Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Even when closed, your windows and doors may be more open than you realize, letting warm air escape in winter and heat to enter in summer. That's because leaky windows and poorly sealed doors are vulnerable spots for energy waste, resulting in higher utility bills.

New windows and doors can be expensive, so it's important to determine when a repair make sense and when replacement is the right choice. According to the Minnesota Commerce Department, simple maintenance and inexpensive repairs can extend the life of windows and doors, delaying the need for replacement.

Here are some common window and door problems, with fixes that can improve durability and performance:

Damaged components. Cracked or missing panes of glass in doors and windows are obvious locations for leakage and energy loss. Replacement is best, but sealing with caulking can be a good temporary fix. Older windows may use a glazing compound (putty) to hold the glass to the frame.

Defective air-sealing. The gap between jamb and framing may be empty or stuffed with fiberglass insulation. Gently removing inside trim will reveal this space, allowing for application of a window and door spray foam product or caulking. A quick and inexpensive fix for leaky windows can be the application of shrink-wrapped film on the inside.

Loose or missing hardware. Latches, hinges, and the operating parts for crank-out windows can become loose or damaged. Often a simple tightening of screws will do the trick.

Improper exterior flashing. Properly installed flashing diverts water to the outside of the siding, preventing intrusion into the wall or window/door unit.

Worn or damaged weather-stripping. Installing effective weather-stripping will conserve energy by preventing air infiltration around windows and doors. You should weather-strip all doors that lead to unheated areas, such as an attic, garage or unheated basement.

You can also improve the energy efficiency of existing windows by adding storm windows, replacing window sashes and installing window treatments or coverings.

Check out the U.S. Department of Energy web pages on windows, doors, and skylights at http://www.energy.gov.

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Don't let your energy dollars go out the window - Southernminn.com

Jerry Ludwig 8:02 a.m. ET April 8, 2017

Even vinyl and aluminum do not last forever and have needed to be replaced after a number of years.(Photo: Jamie Germano/@jgermano1/file photo)Buy Photo

Dear Jerry:I have read your column in the Democrat and Chronicle for years and was wondering if I could get your thoughts on vinyl versus aluminum versus wood replacement trim.

The house was built in 1978 and the trim boards are beginning to rot so will not hold stain. We will be getting vinyl soffits and fascia and the contractor will wrap window trim with aluminum.

One contractor wants to replace trim work on the face of house with Louisiana Pacific LP Smart Trim, which will need to be painted. Another contractor suggested wrapping trim in vinyl. I want to maintain the design of house and have a quality job done that will last a long time.

Thank you.

D.M., via email

Unfortunately, many homes built from the 1960s into the 1980s have suffered from deteriorating exterior siding and trim. Deterioration of hardboard siding, oriented strand board siding, fast growth wood trim coupled with improper priming and installation have made houses of this vintage prime targets for new exterior siding and trim. Even vinyl and aluminum do not last forever and have needed to be replaced after a number of years.

First, let me say that I do not recommend covering any material that has rot or decay with another material. Best to remove it and start over. You didnt say what the siding material on the house is, but it appears that will remain and the trim is the main issue.

LP Smart Trim is an engineered composite material made from wood byproducts and rosins. Reviews have been generally positive, and it is lighter than cement board. Yes, it does need to be painted (as does fiber cement board). Critically important with both of these materials is proper installation. Slight gaps between siding ends must be left when installing the siding and filled with proper caulking.

As with products in the past, failure of the product was largely due to improper installation and maintenance.

Wrapping trim in aluminum is OK, if the trim is sound. However, improper installation of aluminum can permit water to seep behind it, leading to decay of the wood underneath. And, as I mentioned earlier, covering decayed trim with aluminum is only asking for trouble.

Jerry Ludwig(Photo: File photo)

Again, not knowing what the siding currently is puts me at a disadvantage. You mentioned that the trim was stained. Is the siding wood and also stained, perhaps cedar? If so, I would replace the trim with cedar.

On the other hand, if the siding is painted wood, and if it was my house and the siding was in good repair, I think I would choose a fiber cement trim. A cellular PVC material such as AZEK is also an option. Fiber cement will need to be painted, but holds paint very well. AZEK is available in a variety of colors, but may need to be recoated at some point. If possible, I would replace any window trim with one of these materials rather than wrap it in aluminum. Again, your choice will somewhat depend upon what the current house siding is.

