Hardboard Siding: Is it on your Side?

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The majority of us don’t live in Beverly Hills, so it’s understandable that we install what we can afford when it comes to our siding. However, in the eyes of top construction contractors, this explains the unfavorable trend of hardboard siding that can be seen on homes everywhere that were built new over the past few decades. While this product still has the appearance of real wood and several homeowners who use it have dodged the bullet thus far when it comes to water damage, today’s generation of contractors are receiving a growing number of calls about aging hardboard siding that has fallen victim to rain or water damage, swelling and patches of deterioration.

Smart Solutions to Siding.

The good news? Good contractors. They can make the process of siding selection, repair, or replacement far less daunting—even enjoyable. They understand what modern materials and woods are affordable and best resistant to water. They can adeptly handle your siding complaints, communicate with your insurance, and quickly restore your home’s precious coat of armor.

As siding options are growing—from time-tested woods to newer, modern-day-engineered materials—smart homeowners can explore products that not only look better, but offer greater protection, equity and coverage from insurance. Simply put, there’s an option that can be tailored in the interests of your home and your wallet.

In the storm-prone Midwest, it’s important to remember that when it comes to siding, never just go skin deep—you could be inviting water into your home years later. Hardboard siding may have a nice-looking shell, but underneath you’ll find heat-compressed wood fibers, wax and resin, which require more maintenance down the road and offer less performance than other brands. Ask any professional.

Questions about siding?

Whether you’ve incurred siding damage or you’re looking to upgrade to a better option or receive consultation, you can always call a certified contractor serving homes in Omaha, Papillion, La Vista and Bellevue since 1987.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Total Construction gives WWII vet special treatment with roof

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While nothing compares to the great sacrifices our vets have made for our country, the least we can do at Total Construction is provide a minor sacrifice of our own. Take Ted Williams, for example-a WWII Marine Corps veteran and Harlan, IA resident, who needed roof repair in the aftermath of recent hailstorms.

He not only deserved a good new roof, but some special treatment to go with it.

The latest effort in Total Construction’s mission to assist veterans throughout the Midwest, our first step was to provide Mr. Williams with GAF roofing products. These high-end products can only be installed by North America’s top 3% of roofing contractors–a ranking that was hard earned by our company.

Our second step? Gift him with a rebate of $250 and a long-lasting roof warranty.

This is not only a heartfelt thank you for Mr. Williams’ military service, but also a token of our partnership with the GAF’s Roof for Troops promotion, which provides enhanced products and benefits to all veterans and service members, active and non-active, of all branches.

To further lend support to those who have served, Total Construction is also an accepted builder for the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program, which secures further benefits and financial backing to make home ownership more accessible for our servicemen and women.

Ted WIlliams received a new roof with some well-deserved benefits

Total Construction Services would like to thank Mr. Williams for his service to our great nation, so we can enjoy our freedom. At the very least, he should be able to enjoy a sound roof over his home. The same goes for any veterans in need.

If you’re a veteran looking to have questions answered about your home–as well as any homeowner in search of repair from storm damage, hail damage or otherwise–call the experts serving the Midwest since 1987.

To those who serve and have served, thank you.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Storm damage? Avoid a waiting list.

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If hail or high winds have affected your property, don’t fret—expert repair services are available to you at a minimal wait. Total Construction is operating at fuller strength than ever to address this season’s first wave of major storms. From handling homeowner’s claims across Omaha, to claims across the Midwest including the aftermath in Red Oak, Iowa, our company carries the proven capacity and experience necessary to get you back to normal fast—wherever you live, whenever a storm hits.

Want efficiency? Seek experience first.

To ensure that we can serve you quickly—and complete the job thoroughly—our fleet operates in conjunction with our in-house insurance claims center and veteran estimators. It’s a one-two punch of experience that can expertly address both your property needs and all paperwork that arises. We’re also affiliated with a network of top third party roofers in the nation, giving us greater experience handling emergency situations and providing faster—yet finer—repairs to each home we serve. We can eliminate the obstacles that often cause delays or discrepancies in the repair process. It’s a part of our skillset.

Want more proof? Seek awards.

Total Construction has been serving Omaha and surrounding areas for 27 years. In that time, we’ve been awarded the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award and been honored as a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor—a feat that only 3% of North America’s roofing contractors have ever achieved. Add that to a list of satisfied customer testimonials that continues to grow.

When a storm hits, it’s our duty to inform you that better options are available. Because we’ve seen the grief a damaged home can cause—but moreover, seen the joy when a home is well repaired, on time.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Get ready for summer: De-winterize your home.

