What? Oak Trees Produce Acid? - 02/29/12 08:25 PM
 
 What? Oak Trees Produce Acid?
 
 
Do you have oak trees near your house? Have you noticed that the gutters have corroded rather quickly? Your oak trees are filled with oak galls containing tannin. Tannin is a very corrosive liquid when mixed with water, forming tannic acid that will eat through metal. Seriously.
In a relatively short period of time, your gutters could look like this.
  
This photo was taken in Cameron Park; if you are experiencing a similar problem, contact a contractor in your area. If you are in the El Dorado County, Sacramento County, or Placer … (10 comments)

I saw your sign on the side of the road - Really? - 02/28/12 12:11 AM
 
 I saw your sign on the side of the road - Really?

 

 
I got a call from someone looking for a general contractor today; she said she saw my sign on the side of the road. The sign was in Sacramento; she couldn’t remember the street but in was in the Arden area. Funny, I don’t have any signs in Sacramento on any street.
If I were going to have a sign in Sacramento, maybe it would look like this.
I hope that I can help her with her situation, regardless of how she found me!
… (78 comments)

Are You Focused On Your Goals? Photo Fun - 02/26/12 08:59 PM
 
Having a problem staying focused? 


Whether it is achieving our goals, completing a task, or doing chores around the house; a conscious effort is necessary. Here are some quick tips.

Have a Goal.
Avoid distractions.
Take small steps toward the goal.
Reward yourself.
Move on to the next logical thing.

Need a Contractor who can stay focused on your project until completion?
Give Tromler Construction a Call
916-765-5366

… (14 comments)

That looks a little unusual to me. Do I have a problem? - 02/26/12 12:25 PM
How do I know if your roof is causing a dry rot problem?
 
I would like to say that you need to have an expert come and check out the roof. You may be able to do a good evaluation yourself. There are a number of people that would be willing to take a look at your situation. Some will do it for free, others for a nominal fee.
 
Roofing Contractors
General Contractors
Property Inspectors
 
These contractors will probably be well qualified to check some areas of concern. You can make a pretty good evaluation yourself. Does the … (2 comments)

Do you have Faith? - Photo Fun - 02/26/12 12:22 AM



Do you have faith, or have you lost hope?
Would there be hope that things will be better in time if you did?
Do you believe that things will be okay?
What would you be doing differently today?
Do you trust that situations will be better?
 What would you do if you had Faith?
 
 
… (16 comments)

So what does it take to survive as a general contractor today? - 02/25/12 01:07 AM
 
So what does it take to survive as a general contractor today?
 
Providing a quality service.
Nothing can match this, quality will always win customers. No matter what else you do as a contractor; if the product is not good, you will not survive the competition.
Problem solving mentality.
If we look at every call as a call for help, we can best serve the client. We are problem solvers. This leaks, that is broken, something smell funny, we need more room; all of the calls we receive are to get a solution. How can we help solve the problem? … (12 comments)

Water Damage Repair in Placerville - Before and After - 02/23/12 06:23 PM

Water Damage Repair in Placerville - Before and After

Early in the Water Damage Repair project, things can look a bit overwhelming. There will be damaged materials, discolored surfaces, and maybe even some dry rot involved; all of this can be corrected by a professional.


 
After correcting the source of the problem, the rebuilding can begin. You will be amazed how quickly the change will occur. Once the new building materials have been installed, and the finishing touches applied, you will be pleased with how things have turned out.
 

 
 If you are in … (10 comments)

Someone Got Hacked on Facebook – Photo Tagging Fun - 02/23/12 12:12 PM
Someone Got Hacked on Facebook – Photo Tagging Fun
 
I got tagged in a photo on Facebook, and I know that I wasn’t alone. Photos were posted to my page that I can delete. Since I was tagged and not included in the photo, I thought that I’d add myself to one of them.  J
 
 
Sure, you know me as a General Contractor who specializes in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repair, but I like to think that I have a life outside of my work; maybe even sitting courtside at an NBA game with a woman in … (20 comments)