Whatever material you choose, make sure that your contractor states in writing that the material will be installed according to the manufacturers specifications. Also, check to see if the contractor is certified or otherwise qualified to install the product. If there is a warranty issue with the material, it is usually due to improper installation.

After the column on the loud laundry pump valve (March 25, 2017), several wrote me to ask where they could find a silent check valve. C.M. wrote to say: I went to Debbie Supply in East Rochester, and they have several sizes of spring loaded PVC check valves. With a couple of adaptors and two rubber couplings this made a unit that I installed in the drain line of our noisy sump pump. End result is that the problem has been SOLVED! No more water hammer! Finally, the cost of the check valve was $13.99 plus tax (not including the cost of couplings and PVC). Thanks, and congratulations!

Jerry Ludwig is a former contractor and home inspector. He is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. Email your house questions tojludwig@rochester.rr.comor write him at P.O. Box 25510, Rochester, NY 14625. Please include the year your house was built and the town where you live.

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Home improvement: Vinyl, aluminum, wood window trims compared - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Summer is just around the corner, which means now is the time to get your home ready for sunny days and warm nights. Check out these four ways to get your home summer-ready!

1. Say Goodbye to Winter

Finally, the snow, ice and cold weather are gone. Kick winter out and brighten up your home with summer-related decorations and colorful accessories. Coastal Designer Outlet offers a ton of nautical and beach-themed pillows, lamps, artwork, table decorations and accessories. The store also has brand-name furniture pieces available if youre feeling bold and want to replace more than just the decorations in the room.

The inside of your home isnt the only place leaving winter behind the outside deserves a transformation as well! Add life and color to the exterior of your home with flowers, shrubs and trees from Cape Shore Gardens. If you dont have much of a green thumb, Cape Shore Gardens offers landscape design, construction and maintenance services.

2. Let Summer Inside

We cant deny that summer weather is feel-good weather. When the sunshine and fresh air finally arrive, embrace them by letting them inside with a storm or screen door. Wildwood Glass specializes in creating customized storm door panels and screens so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors from the comfort of your home. If you already have a storm door but the screen is broken or the glass is cracked, Wildwood Glass can fix it!

Window Genie can help you bring summer into your entire house! Window Genie can get all of your windows squeaky clean and crystal clear in no time, bringing maximum sunlight and outdoor views into every room.

3. Make Outdoor Repairs

Its finally time to live outdoors, which means its time to tackle those outdoor projects youve been putting off all winter. Although there are probably multiple to dos on your repair list, put your deck or patio at the top. Summer calls for backyard barbeques and bonfires, therefore its important to make sure your deck or patio is safe by making any necessary repairs. If your deck didnt withstand the harsh winter conditions, Town Bank Builders can build you a high-quality, custom deck for entertaining your family and friends.

Next on the list should be your fence. Its time to let the kids and pets loose in the yard, but first make sure theres no way they can get out. Inspect your fence and fix any parts that Old Man Winter got to, and be sure to reinforce any loose posts. If your fence is in need of a replacement, Murphy Fence Company offers a variety of fence types and products to meet your fence needs.

4. Stay Cool

Hanging outside in the summertime is fun, but when the heat starts to get to you, its time to step into your cool home. Make sure your air conditioning system is ready for those hot summer days. Bowmans Cooling and Heating can perform a spring check up and make sure your A/C runs at peak efficiency once summer rolls around. If youre still experiencing problems after maintenance and repair, Bowmans offers free estimates for replacement systems and new installations, and can help you design the perfect cooling solution to fit your home and budget.

Once your A/C is ready to go, you want to make sure the cool air stays inside your home. Atlantic Insulation & Construction Services (A.I.C.S.) uses spray foam insulation to keep that air inside by covering the holes, cracks and crevices that often allow the air to escape. Plus, less cool air escaping means lower energy bills!

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4 Ways to Prepare Your Home For Summer - Cape May County Herald

So, the Home Renovation Initiative (HRI) is going to be even more popular and it was extended (no pun intended) in the last budget until December 31, 2018. This week, I'm looking at how it works and what you need to do before you start making like Dermot Bannon.

