Jetlag Magazine | Helping you and your house become better acquainted

Foundation Floor Cracks, What Next?

December 8, 2019December 8, 2019

Foundation cracks can be found in the majority of homes across New Jersey. The trick is knowing when to take action.

If your home wasn’t built last week, and we’re willing to bet it wasn’t, you’ve probably noticed a few cracks in the foundation floor by now. These are caused by a variety of factors ranging from increased moisture and water pressure, to settlement and structural deficiency. Luckily more serious foundation issues can be identified and prevent if you catch them early enough.

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So what can you do about your foundation floor cracks? Let’s take a look at the facts.

How large is the crack. Are we talking hairline, 1/4″? Larger? Larger cracks in your floor slab can signify a bigger structural issue, especially if both sides of the crack are shifting and moving away from one another. Give your local foundation repair company of structural engineer a call, to be on the safe side.
Have you noticed mold, mildew, fungi, weeds, or insects? Okay, sounds gross––we know. But it can happen. Cracks in your foundation floor exposes your home to the elements, allowing for a variety of potential intruders. Save the weed killer for your driveway, not your basement.
Any dark staining or moisture? During a rain storm, do you notice water coming up out of the cracks? If so, ensure your primary sump pump is working. Don’t have one? You may need to consider installing an interior french drain/pump system. Check for dark staining as well, this can be a sign of moisture.

Choosing The Right Roofing Company Is Important And Easy

October 27, 2019December 3, 2019

There should really be little doubt of the importance of getting the right roofing company as there are often stories abound of people being over charged for work that was carried out. It therefore makes sense to really spend some time looking at the firm in question before then feeling confident enough to offer them the job in question.

When it comes to choosing this kind of roofing company it can actually be useful to have a basic idea as to who you may call prior to actually needing to do so. The reason for this is that should there be an emergency you can just pick up the phone rather than worrying about whether they will be good enough or not.

There are several points to really take into consideration but your main concern should really be looking at the general background of the roofing company in question. By doing this you can then start to feel more relaxed about using them and believe that they will indeed be able to do a great job after all.

What you should look at are things such as the experience they have actually built up as well as ensuring they are also licensed and insured to do this kind of roof work. Just these few things will then boost your confidence in using the same people and help you believe that they are indeed capable of doing the roof work.

Another thing you are certainly advised to do is try and get a series of references from sources that you know can actually be trusted. These are great as they let you find out what it really is like to hire a particular roofing company from people who have already done so and you will also be able to get an idea as to how good the roof work was.

Do always ensure you get a breakdown of the costs before allowing the roof work to commence to ensure you are completely happy with the price given. This will tend to be in writing and you will then know you can afford the roof work before any of it actually starts.

So choosing the right Dayton roofing company is very important and should be quite easy if you are willing to take your time in looking at them. By the end of it all you should at least feel quite good about who you hire and know they are able to do the job in question and to the standard you expect.

The right air conditioner for your home

November 3, 2018October 21, 2019

Buying an air conditioner can be a stressful time, there are quite a few varieties and the price can vary greatly. It is a long-term investment in not only your house but the future comfort levels of you and your family. Then on top of that, you need to get it installed also, there is a lot to think about. We can help you with the installation part, we know of a very skilled tradesman that specialises in air conditioner installation, they can even help you with picking the right type of air conditioner for your home. Ducted and roof mounted air-conditioners will need the help of a roofing contractor to complete the installation and ensure there are no leakage issues.

What type are there?

Split-system: These are probably the most common and affordable in most Australian houses. They have two parts: an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor unit connected by pipes. They’re usually used to cool one or more rooms.

Ducted: This is the best option for controlling the temperature of your entire house, which obviously becomes much more expensive. It has tremendous advantages but that comes with a cost, a control panel to control the temperatures throughout your house is standard with this type of system too.

Wall/window: These can be installed in a wall or a window and can cool down rooms up to around 50 square meters. These are not that popular these days as a split system air conditioner can do the same job and are a much better option.

Portable: These are air conditioners that can usually be wheeled around the house. They generally have a pipe that must be attached to a window to vent heat outside. They are also less efficient than split systems, however, if you are renting you may not be able to install a better system and it may be your only option.

