Keep Your Fireplace Safe this Winter

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.  

Today we’re joined by our warranty manager, Shaun, to discuss fireplace safety and maintenance. All of our homes have similar fireplaces, and these tips are similar for most modern gas fireplaces. Today, we want to walk you through a few safety and maintenance procedures that will make your fireplace run smoothly and safely when it needs to. First, let's talk about cleaning the glass panel on the front of your fireplace. 

The process of cleaning this panel is quite easy, it's getting the panel off that is the tricky part. For a lot of our fireplaces, there are two latches underneath the glass, next to the pilot light. Undo these latches, and the panel should hinge out and lift right up. To clean the glass, we recommend using Cerama Bryte, or another ammonia-free glass cleaner. You should clean this glass at least twice a year. Once at the beginning of the winter season, and once at the end.

Now that we have the cleaning down, let's talk about lighting that pilot light. It's something you have to do at the beginning of every season, so let's go through the step-by-step process of getting that pilot light lit.

1. Open the door beneath the fireplace to expose the gas line and pilot light switch. 
   
2. Look for the red handle that controls the gas line. When the lever is perpendicular to the gas line, the gas is off, if it is parallel with the gas line, the gas is on.   
3. Push in the control button on the left, and turn it to "pilot"  
4. Press the ignite button, up to 20 times.  
5. Once the fireplace is lit, hold the gas valve for about 30 seconds, then release and turn the left-hand control knob to "on."

There you have it, some basic fireplace maintenance to keep your home clean and warm this winter. If you have any questions, or would like to check out the great new fireplaces we have in our models, give us a call or send us a quick email.

Can You Lay Sod During this Time of Year?

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

The cold weather is here, making outdoor work a lot more difficult than it typically is. When temperatures fall below freezing, people often wonder whether it's a good idea to put down sod this time of year. Today, we thought we would share some tips about putting down sod in cold weather.

The short answer is yes - there's nothing wrong with putting it down at this time. As long as the sod gets some moisture during the winter and gets watered properly during the spring time, it will be fine. Our team is currently laying sod at our Arbor View model homes even though snow is expected, and that's perfectly fine. The snowfall will provide a good amount of moisture for the freshly laid sod. 

Once the temperatures get above freezing, go ahead and provide additional moisture with sprinklers. If you've already drained your sprinkler system, you can use a hose to make sure the sod doesn't get too dried out over the wintertime. 

It's a perfectly fine time of year to lay sod because we can cut it until it's too frozen to do so. If you do decide to install sod this time of year, keep in mind that you need to water it properly and fertilize it when the spring comes around.

If you or somebody you know has been thinking about building a new home, please don't hesitate to contact us. Just send us a quick email or give us a call and we can help you with all of your home building needs.

How to Winterize Your Home: Sprinkler System and Yard Maintenance

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

Every spring we get calls about broken backflow prevention devices, because they froze over the winter. We suggest turning off the water to your sprinkler system once the weather dips below 50 degrees. You can do this by turning the valves 90 degrees. When the lever is parallel to the pipe it means the water is on and flowing; when the lever is perpendicular to the pipe the water has been stopped.

Remember, different systems have different needs - some will have more valves than others. To turn the water back on you simply reverse what you did before by turning the valves back to parallel with the pipe. You'll also want to ensure you shut your sprinkler control panel off during the winter months. You can turn the valve on and drain any additional water in the line to ensure your home is protected this winter. 

If you want to get your home winterized by a professional to ensure maximum protection from pricey problems, give us a call. We work with Turfbuilders Irrigation to do all our homes' systems and they do a great job. 

Now is also a great time to fertilize, overseed, and aerate your yard. This will allow the grass to come back healthier in the spring and with a stronger root system. Do it again in later November and your lawn will be looking great come springtime.

If you have any questions about how you can prepare your home for the winter months, give us a call. We would love to help you protect your home this season!

