Parrish Construction

Archive for the ‘Seasonal Considerations’ Category

Great Spring Project: Window Replacement

Monday, March 5th, 2012 Posted in Energy-Saving Tips, Spring, Windows & Doors | No Comments »

[caption id="attachment_4218" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo: © 2012 Parrish Construction- Boulder, CO (303-444-0033). All Rights Reserved."][/caption] The snow is melting and spring is around the corner. This is a good time to assess your home and plan for improvements. A great project ...

2/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: I’m selecting new windows for my home, but I’m confused by all the acronyms–for what appear to be rating systems. Can you help me sort out all the ‘E’s and ‘U’s?

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 Posted in Construction Terms, Energy-Saving Tips, FAQ, Green Building Topics, Heating/Cooling, Insulation, Materials- Construction, Summer, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

A: Energy Star Acronym Guide for Windows, Doors and Skylights. In the EnergyStar standards set by the DOE and EPA for windows, doors and skylights, requirements change with the latitude. In the northern areas of the U.S., energy concerns are to ...

1/3 Window Wonderland FAQ: I want to save energy in my home by purchasing new windows. Generally, what sort of things should I consider regarding energy efficiency?

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 Posted in Energy-Saving Tips, FAQ, Green Building Topics, Heating/Cooling, Materials- Construction, Summer, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

A: The salesman says the windows he’s selling are energy efficient. Probably true, but the question you should be asking is: are they the right kind of energy efficiency for the climate where you live and your particular home and ...

Your “Winter’s Coming” Checklist

Thursday, September 15th, 2011 Posted in Advice to Clients, Disaster-Fire, DIY Home Improvements, Freezing Temp. Problems, Frozen Pipes, Handyman/Small Jobs, Heating/Cooling, Home maintenance, Insulation, Money-Saving Tips, Plumbing, Safety Hazards, Seasonal Considerations, Timely Home Upgrades, Waterproofing, Windows & Doors, Winter | No Comments »

Conserve and Protect: that’s what winterizing is about.  Homes can take a beating in our cold Colorado winters, and so can your heating bill. After some education and practice, winterizing will become as natural a rhythm to a homeowner as is flying south ...

Preventing Fire: Practical Precautions

Monday, July 25th, 2011 Posted in Building Codes/Regulations, Disaster-Fire, Electrical, Fall, Insurance- Home, New Construction, Remodels/Additions, Roofing/Ceilings, Safety Hazards, Summer, Timely Home Upgrades | No Comments »

[caption id="attachment_3702" align="alignright" width="300" caption="© Justinjohnson555 | Dreamstime.com"][/caption] There's almost nothing more frightening to a homeowner than the threat of fire. This fall's Fourmile and other fires were not caused by the individual homeowners they affected, but they've got us thinking ...

Q—The brick planter box on our house has a white, chalky stain on it. We have tried scrubbing it off, but it keeps coming back. What causes it, and what can be done about it?

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Freezing Temp. Problems, Historic Homes, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Spring, Waterproofing, Winter | 1 Comment »

A—The white stain is called efflorescence, and is caused by salts that have been transported from within the brick and mortar by moisture in the brick, and deposited on the surface by evaporation. The stains are cosmetic, and not harmful. ...

Q—Our redwood decks that were beautiful when new have become stained, almost black. Is there any way to restore the original color? Should we use a sealer or finish to protect the redwood?

Sunday, June 19th, 2011 Posted in DIY Home Improvements, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Landscaping, Materials- Construction, Summer, Waterproofing | No Comments »

A—The stains on your redwood are most likely caused by a combination of dirt, mildew, iron stains, and the reddish-brown tannins that occur naturally in redwood. There are several options for cleaning that can result in dramatic improvement. Many old-timers swear ...

Q—We’re building a new fence and will be digging post holes soon. How can we find out if there are any buried utilities in the way?

Saturday, June 18th, 2011 Posted in Building Permits, Disaster-Fire, DIY Home Improvements, Electrical, Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Flooding, Insurance- Home, Landscaping, Plumbing, Safety Hazards, Summer | No Comments »

A—Anyone who damages an underground utility such as electric lines, cable television, telephone, sewer, gas, or water lines is liable for damages. Fortunately, you can protect yourself by making a single telephone call to an organization which will notify all ...

Benefits & Features of Outdoor Summer Kitchens

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011 Posted in Exterior Remodeling, Home Luxury, Kitchens, Landscaping, Seasonal Considerations, Summer, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Original summer kitchens were cooking areas outside the home to double cooking space during harvest and to limit heat gain in the non-air conditioned house.  The modern “summer kitchen” addresses these concerns as well as some more noble and pleasant ...

Q—Our concrete driveway has sunken near house, and water now ponds there. Is there any way to fix the problem without removing and replacing the driveway?

Thursday, April 7th, 2011 Posted in Exterior Remodeling, FAQ, Flood, Landscaping, Spring, Structural Issues, Waterproofing | No Comments »

A—The dirt backfill near your house has settled, causing the concrete slab to settle with it. Your driveway is a prime candidate for “mud jacking”. The process involves drilling a few small holes in the slab and injecting slurry (mud) ...
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