| | Michael F. Simon Builders January 2010 Newsletter Happy new year! This is the time of year when plans and resolutions are made. If your plans for 2010 include changing, updating, replacing, remodeling your existing home, or even building a new home, Michael F Simon builders would like to lend a hand in keeping that new years's resolution. Let us put our experts to work for you! Keeping that new years' remodeling resolution couldn't be easier, just give us a call to schedule your free, no pressure, in-house consultation. We work hard to earn referrals, if there's any house related project you or your friends have considered, we'd love to hear from you. Best regards,
Ice Dams, Causes & Solutions Q: What is an ice dam? How can I prevent snow and ice buildup on my roof? A: During the Wisconsin winter, freezing temperatures can lead to an ice dam. This occurs when ice freezes along the edge of the roof and prevents melted snow (water) from draining off of the roof. This trapped water can back up beneath shingles and flashing and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. The majority of ice dams occur because the attic is too hot. Attic heat melts snow on the upper roof, but the snow melt turns back into ice as it reaches the colder lower edge of the roof/gutter. This ice dam keeps melted snow from draining off of the roof. Instead, the water can leak behind the shingles and cause damage to the home. Proper attic insulation and roof/soffit vents can greatly lessen the impact of ice damming. Insulation will prevent heat from your home from escaping into your attic and melting snow on your roof. Vents will help even the temperature throughout the roof so that snow is not melting in one area and re-freezing in another. Another solution to extreme ice damming is heating cable. Heating cables can be applied to the roof edge, and even inside the gutter and downspout to prevent ice dams and frozen gutters and downspouts. In our experience, heating cable that can be purchased from big box stores work well but should be monitored. Let us know if you need help installing them.
Past Projects: Garage Overhaul Recently we were asked by a past client to finish her garage. We had built her house 10 years ago and she recently wanted her garage to look as nice as the rest of the house. This is the kind of repeat business we are used to and love. (Scroll over the pictures to see the before picture) 
We started by mudding and taping the drywall before painting the walls a fresh white. After the drywall was finished, the floor received an epoxy covering that will not only look good and protect the concrete, but it will also be slip resistant unlike wet concrete. Think about this the next time you slip on your garage floor! (Scroll over the picture to see the before picture) 
Cubbies and shelving were installed next. This makes the once messy looking garage a very neat and organized area of the home. It also increased the storage space available in the garage and who doesn't need a little extra room? It reminds me of the saying, "A place for everything, and everything in its place" including the moped! (Scroll over the picture to see the before picture)
If your garage or any other area of your home could use a face lift or a little work, we can get it done for you. We've seen and done it all, from replacing a door, replacing windows, bathroom remodels, finishing off lower levels, or kitchens, we've seen and done it all. Trust Michael F Simon Builders to get your remodeling project done in a professional, timely, manner while saving you money and time.
Salting Your Driveway
Things to Know About Salting Concrete in the Winter You can help maintain concrete by shoveling the snow from your driveway, sidewalk and steps. By clearing snow, there is less chance that it will compact down freezing into the surface and accelerate the freeze/thaw cycle. The less number of times that water enters concrete and freezes, the less likely that it will become damaged. Use a plastic shovel instead of a metal one. Bent/sharp corners of a worn metal shovel can damage the surface of certain types of concrete. Is it okay to use salt as a de-icer? The short answer is NO. Salt is very corrosive to concrete and will eventually, if not immediately, cause damage too many types of concrete. What about "Environmentally Friendly" de-icers?
There are four primary types of de-icing salts that all have different characteristics and are each designed to work in certain temperature ranges. *The most common de-icing salt is regular rock salt or sodium chloride. It is widely available and can melt snow and ice until the temperature drops below -8 C. Below these temperatures the rock salt stops melting snow and ice. Rock salt also releases the highest amount of chloride ions when it dissolves. Chloride can pollute water ways, rivers, lakes, and can also cause metal to corrode.
*Calcium Chloride is another de-icing salt that is commonly marketed in tiny white pellets. It can melt snow and ice well below -17 C. It can cause skin irritation if your hands are moist when using it and will chemically attack concrete.
