Monday, February 22, 2010

Gutter Guards


Purpose of a Gutter Guard:

There are many products that claim to be gutter guards. They can be anything from a piece of chicken wire to complete vinyl covers with a slit allowing water to go through. When attached to your gutter, the guard is supposed to keep leaves and debris out so you don't have to climb up a ladder, reach over and clean the gutter. Some claim to keep you from ever having to clean your gutter out again. But the truth is, while most do an excellent job of keeping out the big leaves, other debris does get in the gutter. You will have to take the guards off and clean the build-up inside the gutters once in a while.

How the Guard Works:

The guard is attached to, placed in or placed over the gutter, depending on the type. As leaves fall, the guard prevents them from getting into the gutter. Twigs and seed pods also fall from trees, and the debris may pile up on top of the guard. As it rains and the wind blows the debris blows off the top of the guard and the water runs into the gutter and out the downspout. If some roof gravel

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for gutter cleaning in New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx! The professional staff will work hard to make your gutters spotless. Choose A Real Advantage Construction for your next gutter cleaning needs!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Problem Rain Gutters


When it starts raining outside an incredible amount of water beats down on the roof of your house. Your roof principally does the job of protecting your house and everything in it from this rain. Most roofs are sloped in order that the water can run off and prevent heavy collections of rainwater gathering in pockets all over the roof.

If this were to happen the roof can become severely damaged and eventually holes will form where the rainwater once was (it would now be underneath the hole that has formed).

The damage that rainwater can cause.

If left to it’s own devices the rain water would run down the sloped roof and subsequently continue to pour down the wall of the house passing over window frames, windows, door frames, doors and possibly onto the damp proofing at the bottom of the house. Here it would collect in puddles that would take a long time to evaporate. All in all this would cause damage to the structure of your house, it can rot away wooden window and door frames and cause cracks in paving amongst other problems. During winter this damage does not take long to manifest itself and can cause further damage itself.

What drainpipes do.

The gutter and down pipes are there to prevent this from occurring. They collect the rainwater once it has reached the end of its descent. From there the slight slope in the guttering will encourage the rain water into the down pipe, subsequently carrying it down into the drain and safely away.


The effect of having improperly pitched gutters can have a similar effect, and in some cases it can be even worse. Improperly pitched gutters that are pitched away from the wall with even a slight gap is the equivalent of having no gutter whatsoever and you will face similar problems. However if you have improperly pitched gutters that cause all the rain water to collect in one area, this rainwater is then likely to run down one area of the wall.

Instead of all the rainwater from one day or one week being spread over the whole wall it is now being concentrated in just one area. The power of the water can erode the brickwork and the cement work causing serious structural damage and internal damp and rot. Both of these occurrences will cost you a lot more to right than having your drainpipe fixed or even having your improperly pitched gutters completely ripped down and replaced.

The dire consequences of improperly pitched gutters.

Improperly pitched gutters can end up costing you a very large amount of money and it is important that you regularly check that everything is running smoothly. You can easily tell whether a gutter is pitched properly by watching when it rains. However, you should have it checked regularly when you have your roof checked to make sure that the water isn’t running back into the roof because this will also cause serious damage and it is difficult to tell unless you know what you are looking for.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens New York! Choose them for all your roofing needs!


Leaking Chimneys!


A fireplace can be a truly marvelous thing. They are usually the centerpiece of any living room they happen to be in. A fireplace provides ambiance, warmth, and mood, all while lowering your heating costs. But, to have one you must also have a big hole in your roof. This is where the potential for trouble comes in. These are the basics of getting a good, weather tight seal around your chimney.


When dealing with roof leaks, place flashing high on the list of usual suspects. It is the most common thing to go awry, and chimney leaks are no different. Flashing is sheet metal that keeps the transition between the chimney and the roof watertight. If water manages to get behind the flashing, it can do extensive damage to the roof decking, framing, and even the interior of your home. You will want this fixed immediately, in order to avoid expensive repairs.

To properly install flashing will require two layers. The first layer is called step flashing. L-shaped sections of sheet metal are woven into the shingle courses and lapped up the side of the chimney. The next layer of metal (counter-flashing) should be imbedded in the mortar joints of the chimney and folded down to cover the step flashing.

Even if installed by a skilled professional the corners will need a bit of extra attention. As the metal is cut and bent around the corners it leaves a very small gap that should be sealed with a quality urethane caulk. Please note that extra caulk is not a viable substitute for quality flashing work.

