An issue we've seen lately, especially now that the weather is starting to warm up, is that of rotten walls on the sides of houses. And truthfully, it's not too surprising given the amount of record rain our area saw this winter and spring. We've had homeowners contact us thinking they have just a rotten strip of siding or window trim needing to be replaced only to find out the problem was much more than they could see from the surface. Rotten walls are no joke and need to be remedied sooner than later. But, how do you know if you have rotten walls? There are a few telltale signs. You might notice warped sections of your siding, or perhaps streaked fading where water has been running or splashing. It's even possible you will have excessive mold growing on one section of your siding. When you touch these areas, you'll feel the siding give way to the pressure and easily break apart. If you're experiencing any of these with your house, you'll want to get ahold of a contractor right away. But what caused the rot in the first place? It's simple: the rate of getting wet exceeds the rate of drying and over time, this breaks down the integrity of your wall. This extra moisture can come from a variety of sources such as missing flashing between touching surfaces (i.e. between the roof eave and the top of the wall) or poorly flashed windows or even splashback from having your siding too close to the ground. Left unaddressed, any of these causes allow for wetness to continue seeping into your walls and rotting everything along the way, which in extreme cases, can include the flooring attached to the walls on multiple-story housing. Bringing a contractor out to examine the rot is crucial in order to fully understand the scope of the damage as well as identifying the source of the wetness. But beware of contractors who only offer to patch things up to make the walls look pretty again. While it could save you money now, a couple years down the road the rot won't only be back, chances are it will be even worse since the source of the problem wasn't addressed. Better to pony up the extra money now to do it right than pay for it in spades down the line.
The Fort Rock Construction team has dealt with and corrected rotten wall issues throughout Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove and the entire Willamette Valley. If you suspect you have an issue, please give us a call today at 541-767-1611. We provide free, no-obligation estimates.
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It's fairly common these days that our older generations don't want to feel like they have to move just to accommodate their health needs. And, this is where aging-in-place experts, like Fort Rock Construction, can be of service. We help people take a fresh view of their home and then find ways to make modifications that allow for aging-in-place. But, before beginning the process of deisgn, it's important to understand the underlying health needs — of everyone — living in the household. So, before you begin your remodeling project, take this tip to heart... Bring in an occupational therapist.
An occupational therapist (OT) works with people of all ages who need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social, or emotional problems. He or she asks, "What' matters to you?" vs. "What's the matter with you?" By taking this approach, the OT can help guide the remodeling process to make sure the things that matter are facilitated in the design. This might include things like making certain adjustments to the height of counters and sinks, or the types of pulls found on cabinets, or even how entrys to different parts of the home are designed. Working together, your remodeler and the OT can construct a plan to accommodate your needs for today as well as into the future, alowing you years of comfort and enjoyment in your home. If you'd like assistance with an aging-in-place plan, please let us know. We'd love to help. Tired of sneezing from those old, shag carpets with thirty years of dog hair and dander they’ve collected? Considering a home remodel and wondering what kinds of natural flooring are available? Many people who suffer from allergies, asthma, or have trouble breathing choose hardwood floors, but there are also other options out there. Many of our clients in Eugene, Oregon are more health conscious and environmentally aware about the products they choose. There is a rise in people wanting materials low in chemicals that can affect health and local ecology.