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The summer sun is coming. Get your home ready.Winter is receding and the summer sun is teasing its way in. Now’s a perfect time to prepare your home with a few simple steps to maximize your comfort and minimize any issues this season.

Test your outside water lines. Turn your outside water line back on and check your outside faucets to ensure they’re working correctly. Reattach your hose and test it also. If there’s a small leak, you can easily repair it using a garden hose repair kit available at most retailers.

Check your home’s exterior. Now’s the time to see how your home handled the winter and preemptively address any needs before spring storms and summer swelter begin their annual barrage. Are there any shingles missing from the roof? Are there loose boards in the siding? Gaps in the windows? Torn or bent screens or any cracking in the foundation? Points where the snow leaked into the home? These are all things that can be promptly solved by a professional contractor before the problem grows more intense along with the weather.

Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. An attic that’s properly ventilated by professionals ensures that undue heat is never trapped in your home (poorly ventilated attics can reach 150ºF in the summer) while also preventing unwanted moisture. When moisture builds, it can form into mildew and molds on your infrastructure—which can sometimes become a health hazard. So let your attic breathe. The benefits may surprise you.

Get your HVAC system checked. Make sure you’re prepared when you revive the AC for another season of cooling. Professionals can check your unit to ensure it’s running correctly, locate any leaks and tune it to run most efficiently.

Test all of your outside electrical outlets. Are they working correctly? Again, a professional contractor can assist if you locate a dud, which may indicate a greater problem.

Know your market. It’s wise to be prepared. With the seasonal changes on the horizon, be sure to have a trusted contractor on hand in the event of a problem or emergency. You can ask your home insurance provider for a list of trustworthy names. But above all, look for someone who receives local awards and real testimonials indicating overall excellence and customer service.

A well prepared home decreases the likelihood of issues during the hot months, but more importantly, enables you to more easily enjoy the summer. After all, isn’t that the point?

If you have further questions on de-winterizing your home, or for anything home-related, call Total Construction any time to speak with a friendly representative.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

6 useful tips to prevent pipes from freezing

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Where there's frozen water, frozen or burst pipes can follow.

It’s no mystery in the winter: the main culprit of bursting pipes is frozen water. Namely, how frozen water blocks the normal flow of liquid through the pipes, causing backup and pressure to build. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not expanding ice that actually makes a pipe finally burst: it’s the remaining liquid water finding nowhere else to go but out. Using this knowledge, there’s a few simple tips you can follow now to prevent any watery disasters in the future.

1. Ensure your pipes are insulated. Sure, homes in the north are often equipped with well-insulated pipes. But regardless of latitude, homes throughout the Midwest, especially farther south, should ensure their pipes are properly insulated—especially in vulnerable areas such as attics, crawlspaces and outside walls. If this year’s frigid cold has taught us anything, it’s this: where the cold is less commonplace, so is preparation. So don’t be a victim: avoid costly emergencies by adopting a mindset of better safe than sorry. For advice on insulation, you can always contact a construction contractor.

2. Seal those seams. To keep cold wind away from your pipes, seal cracks and holes in your walls with caulking. Simply walk along the walls of your house and feel for drafts. And for fainter drafts, light an incense stick. When the smoke is offset, there’s a draft.

3. Some doors are best left open. Did you know? Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can keep warm inside air from reaching pipes under sinks or in adjacent outside walls. It’s a good idea to keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to let warm air circulate around the pipes and prevent freezing.

4. Unfasten your hose. If a hose is hooked up to your backyard or the side of your house, remove it and shut off the valve that leads to your outdoor hose. By shutting off your valve and ensuring all water has dripped out, it removes the risk of a freeze.

5. Don’t hesitate to use your taps. As long as water is running and pressure doesn’t build up, there’s a far lower risk of freeze and pipes bursting. Also, it’s okay to let faucets lightly drip where you believe there could be risk of cold pipes. The slight relief in pressure prevents potential buildup within your pipes.

6. Leaving for a trip? Don’t over-lower the heat. While understandably it saves money to lower your thermostat when you’re away from home, it’s important to not be overzealous and allow your home to cool excessively in your absence. A home kept reasonably warm will ensure pipes share the same cozy condition.

Aside from the obvious pipe burst, a telltale symptom of winter creeping into your infrastructure is lowered water pressure—or worse, no water activity whatsoever when you twist your faucet on. While this requires immediate professional assistance, you can also call a professional ahead of time for additional precautionary tips on how to prevent this worst case scenario.

For the best repair and restoration in the instance of water damage and other incidents, contact a certified construction contractor serving homes and businesses since 1987.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com