Care & Maintenance of AZEK Deck Flooring

I had a customer reach out to me recently to get information on how to remove a rust stain from her AZEK® Deck.  Answering the customer, I thought it would be a good idea to share the following information with everyone!  It answers the customer’s question and a lot of other questions that people may have regarding their porches and decks.  At Quinn’s  Construction we use and recommend AZEK® products, especially their decking, with great confidence and pride.

AZEK® Porch and Deck Boards require only an occasional cleaning to retain their beautiful color and wood-grain texture. That’s because AZEK’s cellular PVC formulation resists natural and man-made stains like wet leaves, fruit punch, wine, and ketchup. The strong dense surface resists grain loss and scratching even when tackled by dog claws, furniture, even high heels.

AVOID THESE ITEMS on your AZEK Deck:

Rubber-backed door mats, tarps, pool toys, and other non-porous items left on the deck for an extended period of time can transfer excessive heat to your Porch or Deck Boards and may cause discoloration of the surface. Should that happen, AZEK® recommends trying a heat gun on low setting as a possible repair. Keep heat 3" or more from the surface and use a constant back and forth motion over the area in question.

Products Containing Chemicals.  Some products, such as sunblock and insect repellent, contain chemicals that may alter the surface of AZEK® decks.  Check product labels and consult with the manufacturer as to product compatibility with plastic materials, prior to use on or near AZEK®.

Abrasive Cleaners. Cleaners containing abrasives can permanently dull the surface.

CLEANING:

Wash Periodically. To keep your AZEK® Deck or Porch beautiful, wash it periodically to remove grease, dirt and debris. AZEK® can be cleaned using liquid soaps such as dish or car wash, but avoid cleaners containing abrasives, as they can permanently dull the surface. Rinse with a garden hose.

Remove Rust Stains. Use a household cleaner with phosphoric acid as the active ingredient and rinse with a garden hose.

ICE REMOVAL:

Rock Salt or Calcium Chloride. These can be used without damage. Both may leave a white residue which can be cleaned with a non-abrasive.

Enjoy your deck for many years by caring for it with the above information.  At Quinn's we have found AZEK® to be the quality product to use for a lifetime of enjoyment of your outside living space!

Why a Roofer Should Never Leave a Layer of Shingles

Lots of potential customers ask this question:  Do I really have to remove old layers of shingles?  

People assume that the more layers you have on a roof, the more protection you have, but that is not exactly true. It is always better to tear off the entire roof: the under-layment, the shingles, and the flashings.  The number one reason for doing this is to inspect the underlayment for damage (roof boards).  At Quinn’s Construction, we never roof over a single layer of shingles for this very reason.

Rotten Roof Boards 

If you’re thinking of going with another roofing company and leaving the shingles on, consider these facts as well.  Even if your current shingles are ideal for installing a second layer, the new shingles will not line up to your current shingles. It creates an apron, essentially preventing the new shingles from sealing well. This can result in shingles blowing off easily in lower winds. Also, if you look at the roof from the ground, it will be visible that the shingles do not line up.

Another thing, has your roof been leaking?  Chances are that the under-layment (a waterproof material installed just under your shingles) is leaking. The under-layment is very important because it can keep water out even when your shingles don’t. If your roof is leaking, you should definitely tear off your existing roof and install a new one with the under-layment done correctly.  In the event you have two layers, it is important to avoid the temptation to take off the top layer and go over the bottom layer. You will not have a smooth surface to go over with the top layer. If you can imagine all the nails from the top layer that are left behind, you can envision the problems that occur when nails are pounded down, or pulled. Either way, the asphalt shingles in the bottom layer get pretty chewed up!

When a new roof is put on any structure, it is best to replace the flashings as well. Flashings help the shingles seal to the pipes, walls and other roof penetrations in areas that leak most often. During a re-roof it is common for the roofing contractor to seal to the old flashings. Sometimes, these old flashings are not as sound as new ones would be, and they tear off, causing problems for the building owner.

