Home Improvement Blog

Benefits of an egress window/Orange County, NY

Posted by Bill Bateman on Thu, Aug 10, 2017 @ 08:05 AM

 

                         William M. Bateman

                               845-590-5336

 

Its becoming more common around the country for customers to be installing egress windows in their basements. National code has been in effect for years requiring an egress window for safety measures for you and your family. Most recently in the past few years we have noticed a rise in egress window installations due to the fact that local building departments have been forcing them more and violations are being issued to customers that dont have one. These violations mostly come up when buying/selling a home, finishing basement or refinancing forcing the customer to install one in a timely matter before you can sell or do any other work to your basement.

 

01.jpg

Why you might need an egress window installed:

  • Buying/selling your home
  • Finishing your basement 
  • Need more light and ventilation in your basement
  • Safety reasons to protect you and your family
  • Peace in mind

Most of customers we experience wait until they are selling their home to install an egress window which holds up the closing process on both ends of the buyer/seller. Once installed every customer realizes the benefits and wishes they had installed one sooner. Its usually a 2-5 installation process that is done 90% from the exterior of your home limiting any distraction to your life and home.

 

IMG_4838.jpg

 

Benefits of adding an egress window:

  • Added safety as a fire escape in the time of need
  • Better ventilation for your basement
  • More added light
  • Better access for larger items to enter your basement from outside
  • Helps with mold and mildew issues every basement experiences

 

When buying/selling your home like mentioned before, brings up last minute violations that brings nothing but last minute aggravation. Pre planning your egress window project will eliminate this and save you money without paying for extra violation costs that you local building department may require.

 

 

request_a_quote11.gif

 

What to expect when installing a window in violation:

  • Closing process held up
  • Have to issue a building permit
  • Some building departments require engineered plans drawn up for basement floor plan
  • Extra permit fees
  • Electrical inspection
  • Proof of insurance from your contractor
  • Approval from the board for work to comence in some condo complexes

IMG_4405.jpg

 

Egress windows have national code requirements that must be met before and during the installation. Choosing a good contractor that is familiar with these codes is key for an easy and painless installation process. The right equipment is necessary to do the project with the proper machines that will not ruin your property during the process.

 

What are the national codes for egress windows?

  • Window must be minimum of 5.7 square feet
  • Window sill height must not exceed 44" max
  • Window well must be 9 square feet inside dimensions
  • Window well must not exceed 44" without adding a ladder
  • Window must have 22" net clearing

 

IMG_4860.jpg

 

WMB Construction has been performing egress window installations for years in the Hudson Valley NY region.  Contact today to set up your free estimate and we will come out and evaluate and price your project.

 

request_a_quote11.gif

Check out our videos on some of out finished products

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics: General Contractor, remodel, construction-general, Construction, outdoors, excavating, contractor, improvements, drainage, egress windows, finished basement, window

Bi-Levels and their benefits/remodeling

Posted by Bill Bateman on Mon, Aug 07, 2017 @ 02:13 PM

                                                     William M. Bateman

                                                             845-590-5336

 

There are many different and types and styles of homes around the world that we all as humans need for survival. Centuries ago the home has evolved from a simple tent, cave, log cabin...... into the modern homes of today with all the ammenities necessary for comfortable living. One of the most genius and popular designs is the Bi-Level home. Its a design that became mostly popular in the 1960's and continues to this day to offer good square footage for comfortable living under a simple and practical design.  

IMG_0694.jpg

Why Bi-Levels are so popular:

  • Constructed easily on one square foundation
  • One standard roof line
  • Mostly one interior plumbing wall for all waste lines
  • Standard straight gutters
  • Two floors on top of each other for perfect economic heat exchange throughout house
  • Fits on a small building lot
  • Good square footage
  • Garage space
  • Most have 2-3 bathrroms for larger families
  • Plenty of space for laundry room
  • Back deck for relaxing or entertaining
  • Easy floor plan to clean

request_a_quote11.gif

 

Bi-Levels offer so many different qualities in a small package that most homes do not. Bigger isn't always better and you want to enjoy your home and family while not having it consume your life with constant cleaning and maintainance. There are many different remodeling options as well with Bi-Levels that can set yours apart from the rest and make it younique.

