The winter season brings along special holiday celebrations but it also brings cold weather that could affect your wallet if you don’t prepare properly. Here are some energy saving tips:

• Tune up your Heating System: Maintaining an efficient heating system is an important step to conserving energy. Have your heating system serviced once every two years, and never try to repair it yourself.
• Get The Fireplace Ready: For safety and efficiency purposes, it’s recommended that the chimney be swept on an annual basis to remove soot and creosote.
• Seal Air Leaks: Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them. Also, use weather-stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
• Insulate: Insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and floors to prevent heat escaping to the outdoors. Insulation improves your comfort as well as the efficiency of your home–and that means more savings for you.

• Check Foundations: Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks.
• Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater and test them to make sure they work. Also, buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.
• Prevent Plumbing Freezes: Insulate exposed plumbing pipes and if you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

Finding the Right Contractor – the Importance of Credentials

Beware – attempting to save a few dollars initially may cost you more than just money in the long run.

This can happen when a homeowner has chosen a lower bid for a contractor’s services. In some cases, there are problems with poor workmanship or building materials. If the contractor doesn’t have the proper insurance or credentials then the homeowner has very little recourse available to them. Peak Construction is highly insured and fully credentialed in all aspects of construction: from general licenses to the specific systems like septic, mitigation, and roofing, etc.

Warranties – Another Benefit of Credential Programs & Affiliations

One of our credentials is the Master Elite Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor for GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. In addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, this certification also provides extra warranties to guarantee work outside of Peak’s 1 year warranty on general construction workmanship (in compliance with NYS regulations.) Occasionally, there are some specific projects that Peak will offer an extended warranty for, so make sure to discuss this well in advance.

Master Elite Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor for GAF-ELK

Builders Association of the Hudson Valley Certificate

See the full list of Peak Construction’s Credentials >

Here in the Northeast where the winters are long and cold, fireplaces help heat, and add ambiance, to many family homes. Unfortunately, they can also lead to devastating fires which is what happened to a family home in Millerton, New York. In fire restoration construction, the standard time for re-building a home can be 12 months or more. However, with some financial ingenuity, Peak Construction was able to get this Dutchess County family back into their home in less than four months.

The Benefits of Pre-Funding Projects

Waiting for your insurance company to issue checks can hold up the whole re-building process. To alleviate that problem, Peak will often “pre-fund” the project before the insurance checks arrive. This is a huge benefit to the homeowner and was one of the primary reasons the Millerton family project was completed in less than four months. Before the insurance checks arrived, Peak was able to complete the following:

• Peak worked with the adjustor to assess the value of their home
• Plans were drawn and permits were acquired
• Work was completed on both the slab and frame

Problems Solved Efficiently

With an eye towards increased energy efficiency, changes were made to the new home that were efficient and solved some existing problems.

1. Foundation
   A slab foundation was used instead of a basement due to water problems that had been an issue before the fire. Under the slab, they put in polyiso insulation which has a high R-value. Polyiso is a closed-cell, rigid foam board insulation consisting of a foam core sandwiched between two faces. The faces are composed of various organic and inorganic materials, usually paper and fiberglass. It is widely used in both residential and commercial markets for roof and side wall applications. Polyiso insulation has many beneficial attributes:

• Polyiso is the most thermally efficient rigid board insulation available in the marketplace; it has the highest R-value per inch of thickness
• Moisture resistant foam core
• Compatible with most solvents used in construction adhesives.
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Superior performance in fire tests – Polyiso meets the strict standard of both FM Class 1 Approvals (FM 4450/4470), UL 1256, and CAN/ULC S126M
• Wide range of service temperatures
• Long Term R-value (only roof insulation with third party certification)
• CFC and HCFC free – zero ozone depletion potential
• Recycled content in most products
• Negligible global warming potential

2. Windows
   Peak used Anderson windows – a company that has a reputation for quality, energy-efficient windows. They are also known for standing behind their work with a comprehensive warranty.

3. Exterior 
   Before the fire, the family’s home was an all-wood lake house cabin that wasn’t very energy-efficient. However, for the re-construction, Peak used the energy-efficient Mastic Mill Creek vinyl siding. This siding really captures the warmth of real wood and with their advanced locking system; it also secures the panels for winds up to 165 mph.