Simply put, the best option when re-roofing, is to remove the first layer and start over.

Why?

Replaced Rotted Side Boards before Siding

1. The roof deck (usually plywood or 1x slats) can be inspected for damaged wood that needs to be replaced for strength as well as giving the new roof system’s nails plenty of holding power.
2. You can make sure the under-layment is done correctly, giving the roof a longer life.
3. The shingles will seal down correctly, allowing the sealer strip to hold the shingles together during winds up to 110 miles per hour.

A tear off and re-roof will always have better and longer lasting results. What seems like a lot of extra money spent on a re-roof will actually end up saving you even more money in the long run. Quinn’s Construction will ensure your roof is installed correctly, resulting in less work for you as the building or home owner.  Contact us today (978) 957-1200 for a free estimate, or visit our web site:  www.quinnsconstruction.com

Remember that much of this roof advice holds true for siding jobs too.  Recently, we found this damage (see image) under siding we pulled off before starting the siding work.

Great New Product - Celect® Cellular Composite Siding

One of the exciting aspects of the construction business, after being in it for as many years as I have been, is watching the amazing development of new products. One product that has me super excited to recommend to homeowners now is Celect® Cellular Composite Siding.  This siding is inspired by the aesthetics of wood yet possesses none of wood’s far-from-perfect maintenance demands.  It’s the best of both worlds – where you get the look, touch and timelessness of real wood without its inconveniences and expenses.

Celect’s interlocking joints keep moisture out and almost completely eliminates seams, which means it not only looks authentic, it will never warp, buckle or shift like wood…would.

Premium siding from Celect® Cellular Composite Siding by Royal® is made from recyclable, state-of-the-art cellular materials. Which means it faithfully reproduces the deep grain texture and solid heft of real wood. And every style is equally unaffected by mold, mildew, weather and the effects of time.

Here are some other good reasons to use Celect:

 

It is:

Maintenance Free:  With Celect, you can forget about mold, fading, deterioration, scrubbing and messy maintenance crews. You can also forget about painting, repainting, caulking, re-caulking and delaminating like fiber cement is famous for. Celect is all about virtually maintenance-free great looks that never quit. Year after year, decade after decade.

Recyclable, Sustainable and Seriously Green:  A life and neighborhood enriched with curb appeal is a beautiful thing. Even better is a home exterior that helps you reduce energy costs and save the environment as long as it's on your home.

• Unique white substrate helps lower heat absorption

• Kynar Aquatec® coating provides superior UV resistance and reflects energy back into the atmosphere—reducing the energy demands of heating and air conditioning

• Insulates 70% better than wood

• Has almost twice the R-value of fiber cement and wood

In fact compared to fiber cement board, some differences you will find are in:

Appearance:

• Interlocking joint system keeps boards straight and aesthetically stunning

• No gaps, buckling or wavy lines

• Patented interlocking joint system makes Celect easier and faster to install

Installation:

• No need for special equipment: Boards and trim can be easily machined with standard woodworking tools
• Superior strength-to-weight ratio means easy loading onto scaffolding
• Gravity lock feature keeps individual courses straight and helps reduce installation time
• Low-VOC product emits no harmful particles or workplace hazards

Maintenance:

• Factory-applied colors are designed to stay true so there's no need to repaint
• Kynar Aquatec® coating staves off rain, dust, heat, wind and even pollution
• Celect’s highly impact-resistant finish can handle heat, cold and errant baseballs better than anything
• Instead of butting against itself, Celect siding snaps together perfectly, so there's no need to fill in the gaps
• Easy to clean with a quick spray of the garden hose
• Lower maintenance costs over the life of the home

And, if these reasons alone are not enough to get you to consider Celect, how about the 25-Year Warranty?

• Celect Premium Siding won’t rot, split, crack, warp, twist, cup, box, blister, flake, peel, delaminate or suffer loss of structural properties due to termites, microbiological growth or other decay.

