Mark Tanner Construction

With No Snow in Truckee Should I Water in Winter?

Jodi — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:39:35 +0000

With virtually no snow pack so far this winter, Mark Osberg with Estate Landscape has had several calls about whether or not to water your gardens. Mark sent out the email below :

These are my recommendations for the Tahoe and Truckee areas only, including Martis Camp. Lower elevation cities (Roseville, Cisco Grove, Reno, and Carson City) should be watering once or twice a month until there is regular precipitation.

Let’s look at the facts; all plants go dormant in the fall based on fewer sunlight hours and temperatures. So far fall and winter have been normal considering these factors.

It’s cold at night (at or below 25) and not much warmer during the day (30-40 degrees). And the amount of daylight hours are few as is normal at this time of year.

And the ground is frozen. Try sticking a shovel into the soil around your house. Hard! Any water applied will not penetrate the soil easily and could add a lot of time to the project. You would have to apply the water slow enough so it seeps into the ground.

A report from the Colorado State University states that if air and ground temperatures remain above 40 degrees, with no snow pack, then watering is advised. Once or twice a month. Depending on the plant type (how deep are their roots), applying 5 to 15 minutes of water is recommended.

“If conditions are this way how do I water?” you ask. If you have a sprinkler system you can use that.

But what if it has been winterized already? The only alternative is to hand water your lawn and/or gardens. This could be a big undertaking if you have a substantial landscape.

If you DO decide to hand water, don’t forget to remove the hose from the hose bib when you are done. You wouldn’t want any freeze damage done to the hose bib, and house, afterwards.

If the lack of snow persists, watering earlier in the Spring may be necessary. Let’s see what Mother Nature has in store for us, and then decide.

Here at Estate Landscape I am monitoring the weather conditions as closely in the Spring as I do in the Fall.

For those of you that are clients, rest assured I will be activating your systems for the best health of your landscape when it is time. Pray for snow!

Submitted By Mark Osberg, President of Estate Landscape.

estatelandscape.com

On the cover of a magazine

Jodi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:20:14 +0000

The Truckee Home and Building Show has been on Memorial day weekend for as long as I can remember. 19 years to be exact. One of our clients noticed an article in their guide that was written by Scott Gillespie of SANDBOX Studio. www.thesandboxstudio.com

Upon looking at the article Mark was pleasantly surprised that the home Scott was writing about is a cottage we recently finished in Martis Camp. An even bigger surprise, when we looked at the front cover, the same home was on the front!

Pest Control

Jodi — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:44:29 +0000

Spring skipped right on by us after a REALLY long winter. The squirrels and chipmunks are running rampant getting ready for next winter, which will be here before we know it.

Squirrels will chew on almost anything, edible or non-edible, to both sharpen the teeth and to prevent overgrowth of the teeth. These cute little bushy tailed critters are in fact very destructive rodents that can cause a big headache for you if left to their own devices.

Living in the Truckee, and the Martis Camp area provides the squirrels with plenty of food sources, you might face an ongoing battle to keep the squirrels at bay.

If you are having trouble with these pesky neighbors we recommend calling Dennis Stewart Pest Control at 530. 587.245o. They will come out and assess the situation and coordinate any repairs that need to be done with us.

Snow Retention Guards

Guest — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:32:23 +0000

With one the most prolific Truckee winters in decades yielding over 600″ of snow, personal safety and protecting ones property becomes a necessity than rather an option.

Intricate architecture and roof designs like those found in Martis Camp and many Truckee homes can create areas where roof slopes converge and tend to slough off snow in large amounts. This can create life threatening situations and extensive damage to personal property. Don’t worry, this can be prevented!

With the use of properly engineered snow retention systems the achievement of smaller and controlled releasing of snow can help alleviate these types of problems. Eckard Roofing, Inc. www.eckardroofing.com suggests the TRA-MAGE snow retention systems. http://tra-mage.com They adhere to strict design and engineering guidelines, ensuring a successful installation and properly functioning snow retention system.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that snow retention systems are as simple as a just fastening something on your roof. Snow load calculations, roof pitches, and roofing materials are just among a few things that are needed to design a snow retention system.

The TRA- Mage snow retention system was installed on this home in Tahoe Donner. You will see that they were installed on just one side to protect the homeowner while walking from the house to the detached garage.

Blog submitted by Scott Eckard Eckard Roofing, Inc.

Beware of Ice Dams

Jodi — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:44:45 +0000

We knew it would happen, winter returned with a vengeance over the last couple of weeks after almost a month of no snow. The current NOAA forecast is calling for more weather on Tuesday into Wed with a mixture of rain and snow. Get ready for some Sierra Cement to cover up all that powder.

