Waterproofing

SAN JOSE — An essential aspect of home maintenance (both inside and out) is protecting against moisture intrusion. One of the most effective measures in this regard is the application of sealant materials such as caulking. However, when performing this step, it’s vital to not only address pertinent areas, but also to use the correct sealant for the area it’s being applied to.

Inside the home, the two main areas to focus on are the bathroom and the kitchen. In the bathroom, any gaps around the shower, tub and sink should be sealed. In particular, you should make sure all corners inside the shower are sealed to prevent water from leaking into the walls or onto the floor, Read more

RICHMOND — Host, Sarah Rutan: When it comes to preventing water damage in your home, one simple maintenance step can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Today we’re in Richmond with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Franco Corvasce of FC Remodeling to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Franco Corvasce: Okay. One of the most important things a homeowner can do to maintain their home is seal and paint all of the small gaps in their home. This is going to allow you to keep the water from infiltrating the home, which could potentially cause severe dry rot and damage and cost you thousands. But a small, simple step is just, Read more

PLEASANTON — Host, Sarah Rutan: If you own a home, one of the simplest steps you can take to preserve your investment is to seal your exterior trim and siding. Today we’re in Pleasanton with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Blaine Munsch of Willow Creek Construction to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Blaine Munsch: The importance of caulking around window and door trim. Here we have a window that’s got a nice bead of caulking all the way around it. This is a good example of a high-quality caulking. Over here I have a piece of trim that goes down to a patio slab here. See how we got this gap here? Read more

PLEASANTON — If you own a home, you’ll want to take proactive steps to protect your investment. One of the simplest yet most impactful of such maintenance measures is to keep the exterior of your home well-sealed.

Every home exterior contains gaps, whether in door and window trim or between siding panels. When these gaps aren’t sealed, it leaves them vulnerable to moisture intrusion from rainy weather and exterior washing. The residual moisture from this water intrusion is a common catalyst for the development of dry rot, a harmful fungus that softens wood and compromises its stability. Once dry rot has gained a foothold, it can spread into your walls and flooring, creating potentially dangerous conditions. Read more

LAFAYETTE — Tiles are a popular option when it comes to flooring, particularly in showers or other areas where the presence of water is a factor. However, one mistake often made in tile work is the use of cement grout to seal corners, seams and other areas where the tile meets a wall (also known as expansion joints).

While cement grout is typically used to seal joints between tiles on a level plain, it should not be used to seal expansion joints because these areas are prone to flexing and shifting over time. Since cement isn’t a flexible substance, these movements can cause cracks to form in cement grout. Besides being unsightly, cracks in tile grout can result in water penetration and lead to problems like dry rot. Read more

COTATI — When planning a home addition, even the most practical ideas can be complicated by issues regarding functional feasibility. Here are a couple aspects that can factor into the viability of your home addition project:

Roof line
One important consideration is whether your home’s roof can be properly adjusted to accommodate the new addition. Expanding or adding on to your home entails an extension of the roof line, and since one of a roof’s main functions is to divert water, it’s crucial to make sure this extension can be functionally incorporated into the roof’s overall design. Otherwise, you could end up with an expensive water trap.

Property line setbacks
Many homeowners think they can feasibly extend their homes to the utmost edges of their properties, Read more

SEBASTOPOL — When installing a new deck, waterproofing is a crucial aspect of attaching it to your house. By taking thorough measures to properly waterproof your deck, you can expect it to have a longer lifespan and avoid rot issues with both the deck and your house.

One of the main components of deck waterproofing is the flashing, which consists of a couple different elements. First, there’s the Z bar, which is a piece of metal in the shape of a “Z” that fits over the wooden ledger to deflect rain and moisture. Another important component is membrane flashing, which is installed under the Z bar, behind the ledger and in any area where moisture is a concern. Read more