Pembroke, Ma: Garage Door Safety Tips

June is National Safety Month, so The International Door Association and the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association have designated June as Garage Door Safety Month. Your garage door is probably the single largest operating piece of machinery in the house and it is vital to your families safety, so you should make sure it is operating correctly.

The website GarageDoorSafety.com states that their mission is “To provide home owners with the most comprehensive residential garage door and opener safety risk assessment available.” This site helps homeowners identify potential dangers created by garage doors. You can also see injury statics such an estimated 7,557 Pinch/Crush Section injuries were reported in the United States in 2007. These injuries were defined as “Fingers caught between section joints, includes amputations, avulsions, etc.”

The Overhead Door Corporation is offering consumers 10 safety and security tips to ensure protection throughout the year.

·         Make sure the garage door opener control button is out of the reach of small children.

·         Do not let children play with garage door remote controls.

·         Never place fingers between door sections. Explain the dangers to children and consider pinch-resistant door panels.

·         Consult the owner's manual and learn how to use the garage door's emergency release feature.

·         Visually inspect the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. These parts are under high tension, and should only be fixed by a trained door technician.
 

·         Test the garage door opener's reversing mechanism monthly by placing a 2x4 board or a roll of paper towels in the door's path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified garage door professional for repair. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, replace the garage door opener with a new one that has safety sensors and auto-reverse as a standard feature.

·         While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which renders remotes unusable and is an optional accessory to most openers.
 

·         Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated again, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also compromises a home's security.

·         If the opener does not have rolling-code technology, be sure to change the manufacturer's standard access codes on the opener and remote control, or consider investing in a newer model with rolling-code technology which changes the access codes each time the opener is used.

·         Never leave the remote control in the car when given to a parking attendant. A stolen remote leaves you more susceptible to home invasion. Always lock your car when left unattended. It's a small inconvenience for safety and security.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1dtU1)

So please be sure to consider these tips to protect your family. And if your unit is old and starting to fail please consider replacing it with a more energy efficient unit that will be more safe and secure.

Hanover, Ma: Remodeling Safety Tips for Homeonwers

June 2012 is National Safety Month, so I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips we think are very important for homeowners to remember when you are having renovations done at your home.

Remodeling is very exciting and nerve-racking, if you are not cautious your project could be dangerous even for those people not doing the actual work. Because when remodeling is happening the normal the safeguards we all put in place in our home on a normal basis becomes disruptive. No matter how good your contractor is there is no way to protect against all dangers mid project. It is very exciting to come home at the end of the day and check out the changes and progress but please remember the following tips:

1.       Keep kids and pets out of the work area.

a.       Children and pets often see a work space as a play area and don’t watch out for potential hazards.

2.       Keep away from any tools or equipment that have been left on site.

3.       Do not turn on any fixtures unless you have been told its okay to do so.

4.       Follow any posted fences or signs, especially when foundations or holes are being dug.

5.       When dust protection is put down it is usually loosed taped or secured, be cautious when walking on it.

      6.       Even though wires should not be live that are left exposed do not touch them just in case.  

7.       Don’t try to use plumbing fixtures that have been set until you’re given the okay to. 

8.       If you renovation is happening in the winter be sure to keep the heat on in the work area.  

9.       Always wear shoes in a work area.

By taking the time to be aware of your surroundings and potential dangers you can save yourself a lot of time and energy. If you see something on the job site that concerns you please address it with your contractor quickly, that will allow them to explain the reasoning or make necessary adjustments. Good communication is important so that no one gets hurt.

Scituate Ma: Latest in Windows, Doors & Siding

By: Craig H. Guido, CS

As professional Remodelers it is so important that we take the time out of the office and job site to stay on top of the latest products and industry news. So our Production Manager Mark Caruso and I recently took a trip to the HarveyBuilding Products Trade Expo at Gillette Stadium to see what is new for 2012.

Annually Harvey’s holds the Northeast's largest building and remodeling trade shows designed for people in the building trade. Through demonstrations and vendor displays, these trade shows help build sales skills and productivity, informing you of the latest products and installation techniques in the marketplace today.

Mark and I came away with a lot of good information that will certainly help Almar and the clients that we work with. We got the latest updates on Harvey Windows & Sunrooms, Therma TruDoors, and many more products. But one new product really peaked our interest. Almar installs a lot of Certaineed Vinyl Siding, including their CedarImpressions. According to Certainteed’s website Cedar Impressions provides homeowners with “all the charm of cedar without the high cost and maintenance…”

But there is now a product available to those clients whose budgets might need an additional option as well. TheFoundry Vinyl Siding by the Tapco Group might be an option to consider. According to their website; “Its limited lifetime warranty and enhanced color protection mean your home’s charm can stand up to unrelenting sun, serious rainy seasons, frigid winters and blizzards...Foundry premium siding is crafted from hundreds of real cedar and stone molds, providing nature’s exact texture. The industry’s most comprehensive color palette elevates a full range of architectural styles, from Craftsman to Cape Cod and Victorian. Explore The Foundry to envision your dream exterior.”

