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Brand New!! Construction Program for the Empire State. Over 100 Classes of Construction Including the Tough Classes, such as *General Contractors, Roofers, Etc.

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This year, many parts of the country have enjoyed such a mild winter that even in the Northeast, spring weather seems like it’s just around the corner—if it hasn’t arrived already. Take advantage of the moderate temperatures to get a head start on what should be an annual spring home maintenance routine. EXTERIOR INSPECTION “It’s good to do a walk-around of your property, especially after a storm,” says Curtis S. Niles, Sr., owner of Armored Home Inspections, Upper Darby, PA, and president of the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). “Winter is tough on roofs and chimneys.” It can also take its toll on windows, walls, foundations, gutters and decks. Roof. You don’t need to climb up there yourself; with binoculars and a keen eye, you can probably spot trouble. Do you see any shingle-shift, suggesting that some fasteners may have failed and need replacing? Any cracked or missing shingles? What about nail-pops? “We call them eyebrows,” Niles explains. “It’s when nails push the tabs of the shingles up, allowing water to get in where those nails are coming through.” All will need to be addressed to keep your roof at peak performance. Chimneys. If you have a masonry chimney, check the joints between bricks or stones. Have any fallen out? Is there vegetation growing out of them? Each signals water infiltration. Also, look for efflorescence—”a white calcium-like deposit that indicates your masonry joints are no longer repelling water but absorbing it,” says Niles. Consider re-sealing masonry with a clear, impermeable or water-resistant barrier material (like Thoroseal products). Brush it on, small areas at a time; let it absorb for 15 minutes, then reapply—it may need a couple of applications. Exterior Walls. Whether you have wood siding, stucco or brick, look for trouble spots, especially under eaves and near gutter downspouts. Water stains normally indicate that your gutters are not adequately containing roof runoff. If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas or knots that have popped out, making way for carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other critters that may nest in or burrow through. Foundations. When inspecting the exterior of your home, be sure to examine the foundation from top to bottom for masonry cracks. “Routine caulking by homeowners won’t do the job,” says Niles. “Hire a foundation specialist who can employ a two-part epoxy injection system that will bond cracks chemically,” he adds. Windows. Leakage around windows will admit warm summer air and let cooled indoor air escape, so be sure to check that any caulking and weather stripping you have in place has remained intact. “A tight seal is the first line of defense against air and water,” says Marty Davis, marketing manager, Simonton Windows, Columbus, OH. If you experienced condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows during the winter months, the weather seal has been compromised, and either the glass or the window will need to be replaced. Spring-clean your windows—inside and out—with a store-bought or homemade window cleaner (one cup rubbing alcohol, one cup water and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar will work just fine) and either a squeegee or a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or a high-pressure spray washer. You don’t want to scratch the glass or crack the caulking around each unit. If screens were on all winter, remove and clean them with mild detergent. Lay them on a dry surface, like a driveway to air-dry before putting them back on. “Never power-wash screens,” urges Davis, “it could damage the mesh.” Read the entire article here. Content provided by http://www.bobvila.com/articles/2355-spring-home-maintenance-checklist/

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In an earlier article, we discussed tips to get your home ready for the fall season.  These tips are important, so there could be no potential denial of coverage should you need to file a claim. In this article, we want you to know what happens when you don’t clean out your gutter and the potential damage it could cause. Leaking gutters.  On the extreme side leaky gutters can also cause leaky roofs, mold, and it can rot away at the surroundings. Leaky roofs.  If your gutter is filled with debris, any rain, snow, or ice, won’t be able to go anywhere, causing a leaky (and expensive repair) roof. Basement leaks.  Gutters usually end up at the foundation of the house.  If there is any damage to the run off, then the water can wind up in your basement. Rotted Wood.  Some houses and/or foundations are made of wood.  If the gutter is not properly taken care of, the build-up will cause wood to rot. Cracks in foundation.  Same principle as above.  Any debris left can create cracks in the foundation. This fall, don’t let your gutter get the best of you.  Stay tuned for Scurich’s tips to clean out your gutter. Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Last night there was a storm and some of the tiles came off of your roof. Which conversation would you prefer? 1. “Hi Mary, this is John Smith. Some of the tiles came off my roof last night.” “Oh I’m sorry Mr. Smith, yes that storm was really something, wasn’t it? We’ll get help to you right away.” 2. “All our representatives are busy with other customers. Your wait time is approximately 20 minutes. Please hold.” Customers have expressed their greater satisfaction when they have a local agent. A recent study measured the satisfaction of homeowners when they had to file a claim for damages covered under their homeowner’s policy. Local agents are known as the “personal insurance industry”.  Those who have to go through direct channels – typically online or by calling a call center- are much less satisfied with the results. Satisfaction is 50 points higher among customers who file a claim through their agent  than among those who file a claim through “direct channels” For the industry average, the call center experience fails to deliver the same level of service as an agent. Especially during times of hardship when someone’s house has been destroyed or their valuable possessions have been lost, it’s difficult for a call center representative to replicate the personal relationship customers get with an agent. California is subject to storms that can happen at any time.  Your home is probably your largest investment and surely you would like the best coverage and service for it.  Scurich Insurance Services is your local agent.  Why not call them today for a free quote and suggestions for what you need.  They will be ready to help you when you need it. Scurich Insurance Services has proudly served the Monterey Bay area since 1924.  Scurich will take care of all of your insurance needs.  Are you a business owner, did you get a new car or maybe you are looking to protect your family in the event of a tragedy?  Give us a call, we can help! Let Scurich Insurance Services know if you are a Happy Customer! We are located at: Scurich Insurance Services 320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170 Watsonville, CA 95077-1170 Office: 1-831-722-3541 Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666 Website | Facebook | Blog | LinkedIn | Happy Customer

...ing your roof, or buying stronger roofing materials. Older homes can be retrof...