Door Confusion

Is your door right handed or left handed? No kidding, there is a difference.

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Recessed Lighting

Lately, I 've been seeing a lot of poorly insulated and unsafe recesses lighting. These light fixtures should contain an Underwriters' Laboratory label containing an "IC" rating if installed in a ceiling containing insulation. The "IC" stands for "Insulation Contact". Uninformed consumers increase their chances of a fire because of the excessive heat build up if a non-IC fixture is used. The following link to Capri Lighting offers a easy to understand explanation (IC and nonIC ratings).

Also, if insulation is moved away from a non-IC rated fixture then there is a void in the insulation blanket. This could be a significant heat loss (or heat gain) which obviously affects energy efficiency and increases utility costs. Fomo Products offers a "Recessed Lighting Cover" to solve this problem.

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Foreclosure v. Short Sale

Here's a nice little comparison that can help you distinguish between a foreclosure and a short sale (thanks Tom)

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Thank you Terry...

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Got Caulk?

Heere's a simple guide to choosing the right caulk for your weekend home repair. This is from The Family Handyman (April 2012 p91)

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Are Your Walls and Ceilings Ghosting?

Periodically, you will see faint dark lines in ceilings (sometimes walls) that correspond to the hidden framing. This is a condition called "ghosting" or "thermal bridging" and is caused by a difference in temperatures among the framing members and the insulated space. The cooler surface causes moisture to condense which collects dirt particles from the air. This is especially prominent when candles are burned because of the carbon by products of combustion. The easiest solution is to reduce the moisture in the air. Other options are to repair the insulation, reduce the particulate in the air and adjust fuel burning appliances. Read more at the following link (click to enlarge once the page loads)... Ghosting / Thermal Bridging

Crib Recall

Do you or anyone you know own one of these cribs?

Crib Recall - entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards

Reverse the Refrigerator Door

I have recommended to many clients over the years to reverse the refrigerator door. Technically, doing so would improve the triangular relationship between the sink, stove and refrigerator (real geeky stuff...) but it simply makes it easier to access the foods inside. Her is a nice article that explains how and for most models all you need is a screwdriver.

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Chimney "2-3-10" Rule

The chimney 2-3-10 rule states that a chimney must extend 3 feet from where it penetrated the roof and be at least 2 feet higher than anything within a 10 foot radius. Chimneys that do not meet these minimum requirements tend to experience poor drafting which is an obvious safety issue

Water Heater Recovery Rate

Most homeowners are simply unaware how important the "recovery rate" is when selecting a water heater. Recovery rate is defined as the number of gallons heated in 1 hour by 90°. In other words, if the incoming water is 50°, the recovery rate would equal how many gallons the appliance can heat to 140° (50°+90°) in 1 hour. Recovery rate and tank capacity are often very close in value for residential units (see photo & click to enlarge).

Tank capacity is somewhat misleading. I have inspected water heaters for 12 flats that are similar in size to a 50 or 75 gallon tank but the recovery rates are 200 gallons/hour! Many home owners believe bigger is better for this appliance and that is simply not true.

Tankless water heaters are coming but thats a completely different discussion. In the mean time, think "recovery rate" and a relatively small tank capacity.

Tank capacity is 38 gallons/hour (blue oval) and the recovery rate is 39.32 gallons/hour (red oval)

A must read if you are considering installing a "Tankless Water Heater"

Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular and there are some things to consider before buying:  Three Things to Consider

Noisy Garage Door?

Here's a PDF to review if you're one of the unfortunate ones who has a noisy garage door. The information if from The Family Handyman (4/2009)

Noisy Garage Door

Healthy Home

I thought for the new year I would post a few health and safety articles. Stay tuned...

 Healthier Home to-Do List

Plumbing Valves

If (I guess I should say when...) your shut off valves leaks install a "quarter turn" valve. They are far superior to conventional stop valves.

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Spalling Concrete

Many properties experience spalling concrete and especially this time of year. Here's a nice article from The Family Handyman (11/2011) that explains how it is formed and how to avoid it.

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Client testimonial (click to enlarge)

I ran across an article from the ASHI Reporter (March 2011) that identifies preferred conditions for the home inspector upon entering the property. We should all be so lucky... Click the link below and the article is in the "miscellaneous" section:

Working With A Home Inspector

Unclog any drain

Several sources suggest that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for clogged drains. It makes sense I suppose. "This Old House" provides the DIY instruction for getting your drains back in order...

This Old House • Clear Any Clogged Drain

Clog-Free Traps

Here's a nifty new item From PF Waterworks if you have problem drainage...

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Arc Fault Interrupters Circuit (AFCI) vs Ground Fault Interrupters (GFCI)

Don't feel bad about not understanding the difference between Arc Fault Interrupters Circuit (AFCI) and Ground Fault Interrupters (GFCI). I've asked a few electricians to explain the difference with lackluster results - at least not so the average home owner would understand. I hope the following quote from SCC Electrical is helpful:

AFCIs vs. GFCIsAFCIs serve their purpose and must not be confused with a ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI. GFCI devices are designed to provide protection from electric shock. Both AFCIs and GFCIs are important safety devices but they have different functions. AFCIs are designed to identify fire hazards; GFCIs detect and prevent shock hazards. Combination devices housing AFCI and GFCI protection in one unit are expected to be commercially available in the near future.

Furnace Filters

What filter should you use?

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client testimonial (click to enlarge)

Thanks Micky and Maxine

How to Remove Wallpaper

Wallpaper removal is not on anyone's favorite DIY projects list, but at times, it must be done. The Family Handyman (November 2009) has an excellent article on how best to complete this task.

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Backdraft Damper

I've been asked many times about the cold air that comes from a roof vents/discharge caps. The solution is to install a "Backdraft Damper" as explained in the Family Handyman Magazine (July/August 2011 p. 21).

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Roof Step Flashing

The Family Handyman Magazine (September 2011 p.33), a must read publication for home owners, has a brief explanation and a nice diagram about "Step Flashing".

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