January 21, 2016

How a Professional Contractor should complete an Estimate to get the job!

        We could say this is about how to do a sales call. But we really don't operate that way. We're as far away from sales calls as you can get. I used to think of going to do an estimate that way, but I would always get caught up with the sales techniques, and other stuff, and not really pay attention to the customer's needs. Instead we do 5 simple things, and we do them in a very detailed way. Our results are really good!

December 30, 2015

Carpet Cleaning, before and after moving!

        The absolute best time for carpet cleaning is when your floor is free of everything. That always
Clean Carpet prior to moving in!
means prior to moving in, or after moving out. Being a military family we certainly understand all the intricacies involved in moving. And we know not everyone will be able to allow the time needed to have your carpets professionally cleaned and then dryed. However we think you should understand it is very advantageous to have the work completed now. So try very hard to take advantage of the opportunity presented. It's easier on the Carpet technician as he won't have to move anything, and can spend all his time on things like spot removal, or dry stroking to remove as much water as possible. It is the perfect time to complete a deep clean. See:

Mr Carpet Steam's : 10 Step Deep Clean Process

December 21, 2015

The intracacies of different types of carpets!

Cut Pile Carpet!

       There are a lot of choices out there when you start looking at carpets. We'll help simplify this process for you by breaking it down from the 2 largest categories and then all the sub categories.
       The two categories that all the various types of carpet are broken down into are Cut Pile, and Loop Pile.

November 29, 2015

How to protect your Air conditioner from Theives!

Looks like this one was stolen for drug money!
Let's Do It!

        We showed up for work one morning in a home we were re-painting for a real estate agent and her home owner. The home was up for sale. It was in the winter time and about 25 degrees out side. We had been painting for about 2 days and had about 2 days left. We had our paint cans, and all of our materials staged in the kitchen to keep them from freezing, as the garage was not heated. We had kept the heat at 65 degrees per the homeowner. Upon arrival that morning we immediately noticed the inside was freezing. We tried the thermostat, but the heat didn't come on.

January 11, 2014

How to Conceal Utility Boxes in your yard!

Let's Do It!

Block, Hide, Obscure, or even Decorate these eyesores!


        There are several ways to hide your home's unsightly infrastructure on your property. These naturally include your home's air conditioning units, swimming pool pumps and motors, and any above ground natural gas, or propane tanks. Even the home barbecue grill, that may not be so great to look at. In addition to these, homeowner's nowadays often find utilities such as the local electric company. and the cable company having easements to, and placing their equipment onto your
Rock covers are affordable and look natural!
residential property. I once lived at a property with an electrical box prominently displayed in my back yard.

May 12, 2013

The  Pressure Treating, in Pressure Treated Lumber!
A batch being processed!

           Pressure Treated wood is lumber that has been placed inside a sealed chamber and then using a combination, of  an extremely high amount of pressure and vacuum, forcing the chemicals into the lumber. Depending on the lumber usage designation, and size, sometimes to the core.  The International Residential Building Codes Guide require all exterior wood structures to be treated for Insects, Termites, Fungi, and, Rot, if the wood does not have a certain measurable, natural resistance.  Treating wood gives it a 20 to 25 year  life span. We at Superior Services think 20 years is the absolute minimum you should get out of your Pressure Treated Wood Fence. In fact 25 to 30 is not unreasonable.

February 3, 2012

Rotted Wood!

It may be time for some wood repair on your home!

        Rainy weather makes me think of rotted wood. It's just the Contractor in me I guess. If you don't
This should have been replaced long before now.
think like a contractor, then over a few years the home maintenance can really creep up on you. Here in the River City with the climate extremes we have, due to the four seasons, many of houses develop rotten wood issues. Left unattended they can develop into real money eaters. As in bigger problems.

What to look for?
        Things normally happen, at least the things we are looking for, around the corners, bottoms, edges, and the ends, of pieces of wood.

January 19, 2012

Installing Roofing Felt!

Let's Do It!
 Getting a new roof is not a big job, well it's not a big job if you're not doing it. Whether you are completing your own roof job or hiring a contractor, theres a few things to know about roofing. If for no other reason than to know it is being completed correctly. The first step of Roofing is installing the underlayment. Most notably Felt. Felt underlayment acts as a water proof barrier between the roof decking and the outer roofing material.

January 13, 2012

Exterior Wood Preservative!