The HRI is a Revenue-based scheme, ie, it is a VAT refund based on certain conditions. Since it was launched in 2013, over 1.2bn has been returned to taxpayers availing of the initiative, with 77,000 home improvement works carried out. This is an average spend of 16,000 per project, and kitchen extensions, attic conversions and maintenance works are the most popular. Of course, it also helps the beleaguered construction sector too.

how it works l For works costing between 4,405 and 30,000 (before VAT), you get the added VAT refunded to you over two years. VAT is charged at 13.5pc for building works, so the return is 595-4,050, depending on what you spend.

l The refund is not made in one go. If you pay the bill in 2017, the tax refund starts for PAYE workers in 2018, payable over 24 months. It is done via annual tax returns for the self-employed.

l It's important to note that you must be a taxpayer to get tax relief. This may exclude those outside the tax net, eg those living on the state pension alone, even if they pay USC.

l It is not possible for someone else (eg an adult child), to pay for the works and claim the relief. It must be the homeowner.

l For those already qualifying, if you lose your job, or suffer a loss of income, Revenue will still pay you the refund, but has the right to do so over a longer period.

The Rules - HomeOwners

l You must be up to date with your Property Tax.

l The spend must be exclusively on "Repair, Renovation or Improvement works", although the list of qualifying builds is quite extensive (see table), including landscaping and window replacement, for instance. You cannot get VAT back on soft furnishings, white goods etc, but painting and decorating is allowed.

l Your contractor(s) must be registered for HRI and you both apply online with Revenue (revenue.ie). The website also has a list of registered builders, so you can see immediately if they are on it.

l You must give the contractor your Property ID (from your LPT form). l Always get multiple quotes and references from contractors. Ask if all materials are included, and if not, what you need to supply yourself (if you buy paint or tiles for instance, you cannot claim VAT back. If they supply it, you can.) l From January 2016 landlords can also apply under the scheme. l If you are also applying for a SEAI grant (eg for insulation or a boiler), three times the grant amount is deducted from the HRI application before you claim. Most people will treat both separately and not claim the VAT on grant-aided works, but do the maths yourself.

The Rules - Contractors

l A HRI qualifying contractor must be registered with Revenue.

l Professionals such as architects, solicitors, surveyors etc, who charge VAT on services at 23pc do not qualify. l Multiple contractors can be used but the entire job must be within cost limits.

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Window of opportunity to make most of tax initiatives - Irish Independent

Sun., April 9, 2017, 7:17 a.m.

A volunteer group of Pullman Avista customers saw their power consumption decline by 9.3 percent after they were given high-tech thermostats.

The devices were distributed as part of a smart grid project where Avista deployed a number of cutting-edge technologies and gathered data to see if their performance merited putting them into broader use.

Overall, the upgrades are saving 43,000 megawatt hours per year in Pullman and Spokane, not counting the conservation by the Pullman thermostat users.

We exceeded our goal, said Curtis Kirkeby, an engineer at Avista. We did our normal utility business case. It met that criteria.

Kirkeby declined to share dollars saved versus those that were spent, but he said that generally Avista looks at the rate of return on investments over 20 years.

And in this instance, Avista didnt assign a value to the 2.5 million customer outage minutes that were avoided from August of 2012 through September of 2016. That was because the benefit came through equipment that had other advantages, such as reducing consumption.

The research completed by Avista was one part of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. A federal grant of $178 million was split among 11 utilities in Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming.

Each grant recipient tested emerging technologies to see how well they made strides in conservation and reliability at a reasonable price. The data was documented and shared nationally.

Elements of the smart grid that Avista introduced have been put into broader use and as the utility moves forward, it will consider what it learned anytime it makes a major decision about infrastructure, Kirkeby said.

In the case of the thermostats which are connected to wireless internet, Avista is encouraging residential customers anywhere in its Idaho and Washington territory to buy them by offering rebates of as much as $100. The retail price runs anywhere from $100 to $300 and installation costs vary.

The thermostats allowed 75 Pullman families during the project to adjust the temperatures in their homes using smartphones, which could be done even if they werent on the premises.

They also provided information about daily usage patterns and enabled users to see what their estimated monthly bill would be at any time.

Almost as surprising was what happened when Avista activated another feature of the thermostats, one that allowed the utility to adjust the temperature in private residences up or down by two degrees on days where extreme hot or cold taxed the utilitys power resources.

Avista had high acceptance from the participants who had the option of rejecting the thermostat changes but the utility found other smart grid measures showed more promise.

