The Basics Of Testing Your Home For Lead

Lead in the home is a health hazard especially to children six years or younger. In and around a property, lead can be found in paint, soil, and dust. With this in mind, it is advisable to test your home for lead if it meets certain criteria.

Here Are Some Of The
Following Conditions:

• Has peeling paint
• Was built before 1978
• A person residing in your home has had a positive blood lead test
• Is near a busy road where exhaust from passing vehicles that use leaded gasoline could have polluted soil
• Was built before 1950
• Has bare soil in the backyard or front yard where children play
• Are planning to carry out renovations or remodeling

Buying A Home

You should also carry out lead testing before buying a new house. In fact, federal laws require property sellers to give buyers information about potential lead hazards. However, these laws do not apply to property renters. After receiving this information, you should hire a qualified lead tester to inspect the property you are eyeing within 10 days.

Some Places Where Testers Look For Contaminated Soil And Lead-Based Paint Include:

• Kitchen cabinets
• Areas near major traffic roads
• Doors and accessories like doorjambs
• Unpaved pathways
• Siding
• Children’s playgrounds
• Window frames and sills
• Areas around property foundation
• Baseboards
• On walls with peeling/chipping paint
• Painted furniture

Tips For Home Lead Testing

In general, there are two ways of finding out if your home has unsafe lead levels: sending samples to a laboratory for further analysis and hiring a certified lead inspector. Expect lab testing costs to range anywhere from $25¬-$50. Make sure samples sent to a lab are properly labeled and sealed. If you opt to hire an inspector, make sure he/she has received certification to inspect properties for lead. It is worth noting that lead testing kits found at paint and hardware stores have two major drawbacks. Firstly, they cannot tell you lead levels in paint as specified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Housing & Urban Development. Secondly, they do not allow one to test for lead in soil.

Conclusion

Lead is a hazardous chemical that could cause children and adults to develop health problems. It is widely found in paint and contaminated soil. To test for lead, send samples to a laboratory or hire a certified inspector.

Information You Need To Know About HVAC

Many homeowners struggle to decide whether it is best to replace or repair their air conditioner or heating system. There are a number of things you have to consider before you decide to repair or replace your unit. Below are some tips that can help you make the best decision:

The Age Of Your System

If your system is over 10 years old, you may want to replace it. There are several reasons you should consider replacing an older air conditioner or heating system. One of those reasons is the minimum seasonal energy efficiency rating, or SEER, increased from 10 to 13 in 2006. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it may only have a SEER rating of six. Therefore, you can potentially save 20 to 50 percent on your HVAC energy costs by getting a new unit.

Refrigerant

There is also a new type of refrigerant available called R-410A. It is more eco-friendly. Many older units used R-22, but this is not an acceptable type of refrigerant. You cannot purchase an air conditioner with R-22 refrigerant anymore. Additionally, R-22 production has decreased. That is why repairing an older system can be very expensive if it uses R-22 refrigerant.

Tax Credit/Rebate?

Keep in mind that if you replace your HVAC system, you may be eligible for a tax credit and/or rebate. Replacing an older HVAC system with a new one helps protect the environment. That is why many companies are giving people an incentive to replace their air conditioner and heating system.

The Decision

It can be difficult to decide whether repairing your HVAC system is worth the money, or you should get a new one. However, if you take the age of your unit into consideration, it will be a lot easier to make the right decision. Older units can be very costly to repair because many of them use R-22 refrigerant. Furthermore, it is important to remember you can save money on your energy costs by getting a new unit. You may also be able to get a tax credit or rebate.

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How To Paint The Exterior Of Your Home

If you are looking for a way that you can fix up the outside of your home without spending a lot of money, painting is always a great idea. Believe it or not, you don’t have to hire a professional to do the work for you. If you have the weekend to yourself, this is something that you can easily do.

Peeling Paint

First of all, you are going to have to scrape away any excess paint that is peeling. This way, you can get the surface ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Choosing A Color

After you have scraped the surface, it’s time to think about the color of paint that you would like to use. White is a common color. However, you can use whatever color you like. Spend some time at your local home improvement store and look at the different colors. Make sure that you tell the person who is mixing your paint that it is for the exterior of your home.

Watch The Weather

Make sure that the weather is going to be okay for painting. When the weather is cold outside, it will take longer for the paint to dry. When this happens, you have a problem to deal with. Usually, anything above 75 degrees is perfect painting whether.

Applying The Paint

Now, it’s time to apply the paint. Make sure that you have a ladder so that you can reach those tough spots. If you have a plank, this will make your job much easier. You can use a roller or a brush. If you are interested in renting a spray gun, this is something that will get the job done quickly.

