Nations Home Remodelers

05/10/2016

Hail Storm in Rockville MD

If you live, or have friends and family that live in Rockville, please have your property inspected for hail damage by a professional. Hail Spotter is reporting sizes from 1 inch to 2.75 inches. Hail that large can damage even newer shingles, not to mention void any and all warranties you may have had.
As a homeowner, you may not be able to spot the damage hail causes. Hail can bruise and micro-fracture a shingle and you will not notice it until the shingle starts to deteriorate in the next few years. By that time, your insurance company will no longer cover the replacement and you will be left to pay for a roof replacement out of pocket.
Many of the cars and trucks in the area were damaged by the recent storm and many of you will be contacting the insurance company to get repairs done. That same damage may exist on your home. And unfortunately, without the proper professional representation, your insurance company may not give you all that you are entitled too.
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Paying out claims for widespread damage caused by a storm is not profitable. It’s not personal, its business. In order for the insurance companies to continue to offer coverage, they will have to raise the rates of everyone in the affected area and pay as little as possible on each claim. It’s simple math.
Many of you worry about your rates going up. The truth is that whether you file a claim or not, your rates will likely increase to cover the costs of all the repairs in the area. It is against the law for them to raise your individual rates as a result of a storm damage claim but they can raise the rates of everyone in that zip code, city, or county.
So protect your assets. Call a professional and get your property inspected. Most will even do a free, no obligation inspection. And don’t forget, you may only have 6 months to file a claim so don’t wait. Act now!

04/22/2016

http://www.safeco.com/blog-detail/storm-damage-checklist/1240026935550

Safeco Blog - Learn how to conduct an inspection on your home and property after a big storm hits.

03/01/2016

How a Spring Roof Inspection Will Extend the Life of Your Roof

http://hollisterroofing.com/2013/04/how-a-spring-roof-inspection-will-extend-the-life-of/

03/01/2016

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

After a long, dark winter, spring's bright sun and warm winds are, well, a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All that sunshine spotlights your leaf-filled gutters, cracked sidewalks and the dead plants in last year's flower beds. Dwight Barnett, a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors, shared this checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine.

1. Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.
2. Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage. Also, when water pools in these low areas in summer, it creates a breeding ground for insects.
3. Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.
4. From the ground, examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer.
5. Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
6. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.
7. Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.
8. Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.
9. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis.
10. Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier.

Thanks: http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/10-home-maintenance-tips-for-spring

A certified home inspector shares 10 home-maintenance tips for spring.

02/02/2016

Snow on Your Roof
Snow is heavy, and too much of it can damage or even cave in a roof. The problem is particularly acute for flat roofs, but sloped roofs can be in danger as well, particularly if they are older or already damaged in places. The danger increases if it rains after a heavy snow, because the snow already on the roof will just absorb the rain and prevent it from draining, adding even more weight to already stressed roofs.

02/02/2016

https://www.travelers.com/resources/weather/winter-storms/how-to-prevent-and-remove-ice-dams.aspx

What is an ice dam? How can you help remove ice dams from your roof? Learn how to tell if you have an ice dam, and get tips on removing ice dams, from Travelers.

01/27/2016

http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net/resources/news/isitsnowinginyourattic

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. Maryland roofing, siding, windows, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, decks, gutters/downspouts, Maryland insurance restoration contractors, remodeling, specializing insurance hail damage claims assessments Maryland.

01/21/2016

http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net/resources/news/whattododuringasignificantsnowevent

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. Maryland roofing, siding, windows, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, decks, gutters/downspouts, Maryland insurance restoration contractors, remodeling, specializing insurance hail damage claims assessments Maryland.

01/19/2016

We are currently working in the Cockeysville area from a 06/23/2015 hail event, and in Ellicott City from a 08/04/2015 hail event. If you live in one of these areas and would like us to complete a professional inspection, please give us a call at (410) 549-2040 or send us an email at [email protected].

01/11/2016

http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net/resources/news/icedams-itsthattimeofyearagain

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. Maryland roofing, siding, windows, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, decks, gutters/downspouts, Maryland insurance restoration contractors, remodeling, specializing insurance hail damage claims assessments Maryland.

01/07/2016

HOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU NEED BETTER ATTIC VENTILATION

Some tips from our friends at the Family Handyman.

In the summer, good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life. In the winter, warm, moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams. Here are four signs of an unventilated or under ventilated attic:

• Look at your eaves and roof. If you don’t see any vents on the roof or in the eaves, you need to add some. Your roof vents may not look anything like the ones shown in this article. Your roof may have a ridge vent, which is a low profile, continuous vent running along the peak of the roof. Or it may have gable vents, which are louvered openings at the top of gables.
• Touch your ceiling on a warm, sunny day. A hot ceiling tells you that the attic is acting like a solar oven, raising your cooling bills and cooking the shingles.
• Thick ridges of ice on your eaves in winter are a sign of poor attic ventilation. Warm air that escapes rooms below gets trapped in the attic. Snow melts and the water refreezes on the cold eaves, creating ice dams.
• Warm air that escapes living space also carries moisture that will condense on rafters or roof sheathing. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter. If you see dampness or frost, you need better ventilation.

For the full article: http://www.familyhandyman.com/attic/how-to-improve-attic-ventilation/view-all

Adequate roof ventilation reduces cooling bills, extends shingle life, and prevents roof rot and ice dams in winter. Both roof and soffit vents are easy to install in just a few hours. They'll protect your house from expensive future repairs. This article will help you determine if your attic is pro…

01/05/2016

Happy New Year! Please check out out new website for details and discounts on our services. http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. Maryland roofing, siding, windows, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, decks, gutters/downspouts, Maryland insurance restoration contractors, remodeling, specializing insurance hail damage claims assessments Maryland.