How we helped Sara build her new home by being knowledgeable and flexible

How we helped Sara build her new home by being knowledgeable and flexible

"I couldn’t be happier with my final result in working with Charleston! I was with another builder when I started building this home and they went out of business halfway through the build. I approached Charleston and they were very flexible and made it possible for me to keep some of the selections I had made with the previous builder even when it wasn’t in their normal options. I didn’t feel that I had wasted my time with the other builder and it turned out to be the perfect solution! Charleston was a million times more easy to work with, they were faster to respond, and overall more knowledgeable!"

-Sara M, Home Buyer

New Model Homes in Arbor View Neighborhood

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

Today, we're on the ground at 208th and Maple at our great new development, Arbor View. Models are under construction right now and running right on schedule. They will be finished and ready to tour before the holidays!

We still have our other models, of course. You can find them at Saddlebrook, at 150th and Fort, and Pebblebrooke, at 174th and Highway 370. As always, we're available to help with all your real estate questions and needs. Give us a call or shoot us an email - we'd love to work with you to achieve your dreams of home ownership!

Elkhorn's Newest Custom Neighborhood

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

We're very excited to announce that lots are now available for purchase in our brand new Elkhorn neighborhood, Arbor View. It's located at about 208th and Maple and consists of 127 lots in Phase 1. The neighborhood is in a fantastic location - it sits across the street from Indian Creek Golf Course and is right down the street from downtown Elkhorn. It is also in close proximity to local schools and churches, making it an ideal place to raise a family.

If you are interested, don't hesitate to come by and see which lot is the best fit for you. If you want to check out some of our model homes, you can do so at our Saddlebrook location on 150th and Fort, or at Pebblebrooke near 174th and Highway 370. 

As always, if you are interested in building a custom home in Omaha, we'd be happy to help!

Omaha Real Estate Market Update for Spring 2014

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

Omaha Real Estate Market Update for Spring 2014

Today I will be providing you with a real estate update for this spring in Omaha. The market still continues to look good, but I really want to touch up on 3 different things today.

1. Interest rates: Interest rates are still historically low in the 4%-4.5% range. Everyone expects them to rise near 5%, but there has been no certainty that this will actually happen.
2. Cost of building: Building costs have stayed the same over the last 6 months, but I would anticipate these costs to rise by next year. 
3. Scarcity of Land: The supply of lots has decreased greatly in the last 2 years with the increase in new building in Omaha. As supply decreased and demand increased, this also drove the prices of these lots up.

Overall, I think this is a good time to be in the market. If you wait to buy, things will only get more costly. Your buying power is very high right now, so if you're on the fence, now is a good time to hop off.

It's also a great time to be a seller in this market because homes are moving very fast and low interest rates are spurring buyers to make their purchases now instead of next year.

Thanks again for tuning in to this video blog. If you ever have any questions or if you would like some advice about the Omaha real estate market, then feel free to contact us via phone or email.

Perform this Quick Check List on Your Furnace this Spring!

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

As we transition into the spring season, I wanted to give you a quick checklist for your furnace and other mechanics within your home:
 

1. Check your furnace filter. This is first and foremost – filters need to be checked on a monthly basis. Remember to match the arrows signifying the direction of your furnace’s airflow. Make sure you have a new filter going into spring!
2. Check your condensation lines. These lines can become clogged from debris or sludge and they should be replaced every 2-3 years.  If the lines become obstructed, moisture will not be able to pass through from the air conditioning coils. Be sure you are checking both the A/C and the furnace condensation lines. Your lines should also be zip-tied to the drain to allow for clean drainage.
3. Switch your humidifier from “winter” to “summer.” This must be done as soon as you start running your air conditioner.
4. Overall cleanliness. Be sure to remove dust and cobwebs from the exterior of your furnace. Also, have your furnace professionally serviced every 2-3 years. The same goes for your air conditioner.
 

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or stop by one of our model homes. Thanks and have a great day!

Double checking your sump pump with spring rains

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.  