4. Shingles
   GAF Timberline shingles were also used for their potential insurance savings, superior wind performance, impact resistance, and exceptional protection.

Winterization Tip: Clean your fireplace and get it inspected BEFORE winter sets in

Virtually every fire protection agency recommends you hire a certified chimney professional to inspect your chimney yearly. Chimneys need periodic examination and thorough cleaning to maintain efficiency and to reduce the chance of a chimney fire.

Annual Reminder: Make sure your home is properly valued by your insurance company.

According to recent studies, 64% of homes are undervalued for insurance purposes.

Unfortunately, the cost to rebuild your home can be much more than the value of your home. The reason being that the cost of repairing or replacing your home may be based on a set dollar limit. This limit may not reflect increases in the cost of construction and labor. The bottom line is that you need to get an estimate of the replacement cost for your home which can be done by a local builder. Then check with your insurance agent today to make sure you have the proper coverage. Finally, it is recommended that you review your homeowner’s insurance coverage annually to make sure that your coverage meets your needs!

Photo Credit: Tom Bushey / Times Herald-Record

The name Irene has become infamous in the Hudson Valley as homes and businesses continue to recover from the devastating effects of the hurricane. Many people unaccustomed to such severe flooding are suddenly being faced with the consequences of water damage in their homes. If you are one of the unlucky homeowners plagued by flood damage, you should be wary of the dangers that result from water breaching your walls.

These risks include:

• Weakened foundations
• Shorted out electrical systems
• Contamination of water and surroundings

Peak Construction was very active with its water damage mitigation efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Of the roughly 20-25 jobs that Peak’s team started directly following the storm, 15 involved water damage and flood.

Photo Credit: Tom Bushey / Times Herald-Record

One House, Two Floods in Goshen

One such mitigation job, in Goshen, NY, was exceptionally complicated. Because the home was on low lying land, it took 5 days for Peak to access it after the initial damage. The relatively new home (only a few years old) was flooded with 4 feet of water. Every room on the lower floor was completely damaged and the home’s air conditioning units were ruined.

Immediately after arriving, Peak installed drying units to help get rid of the massive amounts of water. This took about 5 days to complete. Unfortunately, the house flooded again in a smaller, subsequent storm, which forced our mitigation team to start from scratch. The second dry out took 10 days in total.

Protecting Your Home from Flood Damage

In the case of the home in Goshen, NY, it was built on low-lying land and wasn’t elevated, so drainage was the key issue. The two incidents of heavy rain directed the water towards the home, making flood prevention an arduous task.

Homeowners can take a variety of steps to better prepare themselves for destructive rain storms. It’s important to make sure the basement is properly sealed, as is providing adequate drainage either outside or inside the home. Outside, an affordable solution is the installation of solid, clean gutters to help promote better drainage so water doesn’t find its way into the home. A curtain drain is another good outdoor solution for channeling water away. Indoors, you can install an interior drainage system that will connect to your sump pump and prevent standing water from accumulating.

Of the many mitigation assistance jobs resulting from Hurricane Irene, the most common problem for homes in our coverage area was sump pump failure due either to a power outage or clogging. Fortunately, the homes that suffered sump pump failure were usually covered by general home owner’s insurance, as opposed to the homes with flood damage due to another cause. By providing backup generators to sump pumps, the risk of failure decreases significantly.

Lastly, if you do find standing water in your home, attempt to remove it as quickly as possible. Wet Vac’s can help remove a substantial amount of water in the interim, until a Peak Construction technician can access your home.

Homeowner Guy Caffrey was struck with bad luck when his home caught fire over the holidays. Luckily, Guy, his wife, and their three children were all able to make it out of the house safely. Unfortunately, the home was a total loss and needed to be completely restored.

These kinds of terrible occurrences reinforce the need for an up-to-date network of smoke detectors in the home. It’s important to install a smoke detector in every bedroom, outside of every bedroom and on each level of the house. It’s also necessary to ensure that all of alarms sound when one is triggered by interconnecting them throughout the home. You should check the alarms monthly by pushing the test button on every smoke detector.

