Home Improvement Blog

Code violations for basement egress window; 5 things you should know

Posted by william bateman on Fri, Jan 27, 2023 @ 05:08 AM

You have a home, and like most homes, you have a basement. Basements are a great addition to any home whether finished or not for providing extra space. When basements are finished you instantly add living square footage plus equity to your investment. Usually your foundation walls will be the same size of your home (Deduct for garages if you have them) leaving many finishing options. Entertaining area, play rooms, bedrooms, kitchen, storage, bathrooms, etc...... Another home under a home can all be added with all the amenities you can imagine. Basements can also be converted to mother/daughter living areas when approved by your local code enforcer. When performing any basement upgrade it is often overlooked to add an egress window. Egress window are a fire escape window installed for quick access during a time of emergency. Egress window aren't only for safety but allow for extra light and ventilation. National Building Code requires installation of egress windows for any bedroom in basement. Something to keep in mind when buying or selling a home is does the basement have a legal egress window.

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5 things you should know about basement egress windows:

  • Window shall be minimum of 5.7 square feet
  • Net clear opening to be minimum 20 inches
  • Interior window sill height not to exceed 44 inches
  • Exterior window well interior dimensions to be a minimum of 9 square feet
  • Exterior window well depth not to exceed 44 inches without a solid fastened ladder installed

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Fire is one of Mother Natures most powerful forces responsible for billions of dollars a year in damages and even deaths. Here in Orange County, NY firefighters respond to thousands of fire calls per year and the FDNY in New York City respond to on average of 2,200 structural fires per month. Leading cause of death from fire is smoke inhalation and inability to escape harms way. Egress windows, just like fire escape ladder systems, are installed for everyones safety during the time of dire need. Fires can easily reach temperates of 2,000+ degrees Fahrenheit quickly leaving anyone in a basement trapped without proper egress installed. Egress Window Codes are put in place for your safety in any home basement considered living area where you can sleep. In any basement it is advisable to have one installed for peace in mind to protect you and your loved ones.

 

Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, basements, construction-general--monroe, footing drain, excavating, drainage, egress windows, finished basement, excavation, excavator, fire escape, window, foundation, water damage

7 Waterproofing drainage solutions for a wet basement Orange County, NY

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Jan 14, 2023 @ 01:22 PM

Water is one Mother Natures strongest forces responsible for billions of dollars a year in damages around the country. Here in Orange County New York, part of the Hudson Valley region. we experience a full four seasons with a variety of precipitation throughout the year. Heavy rains and melting snows can leave our homes and properties a wet disaster. The geography of Orange County, NY is mostly made up of mountains and low lying valleys that make for unique weather at times. Weather systems we experience can be hard to predict at times especially due to the differences in atmospheric pressures at different elevations. Fast moving storms have the potential of heavy rains in a short duration of time causing runoff to be a concern while melting winter snows combined with spring rains cause ground water tables to rise. When runoff and ground waters combine, we experience hydrostatic pressure buildup which can potentially cause structural damage to you foundation and water infiltration into your basement. 

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The water cycle is a unique system of recycling water throughout our ecosystem responsible for all organisms to sustain life on earth. It is essential for all homes to have some sort of drainage component to keep water from permeating into your basement, especially footing drains. Footing Drains are required by code for all homes built to keep all water, mostly ground water, moving away from your foundation. Hydrostatic pressure refers to water buildup around foundation walls and is a major cause of basement water problems. Water weighs slightly more that 60lbs per cubic foot. When the soils around your foundation walls become saturated with water , there could be tens of thousands of pounds of hydrostatic pressure buildup against your foundation. Excessive amounts of hydrostatic pressure could cause extreme damage and complete failure to the integrity of your home. In many cases damage goes unnoticed for years, especially in finished basements where foundation walls are hidden and water seepage cannot be detected visually.