 

 

 

 

Bi-Level remodel options:

d7k_2718-resized-600.jpg

In the photo above we removed wall in between kitchen and living/dining room area. It instantly created an open floor plan with a more pleasing appeal. These walls removed are usually weight bearing so we had to add extra support in the ceiling to ensure the integrity of the homes weight load, especially in the winter months with heavy snow on your roof.

 

What we added from this upgrade:

  • An open floor plan
  • Increased airflow
  • More sitting/entertaining area
  • Added lighting
  • Custom oak top
  • New countertop and sink
  • Tile backsplash

502.jpg

 

In this photo above we added a fully maintainance free composite deck to replace the smaller old pressure treated deck. Composite decks add a little more money to a deck project over your tradition pressure treated lumber deck but in the long run add low maintainance and adds value to your home instantly. With that being said, pressure treated decks have been around for years and are tried and true. You can easily expect 30 years with the proper maintainance of apply stain every few years.

 

 

struct-resized-600.jpg

 

There are many different options for your home to make it the home of your dream and WMB Construction out of Orange County, NY can make those dreams become a reality. With over 30 years in the business we have the ideas and foresight to turn your Bi-Level into your own creation under one small roof.

 

 

Topics: General Contractor, remodel, contractor, egress windows, excavation, bi-level, carpenter

Orange County Home Improvement/Remodeling Monroe, NY

Posted by Bill Bateman on Mon, Apr 04, 2016 @ 09:26 PM


Here at WMB CONSTRUCTION we pride ourselves in on time quality work here in the Hudson Valley, NY.  For all your needs we are here for you! Based out of Monroe, NY; we are your one stop construction company.  With that being said, yor home has many needs; roof, siding, kitchen, bathroom, patios, drainage, garage door, finished basement, egress window, anderson windows, pella windows, decks, remodeling, painting, flooring, staining.......etc!  

01.jpg

 

 Click me


We perform all phases of construction and home remodeling all over Orange County, NY  Most of our work is close based due to word of mouth recomendations with repeat customers. We like establishing trust within our customers that lasts a lifetime. 

homephoto-resized-600.jpg

 



 

 

 



 

Topics: General Contractor, remodel, bathrooms, basements, Roofing, home, Decks, egress windows, finished basement

5 home remodels that can make you money

Posted by william bateman on Sun, Jan 06, 2013 @ 08:27 AM

Remodeling a home can be a very costly venture. Homeowners looking to add value to their homes may try to add upgrades or renovate entire sections of their homes to make them more marketable. Not all home upgrades and renovations are worth spending your hard-earned money on, though. Here is a look at five ways to make your home renovation worth the money and effort you put into it.

home remodeling monroe ny

 

Your roof is the main component of your home. Without a good roof your house will remain worthless. A new roof is always a great investment because no bank ever wants to get involved in loaning money for a home that isn't protected. A poor roof can also increase your chances for mold and mildew build up due to leaking water that can cause health ailments and thousands in damage.

Signs that you need a new roof:

  • Algae growth on shingles

  • Damaged flashing

  • Buckling of sheathing under shingles

  • Curling of shingles

  • Blistering of shingles

  • Missing shingles

  • Ceiling spots inside of your home

  • Missing granules on shingles

  • Evidence of rotting

 

bathroom remodel contractor ny

 

Your bathroom is one of the most frequented rooms in your home. It is the room where you freshen up everyday and take care of your personal hygiene. Bathroom remodels have been known to return 30-40% on your initial investment when you sell. Nobody wants to move into a home knowing that the bathroom is in need of complete renovation and will in most cases pay more for the home with a good finished bathroom remodel.

