Michael F. Simon Builders

Michael F. Simon Builders May 2011 Newsletter

We recognize that most people experience concern while looking for and working with a remodel contractor. With the recent hail damage to our service area, be wary of storm chasers, or unscrupulous contractors who will take your money and disappear.

We recommend you consider the following when evaluating those contractors you talk to: the reputation and stability of the company, their experience and methodology for remodeling/building and their service before, during and after your project. Or better yet, if you or someone you know sustained hail damage please give us a call. We will see that you get a quality job done right the first time.

Best regards,

We've mentioned before that each home we build is Energy Star and Green Built certified. Back in 2008, we had an energy audit done on our office and found some ways in which we could be greener.

It's been over 3 years since those changes and improvements have been made and we took another look at our energy usage. Just as we suspected, our efforts paid off. We cut our average kilowatt hours by about 50 per day. So what does that mean? Well, it is a savings of $3.88 per day or $1,416.20 per year. Our calculations are assuming that energy costs stayed constant, which they didn't. They increased, meaning more savings. But as a Green Builder, saving energy was our focus, cutting costs is just a bonus.

Currently we are looking into even more changes to help do our part. If you would like to save energy (and money) in your home, stop by our office to see how we can help you! I'd love to show you the improvements we made.

Past Project: Teaser Video

One of our bigger, more involved remodel/additions also happens to be one we haven't shown you yet. Here's a sneak peak of the construction of that project. Next month we will give you the details but for now, check out the video!

Ask The Builder: Cleaning decking

Hi Phil,

I have a Trex composite deck that's starting to mildew. What can I use to clean it? Would a bleach solution affect the color of the board?

Thanks, Mike

Dear Mike: You're not the first person to ask about this issue with Trex composite decking.

The dark spots present are a mixture of algae, mildew or some other mold growth. Oxygen bleach almost always will restore the original look. My own Trex decking has spotting issues, algae growth, and uneven coloration issues. Believe it or not, it's highly unlikely that the decking material itself is causing the entire problem. The issues you're having can happen on just about any decking material. However, your deck might be more prone to issues for a number of reasons. Mold and mildew feed on natural materials such as wood fiber, natural sugars, dirt, dust, grease, oils, and food. If you have trees or other vegetation near your deck shading the decking, these might be adding to the problem.

A visit to the Trex decking web site reveals they have a comprehensive cleaning guide that may help you. They are quick to point out that a powerful pressure washer, one that delivers a pressure stream greater than 1,500 pounds per square inch (psi), is to be avoided. They also recommend not holding the pressure wand closer than 12 inches from the decking surface. A concentrated stream of high-pressure water can erode the wood fibers that are in the decking.

No deck is maintenance free, not even the expensive composite decks. All will have to be periodically cleaned from time to time.

I personally have had the best luck cleaning my Trex deck with oxygen bleach. This is a powder that you mix with water. It works to clean any decking material. The oxygen ions in the solution readily clean mold, mildew, algae and any food you may have spilled on the deck. What I like about oxygen bleach is that it removes the gray coloration from the small wood fibers in my Trex making it look like new. The sun's UV rays cause the wood fibers in the decking to turn gray.

Apply the oxygen-bleach solution and allow it to sit for 15 minutes never allowing it to evaporate. It's best to work early or late in the day when the decking is in the shade. After the wait period, use a stiff scrub brush to clean the decking. Rinse with clear water from a garden hose. You'll be amazed at how clean and new the decking will look.

Please be careful with any bleach product as it could have negative effects on nearby plants and other surfaces.

Friend Us!

Watch our progress as we build a custom home. Right now we are in the finishing stages of a beautiful home. Become our friend and keep an eye on what we are up to.

Featured Lot For Sale

Fieldstone Estates, Town of Middleton

4490 Deering Trail (Lot 5), Middleton, WI
This subdivision is located 2 1/2 miles west of the Beltline off Airport Road. Bordering the south side of Whispering Winds subdivision, this cul-de-sac contains eleven lots, which are approximately 1 acre in size. All eleven lots have mature trees along their rear lot lines. This large (40,000 sq. ft.) lot is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with the front facing east. Sloping elevation would allow for a half exposure to the rear yard. Rear property line is heavily wooded. Call for price.

If interested, call Phil Simon at (608) 849-5916, or email him.

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 have a maintenance tip to help keep you cool this summer.

Terry and Bob are cool guys who like to stay cool even during the hot summer. That's why they recommend replacing your furnace filter along with making sure your air conditioner is running correctly.

"I recommend having a certified HVAC company inspect your heating and cooling system once a year."

"There are two main reasons to schedule this maintenance: saving money and saving money (no that isn't a typo). For starters, you greatly increase the chances that your A/C technician will catch any small problems before they become big ones. Repairing a small refrigerant leak is much cheaper than buying a new compressor when low refrigerant levels burn your current one out. The other way an annual checkup saves you money is by ensuring that your A/C unit is working at optimal efficiency. When your A/C is running well it uses less energy to cool your house, and lower energy use means bigger savings for you on your monthly utility bills." - Terry

If you'd like Bob & Terry to answer any specific home related questions, feel free to email your questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

New Product:

What has a remote control, foot warmers, a motion sensor & heated seat, lights, built-in speakers, and a bidet with adjustable positions, pressure, temperature, dryer and deodorizer? It's the newest toilet of course!

I promise I'm not making this up. This is the most advanced toilet Kohler has ever come out with. With a price tag of over $5,000, this is definitely not a standard toilet to tuck in a corner of the bathroom. You'll want to show this thing off! It's hard to even imagine, but Kohler has a video of it which you can watch here.

The Numi toilet combines unmatched design, technology and engineering to bring you the finest in personal comfort and cleansing. From its striking form and features to its unrivaled water efficiency, the Numi toilet marks a new standard of excellence in the bathroom.