Using flooring made from natural materials produces better air quality in the home because there aren’t as many VOCs or volatile organic compound emissions. Traditional kinds of flooring contain binders, adhesives and sealants that are higher in VOCs. Many of the flooring option below also have the added benefit of being made from renewable resources or are recycled, and for those reasons are better for the environment. Healthy kinds of flooring: Hard wood flooring Wood is easy to clean and great for people with allergies because they don’t collect dust. Oak, cherry, teak and walnut are favorite hardwood floors. There are brands out there that use binders that are low in VOC emissions, but it isn’t the standard. Bamboo Bamboo is stronger and more durable than hardwoods—if one buys good quality. Bamboo should harvested from plantation managed timber rather than the wild, produced with low VOC adhesives, and dried to withstand humid or dry climates. This will also help ensure it will be scratch resistant. Eucalyptus This is harder than the hardest of woods. It is durable and inexpensive. It is also good for the environment because the Eucalyptus tree grows fast and is highly renewable. It’s also low on VOC emissions. Cork Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees and is a renewable resource. Cork is lightweight, an acoustic insulator (muffles sound), is soft to walk on, and recovers well from the weight of furniture. It is resistant to fire, mold, mildew, termites, gasses and liquids and is antimicrobial. Natural-fiber carpeting This kind of carpeting is made from natural materials such as wool, a wool-hemp blend, or grass blends like sea grass, sisal, linen or juke. Wool is water and fire resistant, and hemp is mold, mildew and pest resistant. The grass varieties are strong and naturally anti-static. On the downside, many of these natural-fiber carpets do not do well in bathrooms or environments that are constantly getting wet. Stay tuned for next month’s blog post on other natural and salvaged materials that are good for your health and the environment. Considering eco-friendly home remodel ideas? Located in Eugene, Oregon, Fort Rock Construction is nestled in a green-loving, bike riding, plastic bag free, tie-dye wearing, environmentally friendly, tree-hugging community—and proud of it. So it should go without saying that our clients are going to have an interest in ideas for remodeling that involve: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Use recycled materials. Recycled carpet tiles are created by grinding up used vinyl and nylon carpets. Flooring and even paint can be recycled and reused. Reusing salvaged materials. Whether you find these materials locally or online, they are good for the environment—and your pocket. Buy local. Using local products and services cuts down on the distance of travel, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Purchase post-consumer or post-industrial materials that can easily be recycled later. Investigate whether the materials are sustainably sourced (wood certified as sustainably harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council) Switch out old appliances with more energy efficient models. Newer models that qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s EnergyStar label can be 20-30 times more energy efficient. Make sure attics, walls and basements are insulated to keep the cold out. Better yet, try using denim as recycled insulation. Use occupancy/vacancy censors. This is a kind of motion detector that turns on when someone enters the room or turns off when someone exits. Switch older single pane windows with double or triple panes that will be more energy efficient. Add weather stripping around doors and windows. Install a low-flow toilet. This uses less water than the traditional models. As we are all perfectly aware of, Oregon weather doesn’t allow proper building projects all year round. The summer allows for the perfect time to build or add any construction project to your home. Aside from the weather, there are several reasons why you should consider the summer for your construction projects. Often times, you’ll find contractors are more willing to work during the summer. Labor is less expensive and you’ll be able to afford more. Finally, a lot of people schedule renovations in the fall before the winter weather and holidays hit, making it an incredibly busy time to build.
You’re probably asking yourself, “What projects would be the greatest use of my resources and time in the summer?” Here are several ideas: 1. Driveway Paving: Asphalt is easier to work with in the higher temperatures of summer. Colder temperatures often cause asphalt to harden prematurely, which means less time for a contractor to spread the asphalt to form a smooth surface. 2. Kitchen: If you plan to do a complete kitchen remodel, it is often difficult to find an alternative place to cook meals. Cooking outdoors is an option during the summer and moving your refrigerator to your garage is a good temporary fix. 3. Home Addition Whenever you add a room to your home, opening it up to the outside world is temporarily inevitable. Exposure will be the easiest on the room during the summer period. 4. Landscaping The summer is absolutely the best time for this home project. Planning can be made in the spring, but execution during the summer is key for good results. The health of plants, shrubs and trees is typically the best during the summer and any unforeseen problems are typically the easiest to correct in good weather. 5. In-ground pool and deck To place an underground pool in your yard, you must dig. Digging when temperatures are cooler is much more difficult than digging in the summer. It is also easier to install materials for the pool in the summer. It is also typically cheaper to hire a contractor to install a pool in the summer as it makes his job easier and faster. http://www.today.com/id/44039411/ns/today-money/t/renovations-are-cheaper-summer/#.UfFXvlPz00o Have you ever considered building your own house as an alternative to purchasing a home? Considering all the planning and total cost of building your own home, we thought it would be helpful to explain how a house is built and what different parts go into making a home.
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5201097_house-construction-works.html Before you consider if a kitchen island is right for you, your kitchen must have the space available. Islands are designed to divert traffic around the cooking areas and are meant to be functional in nature. If you have multiple people in the kitchen cooking or cleaning, adding an additional sink or stove top to the island is a great way to avoid collisions. Both stovetops and sinks can be built into islands, as well as warming drawers, microwaves, dishwashers and trash compactors. Islands additionally provide counter space for kneading dough, serving food, and preparing the end result.