One is invisible to customers. Voltage in wall outlets was diminished by two volts, something that was possible because the improvements Avista made ensured a constant flow of power in the lower range without diminishing the performance of appliances like toasters. That technology also helped prevent outages.

Another strategy that succeeded involved closer cooperation with Washington State University. Avista now has a protocol where it can request power from the schools generating facilities, which are powered with natural gas and diesel.

It can also have the school reduce its demand through minor changes in how it operates its heating and cooling system for classrooms, conference rooms, offices and hallways, but not more sensitive areas such as laboratories or dormitories.

Even though the smart grid project is technically over, Avista continues to examine innovations, Kirkeby said.

Everything is on a road map where we have customers gain value from what we do and participate in what we do.

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Knowledge gained as power conserved - The Spokesman-Review

It has recently been announced that Amazon are behind one of the newest buildings set to go under construction in Seattle. Spanning 17 stories, the build will be set on the site of a former hotel at 2205 Seventh Avenue, where a number of options have been bought forward by Graphite Design Group, who Amazon are currently working with.

Amazon associates Acorn Development LLC previously bought the property and all necessary rights at the end of December last year for over $12 million. The new build will embed sustainable features, where the preferred design has been described as an urban treehouse, adopting a recessed centre bay, revealing an internal stair structure. On each side, overhanging blocks which cascade up the building will highlight this unique design, with a terrace placed on the side.

The new building highlights Amazons increased dominance within the US market, with an increased number of part time workers, warehouses and networks across the country. Back in January, Amazon informed Bloomberg that they would be creating over 100,000 new roles within the next 18 months.

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Amazon's new office building will adopt a distinct design - Construction Global

One of the most visible symbols of San Franciscos technology-fueled boom is nearing completion and reshaping the citys skyline.

Builders laid the final beam yesterday for Salesforce Tower, a $1 billion skyscraper that now stands as the tallest office building west of Chicago. The1,070-foot (326-meter) tower is set to be finished this summer and the main tenant, Salesforce.com Inc., expects to start moving in by the end of the year.

The Salesforce Tower under construction in San Francisco, on April 3.

Photographer: Michael Short/Bloomberg

Developers Boston Properties Inc. and Hines broke ground on the 1.4 million-square-foot (130,000-square-meter) tower in 2013, near the start of an economic surge that has sent real estate prices soaring. Its the biggest and most ambitious project in what city Supervisor Jane Kim called San Franciscos largest construction boom since the 1906 earthquake. It also shows the weight of Salesforce, founded 18 years ago and now the citys biggest tech tenant.

Salesforce Tower is the beacon of the new economy, said J.D. Lumpkin, managing principal of the San Francisco office of Cushman & Wakefield Inc., who helped represent Boston Properties in Salesforces record 2014 lease. Its an aspirational thing for companies here, that you can build something from scratch over the course of 20 years that employs thousands of people in San Francisco, and tens of thousands of people around the world.

Salesforce, whose software helps businesses with tasks such as managing customer relationships and marketing to consumers, is taking 714,000 square feet at the building, which supplanted the Transamerica Pyramid as the citys tallest. Tenants also will include management-consulting firms Bain & Co. and Accenture Plc. About 400,000 square feet is still available, Bob Pester, executive vice president for the San Francisco region at Boston Properties, said in an interview at Bloombergs office in the city.

The company has competition from other new buildings rising. There is 5.9 million square feet of offices under construction in the city, with about 38.8 percent pre-leased, according to data from property brokerage Savills Studley Inc. San Francisco had about 81 million square feet of offices as of the end of 2016.

Rod Diehl, Boston Properties senior vice president for leasing, said the company is seeing demand from a mix of businesses. Touring activity by potential tenants has increased fourfold in the past 60 days, Pestersaid.

I can tell you that I dont lose sleep at night at all about that space, he said. This is not on my radar screen as something to worry about.

Boston Properties had started the building, formerly known as Transbay Tower, on a speculative basis before signing Salesforce as a tenant. While that was a risk, we saw momentum in the market as far as leasing activity, and we thought it was a very measured risk, Pester said.

Mort Zuckerman,co-founder and chairman emeritus of Boston Properties, was a champion of the building and was instrumental in negotiating directly with Salesforce Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff for the lease deal, Pester said.

Benioff during a topping off ceremony for the tower, on April 6.

