Tag: #palmbeacchcountyremodeling

Home-Repair: Roof and Gutter Repairs / Maintenance

Home Maintenance/Repairs

Water Stains on the Ceiling and In the Attic

Image result for leaky house clipart

If you live in South Florida, every day seems like a rainy day and the afternoon storms are quite strong.  If you are noticing stains on your ceilings or leaks in your attic, it may be a result of broken or packed gutters or cracks in your roof or flashing.

Gutter Maintenance

Inspect and clean your gutters and make sure they are free of debris. Also, make sure your gutter connections are sound and the downspouts are clear.

Roof Tiles Cracked / Discolored or Broken Shingles

If you notice your roofing tiles are broken, cracked or missing, it is a sign that they need to be replaced. Walking on your roof, if you are not careful, can also cause tiles to crack and damage your roof.

Use a Camera From the Ground to Inspect Your Roof

To check your roof – without using a ladder and walking on your roof, zoom in with a camera to inspect from the ground.  Gutter cleaning and repairs require that you use a ladder.  If you are ladder-shy contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. and we will assist you with this project.

When to Call a Professional – Like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

If you have water-stained drywall – do not replace it yourself. You may need mold remediation. Let a professional assess the situation so you don’t risk spreading mold spores into your home.

Also, the safety risk isn’t worth it for repairing or replacing anything on the roof.  Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a state licensed roofing contractor!

If you are ladder-shy or don’t own a ladder, contact a professional for your gutter cleaning and repairs. Safety first!

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Ideas: Proper Planning Reduces Stress When Remodeling Your Kitchen

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas

You can have a brand new kitchen just like mama’s!

I recently performed a total replacement of my mother-in-law’s kitchen.  Here’s some helpful advice I gave her that you will find eases the stress when you are ready to remodel your kitchen.

Set up a separate, temporary kitchen.

If at all possible, move your current refrigerator to another room in the house, where you can still access it.. A spare microwave is also a critical appliance.Be creative with small plug-in appliances that can make life easier during construction, such as a coffee maker or electric skillet.

Find a place in your home to eat.

Most times setting up a card table in the family room does the trick, or go formal and use your dining room.

Invest in paper plates and disposable utensils.

You will end up having to wash dishes in a bathroom sink, so it’s best to keep a stockpile of disposable plates and utensil handy.

Think about your pets.

If your pets are used to having the run of the house, consider how they will be affected when sections of the house are off-limits to them. Above all, ensure their safety.

Get a sketch or design plans beforehand. 

Think about how the kitchen is going to work from a functional level. It’s also wise to think about where all your current kitchen items and appliances will fit into the new kitchen.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Don’t agonize over the smallest details like hardware and countertop edges. Keep a sense of perspective and don’t get hyperfocused and paralyzed by decisions on the smallest details, which cause delays. The point is for all of it to come together beautifully.

 

When you are ready to be the proud owner of your dream kitchen, know that Leading Edge Homes will be there to help you from start to finish so you can have a gorgeous kitchen just like “Mama’s”.

If you have specific questions about kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, or any other home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HELP! There is a Water Stain on My Ceiling

Home Improvement

Air Vent StainingWhy Is There A Water Stain On My Ceiling Next To An A/C Vent?

Now that summer is in full swing, the temperature inside your attic can be well over 100 degrees.  The temperature inside your air conditioned house is probably between 72 and 80 degrees.

Construction Details Count

If there is an air gap between the register “can” and the ceiling drywall, condensation (water) will form on the warm side because of the extreme temperature differential and drip onto the drywall leaving a stain when the drywall dries out.  Do not fear.  There is a solution for this problem.

How To Solve The Problem

First, remove the grill from the ceiling.  Then, carefully spray expandable foam between the register “can” and the drywall that surrounds it.  I say carefully because the foam can drip, or if too much is applied, it can get over everything and it’s difficult to clean up.

Once the foam is completely dry, tear off any excess foam and spray the water-stained ceiling drywall with oil-based Kilz (white pigmented shellac).  Once the Kilz dries, touch up the ceiling with matching paint and reinstall the grill.

Problem solved!

Questions?

If you have questions about about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Taking the Heat – Spray Foam VS Batt Insulation

Home Improvement

Spray Foam VS Fiberglass Batt Insulation: Which Is Better?

Virtually every room addition and home remodeling project I have completed over the last 24 years has needed wall and ceiling insulation.  I understand the trouble homeowners are faced with when making the decision of which type of insulation to use due to the long term consequences.  While both types of insulation have their own unique pros and cons, this article will explain enough of the benefits and drawbacks of each type so you can decide for yourself which is best for your situation.

The Difference Between Price and Cost

Before getting into each type of insulation, it would be helpful to review the difference between price and cost.  Price is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket to initially buy a product.  Cost is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket over the lifetime of owning a product.  If you are remodeling a bathroom and just need to insulate the ceiling, the low price option (fiberglass batts) makes the most sense.  If you are adding 1000 s.f. of living space to your house, the low cost option (spray foam) probably makes the most sense if you have no intentions of moving.