Signs that you might need a bathroom remodel:  

  •  Visual evidence of mold and mildew build up

  • Soft spots on floor/and or walls(may indicate rot which could be serious if not addressed)

  • Leaking water

  • Musty smell

  • Grout missing in many areas

 

kitchen remodel contractor

 

Your Kitchen is the most frequented room in your home. It brings family together and is the heart of every home. The kitchen is usually the first room you see in a house, so with that being said, it is the most important. I have seen returns as high a 50% on real nice kitchen remodels. The first thing you want to do when selling is knock your buyer off their feet and you can do this with a good quality kitchen.

Signs you might need a new kitchen:

  • Soft spots on floors

  • Cabinets are delaminating

  • Cabinets are faded

  • Circuit breakers keep tripping when you plug in appliances

  • Mold and mildew build up

 

 deck builder monroe ny

 Decks are always a great benefit to any home. Outdoor living and entertaining is on a rise and each year the demand keeps rising for these projects. It creates a personal oaisis and tranquility right in your backyard. It is a guaranteed investment that you and your family can enjoy for years and still have return at the end.

Signs you might need a new deck: 

  • Deck surface is splintering

  • Deck bounces or sways when walking on it

  • Railings are loose and wobbly

 

finished basement monroe ny

 

 Finished basements are key to any home. Unfinished it adds no square footage or value to your home. A nice finished basement will most likely have any male interested in purchasing your home know it has beautiful hideaway known as "The Man Cave"! But besides that it creates a great area for entertaining or even just a playroom for the kids. The ideas can become endless when designing your basement. You can add a bathroom, bar, play areas, pool table, etc.!!! A definate asset to your home. Right off the bat when listing your home your square footage will increase by 600-1000 which equals big gains.

Why you might want to remodel your basement:

  • Added square footage

  • Added value

  • Creates entertaining/playing area

 

 william m bateman monroe ny

 

 

contractor orange county ny

 

When performing any remodel it is important to pay attention to detail and quality! The sight of a poor install can have adverse affects on your return. While all these recommended projects can be costly, I advise customers to set up a five to ten year plan to save and complete these projects for your enjoyment and to increase the value of your largest investment, your home! 

 

 

 

Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, painting, orange county ny, General Contractor, remodeling, remodel, bathrooms, basements, Composite Decking Orange County NY, construction-general--monroe, Roofing, footing drain, anderson, egress windows, painter

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.

 painter 10950 pauls painting

painting contractor monroe ny

 

 

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

 

 

 

painter central valley ny

 

 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.

 

 

painting contractor harriman ny

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

071 resized 600

 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!!! 

 

 

painting remodel highland mills ny

 

 

painter contractor warwick ny

 

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

Wood vs. Steel vs. Fiberglass Doors. Whats the best choice?

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Dec 08, 2012 @ 02:58 PM

Wood Doors vs. Steel Doors vs. Fiberglass Doors

Even after 25 years, fiberglass remains the most advanced material for entryways — able to satisfy both today’s and tomorrow’s homeowners by giving them the look of wood doors and the strength of steel doors, without the compromises of either. In fact, fiberglass doors offer just what homeowners want* — the optimum combination of security, energy efficiency, performance and aesthetics. Therma-Tru not only pioneered the fiberglass door category but we continue to lead the industry.

 

 door windows siding 10950

Benefits of wood doors:

  • Beautiful wood grain

  • High end look

  • Warm feel and touch

  • Scratches easily fixed

 

door and window contractor monroe ny

Benefits of steel doors:

  • Lower maintenance

  • No cracking or bowing

  • Less exspensive

  • Energy efficient

  • Good insulating value

  • Secure

door windows cornwalls ny

 

Benefits of fiberglass doors:

  • Lowest maintenace

  • Resists cracking and denting

  • Offers smooth or wood grain finishes

  • Won't rot, deteriorate or rust

  • Can be painted or stained

  • Energy efficient

  • Won't warp, bow or twist

  • Five times the insulating value of wood

  • Secure

window door contractor chester ny

 

Therma-Tru offers decorative glass options:

  • Increase curb appeal and the perceived value of your home

  • Allow more light into your home

  • Reflect your personal style

  • Are offered in impact rated glass options to increase security and protection from severe weather

 

door window contractor highland mills ny

 After looking at all three door choices, fiberglass seems to be the best choice all around. Wood still has the best appearance and steel is right in the middle with economy and insulating values. When remodeling  your home with a new door upgrade the options can be endless. Therma-Tru has thousands of different choices and configurations to choose from. Call WMB Construction today for your next door installation!