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Besides structural damages, toxic mold and mildew from permeating water can grow at a rapid rate. All basements render the perfect atmosphere for mold and mildew to spawn due to the moist natural environment they create, Installing a dehumidifier or Egress Window can greatly help in controlling high moisture in your basement. 

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10 Signs of hydrostatic pressure in your home:

  • Musty odors in basement
  • Spotting different forms of bugs such as earwigs, carpenter ants, centipedes, pillbugs..... They are a good indicator that you may have cracks in your foundation.
  • Cracks, big or small, are the most noticeable signs that you may have a foundation issue. Odds are your home is being effected by pressure.
  • Foundation walls buckling or bowing, now is the time to act fast. The integrity of your structure may be at stake.
  • Visible water and/or moisture corners where concrete floor meets foundation wall.
  • Water and/or moisture permeating through foundation walls and/or cracks
  • Visible water and/or moisture infiltrating through concrete floor.
  • Visible mold and mildew on foundation walls.
  • Evidence of rotting support columns.
  • Basement window wells that fill with water.

Different waterproofing drainage solutions for your basement/property:

Footing Drains:

Footing drains are a major component for any home when it comes to removing unwanted water that causes hydrostatic pressure buildup. National Residential Building Codes require all homes built to have footing drains installed. Properly installed footing drains with adequate pitch and generous amounts of aggregate applied around pipes will keep water moving freely. Keeping water pressure from building up is crucial for a dry basement. When footing drains are installed, it is also required to apply foundation coating to exterior of foundation walls and encase aggregate with filter fabric. Four inch corrugated pipes must drain out to daylight or a sewer drain. Properties without sufficient grade to drain elsewhere may need installation of a Dry Well to transport liquids to dissipate back into the ground. 

Curtain Drains:

Curtain drains are essentially in ground gutter systems used for containing and removing unwanted water around your home and property. Trenches are excavated usually around 18-24 inches deep and in some cases next to homes with excessive water can be dug as deep as the foundations footings. Standard installation procedures include excavation of a trench to proper grade and pitch, lining of filter fabric, installation of 4" corrugated pipe and trench filled with aggregate. Drains must discharged, like footing drains, to daylight, sewer drain or a dry well.

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Swales:

Swales make a great drainage component for containing water runoff onto your property, Basically an excavated trough, angled down to a divot that contains and removed water efficiently. When excavated, swales can be left for natural grass/swamp grass to grow or lined with filter fabric and riverstone applied. Swales have been used for centuries along rural roads and properties to contain runoff and storm waters. Also a common practice for farmers used to irrigate crops.

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Sump Pumps:

Installation of a sump pump for a wet basement is very effective in removing unwanted water. Installed in your concrete floor using a sump pump basin and high flow pump, sump pumps help relieve hydrostatic pressure before reaching high levels. Ground water tables can rise dramatically  especially noticeable after heavy winter snows that combine with spring rains. Orange County, NY is also well known for severe thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes that can bring strong systems to the area with high liquid equivalents. A battery backup and/or generator may be a good investment for your sump pump in the case of an electrical outage. Sump pumps may also be used in conjunction with interior French drain systems. As water flows into sump pump basin. pump is engaged by a float switch that activates when water has reached a set level and removes water quickly from basement to be discharged outside.

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Gutter Downspouts:

Gutters are found on most homes to remove waters from roof and into downspouts that discharge liquids away from the home. After water is collected, it is the job of the downspout to discard water quickly and efficiently. If gutters and downspouts are clogged, obviously their function is compromised. Gutters and downspouts should be clean inspected at least once a year in fall after leaves have fallen. Before winter is a good time to inspect roof for any potential leaks or any evidence that may render a new roof installation.

Dry Wells:

Dry well are used for containing water diverted from another source such as drainage systems or grey water. In footing drains, curtain drains and/or gutter downspouts, dry wells may be used if you do not have enough grade on property to relieve water to daylight. Other applications may be for diverting grey water from laundry and/or slop sinks to avoid contamination of your septic system if you have one. Heavy laundry detergents kill off good bacteria needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem in you septic system allowing solids to breakdown properly. Waters are routed to the dry well where they will permeate back into the soils.

