Home Improvement Handyman
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Concrete Step RepairDamaged concrete and concrete block steps will need a bit of maintenance eventually, but, step repairs are can be done in a manner that gives them a nice fresh look.
Each project will have a unique fix. Sometimes the damaged areas can be removed and replaced and less often the entire step needs to be replaced. |
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Handyman ServicesCosts of small home improvements and repairs are often lower if they are done correctly the first time. There are many resources for homeowner DIYers to learn about proper maintenance and repairs on their homes.
If you feel something is going to be out of your skill set, or just need an extra hand, give us a call. |
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Your Roof - A couple tips for a happy home.Article Written by: Bill Pearn Masonry - December 2014
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Like the foundation, your roof is paramount to your home's health. Few things compare to the importance of sound roofs and foundations. Since we are quickly entering snow load season I will stick to roofing for this blog post.
Your roof is not a thing of mystery. In our area, it is generally just a basic system of plywood and shingles set atop a lumber frame. Hopefully you have tar paper under the shingles and, especially in the Poconos, ice shield along the edges. Most homes in our area include the latter two items. Occasionally they are missing but that does not always spell trouble.
From a Mason's point of view, one item that is often missing and does cause issues is a chimney cricket. I'm not sure why this is often overlooked in roof designs. A cricket is a simple bump out near your chimney to keep snow, rain, etc, from collecting and intruding into the home or framing. They compliment your chimney flashing and are relatively simple features that are well worth including in almost every roof design. If you do not have a cricket simply keep an eye on the area. It is not essential to have one but, more often than not, it is a worthwhile investment the next time you have your roof replaced. The snow slides off metal roofs, in our experience, make a cricket almost imperative. Without one the snow slides can, and will, rip your chimney right off the home. Visit our Chimneys page for more information.
Your roof is not a thing of mystery. In our area, it is generally just a basic system of plywood and shingles set atop a lumber frame. Hopefully you have tar paper under the shingles and, especially in the Poconos, ice shield along the edges. Most homes in our area include the latter two items. Occasionally they are missing but that does not always spell trouble.
From a Mason's point of view, one item that is often missing and does cause issues is a chimney cricket. I'm not sure why this is often overlooked in roof designs. A cricket is a simple bump out near your chimney to keep snow, rain, etc, from collecting and intruding into the home or framing. They compliment your chimney flashing and are relatively simple features that are well worth including in almost every roof design. If you do not have a cricket simply keep an eye on the area. It is not essential to have one but, more often than not, it is a worthwhile investment the next time you have your roof replaced. The snow slides off metal roofs, in our experience, make a cricket almost imperative. Without one the snow slides can, and will, rip your chimney right off the home. Visit our Chimneys page for more information.
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Roof Snow Shoveling Snow RemovalSnow load is an entirely different beast. Pocono roofing runs the gamete from wild west practices to high quality installations. The amount of snow your roof can hold is individual to the way it was constructed, it's age, and any insults it has endured.
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The best case scenario for any home owner is to keep the snow load to a minimal level. If you've been in your home for many years and the roof is sound you may only need to have snow removed when we have unusually large snowfall. If your home has some construction issues and your unsure of how much weight will be to much then promptly remove larger amounts of snow. Most professionals will not be able to tell you the exact amount of snow your roof can handle but common sense goes a long way here.
The bottom line is that roof snow shoveling is important to some homes and unnecessary for others. It is not a fault to error on the side of caution but don't break the bank unless you have to. If you feel your structure is at risk from winter snows the best practice would be to have the roof repaired during warmer weather. In the long run you will save money and have more piece of mind.
The bottom line is that roof snow shoveling is important to some homes and unnecessary for others. It is not a fault to error on the side of caution but don't break the bank unless you have to. If you feel your structure is at risk from winter snows the best practice would be to have the roof repaired during warmer weather. In the long run you will save money and have more piece of mind.
Proper roof maintenance is essential to the health of your home. Your need to remove excess snow weight from your roof depends on several factors: the roofing material, the pitch of the roof, the age of the home, and the overall depth of the snow.
We are possibly looking at another exceptional winter here in the Poconos so contact us if you feel that your roof, decks, or outbuilding may need some extra care. All roofs are cleared by appointment and very competitively priced.
We are possibly looking at another exceptional winter here in the Poconos so contact us if you feel that your roof, decks, or outbuilding may need some extra care. All roofs are cleared by appointment and very competitively priced.
One last thought: If you do not go up and inspect your roof yourself ALWAYS ask anyone who does go up there to take pics for you to keep for your records. This is a very reasonable request that should be accommodated by any home improvement professional.
