| Contact Design Builders |
650 Danbury Road
Ridgefield CT, 06877
203-431-9104
www.DBARINC.com
davida@dbarinc.com
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| About Design Builders |
Design Builders & Remodeling is a full-service, residential design build firm headquartered in Ridgefield, CT. The firm has proudly serviced discriminating buyers in Fairfield, Westchester, Litchfield and Putnam Counties since 1986.
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| Full Design Services |
Design Builders and Remodeling specializes in the design and building of additions, renovations, new home construction, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling and new kitchens.
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In this month's newsletter, we talk about how important preventive home maintenance is for the long-term protection of your home. And, is your family's recreation room able to accommodate today's electronics?
Sincerely,
David H. Adams, President
Design Builders and Remodeling,
(203) 431-9104
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It's Spring!
Inspect Your Roof and Repair Winter Damage |
Did you experience damage to your home this winter?
March 21 was the first official day of spring, but all of us who live in the Northeast know better. Winter can hang around here for several more weeks and yes, it can snow in April.
Snow buildup on roofs, ice dams and freezing temperatures over the past few months have caused considerable damage to many homes in our area. If you've noticed water spots on your ceiling, it's likely due to a leaky roof. Heavy snow loads on roofs may also be responsible for ceiling and wall cracks.
We recommend using a professional because climbing up on a roof can be dangerous and, if you do have a problem, walking on it could make things worse! If you do choose to inspect the roof yourself, choose a warm sunny day, not a hot day because you could damage to the shingles. Make sure the roof is completely dry, wear rubber-soled shoes for traction, stay clear of power lines and have someone nearby in event of an accident.
Here are the main areas of your roof that you'll want to have checked for winter damage:
Shingles and roof tiles. Inspect your roof for damaged, curled or missing shingles or tiles. If you have a leaky roof that has caused water damage to your ceiling, check the shingles and flashing around that area for damage. If you don't notice any damage, you'll need to call a professional since the problem may be due to inadequate flashing or deterioration of the shingles. Ice may have caused the interior damage although you may not see signs of it on the roof. If you find curled shingles, they can be reattached with asphalt roof cement or compound in tubes used with a caulking gun. In warm weather curled shingles can be straightened out as they become softened by the heat. Apply roof cement generously to the bottom of the shingle at each corner, then press the shingle into place.
Flashing. Flashing is the metal or membrane strips that seal gaps and prevent water from seeping under shingles. Check around chimneys, vents, vent pipes and any line of roof cement where two surfaces meet. Look for breaks in the flashing. If the metal flashing is not thoroughly caulked, fill the joints with roof cement in a caulking gun. Along joints sealed with a line of roof cement, apply new cement with a putty knife to areas that look worn or cracked. Cover all questionable areas with roof cement and any exposed nail heads in the flashing.
Chimneys. Check your chimney cap for cracks or flashing problems. Also look for cracks in mortar joints and for stone or brick displacement.
Gutters. Clear all debris from gutters. You may want to use a hose or power washer to completely clear gutters and downspouts. Prune tree branches that may interfere with your gutters by depositing twigs or leaves.
Skylights. Check the security of the roofing material around your skylight and exposed fasteners to ensure tightness. Check for
moisture between the glass. If you notice moisture, seals may be compromised. You may need to replace the seals and this should be done as soon as possible. Over time, moisture can freeze and refreeze to cause serious damage to the skylight and cause frame rot. Clean off leaves, branches and debris. Inspect for other roofing damage above the skylight. Clean the glass.
Rot. Signs of rot are brown staining on the interior walls or ceiling of a home where water has leaked through siding or singles over a period of time. Common sites where rot can occur are "valleys" where the roof of the main house adjoins to the garage or dormers. Check the flashing in these areas for leaks. Leaks and rot will occur if the adjoining roof is not "step flashed" properly. Also check your attic for moisture and rot. Rot and mildew can cause major damage to a home if overlooked.
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| Family Fun in the Digital Age |
Wherever your family likes to play, whether in your rec room or in the family room, most likely it is time to update that space. The kinds of activities young people once enjoyed, such as board games and paperback books, are no longer the popular choice.
Today, if your teens prefer to quietly read a favorite novel, they'll curl up with a Kindle or a Nook e-book reader. Those who are more action-oriented gather in front of the flat screen to try their hand at Xbox NASCAR racing. Or they'll create their own personal rock band avatar and strum furiously away on their Wii guitar.
So, how can you remodel your recreation room so it performs well in this digital age, making it a place where your family loves to hang out?
· Install multiple flat screens at eye level, rather than one large theater-size screen.
Kids today prefer playing their own individual video games, even though they still enjoy having their friends or family members close by.
· Provide a docking station with multiple outlets for charging e-book readers, cellphones, MP3 players, and other electronic equipment.
· Allow plenty of open space in the room by arranging seating around the perimeter. Or choose a sectional sofa with pieces that may be moved aside easily by one person.
Many video games involve players dancing or jumping in front of the screen. In smaller rooms, versatile sectional furniture allows you to temporarily create open spaces for people to safely move around.
· Install cabinetry with a variety of compartments for safely storing gaming equipment.
Plan for larger pieces, such as Wii guitar and drum sets, as well as smaller items, such as video games, extra controllers and small accessories.
· Include a computer desk area.
Teens are used to multi-tasking. Whatever else your teens may be doing to have fun at home, most also will be texting on their cell phones and/or completing their homework on the computer simultaneously.
· Select easy-care finishes for upholstery, countertops, walls and floors.
This idea is not new, but your choices are wider than ever before. Flooring options range from carpet with stain resistance built into the fiber, to engineered hardwood floors suitable for installing over radiant heat, to cork planks that are hypoallergenic and anti-static -- perfect for using around electronic equipment.
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| Quote of the Month |
"The taxpayer, that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."
- Ronald Reagan.
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