There are quite a few different metals used as flashing. Aluminum and galvanized steel are two of the most common types. Copper is available, and lasts a very long time, but as you may have guessed it also happens to be very expensive. Lead is also used, and its malleability makes it rather easy to work with.

If a chimney happens to be located at the bottom of a roof slope, it may be a good idea to build (or have built) a cricket. A cricket is a small diversion roof built on the high side of the chimney. This roof helps keep the flashing from being slammed against by water rushing down the length of a roof slope.

It is a very good policy to inspect the seal around your chimney every year or two. Look for missing or damaged flashing, as well as cracks in the masonry. Small cracks can be caulked with a masonry specific caulk. Some builders even recommend spraying the chimney with a silicone based sealant to keep moisture from soaking into the brickwork.

A Real Advantage Contruction is your #1 source for all your roofing needs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York! Choose them for your next roof repair need!


The Right Siding for Your Home!

When you are looking at the options that are available for siding your home - whether you're renovating the property or you are going to be building a new home from the foundation up - there are a number of things that you will want to consider. One of the primary choices that you will need to make when you choose siding for your home involves the type of siding that you will use.

The appearance that you want your home to have, your lifestyle and even the construction of your property will have an impact on the exterior siding that you choose - and the material that the siding is made of. Therefore, when you are looking into the options that are available for siding your home, one thing that you'll want to be sure of is that you understand what siding materials are available.

The most basic siding that you're going to find is made from sheets of PVC plastic. While vinyl siding will not rot, there are some concerns about the impact of PVC plastics on the environment and there are also cases in which vinyl siding cracks, fades or simply stops looking as nice as it did when you installed it. Similar to vinyl sheet siding - if you like the idea of siding with vinyl but don't like the look of the sheets - is vinyl coating. When it's done well, it looks great, but there have been a number of complaints from homeowners whose contractors did not properly mix the polymers and resins before applying them to the home.

Those who are looking for the easy maintenance that comes with vinyl siding who are looking for an alternative to vinyl are going to want to be sure that they are looking into aluminum siding. This option is fireproof and won't crack the way vinyl sometimes does, but the color can fade and the material can dent. Seamless steel siding is also available for those who are looking for something that's tailored to their home; likewise seamless steel siding holds up to temperature changes, is custom fit to your home by a reputable contractor, and comes in a variety of looks and textures.

Of course, other options are available as well. If you are choosing siding for your home and you are looking for a more traditional look, you will also be able to look into stucco siding or synthetic stucco. For those who want to have a home sided with wood, cedar shingle siding is an option - and, for those who are looking for the look of wood who want something more durable as well as those whose areas require them to have fireproof materials, there is cement fiber siding that requires less maintenance but just as much character.

Character is important to most homeowners, but the reality is that there are going to be a number of questions that go far beyond the types of siding available. If you focus on working with a contractor who will be able to explain your options, the benefits and drawbacks of each and who will be able to help you find your best option.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for all your siding repair and installation needs in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York! Choose them for all your siding needs!

Roofing Cost Estimates

As with any major job that needs doing to the house one of the most important factors that is likely to play on your mind is the cost. Roof price is made up of several factors, that we discuss below, and you should always be careful that you aren’t compromising quality or service in order to lower the roof price by a few dollars.

Many roofing contractors will provide similarly price quotes but you should always ensure that you are comparing them on a like for like basis and don’t forget that the cheapest offer isn’t necessarily the best value for money and the most expensive offer isn’t necessarily the worst value for money.


Materials.

Materials will be one of the biggest factors involved in calculating your roof price and while it is possible to reduce the cost by using different types of material you have to remember that this can often lead to a false economy. If using a different material means a saving of 10% on your roof price, but the material will last 30% less time then your best option is to choose the more expensive material. Obviously it is important that you select materials that are hard wearing and good looking where required but are also cost effective. You should have selected a roofing contractor that you have some faith in and discussing the particular materials with him or her will usually give you the answers you are looking for.


Labor.

Labor cost may vary slightly from one contractor to another but not by very much and it is certainly unlikely to be an area that can be negotiated. Within your roof price will be charges for all laborers including the people who strip your roof and load the skip. Any preliminary work you can do yourself is always advisable and if you are able to do any of the menial work yourself then you should consider this also. You need to check the terms of liability insurance with the roofing contractor first though and agree the tasks you will complete yourself before negotiating a contract. This really can make a difference to your roof price.


Profit.

