Basement finishing services in ME

3 Areas Often Overlooked When Preparing a Home for Flooding from Heavy Rain

Mon, September 17 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Imagine this: Heavy rains brought severe flooding in your neighborhood during the night, leaving the basement of your home a soggy mess by morning. What’s worse, the water shorted out your washer and dryer and you’re not sure if your insurance will cover the damage. Ugh—talk about a massive cleanup job! But how do you avoid a situation like this?

At Paul Davis Restoration of Central Maine, we know floods are frightening and damaging disasters for homeowners, and it’s not always easy to remember everything when preparing for such an event. We are here to help by providing information that you can use to be ready before the water starts rising. Below are three things not to forget when preparing your home for flooding.

1. Minimize the damage to large appliances
Before the heavy rains arrive or the snow melt causes rivers to rise, take a bit of time to minimize the potential storm damage to your appliances. If possible, place appliances that typically are found in basements—such as water heaters, washers and dryers, and furnaces—on cement blocks, at least 12 inches above the projected flood levels.

If you live in a flood-prone region, you might want to consider permanently relocating these appliances to a higher floor in your home for extra protection. Don’t have a basement? Raise your refrigerator and stove on cement blocks, too. These little details will make a big difference in the amount of flood damage done to them.

2. Check your sump pump
Do floodwaters frequently infiltrate your basement? You should always check your sump pump, which removes water accumulated in the sump basin (usually found in the basement of your home) on a regular basis to make sure it’s working when you need it. Every few months, run clean water through it to remove any dirt and debris that may be clogging the pump. Regular maintenance will keep it running for years—and help keep your home dry during spring floods.

If the flooding is severe, however, it’s likely your sump pump won’t be able to handle the influx of water. In this case, don’t try to clean up the damage yourself—call in the professionals to get your home back to pristine condition.

3. Buy flood insurance
Are hurricanes a frequent occurrence in your neck of the woods? Does the local river flood almost every year? If so, you may want to consider purchasing flood insurance, which is sold separately from standard home insurance policies.

Remember, it often takes 30 days for new insurance policies to go into effect, so make sure you purchase it now—before floods leave your basement a soggy mess! And if you don’t already have one, write up a complete home inventory (with photographs) now; your insurance company will request it when you file a flood damage claim. Store it someplace waterproof and safe.

It’s inevitable that your home’s contents will get wet if you’re in the path of a flood, but Paul Davis can help you recover and restore even more of your precious items when you’ve prepared for the influx of water!
Paul Davis Restoration of Central Maine services the following communities: Bangor Brewer, Old Town, Ellsworth, MDI, Houlton, Waterville, Augusta, and surrounding towns in Central & Down East Maine.

Remodeling Experts Focus on Customer Service

Tue, January 24 2012, 00:00:00 -500

MILFORD, ME – After noticing that customer service has a whole has continued to steadily decline in nearly every industry, local remodeler Keith Trembley decided not to let his company follow this negative trend. Recently, the entire staff at Keith Trembley Builder, which specializes in basement finishing in Maine, participated in a six-week extensive training course focused solely on customer service to take the company to the next level. Owner Keith Trembley led the team through the training where they covered all aspects of customer service.

“Our main goal is to exceed customer expectations – to always serve the customer,” he said. “The customers are what drive our business, and we would not have a business without them.”

During the training the team discussed expanding the idea of service, redefining who the customers are, developing customer-friendly qualities, and continuing to examine their progress and success. Trembley stressed the idea that superior customer service is developed from having customers define what good customer service is, customers driving the business, learning from the customers, and being consistent.

Keith Trembley Builder, Inc. has been in the remodeling industry since 1980. They provide kitchen remodeling, mold remediation, insurance restoration services, and basement finishing in Maine. For more information or a free quote, contact Keith Trembley Builder today at www.mainebasementfinishing.com.

Keith Trembley Builder Steps in to Help Find A Home For Fire Victims

Thu, September 1 2011, 00:00:00 -500

A Bangor family lost everything they had in an apartment fire last week... and now, several businesses have stepped up to find them a home.

On March 2nd, the apartment in which 48 year old Robin Oja and her 11 year old daughter Meghan lived, was destroyed by fire. The two were forced to find another place to live.
Through her tears, Megan said she just wanted her home back. But looking for a new place to live, is not all her mother Robin has had to deal with. Robin is terminally ill. She was diagnosed with lung cancer, last year.
The American Red Cross offered initial help, but it wasn't enough. That's when Vaughn Rogers, owner of Kleen Rite Cleaning and Restoration stepped in and *up* to help.
He has arranged for Robin and Megan to live in an apartment building owned by one of his customers. It will be furnished and ready in 2 weeks.
Northeast Restoration and Remodeling and Keith Trembley Builders and Paul Davis Restoration are helping as well. For them, it was the loss of one of their managers, Randy Nason that led them to want to help. He passed away in January from the same disease as Robin's. Rogers says he hopes what he and the other business owners are doing will spread across the nation to other businesses with the message of giving back to the community.
Robin and Megan can't thank these businesses enough.
They say Rogers is their guardian angel.