 

william m bateman construction

 

 

 

 

bill bateman general contracting

 

 

Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, remodeling, remodel, Construction, Composite Decking Orange County NY, construction-general--monroe, Roofing Monroe NY, Roofing, improvements, windows, insulation, siding

How do you know you need a new roof?

Posted by william bateman on Thu, Dec 06, 2012 @ 09:08 PM

Your roof is the main component of your home. Let's face it, without a good roof, your home would be unlivable. A poor roof can generate many problems within a home; mold, mildew, allergens, rot, termites, carpenter ants, etc.!!! Most of these issues can go unknown for years until it is too late!!! We tell all of our customers that preventive maintaince is key to a healthy roof and home where ever you live. Years of unknown damage can cost thousands extra in the long run!!!

roofing monroe ny

 

Benifits of a new roof installation:

  • Ice shield installed to take away from ice damming problems in the winter.

  • Aluminum drip edge installed to prevent capillary action of water coming back into your home.

  • Ridge vent installed to increase ventilation=longer roof life.

  • Remove any rot from roof deck.

  • Peace in mind

 

 bad roof contractor

 

 How do you know your roof is in need of replacement:

  • Algae growth on shingles

  • Damaged flashing

  • Buckling of sheating under shingles

  • Curling of shingles

  • Blistering of shingles

  • Missing shingles

  • Ceiling spots inside of your home

  • Missing granules on shingles

  • Evidence of rotting

 

roofing contractor monroe ny

 

 

 

 

 

william m bateman construction

 

 william m bateman roofing ny

 

 

 

Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, General Contractor, remodeling, remodel, construction-general, Construction, Roofing Monroe NY, Roofing, windows, siding

Is a new roof in your future?

Posted by william bateman on Tue, Oct 16, 2012 @ 07:58 PM

Do you need a new roof?

 

frank stevens roofing woodbury ny

These are some common sign for roof replacement:

  • Algae growth on shingles

  • Damaged flashing

  • Buckling of sheathing under shingles

  • Curling of shingles

  • Blistering of shingles

  • Missing shingles

  • Ceiling spots inside your home

  • Missing granules on shingles

  • Evidence of rotting

 

roofing contractor monroe ny

Here in the northeast we experience some pretty gruelling winters that put our homes roof to the biggest test. What is under your roof shingles makes a huge difference.

 

Proper use of Ice & Water Barrier Products, plus insulation and ventilation, help prevent - a major culprit when it comes to roof leaks.

 

What is an ice dam?
A ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof.

 

What causes an ice dam?
Ice dams form when indoor heating rises through the ceiling into the attic and warms the roof surface.

 

How do they form?
Snow on the heated part of the roof melts and flows down until it meets the part of the roof that is below 32 degrees. At that point, the water freezes into an ice dam.

 

How do ice dams lead to water damage?
Water backs up behind the dam and, as it sits on the roof, works its way under the roof covering and flows into the attic. From there it can seep through insulation, ceilings, walls and other areas where it can cause damage.

 

How do you prevent an ice dam?
Keeping a consistent attic temperature can help prevent ice dams. Insulation and ventilation are key components of maintaining the proper conditions in the attic and on the roof deck.

roofing contractor harriman ny

 

 

 

Proper roof ventilation systems:

  • Soffit vents

  • Gable vents

  • Ridge vents

  • Attic fans

 

timberline roofing contractor chester ny

 

Why Owens Corning?

Since 1977, Owens Corning has been a leading manufacturer of shingles and accessories for the residential roofing market. Though best known for our PINK® Fiberglas insulation, Owens Corning is also a leader in the roofing market.

In fact, according to a Hanley-Wood Publishing survey of 3,400 U.S. builders, Owens Corning Roofing products were voted "the most recognizable brand in the market."

