Remodelling Contractors Must Be EPA Lead Certified

I recently received an envelope from the Environmental Protection Agency announcing that as of April 2010 "All contractors performing work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be EPA Certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination." The specifics can be found at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f07a90b05d8e4481e1f462a217a2b789&rgn=div5&view=text&node=40:30.0.1.1.13&idno=40#40:30.0.1.1.13.3.1.3

The interior and exterior of many homes, rental properties and businesses in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area have been painted with lead-based paint. It has been known for many years that lead exposure is dangerous to children. Lead is also dangerous to adults. Lead exposure by adults can result in diminished mental capacity, kidney failure and even death. The exposure to lead should not be taken lightly.

This new regulation will drastically increase the expense of repairs and renovations to these properties. New tools and equipment will need to be acquired by the contractor, the additional costs for disposal of lead contaminated trash and construction debris deemed hazardous waste, and more time to carry out the project. It will also require the contractor to pay for certification and require he or she train their employees on the proper practices of working around lead-based paint. This extra expense will be passed along to the customers.

These new regulations will make some contractors less competitive with other contractors and may force them out of business.

Visit www.epa.gov/lead or call 1-800-424-lead (5323) for more information.

Dangers of Lightweight Construction

Since the 1980s engineered lumber has become the most popular structural building material for new residential construction and remodeling. Engineered lumber is described as a wood structural member that is fabricated through use of bonded fibers and materials and that is usually put together as a composite joist or beam." More simply engineered lumber is wood chips or slivers of wood that are bonded together by some type of adhesive. An article by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) titled " It’s not lightweight construction. It's what happens when lightweight construction meets fire." The article discusses "Two recent studies that detail the relationship between fire and engineered wood construction assemblies—notably, that they burn quicker and fail faster than their dimensional lumber counterparts. What do the findings mean for the fire service, builders, consumers, and NFPA codes?"

The studies show that firefighters have died in burning houses constructed of engineered lumber because engineered lumber burns quicker and will fail faster than their dimensional lumber counterparts. This danger is not only a risk to firefighters but to anyone trapped in a burning house constructed of engineered lumber. Studies by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have found that engineered lumber loses its structural integrity much quicker when exposed to fire than dimensional lumber. Under a test fire by Underwriters Laboratories found that the structural integrity of traditional floor construction (dimensional lumber) lasted 18 minutes where as a floor constructed using engineered lumber I-Joists lasted six minutes.

Builders have resisted changes in their construction practices that would make the use of engineered lumber safer. Using Fire or X-Rated drywall (5/8" Thickness) and installing residential sprinklers when using engineered lumber does increase the structural integrity of the house during a fire adding precious minutes that could save the life of a firefighter or person trapped in their home during a fire. According to builders these measures are what they describe as too costly and complex to implement.

The NFPA has launched a national campaign to have sprinklers installed in all new residential construction. Their campaign has met resistance by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) who have lobbied state legislators to resist the implementation of residential sprinklers putting the lives of firefighters and homeowners at risk.

Benjamin Franklin created the first Fire Brigade because of the potential dangers of living in the wood constructed homes of the 18th century. As a result of the dangers of all wood construction our building codes were later modified to incorporate fire resistance construction practices. Our current building codes have allowed us to return to wood construction making our new homes a danger to live in.
10 Things Home Builders Won't Tell You

Do-It-Yourself Home Repair Class Returns for the Fall

Now that the economy is teaching us to be more frugal you cannot afford to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor to make repairs on your home you have to Do-It-Yourself!

Do-It-Yourself Home Repair Class at Temple University Center City.
Saturdays 10 am - 1:30 pm at Center City Campus
1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
September 26, 2009 through November 7, 2009 - No class October 17, 2009

Save money and say "I did it myself." Knowledgeable and patient teacher and craftsman Paul will teach you exactly how to handle practical repairs and improvements. This hands-on workshop will give you the step-by-step instructions you need and the vocabulary that goes with it.

Paul Plevakas is a Residential Remodeling contractor licensed by the State of Pennsylvania. Paul is a third generation craftsman with over 20 years experience. He has been in business for 10 years. He has taught the "Do-It-Yourself Home Repair" course since 1996.
Private instruction available with Paul as your personal home repair trainer.
Visit: www.paulplevakas.com
E-mail: Paul@PaulPlevakas.com
Souvenir T-Shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/DIYHR_Class

To Register:
Non-Credit Programs Department
Temple University, Center City Campus
Suite 215
1515 Market Street
Phila., PA 19102
Call: 215-204-6946 or 4335
Register On-line: www.temple.edu/tucc

Do-It-Yourself Home Repair Class - Summer 2009

My Summer semester Do-It-Yourself Home Repair Class is winding down May 27th is our final class. The class has been offered by the Temple University Center City campus Continuing Education Department for over 10 years. The class allows students to learn how their house functions and how to keep it functioning through hands-on practice and lectures. A class project that consists of framing a stud wall, wiring the wall with a recepticle, switch and light fixture and covering the wall with drywall allows students to work with power tools and hand tools, some for the first time. Students gain an understanding of a house's electrical and plumbing systems, how a house was constructed, they learn about roof construction, doors, windows, locks, flooring, and painting. The most important subject they learn about is how to hire a contractor when they are unable to do the work themselves.