To help bolster its ability to mitigate damage, Peak Construction has been pushing employees to become IICRC certified as Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT). This designation allows them to deal with insurance companies and work out the costs of a particular job. WRT certification involves learning about drying techniques, how to inspect structures and determine moisture content and how to limit liability such as mold and bacteria.

In addition, Jason Giannoni is now heading the mitigation team responsible for these home restoration ventures. In addition to WRT, he also achieved his Advanced Structural Drying (ASD) certification, which gives him the inside track on the most cutting edge tools and methods for saving a home.

Peak Construction, with its dedication to damage mitigation efforts, worked with the insurance company to develop the best estimate for the Caffrey family. The entire home needed to be ripped down and built back up, but the team’s ability has actually put the project ahead of schedule. Guy noted that the response time of Peak immediately following the fire was “great” and they’ve paid attention to every little detail throughout the project. This, combined with the “level of professionalism” Peak has exhibited, he said, has impressed him immensely.

Roof damage can be one of the biggest groan-inducing problems for a homeowner. When you’ve had the windy, icy and stormy winter we just had this can be a huge issue. A primary problem that disrupted homeowners throughout the region this past winter was ice damming – something everyone must be wary of and take steps to prevent whenever possible.

Ice dams occur when heavy snowfall accumulates on a roof. As the snow melts, it often trickles down underneath the snow to the eave of the roof and the gutter where it freezes as temperatures drop again. When enough water accumulates the entire lower end of the roof can be covered in ice. This, in turn, leads to inadequate drainage of the rest of the melting snow, which tends to leak through into the house. Water damage can affect the ceilings, walls, roof structure and insulation. It can also warp hardwood floors, ruin personal belongings and cause mold. Outside, the thick icicles that form are a danger to people and pets.

One of the primary causes of ice dams is insufficient insulation. If heat escapes through the roof, snow melts underneath, but not all the way through. These circumstances make it easy for the water to move very slowly down the roof, giving it more time to freeze before it can drain properly. It’s a good idea to check the attic for possible leaks or cracks come spring and summer just in case damage was caused to the roof over the winter.

One method to prevent ice dams from forming is to shovel the roof following snowfall; however we recommend using caution because this can be dangerous without the proper equipment such as a roof rake. Roof rakes allow homeowners to shovel the snow away without climbing onto the roof. Another method of prevention is to install a special electric wire on the roof that heats the snow more effectively and melts it before it can refreeze.

If you find you have roofing damage from this past winter, including long-term damage from ice damming or excessive wind, Peak Construction can help. Peak is a GAF Certified Master Elite Golden Pledge company. This means that when we install select GAF long-lasting shingles, the workmanship is guaranteed for 25 years. In addition, with the Golden Pledge Warranty, certain shingles are guaranteed non-prorated up to 50 years. Peak also offers a variety of other options that will fit any of your roofing needs.

Before

During

Never overlook a leak, especially after a snowy winter, as these problems can manifest into much costlier issues down the road. Having solid insulation and long lasting shingles can save you from the headaches caused by all the ice and snow. Remember to consider the safety of yourself and others when deciding on roofing options. The aggravation caused by heavy leaks is enough incentive to make sure the roof over your family’s head is sound.

After

Kitchen - Before Renovation

The Peak Construction team recently completed an extensive home renovation nearby that has some great upgraded features we wanted to share that may also inspire you this time of year! The home owners decided to remodel their living area when it became increasingly difficult to entertain with their large, growing family. They also wanted to upgrade their kitchen appliances for gourmet cooking with a defined area for food preparation.

Finished Kitchen

Their original kitchen had a very confined, L-shaped structure and the architectural layout on the first floor was also a bit constricted. After fully evaluating the potential of the space we began planning a variety of improvements that would re-define the flow of the entire first floor area for entertaining.

Finished Kitchen

Our team began to open up the kitchen space by removing a main wall that was creating an unnecessary barrier to other living spaces. To further open the space, we reworked the staircase to be circular with a balustrade and added in an archway from Erich’s Fine Woodworking with a casing header in between the kitchen and formal dining room.