Let's Do It!

For years we have used Cuprinol 10 as our wood preservative. We always bought a couple cases at
Copper Green!
the time. When you have good products that are simple, work well, and you have confidence in them, that's what you do. Some woods have preservatives already built in at the lumber mill and others are added in on site. As Deck and Fence builders we have always used Cuprinol 10 as an additional preservative on all of our cut ends. This is where moisture is wicked up and the wood splits or cracks. Using a wood preservative helps to seal those ends and prevent rotting and deterioration. Imagine my surprise when I went to order 3 cases and my local Sherwin Williams rep told me the company had stopped making the product, and they were out of stock. Dang the crazy environmentalists, sometimes they do good but sometimes they do bad. That was a great product.        
          Anyhow I have started using a new product, well, new for me at least called "Termin 8 Copper Green". It can be applied by dipping, brush, roller, or spray. It is green or black in color, and is made for  above and below ground use. It protects from Termites, Carpenter ants, and Beetles. It preserves from Rot, Mildew, Moss, and Fungus.

January 8, 2012

How to Keep Up On Home Maintenance?

Let's Do It!
 
                                               I like to break it down into small and large tasks.
Home Maintenance Man!
The small tasks, are things I can do for myself, such as paint the back door, replace a torn screen, patch a crack or hole in my driveway, clean out the gutters and so forth. Big things, whether they be from an emergency/accident, force of nature, or from scheduled maintenance, should be planned for. You and your spouse should be keeping a list of the smaller items, otherwise known as the honey do list. Some things if not seen to, can cause major problems, and turn into costly money mistakes. These include anything with a leak, that collateral water damage can be costly.

January 6, 2012

Real Estate Agents, will you do what it takes?

Let's Do It!
          I've seen the numbers I know very few house's are selling. If you haven't got out of that typical mode of real estate thinking, it's time. By that I mean sitting in front of your computer waiting for the phone to ring. Prospective buyers are few and far between. The banks aren't handing out mortgages like before. Isn't this gonna be the third or fourth "Summer of recovery". The President isn't going to do anything, he's totally devoid of ideas. He's still on the spending money money kick. To get a new President with fresh ideas is still a year away. Will the new Mayor Winnecki be able to do anything, I thought he would have some big innovative changes, a sweeping new program, but really nothing from him this week. So far I'm disappointed, and I voted for him. So what to do?

January 3, 2012

Forming Small Concrete Pads!

Let's Do It!
Concrete Form Nails
          Working with concrete is mostly for the professional,  that's due to the fact that concrete sets up fairly fast, and must be worked in the time allotted. However anyone can learn it, and pour a small pad with a helper or 2. Pouring a small pad for a piece of  air conditioning equipment, perhaps a small 10 x 10 Patio, or a side walk, are all homeowner type jobs. Here are some tips for framing up your small concrete job. You will need to have following materials:
                                          Wood Stakes,
                                          Steel Stakes, 2 lbs hammer to drive
                                          2 x 4's of the proper lengths for the job,
                                          Reinforcing Mesh or rebar
                                          Shovel & Rake
                                          Tape Measure
                                          Concrete Form Nails
                                          Wheel Barrow

Building the Framing
          All concrete requires some type of form. Some are built above the  ground but most of the ones a home owner would use are below ground level. The concrete comes up to ground level. To start, I lay out my basic design on the ground using spray paint. I lay out the framing perimeter about 4 inches wider than the frame will be to allow for the stakes. Then dig down to the desired level. Normal pads are 4 inches or more in depth. You should put in a 2" layer of gravel for drainage. So shoot for between 6 and 7 inches depth. Too deep and you cost yourself  more in concrete. Too shallow and your pad will not stand up. Set up the 2 x 4's along the desired path of the pad. Drive a few wooden stakes to hold the 2 x 4 and you can nail it in place or clamp it to them. We prefer to clamp them so we can adjust them. At this time make all your adjustments as pertains to the width, height, and shape of your framing. You may have to take out more dirt or add it back in. If you add it back in make sure to tamp it back down solid. Make sure to establish any grade or slope desired. If it is patio, it should be graded to drain away from the house. The standard formula is a drop of 1/4 inch per foot from the house to the outside edge. So for an 8 ft long slab, it would need to drop 2 inches from the house to the outer edge. After all adjustments have been made then drive the steel Stakes in and nail them to the 2 x 4 framing. For framing curves use long piece of Hardboard siding, cut down to a width of six inches. It is strong and flexible.
Installing the Reinforcing
          Cut the wire netting and lay in the form. Overlap any edges by at least 6 inches.

