multi-family general contracting company

5 Summer Repair Tips

by Property Managers
Keeping up-to-date on roof, siding and deck repairs keeps your property safe.

It’s FINALLY time to get out there and enjoy the summer weather! Unfortunately, many of our decks, roofs, and exteriors have taken a beating this winter. We have great tips that will help ensure that your properties are safe and sound:

  1. Roofs: Grab a pair of binoculars to visually inspect the roof. Better yet, hire a qualified Building Envelope expert to make a qualified assessment. Don’t forget to also check attic spaces for signs of water damage or pinpoints of daylight that indicate where water will soon penetrate the building.
  2. Prevent ice dams NEXT winter. Most ice dams are caused by insufficient ventilation. Summer is the time to make sure attics are properly ventilated and that insulation is sufficient. In some cases, heating coils may need to be added to “problem areas” of the roof.
  3. Siding. Some interior water leakage is actually the result of damaged siding. Replacement or repair is best way to keep water out and prevent damage.
  4. Clear gutters and downspouts. Make sure these are cleaned out twice a year to make sure water is flowing away from the house (to prevent water coming in basements) and that ice dams won’t form when the temperature drops.
  5. Decks. Before the barbecues are in full swing, be sure to inspect railings to make sure they’re not wobbly and that balusters are securely fastened. Make sure flashing between the deck and the home is in good shape and keeping water from building up and causing rot. Gaps or cracks in the wood may indicate that it’s time to reseal/stain the deck or replace boards altogether. In some cases, this may be the time to switch to composite decking material to minimize future maintenance.

As always, it’s a great idea to work with licensed and insured contractors to help you evaluate roofs, decks and siding. Stay safe and enjoy your summer!

ice dams lead to water damage

Recovering from Water/Ice Damage

by RoofingTips for Homeowners
Tony Chiarelli tours a home with water damage in multiple rooms.

This winter was awful – I think we can all agree on that. Ice dams became a problem for many homeowners and condo managers that have never dealt with these issues before.

Sometimes homeowners are tempted to simply cover up the damage with a stain blocker and paint rather than open up the walls. However, if the water hasn’t properly dried up behind those walls, mold can grow. If you have carpet, it’s also important to pull up a part of the flooring to see if it’s still wet underneath. Even if the carpet feels dry, mold can grow on the tack strips that hold it down.

Need to see some evidence? We recently worked on a home where ice dams and water had come in in multiple locations. Take a look at the video to see what we found when we started opening up the walls.

the danger of ice dams

Buyer Beware: Don’t fall for gimmicks to prevent ice dams

by RoofingTips for Homeowners
Ice dams form as water under the “snow blanket” melts and refreezes at the edge of the room. Ice can then push its way up under the roof shingles.

As this year’s historic storms subside and homeowners across the region deal with the damage caused by massive ice dams, many will be looking for preventative measures to keep ice dams from forming in the future. I’ve investigated hundreds of cases of ice dams during my 25 years in the construction industry and, unfortunately, I’ve seen homeowners fall for sham solutions to keep ice dams from returning year after year.

Prevent Ice Dams with a COOL ROOF

Ice dams can’t form if the roof is the same temperature as the eaves. It’s important to hire a trusted contractor who can look at the entire home, understand the factors involved in why ice dams formed, and offer smart solutions to prevent them from recurring.

The truth is, there’s no single solution for ice dams. Some contractors and salespeople will try and convince homeowners that they offer the solution – whether it be a new product, covered gutters, heat cables, or even a whole new roof. As an example, we are currently working with a homeowner who was told that she’d never have ice dams again if she installed covered, seamless, gutters. Despite this ‘investment’ her home sustained a lot of water damage this year from the ice dams that formed in spite of the new gutters. Another homeowner was told that a new roof would be the answer. Thousands of dollars have been spent on new roofs and gutters, but the ice is still forming and the water is still getting inside and causing damage.

Ice Dam Solutions

When analyzing a home, here is what a good general contractor should be looking for:

  1. Insulation. Some homes may not have enough insulation. Or perhaps heat is escaping through recessed lighting or electrical fixtures which create “holes” in the insulation. The goal is to keep heat from escaping from the home and allow the roof to remain cool.
  2. Ventilation. Ice dams can’t form if you have a COLD roof. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, allowing heat to escape and let cooler air in, the snow will melt from underneath the snow blanket and ice dams will form when the liquid meets the freezing temperature at the bottom. Ridge vents in combination with soffit vents allow cool air to circulate under the roof.
  3. Cover hatches and whole-home fans. Attic access hatches and fans in the ceiling can be a large source of heat loss. Covers, made from foil-lined foam board, are available to keep them covered and prevent heat from escaping.
  4. Heat cables. Sometimes strung in a zip-zag pattern across the bottom few feet of the roof, or placed directly in the gutters and downspouts, heat cables warm the roof or gutter assembly to keep the water flowing. However, this solution may only create channels in the ice dams as they form. Again, in order to prevent ice dams from forming, we need to get to the source of why they are forming.

After the contractor has made a thorough analysis of the home, they can create a course of action – which will most likely involve several recommendations. We don’t want homeowners to fall for scam solutions and waste money. Rather, we want them to make informed decisions that keep their homes dry and free of ice and water damage.

winter water damage

Tips for Winterizing Your Home on Real Estate Radio

by Tips for Homeowners

I recently had the opportunity to be on Real Estate Radio, broadcast throughout New England on WBZ Radio, AM 1030. What a great experience! I was specifically able to share with listeners key “Dos and Don’ts” on getting their homes prepared for winter including:

  • DO: Clean out those gutters! Remember that year when everyone had ice dams? Don’t let that be you. Clean the gutters of pine needles, leaves and sticks so that water can flow freely as it moves off the house. Otherwise, it may pool, build up as the temperatures drop below freezing – and then you have the perfect recipe for ice dams.
  • DON’T: Keep old space heaters. If you need a space heater, be sure it’s at least only a couple of years old. Too many fires start as a result of space heaters.
  • DO: Check weather stripping on windows, doors and even electrical outlets for air leaks and get those sealed up before the worst of the weather sets in.
  • DON’T: Lower your heat too much if you’re going on vacation. Avoid burst pipes by keeping your home at least 60 degrees – even while you’re away.
  • DO: Make sure you’ve turned off the water spigots inside AND out. Turn the water off along the pipe, then go outside and open up the spigot before winter.

Interested in hearing more? Check out this video of my Real Estate Radio appearance!