Kansas City Remodeling - KC Remodel News » Exterior Improvements

Gutters & Downspouts – Keep That Water Away!

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:26:28 +0000

Clogged Gutters - a Kansas City homeowners worst enemy!

Here in Kansas City most of our homes have gutters and downspouts to capture and direct the water away from our home. Gutters are the troughs along the roofline that collect the water from the roof, and the downspouts carry the water down the side of the home and into the yard.

Because of the low slope of the gutters, some attention needs to be given to them to keep them working well.

Here are some maintenance suggestions to keep the water moving:

Clean out your gutters and downspouts in the spring and fall. Typically you can just take a garden hose and flush them out with some water. Be sure and get all the dirt moving and flushed away.
Sometimes the elbows – where the downspouts bend – can become clogged with dirt and leaves. Be sure to clear any obstructions.
Check for any leaks at the joints and end caps. Apply new sealant to these joints as needed to keep them from leaking.
Be sure that ALL the water is being directed away from your foundation. You may have to put on extenders or longer splash blocks to get the water far enough away.
If you have a lot of leaves that clog your guttering, you might consider installing one of the “caps” like Gutter Helmet that is sold here locally in Kansas City. These allow for the water to easily enter your gutter from the roof, but keep the leaves out!

With some simple yearly maintenance, you can keep the water flowing quickly away from your home.

Watch for Worn Shingles on Roof Peak in Kansas City

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:44:47 +0000

Replace Worn Ridge Shingles

A very common place to have problems with your roof in Kansas City is the ridge cap shingles. Because these shingles cover the peak of your roof, they have to be bent and nailed down.

This bend can cause the shingle to deteriorate more quickly than the rest of the roof.

The ridge cap shingles are made from the same material as the shingles on the rest of the roof. So the good news is that if they degrade faster and need to be replaced, it is a simple fix that can be done without replacing the entire roof.

You should inspect these shingles every year, or hire a Kansas City Roofing Contractor to swing by your house to take a look.

I believe in having qualified professionals inspect your homes roof regularly to head off any potentially serious and costly problems before they develop.

Is it time to paint my Kansas City Home?

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:39:43 +0000

How do you know when it is time to paint the exterior of your Kansas City home? Painting the outside of your home can improve the overall look and add value. However, to the average homeowner in Kansas City it can be difficult to know when it is time.

You can always call upon a qualified Kansas City painter, but there are a few simple things you can look into right now.

Peeling and Cracking
In Kansas City our environment is pretty hard on the outside of our homes. The extreme heat and cold – and quick temperature changes – all contribute to peeling and cracking. Most of the time you will notice these problems on the trim board of your home first.

Cracked Sealants
You should inspect the sealants (caulk) around your trim boards and windows yearly. These are easy to redo yourself or have a pro come out and do it for you.

Faded Colors
If you notice your paint looking dull and faded, this can be a good sign it is time to repaint. If you have a well painted home that was properly prepared, modern paints should last 10 to 15 years. The problem is that many new homes are barely painted to industry standards – and the coating will fail much quicker.

As you evaluate the paint on your home, never be afraid to call upon a reputable Kansas City painting contractor. These companies see all types of situations and are typically well qualified to answer your questions and let you know if it is time to spend the bucks to repaint your house.

Kansas City Replacement Windows – $1500 Tax Credit!

Kansas City Remodeling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:32:03 +0000

Remember the huge stimulus bill of 2009? Well, there is a way for you to actually get a chunk of that cash – by replacing your old drafty windows with new replacement windows in Kansas City.

Here is how I understand the requirements (be sure and review them yourself) – New replacement windows MUST have a 0.30 U-Factor (value) or less AND a 0.30 SHGC to qualify.

Your tax credit is 30% of the cost to replace the windows up to $1,500 maximum.

So here is a quick example:
If you spend $6,000 you would receive the full $1,500 tax credit. The windows would need to be intalled between December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010 to the tax credit from the 2009 Stimulus Bill.

It is up to you, the homeowner, to keep the records that prove the windows meet the requirements. The IRS will have forms (of course they will) for homeowners to fill out to receive the credit.

So if you are looking for replacement windows in Kansas City – now is probably a good time to make the decision. I would advise you talk to both the window contractor and your tax professional before making the purchase to be sure the windows you are purchasing meet the requirements.