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Drylok:

Drylok is an interior application for coating interior foundation walls when moisture is evident. Block and cinder block walls are more porous than poured foundation walls but Drylok is always a recommended application for either especially before finishing a basement. Product claims to stop water pressure up to 15 psi which is nominal to the pressure buildup that can occur outside of your foundation walls. Recommended is two generous coats filling in all voids and holes. Cracks will be needed to be filled in preferably with hydraulic cement prior to applying Drylok.

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Protecting your home and property from heavy weather systems can give you peace in mind for when these variety of systems hit. Your home may be one of your largest investments and maintaining and building equity with a well equipped drainage system will help before damage is too late.

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, Construction, basements, construction-general--monroe, footing drain, excavating, drainage, egress windows, finished basement, excavation, septic, septic systems, backhoe, excavator, fire escape, foundation, water damage

7 Wet basement waterproofing drainage solutions; Orange County NY 10950

Posted by william bateman on Thu, Jan 12, 2023 @ 05:50 AM

Here in Orange County NY, just north of New York City,  we can experience many different forms of weather systems. Many areas located just out of the city have higher elevations combined with low lying valleys that make for interesting unpredictable weather at times. During these times potential systems can impact our homes and properties drastically when it comes to moisture systems. Here in New York we experience a full four seasons with a variety of different weather conditions. These conditions range from potential blizzards, thunderstorms, heavy rains and at times even a hurricane. Now, it's not all doom and gloom when talking about New York as most of the time the weather is beautiful, especially with all the changing seasons. Keeping your home and property protected with proper drainage solutions will leave you with now worries and have peace in mind when inclement weather strikes.

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Water is one Mother Natures strongest forces responsible for trillions of dollars in damages and disrepair around the world each year. During potentially heavy downpours, especially after heavy melting winter snows are combined with rain, water tables rise drastically along with increased hydrostatic pressures. Low lying homes in valleys or on a mountainside, runoff can be of concern. Massive amounts of water can be produced during this time frame causing basements and properties to flood. There are solutions for your water issues and  some may require excavation, but diverting water away is key to a dry basement.

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Water buildup occurs from excessive rainfall and heavy snow melts increasing ground water tables and return resulting in hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure refers to water pressure buildup and is a major cause of basement water problems. Water weighs slightly more than 60lbs. per cubic foot. When the soil around your foundation is saturated with water, there can be tens of thousands of pounds of hydrostatic pressure buildup against your foundation. Required for every home built, footing drains are the most effective drainage component in relieving hydrostatic pressure. Buildup occurs during times where high ground water tables reach levels where oversaturated soils cannot dissipate water at an adequate rate.

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Hydrostatic pressure buildup can be extremely harmful to your homes main structure, the foundation, causing damage to the integrity of your entire structure. Water infiltration into your basement can cause massive damage, plus most all basements have the perfect ecosystem for the rapid growth of toxic mold and mildew to spore. Due to the natural environment of basements, moisture and humidity are always a concern to control. Installation of egress windows and dehumidifiers can help lower moisture levels in any basement creating better airflow.

Signs of hydrostatic pressure in your basement:

  • Bowing walls with horizontal cracks and water seepage
  • Water infiltration where your basement floor meets the foundation wall
  • Water near basement windows and/or window wells
  • Deteriorated basement foundation walls
  • Musty smell in basement
  • Visual evidence of water seepage on foundation walls
  • Visible water seepage on cracks of basement floor

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Unfinished basements will be easier to determine if you have a problem as opposed to a finished basement. Finished basements may hide problems for many years before discovering the immense damage that has occurred. Hidden behind your walls spawns the perfect environment for toxic mold and mildew to grow rampant that can lead to potential health ailments impacting your entire family. Not only water issues in your basement can contribute to these issues, your roof is another major main component in protecting your home from water damage.

