These are not my pictures (I WISH! ) and the video was recorded by National Geographic.  I just wanted to point that out, and not claim that they are mine.  I just wanted to share mother nature's beauty with you!

- Nathan
http://atlascoatingsandconstruction.com

Okay here is a list to check for damage:

1. Is there water leaking in your basement?
2. Are there new spots on a ceiling?
3. Is there any wet spots around the house not due to kids, pets, obvious wet areas? (entry way, bathroom)
4. "Water stains" on walls streaking down?
5. Water staining or wet areas at ceiling/wall joint?
6. Wet carpet at the base of a wall.
7. Expanded and buckled wood flooring?
8. Darkened areas in wood flooring.
9. Stains on tile flooring.

I know these may sound pretty basic, but these are is the most basic "signs" or abnormalities that surface that tell you something is wrong.  You need to question if something is not right.

So you found some leakage.  Document it with pictures and the times and conditions in which it/they occur.  There ARE freak accounts of snow blowing into vents and the like.. just be aware. 

Nathan Deneault
Atlas Coatings & Construction

    On the family front we set out to set the peace with everyone.  The "superman" who climbs the ladder to put the bird back into the tree that has fell from the nest.  The one that calms the nerves of the little ones when they hear the thunder from a good storm..

    It is a job that we are all willing and want to fill.  There is nothing better than to see your child repeat a saying you normally say, or choose to do the right thing. Our baby girl coming to us and sharing her dolly and how she decided to dress her "this time".. we are always excited to hear about how her "tea party" with her stuffed animals went.. and love all our kid's hugs when they come to us for the kiss goodnight.

   We love being there for our wives and helping her in what she needs.  We love being the shoulder to have others cry on when they are feeling vulnerable and feeling that the world is getting the best of them or that no one understands.  We have open hearts (even under all this muscle and hard skinned facade) we care more than anyone knows. 

    We may be hard on the kids at times, but only because we know the world it's self is hard and we need them to understand that.  No matter how much, how bad, or there being no way anyone can understand.. we are always willing to listen.  We are always there to hear what you have to say.  We are always wanting the best for our family.

    Father's Day is a small token to those strong men of families all over who are the stable, the solid constant in your life who is there for you.  If your dad is still around, if you haven't spoken in a while, or just yesterday.  Give him a call and let him know how much you appreciate him and all he has done for you.  If you have not had the best of relationships with him, give him a call anyway.  You will be glad you did.  And even if he doesn't tell you so, he was very thankful and glad that you called and acknowledged him.  And if you have a great relationship with him, please do because all dads want to know that they are loved as much as they make you feel loved.


Thanks for reading :)

Nathan Deneault
Atlas Coatings & Construction

    Apollo is the newest member of our family!  He is sooooo cute and lovable.  He is just 13 weeks old (10 weeks in the picture) and has the BEST personality.  He is officially the mascot of Atlas Coatings & Construction.  He is the new boss.  So any upcoming decisions or tools that must be bought are going to have to go through him first!  I hear he is a softy if you rub his belly right and give him some bacon treats ;)  LOL  So I don't think there is going to be too much of an issue there :D

   

    He loves dog treats, running, playing with his buddies (neighbor's dogs) and kids.. LOVES kids :)  His training is going GREAT.  Almost totally potty trained and knows some basic tricks (sit, stay, lay..)  Next trick to teach him is to roll over and to shake. 

    American Bulldogs are awesome animals.  They were originally bred as working dogs (farmers), for bull bating, and other duties that a strong, intelligent dog could do.  One special job of this breed was for hunting bears, wild boar, and other animals.  Because of their strength, stamina, intelligence, and their protective nature.. they are well known for being the protector of their family and livestock.  They are a great guard dog and menacing (looking) to anyone who doesn't know them.  But they are just big lovers who will protect their family and home. 

    American Bulldogs are a great breed!  I already know you will be hearing more about Apollo in the (near) future ;)  I am sure his crazy antics will keep you guys entertained.  He is already a hoot.. one weird thing he likes to do is put his nose/muzzle in shoes.. or lick feet :P  LOL weirdo..

He is asleep right next to me as I write this. :)

-Nathan Deneault

    Catch the problems as they surface.  Don't let the small issues around your home or office become serious problems.  Make a list of the different "issues" your building's exterior has.  BTW don't worry.. EVERY home has an issue here or there.  Mother Nature is the it's harshest enemy, and she shows no mercy to your home or office's exterior.  It is good to check your the exterior for damage once a month and after extreme storms.