If your island has an overhang, adding chairs is a great way to add to the dining space. If you want to consider remodeling your kitchen to include a functional island, please give Fort Rock Construction a call at (541) 767-1611 and we can help plan and construct your dream kitchen. Often times, people who want to add more space to their homes don’t know whether they should add more stories to their home or do a ground floor addition. There are a few determining factors that must be considered before either project is decided upon.
Some helpful questions are: Does your neighborhood have special tenants regarding home additions? Are you willing to sacrifice some of your yard space to increase the size of your home? If you have the land and are willing to give up some yardage, a ground level addition is the most economical option. However, if this is something you’re not willing to give up and are constrained horizontally, building upwards might be the best option for you. As with every project, each one is unique and should be handled on an individual basis. If you’re hesitant on which type of home renovation is right for you, please contact us at Fort Rock Construction and we can help you get on the right track. If you're looking for ways to add square footage to your home and have a basement, check out these tips before you get started.
Make a Family or Rec Room Basements are ideal for casual social activities and it's the perfect spot for family activities be it crafting, watching movies, playing board games, etc. One of the biggest challenges will be lighting. Make sure to plan ahead where key activities will take place and make sure you have the necessary electrical and lighting in place before you finish the walls and ceiling. Include a Bedroom and Bath If you frequently host out of town guests, why not make a space just for them? If you do decide to go this route, make sure you have enough square footage to accommodate the amenities. For instance, a double bed will require a minimum of 125 square feet and two twin beds will need 150 square feet. Keep in mind that you have also need to include an emergency exit (window or door) that leads directly outside to be in compliance with building codes. Add a Kitchen or Laundry Room A wet bar or mini kitchen in the basement makes entertaining much easier. The inclusion of a mini kitchen makes a basement with a bed and bath into an entire guest suite. A kitchen requires access to hot and cold water, as well as electrical outlets for an undercounter refrigerator, a microwave oven, small countertop appliances, and possibly a small dishwasher or dishwasher drawer. A laundry room is a good idea in the basement, but it needs a floor drain and access to an outside wall to vent the dryer. Design an Attractive and Safe Staircase You already have stairs that lead to the basement, but when you're remodeling, make sure they meet code AND look good. Codes vary with staircase configurations and baluster shape, so you'll want to talk to a pro about your plans. Plan for Windows and Doors Adding or enlarging basement windows and exterior doors are jobs best done by a professional, but the resulting natural light and ventilation will significantly increase your enjoyment of this living space. Be sure to have a professional consult with you on this to make sure the proper materials are used and so that the necessary bracing is in place. Finish the Walls for Inviting Ambiance Your basement need not look rough with the poured concrete or stacked concrete block look. Unless you're going for that particular style, finishing the walls with drywall, plywood, paneling, or even paint will help give the space a more inviting feel. Be sure to consult with a professional on the proper moisture barriers and materials/adhesives to use. Don't Forget the Ceiling! You have three basic options for finishing basement ceilings. You can conceal the joists, pipes and ductwork with drywall or paneling, hide everything with a suspended or drop ceiling, or you can leave everything exposed and paint it with a sprayer. Whichever option you choose, plan ahead to make sure it will complement the rest of your space design, and make sure you have the height needed, especially if you opt for a drop ceiling. Choose Comfortable, Practical Flooring Unless you install a plywood subfloor, your basement floor is likely to be a concrete slab. Fortunately, concrete accepts most common flooring choices, from paint to vinyl, laminate, tile and carpet. We typically don't recommend solid wood flooring because of the potential for gaps or warping. If you really want that wood look we suggest engineered wood as it shrinks and expands a little less. Make Lighting A Priority A good lighting plan is key to making your basement more inviting and enjoyable. Recessed can lights are the most popular option but you can also consider track lights and pendants to highlight your work surfaces. Round things out with table and floor lamps. Build in Storage The basement is often a catchall storage space for everything from garden equipment to out-of-season clothes, holiday decorations, and memorabilia. As you remodel to make the most of your basement's square footage, plan for attractive, well-designed storage, too. For instance, think about the space under the stairs and built-ins along a key feature wall. |
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