*Potassium Chloride is another de-icing salt that is now available. It is not a skin irritant and will not harm vegetation but will only melt ice and snow when temperature is above -9 C.
*The newest de-icing salt is Magnesium Chloride. It will continue to melt snow and ice well below -25C. This salt releases about 40 percent less chloride into the environment than either rock salt or Calcium Chloride. It can be less damaging to concrete surfaces of unknown or questionable quality.
The common property of all different types of de-icers is that they all seem to have the potential to damage concrete and some are harmful to the environment.
The problem with using a de-icer of any kind is the damage caused by increased freeze/thaw cycles. For example, when a product rated for -9 C melts snow and ice, it will enter the pores of the concrete as salty water. When the temperature drops below the rated temperature for that particular salt it can refreeze and expand in the pores of the concrete causing damage. Many types of salt de-icers are marketed as "Environmentally Friendly". Be careful when using these products and read the directions carefully.
So how do you protect your concrete surfaces from freeze/thaw damage? To protect your concrete surface from freeze/thaw damage, you must seal your concrete. Sorry this is the wrong time of year for sealing, but we will feature an article where a local professional gives advice on sealing concrete. Be sure to check this summer's article about sealing concrete. The best bet when you have ice & slippery conditions is to spread sand over the area, not de-icers. | | Green Tips: Lighting accounts for about 20 percent of our electricity usage in a home. If every household changed a light to an ENERGY STAR one, together we'd save enough energy to light 7 million homes. A programmable, set-back thermostat with four settings can save up to $100 in annual energy costs. Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120-degrees Fahrenheit, unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs. Insulate the first 5 feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet. Pipe insulation is available from your hardware store.
Featured Lot for Sale:Lake Mendota! Imagine 380' of gorgeous frontage on Lake Mendota with a view of the Capital! Walk to Bishops Bay Country Club! For more information on this private mature site. 
For more details about this unique building site, call Phil Simon at (608) 849-5916, or email him at
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Tips from Bob & Terry: Bob Clemens (remodeling expert) and Terry Dowell (Project Manager) from Simon Builders, have picked up a few tips and tricks over their 50 plus combined years here at Simon Builders. This month, they would like to say a quick word about frosty windows. We see this a lot during the winter. The temperature drops, and people see frost on their windows. Their first reaction is usually that something is wrong with the windows. Typically, that is not the case. The warm air inside your home can hold a fair amount of water vapor. Your windows can be so cold; this water vapor condenses on your windows and turns to ice and frost. If this happens in your home, don't panic, it can simply be the moisture level in your home is too high. You can minimize the frost from forming by lowering the humidity inside your home. This is not always easy, but check to make sure your humidity setting on your humidifier is set very low (If you have one). As the outdoor temperature drops, you need to make sure you put less water in the air in your home. "You can also remove interior window screens and raise window coverings about 1 ½” higher than the bottom window sill," says Terry. Make sure you use your kitchen exhaust vent when cooking and your bath fan while showering. Check back next month for an in-depth article about this topic. If you'd like Bob & Terry to answer any specific home related questions, feel free to email them to
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Cheers to You: Our Referral Program  The greatest compliment we can receive is a referral from you! If you know of anyone looking for a lot, a new home or a refresh or remodel in their current home, please have them give us a call.
As a token of our appreciation, we will treat you to a wine or brew of the month club, if your referral builds with us. Please contact us for more details. Cheers & thank you!
New Product: Powermat : The Wireless Battery Charger 
Tired of "wire clutter" where your mobile phones, MP3 players and gaming devices compete for outlet space? The Powermat may be your solution. The Powermat is a 12-inch long wireless battery charger that's conspicuously missing "plugs". Instead, it uses magnetic induction to safely recharge up to 3 devices at once. Just place your phone(s) on the pad and they charge automatically. Price: $99 at powermat.com
In the next issue: » Available Lots
» New Products » Green Tips » Past Project: Window Replacement » Tips from Bob & Terry » Email the Buidler: Frost on Windows
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