#BuildingWithIntegrity

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Precision in Every Bend | Dass Rebar | 372 New Enterprise Way, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0S8 | +19058133014

[genialny]

@IntegrityRoofSA: We love what we do, and that means we do it right. At #Integrity, we work with you every step of the way to make sure that you love it too. #IntegritySA #IntegrityCaresSA #Roofing #SATX #HomeRepair #Quality #Service #SupportSmallBusiness #BuildingWithIntegrity #QOTD #Quote https://t.co/hrkzI69rfE

[bachman1200]

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (EIFS, Stucco)

I have heard this phrase said since I was a kid. As an adult, business owner and builder, it translates essentially as, “it’s one thing to say you believe in a product and another thing to actually spend your money on it.”

For years I have extolled the virtues of EIFS, (Exterior Insulated Finish’s System) or in other word, synthetic stucco. EIFS became popular in Germany in the post WWII period. The half ruined buildings were rebuilt with chipped bricks from neighboring buildings. 

Since the bricks did not match, they needed to be covered. Masonry stucco was not new to Europe, but the drawback to masonry buildings are that they provide very little insulation. This is where the foam insulation proves so very helpful.

A layer of foam is applied over a used brick structure and then synthetic stucco is troweled on top of the foam, creating a water-tight insulated covering that can be used to create a myriad of different architectural styles. 

Stucco can be used to create a Tudor manor house, a quoined formal French château, an arched Spanish villa, and yes, a Tuscan ranch. EIFS got into a lot of trouble in the US because it was applied over wood structures. While the EIFS seldom failed, windows, doors, and wood trim often did. Once the moisture got into houses, it could not get out.  A ton of homes rotted from the inside out. Most of the damage was caused in the Carolinas, where boom times in the 1990’s created a perfect storm; a product requiring great care and knowledge when applying, being applied by untrained crews working in a frantic pace to keep up with an unrealistic schedule.

For years I told clients that the product was not the problem, the application was, especially since EIFS industry developed a new waterproofing system membrane as an added precaution. Some building inspectors allow the EIFS foam to be mechanically attached over Tyvek Stucco Wrap but I have always believed, as does Moon Township’s building inspector, that two layers of paper are required. 

I tell the framer to install the Tyvek paper as if he is providing the only waterproofing and I tell the EIFS installer (or synthetic stone installer, which Is a similar products with similar dangers) that they need to apply their Tyvek paper as if they are applying the only waterproofing system. 

 After the paper, foam sheets are screwed onto the wall.

The screws are set into the foam so the foam can be scraped smooth and level. Then the dimpled holes are filled. 

 and the entire wall is brown coated.

I know the coating is actually grey, but we call it brown coating because the type of tradesmen that applies stucco used to apply plaster, which has a first coat that is actually brown. (I just wanted to clarify because, having grandchildren, when you call grey brown, you get corrected.)

The key to avoiding failures in an EIFS application is that the seams between the stucco and the windows and doors need to also be waterproofed. The most important thing is that the gap be as wide as a finger,

 which allows a wide caulk joint. This is the biggest challenge with all the EIFS contractors I have worked with over the years. They left small gaps and the smeared the caulk over the crack, not into it.

Once the brown coat is on and the gaps created, the finish is troweled on.

 I initially selected a color that was tan, matching some of the stone but Deby and a couple of friends told me that it would look better if the stucco was darker and stood out from the stone.  So we selected a darker color……………………..and had a moment of panic when the first finish coat was applied.

 Deby said our house looked like a pumpkin. 

I was concerned at first as well, but then we decided to give it the chance it deserved. Once the plastic was removed from the stone, we loved it! 

It is certainly not dull, and in fact I say that it is a happy house. I love it, Deby loves it and we have gone ahead with the rest of the exterior painting.

It truly is becoming a Tuscan country villa.

Stay tuned! Painting and Landscaping coming up!

[thomwoglom-blog]

Getting Back to Basics

My last few blogs laid the groundwork for efficiently utilizing alternative energies and creating home and landscape design that meld with ecosystems. But let’s step back for a bit; let’s talk about getting back to basics…the simple, practical, consistent steps in renovating or building your new home. It’s not only about skill and product choice, it’s also about integrity. 

Ours is a family business and I’ve found that what works in my family carries over really nicely to my business. My wife, Sally and I raised our children using basic building blocks – eat well, sleep well, treat others with respect, and follow through on that which has been asked of you.  We instilled in them the importance of morals and honest employment, and embracing the discipline of hard work. Of course, we’ve also encouraged them to have some fun along the way. Thom Woglom Construction utilizes the same code of excellence: nothing worth having comes easily. 

Strategic planning

My favorite client plans for a project. If the market doesn’t offer you the opportunity to sell right now, maybe you are getting ready for when the market is right. You might be interested in adding extra living space.  Do you need to make room for elder family members or younger ones who are coming home after college? Or, are you looking to build your dream home?