As I said at the beginning, Quinn’s Construction is excited to offer this new siding product.  If you would like to read more about this amazing new product, go here:  http://celect.royalbuildingproducts.com/celect/
If you would like to see how Celect looks on your home, go to the Celect Visualizer here:  http://celect.chameleonpower.com/

And, if you would like to see the colors and combination colors for siding and trim, go here:  http://celect.royalbuildingproducts.com/celect/products/color-combination/

Feel free to give Quinn’s a call for more information about Celect or for a free estimate for siding on your home. (978) 957-1200

Where to Look for Water Leaking into Your Home

When your roof is old or has sustained weather damage, there are common areas that tend to be culprits for leaking water. Keep an eye out for problems and take preventive measures to fix them before serious structural damage, or mold and mildew occurs.

Here are some reasons water damage may occur in your home:

Leaks at joints. Joints between the roof and the chimney or between two sloped sections of a roof are highly susceptible to leaking. Leaking will occur due to poor installation or defective sheet metal. According to the University of North Dakota, this sheet metal, also called flashing, needs to be replaced or reattached to stop the leak.

Broken or cracked shingles. Water can seep through the roof and into your home if your roof has cracked or broken shingles. Shingles usually deteriorate on the southern face of the roof first, because of exposure to sun, so inspect that side first. If you notice problems with more than a few shingles, it might be time reshingle the whole roof.

Weather damage. Shingles can be pulled off or damaged as a result of the elements. If possible, evaluate your roof after a major wind or hail storm and take note of any damage. Hire a roofing specialist to make needed repairs.

Ice.  If you live in a cold climate, the formation of ice on your home could potentially lead to leaks as a result of ice dams. An ice dam forms when the edge of your roof is colder than the middle of your roof, causing water to refreeze instead of dripping into the gutters. To prevent ice dams, keep your home well insulated. If you do not replace insulation, install additional layers of protection between your roof and home to prevent leakage.

Remember - use a well-qualified roofer who has received good reviews from homeowners like yourself.  If your roof starts to leak, give Quinn's Construction a call (978) 957-1200 and we will find and resolve the problem!

What are some key danger signals of a faulty roof?

The dangers of a faulty roof can be many and varied. Just because your roof isn’t leaking doesn’t mean that you don’t have a roofing problem.

Here are some key signs to look out for, and if you experience any one of them, give Quinn’s Construction a call:  978-957-1200

• Leakage in the Attic
  Water in your attic after a hard-driving rain is one sign. It can be from inadequate or missing roof deck protection or deteriorated metal flashing.
•  Ice Buildup
  Water in your attic after ice buildup could be caused by inadequate shingle underlayment or a missing leak barrier, inadequate ventilation or insulation. Quinn’s Construction has dealt with different ice dam problems for many years and we are experts in dealing with these types of repairs.
• Blistering or Peeling of Outside Paint
  You may assume sun or humidity is causing the blistering or peeling of paint, but poor attic ventilation may trap excessive moisture and humidity in attic walls causing the problem.
• Stains on Interior Ceilings & Walls
  These may be caused by a shingle problem or lack of roof deck protection, while mold and mildew may be a sign of inadequate attic ventilation.
• Shingles, Sheathing or Siding Deterioration
  Can be a sign of poor attic ventilation
• Cracking or Curling of Shingles
  Cracking or curling can be a sign that shingles have lived a useful and a pretty good sign that your roof needs to be replaced. However, one missing shingle may just need replacement.
• Dirty Looking Areas and Growth
  Dark, dirty looking areas can be caused by environmental pollutants, vegetation, fungus or algae growth. Loss of granules due to age of shingles means that most likely your roof needs to be replaced. Quinn’s Construction can take care of this problem and we will make sure it doesn’t happen again.
• High Energy Costs
  Excessive utility bills can sometimes be caused by a poorly designed roofing system or one that wasn’t installed properly. They can also be a result of poor attic ventilation.                         

Faulty roofs cause a multitude of problems. Those mentioned above are just a few. Good advice is to seek professional guidance. With forty years in the business, I am an expert in tracking down roof problems and, as always, provide a free estimate.