Mark wanted all of our clients to be aware of potential ice dam issues caused by the weather. When the house gets nice and warm the warm ceilings gradually become a little warm from the outside too. But the snow and ice on the outside leads to a layer of ice in direct contact with the warm ceiling which melts and turns into water. This water then flows towards the slope so that it is drained off. When this flowing water reaches the edge of the slope it again encounters freezing temperature and freezes. This in turn entraps the rest of the water underneath the sheet of snow. You end up with a dam of water and ice under the snow. Gradually, since this water has no outlet, it seeps into the house and can damage the ceiling, walls, gutter and the attic etc.

As much as we would like, we can’t make it by everyone’s house to check and see if you have any potential ice dam issues. Given the potential freeze-thaw issues, we would like to remind you to make sure your Bylin or heat tape system is turned on. If you are up in the area, take a quick look around for any large ice formations coming off the roof. If you notice something that isn’t quite right, give our office a call an we will make arrangements for one of our guys to check in or put you in touch with our roofing contractor, Eckard Roofing.

Spring has Sprung?

Jodi — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:11:09 +0000

It seems that Spring has Sprung here in Truckee but don’t be fooled!

They say we will have 7 days of clear weather, perfect for a snowshoe or ski (or a cup of hot chocolate if neither appeals to you!) but rest assured, the snow will be back! We get an Average of 198.3 inches every year so it just means, MORE snow – later! Historically February is our biggest month for snowfall, but we can see the white stuff well into June if the cycle runs late. http://www.tahoeloco.com/weather-geek

Here at Mark Tanner Construction, Inc. we can build in any conditions. We are able to prevent damage that is caused by the elements with green solutions as well as just proper technique.

Perhaps it is a good time to add a snowmelt system to your roof or gutters on that drip edge that keeps making a glacier on your back deck? Whether the Weather is good or bad, we have the solutions for you!

Now is also a great time to begin planning your spring remodel project or landscape addition. Our Masons can make a gorgeous outdoor BBQ or fire pit so you can enjoy the back yard any time of year.

How about adding a hot tub or infinity pool to keep you warm après ski? We have wonderful suppliers that can find exactly what you are looking for. http://mountainhomecenter.com/hottubs.html

Give us a call and we can facilitate what it is you desire to add on to your piece of Tahoe Paradise!

~Janette Conradson

Martis Camp Billboard

Jodi — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:50:18 +0000

Mark was contacted right before the holiday by the Martis Camp Marketing team inquiring about using a photo taken by Vance Fox of a recently completed Mark Tanner Construction Custom Home, designed by Sandbox Studios.

The sign was located in the trees along the west side of Prosser but the sales team go so many comments about it they relocated it right next to the Martis Camp Express Lift.

You can view more photos of this house by browsing through the Filoli house on the Portfolio page

Tahoe Quarterly Winter 2010-2011

Jodi — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:02:44 +0000

Wine Cellar $300-500/sf

Have a little spare room? Celebrate your latest win with bubbly or Bordeaux from your very own wine cellar. Truckee’s Tanner Construction can turn that extra closet into a chic and elegant place to store hundreds or thousands of bottles, from amarone to zinfandel. Custom details like French doors or wine barrels take you to faraway vineyards even as you swirl and sniff the fruits of your labor. 530.587.4000 www.marktannerconstruction.com

Lake Tahoe Traveler

Jodi — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:19:10 +0000

Wine Cellar $300-500sf

Wine Cellar $300-500/sf

Mark Tanner Construction Gives Back

Jodi — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:02:41 +0000

Throughout the year Mark Tanner Construction gives donations to various non profit community organizations. A few of Mark’s favorites are the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, Truckee Donner Historical Society and Arts for the Schools.

The Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation is devoted to the public good, TTCF provides base funding for nonprofit organizations to help them meet their mission. This core funding is critical for organizations to thrive. This past year TTCF awarded $1,000,000 in grants. In addition to financial support, TTCF provides technical assistance on good governance and management and connects the broader donor community to local nonprofit organizations. Give Lisa Dobey a call at 530.587.1776 to make your donation today. Truckee Community Foundation April 28 Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation December 27

Arts for the Schools is a nonprofit organization enhancing our children’s education and fostering a lifelong appreciation of the creative arts. The benefits of art education help to shape a child’s overall well-being and academic achievement. Students learn patience, self motivation, discipline, responsibility, problem solving techniques, and critical thinking with special artistic and aesthetic skills. Give Raine Howe a call today to invest in our local students. 530.582.8278 Arts for the Schools December 2010

Truckee- Donner Historical Society ‘s mission is to discover, procure, and preserve whatever may relate to the aboriginal, natural, civil, literary and ecclesiastical history of the Town of Truckee and surrounding area. Your contributions help to preserve the history of Truckee and make our programs possible! Give Chelsea Walterscheid a call at 530.582.0893 to make your investment in Truckee’s history.Truckee Donner Historical Society July 22