Fiji Construction, Inc.

The primary purpose of your home’s gutters is to catch rain and direct it away from the house.  That seems like a simple enough function, but homeowners sometimes disregard the importance of this vital piece of their home’s structure.

How Gutters Protect Your Home

There are a number of ways quality gutters can protect your home.  By directing water away from the house they keep the foundation, siding or brick dry and protected from heavy downpours.  They can also prevent driveways or patios from cracking and can protect the landscaping around the foundation by keeping the soil stable.

What Happens When Gutters are Not Installed Properly

Gutters take water away from your home, so if they are damaged or missing, or not correctly installed, the water will not go where it’s supposed to.  Unfortunately, that could be anywhere in or around the house, which can lead to major damage.

There are many important details involved in the gutter installation process, such as ensuring they are securely fastened to the fascia and angled correctly, as well as properly measuring and securing the downspouts.   If installation is not done properly, water will not be effectively moved away from the house which can lead to:

• Damage to siding or brick
• Erosion and shifting of soil which can cause foundation cracking
• Potential mold growth if water enters the attic, walls or ducts
• Deterioration of roof edge and fascia boards
• Flooding in the basement
• Damage to landscaping (yours or your neighbors)

Obviously, quality gutters are necessary to help maintain the structural well-being of the house.  Whether your gutters have suffered from storm damage, or are just in need of replacement, Fiji Construction will get the job done right.  Our professional technicians will inspect your current gutters for damage and advise on the best replacement options.  And if there is storm damage, we will even work directly with your insurance company to make sure the claims process is hassle-free!  Contact Fiji Construction at 847-462-0990 or complete our online Free Inspection request form to get started on your new gutters.

A property manager’s main priority is to ensure the safety of the tenants, and that means properly maintaining the building at all times.  A commercial roof is the first line of defense against elements like rain, hail, heavy winds, snow and ice.  Damage from a storm, or even just time itself, can affect the structure and well-being of the roof which can potentially put tenants in danger, and therefore should be addressed as soon as possible by a qualified roofer.  To get the most out of a commercial roof, property managers should consider the following tips:

Inspect for Wear and Tear on a Regular Basis

At some point, any commercial roof will start to develop problems.  The earlier they are detected, the easier they are to take care of.  Wear and tear is natural for a roof, but regular inspections can uncover issues like moisture or leaks, standing water or improper drainage, surface erosion, or damage left behind by prior technicians.

Inspect Your Roof After Storms

Storms can wreak havoc on a roof and you may not notice the damage until tenants start to experience issues down the line.  Strong winds or hail can cause holes, cracks or blisters on a roof’s surface, which can lead to leaking, water stains or even mold buildup.  If you have had a severe storm in your area, it’s a good idea to get the roof inspected for storm damage as soon as possible.  Fiji Construction offers Free Inspections so you can be confident in the structural integrity of your commercial roof at all times.

Repair Damage Promptly

The worst thing you can do in terms of safety and overall roof maintenance is to put off repairs.  A damaged roof is not going to fix itself, and it will only get worse over time.  The longer maintenance is delayed, the bigger the problem will get, and the more complicated the repair may become.

Always Use an Experienced, Reliable Roofing Company

Using an inexperienced contractor can often leave you with more problems than you started with, as you may need to call in additional help to correct the mistakes they leave behind.  Commercial roof repairs require a higher level of expertise and ability and many companies just don’t have the knowledge it takes to properly complete the job.

Fiji Construction has the experience and knowledge required for commercial roof repairs, whether they are caused by storm damage or wear and tear over time.  We use quality materials that last, strictly adhere to regulations, and our customer service goes far beyond what you are probably used to.  Contact us at 847-462-0990 to learn more about our quality standards and procedures or click here to request your FREE Inspection .

Additional information can be referenced here

Keeping up on home maintenance and repairs is an important responsibility of a homeowner.   Fixing things when they break is part of the job, but it’s not always clear when there’s a problem.  You might think a window is fine as long as it’s not cracked, but that’s not always the case.  New windows might be called for if you notice any of the following signs:

You Feel a Draft

Unless you actually have it propped open, you should not feel any air coming in around the window.  If a window is not sealing properly, or if the weatherstripping or panes need to be replaced, you might begin to notice air leaks.