             You are now ready to pour crete.










December 30, 2011

The RRP Lead Paint Rule!

Let's Do It!

Renovation, Repair, and Painting otherwise know as the RRP Rule:
Peeling Paint- Is It Lead? Test it!

Lead paint - if your house was built before 1978, then this article is for you. On April 22 2008 the EPA placed into effect the RRP Rule. It requires that all businesses and their employees conducting Renovation, Repairs, or Painting work, on pre-1978  built homes, child care facilities, and schools, to be certified by the EPA to follow lead safe work practices.
           The required training is basically to educate you on the three main procedures used when working with lead contaminated items or areas:        
                                                       Containment of the work area.
                                                        Minimize the airborne particles
                                                        Clean Up

You need to see this logo.
Just as important as doing the work correctly is the book keeping.

December 28, 2011

Gutter Cleaning! Gutter Guards!


Snap In Type Gutter Guards!
          Today is the day! It's my first post back after the Christmas Holiday, and we're talking Gutter Cleaning! I got this idea while standing at a family members sink, looking out the window, and seeing the water come out over the top of the gutters. I thought everyone had "Gutter Guards" now a days. The do it yourself models, or install it yourself models, do the job quite nicely, and there is no reason to go for the really expensive ones, unless you like the looks. If you are building a new home then it may be a nice upgrade to get the better ones. You'll need a pro to install the more advanced systems, but a home owner can install the snap in types found at your local Hardware store. Below are the links

December 22, 2011

All about Popcorn Ceilings!

        We're putting them in for some people and taking them out for other people. We repair them for insurance work, Fires, and Flooding. Here is the deal!
Pop Corn Ceiling!
         
          The main item of importance when dealing with older pop corn ceilings is the asbestos problem.
Asbestos, was banned from being manufactured for use in popcorn ceilings way back in 1978. Suppliers and contractors were allowed to finish using up their stocks of the banned material, so it is assumed it may have been used in houses as late as 1980.

Testing:  We test all pop corn ceilings on houses built from 1980 or earlier. A test can cost from $50.00 to $250.00. If your popcorn ceiling tests positive for asbestos, then you must observe all hazardous material removal instructions, safety, and disposal precautions.

Proper gear for removing Asbestos.
Safety Precautions:  These include full body coveralls including the feet and the head, Rubber, Nitrile gloves, Proper respirator with HEPA filter, and goggles or face shields if the possibility of eye irritation exists. The area must be sealed off.

Area Preparation:  Remove all room furnishings. Cover the walls and floors with plastic. Plastic should be of a thickness that it will not tear during the removal process. Turn off all ventilation and seal all the registers in the room.  Create a negative air flow. If a vacuum will be used it must contain a HEPA filtration system.

Pop Corn Texture Removal:  Material shall be wetted with water. You can use spray bottles, or a garden sprayer. We use 4 inch drywall knives to scrape the material off the ceiling. Material must bagged while wet.



Ready for Asbestos Removal!






 
If your ceiling has been painted over, removal will be much harder. Consider the option of removing all of the ceiling drywall and reinstalling it new, or to slick the ceiling on top of the popcorn texture. Slick the ceiling is just the term for remudding, or applying a layer of drywall compound to make the ceiling slick again.


Disposal:  Use plastic bags 6 mil thick and double bag it, taping each bag individually with duct tape and then label the outside of the bag.  Include coveralls and all plastic used to cover the room. Indiana asbestos products can be disposed of in a land fill, but check your state for it's regulations.


          While it is allowed, asbestos removal is not a job for the home owner. Due to the very real dangers associated with it. Asbestos is the leading cause of Mesothelioma, and Asbestosis. Due to the safety equipment and safety precautions required. We recommened it should be done by the Professional.

Asbestos removal for Indiana homeowners.
http://www.in.gov/idem/files/la-012-gg.pdf

Indiana Asbestos requirements for Commercial/Industrial Application.
http://www.in.gov/idem/4187.htm#determining

December 19, 2011

Lets talk Framing Hammers!