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Different drainage solution applications for your home and property

 

Footing drains

Footing drains are required for all homes constructed for removal of unwanted water from your foundation walls and footings. Without the installation of footing drains, you can potentially run the high of water infiltration and structural damage to your most important structural component, your foundation. As ground water tables rise combined with runoff, soils quickly become saturated, leading to high levels of hydrostatic pressure buildup. Pressure buildup against your foundation wall can reach as high as 33,000 psi. Relieving this pressure is essential in maintaining the integrity of your home and prevent water infiltration that can be responsible for thousands of dollars in water damage repairs. Most visible indications of a failing footing drain is evidence of water and/or moisture in corners where foundation meets basement floor. In order to replace footing drains excavation is a must from the exterior of your foundation down to the footing. Best application is to have footing drains discharge unwanted water out to daylight. This all depends on your properties topography and grade in coordination with the home. If grade is not sufficient, a dry well may need to be added on property to contain unwanted water to dissipate back into the soil.

Curtain Drain

Curtain drains are essentially an in ground gutter system used for removing unwanted water near home or low lying areas on property with standing water. These drainage systems may also contain runoff water that discharges of a hillside into your property and/or home. Excavated down usually 18-24 inches, these trenches are effective in catching and removing water effectively. Installed with corrugated pipe, filter fabric and aggregate, water runs freely away from your home. In extreme cases where water tables are high and flooding in basement is of constant concern, curtain drain mat be dug the depth of the footing drains and work in conjunction together. In general, adding a curtain drain is a fast solution for wet areas throughout your property.

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Swales

Swales are excavated troughs down to a divot to contain and divert water efficiently from runoff or at the base of a hillside.  They are most commonly used for stormwaters that are used along rural highways and residential streets to convey runoff. Width of trench is excavated sloped at each end allowing water to flow down the the base. Swales can be left natural after excavation for grass of swamp grass to grow or lined with filter fabric and lined with river rock or rip-rap. A fast solution for wet properties especially with high rates of water runoff.

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Sump pumps

Sump pumps are a great solution for removing water that has protruded into your basement. As ground waters rise and hydrostatic pressure increases water will usually infiltrate to the point of least resistance. A sump pump can help relieve this pressure before causing major damage. A sump pump basin is installed into your basements floor using a high flow pump to remove unwanted water quickly. Sumps pumps work off a float switch that activate when water rises to a set level and sufficiently excretes water outside of your home. Other systems can also be incorporated with pump such as French drains and minimal amounts grey water if necessary.  

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Dry wells

Dry well are used for containing water diverted from another source such as drainage systems or grey water. In footing drains, curtain drains and/or gutter downspouts, dry wells may be used if you do not have enough grade on property to relieve water to daylight. Other applications may be for diverting grey water from laundry and/or slop sinks to avoid contamination of your septic system if you have one. Heavy laundry detergents kill off good bacteria needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem in you septic system allowing solids to breakdown properly. Waters are routed to the dry well where they will permeate back into the soils. 

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Gutter downspouts

During heavy rains and snows, your roof per square footage handles extreme amounts of liquids in which is quickly diverted into your gutters. Liquids from your gutters then become the job of the downspouts to remove water quickly to ground level. Most downspouts discharge right at ground level right on your foundation walls leaving excessive amounts of water to pool and possibly permeate into your foundation. A simple extension can fix or the best way is to run downspouts into a solid underground line to divert water away from the home. 

Drylok

Drylok basement sealer is a great application on all interior basement walls. Recommended two coats on walls helps achieve maximum performance of 11-12 psi to protect against water infiltration through your foundation walls. All concrete is permeable and Drylok will help seal out unwanted moisture and fill cracks up to 1/8" wide. Larger cracks may be filled with hydraulic cement or other concrete fillers on the market before applying Drylok. 