The Magic of Nyjer Seed - Shooting the Finch - 02/21/12 11:22 PM


The Magic of Nyjer Seed - Shooting the Finch
 
I enjoy feeding the wild birds around the back of the house. Living in the foothills allows for a variety of birds, and there is a bonus. The seeds lost are snatched up by the dove, turkey, squirrels and the rest if the scavengers. Despite the number of feeders, our bird Feeders have taken a beating this past winter.
Many were lost to weather, winds and rains (snow) caused many to fall and crack or break. Some suffered from the attack of the squirrels, and unknown nocturnal creatures … (24 comments)

Things Have Gotten a Little Cuckoo the Last Few Days. - Crazy Photo Fun - 02/21/12 01:56 AM

Things have gotten a little Cuckoo the last few days.

I’m not real sure about the market lately, but the calls have been strong the last few days. Maybe it’s the crazy weather; it’s been on the warm side. Can you explain the madness?
 

If you are in need of dry rot repair, water damage restoration, or just need to get a general contractors opinion on some repairs or improvements; give us a call!

916-765-5366
Some of the areas that we serve:
El Dorado County
Placer County
Sacramento County
 
… (22 comments)

Do You Know How to Check a Contractor’s References? - 02/20/12 12:36 AM
 
Do You Know How to Check a Contractor’s References?
So you have found a contractor that seems to be a good fit for your project. Now what? You hear it all the time, ask for references! It’s a good idea to get at least 3 references and if the contractor has been around for a while, he should be able to come up with quite a few.

So you are handed a list of references, what sort of thing should you ask?
 
 
Here are a few things to get you started in your research.
Were you satisfied … (22 comments)

Look for these warning signs when hiring a contractor. - 02/19/12 07:45 AM

Look for these warning signs when hiring a contractor.
If you are in the market for a general contractor, it can be a scary proposition. It may be a small specialized project, or a large project lasting several months; finding the best contractor for the job can be as important as the improvement itself. Not all contractors conduct business the same way, some are less than reputable.
Don’t fall for these potential warning signs of fraud, rip-offs, and theft.
Contractor asks you to get the permit.   They prefer cash payments. He has left over materials from another job. Asks … (26 comments)

Hanging Out with the Presidents! - 02/18/12 04:47 PM
 


I’m not sure what you plan on doing this weekend to celebrate President’s Day, I think it’s a good idea to just get away from work for a few days.
I’m pretty sure that I will not find any wood rot or water damage here at Mount Rushmore.
Enjoy your weekend.
… (10 comments)

Rotten by Design - 02/17/12 10:23 PM

Rotten by Design

Water and soil is the nature enemy of wood. Given enough time, water and soil will cause wood to rot, decay, swell, split and a bunch of things that will ultimately cause the wood to fail. It is at this point when we need to replace and repair the wood. Since it is important to protect wood from water, soil, and extreme weather, we need to paint, stain or somehow protect the surface.




There are limits to the amount of protection that we can provide. Most products have a limited life, regular … (4 comments)

Blocked Air Flow in Bathroom Ventilation, It Led to An Even Bigger Problem. - 02/17/12 11:11 AM
 
Blocked Air Flow in Bathroom Ventilation, It Led to An Even Bigger Problem. 

It is important that the air in the bathroom flows through the ventilation fan. Bathrooms without a window are required to have an exhaust fan in our local area. If the exhaust fan isn’t working properly, the moisture can not be removed correctly and mold and mildew can result.
 

I was called to find out about an ongoing moisture issue in an apartment bathroom. The mildew on the walls was a persistent problem for the tenant. Walking into the bathroom and turning on the … (8 comments)

Sometimes it seems that I’m working twice as hard as the next contractor. - 02/17/12 09:28 AM
I have been working pretty hard in Placerville, doing my best to make clients aware of their dry rot and water damage problems. Sometimes it seems that I’m working twice as hard as the next contractor, maybe I am.

 After the recent ActiveRain system update, it seems that I am both the #1 and #2 Top Rated ActiveRain Member in Placerville. Maybe all that hard work has paid off.
 
So “Cheers” to hard work and the blessings that it produces!
 

… (4 comments)

Let me guess, your home was built in the 1950’s and you still have the original kitchen. - 02/16/12 03:51 AM
 
Let me guess, your home was built in the 1950’s and you still have the original kitchen.