How to better protect yourself… 

No matter what the age of your home may be, double checking your sump pit and pump during the spring rain season is especially important. With the emergence of the spring season also comes excess storms and lightning strikes. In the event of a storm, it is important and easy to take a couple minutes of your time to double check the water levels of your sump pit to make sure water levels do not get too high.

A typical sump pit with a pump will hold roughly 6-8 inches of water before the sump pump will turn on and pump the water out. If the pit is more than ½ full or the pump is fully submerged by water, and the pump is not removing the water, then there is an issue. If the pump is not turning on, make sure debris is not causing the float on the side of the pump to stick. Also be sure to check that the GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, electrical outlet has not tripped.

For homes not equipped with a pump, water should be evacuated by pail or shop vac. Please note: some water at any given time in the pit is normal. If the pit is ½ full of water or greater, you will need to remove it or risk the pit backing up. You can check pumps monthly by pouring a five gallon bucket of water into the pit to ensure the seals do not dry out and the pump is functioning correctly. This will save you any unnecessary stress in the event of a storm.

Inexpensive/ expensive add on’s……..

To help keep an eye on this, most home improvement stores will carry devices called “flood alerts” or “water sensors". These are inexpensive audible alarms that, when wet, make a loud chirp or beep similar to that of a smoke detector. Most of these run off a 9-volt battery and have a wire with a water sensor on the end. These devices can be purchased for as little as $12 and can be the difference between a wet or dry basement. There are other more expensive options like a back-up sump pump, however these can cost hundreds of dollars, require additional maintenance and the recharging of batteries.

Checking the GFCI (GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERUPTERS) which the outlet the sump pump is plugged into……………..

As previously mentioned, checking the GFCI outlet in which the sump pump is plugged into during the outbreak of a severe weather storm or lightning strike is extremely important. Depending upon the outlet, the illuminated GFCI outlet light may be on or off, indicating that it has been tripped. To reset the outlet, simply press firmly on the reset side of the plug. When checking the pump monthly, it’s a good practice to make sure the pump has power and the outlet has not tripped. A tripped outlet will not provide electricity the pump needs to function.

Keep in touch!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have about our model homes or home maintenance in general. Thank you for joining us and have a wonderful day!

Save Your Property from Improper Drainage this Spring!

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

As Director of Production for Charleston Homes, I wanted to speak with you about the settling that can occur around the “over-dig” of your foundation and the proper placement of downspout extenders.

If you aren’t familiar with what the “over-dig” of your home’s foundation is, it is simply the 2 ½ foot area that was excavated around your foundation and then put back. Since the dirt was compacted back after construction, the dirt is never as solid as it originally was. If you have lived in your home for a number of years already, you have noticed this.

With the spring season, rain is usually imminent. This makes it important to ensure that this area is filled in to avoid excess water from soaking into your drain tiles. You don’t want to overload drain tiles if you don’t have to! To prevent this from happening, we need to make sure that the over-dig has a steady decline moving away from the foundation.

To further prevent drainage from overloading your drain tiles, a downspout extender is an inexpensive way to properly drain your property. Do be aware that downspout extenders have the tendency to break due to the wind – check it periodically to make sure it is still properly attached. If a large rainstorm hits, your roof could drain hundreds of gallons of water, making it increasingly important that your downspout extender is diverting that water away from your property. 

If you have any questions or additional information, please visit our website or one of our model locations. Thanks and have a great day!

Exhaust Fans: How Can You Properly Vent Your Bathroom This Winter?

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

Exhaust Fans: How Can You Properly Vent Your Bathroom This Winter?

In our last video, we dealt with condensation and how your daily activities put excess moisture in the air. With an exhaust fan running while you are bathing or showering, it removes the excess moisture and warm air and moves it outside. The problem we are experiencing this year is that homeowners aren’t running the fan for a long enough time. If possible, exhaust fans need to be run for 30-60 minutes. Not only does this make sure that all of the moisture has been moved outside, but that the exhaust tube has been cleared as well.