Photographer: Michael Short/Bloomberg

Benioff, who co-founded Salesforce and is a prominent philanthropist in the city, said the building is the ultimate expression of the inspiration he felt when walking in San Francisco as a boy with his grandfather, who was a city supervisor, watching the Transamerica Pyramid tower being built.

He used to tell me how the future of San Francisco was rising up, he said at the ceremony yesterday for the topping off of the building. That inspiration really gave birth to Salesforce, which develops cloud-based software designed to boost salespeoples productivity.

Salesforce is leasing the bottom half of the tower, plus the 60th and 61st floors. Views from the 61st floor, to be the highest occupied space, show much of the Bay Area, from the Bay and Golden Gate bridges to the 101 and 280 highways snaking to the south toward San Bruno Mountain.

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The 61st floor will be used by Salesforce for meetings, conferences and programs, and will be open in the evenings to city and local organizations for their own programs, Benioff said. It will be known as the Ohana floor, taking the Hawaiian word for family, a touchstone in the companys corporate philosophy of treating not only its own employees like family, but being open and involved with the surrounding community.

The 60th floor will be almost a deconstructed executive briefing center, saidElizabeth Pinkham, the companys executive vice president for global real estate. It will have sliding glass walls, allowing it to be configured to the specific event, be it large training sessions or more private meetings.

Pinkham said the company is hoping the building will be ready for visitors before the next Dreamforce corporate conference in November, where clients from all over the world converge to attend sessions designed to build their skills and interact with peers and corporate leaders. Last year about 170,000 people attended.

One of the most visible symbols of San Franciscos technology-fueled boom is reshaping the citys skyline.

Salesforce Tower is beside the Transbay Transit Center, a $6 billion project that will tie together 11 transportation systems. In addition to transit, the center will feature a 5.4-acre (2.2-hectare) rooftop park. Both the skyscraper and the transit hub were designed by the architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli.

The building also is across the street from Millennium Tower, a luxury-condominium building that has tilted and sunk several inches into the earth. At the topping off ceremony, Pester of Boston Properties made a point of saying his skyscrapers foundation is drilled more than 300 feet into bedrock, baby.

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San Francisco Skyline Remade by Tallest West Coast Office Tower ... - Bloomberg

INDIANAPOLIS Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Friday a new campaign aimed at protecting Hoosiers from fraudulent business practices in the wake of severe weather that leaves homes, vehicles or other property damaged.

Double check before you write a check is the latest consumer protection strategy from the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, safeguarding Hoosiers from individuals posing as roofing, tree-removal and window-replacement companies, among other types of restoration and repair businesses.

When severe weather rips through Indiana, the damage can be significant," Hill said. "In the worst cases, the devastation can be heartbreaking. Many Hoosiers face the stress of out-of-pocket costs to make repairs to personal property. No Hoosier should face the additional nightmare of becoming the victim of a scam.

"This spring and summer, I strongly urge all Hoosiers to double check a companys name, reputation, history and authenticity before writing a check to a person claiming to represent such a business.

In the aftermath of storms that leave destruction in their paths, property owners are vulnerable -- making perfect targets for scammers pretending to offer help cleaning up wreckage and making necessary repairs. Many people will attempt to reach out and offer a helping hand. With this comes the likelihood that restoration or home repair companies some legitimate, some not will also try to contact those affected the most.

Hill advised Hoosiers to do their due diligence and avoid letting the emotional toll of the situation influence their decisions about repairing or replacing what is damaged or lost. It is often wise to be skeptical of anyone immediately offering their services.

Hill offered several tips to Hoosiers: Avoid agreeing to any repair or restoration work on the spot during initial contact with someone offering services this includes contracts. Avoid signing any legally binding agreements without first gathering information and researching a business being represented. Obtain information about the individual offering his or her services. Research the company the individual claims to represent. Look for signs of credibility such as an official website. Seek reviews and testimonials from former customers.

The best decision is an informed decision, Hill said. Double check before you write a check.

The Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General receives complaints every year when severe weather causes damage. The most common complaints are those against storm chasers" -- people who show up after severe weather events.

Storm chasers often offer to come back and make repairs to damage that doesnt require such repairs or doesnt exist at all. A common example is a storm chaser who tells a resident their roof needs repaired or replaced when in fact it isnt even damaged. The storm chasers will tell the resident a cost and offer to come back and do the work if a portion or all of the cost is paid up front prior to any repairs taking place. Once the consumer has paid, the scammer does not return to complete the job.