All of these projects can be successful if, together, we have a solid plan in place. At the beginning, it’s about communication, scheduling, and planning. There will be lots of talk later about the professionals that will be hired, the products that will work best, the applications and approvals that are needed, ordering supplies and dealing with any weather surprises. Even after the last nail is in place and the walls are painted, we’ll recommend a tailored maintenance plan because this is a priority too.   

An Envelope Design

Our success is a combination of years of studying and understanding building science.  We take the time and energy for plotting the building envelope – the combination of design and engineering that allows for outside elements, foundation and the exterior shell working together to create an interior that is a comfortable and affordable place to live – for a long time.

Over the years, we’ve learned about products that we know work well. We choose the ones that fit in your ‘envelope’.  Our selection process looks to length of service and durability but we also want the manufacturer who has been open to questions and challenges.  Trust me – we’ve put them through the gauntlet!  We don’t choose what’s on sale or what’s cheapest – although we often benefit from better pricing (and we pass that along to our customer) – for us it’s about choosing the product that works for your project. Our confidence is built by the warranties that are offered as well.  And you can be sure that we’ve learned about the product, we know how to install it, and we will be back when/if there’s a need for a repair and can take advantage of that warranty.

Professional Integrity

I’ve also dedicated a lot of energy over the years getting to know the professionals in my industry.  Just as I’ve researched a variety of products that I know will work well for your project, I’ve also built a rapport with contractors who I will bring to the party.  As your general contractor, my job is multi-faceted. Apart from keeping to the budget, time schedule and intricacies of the job, I need to make sure it all gets done well.  The professionals I hire have been vetted for their commitment to those same goals.  I don’t work well with folks who don’t have the same integrity as me.

Ovid Serrano of Serrano Roofing is one of those professionals…he’s going to be the topic of my next blog.  I look forward to sharing his experiences and wisdom with you.  Once you’ve read it, you’ll understand why we work together so well.

For now, I’ll sign off with some food for thought…

It's important to keep your largest asset in good shape. I agree whole-heartedly with the "back to basics" approach and as William F. Buckley said: “The more complicated and powerful the job, the more rudimentary the preparation for it.”

[jdass-corp370]

Strength meets durability with Dass Rebar | 372 New Enterprise Way, Woodbridge, ON L4H0S8 | +19058133014

Strength meets durability with Dass Rebar—engineered to provide the support your projects need for lasting stability! 🔧

[jdass-corp370]

Guarantees Strength, Durability High-Quality Rebar | 372 New Enterprise Way, ON L4H 0S8 | 9058133014

At Dass Rebar, we provide high-quality rebar that guarantees strength and durability in every project. Whether you're working on large infrastructure or small, our products are built to last. 🔩🏗️

[jdass-corp370]

Committed high quality materials | 372 New Enterprise Way, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0S8 | +19058133014

From concept to construction, we've got the rebar you need to build your vision! 🏗️ At Dass Rebar, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality materials with exceptional service for every project, big or small. Let’s raise the bar together! 💪

[jdass-corp370]

Precision & Efficiency | Dass Rebar | 372 New Enterprise Way, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0S8 | +19058133014

Every bend, every angle, crafted with precision and efficiency. At Dass Rebar, we’re committed to excellence in every piece of rebar we fabricate. 🔩💼

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At Dass Rebar, we offer rebar solutions tailored to your project's exact specifications. ​

Our offerings include in-house estimating and detailing, project management, and a highly efficient trucking fleet, all designed to ensure precision and punctuality in every delivery.

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[bachman1200]

Why We Chose the Architectural Style

While the simple design of the house with a low pitched roof lends itself to be a Craftsman home which is what I wanted,

my wife preferred a French Country style. Bachman Builders specializes in the French Country style as new construction however,

French Country typically requires steep pitched roofs and several gables. Obviously, that would require a roof-rebuild which did not make economic sense. 

Like all good marriages, we compromised! 

We decided on a Tuscany Farmhouse theme, which typically does unitize low pitched roofs and simple forms. After all, when homes in Tuscany were being built, it was a poor farming area not a world-wide famous wine district. 

When we showed the initial plans to Carl Griffith, a local Realtor and developer, he cautioned us not to make the house look like a long double-wide. We agreed and added a hip roof to the addition and added two small dormers into the drawing plans. 

We worked with Mark Green, a local designer that we have worked with successfully for over a decade. He helped us blend the existing home into The Villa dream! 

Keep following! Next we get to every dude's favorite part: DEMOLITION!

~David Bachman

[bachman1200]

Why We Chose This Property

First, this house belonged to my eldest daughter for about a decade. She had two of my first grandchildren there and it was an excellent starter home for her family. During that time, we spent tons of time at BBQ's (my son-in-law is an excellent grill master!) and playing Bocci Ball. The back yard is expansive, lined with mature trees. 