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, Construction, construction-general--monroe, footing drain, excavating, drainage, egress windows, finished basement, excavation, backhoe, excavator, fire escape, foundation, water damage, Sullivan County ny

DIY Basement Egress Window Installation

Posted by william bateman on Tue, Dec 06, 2022 @ 09:21 AM

Egress windows are required by national code for any finished basement with a bedroom essentially installed as a fire escape window in the case of emergency. In any scenario tho finished or not an egress window is a good idea to install for safety plus the added light and ventilation is a plus for any basement. While installation may be hard work and not for everyone with a little background experience and proper tools the dog-it-yourselfer can tackle it.

Tools you will need for installation:

  • Backhoe or excavator (unless digging by hand)
  • Concrete saw
  • Jackhammer
  • Power saw
  • Level and square
  • Shovel and pick
  • Staple gun
  • Caulk gun
  • Shovel and rake

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When looking for placement of window usually try and go for a spot where there is usually a window already. This will make it less complicated to get through concrete wall and install. You can rent a concrete saw with a diamond blade and have saws too that can cut straight through eliminating a lot of the jackhammering involved. Getting through the wall is going to be the hardest part. 

 

5 things to know about egress window codes before starting:

  • Need a window at least 5.7 sq. ft.
  • Net clear of 20" when opened(I usually order window with larger net clear of 22")
  • No more than 44" inside sill height from basement floor
  • 9 sq. ft. minimum inside dimensions of window well installed
  • No more than 44" depth inside window well without a ladder installed



 

When ordering an egress window, most every application will work best by using a casement window. You will next have to determine the swing of the window left or right and do so by situating an emergency where you want the window to open clear to a safe place off property. Next is choosing a window well outside of your egress window. You can easily construct your own like in the video using 6x6 pressure treated lumber or Bilco offers a line of composite window wells you can install that also offer a cover to protect from the weather.

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7 things you should know about installing a window well:

  • Always dig deeper than window
  • You can use concrete from wall removed as a good base and drainage 
  • Fill base with 3/4" aggregate just below window
  • If you have area with proper slope to daylight consider installing a drain
  • Check local codes as some want drainage to tie in with footing drain(which I do not agree with mixing two different systems)
  • Try and maintain 44" inside depth or ladder will need to be installed. Prefab Bilco units have steps already built it
  • If cover is added make sure fastening clips are installed towards the from for easy escape if necessary 

5 benefits of adding an egress window:

  • Added safety during a time of emergency 
  • Added light to your basement
  • Added ventilation especially beneficial for moist basements
  • Help control humidity
  • Great access for getting materials and/or content into basement(obviously within limit)

Installing an egress window may not be exactly for the novice but a little background, the right equipment and strength it can be done. In the videos we used a regular diamond blade to cut and then jackhammer which has worked sufficiently for years but now have a saw that cuts straight through making it a bit easier. Hope this helps and wish anyone luck performing a DIY installation

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, Construction, basements, egress windows, excavation, fire escape, foundation

Choosing the right contractor/Orange County NY

Posted by Bill Bateman on Mon, Aug 14, 2017 @ 07:54 AM

For most of us purchasing a home will be one of the largest investments you will make in your life. It takes lots of preplanning, negotiation and work to get into the home of your dreams. Purchasing a home is part of the American dream that starts as a dream at a very young age when growing up with your family and wanting the same things when you grow older. Now the time has come and you are the proud owners of a home to start your life. A home brings much happiness and goals in life; a roof over your head,  bathroom for personal hygeine, a kitchen to feed your family, a dining room for eating and entertaining, a backyard........... You get the point!!!  With a home and family also comes a busy life, especially when kids come into the picture. Between cooking, cutting grass, cleaning, etc.; time becomes limited. So basically that is what most of us strive for in society, that crazy life!!! Sounds crazy but for centuries that has been the way of life and there is no greater satisfaction than creating and achieving what you have worked so hard at.

