October 2004

Fall Maintenance: 
Pool and Sprinkler Winterization
It’s that time of year again folks; shorter days, cooler nights, and the always exciting football on Sundays. It can only mean one thing: summer is over and winter is quickly approaching. This also means a little more work around the house: specifically pool and sprinkler winterization. This month’s maintenance article will address basic pool and sprinkler winterization methods for climates where some freezing will occur.
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Crawlspaces and Mold
Are crawl spaces always a problem with respect to mold? This article covers what's going on with mold under your house.
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CPVC Now Used for Water Heater TPRV Pipe Extensions
Recent information about CPVC supply piping indicates that it has been tested and found capable of withstanding prolonged bursts from a water heater TPRV.
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Technical Jargon: Water Heater TPRV
TPRV stands for Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve. The TPRV is a valve on the water heater that will releases water if excess pressure is built up within the unit. Because the water released from the TPRV is very hot, it must be somewhat contained and discharged to a safe area by means of the pipe extension.
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April 2004

Spring Maintenance
It's that time of year again. Here are some previously published articles that will give you Spring maintenance tips to ease your way into the summer.
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EIFS, Mold, and Michael Jordan
Even Michael Jordan has had his share of trouble with both EIFS and Mold, as reported in a recent story from the Chicago Tribune.
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Time's Almost Up on Dryvit EIFS
Time has almost run out on claims for Dryvit EIFS (exterior insulted finish systems). If your home was clad with Dryvit EIFS prior to June 5, 2002 you are likely to be eligible for benefits. The last day to file a claim in order to be eligible is June 5, 2004. We strongly recommend you file as soon as possible to avoid being excluded.
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Technical Jargon: Boot Flashing
Boot flashing, or, vent boots, are a specialized type of flashing used for cylindrical non-flue vent penetrations.  Flashing is an important part of every roof. Most flashing is pretty simple, a piece of metal angled to fill the gap between two different objects or surfaces on the roof. But when it comes to cylindrical penetrations in the roof, you can’t simply bend a piece of metal around it. For these situations boot flashing is used.
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February 2004

Septic Systems Overview
Part Three of Three: Absorption and Treatment Systems
With so many types of septic systems out there it is easy to become confused when distinguishing between them. In this series we're going through several of the most common types of septic systems. In this last installment we'll cover the different types of absorption and treatment systems.
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Insulating Your Home
We may not be able to recall just how cold it was this winter by the time the summer heat sets in, but our checkbooks will still bear the scars of a painful energy bill season. So how do you prevent the winter wind from shaking your money tree bare? The single most important aspect to saving energy is proper insulation of your home.
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Brick Spalling: What To Do About It
The faces on bricks sometimes peel off due to water being absorbed by the bricks and then freezing. The expansion of the ice will break off the brick's face if the brick has not been fired at a high enough temperature. This is called "spalling."
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Technical Jargon: Joist Hangers
Joist hangers are metal fasteners used to support the joist where it connects with the beam or perimeter joist. They serve to insure that the weight of the joist bears properly on the beam. A joist hanger is a piece of sheet metal that is flat on the bottom, to cradle the joist, and twisted on each of its sides so it also sits flat against the beam. The hanger is then nailed to the beam.
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January 2004

Pressure Treated Lumber No More
On January 1, 2004 a new law went into effect halting all production of lumber permeated with chromium, copper, and arsenic, or CCA (commonly called “pressure treated lumber”). The Environmental Protection Agency began the phase-out almost two years ago due to a key ingredient: arsenic, which is a known cancer-causing agent.
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Septic Systems Overview
Part Two of Three: Common "Alternative" Systems
With so many types of septic systems out there it is easy to become confused when distinguishing between them. In this series we're going through several of the most common types of septic systems. Now that we’ve covered how a traditional septic system works, we’re going to cover alternative septic systems.
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Electrical Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life
Each year, more than 41,000 residential fires that claim about 350 lives and cause over 1,400 injuries are due to incidents that involve electrical equipment, such as extension cords, outlets and light bulbs. When was the last time you proactively looked for and corrected electrical safety hazards in your home?
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Technical Jargon: Chimney 2-3-10 Rule
The Chimney 2-3-10 Rule is the guideline for determining proper chimney height. Improper or inadequate draw of the combustion exhaust gas can cause major safety problems for the home's occupants.
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