Fiberglass Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of fiberglass insulation is its low cost, availability in small quantities, and ease of installation by almost anyone.  The downside is that it allows a lot of air movement because it does not seal tightly to itself or structural members, it gets installed above the ceiling still allowing the attic above it to get very hot in the summer, and it is not as efficient of an insulator on an inch by inch basis.

Spray Foam Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of spray foam insulation is many:  more efficient than fiberglass bath (inch per inch), near 100% air sealing, soffit and ridge vents are not needed, applied to the underside of the roof deck so attic is kept cool and a smaller size HVAC system can be used, and it won’t get stepped on and have its R-value reduced due to its application location.  It’s downsides include it must be applied by an approved application company and set-up/minimum charges start at about $1,500.

 

Questions?

If you have questions about  about any home improvement or remodeling project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Kitchen Ideas: Bermuda Triangle or Perfect Triangle?

Home Improvement, Kitchen Ideas, Uncategorized

Making Your Kitchen Easier to Work In

The kitchen is the most used room in the house.  At parties, guests seem almost magnetically drawn to the kitchen.  That’s where the food and drinks are, so this makes sense.  But when you’re cooking before they arrive, is your work triangle like the Bermuda Triangle?

Leading Edge Homes Inc. - Kitchen with Work Triangle

The work triangle refers to the triangle created between your stove, refrigerator, and the sink.  These three “areas” are some of the most important components.  If you have a small kitchen – and as a result, a small work triangle – you almost don’t have enough space to maneuver.  On the other hand, if your work triangle is too big, you not only run yourself to death, but you also have to carry heavy dishes long distances.

Work Triangle Basics

Long ago, when designers started paying attention to how kitchens function day-to-day, they realized there was a natural triangle of traffic for whomever was doing the cooking.  Through years of research they discovered some figures and principles of sound kitchen design.

  • No one side of the triangle should be greater than nine feet or less than four feet.  If you slightly exceed or don’t meet these measurements, this doesn’t mean that your kitchen is dysfunctional.  However, you should measure the distance to each triangle component to see exactly how your kitchen measures up.  If you notice that you feel cramped on one side or can barely make it to the sink with a pot of boiling water on the other, then you might benefit from a kitchen remodel.

 

  • The triangle should not be interrupted by traffic or cabinetry.  If your work triangle dimensions are correct, but they don’t include walking around the island to get to the stove, or that people are always moving to the trashcan or standing by the refrigerator, then maybe kitchen traffic needs to be detoured.

 

  • The perimeter of the triangle should measure no more than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet.  If you have a small kitchen and each component is four feet away from the other, there’s not much you can do.  But consider how easy it is to work in your kitchen.  If something always feels a bit off when you are preparing a big meal, interior designers can help to restructure your kitchen.

If your kitchen doesn’t measure up and is not working for you, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 so we can collaborate with you to create your dream kitchen that functions properly.

Questions?

If you have specific questions about kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, or any other home improvement project, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Will My Air Conditioning System Be Sufficient When I Do My Room Addition

Home Improvement, Room Additions

Will I Need A Larger Air Conditioning System Or An Additional One For The Room Addition?

The answer depends on how much additional air conditioning is required, how old the existing system is, and whether you want a back-up system if the main system has a failure.  Sometimes it’s a matter of personal choice.

Common Myth

Bigger isn't always Better

Bigger isn’t always better!

Before expanding on each option, a typical notion must be dispelled.  Air conditioning is a prime example of where more is not better.  Having too large of an air conditioning system can cause the formation of mold and mildew.  This is because an over-sized system will cool the house down quickly and shut off, but not stay on long enough to remove humidity from the air.

Industry Change

Manufacturers have stopped making one ton units due to a lack of demand.  One and a half ton units are often too large for an addition.  If this is the case, the existing system would need to be replaced with one that is one ton larger.  This is easier to justify if the existing system is 10 years old or older, but sometimes there is no other choice.

Alternative Idea

Provided the addition has at least 600 s.f. of living space, or if part of the existing house ductwork can be fed off the new system to reach 600 s.f., a separate system is the way to go.  If one A/C system goes down, you can always stay in the part of the house that has working A/C until the other one is repaired.  If you only have one A/C system and it goes down on a Friday night, you and your family could be miserable and fighting with one another, or out more money for a hotel room, if it doesn’t get repaired until Tuesday.

Questions?

If you have specific questions or need a home inspection, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach Count
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Bathroom Ideas – Choosing a Vanity Sink / Bowl

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement

BEWARE OF WHAT YOU PURCHASE

The new vanity for your bathroom make look great in the store and the price is too hard to _MG_1996pass up.  You think the vanity will look perfect in your home. However, like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

YOUR PERFECT VANITY MAY END UP COSTING YOU MORE

A past client of mine found out the hard way and it cost her over $700 to correct the problem.  She purchased her “prefect vanity” from a furniture / art store.  What she didn’t know was that the vanity had a vitrous china bowl (what some of you refer to as the sink) made in Mexico.  Others are made in China, Spain and elsewhere.