Since Owens Corning invented glass fiber during the 1970s, it has become the material standard for shingles, and is used by most shingle manufacturers. The fiberglass composition of roof shingles plays an important role in protecting homes from moisture and other weather-related elements.

We take great pride in our roofing shingles and accessories and we believe that we have a great deal of responsibility to homeowners. That's why we make sure every Owens Corning shingle meets your high expectations.

Every shingle we make combines consistent quality with long-lasting beauty and maximum protection. Performance is at the heart of every Owens Corning roofing product.

Every Owens Corning shingle line features:

  • Fiberglas® mat that adds weather protection, greater fire resistance and longer life.

  • Weathering-grade asphalt that holds the granules on the shingle and protects the roof from water.

  • Colorful mineral granules that help reflect the sun's rays while adding beauty and style to the roof.

  • Heat-activated adhesive strip that bonds shingles into a single, watertight unit.

  • Class A Fire Rating, the highest available for residential applications.

  • Wind Resistance Rating for winds and gusts up to 110 mph depending on the shingle style selected.

  • Limited product warranties ranging from 20 to 50 years, depending on shingle style.

 

 

roofing contractor new windsor ny

 

 

william bateman roofing contractor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics: construction-general-painting-monroe, orange county ny, General Contractor, remodel, construction-general, Construction, construction-general--monroe, Roofing, siding

Four insects that can destroy your home

Posted by william bateman on Wed, Jul 13, 2011 @ 07:04 PM

Nothing is worse than having your largest investment detroyed by unwelcomed pests. Damages range into the trillions every year due to the destruction that these insects cause. In most cases the damages will be invisible until it is too late. Insects working together by the thousands can consume your home from the inside out leaving you with repairs that can range in the thousands.

Here is a breakdown of your homes four most destructive insects:

 

 

Carpenter ant

 carpenter harriman ny

Origin: Many species of these ants are native to North America, with several species seemingly the most likely to invade structural wood members.

 

Biology: The usual habitat of a colony of carpenter ants is within wood, often wood buried or partially buried in the soil. They also commonly establish “satellite” colonies that may be in a structure, maintaining contact between the two colonies with the workers who travel to and from over well-defined trails. Generally there is a single queen in the colony but often supplementary queens as well. Colonies typically are around 15,000 workers when mature, but potentially could be over 100,000 workers. Foods are both carbohydrates and protein, with insects a major part of the diet. These are single-node ants without a stinger, although they are capable of biting. As they expand their colony they eject “frass”, which is wood chips and other debris such as leftover insect parts. This frass is often seen in structures before the ants are, as they are primarily nocturnal in habit. Carpenter ants are also typically polymorphic, with various sizes of workers in the colony.

 

Identification: Worker ants are easily identified to the genus Camponotus by the single, large node and the evenly rounded profile of the top of the thorax. It has no dips or spines on it, but is an even, curved line from front to back. There is a circular fringe of hairs around the anal opening and the antennae have 12 segments. Colors range from tan to black to reddish to orange to black/red combinations. Workers vary from 6 to 13 mm in length.

 

Characteristics Important in Control: Reduction of excessive moisture in the structure and removal of unnecessary wood materials outdoors will reduce the attraction of an area.

 

 

carpenter monroe ny

 

 

 Subterranean Termites

 home improvement contractor monroe ny

 

Origin: Six species of native termites in this genus occur in North America, occurring throughout the country in all states and in Canada. These are the common and destructive soil-dwelling termites.

 

Biology: With very rare exception colonies are located in the ground, with foraging done from these colonies into structures or other wood sources. There is a true worker caste, with adult workers, soldiers, and alates in the colony. It is possible that a colony can have up to two hundred thousand workers or more, and several separate colonies may exist near and be foraging in a single structure. Swarming by the alates may consist of many hundreds of alates from the colony, and many colonies in an area releasing swarmers simultaneously. This usually occurs in late morning to mid-day on a sunny day following a rainfall. Most swarming is in the spring, but fall swarms are also common, and a colony will be at least 3 years old before it produces swarmers. The wings are shed shortly after the flight takes place.

