gable-end-bracing
By Embick Admin Construction • Renovation • Roofing • • 0 Comments

Gable End Bracing

Your house has a gable end if you have a sloped roof with a vertical wall that forms a triangle under the end of the roof.

Gable end walls and the roof sheathing at the gable end can take a tremendous beating during a hurricane, and if not properly attached and braced, they fail and cause catastrophic damage to your home. However, of all the possible structural retrofits, gable end walls can be the easiest to strengthen and should be a high priority on your retrofit list.

 

Areas of concern:

  • The number one issue with gable ends is the attachment of the roof sheathing at the gable end. If you have re-roofed and re-nailed the rood deck, you have gone a long way towards reducing damage at gable ends. If you have not strengthened the roof sheathing attachment, you can use adhesives to temporarily strengthen the sheathing attachment.
  • Most gable end walls of older houses are weaker than they should be to withstand a hurricane and are poorly connected and braced.

The following actions are recommended to strengthen and properly brace a gable end wall.

  1. Anchor and brace the bottom of the gable end's triangular wall to the ceiling joists or ceiling framing.
  2. Strengthen the gable end wall studs.
  3. Brace the top of the gable end wall by tying it to the rafters or tops of the trusses.
hurricane-strap-retrofit
By Embick Admin Construction • Renovation • Roofing • • 0 Comments

Hurricane Straps

Hurricane Straps

The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it’s important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it. You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these four critical areas:

  • roof
  • windows
  • doors
  • garage doors

A great time to start securing — or retrofitting — your house is when you are making other improvements or adding an addition. In both cases, your local building code will require that your work conform to certain requirements. And, although you may not need to comply with current code requirements on the rest of your house, this may be a good opportunity to do so. Remember: building codes reflect the lessons experts have learned from past catastrophes. Contact your local building code official to find out what requirements are necessary for your home improvement projects.

Solatube_index
By Embick Admin Construction • Renovation • Roofing • • 0 Comments

Solatube Lighting Systems

Solatube tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs for short, are affordable, high-performance lighting solutions that bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows simply can’t reach. Sometimes called “tubular skylights,” “light tubes,” “sun pipes,” and even “light tunnels,” TDDs have become the ideal solution for lighting interiors in a cost-effective, energy-efficient and eco-friendly way because they significantly reduce the need for electricity while keeping people connected to the outdoor environment.

Read more

impact-doors-windows
By Embick Admin Construction • 0 Comments

Impact Windows and Doors

Impact-resistant windows consist of impact-resistant glass surrounded by a heavy-duty frame that is securely fastened to the interior window header and frame. Their construction and anchoring keep hurricane winds and debris from breaching your home’s outer envelope. Let the experts at Embick Impact Windows and Doors give you honest advice.

Read more

water-mold-removal-remediation
By Embick Admin Construction • Renovation • • • • 0 Comments

Water and Mold Remediation

We understand how stressful water intrusion can be as a homeowner. We work with insurance companies and homeowners to ensure the work gets done quickly and the right way.

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

  • Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
  • Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or on a pet.
  • Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water.
  • Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
  • Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
  • Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.