Roof Stains - What can I do to clean and prevent them?

I had an e-mail recently from a homeowner who said:  "Hey Tom--My roof looks bad.  There are stains all over the shingles.  I think it is fungus or moss.  Is there any way to clean this up and make it look like new?  Yes, there’s a product called Shingle Shield – Roof & Deck Cleaner.  It’s good for cedar and asphalt roofs, decks, fencing, and gazebos. It’s the safest way to clean and restore natural color to pine, cedar, redwood and cypress.  I’ve used it on many homeowners’ roofs.  In just minutes after applying Shingle Shield Roof & Deck Cleaner, you’ll see years of dirt build-up and stains from pollen, algae and mildew disappear.  One gallon cleans 2,000 square feet.  It does not contain chlorine or bleach.

You might want to know, how can I prevent this staining from happening in the first place?  There is a product called Shingle Shield, which is a zinc oxide strip which interrupts the flow of rain and naturally time releases fungistatic compounds of zinc oxide which travel evenly down the roof slope.  These compounds are absorbed by the roof surface and inhibit the growth of moss, fungus, and algae.  This natural process is of low toxicity.  Zinc oxide compounds wash and protect the roof, with no visible sign of this action.  Quinn’s Construction can install Shingle Shield zinc strips on new or existing roofs.  Roofs must be cleaned first with Shingle Shield Roof & Deck Cleaner to remove any existing algae, fungus, and/or moss prior to installation of Shingle Shield zinc strips.  They will last the life of the roof, and may be reused, and will not rust.

Read about the excellent products I've mentioned above at http://www.shingleshield.com, and give Quinn’s Construction a call today at 978-957-1200 to get your roof to look like new again and keep it that way!

Green Building

Quinn's Construction is focused on environmentally sensitive building practices and on using eco-friendly building materials wherever practical - both in remodeling and in new building construction. Building “green” with an awareness of the environmental impact is a philosophy that makes sense for our customers and for our world. I view every project as an opportunity to evaluate and potentially reduce environmental impact.

For our siding projects, we recommend James Hardie^® products for our customers.  Quinn's has built a relationship with James Hardie^® over the years and we put our trust in the quality and sustainability of their products for these advantages for our customers:

• Year after year, James Hardie^® has been rated the best return on investment in the large home improvement projects category.
• Get the classic look of wood without the maintenance.
• Product is green and sustainable.  It is made of sand, wood fiber, Portland cement, & various additives.
• Specialty formulation for northern climates.
• Your house can be finished in the color of your choice; or you can select a color combination from the factory finished ColorPlus line.
• Includes 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty on Plank, Panels, Soffit, and Shingles, 15 year trim warranty and 15 year ColorPlus paint warranty.

James Hardie^® products require specialized knowledge and tools to properly install and ensure warranty requirements are met. Quinn's siding specialists are factory trained and have years of experience installing the full James Hardie^® family of products.  For this reason, we are a James Hardie^®  Contractor Alliance Member.

Last year, James Hardie was selected as offering the greenest products in the siding category, (Annual 2015 Readers’ Choice survey) with the most respondents recommending the company’s sustainable exterior options over other siding manufacturers.  That is why they received the Green Builder Media Honor for the most sustainable siding products, that have garnered the loyalty of building professionals.

“A primary factor to James Hardie’s sustainability is its durability,” said John Dybsky, senior marketing manager at James Hardie. “Our products handle high heat, UV radiation and moisture exceptionally well, which significantly reduces the need for replacement over time.”
James Hardie siding is composed of natural and sustainable raw materials such as cement, sand, cellulose fiber and water. While green practices can sometimes limit design options, the company has a range of textures and colors that can satisfy several design variations.

As you can tell, I am truly a fan of James Hardie products and am committed to continuing the relationship that Quinn's Construction has built over the years with them.

If you are planning to replace the siding on your home this year, please consider James Hardie products for the environment and for you as a homeowner.  You'll be glad you did.