Since it is a very rainy and windy day here on Cape Cod, we felt it would be appropriate to discuss one of our least favorite subjects... controlling water and leaks. Whether renovating or building a new home, controlling water is probably one of the most important items to consider. Really there are two areas that we focus on here at REEF, first, the building envelope, i.e. roofing, siding, doors and windows etc., and second, surface water, i.e. site drainage, foundation waterproofing etc.   Here are some tips that we have found very helpful over the years

Building Envelope:

1. Building wrap / vapor barrier: Us a high quality building wrap like Typar and ensure it is installe properly at all siding areas.  Leaks coming through siding are very hard to track down, and can cause expensive damage.
2. Windows: Properly installed windows are important, but we have found that properly installed flexible flashing like Vycor or Typar tape are cheap and effective insurance against window leaks.  They provide a virtually impenetrable seal around the windows.
3. Roofing:  Proper installation of felt paper and roof shingles is critical, but more important is proper application of a self-adhering ice and water shield at critical areas.  Roof edges, valleys, cheek walls, and low slope roofs should have an ice and water shield installed (3' wide). Given the cost of this material and the speed with which it can be installed, it is a great way to prevent and probably eliminate long term problems.  
4. Doors: Doors generall become a problem when exposed to wind-driven rain.  The best way we have found to eliminate leaks is a properly installed storm door, especially in coastal areas.

Surface Water / Site Drainage:

1. Assess soil conditions: We are fortunate to have very sandy and well draining soils here on Cape Cod. However, there are areas of the Cape that have substantial amounts of clay.  An engineer or experienced builder / excavator can make a very accurat assessment of the soil conditions.
2. Foundation Waterproofing: Current building codes still only require "dampproofing" on a foundation wall, which is the black tar typically seen on a new foundation. This product, however, does nothing to stop water from penetrating the concrete walls.  If poor soil conditions exist, invest in a true foundation waterproofing such as Mar-flex which can withstand hydrostatic pressure.
3. Foundation Drainage: Every foundation in areas of poor soil conditions should have a perimeter drain at the footing  that runs to a properly-sized drainage structure, an engineer can help in this design.  The downspouts for the house should also be run through a separate drainage system to prevent overloading the perimiter footing drain.
4. Site Grading: This is the most critical part of managing water on any site, and it is all contigent on how and where the house was located on the site. There should be a slope away from the house at all times, and the water that runs away from the house also needs to have somewhere to go.  Recently, the use of low vegetated swales, and retention areas has become increasingly popular, and provides some nice features that can be landscaped to enhance the look of the yard, while still serving an important purpose.

The bottom line is this - if you are building a home or undergoing a renovation project, handling water is a key component, and we have found a team approach is best.  A competent builder, designer, and engineering team can head off a lot of these problems early on.  One thing we have learned over time is that water problems are long term, and expensive to fix, so a little planning and preparation goes a long way.  If you are thinking of building a new home or renovating and have questions feel free to CONTACT US

 Check out our facebook page to see new photos of a cottage renovation in Eastham, MA

Cape Cod Builder - Facebook Page

    We have noticed a large uptick in inquiries for our construction services since the last large stock market dip in August.  People are struggling with where to put their money, and real estate has always been a sound investment, especially on Cape Cod.  People's perception of the marketplace has a lot to do with their willingness to make the decision to invest.  Unfortunately, most of the news you hear on a daily basis covers the negative market conditions, and the impending failure of the European financial system.  US news recently published this article on the real estate market, which supports our position that now is a great time to build. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/whats-store-housing-market-2012-221458067.html

The Design, Build and Renovation of a home requires an integrated systems approach.  Ideally the entire process, from design to construction, has been planned so as to maximize an efficient timetable for project completion.  Equally important is ensuring that the resulting home is a healthy environment for its occupants.

Systems Approach Can Save Money

"Applying the principles for a healthy home, to design, construction and renovation, does not have to result in significant cost increases.  By understanding interactions between building systems, we can identify cost saving trade-offs that improve building performance."

The link below directs you to a booklet which offers valuable insights into some key aspects and design criteria to consider prior to starting your project.  Some of the major design considerations are related to:

1. water

2. air

3. combustion

4. dust

5. creatures.http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/32114.pdf

Although this pamphlet is intended for those in the construction industry, it's content is relevant and accessible to homeowners.

-Request Info

   2011 was an interesting year in real estate on Cape Cod. Properties in good locations retained much of their value, while many people looking for raw land to build a new home felt that prices were too high. At REEF we regularly monitor lot sales, and have noticed some interesting trends.  First, many of the lots that were on the market for the last several years have come off the market, probably waiting to be re-listed in the spring to take advantage of the larger pool of buyers. More importantly, we have seen many lot prices drop over the last year or so, as sellers are more motivated to move their inventory. 

  If you are thinking of building on Cape Cod, now is a great time to take a hard look at what is available for land.  It is imporant to work with a competent real estate agent, and get a company like REEF involved early in the process.  Custom building on raw land can be a complicated process for a buyer, especially with all of the factors involved.  It is critical to have a team that is familiar with all of the zoning, septic, permitting and legal hurdles so the process can be smooth and predictable.  Contact us today if you are thinking of purchasing a lot... you would be surprised how easy the process can be with REEF on your side. CONTACT US

If you would like to search the Cape and Islands MLS for land click here:-MLS Property Search

REEF also has lots listed for sale in Dennis, MA click here: FOR SALE

  With the rising cost of energy, and the push towards high efficiency building and mechanical systems, we are always looking at innovative technology.  Often times, new products and systems may not be ideal in their infancy, but they are indicators of trends in the marketplace, and give a glimpse of the types of things that will become commonplace in the near future.  We came across this heating system by the Steffes corporation that uses a type of heat sink to store electrically produced heat during off-peak demand hours, and then releases that heat to the home over the next 24 hour period.  This takes advantage of the lower electricity rates charged by many utility companies at night. Although this system may not be ideal for every scenario, we like the concept and think we will see more of it in the future.  Here is a link http://www.steffes.com/off-peak-heating/forced-air-furnaces.html

Honda also has a very interesting heating system which uses a cogeneration concept to produce electricity and heat from a single fuel source.  It is called a Climate Energy Micro-CHP system, which has been used in Japan for the last several years. It is a combination of a conventional furnace, and single cylinder internal combustion engine.  There is a substantial (30%) savings in heating and electrical usage in homes with this type of unit.  Here is sime more information on this unique concept: HONDA

If you have questions regarding your home energy efficiency or want to discuss other trends in the marketplace please click here: -Request Info

 Now that the new year is finally here... you might want to include some of these ideas into your remodeling project. 

http://www.deweyfiremen.com/new-home-remodeling-trends-for-2012-and-beyond/