More information can be found on my website: http://paulplevakas.com/HomeRepairClass.html

This year we are offering souvenir "I Did It Myself!" t-shirts for purchase at http://www.cafepress.com/DIYHR_Class

Tool Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling a framing nail gun manufactured by the Dewalt Industrial Tool Co., of Towson, Md. and a generator imported and sold by Big Muddy Sports, of Perryville, Mo.

DEWALT Recalls Framing Nailers Due to Serious Injury Hazard
The bump action trigger on the framing nailers could have been incorrectly assembled during production, which would allow the nailer to eject a fastener unexpectedly or cause the trigger lock-off not to function. This can pose a serious injury hazard to the user or bystander.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09256.html

Big Muddy Motor Sports Recalls Generators Due to Fire Hazard
The 220-volt receptacle can fail to produce power correctly and cause power surges that can damage appliances. This poses a risk of fire and possible injury to consumers.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09257.html

Visit the links above for recall instructions.

Tool Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling a paint sprayer and an air compressor:

1. Wagner Spray Tech Recalls Heat Guns Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09243.html

2. Campbell Hausfeld Recalls Air Compressors Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09245.html

Visit these links for further information.

Pennsylvania's New Home Improvement Contractor Law

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year register with the Attorney General's Office.

As a home improvement instructor I have heard many horror stories from my students of incompetent contractors, contractors that take a deposit and never finish the work or disappear. Local municipalities including the city of Philadelphia have required home improvement contractors to be licensed and carry adequate liability insurance. The licensing was a safe guard for the consumers. It provided a way to verify the contractor carried adequate insurance.

The new law is designed to consolidate the home improvement contractors throughout Pennsylvania into a single database that can be searched by the consumer online or by telephone to verify the contractor is licensed.

The new Pennsylvania law does not test the skill level of the contractor. It only verifies insurance coverage. The frightening fact is, anyone can pickup a paint brush and a hammer and call themselves a home improvement contractor.

The database should not be relied upon as the absolute resource in finding a reliable contractor. Home and property owners will still need to ask some important questions when screening a contractor:

• Are they licensed by the State of Pennsylvania. Some contractors may not know this law exists.
• What is their license number?
• Before you hire them you want a certificate of insurance. This is a free service provided by the contractor's insurance company. You want the certificate made out to you.
• Ask for proof of workmens compensation insurance for their employees.
• Ask for references.
• Ask how long have they been in business.
• Ask them if they do the work or do they use sub-contractors.
• If they use sub-contractors ask for the sub-contractors certificate of insurance, workmens compensation insurance and state license number.
• Get all details of work in a written contract.
• Remind the contractor of the Right to Rescind Law that allows you to cancel your contract and received a full refund.
  

These questions will help eliminate unscrupulous contractors and allow the you some peace of mind when hiring someone to remodel or repair your home, investment property or business.

"Do-It-yourself-Home-Repair" Class

Temple University is offering a non-credit course:
"Do-It-yourself-Home-Repair"

Save money and say "I did it myself." Knowledgeable and patient instructor and craftsman Paul Plevakas will teach you exactly how to handle practical repairs and improvements. This hands-on workshop will give you the step-by-step instructions you need and the vocabulary that goes with it.

Join me for a fun and informative four week course that will help you save money, get a better understanding on how your properties work and learn what the contractors are talking about.

Owner's of investment properties, this course will teach you how to make repairs on your rental properties as well as your home, saving you money and time, keeping the building running and tenants happy. Learn to make repairs that will cut down on calling a contractor for small annoying repairs.

The Course Covers
☞ Safety and Tools
☞ Carpentry
☞ Electricity
☞ Plumbing
☞ Painting
☞ Roofing
☞ Flooring

If you do not want to or cannot do the work yourself learn the tools, contractors terminology, and materials of the trades and prevent yourself from being taken advantage of the next time you need to hire a contractor.

Paul Plevakas - Licensed Remodeling Contractor

Four Saturdays: June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2009 - 10:00 am - 2:00 p.m.
Tuition: $135.00

To Register Contact:
Stacey Eleby, Registrar
Telephone: 215-204-6946
Email: seleby@temple.edu
Online:http://155.247.168.77/CourseStatus.awp?~~09UIHAG10000

Temple University Center City
Office of Non-Credit Programs
Suite 215,
1515 Market Street
Phila., PA 19102

Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books

On recent trip to the return counter at Home Depot I noticed on the Recall Bulletin Board: Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Wiring a House, 3rd Edition, ISBN #978-1-56158-942-5 and Wiring Complete, Expert Advice from Start to Finish Instructional Books "contain several errors in the technical diagrams that could lead consumers to incorrectly install or repair electrical wiring, posing an electrical shock hazard to consumers."

For more information visit contact: The Taunton Press, of Newtown, Conn. at (800) 477-8727 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site www.taunton.com, or visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml09/09078.html

If you own these books return them to your place of purchase for a refund. Normally no refunds are granted for books at Home Depot kindly remind the employees at Home Depot that these books have been recalled and you should receive a full refund.