The luxury kitchen redesign included custom stained and painted maple cabinets, upgraded appliances, warm lighting, new floor tiling, an exhaust system over the cook top range, and the creating of an inviting white marble topped bar and island where people could naturally congregate during family events.

Keep Your Kitchen Exhaust System in Mind during an Upgrade
The exhaust system was a great feature of this kitchen, seeing as the home owner wanted a gourmet kitchen for a lot of cooking! One thing to note about a kitchen exhaust system – if you don’t have an efficient CPM you can’t do heavy cooking to clear out the area, so this was a necessity for this homeowner. In order to create a quiet but efficient exhaust system we ran new ductwork through the garage, hooked up a powerful motor and integrated it over the cook top with a beautiful kitchen exhaust hood.

Mudroom - Before & After

Electric Radiant Floor Heating Coils: Perfect for a Mudroom
The last upgraded area of this home was the addition of a mudroom and enhanced laundry space. We are always keeping green construction in mind and recycling of material, so for this area we were able to recycle the old kitchen cabinets and create very nice storage space in the laundry room. Additionally, since we began this portion of the project by converting an area of the garage to be the mudroom and laundry room, we installed electric radiant floor heating coils underneath the new tile to keep the area warm and comfortable during the winter. The electric radiant heat is also great for keeping your winter boots warm and snow-free!

Peak’s latest project involves a complete home re-construction after a family’s home burned down in a fire in January of 2010. The house was completely destroyed and the rubble needed to be cleared away for a new home to be constructed. Peak’s expertise in home re-construction and knowledge of home insurance policies made the process from start to finish for this family as smooth as possible so that they could get back to their lives.

The family was referred to us because of our knowledge and experience; after that initial call we started the first step immediately – which involved working with the insurance carrier by estimating the value of the loss. This value is what our team uses to then move forward and prepare plans for the new home, acquire permits for construction and deal with the mortgage holder.

Six months later we started construction and saved what we could which were the well, septic and driveway. Thanks to our partnerships, we were able to start work on the home prior to receiving the initial payments from the bank. This ensured that the owners wouldn’t run out of their temporary living expense coverage provided by their insurance carrier and would be able to get back into their new home quickly. Every insurance policy differs, but fortunately this family’s policy had one year of living expenses covered in the case of a complete home loss.

With grown children already out of the house, the family decided during the home planning process to make some changes to the layout. We added a sunroom off the rear of the home, a full walkup attic for extra storage, and also expanded from a 2 car garage to a 3 car garage. The project will be completed soon and the family will be moving into their new home in the New Year.

Home Insurance Tip: Update Your Coverage
We highly recommend that homeowners periodically review their home insurance policy limits with their agents, as in this particular case the family was under-insured. Their home’s coverage limit was 60% under the actual cost estimate for replacing the home and unfortunately, the family had to downsize to fit their budget.

This is too common of a scenario, and it’s important to update home coverage as needed. Insurance policies should be reviewed and updated when your policy is renewed or if major alterations/improvements are made to the home. Peak’s knowledge and partnerships can help you make the right choices for your home should anything ever happen.

Garages Boost Value

Though garages are common in the Northeast due to our climate, many older homes don’t have them. Benefits of having a garage include weather protection, especially during the cold winter season, and added space for storage and vehicle maintenance. In many cases, the value gained with a garage can offset the construction costs. Even a modest garage can add $10,000 or more to the value of your home and set it apart come resale time.

Barns Retain History

In the charming Hudson Valley there are a wide variety of homes with unique style and history, often accented with farms and aging barns. Many of these barns need considerable maintenance or restoration to reflect upon the character of the property, which often stems from a different period of time.

Many old timber frame barn structures require the repair or replacement of roofing, siding, stonework, windows or doors. Unfortunately, in some cases a barn is too far gone and requires careful deconstruction and re-assembly as a new barn. However, during re-assembly we use materials recycled from your old barn to retain as much of the original structure as possible.