 

Identification: Alates are a shiny dark brown to black, and have both a fontanelle as well as a single ocellus near each compound eye. The antennae have less than 18 segments. The wings are very light colored to white and are without hairs on them. There are 2 thickened veins that run parallel to each other from the base to the tip along the leading edge of the wing, and numerous short veins connect these two long veins. Soldiers have head capsules that are as long as the rest of the body and the sides of the head are parallel. The jaws are symmetrical and without teeth along their inner margin, and they remain parallel to each other without having the tips crossing.

 

Characteristics Important in Control: Control is primarily by soil applications of residual insecticides, either as pretreatments or as treatment post-construction. Termite bait products may prove to be effective in eliminating underground colonies altogether. Control of excessive moisture conditions and unnecessary wood materials under or near the structure are preventive measures.

 

Yellowjackets

 remodeling construction monroe orange ny

Biology: Yellowjackets are social wasps, with a Queen that initiated the colony and female workers that build the nest, care for the young, forage for food, and defend the colony. Colonies typically begin each spring and die off each fall in cooler climates, but may survive over the winter in warmer climates. The population of the colony easily grows too many thousands of workers by the end of the summer, at which time males are produced, mating with new queens takes place, and these fertilized queens then over-winter in protected locations. Adults feed on sweet liquids such as honeydew, nectar, fruit juices, or human foods such as sodas. They also relish a sugary material exuded by the larvae. The larvae are fed meat, and natural sources are insect larvae or bits of flesh from dead animals. As scavengers the workers also gather human foods at outdoor eating areas. The workers are all able to sting repeatedly, and very aggressively defend their colony from perceived intruders. Nests are placed either in aerial locations, including trees, shrubs, wall voids, or attics, as well as in the ground, where workers enlarge holes they find to accommodate the growing colony. The nest is created from cellulose gathered from tree bark, dried plant materials, or other sources, mixed with saliva, and formed as the hexagonal cells for the larvae.

 

Identification: Yellowjackets are very similar to the other social paper wasps called Umbrella Wasps, but differ by having no narrow waist between their thorax and abdomen. Colors are yellow and black, and specific identification of each species is done with differences in the patterns of the black patches around the eyes and head as well as on the abdomen. Yellowjackets, as wasps, have 2 pairs of wings that are dissimilar in size and shape. This separates them from many species of flies that mimic wasps, where there is only 1 pair of wings.

 

 

Characteristics Important in Control: Elimination of attractions such as spilled food materials or rotting fruits in gardens will help to prevent the presence of yellowjackets. If they are nesting within a structure the nest itself or openings the workers use for entry may be treated. Trapping will capture many of the foraging workers around human activity areas, but is unlikely to cause a large reduction of the nest population.

 

 

 Carpenter Bee

 

 e and d home improvements

 

 

Biology: Carpenter bees are solitary bees that get their common name from their habit of boring chambers in solid wood in order to create living quarters for their larvae. Softer woods such as redwood may be preferred, and the wood is not eaten, but instead is reduced to sawdust (“frass”) which is ejected from the tunnels. The female bee does the excavating, and several females may be working in the same section of wood and using the same entrance hole, but creating separate galleries. Males and females over-winter in old galleries and emerge in the spring to mate. They will both die before the end of the summer and it is their offspring which begin the next year’s activity. The galleries may be used repeatedly, with each new female lengthening the tunnel, which often can be over 10 feet in length. She creates an average of 6 or 7 cells, each separated by a plug, and places an egg and a food supply of pollen and nectar in each cell. Once this is completed she never returns to care for the larvae.

 

 

 

Identification: There are several species of carpenter bees that are fairly small, but the common Xylocopa species that may invade structural wood are some of the largest bees in North America, with some of the largest over an inch long. Coloring normally is shiny metallic blue-green to black, although the male of the Valley Carpenter Bee is light tan. They may be separated from bumblebees by the relative lack of hairs on the abdomen, as well as by their more rapid, erratic flight habits Damage from these bees is hidden within the wood, often with only the round entrance hole visible. Within the wood the galleries extend with the grain of the wood, and are almost perfectly round, ending with the cells in which the larvae develop.