In 2016, the CPD received 16 storm chaser complaints.

The failure to perform a contract is a complaint received by the CPD that is similar to storm chaser scams. In this scenario, a person offering a service or the service of a company will agree to complete repairs that are actually needed -- such as replacing the siding or windows on a house. They will request a portion or all of the cost up front and even provide a contract for the agreed-upon repairs and cost. However, once the scammer receives the payment up front, he or she never returns -- and the consumer is left without the money they paid or the repairs they needed.

In 2016, the CPD received 21 failure-to-perform-the-contract complaints.

The most common scam reported after severe weather events in 2016 was the failure to complete a contract. In this situation, a consumer agrees to the necessary work with a person or the company that person claims to represent -- and a portion or all of the cost is paid up front, prior to the repairs. The person will come back to the residence or property and start the agreed-upon repairs or restoration. However, in this scenario, after the work is started, the person or company paid to complete the work does not return, leaving the consumer with repairs that are still needed and no money to have them completed.

In 2016, the CPD received 70 failure-to-complete-the-contract complaints.

Finally, beware of contractors who present contracts that permit them to keep a portion of your insurance money if they negotiate with your insurance company, but then you decide not to use the contractor to perform repairs. The contractor often presents this as a liquidated damages or similarly-worded provision. The Division has seen contractors including this type of provision in their contracts and then using it to justify keeping a significant portion of insurance proceeds, even when they are not selected by the homeowner to perform repairs. Homeowners do not have to agree to these terms. Exercise your control over who performs your repairs and how they are paid. Be ready to refuse to do business with any contractor whose contract terms you do not like.

Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General if they believe they have been scammed, or suspect someone may be trying to scam them after a severe weather event. You can reach the CPD by visiting IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.

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Attorney General Curtis Hill aims to protect storm victims - Greensburg Daily News

Environmental Protection Agency officials are proposing to eliminate two programs focused on limiting childrens exposure to lead-based paint which is known to cause damage to developing brains and nervous systems.

The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64 page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments.

Old housing stock is the biggest risk for lead exposure and the EPA estimates that 38 million U.S. homes contain lead-based paint.

Environmental groups said the elimination of the two programs, which are focused on training workers in the safe removal of lead-based paint and public education about its risks, would make it harder for the EPA to address the environmental hazard.

One of the programs falling under the ax requires professional remodelers to undergo training in safe practices for stripping away old, lead-based paints from homes and other facilities.

The training program for remodelers was set up under a 2010 EPA regulation that aims to reduce exposure to toxic lead-paint chips and dust by requiring renovators to be certified in federally approved methods of containing and cleaning up work areas in homes constructed before 1978.

The rule applies to a broad range of renovations, including carpet removal and window replacement, in homes inhabited by pregnant women and young children.

Some operators in the home renovation industry have criticized the rule as too costly, noting that some customers simply opt to hire contractors who deliberately skirt the federal standards.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and particularly harmful to children and the elderly. Its many dangers in gasoline, paint, and drinking water have been scientifically documented over many decades, which has led to stronger regulatory protections.

In a 2014 report, the Centers for Disease Control found that 243,000 children had blood lead levels above the danger threshold and that permanent neurological damage and behavior disorders had been associated at even lower levels of lead exposure.

The most common risk factor is living in a housing unit built before 1978, the year when residential use of lead paint was banned in the United States, the CDC found.

EPA spokeswoman Julia Valentine said in an email that the two programs facing cuts are mature, and that the goal of their elimination is to return the responsibility for funding to state and local entities.

The Lead Risk Reduction Program, which would be cut by $2.56 million and 72.8 full-time equivalent employees, is charged with certifying renovators who work in buildings that may contain lead-based paint and upholding federal safety standards for such projects. Located in the agencys Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, the lead risk reduction program also helps educate Americans about how to minimize their exposure to lead in their homes.

The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.

The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then were going to take away the money were going to give to states, said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. I think its just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesnt hold together.

But the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, which represents some of the industrys biggest players, welcomed the plan to abolish the two programs. The associations chief executive, Fred Ulreich said in a statement that the group has long supported moving the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program from EPA down to the individual states.

Fourteen states Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin currently run programs to train contractors how to properly handle renovations involving lead paint, according to the EPAs website. The rest rely on the federal government to provide training.

Ulreich said in his statement that his group believes that the program can be better run and enforcement can be more vigorous the closer it is to the local contractors.

