Jim

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So far Jim has created 106 blog entries.

How to Find Roof Leaks in Metro Detroit

With the storms rolling through Metro Detroit, you may have been surprised to find water dripping into your home. Leaking roofs could lead to bigger problems, so finding the leak in the roof and repairing it is a high priority. However, spotting a leak isn't as easy as you might think. Water can enter the roof in one spot and run to another before it actually starts leaking into the ceiling. The hole can be many feet away from where the ceiling is actually dripping. So, to make this process easier for you, here are some steps you can [...]

2022-09-29T10:42:10-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , , , |

Common Concrete Repairs in Royal Oak and Oakland County

Home maintenance is a necessity since, eventually, everything on and around a house deteriorates. Paint chips, roof shingles dislodge, wood rots. Even something solid like concrete eventually cracks or shifts. This is a common occurrence and we're constantly being asked to repair old driveways and sidewalks in Royal Oak and elsewhere. Since this is such a common occurrence, we want to inform you of the different problems that you could experience with concrete driveways, sidewalks, and stairs, with an overview of possible solutions. Cracked Concrete Small cracks are common and usually stem from everyday wear. The good news is that [...]

2022-09-29T10:42:47-04:00Categories: Concrete|Tags: , |

10 Signs That You Need A New Roof in Birmingham, Michigan

If you want to make your home a place to live for years to come you'll need to work on maintaining its structure. The roof is one of the most important parts of your home, adding character and value while protecting your home from harsh weather. While sturdy, after 20 years or so you may need a roof replacement. If your roof has many of the problems we've listed below, it might be time for a new one. 1. Algae Growth Algae can show up on your roof as a dark streak. Installing a zinc strip along the ridge [...]

2022-09-29T10:45:18-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , |

Choosing the Right Concrete Contractors in Rochester Hills, MI

In the past two weeks, we've taught you how to select the right roofing contractors and the right window contractors. Now, to complete your education, we're going to tell you how to pick the right concrete contractors. Getting the right contractors is important because with concrete you only get one shot. If it's done wrong the first time, you'll end up paying more to get it redone. Check References We can't emphasize this enough. Ask potential contractors for references and actually call them. If you can, set up a time with past customers to go check out the work [...]

2022-09-29T10:45:56-04:00Categories: Concrete|Tags: , |

Roof Life Span in Royal Oak and Oakland County, Michigan

Friday, we answered a common question about concrete and cement. Today, we want to answer another frequently asked question about roofing systems from our clients in Royal Oak, Michigan: How long does a new roof last? This of course depends on many different factors. Construction quality, local climate, shingle and material quality, and maintenance all play a role in how long your new roof will last. If you want a ballpark estimate, 20 years is the lifespan of most roofs. However, some roofing systems like clay and copper can last even longer. There are even coal tar built up [...]

2022-09-29T10:47:04-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , |

Difference Between Concrete and Cement – Metro Detroit Area

One of the questions that comes up a lot when we redo a driveway in the Metro Detroit area is the difference between concrete and cement. Today we'd like to give you all a quick education on the two to clear up any confusion you might have. Concrete is a material that binds crushed stone, rock, and sand while Cement is a fine powder made of limestone and minerals. Cement absorbs water and is used in concrete to hold the concrete together. So, concrete is the masonry material and cement is the ingredient in concrete that binds the crushed [...]

2022-09-29T10:47:48-04:00Categories: Concrete|Tags: |

Choosing the Right Roof Contractor in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Last week we talked about choosing the right window contractors. This week we want to focus on roofing contractors. It's important to be informed when choosing contractors so that you get your money's worth, especially if you're buying the designer shingles that are so popular in West Bloomfield, MI. Here we've compiled some questions to ask before selecting a roofing contractor. Are They Insured? You can ask to see a roofing contractor's insurance certificate. This helps you to find out if they carry liability and workers' compensation if an accident happens. However, an uninsured roofing contractor isn't necessarily a bad [...]

2022-09-29T10:53:40-04:00Categories: Roofing|Tags: , , |

Choosing the Right Window Contractors in Troy, MI

Make sure you get your money's worth by hiring the right window contractor. When it comes to window installation, hiring the right contractors is important. But how do you know who to choose? When doing a Yellow Pages search for window contractors in Troy, Michigan, there are 848 business listings. Your first instinct might be to pick the first business on the list and call it a day. Don't. If you go with the wrong contractor you might find yourself needing new windows again in the next couple of years. So, to help you pick a window contractor that [...]

2022-09-29T10:54:38-04:00Categories: Windows|Tags: , , |

Roofing Shingle Types

When it comes to redoing your roof, you want to select a shingle that’s aesthetically pleasing and offers good protection for your home. There are three common types of roofing shingles that Martino Home Improvements installs on homes: three-tab, architectural, and designer shingles. These three shingles each have their own advantages and choosing one depends on the house as well as the homeowner’s goal. To make the process easier on you, we've given an overview of each shingle. Three-Tab Roofing Shingles These were most common type of roofing shingle, three-tab shingles, and are considered “economy” shingles. They are rarely install [...]

2022-09-29T10:55:30-04:00Categories: Roofing|

Six Ways Roofing Companies Cut Corners to Lower Costs

Saving money on roofing repairs now may mean a living room full of pots and pans later. You need some improvements done to your roof so you make the dreaded phone call and get a company out for an estimate. To your surprise the price is a lot lower than you expected. You even have money leftover for that surround sound system you've been wanting. But before you get too excited and spend your money, you might want to get another estimate. Lower costs on roofing repairs usually mean that the company is cutting corners and not doing a good job. [...]

2022-09-29T10:56:36-04:00Categories: Roofing|