Vitrous china bowls are glazed and MUST have either a sticker on them stating what bathroom-sinksAmerican or Canadian safety standard they have passed or have manufacturer’s documentation stating what American or Canadian safety standard they have passed.  For tempered glass vessels (bowls that sit on top of the counter like in the picture to the left) there is a Canadian safety standard they must pass.  Plumbing inspectors check for this.  Without the proof…  you will have to purchase a bowl and have it installed in your cabinet.

Don’t fail an inspection needlessly.

If you have specific questions, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Think About Your Dog When Doing a Home Remodeling Project

Home Improvement

When you do a home improvement project, an addition, bathroom renovation or kitchen update, don’t forget to think about your four-legged friend. Depending on the project, home remodeling can be stressful for a pet and even dangerous. So how can you keep your pet safe and comfortable during the process?  PetPlus (blog.petplus.com)had some excellent advice:

1. Inspect Your Home

Before doing any serious remodeling, you should have your home inspected to check for lead-based paint, mold, and asbestos insulation. These things require special handling and removal as they can really irritate a pet’s respiratory system.

2. Supervise or Contain Your Pet

If you plan to have workers in your home, don’t expect them to look after your pet, keep doors closed, or be aware of safety hazards, such as loose nails or open paint cans. Supervise your pet when you can and contain them when you can’t. For very busy or loud days, you may also want to consider taking your pet to daycare or dropping them off with a responsible friend or family member.

3. Ask Workers to Alert You When Using Hazardous Materials

Remodeling may involve sprays, fumes, paints, and other toxic or irritating substances that could harm your pet. Ask workers to tell you if they are using anything dangerous, and if they are, remove your pet from the house for the day. If you’ll be doing projects yourself, try to select products that are natural and pet-safe.

4. Work Outside When Possible

Is there cutting, spraying, or painting that can happen outside of the house? This will help to reduce dust and irritants inside.

5. Offer a Safe Space For Your Pet

If your pet will be home while work is taking place, offer them a safe and quiet place to rest, such as a private room with a closed door. Move your pet’s essentials (such as hus crate, food, water, and toys) inside of the room, and place a sign on the door indicating that it should stay closed. This not only provides your pet with a place to escape loud noises and commotion, it will also protect your pet from dust and odors that could irritate them or cause an allergic reaction.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Protect Yourself When Doing a Home Remodeling / Home Improvement Project

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Top Consumer Complaints of 2014

Stress free home remodeling.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. makes your home remodeling experience stress free.

Unfortunately, the home improvement industry as a whole took two of the top five consumer complaints according to a report published by the Consumer Federation of America.  Although misrepresentations by car dealers took the top spot, shoddy home repair jobs was #2 and “services”, which definitely includes the home improvement industry, was #5.  Leading Edge Homes, Inc. wants your home remodeling experience to be stress free!

 

  1. Home Improvement & Construction:

The top complaint was “Shoddy work, failure to start or complete the job.” That is why we recently reminded you to do your due diligence when hiring a home remodeling contractor.

  1. Services

People who hired lawyers, real estate brokers and other service people had grievances about their help not having proper licenses, misrepresenting their service or doing shoddy work. Florida requires that a contractor be licensed for many home improvement contracts. Verify a contractor’s license and that they are licensed to do the type of project you want. Click here for a list of services that requires a Florida license.

How Do Palm Beach County Homeowners Protect Themselves?

Go to www.remodelingquestions.com for lots of free, helpful advice to keep you from being a victim.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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A Room Addition May Mean Changes to Your Electric

Home Improvement

Safety standards when you do a home remodeling project can protect you from an arcing wire.  It may cost more, but your life is worth it!

For safety reasons, a special kind of circuit breaker is now required for most circuits in your home.  Arcing wiring is a leading cause of electrical fires in homes, and many of them happen in bedrooms.

What Is An AFCI Receptacle?

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) have been required for circuits in bedrooms under the National Electrical Code since 2002, but they are now required on most other circuits as well. The AFCI is designed to trip if it senses an arc. The updated code calls for AFCIs on most circuits, including some that also must be protected by a GFCI.

What Is A GFCI Receptacle?

Most people are familiar with the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which is now widely installed in kitchens, baths and other areas with running water and is recognizable by the reset button on the face of the outlet.  The GFCI breaker trips when current flows unimpeded – the idea is to prevent people from being shocked.

Cost Implications

The increase in cost is potentially large.  Standard 15- and 20-amp breakers sell for under $10.  The AFCI breakers in those amperages start at $30 and up.  For a full 42-slot 200-amp panel, that can mean a cost increase of $1000 or more.  While the largest impact will be on new construction or complete rewires where panels are being assembled from scratch, the added costs can significantly boost the cost of remodels as well.

Summary

AFCIs can be temperamental. Check with your electrician if you’re having trouble with a tripping AFCI.  They may have suggestions about how to use your devices differently or may even try trading out the breaker for a new one.

The upside of the AFCI code is that it should reduce the risk of electrical fires in homes where the breakers are installed.  The downside is that it is likely to take many years before they become as ubiquitous as the GFIs we all know so well.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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