Jerry Blackburn

Mold, mildew, stinch. Drywall and wet soggy insulation covering your furnishings and floor, valuables and collectables ruined. A mess like you have never seen before. As you tip toe through your storm ravaged home, you ask yourself, What could have been done to prevent this? The answer is pretty simple. In coastal areas, during construction, you over kill and then kill some more.

The evolution of any procedure is that you learn by trying different things and using different products. After evaluating the results, you put the best together and toss the rest. During this process, I finally figured out how to limit the damages and losses due to a failed roofing system during a storm.

Here is how it works. Weather Watch or Weather Guard, a sticky rubber membrame applied directly to the roof sheathing in the place of felt. Once the membrane sticks to the wood, it is almost impossible to remove it. Be sure to apply this product starting at the lowest point of the roof and overlap it according to the manufacturers instructions as you work your way to the top. Next, install a quality wind rated shingle over the membrane per manufacturers specs and make sure to put six nails per shingle to meet wind code. The results are a double layer of protection in case of a storm. If you do lose any shingles, the rubber membrane will remain in place and prevent water from passing through to the living area of the home.

Yes, there is an added expense using this procecdure, but do you remember the mold, mildew and smell? i bet you will find that the membrane was worth the extra cost

Each year around October or November, the tourist are gone home and the children are in school. This is when the home owners of Topsail Island begin making their list of things to do to prepare for next summer rental season.

Winterization is one of the first things to consider and removal of the hurricane panels and turn the heat on to prevent pipes from freezing. You may want to consider taking this opportunity to add a screened porch, extend that oceanfront deck or add one to maximize ocean and sound views. Put a fresh coat of paint inside and have the home spring cleaned...this is very appreciated by your guests.

Next, look at the deck rails and steps, will they withstand another rental/vacation season? What about those appliances? Do you need to replace any of them? Have you considered a Home Warranty plan?

Here's to a great summer for 2009.

Thankfully a lot of the inventory on the Island has sold or been taken off the market. What is left is opportunity for a new lifestyle or investment. The few building lots on the island are sitting with no one buying. Why? Are buyers waiting for the bottom of the market? I heard someone say recently, "you won't know you're at the bottom til the prices begin to rise". If you've ever dreamed of owning on one of North Carolinas most beautiful islands, now is a great time to buy.

You can build later or if purchasing for investment, sell later when the market returns. My dad always said, "they aren't making anymore land".

When you do buy that lot and decide to build that dream home for your family, I hope you will visit my website and let me tell you what my company can do for you. We build homes the way they should be built. We can use green building techniques or not, whatever you request. I do my best to listen to the customer.

If you simply want to add on to your home or do remodels during the off season, we do that too.

Jerry

www.jerryblackburn.com

Several oceanfront homes have lost their steps leading to the beach from their decks. My company specializes in the construction of these steps to insure they don't suffer from every major wind storm. We see so many steps being replaced time and time again...this is usually due to poor workmanship.

Our company would love to meet with owners needing their steps repaired or replaced...Our motto is

"we lose money when we have to go back to a job, that's why we do it right the first time"! Call or email for a free estimate.

Jerry