This is the area that may have a little room for negotiation but every company needs to make a profit. Get quotes from small companies and from large companies and compare the roof price associated with these quotes. While small companies may not require the same level of profit as the larger companies, they will usually have to pay more for materials and other factors making the bottom line roof price very similar

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that your roofing estimate is right on! Choose them for all your roofing repair needs!


Cathedral Ceilings

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home and open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces, which are more difficult to treat. There has been an ongoing debate, for years, among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings.say that it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say that a simpler method will suffice. The question that may are asking is, “What is best?” The real answer, however, lies with only one question. “What is best for my home?” You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

Say ‘Yes’ To Ventilation For Cathedral Ceiling

We believe that a ridge vent is, in fact, highly recommended for a cathedral ceiling. It will allow warm and moist damaging air to be released between the rafters. This moist air, which can cause a lot of damage if left alone, would otherwise be trapped between the rafters and would soon begin to cause the wood decking to rot. In addition, many other problems could begin to occur.

It is necessary to provide ventilation to cathedral ceilings in order to release the moisture and prevent it from worsening. The presence of moisture can cause a lot of damage to the roof’s structure, including rotting, weakening and a possible need for replacement. If left untreated, moisture can damage the ceiling, but also cause problems throughout the structure of the home itself.

Improper Ventilation For Cathedral Ceiling

Roof vents or a power fan would not be recommended for a cathedral ceiling home. The reasoning lies in that either of these types of vents will only ventilate the space between the rafters, but are not sufficient for completely eliminating moisture damage. These types of ventilation are most widely used for homes with wide open attic space, but not a cathedral ceiling. A ridge vent, on the other hand, will be able to properly handle ventilation for a cathedral ceiling.

Find A Local Contractor In Your Area

Unless you are certain about installing the proper ventilation for your cathedral ceiling, you should call a professional roofing contractor. They are trained and work daily with all types of roofing problems, including ventilation for cathedral ceilings and will be able to better inform you of your options to better protect your home. It is often recommended that you speak with several before making a final decision. Ask questions, get quotes and ask about warranties.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn in New York! Choose them for all your roofing needs!

Black Mold

You may have heard about black mold on the news, a passing story about a baby who got sick or a family that discovered their house was overrun with the stuff. But do you know what black mold is and how it could affect your family?

Toxic molds such as the infamous black mold are a form of fungus, one of the most common forms, in fact. It spreads easily under the right conditions and unfortunately, the right conditions can be found in many homes these days. While an extreme quantity of any kind of mold can cause problems in humans, some people are more sensitive than others and black mold tends to trigger health problems in most of the population

What are the health problems caused by black mold? They are numerous and include difficulties breathing and allergic reactions. According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic back in 1999, 37 million Americans suffer from mold-related sinus infections which are chronic in nature. Also, asthma has risen at an alarming rate the past few years and experts claim that this is due to mold exposure.

Small children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems (such as pregnant women and those suffering from HIV) are most at risk for problems related to black mold, although it can affect anyone exposed to it for long periods of time. Most of the time, the symptoms are fairly mild, simply allergic reactions. However, they can actually be deadly to some individuals and for this reason it is important to identify and remove any toxic mold from the home.

Black mold tends to grow in moist, dark places. Bathroom showers and in the cabinets under a sink are two very common places to find this mold. While these are areas that would normally be fairly damp and dark, leaking pipes or faucets and floods can also trigger the growth of this noxious fungus in areas such as the basement and inside the walls. If you have a leaking roof, you might also notice black mold growing on your ceiling and down the walls.

Once black mold has become established in one area, it can quickly spread. Unfortunately, this usually means that extensive renovations will need to be done in order to get rid of the mold entirely. That could mean replacing drywall, floor boards and baseboards, among other things. For the safety of your family, though, it is well worth the expense and the hassle.

Any leaks or flooding should be cleaned up immediately and the area dried thoroughly before any mold gets a chance to start growing. You should repair a leaking roof as soon as possible and keep your home well ventilated so that mold doesn’t have a chance to get a foothold.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 souce for fixing and preventing roof leaks in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx in New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that your home is perfectly fitted with a nice roof! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof repair needs!

A Leaky Skylight

A skylight is an excellent source of both warmth and light for your home and they can enhance the overall appearance of your house as well as giving you a little extra air when required. There are a number of different factors that can lead to a leaky skylight but the most common factor is an improperly fitted or installed skylight. This inadequacy is usually brought about because having a skylight fitted by a professional roofing contractor can cost a lot of money, and people tend to revert to a handyman or, often worse still, doing it themselves.