 

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Now with anything in life, including our own bodies and health, you need maintainance. Owning a home comes with responsibility and upkeep over the years you own your property. Wheather it may be a broken pipe that may pop up or a renovation to enhance your home, choosing the right contractor for these issues/upgrades is a necessity. With so many fly by night contractors it is good to do your homework to protect yourself and your investment.

 

What to look for when choosing a contractor:

  • Word of mouth recommendation is usually always the best
  • Years of business under the same name
  • References
  • Experiences and knowledge in all phases
  • Proper insurance
  • Clean and neat
  • Puncuality
  • Good communication from the start
  • Detailed contract of work being performed

 

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There are many different enhancements you can perform to your home. Every upgrade you make increases the value of your home and gets you closer to the home you always wanted and dreamed of. Working with a good contractor can make this a fun and painless experience from picking out the decor you want to seeing your project from start to finish. Here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we specialize in happy customers and creating lasting, breathtaking results.

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WMB CONSTRUCTION specializes in:

 

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, Construction, egress windows, excavation

Snowplowing Monroe, NY

Posted by Bill Bateman on Tue, Aug 08, 2017 @ 08:40 AM

Winter not too far away and its time to start thinking about how you will get out of your home/business when the storms strike. Here in Orange County, NY we can experience some of the most brutal storms in the country. Mostly we are always on target for the well known Nor' Easters that paralyze our area for days at a time. It is always good to preplan and line up a good snowplowing contractor so you are not left out in the cold this winter, literally.

 

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Whether you own a business or a home, snowplowing is a must to ensure you can stay open for business or leave for work in the case of snow. Now for most of us snow is nothing more than a nuisance and most people feel moving snow is a brainless job. The concept is pretty basic but for a professional company comes a lot of thought and preparation for winters around here way before any snow falls. Early preparation and equipment inspections are crucial to maintaining a reliable fleet that will be able to withstand the forces of nature when it hits.

 

WMB Construction offers:

  • Commercial/residential snowplowing
  • Ice control
  • Snow removal
  • Reliable service

 

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Topics: Monroe NY, Construction, construction-general--monroe, snowplowing, ice control, snow removal

Benefit of bathroom remodel

Posted by william bateman on Thu, Feb 11, 2016 @ 07:07 PM


We all have bathrooms in our homes and here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we pride ourselves in building and renovating them here in Orange County, NY 10950. Bathroom can range in any shape or size and can have many different features you can add or choose from. Nothing beats a hot shower on a cold morning or cold shower on a hot muggy day.


New or old revovation, bathroom designs are always exciting! Every customer has different tastes, wants and needs which makes it exciting for us to create your inside oasis. 

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Bathroom options:

  • Bathtub
  • Showerstall
  • Concrete showerbase
  • Body jets
  • Jacuzzi
  • Jacuzzi tub
  • Bidet
  • Multiple showerheads
  • Heated floors
  • Handicap tubs and bars
  • Shower jets
  • In wall shelves

 

 

 


Bathrooms are a part of our everyday lives and we all deserve to be clean in a fashionable way. Nothing better than a nice bath/shower after a long days work or even a night on the town. 



 

Topics: Monroe NY, painting, General Contractor, construction-general, bathrooms, basements, contractor, anderson, toilet

Is your roof in need of replacement?

Posted by william bateman on Wed, Nov 26, 2014 @ 03:20 PM

Here in the northeast we can experience some pretty brutal winters that can leave our homes at high risk if you don't have a good roof. The strongest part of your home may be the foundation but without a adequate roof, your home is worthless! Crippling snowstorms are very common in our area and the weight load of snow on our roofs can result in collaspe of your roof, as we have just seen in Buffalo, NY

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Click here and fill out our contact page for a free estimate!

 

 

Another common problem is ice damming. Ice damming occurs when heat loss from your home due to inadequate insulation melts snow and it freezes when it reaches the soffit of your home. As ice forms water backs up under the shingles causing major water damage to the interior of your home.