Condensation

Not all condensation is bad, but if you see condensation (or even ice in winter) in between two panes of glass, it probably means that the seals have failed.  In this case, new windows would be needed before they get too leaky.

Warped or Rotted Wood

Decaying frames are a clear sign that windows should be replaced.  Once a wooden frame becomes rotted, it can allow excess moisture to get in, which leads to more rot and sometimes even mold growth around the window or behind the wall.

The Windows Stick

Opening your windows should not be difficult.  They should open and close smoothly, with little effort.  Once they start to stick, or if they need to be propped open to keep from closing, you know it’s time for new windows.

Why Faulty Windows Should be Replaced

Knowing WHY you should get new windows is just as important as knowing how to spot signs of trouble.  One big reason is energy cost savings.  Windows should be sealed tightly – if unwanted air is getting in or out it makes it harder to keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.  Heating or air conditioning must work overtime to compensate for the leaky windows and that can really add up in increased monthly energy bills.  Another concern of faulty windows is safety.  If windows don’t close and lock properly, or if they don’t fit correctly into their frames, it can leave them vulnerable for kids to accidentally open or for unwanted visitors to get in through.

Not only is it necessary to replace the windows when needed, but it is also important to make sure your new windows are installed properly!  A reputable company like Fiji Construction will not only provide high-quality windows, but we measure and install properly so there are no gaps, no sticking and no uneven caulking.  Contact us at 847-462-0990 to speak with one of our experienced technicians and learn more about our quality products and service.

As with any home improvement project, getting new siding for your house can be exciting and possibly a bit overwhelming.  This is the perfect opportunity to get exactly what you want for the exterior of your home.  Because you want the very best results, your remodeling project should not be started without taking some things into careful consideration.

Why Replace the Siding at All

Not sure if the siding actually needs to be replaced?  Some sure signs to watch out for would include:

• Warped, rotted, loose or cracked siding
• Severe fading
• Holes or bubbling on the exterior
• Loose wallpaper or peeling paint on the interior walls
• Increased energy bills
• Heavy winds or hail have left storm damage to the siding

What Material Should You Use

Which material you choose for the exterior of your home is a personal decision based on a few factors.  Cost, durability, maintenance requirements and overall appearance can all determine which siding is right for you.  For example, vinyl siding is a low-cost option that is easily maintained and is typically available in a variety of colors.  Some people may prefer the look of wood siding, which is also a good noise barrier and insulates a home well.  However, it is a more expensive option and does require more maintenance and can be attractive to some insects.  It is a good idea to compare the features of each and determine which factors are most important to you before deciding.

Does Color Matter

Siding covers the entire exterior of your house, so choosing the right color can make a big difference in the curb appeal of the home as well as the resale value.  Exterior color is a great way to express your personal preference and accent the style of your home.  However, you want to make sure it stays with the general look and feel of your neighborhood and that you abide by any association requirements.

Who Should You Hire to Replace the Siding

Your siding is your home’s first line of defense against the elements so you should hire a company that you can trust to do the job right.  Siding that is improperly installed can leave your home vulnerable to wind or hail damage and can end up costing you a lot of wasted money in heating and cooling bills.

Fiji Construction has been in business locally for 10 years and we are here to stay.  Our focus is on providing complete customer satisfaction from start to finish.  Our FREE estimates ensure you know what to expect before we even begin, and our high-quality work not only meets, but exceeds code requirements.  And in the case of storm damage, our hassle-free claims process means we handle all of the details with the insurance company so you don’t have to worry about it.

Contact Fiji Construction at 847-462-0990 to learn more or click here for your FREE INSPECTION.