Thin Paint Coat

You always want to make sure that you are applying a thin coat of paint. Even though it may be tempting to apply a lot of paint at once, it is going to drip. Before you know it, you will have spots of dripped paint all over the outside of your home.

You won’t believe how nice your home is going to look after the work has been done. Talk with your family members and find out when they will be able to come over and give you a hand.

Home Improvement Made Easy Through Expert Advice

Home improvement is a wonderful endeavor for people who like to approach their projects in a do-it-yourself fashion. These tips should help you get started on your first do-it-yourself project.

If your roof is in need of repairs due to cracking, try getting a roll of aluminum tape, three inches wide. Simply clean the area to be patched thoroughly, remove the tape’s paper backing, and apply it to the crack. The aluminum provides a long-lasting, waterproof seal that will surely hold up for years with any type of small hole or crack.

What Changes Are You Accomplishing

Determine the changes you want to do prior to starting the renovation. If you want to avoid wasting time or money, it’s vital to have an initial plan in place. Changing your plans or adding tasks in the middle of a project can easily increase your costs and time to completion. Your contractors will be pleased if you have made a decision of what you want before they begin.

Think about inserting solar panels on your home. Solar panels are a major investment, but you will lower your electric bills on the long term. This saves you money on energy costs due to the use of stored energy. That’s why this natural solution is an excellent way to meet your home’s power needs.

Credentials

Check out the credentials of any home improvement company that you are considering. Using a company without an address is not a good idea, since they are likely not reputable and probably too small. Stick with companies that are reputable.

A lot of people may want to install a wood fireplace in the home, but this might not be your best option for a slew of different reasons. Apart from aesthetic reasons, this type of system is also quite inefficient because most of the heat ends up going through the chimney. What’s more, fire is oxygen hungry, which means the amount and quality of breathable air in your home will be diminished.

Don’t make the mistake of using doors that are of poor quality and look like it. It will be the very first and very last thing guest will view. If your door doesn’t have good insulation and a proper fit, you’re wasting a lot of energy. If your door and frame are not made well you will lose your sense of safety.

Taking the tips and advice you have learned here, you will be able to work more efficiently at creating the home you’ve always dreamed of. You’ll soon breeze through projects that once intimidated you and leave you living in the home of your dreams.

Learn How To Turn An Investment Into A Pay Raise With Your HVAC System

Two things that most California businesses have in common is the need to become more energy efficient, and the desire to be a more environmentally conscience company. Cutting back on energy consumption is important in order to keep overhead costs at a minimum; it also reduces a company’s carbon footprint. Many business owners have discovered that their Commercial HVAC system is the key to either saving money, or over spending it during hot summer months.

Through proper maintenance, tune ups, and the installation of more efficient heating and cooling equipment, thousands of California business owners are seeing drastic reductions in their annual energy costs. Canoga Park Heating & Air has become a leading HVAC contractor by offering business owners unparalleled HVAC sales and services. Preserving the planet and saving business owners money are the primary goals of Canoga.

Canoga Heating & Air helps business owners find the right Commercial HVAC Solutions for their specific needs. One way that Canoga helps businesses save is by offering top of the line commercial heating and cooling equipment at lower prices than are available elsewhere. Passing on the savings is part of the plan when Canoga is called upon to develop an energy efficient system.

Business owners need customizable and precise temperature control that keeps their valuables and entire operation cozy year around. Specialized commercial equipment such as programmable thermostats, ductless split systems and under-floor cooling systems for computer rooms or offices, a variety of indoor self-contained air cooling units, rooftop systems, and direct expansion systems are all just a few of the commercial products and solutions that are available through Canoga.

For over 40 years Canoga Heating & Air has earned an impeccable reputation for developing customized and unique commercial heating and cooling systems. Canoga is preferred second to none for their commercial emergency repair services and HVAC maintenance programs that keep commercial equipment running smoothly and efficiently. Start doing your part to save the planet and reap the rewards of lower annual energy costs by scheduling a consultation with Canoga today. Just imagine what you could do for your business with the money saved on energy costs. Heck, you could even give yourself a much needed pay raise this year!

To receive this incredible offer, visit our website at-  http://www.cphac.com/

Looking For Useful Interior Design Tips For Your Home? Try These Ideas!

Have you ever wanted to make your home more beautiful?

Have you ever wanted to make your home more beautiful? If you are like most people, you have. Changing your home is not as hard as you think. In fact, there are many things you can do to change your home that are inexpensive and easy. Here are some design tips to help you out.

