An Open Letter From Santa Claus

Dear Homeowner,

Ho, ho, ho! It's that time of year again when I'm gearing up the sleigh, getting the reindeer fed and packing my enormous gift bag, all in preparation for visiting your home, just like last year.

Which leads me to this letter.....

Last December 24^th, while I was hitting the Pittsburgh route (my favorite area, besides the North Pole, but please don't share that with any other children!) I was more than a little concerned when I parked the sleigh on your roof.

Every year, with a wiggle of my nose and twinkle in my eye, I slide down your chimney and deliver all of the gifts under the tree. By the way, I really liked the new ornaments last year the little one made. They're so precious at that age!

I was filled with trepidation, however, when I saw the condition of your chimney. It was leaning away fromthe foundation of the house and I noticed several loose bricks around the flashing. I must say, it took me a few minutes to decide, even with all of my magical abilities, whether I should venture down or not. I'm glad to say I found the courage to give it a go, as the cookies your daughter left were absolutely delicious!

Before my arrival this year, I would suggest that you place a call to my friends at Keystone Basement Systems. I recommend them very highly and they even offer free consultations regarding not only the condition of your chimney, but your foundation as well. You can reach them at 1-800-771-3244 and they will be happy to schedule a time to stop by and see what's what. And if you speak to Aaron, tell him his old friend Kris Kringle recommended that you call!

OK, I better get going. I have a few more naughty names that I need to add to the nice list that just got in under the wire!

Merry Christmas!

Santa Claus

Homeowners! Check Your Crawlspaces This Holiday Season!

If you're a homeowner, you realize the responsibility involved in ensuring your home is as safe and structurally sound as possible. After all, this is where your family lives, where they feel secure, not to mention your home is more than likely the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime.

Certainly you would notice anything out of the ordinary such as cracked brick on the outside of your home as well as floors that seemed to be drastically sloped. What many homeowners fail to recognize, however, is any cracks evident within crawlspaces.

These tiny areas, commonly used only for storage, can hold tell tale signs that there are potential problems with the foundation of your home. Just as with scheduled smoke detector inspections should be performed every six months, so should investigating the walls within your crawlspaces. Any cracks or gaps apparent within these areas should be noted and may be a reason for concern,

Contact Keystone Basement Systems for a free evaluation of your home's crawlspaces. Any symptoms of foundation movement needs to be addressed before they evolve into potentially more serious issues. We can be reached at 1-800-771-3244 and will be happy to perform a complete examination of your home, including those rarely accessed crawlspaces.