Additional information can be referenced here and here

Replacing the roof is a big job, but sometimes it needs to be done.  It might be because the house is just old and it’s time.  Or perhaps it has been subjected to the relentless storm season we have seen recently and the storm damage was too great to ignore.  Whatever the reason, if the roof is damaged there is no question that it should be replaced.  But it NEEDS to be done correctly!  Too often, people try to do it themselves or they hire an inexperienced company and they end up with lots of problems in the long run.  Here’s what you need to watch out for when it comes to your roof:

Starter Shingles Not Installed

If starter shingles are not used, there will be problems down the line.  These shingles should be laid down along the eaves to keep water out.

Incorrect Nailing

There are so many problems that can happen when nails are not used correctly.  If someone is going too fast or not being careful about their work, it can result in too few nails being used or shingles that are not nailed in the exact right location.  This can cause the shingles to slip or shift around after a while, which can lead to roof leaks.

Not Aligning Roof Shingles Properly

Shingles should be installed in a straight line and in a uniform manner.  When they are not aligned properly, it not only looks bad, but it can cause the shingles to wear out faster and the roof to leak.

Not Planning for Ice Dams

Here in the Midwest, our winters can be brutal.  When snow melts on the roof and refreezes, it can form ice dams at the roofline.  Ice can get forced underneath the shingles which can pull them up out of place.  This can be prevented by placing an underlayer down on the roof to shield it from water.

 Incorrect Shingle Overhang

Besides just looking nice, there is a reason the shingles hang over the eaves of your house.  If the shingles do not have the proper amount of overhang it can lead to problems – too much can cause the shingles to blow off in high winds, and too little can allow water to run into fascia boards.  It’s really an exact science that only a professional is likely to get right.

From the ground, it may look like replacing the roof is an easy job – tearing off old shingles and nailing down some new ones.  But that is far from reality.  The roof is such an important part of the structure of a house and there are so many ways to do the job incorrectly.  With a job as important as a roof replacement, you need to work with a professional like Fiji Construction.

Roofs often take a beating after heavy storms and we are experts when it comes to restoring them professionally with superior results.  We take our job seriously and always focus on service and quality.  We offer FREE Inspections and quality repairs by highly-trained roofing experts and we even handle the insurance claims process to save you the headache.  Call us at 847-462-0990 or complete this form to request your free inspection.

Additional information can be referenced here

Living in the Chicago metro area, we see our share of hazardous weather. High-velocity thunderstorms roll through on a regular basis, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and damaging hail. This can be bad news for a homeowner, as significant storm damage is a common result. Here are some issues to watch out for if there have been heavy storms in your area.

Roof Damage

Wind, hail and blowing debris (such as tree limbs, garbage or lawn decorations) can cause major damage to a roof. Shingles can get curled, chipped, torn or pulled off completely, leaving the roof exposed to leaks. Wind can also get under the shingles and lift them upwards, loosening the nails and breaking the seal (this type of damage is very hard to see from the ground, but your Fiji rep will get up on the roof and check things out). Flashing, soffits and vents can also sustain tears, buckling or other damage, while gutters can get clogged, dented, bent or detached from the house.

Siding Damage

Hail, strong winds and flying debris can cause dents or splits in your siding and can even rip portions of the siding right off the house. A thorough inspection should always be done after a storm, as even a small hole in the siding can allow moisture into the home, which can lead to mold growth or rotting framework. Fiji Construction offers FREE inspections so our experts can point out the damage you might have missed.

Window Damage

Storm damage can also extend to the windows on a house. Falling hail can travel at incredibly high speeds and can easily shatter windows. The same is true for flying debris like tree limbs or outdoor furniture, or even entire trees that get hit by lightning and fall. This is why it’s so important to stay away from windows during a storm, in order to avoid potential injury from breaking glass.

Even though major storm damage can be left behind after severe weather passes, a homeowner might not even realize it is there. Or maybe you DO see the damage but don’t know what to do next?

You call the storm restoration experts at Fiji Construction! We always provide FREE estimates so you know exactly what damage has been done and what it will take to repair it. We’ll even handle everything with the insurance company along the way so you can avoid any hassle and simply enjoy your newly restored home. Contact Fiji Construction at 847-462-0990 or fill out our online form for a free home inspection.