The appliances are still working, the countertop is in decent shape, and the fixtures can still be cleaned up. But maybe you should at least consider renovating the kitchen.
A kitchen renovation can add value to your home. The kitchen is probably the most
important room in the house for buyers and homeowners alike. Are you proud to show off that kitchen that you currently have? There are benefits to renovating the kitchen.
Kitchen improvements can make the kitchen more efficient. The … (12 comments)

Maybe the Rome Way is the Right Way - 02/15/12 03:23 PM
Maybe the Rome Way is the Right Way


As a General Contractor, I find that I can learn from those of you in the Real Estate Industry. This includes publications on how to market your properties, branding yourself, and tech savvy. Many of the things that your industry uses can be applied to other trades, so I like to read about what you do.

Recently, I was reading through a few posts by Margaret Rome and the corresponding comments. I heard Margaret mention something about the “Rome Way”. A little later I read something that she had commented … (34 comments)

General Contractor is Best Boss in Sacramento - Photo Fun - 02/15/12 04:26 AM
 

 
It has been an honor and a privilege to make the cover of this rare magazine. While I do my best as a general contractor working in the Sacramento region, many others are probably equally qualified to have made the cover. Since I am on the cover I wanted to share with the readers here.
… (9 comments)

Hurricane Straps - 02/14/12 03:16 AM
Jay Markanich has a way with explaining things that we can all learn from. You may not know what a hurricane strap is, or know why it's important. Check out this post, Jay describes these ties for us.
Thanks Jay!
Via Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
One very important thing to look for on new construction, pre-drywall inspections are hurricane straps.  Also called "hurricane ties" or "twist straps," let's keep it simple for the post and call them hurricane straps.
A simple piece of engineering, a hurricane strap is a single piece of metal with … (4 comments)

What Isle is the Pot-of-Gold? Photo Fun in Folsom, CA - 02/14/12 12:43 AM
 
What Isle is the Pot-of-Gold?   Photo Fun in Folsom, CA
 

 I had to get some building materials ordered from Lowe’s Home Improvement in Folsom, Ca today. When I pulled into the parking lot it started to sprinkle. Jumping out of the truck to beat the rain, I noticed this rainbow.
Looks like the Rainbow ends inside the store. 
… (10 comments)

Water Intrusion in Sacramento? Better Check for Signs - 02/13/12 03:13 PM

Water Intrusion in Sacramento? Better Check for Signs

I heard the rain start last night while lying in bed; we haven’t had much rain so far this year in the Sacramento area. But with the rains come the calls for help. Help? This is when we begin to see that we have water coming into the buildings, as soon as it starts raining. This could be a problem.
A bigger problem would be not noticing that we have a water intrusion problem that is causing damage to the property. What's the simplest way to find a leak? Look for … (6 comments)

Has Anyone Seen My Rooster? Photo Fun - 02/12/12 11:37 PM
 

 
Okay, it’s not the first time that I’ve seen a rooster. You just don’t see this sort of thing on a regular basis where I come from. So when I was driving through a parking lot, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.
I had to shoot the rooster.
 
… (18 comments)

Hidden Dry Rot Damage in Sacramento Apartment Community - 02/12/12 03:05 PM
 
Hidden Dry Rot Damage in Sacramento Apartment Community
Finding dry rot damages around your home or apartment community can be done by anyone who knows where to look. Sometimes the rot is out in the open in full daylight, other times it can be hidden in a dark corner behind some bushes.
Do you need help finding the problem areas on your property?

… (4 comments)

Seven Sacred Pools Meets the Ocean - Photo Time - 02/12/12 11:20 AM
 

On the East end of the island of Maui.
The fresh water from the Seven Sacred Pools meets the ocean water right here. The recent rain clouded the water making it look muddy. But the view was still great for all to see.
The roar of the stream washed out the roar of the surf.
 
… (10 comments)

Sacramento Apartment Stairway Sinking - This Needs To Be Addressed - 02/11/12 11:25 AM
Sacramento Apartment Stairway Sinking - This Needs To Be Addressed


One of the dangers in apartment construction is dry rot, sometimes it just happens over the years. This Sacramento stairway was found to be sinking quite a bit. The steps were originally at 6 ¾” each, this first step is now at 2”.
 