Without proper knowledge of construction regarding the skylight fitting and the roof surrounding it, though, can lead to disastrous results. Even the inadequate fixing of an existing leaky skylight can make thing sworse. To charge quite a high cost to fit a skylight because they would rather work on better paid, roof installments. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a reputable and highly skilled roofing contractor who will complete the job at a reasonable price. However, because fitting a skylight is a skilled job, as is all roofing, you will need to pay more to have one fitted properly by an expert when compare to paying a handy man to fit it.

A leaky skylight causes relatively minimal damage in the short term, however over the long term this damage can become significant so you should make sure that the drops you saw coming off your skylight are actually condensation and not the first tell tale signs of a leak. You may end up having to replace wallpaper, carpets and worse still making structural repairs to the inside of your house (although only usually in extreme circumstances). A leaky skylight may also be indicative that you have bigger problems with your roof so you should get someone out to check it as soon as possible.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for repairing roof leaks in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx in New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that you will receive total quality care! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof leak needs!

Roofing Repair and Contractors

The primary concern of any house owner when he or she goes in for roof repairs is whether the contractor to whom they have awarded the contract is capable.

Is the contractor worthy of being given the responsibility for repairing the roof and other structures in the house? Does the claims which he makes as regards past repair and projects actually relate to his expertise in the field of repair. Can he be trusted? Is he qualified enough to suggest the replacement or repair of the roof? If you are plagued by these questions, then read on.

Whatever be your roofing repair or roof replacement needs, you need a qualified professional roofing contractor whom you can trust. This translates to finding a roofing contractor who knows good roofing practices. He must be aware of roof flashing details, on how to handle problem spots on building roofs and alternative roof covering products like shingle types,

grades, colors, low slope roofing, flat roofing materials, etc. A competent roofer will provide the client with sound advice on products, reasonable explanation of procedures, and, most importantly dependable results in the form of a strong and a durable roof.

It's difficult to determine the capabilities and reliability of a contractor just on face value or when he or she approaches you with a printed brochure. In order to select a qualified contractor there are few steps which are advised to be taken so that the client who is getting the repairs done gets a fair deal. These include doing a market survey of available contractors and their market credentials, meeting members of the local councils to get their suggestions and then homing on to a manageable list of contractors whom you think can do the job for you. Based on referrals and your meetings, you need to make a checklist of people who qualify for your job.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roofing repair in Bronx, Queens, and the Bronx in New York! They have the experience and background to make sure that your roof is repaired promptly and affordably. Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof repair needs!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Vinyl Siding


As the search for low cost, low maintenance siding continued, the next evolution after aluminum siding was the advent of vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding, like aluminum siding, comes in strips and has perforated holes at the top for fastening into the exterior wall and interlocking flanges top and bottom to seal against weather. A special tool called a zip tool is used to join and separate the siding strips.

Like aluminum siding, vinyl siding also comes in a range of styles including horizontal and vertical panels and a range of prefinished colors. Available in a variety of textures including wood shake/shingle style.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for all your vinyl siding needs in New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens! Their professional craftsmen make sure your house is treated right! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your vinyl siding needs!


Aluminum Siding

With the maintenance associated with wood siding came the desire for an alternative. Aluminum siding fit the bill and has evolved over the years into a very low maintenance and popular siding choice for newer homes.

Aluminum siding comes in strips and has perforated holes at the top for fastening into the exterior wall and interlocking flanges top and bottom to seal against weather.

Common retrofit siding and has often, unfortunately, been applied over wood siding in many home "improvement" projects where maintenance won out over aesthetics or the wood siding was severely damaged. Durable material but prefinished painted finishes have been known to fade, chalk and runoff onto brick walls often below the siding. Newer vinyl coated finishes are available and alleviate past paint problems. Prone to denting and being noisy. Aluminum lacks the ability for detailed trim work.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for aluminum siding in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn! They offer all ranges of siding for your home and are dedicated to making your home your dream home! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your aluminum siding needs!

Wood Plank and Beveled Wood Siding

Wood clapboard siding is among the oldest types of house siding. You can see its beauty on older and historic homes. Its disadvantage is that it is not low maintenance, requiring painting and caulking and is often replaced with aluminum or vinyl siding. Frequently when that happens, a lot of the charm and detail of the wood home is lost.

So if you own a wood clapboard home you probably own a beautiful home, and as you know keeping it looking good requires taking care of paint problems and regular exterior paint maintenance. And there are often special considerations for painting historic homes.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for wood plank and beveled wood siding in New York: Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens! Their siding professionals are there for you and ready to take on any job! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your siding needs!