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A poor roof can leave a home with very little value due to the damage it can do. Sometimes the damage can go unnoticed for years until it is too late! Rot and mildew can run rampant if issues aren't corrected quickly and efficiently!

 

What are the risks of a poor roof?:

  • Interior water damage

  • Rotten wood

  • Dry rot

  • Mold/mildew

  • Health problems

  • Allergies

  • Termites

  • Carpenter ants

  • Roof collapse

    roof replacement contractor monroe ny

     

    With a new roof replacement you want to do it right. New architectural shingles on the market are rated for 30 yrs. Thats a long time but if not installed correctly, roof will fail!!! 

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    Call today for a free roof estimate

    845-590-5336

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, construction-general, Construction, construction-general--monroe, Roofing Monroe NY, Roofing, Architectural shingles, improvements, windows, insulation, certainteed, anderson, egress windows, additions

Benefits of installing an egress window

Posted by william bateman on Mon, Dec 17, 2012 @ 06:46 PM

If you are considering remodeling your basement you will likely find that your town requires the installation of egress windows. Most building codes mandate that egress windows be installed in order to provide an adequate escape route in an emergency situation, such as a fire. Besides adding safety and increasing your home's value, egress windows can greatly increase airflow and light, changing what was once a dark basement into a light, airy living space.

egress window contractor monroe ny

 Egress windows are designed to allow people to escape a basement in the event of a fire. Most often, egress windows are installed during a basement renovation in order to comply with local building codes. Many towns have specific measurements that must be met, so it will be necessary to contact your local building-codes office in order to find out exactly what size window you must install in your basement.

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Egress windows come in as many varieties as typical windows, with as many different levels of quality and insulation, depending on the manufacturer. But all egress windows are designed to provide a safe escape route in the event of emergency. Most often, they provide about 6 square feet of roughly rectangular window surface. Check with the manufacturer if there is any question of whether a particular window is suitable to be used as an egress window.

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Benefits of adding an egress window:
  • Added safety

  • More natural light

  • Ventilation

  • Creates cleaner basement enviroment and decreases the chances for mold and mildew

  • Peace in mind that your loved ones will be safe

  • Added value

  • Aesthetically, they can change the look and feel of a basement

 

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 william m bateman monroe ny

 

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Egress windows Orange County, NY

Egress windows are essentially fire escape windows installed in finished basements. It is a national code that enstates that all finished basements must have a window of 5.7 sq. ft., no more than 44 inches to the sill height and 22 inch clear opening to be able to escape in case of an emergency.

egress window contactor hudson valley ny

A recent egress window installation byWMB Construction where we removed the sliding glass door, which had water/flooding issues, and installed a window.

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Here we closed in the block foundation and added a footing drain to relieve water pressure. Foundation will be tarred and backfilled with lots of 3/4" gravel to keep the water moving.

carpentry egress window ny

All parging is complete and window looks like it has always been there. A little paint to match is all the customer needs once concrete has cured. Water issues were corrected to keep this basement dry while also conforming to building codes.

Benefits by installing an egress window:

  • Added ventilation to your basement

  • Added natural light which helps prevent growth of mold and mildew

  • Peace in mind that your loved ones will be protected and safe from harms way

  • Added value to your home

contractor, bathroom, kitchens, remodel

What is an egress window?

WHAT IS AN EGRESS WINDOW?

 

An egress window is a window that is required in specific locations in a dwelling and is intended to provide an emergency means of exiting a dwelling. Windows must meet specific size and requirements to qualify as an egress window.egress windows concrete orange county ny

 

 

 

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Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed
Create Article | Drafts and Pending | Options

Egress windows Orange County, NY

Egress windows are essentially fire escape windows installed in finished basements. It is a national code that enstates that all finished basements must have a window of 5.7 sq. ft., no more than 44 inches to the sill height and 22 inch clear opening to be able to escape in case of an emergency.

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A recent egress window installation byWMB Construction where we removed the sliding glass door, which had water/flooding issues, and installed a window.