Timber Frame Barn Restoration

Carriage Houses Add Living Space

Carriage houses are currently experiencing a revival for many reasons: they increase the value of your home, add a quaint charm, and have many practical benefits. They are typically detached from the main residence and have a garage underneath a second story living or working area. This extra living space is what makes a carriage house so distinct; it’s great if you need to accommodate in-laws or guests, are looking for more vehicle storage, or need a workshop.

We recently completed a carriage house addition to a home with distinct historical character that the owner wanted to retain. Prior to the addition, we updated the home with overhangs and gingerbread gables along the roof perimeter. Shortly after, we added a carriage house with several different roof lines that imitated those of the home. This roof detail created a natural blend between the two buildings and made the carriage house look proportional to the home.

Carriage House Addition

Pressure treated wood is a classic option for an outdoor space as it is low priced, natural and aesthetically pleasing; however, it requires more maintenance and is subject to splintering and weathering. Maintenance for natural wood includes staining and waterproofing every year or two to protect against the elements. Various types of wood have their own benefits to reduce the amount of up-keep needed, but they also vary in price. Redwood and Cedar wood resist rot, and the very dense wood, Ipe, will resist water and fire.

Composite decking is a durable blend of synthetic man-made materials including vinyl, PVC and recycled wood fiber for a natural appearance. The main advantage of this material is it is not affected by rot or termite damage, it will not splinter like traditional wood, and it only needs to be cleaned periodically for maintenance. As a result the composite material will last longer, and in many cases it is the more cost-effective option over the lifetime of the deck, porch or patio.

A very popular brand of UV resistant, composite decking is Trex®, which includes a warranty of approximately twenty-five years and their material is made of fifty percent recycled material. Their decking also includes a skid proof surface to decrease the likelihood of someone falling or slipping. Lastly, Trex Artisan Railing® offers a beautiful, customized look with interchangeable components for maximum design flexibility.

In addition to material, the style of deck or porch chosen will have a significant impact on the function and type of outdoor space created. A backyard deck can be open air for a sunny retreat or covered with a pergola for a shady getaway. Pergolas are a quick, easy and lower cost alternative to a gazebo and can be customized to fit the style of an existing deck or integrated into a lush garden.

A bluestone deck with steel and wood pergola

Adding on a porch can complement a home’s style and be an impressive transformation, especially for a “flat-faced” home as it provides a welcoming, well-defined entryway. A front porch enhances curb appeal and can mean added value down the road for your home. In addition, it protects the front of your home and is an enjoyable retreat on a rainy or hot, sunny day as it provides an expansive, shady area.

Front porch made with Ipe wood

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978.

With the new lead paint law coming into effect on April 22, 2010, our dedicated construction team quickly responded and became certified in lead safe remodeling. The Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program will require specialized work of general contractors and painters for jobs completed in buildings built before 1978.

This new law has been put into place due to the negative impact that lead can have on the health of adults and children. In addition, homes built before 1978, when the use of lead-based paint was banned, have a higher likelihood of containing lead. Projects like home renovations that involve sanding, cutting, and demolition may cause a disturbance in lead-based paint, creating dust, which is the most common way people are exposed to lead.

Some of the new requirements include mandated EPA certification and training, as well as use of lead-safe work practices. These changes could increase costs for contractors, and as a result, many construction and remodeling companies have chosen to discontinue service for these homes.

Some remodelers are simply refusing to work on homes built before 1978 (click here to read article). Instead of taking this negative stance, Peak Construction, has promptly complied with the new requirements to bring you continued safe, reliable service, no matter what the age of your home is. Our team has become certified by the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry – the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. Also, as required by the new law, we will supply you with the information you should know on proper renovation practices.

Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools, the pamphlet required by the EPA to be distributed to owners and occupants prior to starting work in pre-1978 housing. Click here to download brochure.

The new lead-safe work practices include: containing the work area by covering floors and sealing off doors and vents, minimizing dust by using properly equipped power tools, and cleaning up thoroughly with special cleaning methods. With safety and comfort in mind, our professionals have always sealed the work area on our renovation sites to contain any dust that may be generated, and thoroughly cleaned the area daily for your comfort. Other practices that we will be initiating include equipping our power tools with HEPA vacuum attachments for proper clean up.