Why is it sinking? The wood has rotted and is no longer structurally sound, and is in need of repair.
The stairway is 14 feet in the air, this should be corrected right away.
 

 
 
… (8 comments)

Photo Fun at the Game - 02/11/12 06:08 AM
 

Just back from vacation, thought I’d go to the game with a friend. When you sit down at courtside, you never know who you may run into. That’s why I try to stay on my best behavior; you don’t want to look silly down there. I think I did okay.
 
What do you think?
 
… (12 comments)

Do your part to crack down on unlicensed contractors in California. - 02/10/12 12:30 PM
 
Do your part to crack down on unlicensed contractors in California.
 
 
Billions of dollars in taxes are lost due to this illegal activity. Help in reporting this activity can be done through the California State Licensing Board (CSLB). This is from the CSLB Web Site:
 
Report Unlicensed Activity Unlicensed contracting is part of California's estimated annual $60 to $140 billion dollar underground economy. These individuals do not pay taxes, have insurance or bonds. It is not unusual for them to be involved in other illegal activities as well
 
What kind of activity needs to be reported?
… (12 comments)

Homes For Sale Can Be Like A Bum Wheeled Shopping Cart - 02/10/12 03:19 AM
Gary Woltal makes some suggestions that make sense to me. I think you may agree yourself. 
Deferred maintentance can be a real big problem over time.
Via Gary Woltal - Assoc. Broker REALTOR® SFR Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):
Ever been to your WalMart, Target, or favorite local grocery store and pulled one of those shopping baskets out of the lineup and start wheeling along and you got some kind of cockeyed wheel amongst the four that won't let the darn thing go straight? I know I am personally an excellent picker of these lemon baskets in case you need me on … (2 comments)

Yes, I see the water stain but I don’t believe you have a mold issue. - 02/09/12 08:00 AM

Yes, I see the water stain but I don’t believe you have a mold issue.
 
If you have a tenant who thinks that they have mold due to a leak, check into it. The fear of living in a moldy environment will drive tenants to be vocal about any water issues that they may have inside their unit. Bringing in a third party contractor may quickly resolve any concerns.
Most mold issues can be seen and can be obvious at first sight. But what about the water stain from a roof leak? You can see the discolored drywall, does … (16 comments)

A Rainbow for the Road - 02/09/12 03:08 AM
 

It was a perfect ending to the perfect vacation. The weather in Maui changes throughout the day; it is not unusual to have rain and sunshine on the same day. In fact, a daily sprinkling is probably the norm. I heard that Maui gets about 365 inches of rain a year – an inch a day on average.
As we were leaving to go to the airport, the drizzling started. As the sun broke through, this beautiful rainbow appeared. We had to pull over on the freeway to get  this shot.
 
… (17 comments)

Screwing Up The Gutter - Repair Or Replace? - 02/08/12 11:00 AM
An unprofessional "quick fix" isn't the answer in the long run.
Jay points out a gutter repair to show, what this may look like and the problems that may have been overlooked in the the repair.
Check out his post, and leave him a comment.
Thanks Jay.
Via Jay Markanich - Northern VA Home Inspector (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
As regards screwing up the gutter - repair or replace?
Homeowners must ask themselves this all the time!
First of all, this is not the first time the gutter on this vacant house has been "repaired."
How can you tell?
The soffit … (3 comments)

I Think George Clooney Wants My Towel - Photo Fun - 02/06/12 07:22 PM
 

 
I was walking alone the beach, enjoying some time away from dry rot repair. This man who looked a lot like George Clooney said he needed me to take a look at some dry rot damage at his place in Maui. I told him that I would be glad to look at what needed to be done but I’m on vacation. Maybe I’ll call him next week and come back to Hawaii to do the work.
I really think he was envious of my pink towel.
 
… (22 comments)

Ocean View From Above Black Sand Beach - 02/06/12 02:51 AM
 

We took the Road to Hana today; I’ve got way to many photos to share. This photo was taken from above Black Sand Beach, there really is black sand! The sand comes from years of pounding water on the lava shores on the west coast of Maui.
The water falls, plants, views and a drive to “another world” is well worth trip around the island.
 