The property is unique in that its location is in one of the most desirable places in Moon Township (where my wife and I grew up, went to high school and fell in love). We both have local businesses and once complete, we'll spend less than 7 minutes commuting to work. Not bad, eh!? 

This two bedroom ranch, started in the 1940's and completed in the 1950's, was well-built. It was very rare for homes in its era to have such a large family room out front. As someone who has been a builder and renovator my entire adult life, I saw great potential in the home and the two acre flat piece of ground privately surrounding it. 

As an interesting note, the previous owner (aka: my youngest daughter's ex-boyfriend's grandmother...small weird world?!), purchased the home in 1962 from the original owners. She told my son-in-law at closing, that the people who first built the house lived in the foundation for several years while they saved money to build the rest of the house up-top. We found evidence of this when we removed some of the first-floor walls.

More on that to follow...

[bachman1200]

Why We Chose the Renovator/Builder

First, let's just get down to it. We chose Bachman Builders, Inc. because we ARE Bachman Builders. My wife and I have been in the building business for decades. We have moved into many different styles and sizes of homes. As we approach retirement age (though I plan to never stop building!), we wanted to build our little dream villa, taking a-little-of-this-and-a-little-of-that lessons we've learned along the way. This blog will document how we go about that process and we hope you follow our adventure. When it's all finished, we hope you stop over for a glass of wine on the veranda.

I can't help it! Here's my business plug: Bachman Builders has a seasoned team of in-house employees with a combined 100 plus years of construction experience. From complete renovations of houses built in the 1800’s, to finished basements, to simple bath renovations, our crew can handle it. Our clients feel secure interacting with our fully insured craftsmen throughout the renovation experience. Trained in lead based paint remediation, adept in all construction trades, and fully covered by Workman’s Compensation Insurance, Bachman Builders, Inc. can handle any home renovation project.

I have total faith in my team to build my family dream home. Thanks for following along. 

~David Bachman

[bachman1200]

Cisterns & Waiting for Spring

Having completed the interior of The Villa at Beaver Grade and getting the exterior concrete poured, we eagerly await spring so we can do the landscaping.

Many people have asked us about “that big milk carton” in our yard. Let me explain. That big white thing is called a cistern, which we will install in the ground before we landscape. We will drain all our rain leaders from our roof downspouts into that tank. We will then use that to water our garden, shrubbery and yard.

Cisterns were very popular in centuries past, before the time of public water. People, animals and plants need water the most during dry times, so people used cisterns to save water during rainy seasons in order to use that water during dry seasons.

While Moon Township has excellent water, it does cost money. We will be able to use rain water for watering, and in times of emergency, we will have water for drinking if need be.

Waiting For Spring! Stay tuned.

Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. - Proverbs 5:15

[bachman1200]

From Russia With Love (& some WWII history)

Well, technically, Russian speaking Vladimir and Valarie are from Belarus, a former republic in the USSR which is now independent. Vladimir and Valerie are recent immigrants from Minsk which is the capital of Belarus. Their skill is only matched by their desire to do work correctly.

I have heard of problems with water infiltration into stone but these guys were very diligent to do all the flashing correctly. They were clean and their joints are admittedly much neater than the ones I did on our fireplace and the interior arch this winter. 

If people ask me the difference, I will have to have an excuse, I mean reason, why my joints are not as neat…can anyone help me out with a plausible reason?

I am very proud to have immigrants work on our house since they are legal, insured and pay taxes. They work for Ystone, a company owned by another Belarusian immigrant, Yury Horbach. The stone is Dutch Quality brand, supplied by P. F. Cook in Cranberry.

When we use cultured stone, it is a challenge to make it look like natural stone. One of the ways we do this is to use natural sandstone for the mantels, caps and pier caps. Another way to make the stone look natural is to apply applications on the house that make sense, and to use mass when natural stone would have had mass.

We were very careful to make the front porch arches very thick, as they would be if constructed of natural stone. On a personal note, one late addition to the plans was the little arch on the side of the porch. This arch was created for my oldest grandchild, Nadia, to sit in when she visits and waits for me to arrive home. My other grandchildren, well, I will make some curved steps to the porch for them. We will pour the steps and have pictures of them soon (although not soon enough for Deby!)

Back to Vladimir and Valerie, as a student of history, I had to ask them if they had relatives with remembrances of WWII. Given the horrific casualty rates of the Russian people in that war, they did not have a lot of relatives who had experiences that they could relay to them. But Vladimir did note that one of his aunts lived in Kursk, a few hundred miles to the south east of Minsk. Kursk was the site of the largest tank battle in the history of the world in the summer of 1943. The Germans were trying to regain the offensive that they had lost the previous winter in Stalingrad. Vladimir related that she said the skies were filled with planes from both sides and the tank battles were enormous and thunderous. It was a brutal defeat for the Germans and they never launched a major offensive attack again until The Battle of the Bulge, which is when my father went to the front in late 1944.

Thanks for following, more to come! 

David Bachman