http://www.wvii.com/stories.html?sku=20110310192439

Keith Trembley Builder Is Proud To Be Part Of Bangor Humane Society's 18th Annual Paws on Parade

Thu, September 1 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Bangor, ME - Keith Trembley Builder partnered with Paul Davis Restoration is proud to be a part of the Bangor, ME Humane Society's 18th Annual Paws on Parade which is a fundraising event to help support the homeless pets in our community. This takes place at the Bangor Waterfront, Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, for more information visit http://www.bangorhumane.org/news.php.

Keith Trembley Builder provides kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovations to central Maine and surrounding areas such as Bangor, Portland, Lewiston , Waterville, Augusta, South Portland, Auburn, Brunswick, Saco.

Compare Construction Costs - The 2010-11 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report

Tue, January 11 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Produced by Remodeling magazine in cooperation with REALTOR Magazine, the report compares construction costs with resale values for 35 mid-range and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 80 markets across the country. Data are grouped in nine U.S. regions, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the 13th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Remodeling magazine publisher Hanley Wood, LLC, was completed in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine.

Read the full article: Homeowners Recoup More with Exterior Replacement Projects, REALTORS® Report

Basement Wall Finishing in Maine - Do's and Don'ts

Thu, December 9 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Basements are like no other room in the house. Due to a number of factors every basement can, and most likely will at some point, develop moisture problems.

Basements get water from several sources.

There are the visible leaks, which manifest themselves in the form of puddles, water stains, efflorescence. These can usually be corrected with adequate foundation drainage.
Also, because your basement wall and floors, which are usually made of porous concrete or stone, are in direct contact with the soil, there is ground water consistently infiltrating the concrete through capillary action.
Differences in temperature between the basement and the outside air, can cause condensation.

And if the above sources weren't enough, there are also water accidents such as sump pump failure, plumbing leaks. Water from running toilette, and overflowing bath tube, or a backed up drain upstairs can, and possibly will find its way into your basement and cause it go flood.

When a conventionally finished basement floods, it is very hard to get materials such as drywall, wood studs and fiberglass insulation to dry quick enough to prevent mold growth. According to the U.S. Environmental protection Agency, that can happen in about 48 hours. And once mold develops, there is no 100% safe or effective way to remove it from these porous, organic materials. They need to be removed and discarded.

When planning a basement remodel, only the right choices in finishing material will guarantee the success of the project and give you a basement your family will enjoy for many years to come. The following video will guide you through the Do's and Don't of basement wall finishing.

Methodist Church Restoration

Tue, October 26 2010, 00:00:00 -500

In the Fall/Winter of 2009, Keith Trembley Builder helped to restore the United Methodist Church in Milo, ME. This building had sustained serious damage from a fire in June 2009 and was in need of restoration services on the roof and elsewhere in the building. Watch them restore this building to beauty!

Dream Factory of Maine Volunteers

Tue, October 26 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Keith Trembley Builder, Inc.'s contractors are on the Dream Factory of Maine advisory board. The Dream Factory of Maine is a volunteer-run organization that's designed to fulfill dozens of dreams every year for chronically ill children.

The latest dream that Keith Trembley Builder, Inc. was able to help fulfill was for young Brandon, age 7, who suffers from cerebral palsy. His dream was to have a pool in his home, so he could get in and move without his wheelchair. Watch and see the magic happen, and share the joy of Brandon as he experiences his new pool for the first time!

Historic Fire Damage Restoration Services

Tue, October 26 2010, 00:00:00 -500

Keith Trembley Builder, Inc. helped to save and restore the Captain Phineas house, which was deemed by some as unrepairable. It was destroyed by a severe fire on December 11, 2002. Two noted sea captains once called this historic place home.

Against the odds, and after seven months of incredibly hard work, research, and commitment to historic preservation, the building was saved. Tireless efforts by owners Mark and Linda Bradstreet, along with their talented construction team, resulted in a successful rescue of one of Searsport's most beloved local landmarks.

Keith Trembley Builder, Inc. managed the restoration and repair work. Master paperhanger Hans Plessner restored the antique wallpaper, and Barry Crawford of Colonial Plastering was in charge of all plaster restoration. Floors, windows, shutters, moldings, doors, siding -- even the slate roof -- was repaired or restored with careful attention to detail.

The rehabilitation and restoration of the 1860 Captain Phineas Griffin House in Searsport, ME is an amazing example of teamwork and dedication at its finest. So many people came together to make it happen, and instead of listening to those who said "tear it down", the owners listened to their own hearts and did the right thing.

Less than one year from the date of that fire, the Bradstreet's opened the doors of the Captain Griffin House to the Searsport Historical Society, for a meeting and tour.