Campbell General Carpentry, Inc. Tips

Campbell General Carpentry, Inc

Serving the Hudson Valley

Phone : 845 246-5431
Fax : 845 247-0247
E-mail: Camp27@aol.com

Tips

Roofing:
Use galvanized roofing nails that are a minimum of 1 1/4" inches long when installing shingles on new construction. Use a minimum of 1 1/2" inches long roofing nails when installing shingles over a layer of existing shingles. Do not install more than two layers of shingles. This will add more weight to your rafters and cause them to sag.

Keep the first 3' feet of your roof clean from snow, by pulling it off with a snow rake that can be purchases at any home improvement center. This is important every time that it snows. This will allow water to run off the roof and not create a ice dam that will back up and leak into you home.

When ordering or purchasing shingles you should always buy the same LOT NUMBER. The same number on all bundles of shingles will have the same color tone. Mixing numbers could give you a variation in color.

Insulation:
Attics should be insulated with a minimum of 10" thick of R-30 fiber glass insulation. The amount needed for the sidewalls depends on your home's construction, but the minimum you should have is 3 1/2" thick of R-11 fiber glass insulation. Check for proper insulation levels under floors and unheated crawlspaces. Make sure floors are insulated with at least 6" of R-19 fiber glass insulation. Insulation effectiveness is measured in R-values or the ability of the material to resist the flow of heat. The higher the R-value is the greater the insulating power. In the Northeast area it recommended to install a minimum of R-30 in the ceilings,10" / R-19 in the walls,6" / R- 19 in crawlspaces,6".

Miscellaneous:
A range hood equipped with an exhaust fan is the best way
to eliminate excess moisture in the kitchen. It is installed over
the stove to remove hot air and steam.

Always work with mortar and patching compound designed
for exterior use. These are designed for severe weather
and structural movement and will far outlast other products.

When removing shoe molding or baseboard, pry it up and away from the wall carefully so you do not damage it. Pull the nails from the back of the molding with pliers or locking-grip pliers if you plan on reinstalling the trim.

Spackling compound is preferable to wood putty for filling dents and holes; it dries quickly, sands well and takes paint beautifully..

Paint remover works even better on metal than wood. Use it to
remove stubborn, accumulated layers of paint before repainting.

Wrap exposed hot water pipes with insulating tape or foam to prevent condensation.

Look for moisture-resistant sheetrock, commonly referred to as green board, which is specifically designed for use in bathrooms or laundry rooms where it may be exposed to water and moisture.

When working with insulation always wear goggles, gloves and a mask that covers the mouth and noise.

Footings for decks, porches, additions or anything attached to your home should be at least 46" inches below grade. This is below the frost line in the northeast area, and is the building code.

Look for deck sealers that also offer protection from ultraviolet (UV)
light. UV light is responsible for turning wood gray.

Make sure that when working with cement, you keep it from drying onto your skin this will cause a burn and leave a nasty scab.

Hit Counter