We recommend that you talk to a professional before you make a decision on which system to install. It is a thing that will be in your house for many years to come and it can set you back a decent amount of money, so you obviously want to make sure you make the right decision the first time.

Gutter Replacement and when to do it

November 2, 2018

Replacing your gutter is incredibly important in a number of scenarios, when your gutters are leaking, the design of the gutters doesn’t match what you want for your house, maybe you bought it with a style of gutters you weren’t overly keen on. Bad gutters can also be a safety hazard, a damaged gutter or its supports could collapse on a heavy rain day. It could damage your property or worse yet it could hurt you or a family member.

You need to make sure that you are keeping an eye out for warning signs that your gutter system needs to be cleaned, repaired or even replaced. Do not just assume that your house is always going to be in good working order, the damage you could incur could be prevented by simply following some simple steps.

1. Cracks or splits of any kind

Even a small crack in your gutter is a problem, a smallish crack might seem like it isn’t that important but even the smallest of cracks will turn into bigger ones eventually. This might actually happen much faster than you think. The other problem with a crack or split is that water dripping running through the crack will damage the outside edges of the split, the water could also run onto other surfaces and damage them over time.

2. Pools of water or signs of mildew around your home’s foundation

Gutters are obviously made in a way that is designed to keep water away from your home’s foundation. If you are looking around your house after a storm and you start to notice pools of water or mildew near your foundation this can indicate that your gutters are not directing water away from your house as well as they should be. This may not require you to replace your gutters as it could be something as simple as a clog. Examine your gutters regularly.

3. Paint peeling on or around your gutters

Gutters are typically painted with a paint that withstands normal wear and tear of a rainy season. However if you are noticing your paint is peeling off your gutters and they aren’t particularly old. If you see this happening or perhaps you see little orange flecks around the place this is a sign that rust is beginning, it can also be a indication that water is constantly present.

Any of these factors may be a reason for you to consider replacing your gutter but there can be others too.

10 Roof Restoration Safety Tips: Jetlag Mag Guide102

September 25, 2018October 15, 2018

There are many roof restoration and construction tips ignored by the people at the site, here are a few construction safety tips for roofers, house painters and pressure cleaners who may work at heights.

Equipment-

Entering and exiting a machine is one of the causes of injuries especially for forklift drivers. Make sure to check your gloves and boots, clear off any mud if any. Use a step ladder to access when there is no hand or foothold kept. Avoid carrying any object while climbing.

Loading/unloading equipment-

There is a risk of the machine to roll over when it is being loaded or unloaded. To prevent this, make sure you are centered on the ramps and have to stay straight. Even on level ground, there is a risk of machine roll-over during loading or unloading.

Crowding the work area-

People next to the ground must keep a distance from the machine’s operating area. To avoid such situations, use the horn to warn people to stay back or stop the machine if needed.

Swing radius-

Make sure to know the swing radius of the machine before using it in the operating area. You should rope off the swing radius around the machine, allow and use a spotter to keep all people clear from danger.

Operating on slopes-

Always take extra precautions when working on slopes. It is easy to take a load up the slope but getting down can be dangerous, so make sure to know the limit of the machine before climbing the slope and do not push it.

Obstructions-

Overhead obstructions are common in the work area which includes electrical lines, water, sewer, gas, and telecom, etc. Mark, the overhead lines, continue to use caution even after they have marked as there can be chances of error. Dig using the hand when you get closer to the mark.

Reversing-

Check the machine’s surroundings before moving. If your vision is impaired, then use a spotter to guide you. Make use of the wide-angle mirrors fitted for the best view of the surface. Using rear-mounted cameras are becoming more useful as the technology improves.

Machine upset-

Number one rule while operating a machine is to use a seat belt. An operator will not be reminded to wear a seat belt even if the door’s closed. It can decrease the amount you will bounce around the machine in an upset machine situation. The operators must know the stability characteristics of the machine.

Instability of load-

Make sure to keep the people clear when the load is being lifted or handled. Send away the people to a safe distance when a pipe is moved around, never lift a load over people. Operators must understand that there limitations that should be observed and that safety is primary.

Follow safety signs and procedures-

The workers must read and understand the signs and procedure given at the construction site. Safety signs can help the workers in understanding what to do during a situation in the operating area.