home, Ice Dams, ice melt systems

STOP ICE DAMS IN THEIR TRACKS

In New England, we are very familiar with the problems and costly repairs ice dams can create. Newhouse and Sun has partnered with Bylin, a manufacturer that provides a product that eliminates ice dams. Our ice melt products melt away snow and ice from critical areas of the roof stopping the formation of ice dams.

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We have many satisfied customers that didn’t have to worry about ice dams during the 2010-2011 winter since the heated panels were installed.

UNDERSTANDING ROOF ICE PROBLEMS

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Ice dams and icicles occur as a result of: Snow buildup on the roof Heat loss from the building Through insulation Through chimneys Through roof vents Winter temperature fluctuations – freeze/thaw cycles Solar heating during winter days with below freezing nights As roof snow accumulation increases, ice dam and icicle formation likewise increase. Subsequent water ponding can lead to roof leaks, internal building damage and possible mold issues. Falling icicles can create lower roof damage, deck damage and people safety issues.

Ask us how to keep your driveway and walkways free from ice and snow!

CHECK OUT SOME BEFORE & AFTER PICS OF OUR RIM SYSTEMS

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Energy, Green, home improvement, solar

The Rest of The World is Going Solar & Now You Can Too!

viridianDo you like the idea of saving money and the planet at the same time? If you’re a homeowner, then you owe it to yourself to consider going solar. Not only will you save a bundle on your energy bill, you will add resale value to your home and be saving the environment. What are you waiting for?

Some of the great benefits of installing solar now

  • Free Installation.
  • All maintenance included at no additional cost for the life of your contract. That includes any necessary repairs or replacements.
  • Locked-in low rates that can be significantly less than what you pay now for your electricity.
  • No paperwork: We will take care of all permitting and arrangements with your utility company.
  • Increases value to your home
  • Fully transferable

~It’s the smartest energy choice under the sun~

We also offer solar hot water panels as well. Solar water heaters can be a cost effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use — sunshine — is free. 

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home, Ice Dams, ice melt systems

Stop Ice Dams Before They Start

How to Prevent Ice Dams if you Live in Massachusetts

Ice dams usually form close to the lower edge of the roof. Massachusetts building code states that the affected area for ice dams is 3 feet inside a heated wall. This is why today’s roofers install ice and water shield on all lower edges, on all new roofing installations in New England. Ice and water shield comes in a roll that is 3 foot x 50 feet. If you do not account for the soffit area, and only use the three foot length, you will leave the affected area exposed.

Why Ice Dams Form on Lower Roof Edges

Due to poor insulation and ventilation to0 much heat escapes the living space (poor insulation), then it gets trapped against the roof (poor ventilation). Once heat escapes the living space, it should be vented out of the house. Once the escaped heat melts roof snow, water hits established dams, or creates new ones, and water backs up under the shingles. Older roofs do not have ice and water shield underlayment, so the water comes into the dwelling.

Ice Dam Prevention

  1. Get the snow off your roof; do not allow it to sit there. Either remove the snow yourself, or hire a roofing company to maintain your roof.
  2. Remove the lower 6 rows of shingles and install ice and water shield.
  3. Make sure you have good air flow from your soffit to your ridge vent (good ventilation).
  4. Make sure you have adequate insulation, and that your insulation does not block your ventilation.
  5. Install metal standing seam roofing.
  6. Install rooftop de-icing system.

Other Common Areas Ice Dams Form

  1. Dormers: It is difficult to insulate and ventilate most older dormers, and they tend to be low sloped. These should be completely covered in ice and water shield.
  2. Bay and Bow windows: again for the same reason, poor insulation and ventilation.
  3. Walls: Older homes with blown in insulation, insulation settles and allows to much heat to escape through the siding.

As one of the nation’s leading distributors and installers of innovative and high quality rooftop de-icing products, we make problems with ice dams and icicles a thing of the past for homes and businesses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. At Newhouse and Sun Construction, we create customer solutions that will prevent and get rid of ice dams and icicles on your home or buildingFOREVER. Adding more insulation, ventilating an attic, installing zig-zag cables, application of heat tape, or even putting on a new roof will not get rid of ice dams; it just puts a band-aid on the problem, and the ice dams will always come back.

If you would like to discuss your roof and ice damn issues, or would like an insulation and ventilation inspection, we would be glad to audit your home. Please call 978-657-7274 or email us at newhousesun@comcast.net

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carpet, home

How to Remove Stains From Carpet

I don’t know about you but I hate a dirty carpet. With things like kids, pets and daily traffic, you just never know what’s in ground in there. I recently had new carpets installed and it’s so crisp and clean…and I want to keep it that way! I bought a steam cleaner for overall cleaning but what about those stains? Those impossible little patches that scream to you every time you walk in the room? Well here is a short video from DIY Network that has just the trick.

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home, yard

In Ground Trampolines

There are many reasons why the latest trend is in ground trampolines. Not only is is safer for your kids but it also offers no obstruction in your view, no unsightly nets and it won’t end up in your neighbor’s yard with every gust of wind! Did you know that Newhouse & Sun installs in ground trampolines? Why not call today? (978) 657-7274

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flooring, home improvement

Ceramic and Porcelain and Stone ~ OH MY!