… (14 comments)

Give Your Phone a Rest! - Photo Fun - 02/04/12 09:21 PM
 
I have been spending some quiet time on the beach, not too many worries today. My phone even seems to be relaxed here, hope the tide is on schedule. Maybe the white iPhone would have been a better choice for lying out in the sun.
Hope your day is enjoyable.

… (9 comments)

An Obstructed Sunset - Photo Time - 02/04/12 03:38 AM
 The sunset tonight was obstructed by the clouds, making for a unique end to the day. It’s funny how you notice the sunsets with greater appreciation when away from the day-to-day tasks at home. Maybe I should take the time to notice the many small events that happen throughout the day.

Tomorrow we hope to get to the top of Haleakala before sunrise. This means that I will need to leave at about 2:00am; not too long from now. I better get to bed.
… (28 comments)

Kitty Diving - Photo Fun - 02/03/12 09:40 PM
 

 
It’s true that many cats are afraid of water. I have a cat that seems to be willing to give it a try. How bad could it be? There is plenty of good tasting fish in the water, fresh fish sounds like something a cat would enjoy.
Cheers to Mr. Kitty and his desire to take a look under the sea.
… (26 comments)

Off the Beaten Path in Maui - 02/03/12 04:05 AM

Off the Beaten Path in Maui
 
Maui has so much more than just a beautiful coast line. I have posted several photos and have seen so much that is beyond words. The beaches and shorelines seem endless and must be visited to 
appreciate. There are no private beaches on Maui. That’s right; all beaches are open to the public – All of them!

Today I had the opportunity to go to Iao Needle. I won’t go into all the details of it being the scene of massive battles back in the 1700’s, or the sacred grounds throughout the region. … (14 comments)

Doing a Little Dancing in the Pacific - 02/02/12 06:03 AM

Doing a Little Dancing in the Pacific

So I try to get away and relax, but I get pressured into doing some things that I would not normally do.
What the heck, it’s a vacation.
I was grateful for the opportunity to help out my new found local friends. Maybe I can get back to snorkeling tomorrow.

 
… (10 comments)

Home Inspection Maintenance Tips - High Soil Levels - 02/02/12 05:01 AM
David Selman addresses the issue of high soil levels. This is not good around the perimeter of the property. Lower the soil and slope away from the building.
Check out what David has to say, you may need this information inthe future.
Via David Selman (Selman Home Inspections):
Home Inspection Maintenance Tips - High Soil Levels
One of the most common defects we find when performing home inspections is called "high soil" conditions. It is also one of the easiest to correct for many homes.
 
High soil levels are cited as a defect in home inspections when soil, fill material or mulch … (2 comments)

An Endless View - Photo Fun - 02/02/12 02:15 AM
 

  

I’m having a difficult time capturing all the beauty here in Maui, there is too much to shoot. Everywhere I look, I want to take another photo. Not a bad problem to have I guess.
Today I dabbled in snorkeling; I may need to rent an underwater camera. It’s pretty cool under the water too!
Enjoy this day!
 
… (18 comments)

Moped, white knuckles, and a loaf of bread - 02/01/12 07:48 AM

Moped, white knuckles, and a loaf of bread

When you go on vacation, people who have been there already have a list of things that you must do. I appreciate that, I don’t want to leave and find out I missed a great opportunity to see or do something special. This list can include some “off the wall” stuff too, those are the adventures that we like to squeeze in.

Before leaving California, a friend had told us about this remote place that makes the best banana bread.  The place was called Julie’s; I saw a picture of … (16 comments)

Rocks in the Pacific - 02/01/12 12:45 AM
 
 

If you look at an island from a distance, it may just look like a rock. The view from the rock can be spectacular, green and rich, full of life. It can be new and exciting, full of fresh plans and ideas, and at the same time restful and calming. I think it is just a matter of perspective.
I like the rocks in the Pacific.
 
… (22 comments)

 

Tom Arstingstall - An Uncommon Contractor (Tromler Construction): Builder-Contractor in Placerville, CA

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