Figure out what you want the focal point of the room to be. This is going to be one thing that the room is going to center around. It can be a window, a desk, a piece of artwork – whatever you’d like it to be. Once you know what your focal point is, you can arrange the room so that it compliments that focal point.

Consider adding some artwork to your room. A nice piece of art can really make a room look “finished.” Make sure you choose a piece of art work that goes with the colors and feel of the room. You don’t want it to compete with other things in te room for attention.

Have a theme in mind. Is there a specific color scheme you rather enjoy? Do you have a fondness for retro furniture? Deciding on a theme before you even begin your planning phase can save you a lot of time and effort. Make sure you know what you’re going for before you start planning for it.

When designing for contemporary and modern spaces, integrate textures into the materials in the room. If the furniture and fixtures are heavy on smooth materials, such as glass, smooth plastics, metal and polished wood, add some textured materials to bring out details that will catch the eyes and create a more interesting space.

Follow the tips in this article and you are sure to get inspired to change the appearance of your home. Whether you change a lot or a little, interior design can be fun and easy to do. Keep looking for ways to improve your home until you are happy with how everything looks!

Important Information To Consider Regarding Home Improvement

The art of home improvement is so much more than just putting in a new sink. It takes a great deal of research, a lot of hard work, and careful attention to detail to really make sure that things look nice and that they are safely installed. The tips below can help you improve your home improvement skills.

When selecting a contractor for a home renovation, don’t be tempted to simply take the lowest estimate. There is no guarantee that it will be cheaper to use a lower-cost contractor and simply fix any poor work later. Lower prices usually mean that the quality of the work and the materials is also lower.

There are a few ways to deal with screws that are too tight or too loose in your home. Use clear nail polish to tighten screws that are too loose. To loosen screws that are too tight, try adding peroxide or ammonia, letting them soak for just a few minutes before attempting to unscrew.

Patch holes in drywall using mesh. First spread a layer of drywall mud into the hole and around its edges. Then press the patch into the mud so that it adheres evenly to the surface of the wall. Trowel the mud carefully over the patch, allow to dry, and then sand to smooth.

Keep your partially used can of drywall compound from drying out between uses! All you have to do scrape and wipe the insides of the can down to the surface of the remaining drywall mud. Next, pour just enough water onto the mud to cover its surface. Before you use it again just pour off the water and it will be as good as new!

Flooring can be a relatively simple home improvement project even for a novice. Focus on putting tile in your kitchen and bathrooms and replace your carpet with hardwood flooring. Home improvement stores have a wealth of information about how to make this process easy for you to complete.

If you need to do a project around your house, but don’t have the tools to do it, consider how often you will use the tools before buying. It may be more cost-effective to rent or borrow what you need instead of spending the money to purchase items that will be seldom used.

The art of home improvement is something that can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, but only those very serious will try to perfect their home like a true professional. Now with more home improvement knowledge to add to your “bag of tricks,” you can easily become a great home improver too.

Stuck On A Home Improvement Project? Try These Simple Tips

So you are feeling a bit dejected about your home. Many people go through periods where they want to rip everything out and start over, or they just want to move. The thing is, you can always make your home better. Why not try out a few of the tips in this article?

One thing that a lot of homes seem to be missing is plants. Adding some plants to your living environment can spruce up your home infusing it with some life. Plants are not only a great design element, but make your home decorations seem complete and add a touch of nature to your rooms.

If you are short on cash and trying to figure out a way to create a unique backsplash for your kitchen, you can buy some nice patterned wallpaper. Meanwhile this may not be a permanent solution; you can switch out your designs often or keep it until you are able to afford tiling. You can even go as far as purchasing different patterned wallpapers and cutting them into small shapes to design your own wall mosaic as a backsplash.

Is it cheaper to do it yourself or pay someone else? If you decide to completely re-do your bathroom, but know nothing about plumbing, it might be beneficial to pay a plumber to come in. Also, you can check out the self help books at your local building supply. Don’t be afraid to ask. A simple project shouldn’t cost more because of inexperience.

Keep your home and family safe by properly installing a smoke detector in your home. Smoke detectors detect unsafe and hazardous smoke before you do. Stay on the safe side and purchase a new smoke detector. Make sure to check the batteries every month to ensure that it is working correctly when tragedy strikes.

Linoleum is a great alternative to tiling, as it is much more wallet friendly. However, it can get scuffed quite easily with use. You can quickly get rid of linoleum scuffing by rubbing white toothpaste on it with a cloth. Another quick fix is spraying WD-40 on the affected spot and making sure to degrease the area when you’re finished, with soapy water.