If you are unable to run your exhaust fan for the minimum 30 minutes, don’t run it at all. When temperatures dip below 30 degrees, which is typical in Nebraska, you shouldn’t run the fan all all.  If the fan is shut off too early and all of the moisture has not escaped through the vent duct, the vent flap will most likely freeze shut.  As more people use the exhaust fan while that flap is frozen shut or the outside temperature has warmed above freezing, water will drip down your exhaust tube and leak out of the exhaust fan

So, be aware of running your exhaust fan to help with moisture in your bathroom.  Have a great day!

Ventilation: Your Shut Doors Could Be Costing You Money!

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - please give us a call at (402) 934-2212 (Saddlebrook) or (402) 502-5600 (Poebblebrooke). We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

Ventilation: Your Shut Doors Could Be Costing You Money!

Believe it or not, keeping a door open just as I have done could save you money. The reason being is if the door is shut, it is being excluded from the rest of the house. That room could potentially have a 5-10 degree difference than the rest of the house! They may have their own supply and return but by shutting that door and keeping it shut, that will limit ventilation from other parts of the house. If you have a colder room, try keeping the door open for a bit longer.

Thanks and have a great day!

Prevent Moisture from Forming Around Your Window Frame

Know anyone who's interested in buying a home? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - please give us a call at (402) 934-2212 (Saddlebrook) or (402) 502-5600 (Poebblebrooke). We'll be happy to show them our 7 new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them. 

Prevent Moisture from Forming Around Your Window Frame

Thanks for tuning in! I’m Shaun Sterba, Warranty Manager at Charleston Homes and today I wanted to talk to you about condensation. Recently, I’ve been getting calls about condensation forming around window frames. Page 14 of our warranty book covers this topic, but I wanted to touch on it as well. Condensation is warm, moist air collecting on a cold surface (which your window in this case) and depending how cold it is, may freeze.

Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning and bathing contributes to putting excess warm moisture in the air. The moisture tries to find a place to escape by attaching itself to that cold surface. Brand new or newly remodeled homes will have a lot of that excess moisture, which is why we don’t recommend running a humidifier for the first year. However if you have to, run it a lower level.

To reduce condensation, make sure your dryer vent is attached properly, run your exhaust fan after bathing for an extra 30 minutes and periodically check your exhaust vents for proper ventilation. Also try opening your windows from time to time to allow fresh air in and the moist air to leave the home. You can also run a dehumidifier if necessary.

Thanks and have a great day!

Have You Noticed Anything Strange With Your Driveway?

Have You Noticed Anything Strange With Your Driveway?

Welcome back to our blog. With the recent blast of cold weather, I wanted to share with you what effects the weather can have on your home’s concrete. When we have a 50 degree day, you may notice some things with your driveway that you didn’t see in the fall or summer.

The place where you will notice this is at the point where your driveway meets the garage. When temperatures get very cold, the ground freezes anything with moisture and can expand up to 9%. When this happens, it is not uncommon for your driveway to be higher than your garage floor. For driveways facing the south or southwest, you won’t see this due to the driveway having more exposure to the sun. When the driveway was poured, we used re-bar (reinforcement bar) to allow the expansion so in the springtime, the driveway will lower again.

Don’t be alarmed! If you notice cracks in your driveway on a nice day (50 degrees or warmer), seal the crack with Vulkem to prevent any run off from your car sneaking in. Also, if you notice there is a lot of water pooling up in your garage, try and sweep it out as best as possible. If the water sits, it will creep down underneath and cause for more expansion.

Another thing to watch out for is the road salts that are spread on the roads during a snow or ice storm. The salts usually cover the bottom part of your driveway and can deteriorate the concrete if they aren’t swept off. Not only can the salt eat away at your driveway, snow packed on top of the salt can also cause damage as it will keep thawing and refreezing. If you come across a nice day, don’t hesitate to wash off your driveway!

Thanks for stopping by our blog. If you have any questions, visit our website or one of our model homes. Have a great day!