Home Repair

Common Roof Problems

chicago general contractorsAt DAL Builders, we strive to help our customers protect the roof over their head with our extensive expertise and knowledge in roof construction and repairs. Our Chicago general contractors are committed to helping educate our customers on the importance of regular roof maintenance and repairs to preserve their properties. Below we discuss common roof issues to keep an eye out for in order to help save you money in the future.

Faulty Installation

Detrimental problems can occur if your roof was installed faulty or defective. Our roofing contractors can inspect and address all your roofing needs to ensure your property and belongings are safe and secure.

Leaks & Moisture

Over the years, moisture and water can reside in your roof from weather conditions, such as rain, wind, hail, and more. When moisture is found in your roof, it is commonly combined with mold, which is harmful to breathe for long periods of time. We suggest overlooking your ceilings for wet spots and possible leaks.

Faulty Flashing Installation

Flashing is a sealant that covers the areas of your roof that have opened to hold items such as your vent pipes, chimneys, and more. When your flashing is installed incorrectly, you will most likely begin to notice open seams which can cause your roof tiles to come off.

Contact us today at (773) 870-2128 to learn more about our roofing services.

Sizing up Your Remodeling Contractor

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Very few people will invite strangers into their home without knowing, at a minimum, who they are and if they can be trusted; hiring a remodeling contractor should be no different. Home remodeling projects take a lot of time and investment, which means that you’ll most likely be interacting with your contractor a lot, and you would want someone you can get along with and rely on completely. Here are some things to check off your list before making a final decision: Continue reading

Let Fifty Shades Inspire Your New Bathroom Design

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The popular adult-fiction novel written by E.L. James will be hitting cinemas on February 2015, and already, a lot of fans are excited to glimpse Jamie Dornan play the illustrious Mr. Christian Grey on the big screen. Even before the much awaited flick becomes a box office hit, though, homeowners and interior designers are already coming up with their own interpretations of what fifty shades of gray, as in the color, will literally look like when used as inspiration for sophisticated bathroom designs. Continue reading

Porch Protection: How to Keep It in Top Form

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Your porch is exposed to the elements on a daily basis and this exposure can lead to the need for constant repairs on your porch. This can be avoided by regular maintenance. Here are a few tips on how you can properly care of your porch:

  • Regularly check for termites. A lot of porches are made of wood, so it can be a tempting meal for termites. This is especially so with the porch being easily accessible. This is why regular checks for termites can be useful so that early treatment can halt the problem in its tracks.

  • Wind damage. Strong winds can ruin a perfectly good porch. After a strong blow, you’ll want to clean up the mess that’s been made. Replace any damaged fixtures and take a look if any damage has been done to the roof or flooring.

  • Do Regular Cleaning. An unwashed deck can invite rot and mildew into the wooden floor. Regular cleaning helps prevent this and can help identify any emerging problems. You can remove debris that’s stuck to the porch’s flooring with a putty knife. Use the appropriate cleaners for the type of flooring you have; wooden floors need standard cleaners, while composite and vinyl decks need some special formulas and applications.

Considerations before Finishing your Basement

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No basement renovation idea would be complete without first addressing the issue of finishing. There are plenty of options when it comes to turning a plain basement into a cozy and comfortable living space, but before you start copying decoration designs from magazines, you first need to ensure that the space under your main floor is worthy structurally, and capable of being transformed. To determine how livable your basement will be, consider these points: Continue reading

Simple Home Remodeling Requires Careful Thought

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Remodeling projects are more affordable than buying a new home. Homeowners should consider doing one to add value to their homes. That said, even a simple kitchen renovation or a new patio construction can become quite complicated if homeowners do not give sufficient thought to such projects.

For example, deck construction is one home remodeling project that has a sizable return on investment. Experts agree that a brand-new deck can certainly recoup about 72 percent of its original value over time. However, the variety of deck options available usually complicates matters. Pressure-treated wood is a popular option for homeowners since it is cheap and easy to work with. On the other hand, this material needs to be refinished every other year, thereby increasing its cost in the long run. Continue reading

Bathroom Remodeling: Design and Plumbing

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Bathroom remodeling projects can be a huge boon in your household, whether you’re looking to boost up the selling price of your house, or you simply want to make it more efficient and convenient for your family. However, when remodeling anything in your bathroom, be it something as simple as replacing the bathtub, aesthetics isn’t the only thing you should be worried about.

For instance, bathroom renovations need to prioritize privacy as much as possible. Regardless if the owner wishes to replace the tub with a shower or not, the contractor must ensure that the bathing area has sufficient cover. The toilet also deserves the same treatment, which means that it needs to be positioned well away from the door. Alternatively, a separate toilet room can be built to provide more privacy. Continue reading

Things to Look Out for when Building a Porch

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Your porch determines the first impression that visitors get about your house, and yes, as the saying goes, it does last, pretty much like how a first handshake can already speak volumes about a person. With this in mind, it’s only prudent that you keep your front porch looking its best at all times. Here are a few things about it that you should keep in mind:

Porch vs Façade

Designing a porch requires you to look at the house façade and to visualize the final outcome. If you visualize the porch area as a transitional space between the house and the garden, and the house is a bit small, you cannot expand the house structure; it might overpower the façade. A window screen will suffice. Continue reading

Basement Remodeling: Clean-Up and Inspection

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Of all the rooms in the house, the basement is arguably the most neglected for the simple reason that it’s not a room for a household to do much of their daily activities. However, with simple remodeling, a basement can actually turn into a welcoming place where people would actually want to hang out. However, when remodeling a basement, there are things to be done in preparation.

Proper basement remodeling requires a thorough inspection of the internal and external premises to avoid any potential mishaps. It has to be inspected for susceptibility to flooding from rainfall, sewage runoff, or pipework malfunctions. Neglecting to determine the basement’s overall condition can lead to potential water damage and mold buildup in the long run. Continue reading

Remodeling Contractors: Did You Hire the Right One?

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Remodeling a house involves more than your money and resources; it also entails emotions. Having to deal with a remodeling project that is failing to meet your expectations can be exhausting and stressful, as for the most part, you’d be spending more money to make the needed adjustments, or to fix the mess. How can you tell if you have, indeed, hired the right contractor for the job? How do you make sure you get the best? Here are a few tips that will help you arrive at the right choice. Continue reading