Foundry siding offers options in: Shingles, Shakes, Stone, and Shapes.

            Shakes: Deep texture is the hallmark of Foundry Cedar Shake siding. With the look of hand-split cedar, its random grooves and grain demonstrate extraordinary authenticity.

            Shingles: Shingles from The Foundry showcase classic style. They provide naturally-textured surfaces and sophisticated detail.

 

            Stone Collection: Created with molds cast from real stone, Foundry Stone Collection Siding provides uncompromising detail and vibrant color that reflect the authentic, rugged qualities of hand-cut limestone.

            Shapes: Signifying attention to detail, Foundry shapes distinguish a home with exceptional dimension.

You can visit their website (http://www.foundrysiding.com/homeowners/virtual-remodelerH.aspx) for Virtual Remodel where you can upload a photo of your own home and see how new vinyl siding can enhance you homes curb appeal.

So when you are ready to review all of your options for installing new vinyl cedar shingle siding on your house give Almar Building a call. Our full service remodeling team can help you every step of the way thru any renovation project you are looking to tackle: Addition, Kitchen, Bathroom, Basement, Sunroom, Siding, Windows, Decking, and even roofing.

As a third generation family owned and operate company for over 50 years we have all the benefits of a small company with the options of a larger company including financing. We service the entire South Shore of Massachusetts including: Hanover, Hingham, Pembroke, Norwell, Scituate, Cohassett, Avon, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Holbrook, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, and many more towns.

Should you DIY or hire a pro?

May was National Home Improvement Month. And in honor of that Almar Building & Remodeling CoInc offers homeowners advice before they tackle their spring projects: namely, whether to do-it-yourself (DIY) or hire a professional during the busy remodeling season.

According to a consumer poll from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Website NARI.org, the largest determining factor for deciding to DIY or hire a professional was cost, at 40 percent. Thirty percent of respondents placed project type and know-how as the second most important factor, and level of difficulty was close behind at 25 percent. Safety and length of time required to complete the project were last, with 2 and 3 percent respectively.

According to Terry Quinn “Almar frequently gets call to come in and fix or finish a project that a homeowner had thought they could DIY. But once they get in to it find that they don’t have the time or skills to get it done quickly and looking right. And unfortunately in most cases this attempt to do it yourself and save a few dollars costs you a lot more in time money and stress to your personal relations ships.”

 In reality, the home improvement process—though varied across project type—can be very costly and involved for anyone, not to mention a beginner. That’s why it’s important to weigh all considerations before you begin work to prevent a DIY disaster.

Quinn says “Homeowners need to consider if they have they the necessary skills to do the project – will doing it yourself help or hurt your home’s value? Do they have the time? When you work all day long do you want to come home and start a construction project when you could be spending quality time with your family? What’s the true cost savings to doing it myself? We find in most cases none. And if you need to call a professional in after the fact it will cost you twice what you initially thought.

The most important considerations for homeowners have to do with physical ability, skills, time and understanding of what needs to be.

Quinn says that homeowners should have basic skills when it comes to using tools or knowing which tools are necessary, measuring, installing and following product manufacturer instructions.

Quinn also says that homeowners should plan the process from beginning to end to ensure they have time to complete.

And then homeowners should consider the costs. Permits, materials, time and costs associated with correcting mistakes must be factored into the total cost.

 Most homeowners can handle routine maintenance projects and cosmetic touch-ups, but it’s recommended they consult with qualified professionals for larger remodeling jobs and major changes to the home’s structure. Visit the NARI Website to access a DIY quiz, designed to help you decide whether you are going to need to hire a professional.

If you find out that you do need to hire a professional, hiring someone who is qualified and competent to do the work is just as important as preventing a DIY disaster. Make sure you do your homework, hiring an unlicensed untrained contractor because he’s the lowest price can be worse than taking on a project yourself that you can’t handle. Get copies of licensees and insurance, choose a NARI contractor, make sure you are comfortable with the paperwork. Both the Almar (www.almarbuilding.com and NARI (www.nari.org) websites is a great place to find more tips on choosing the best professional.

As of April 22, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency passed new regulations to address a lead safety concern in homes built before 1978. The Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule is designed to train professional remodelers how to minimize lead dust in the home to reduce exposure to children under 6 years and pregnant women. Remodel-ready homeowners should make themselves aware of lead-safe practices in their homes during a remodel, either by a professional or as a do-it-yourself practitioner, to keep their families safe. Please learn more at www.nari.org/leadsafety