 

 

 

Characteristics Important in Control: Surface coatings of paint or varnish are somewhat repellent, but not always. Injection of a residual dust insecticide into the gallery opening, followed by placement of a plug in the opening, will confine the bees to this treated area if done at night. Holes can then be permanently sealed.

 

 

bathroom remodel harriman ny

 

Always pay close attention to what creatures are making a home inside your home. Over many years, WMB Construction has professionally removed and eliminated insect damages in a quick and clean matter. Click below if you have had insect damage and need professional services to correct the problem.

 

renovation contractor harriman ny

 

 

Topics: orange county ny, remodeling, remodel, Construction, construction-general--monroe

Basement might flood? How to prevent it from happening again.

Posted by william bateman on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 @ 11:05 AM

 Wet basements are always a concern no matter where you live. Basements are built below grade where there is always moisture. The idea is to have all your drainage components in order so that water stays outside of your home. Every year water damage ranges in the trillions and most insurance companies will not reimburse you for your losses. 

foundation basement ny

Causes for wet basement: 

  • * High Water Table: Rain, melting snow or underground springs will contribute to the water table rising around a home. This can result in a build-up of water pressure beneath the floor and against foundation walls.

  • * Hydrostatic Pressure: The higher the level of water around a home, the greater the pressure on the water to seek entry into the basement through cracks and crevices in walls and floors. Initially, this water may enter and rest only in the block or in the pores of the concrete. That's where damp walls and damp floors come from.

  • * Capillary Attraction: Whenever water contacts a porous surface like a concrete floor or wall, it's natural for the moisture to be soaked up like a sponge. The continuous pressure exerted from the outside causes the floors and walls to store water like a reservoir, ready to burst.

  • * Settlement: As the ground around a home settles, the foundation can shift or crack. The parging shield protecting the foundation can also crack and open, allowing water to flow into and beneath your walls and floor.

wet basements orange county ny

 

The idea is to remove water away from your homes foundation walls. The force of water build up can reach up to 33,000 pounds of pressure per square foot! Besides just having water enter your basement you are now effecting the integrity of your foundation.

Don't ignore the early signs before it's too late!!!

footing drains basement

  • Dampness

  • Mold, mildew and fungus

  • Musty odors

  • Allergies

  • Respiratory ailments

basements orange county ny

  • Loss of lime salt(white powder from walls)

  • Hairline cracks on foundation walls

  • Spots on foundation walls

  • Extreme dampness

dry basement orange county ny

  • Water on the floor

  • Water seepage during moderate rain

  • Basement floods during heavy rains

  • Electrical shock hazard

drainage excavating monroe ny

  • Walls start to shift and bow

  • Mud or clay silt may become visual

  • Foundation corner begin to shift and crack

  • Structual damage becomes visual

  • Your foundation is in serious trouble

basements monroe ny

  • Your foundation has reached it final level of stress

  • Your home might risk being condemned

  • The cost of repair is now astronomical

footing drains wet basement ny

Footing drains are your #1 component in relieving water from your foundation. Over the years your footing drains due to age and poor installation have lost their integrity. We see it all the time.

A damp leaky basement can cause:

  • Loss of property value

  • Damage to your personal goods

  • Rusting and corrosion of appliances

  • Peeling and cracking of paint

  • Warping of paneling

  • Electrical shock hazards

  • Respiratory and allergy ailments

  • Damage to furnace

curtain drain orange county ny

 

Keeping your basement dry should be a priority. The damage it can create to both your health and home can be devastating.

WMB Construction specializes in:

  • Footing drains

  • Curtain drains

  • Sump pumps

  • Foundation sealing

  • Gutter drainage

 

Click logo to schedule your estimate!

b-dry system basement

 

Topics: Monroe NY, remodel, construction-general, basements, construction-general--monroe, footing drain