    Here are some simple things to look for while doing a routine examination of your home's exterior:

1. Check for loose or peeling paint.
2. Make sure the wood trim and siding are intact.  (No wood rot, swelling, or cracking)
3. Loose siding.
4. Nails "popping" out of the trim and siding,
   
5. Caulking is intact. (nail holes filed, seams in the exterior caulked)
6. Knots in wood loosing paint and swelling or cracking.

    Any time you see something that should not be, write it down.  It may be as little as:

• Past paint job has a "missed" or "holiday" spot.
• Rust from nail heads visible.
• Scuffs from the riding lawnmower on the foundation.

    With your attention to detail, these small issues won't turn into costly repairs that could spell REAL $$$$$ trouble in the future!

PLEASE CHECK OUT A FLICKr SLIDESHOW we put together of a walk-around with a homeowner.  We offer a service to come out and identify potential problems and photo document them if you choose to hold off on the work that needs to be completed. 

    Please stop by and check out my blog often.  It is new and will feature different topics on feeding and caring for your home/office/industrial sites.  I encourage you to leave me feedback and contact me if you have any questions or suggestions on future blogs.  Or contact us if you have any questions on any service we provide / work that needs to be completed at your property.  We would love to hear from you!

Nathan Deneault
Atlas Coatings & Construction
(913) 980-3823

    Most people think of their home as a place they will only occupy for a short length of time.  Isn't this the "best case scenario?"  Isn't it like the builders of the RMS Titanic outfitting it with only 20 lifeboats for all 1178 passengers aboard?  I mean it WAS unsinkable afterall....

    It seems that too many people are often too optimistic about their plans when it comes to their living situations and their home.  They plan for short times in their house and plan repairs and upkeep of the house around these "best laid plans" instead of a more realistic view of them being there for an extended period of time.

    Time wasted, money wasted.. plans change, life happens.. what are you left with?  A house with "get it by" repairs and "not going to be here long" patches.  You wake years down the road (STILL IN THE HOUSE) with the reality of having to not only fix those areas again, which is time, material, and headaches of finding the right contractor; but also the possibility of other problems caused by poor planning and looking through rose colored glasses.

    When you are faced with the problem of doing a repair, don't choose the cheaper route.  Instead do what is best for your house, your $$Investment$$.  Just because home prices/values have dropped.. it doesn't mean that they will not go back up, or that a home that was poorly maintained will not lose even more value because of this.

The proverb "damage suffered makes you knowing, but seldom rich" cannot be truer. 

-Nathan

    It was late 11:00pm and even though it was 9 deg F with a -3 deg F (real feel) it was great to be out there working on the truck.  I must say, that annoying wind that blows the stream of oil all over the place (your hands, shirt,... face :P LOL).. it wasn't there.  It was calm outside.  Cold as heck, but calm.. and quite. 

    I didn't have a drop hit the pavement.  My coveralls stayed clean, hands were clean, and aside from a tough to rotate oil filter and oil cap.. it was a really QUICK change.  I have lots in store for this old girl.  She is getting some bodywork done to her, and new paint job.  Along with some new rims and some much needed interior TLC :)

    It is really nice to be able to give attention to what is needed.  It took me 2 years to complete the siding and trim repair on my house, working around all the painting and repair work I completed on customer's homes.  The paint job on my house took me 1.5 agonizing months to complete.  I found myself working on it after a full day at a customers house.... out in the sun from dawn to right before I took my son to football practice, then the work started on my home.  I worked a couple nights caulking and priming till 1am.

    I guess it is the same thing, the time you get to finally work on your own stuff, even though really late at night, or at times when you would rather be doing other things like.. SLEEPING! LOL.. it still feels good to make the things that are needing attention feel appreciated.  :)

-Nathan

Guys and Gals I am making some good progress.  Projects have taken me away from my webmaster duties.. but I am back at it again.  I have a fresh idea of what I would like the site to be, and show potential customers and previous customers/friends.  I am loving having a site.  It is a TON of work, but well everything you see here I did myself :D  So the payoff is awesome!

Till next time..

Nathan Deneault
Atlas Coatings & Construction