Which Tile Should You Choose?

Picking out tile can be a lot of work. With so many colors, textures and designs, it can be stressful too. Below is a short video that describes the different types of tiles and where they are best used. I’ve also included ten tips that can help you with choosing the right one for you. You can do this!

1, Remember a light color tiles make a smaller room feel bigger.

2, Be creative. Don’t be afraid of color and designs.

3, Don’t settle. Consider tile an investment and don’t compromise.

4, Plan ahead. Always purchase 5-10% more than you think you’ll need for mistakes and breakages.

5, Choose a tile grout color that compliments your tiles to help blend in grout lines.

6, If your wall or floor will require a lot of tile cuts (i.e. around fixtures/fittings), choose smaller tiles to give a better flow.

7, Try breaking up your wall tiles with a nice border.

8, Check the suitability. Make sure your tile is rated for where you plan to use it. ( ex. high traffic, outdoors etc..)

9, Make sure you always seal and treat the tiles.

10, Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The people at your local hardware stores are always willing to show off their knowledge!

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Green, home

Say Goodbye to Ants

ANTS!! They drive you crazy. They’re in your cupboards, on your counters, in your sugar bowl, under your sinks, crawling up your leg… ENOUGH!

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So off you go to buy some ant traps. Once home, you stand in your kitchen trying to decide where the safest place to put them is. I mean let’s face it, this stuff is poison! Most of us either have children, pets or just plain don’t want it anywhere near our food. Then you start thinking about how toxic this stuff is and how as a society we are supposed to be going GREEN, blah blah and then you are left with the dilemma, which is worse..the damn traps or the ants?

What if I told you there was a better way? A way that was natural AND that you probably had the solution already in your home? Well, it’s true. There are all natural ways to rid your home of ants without the side effects, stress and guilt. Here are some of those ways….

VINEGAR 

Pour some white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray along where the ants are coming in. It messes with the scent they leave for the rest of the ants to follow. Repeat daily for a couple days and you should see an improvement.

CHALK 

Ants won’t cross a chalk line. No one knows why but it’s true. Maybe it’s in the ants code of conduct book or something. The only down side is chalk lines everywhere. Your house might look like a crime scene but hey, you won’t have ants.

BABY POWDER

Baby powder has the same effect as the chalk. Sprinkle it where ants come in and they will go elsewhere. It also has the same downsides as the chalk lines but at least it smells good.

LEMON JUICE

Spray straight lemon juice where the ants come in and they won’t know what to do. The lemon scent messes with their sense of tracking. Lime has a similar effect but I like to save those for my margaritas. Priorities!

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

That’s a mouthful but what is it? Diatomaceous earth is a soft, crumbly, porous sedimentary deposit formed from the fossil remains of diatoms. Still confused? Yeah me too but it works. Plus, this one you put OUTSIDE of the home. Just sprinkle it around the perimeter of your home and it will keep away ants as well as other creepy crawly things. It’s also non toxic, just in case Fido decides to take a taste.

COFFEE GROUNDS

For some reason, ants don’t like the smell of coffee grounds. Crazy right? I mean it’s coffee! Anyway, Sprinkle this around the outside of your home to ward off ants. It’s also good around rose bushes and plants to keep the ants off of them too.

CORN MEAL

Sprinkle cornmeal around the outside of your home. The ants LOVE it, take it back to the nest and share with the colony. Ants can’t digest cornmeal so after they eat it, it expands and their stomachs explode. This one I feel a little guilty about. Don’t ask me what the difference is between poison and this method but to me it feels inhumane. Don’t judge!

ESSENTIAL OILS

Good essential oils to repel ants are peppermint, tea tree and lemon. Try mixing 8 oz of water in a spray bottle with 1/2 teaspoon natural soap, and 12 drops of the essential oil from the above.  Another option is to place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and wipe on baseboards and other entry points. You can also leave an essential oil-infused cotton ball in cabinets and other areas as needed. It’s like a little spa treatment for them. Sort of? Ok maybe not.

So there you have it. Try one or more of these methods and tell those ants to get packing! Good luck!

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home improvement, painting

How to Paint Interiors

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to give your home a fresh new look. Whether it’s just to brighten things up or go with a completely different look, paint is the easiest and cheapest way to achieve it. But how do you do it? Whether you are a seasoned painter or a first timer, you will find these tips from BEHR helpful. Good luck!

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bathroom

How to Unclog a Toilet

The other day I was at a friends house and she excused herself to use the bathroom. A few minutes later, I hear her yelling “Help, Help!” I ran upstairs and found her standing over the toilet, water overflowing everywhere. She looked at me in horror and said “What do I do??”  I quickly reached over, shut off the water valve and grabbed the plunger. As I unclogged the toilet, she looked on in amazement!    “How did you know how to do that?” she asked.

Some things you just assume everyone knows, but as we see here, that’s not the case. lol  Thanks to Home Depot, here is a video about how to unclog a toilet. Now you have no excuses!

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