Vaugn Dalluge Titanium
16oz 18 " Hickory
$174.00
          I've been using a 22 oz Est wing for years now. I have a collection of Hammers that makes most men and some women envious. I've got Tack hammers, Ball peens, and the basic Claw. I've got Finishing and Framing hammers. I've got them you can replace the face on. I have them in all shapes and sizes. I've got them in Wood, Fibreglass, and Metal.  I like hammers.
Milwaukee Rip Claw
Titanium 16 oz.
$189.00

          I've used steel hammers all my life. Over the past few years there has been a new material that has improved the job of nailing quite a bit. Titanium is much lighter weight than steel and hits the nail with the same force. That's the primary purpose of a hammer, to deliver a blow to an object. The less force used to deliver the blow the better off it is for the user. In particular the users elbow.

         Buying a Hammer!


Est Wing
22 Oz. Steel
The most popular hammer ever!
 $24.00 

          First consideration is it's use. For framing it's a waffle iron, or milled face. We do use smooth face on our Decks and Fences tho. Pick it up. How does it feel? It should feel natural. That's the best description of balance I know of. Move it around, swing it. It should almost swing itself. Does the grip fit your hand. Compare the different weights, and lengths. Shape of the claw. Steel heads are less expensive than titanium but the titanium hammer prices are coming down. If the handles are made of wood it should be hickory. There are many different designs and handle to head connections. Learn how to use a wood handled hammer properly, and it will not break nearly as often. But keep another handle in the truck to change out when needed. Steel handled hammers are a lot better today and basically last forever. Est wing has been the leader in handle recoil development for the steel hammers. If you do a lot of construction then a top of the line hammer is required. The best hammers can run from $60.00 to $200.00. They are lighter, have a more ergonomically correct design for the handle grip, and a better design to increase the hammers striking force, in addition their constructed to reduced the amount of recoil many times over,  versus the older hammers. Today, you can be very choosy when selecting a hammer, just about everyone has gotten into the market. Get one with the features you like. Do not overpay, some companies charge exorbitant prices. Often times you can search a little and get the same hammer for a better price. Here are some to check out. 

Douglas, Extreme Rip Claw
20 oz Hickory Handle
$68.00


Vaughan Hammers


Est Wing
Dewalt
Douglas


Stanley

Dalluge

December 12, 2011

Setting a Post!

             It can be a post for a mail box, a flower pot holder, a fence post, or even a clothes line. Yep, people still have these and if our energy bills get any higher we may all go to using them.
          First make sure you have the right post for the job. It can be metal or wood. For wood, make sure it is Pressure Treated and rated for ground contact. Different pieces of lumber have been treated differently, and not all are rated for ground contact. Metal can be Galvanized, such as used for chain link, Aluminum, and Iron. Pick the most proper one for your use.
          Next is the hole itself. The shape is just as important as the size. All post holes should be bell shaped. That means wallowed out wider at the bottom than the top. A'la - Bell Shaped. This prevents heaving when the ground is frozen. Heaving is the frozen ground tightening around the post and forcing it toward the path of least resistance - up and out of the ground. The wider part, the bottom of the bell shape, will be located deep enough in the ground so it is past the frozen part and therefore will hold the post during the freeze / thaw cycle. This is the main cause when you see a Fence Post leaning over. The post were not set correctly. To wallow out the bottom of your hole simply take your post hole diggers and chip away the earth from the sides near the bottom of the hole. It does not have to be much wider at all - just slightly wider than the diameter of the rest of the hole is enough to do the job. Remove all loose dirt from the hole. Next, using a tamping bar, tamp down the bottom of all holes, making a solid, hard packed surface. This will prevent any settling effect from the weight of the posts and concrete when placed in the hole.
          When determining the post hole size and depth, Click the Link, located below this article and use the table to determine the size of posts needed for the type and size of fence you are building. For most other applications, mail box posts and so forth, a basic 4x4 (PT) will suffice. Make sure the sides of the hole are smooth and cylindrically shaped. We dig most of ours with augers, however we still use post hole diggers quite a bit. Fill the bottom with approx 3 to 4 inches of gravel to promote drainage. This is very important. Most people do not know it, but concrete is a very porous material. Being porous is the main cause of concrete driveways cracking. Water soaks into the concrete and the freeze/thaw cycle will do its job and crack the concrete. To avoid this cracking around a post, put the gravel at the bottom. This helps to keep the post and concrete well drained.
          Mix concrete according to the bag directions. In general, concrete must be well mixed. Do this with short handled spade in a wheel barrow. For small amounts you may use a plastic five gallon bucket, and a small garden, hand spade. If your are not a pro, only mix 1 bag at the time, wheel barrows are easier to turn over than people think. Mix the concrete to a mashed potato type consistency. It should pile up on the shovel. Take care not to mix any dirt in with the concrete as you are working it, or pouring it. Dirt weakens concrete substantially. Level your post and shovel the concrete in the hole to about 4 inches from the surface. If possible leave the hole open for a day or two to help the concrete dry, then cover it with dirt. In the winter time we use a special additive to help in drying of the concrete.
         Posts can be set with dirt alone, although you must tamp, tamp, and tamp some more to get it set really firmly. All Western Red Cedar or White Eastern Cedar post must be tamped in as concrete will cause the post to rot, and should not be used. Dig the hole the same as above, put the post in and level in all directions. Add a few inches of dirt then tamp down soundly, add a few more inches and tamp down again, continue this process all the way to the top. If you tamp hard enough that post will be set as good as in concrete.  

