have paid their mechanic or contracting bills in full and release the customer from all claims on his property because of work done and supplies that were purchased. Without a waiver, a contractor or mechanic may have a right to take his supplies back or place a lien on the customer’s property if the customer fails to pay as agreed. Contractors and mechanics often take a risk when they agree to provide services for their customers. They may do extensive work for a customer and then have to deal with a customer who pays late or not at all. In many jurisdictions, liens are protections contractors, mechanics, and suppliers have against non-payment. If customers know these people can place liens on their property, they may be less likely to withhold payment. A lien waiver typically states that the party has paid in full and releases the customer from all property liens and claims by the supplier, contractor, or mechanic. If, for example, a contractor is replacing a person’s cabinets, he may take periodic payments or receive all of his payments once the entire job is done. If the customer refuses to pay him, he may suffer a substantial loss because of the supplies he’s purchased as well as the labor he has completed. If the customer does not pay, one recourse the contractor has is to place a lien on the property. Once a customer has paid all of the money he owes to a supplier, contractor, or mechanic, he’ll usually receive a signed lien waiver. This waiver essentially waives the right of the supplier, contractor, or mechanic to place a lien against the customer’s property because of non-payment. If a customer does not receive a signed lien waver, he may be at risk of having a lien placed on the property, even if he has paid the hired party or supplier in full. Whether or not a person needs a lien waiver from a supplier may depend on how the project is handled. If, for example, the supplies are delivered to the project site, regardless of who signs for them, the customer may need a signed lien waiver from the supplier. This is due to the fact that the supplier knows where the supplies were used and could demand his supplies back or money from the customer if the contractor fails to pay him. If the contractor received the supplies at his own location, however, and the supplier does not know where the supplies are being used, a separate lien waiver may not be necessary. Roofing, Siding, Painting, Fascia, Soffits and all Repairs Please call (719) 543-6501 *Call Almighty we’ll make sure your home’s all-righty* Serving Southern Colorado since 1992 |
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Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2010 3:54 PM
We have all heard the horror stories of contractors fleeing the jobsite after receiving a deposit or doing shoddy work. But are these pitfalls avoidable? How do you hire the right person for the job. Check their References Before you even start your search, it’s good to ask for referrals. However, the key here is to not feel obligated to use someone that your peer recommends just because they recommended them. - The first step is finding the contractor – which can be difficult. You can find contractor listings on the Internet, through trade organizations, bulletin boards, etc. While these are all viable ways to find them, the best contractors are found through word-of-mouth referrals. In this example, someone is recommending a contractor based on their favorable experience. And in the long run, that is your goal, to become another satisfied customer. Ask friends, family and co-workers if they can recommend contractors for your project.
If you are looking for a contractor to remodel or build a new home, ask for material supplier references. You can tell a lot about someone by how they pay their bills. If a contractor shops at a particular lumberyard, ask if you can contact his account manager for a reference. If he or she pays their bill on time, it tells you they are responsible and have a good credit standing with their suppliers. If their standing with the supplier is suspect, be weary!
Verify the Contractor’s InsuranceA contractor’s workers compensation insurance protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Liability Insurance protects you if any of your property is damaged. Call the insurance company to ensure that the contractor’s insurance it is up to date. You can also request to have your name on the insurance certificate. By having your name on the certificate, you will be notified if the contractor cancels the policy during your project. Verify the Contractor’s LicenseEvery city should have a licensing database. If a license is applicable for your project, the city may help protect you in case of faulty workmanship. If a permit is needed, ensure that the contractor gets it. To verify licenses in your city, always check with you local building department. If you hire a contractor without insurance or a license, you’re playing with fire Get Estimates & Warranties in Writing Get all warranties and estimates in writing. Again, it’s very important for both you and the contractor to avoid any confusion over exactly what you want done. Also, you want to make sure that there are no hidden charges or fees. EVERYTHING that the contractor is charging you for should be in writing. You also want to know what is included in the warranty, how long the warranty is good for, and what form of payment the contractor will accept. Comparing bids is a crucial step in hiring the right contractor. It is advisable to receive at least three bids for any one phase of construction. This establishes market value for your project and will allow you analyze the bid. Selecting the right contractor for the job is the most important decision you can make. Take the necessary time to investigate the contractor, their referrals, past performance and standing with material suppliers. Be weary of contractors asking for large sums of money upfront. While a small deposit is acceptable for securing their work, large sums upfront are a warning sign. Remember, the decision you make now can positively or negatively affect your project’s success!
For a FREE estimate or examination on Roofing, Siding, Painting, Fascia, Soffits and all Repairs Please call (719) 543-6501 Call Almighty we’ll make sure your home’s all-righty |
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