If you are looking for home improvement, don’t forget the outside areas of your home too. If you love fish, you may want to consider putting in a Koi pond. They look beautiful, and they can be customized to match the look of your backyard or be made the focal point.

Create a plan before starting a landscaping project to ensure that fits with the look of your home. A new garden or outside dining area that goes well with your home’s style will improve the entire look of your property, but things that clash will offer the appearance of insufficient planning and end up looking outright unattractive.

There are few tasks more satisfying than improving your home. Each improvement brightens your day or makes everyday life easier. You will be proud when friends or relatives visit and notice what you have done. So why not find a little time to carry out one or two of the suggestions that you’ve just read about? You’ll be glad that you did.

Home Improvement Projects: Things You Should Consider

Home improvement projects have the potential to make or break your wallet, your investment and your resale value. This article will give you lots of great advice on how you can protect the investment you’ve made, get the best bang for your buck and not go broke in the process.

There are a few electrical tasks that a non-expert can do around the home. One is replacing a light switch. After you turn off the electricity and remove the cover plate, detach the wires on the old switch and replace them in the same order on the new switch.

Throwing out an old sofa can be very tempting when it no longer looks new and clean. However, with the same effort it takes you to throw it out, you can buy some nice slipcovers and throw it on your sofa. Slipcovers are available in a myriad of designs and can spice up an old sofa very easily.

When it comes to home improvement, go with your gut feeling about the contractor as long as everything else matches up. Do not even consider someone that you do not fully trust, as you probably have that feeling for a reason. If you have a hint of mistrust toward the contractor that you meet with, it may only lead to anger and mistrust on an exponential level if things do not go according to plan.

If you are hiring someone to perform your home improvement work, make sure to get multiple bids for the project. Although it can be a little time consuming, this process ensures that you are getting the best deal on your project, and it helps you become more familiar with the industry and what to expect from your contractor.

Wallpaper borders are no longer as popular as they once were. However, you can add nice designs to your wall without them. Buy some stencils at your local craft store in a theme that matches your home decor and paint them in a line on your wall where normally the wallpaper border would go. This creates a nice visual effect for your eyes to follow in the room.

As you can see, there is a lot involved in even the most simple of home improvement projects. But, if you follow this advice and use it to make really wise investment decisions, you should have no problem choosing the best projects and the best money saving ideas for your home.

Try Some Of These Great Ideas For Home Improvement

Today, home improvement is an incredibly popular hobby that is growing in popularity. The demand for products and techniques related to it are on the rise. Now is the time to start with it. Here are some tips that you can use to get you started with your home improvement plans.

Removing dated wallpaper is a home improvement that can completely transform the interior of your house. If you have money to spend, the best way to remove wallpaper would be to buy a commercial stream wallpaper stripper. If, however, you are on a limited budget, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of hot water and fabric softener and completely saturate the wallpaper. Leave the wallpaper for a few minutes then carefully peel off with a putty knife.

Changing a tire can be problematic if you don’t happen to be a very strong person. Loosening the lug nuts, in particular, can take more strength than many of us have. Use a cheater bar! A yard long piece of pipe that is just big enough to fit over the end of your lug wrench will give you that extra leverage to get the job done.

One of the best tips to help you on your quest to home improvement, is to take a personalized look at what you wish to achieve. Include personal touches to any home improvement project.

Stay true to the property and the neighborhood when you take on major renovations. If you live on a street of suburb ranch style homes, then putting in a colonial mansion is not going to get you the desired result you’re after. It will be out of place and not something anyone else will be willing to pay for later.

When looking to improve the value of your home, remodeling a bathroom can be a great step to take. Simple bathroom remodeling steps can include painting, changing out fixtures and installing new tiles. More elaborate efforts can include replacing bathtubs, toilets and sinks. Whatever route you choose, you’re sure to see an increased home value when you update your bathroom.

Before you do anything with electrical outlets or lighting fixtures, you need to turn the electricity off. It is dangerous and can even be fatal to touch live electrical wires.

If you want freedom making decisions about your house, you need to move to a rural area. There the properties are much larger and in most cases, there are no rules or regulations to tell you how to decorate your home or garden. This can be a blessing for those who are creative enough to give a unique look to their property.

The right lighting can make all the difference in a room. Well lit rooms feel cozy and comfortable for all those in residence. You can also install additional light to create more brightness. By making a dark room more bright, you’ll be able to make the whole home feel improved.

You should now see why this hobby is very popular. There is so much you can do in it! There is also a ton of information on how to start enjoying the benefits of it. By following these tips, you are well on your way to successfully improving your home.