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Here we closed in the block foundation and added a footing drain to relieve water pressure. Foundation will be tarred and backfilled with lots of 3/4" gravel to keep the water moving.

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All parging is complete and window looks like it has always been there. A little paint to match is all the customer needs once concrete has cured. Water issues were corrected to keep this basement dry while also conforming to building codes.

Benefits by installing an egress window:

  • Added ventilation to your basement

  • Added natural light which helps prevent growth of mold and mildew

  • Peace in mind that your loved ones will be protected and safe from harms way

  • Added value to your home

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What is an egress window?

WHAT IS AN EGRESS WINDOW?

 

An egress window is a window that is required in specific locations in a dwelling and is intended to provide an emergency means of exiting a dwelling. Windows must meet specific size and requirements to qualify as an egress window.egress windows concrete orange county ny

 

WHERE ARE EGRESS WINDOWS REQUIRED?

 

Egress windows are required in every room used for sleeping purposes (bedrooms) on any floor and in basements with habitable space. If you are constructing a new home, the code requires that you put an egress window in each bedroom. It also requires an egress window in the basement if habitable rooms will be finished in the basement. If you install a basement bedroom or bedrooms, an egress window is required in each bedroom. If you have an existing home and you add a sleeping room in an unfinished basement, the code requires that you install an egress window in the sleeping room or rooms.

 

WHAT ARE SIZE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EGRESS

WINDOW?

 

An egress window must satisfy four International Residential Code (IRC) criteria:

• Minimum width of opening: 20 in.

• Minimum height of opening: 24 in.

• Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor).

• Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in

 

The window must have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft. Net clear opening refers to the actual free and clear space that exists when the window is open. It is not the rough opening size or the glass panel size, but the actual opening a person can crawl through.

The window opening must be operational from the inside without keys or tools. Bars, grilles and grates may be installed over windows but must be operational without tools or keys and still allow the minimum clear opening.

You might assume that a 20-in. by 24-in. window would be acceptable for egress. However, those dimensions would yield a net clear opening of only 3.3 sq. ft. To achieve the required net clear opening of 5.7 sq. ft., a 20-in. wide window would have to be 42 in. high. Likewise, a 24-in. high window would have to be 34 in. wide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, construction-general, Construction, basements, construction-general--monroe, Roofing Monroe NY, contractor, windows, certainteed, anderson

From old to new using Benjamin Moore paint

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Dec 15, 2012 @ 01:20 PM

Is your home looking old and deteriorated? Does the thought of spending thousands to replace leave you with a pounding headache? The anwser is to save what you have and enhance it with a Benjamin Moore paint upgrade. For a fraction of the cost to replace, you can beautify your home instantly without the mess of a major renovation.

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Benefits of painting:

  • Instant results

  • Superior protection

  • Removal of any mold and mildew

  • Cheaper than replacingpainting painter contractor chester ny

  • Thousands of colors to choose from

  • Can change colors at any time as opposed to pre-colored vinyl or composites

  • Cleaner appearance and smell

 

 

 

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 This is a project before we started in beautiful Monroe, NY. The appearance was that the staircase was in need of complete replacement. After evaluating the integrity of the staircase I came to the conclusion that the problem was years of mold and mildew build up. This was great news for both me and the customer.

 

 

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How did WMB Construction enhance the staircase:

  • Treated all mold and mildew with bleach to kill it

  • Powerwashed all surfaces

  • Applied primer where necessary

  • Glued and nailed loose railing sections

  • Caulked voids where necessary

  • Applied two coats of Benjamin Moore exterior grade latex paint to all surfaces

 

 

 

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 The results are unmatched and within two days, years of damaged had been fixed. With two coats of Benjamin Moore high grade latex paint, all the surfaces have been sealed for years of continued use. Preparation and the use of good quality products is everything when producing a quality finished product!!! 

 

 

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Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, Monroe NY, painting, General Contractor, remodeling, remodel, Construction, construction-general--monroe, contractor, painter, paint