Check this Link out to see our Fence Post standards!
        It tells you the size of post to use for the fence you plan to build. It also tells you the diameter of the post hole and how deep it should be.
Link for Post Depths for the size of Fence you are building!

December 10, 2011

The Big Deck!

Everyone needs a Big Deck!

Funny Comedy on Wood Decks.

Click the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ7Ue5emo6I&feature=player_embedded

A Better Built Fence!

          It's the end of summer and we're full into fall  - and we are right in the end of Fence building season. A customer this week asked me the standard question that all people in business get from time to time. Basically what makes yours better than the last guy? Having seen thousands of fences in all their various stages of repair, I'm well versed in this subject.
First of all -
          Is there even a business behind the guy you see, or is it just him. How did you find out about him? Through a legitimate source or your Aunt Wilma's friend at the VFW knows him.  Does he pay for  legitimate advertising? Business License - check it. Contractors License?  Liability Insurance - check.  Does he look he is financially stable? Does he look the part of a contractor or a helper. Can he talk all the lingo of his trade. Is his Estimate in line with the other estimates. Is his forms professional or just written on a piece pf paper. Company letterhead, Hat  or shirt? Does he know about the correct permits? Does his company meet the OSHA safety standards?
          We'll start with how the business is ran. How long has he been in business, does he have enough time working in his trade that he has that vast amount of experience in all phases of Fence installation. No matter how good you may have been as a worker, that first year on your own in business is a doozy. I personally learned more in my first year as an owner, than the previous 6 as a worker. Does he have the proper finances, to carry a job of any scope. It's reasonable for a contractor to ask for 30% to 50% down for materials. If he does not, then he may cut corners that you can't see or don't know about, and he nickles and dimes, you, the customer on materials or work quality. That means you are not getting what you pay for.
          After making sure there is a business after the name, the first item is work Ethic. You need to check references. Does he show on time. Does he meet deadlines if applicable.
          Then comes his materials quality. Fence products come in all qualities. Make sure you're getting, and that he supplies, what you really want. Don't leave the decisions up to him. Ask yourself these questions. What are the measurable qualities of the fencing materials he's selling or installing. How thick are they? Do they rot - how soon? How tall? Does it do what it's supposed to do. Does it keep the animals in? Do you want that design?
          You don't have to be an expert in fencing or running a business but you should do some due diligence on your part. Then ask questions and some more questions. Hope this helps.

December 7, 2011

The Environment!

                                        To pour or not to pour a concrete driveway?

          My friend Star Eaker, modern women of the world she is, has a lot of trees. She also has a creek gravel driveway, that is slightly hard to walk on. Big nice house, creek gravel driveway?  When I asked why she didn't put in concrete, as it was obvious that she could afford it. She said it was because of the trees. She had 2 located within 8 feet of the now gravel drive. It's surprising how you don't take things into account the way other people do sometimes. She didn't want that concrete drive because it might affect or even kill the trees. They wouldn't get water all the way around and would not grow as strong a root system. Good for her. Being in construction for most of my life I am used to seeing the bare lots we build on. I've tried to keep my "Green Meter Pegged but I just grew up in different era. I was glad to get a different point of view. I think I'll actually give customers the option of what kind of drive they would like. Of course most home owners associations make concrete a standard thing these days. They may have to change their thinking too!
                                                             Thank you Star!