But Ulreich added that the group would object to states who seek to run a lead abatement program. The group has successfully delayed a program in Maryland that goes further than the current federal requirements when it comes to lead paint removal.

Erik Olson, who directs the Natural Resources Defense Councils health program, said in an interview that the move leaves children in dozens of states unprotected.

If the state doesnt have a program, which is true in most states, and if the EPA doesnt have a program, how are you going to have compliance with the lead rules? Olson asked. Basically, this is the guts of the program that protects kids from lead poisoning from paint.

State efforts to reduce lead risks have had mixed results. In 2004, New Jersey created the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which was supposed to provide loans and grants to homeowners and landlords to help them remove lead-based paint from aging housing stock. The program was supposed to be funded by sales tax revenue from cans of paint, which was expected to be $7 million to $14 million every year.

Instead, over the next dozen years the legislature and Democratic and Republican governors diverted more than $50 million from the fund toward payment of routine bills and salaries.

The EPAs Valentine said in an email that the agency is working towards implementing the presidents budget based on the framework provided by his blueprint and while many in Washington insist on greater spending, EPA is focused on greater value and real results.

Administrator EPA in a more effective, more focused, less costly way as we partner with states to fulfill the agencys core mission, she added.

The cuts to the lead-paint programs would not directly affect EPA programs related to lead in drinking water, as in the case of Flint, Michigan. Those programs fall under the agencys Office of Water. But the EPA memo does propose reducing funding and staff for the agencys drinking water programs as well.

Changes to how the federal government addresses lead paint could affect hundreds of thousands of renovators, noted Remodeling magazine editor in chief Craig Webb.

The latest U.S. Census classified 78,000 firms as being in residential remodeling, with 278,921 employees. But since the 2010 rule also affects many siding, painting and wall covering contractors, as well as individual proprietors, the total number could be much higher.

The EPA announced in November 2016 that they had pursued more than 100 enforcement actions for lead-based paint hazards much of those focused on the nations largest companies.

In 2014, Lowes home improvement chain agreed to pay $500,000 and create a compliance program across its 1,700 stores as part of a settlement agreement with the EPA.

Lowes had failed to provide documentation showing that the contractors it hires to perform renovation projects for Lowes customers had been certified by EPA, had been properly trained, had used lead-safe work practices, or had correctly used EPA-approved lead test kits at renovation sites, the agency charged. (The company did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.)

Later, Sears reached a similar settlement with the agency. Sears also declined to comment for this story.

The National Association of Home Builders has objected to EPAs regulation, charging that it is an inefficient tool for achieving the environmental and health goals of the underlying statute and rule.

On Tuesday, association spokeswoman Elizabeth Thompson said in an email, At this point, it is premature to comment until something official has been announced.

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SHELBYVILLE, Ind. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has responded after the Executive Director of a historic theatre in Shelbyville told 93 WIBC that he has been in conflict with inspectors from the State Fire Marshals office over plans to upgrade the building.

The Strand Theatre at 215 S. Harrison Street in Shelbyville has been owned and operated by a non-profit group since 2008, which is led by Executive Director David Finkel. Over the past nine years, he says volunteers have put in a great deal of work to modernize the facility, including a replacement of the buildings electrical panels in 2009 and the installation of a new heating and cooling unit in 2015 and 2016. But Finkel says it wasnt until the theatre applied for a permit last year with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to remodel the stage and install an additional emergency exit did he begin to experience issues with the states fire inspectors.

This past year in August 2016, we had a new inspector. For some reason, all that work in the past didnt seem to be what he wanted, says Finkel, who told 93 WIBC that the inspector had required the theatre to install a new sprinkler system which would have cost the non-profit group more than triple the cost of what the building is worth.

We said we didnt think that was right, and [the senior staff from the state fire marshals office] was here for a meeting. That meeting ended up in November 2016 turning into an inspection. The outcome of that inspection was they rescinded our Construction Design Release for this new fire exit and the expansion of our stage. We didnt quite understand why, says Finkel.

A local attorney appealed the decision for the Strand. Finkel says the state decided to cancel their recension of the previous permit before it went in front of a judge.

Finkle says the State Fire Marshals office then sent a written letter notifying the theatre that they would have to go through a Construction Progress Inspection.

We called around to find out what that was all about and there was not a contractor, an engineering firm, an architectural firm [nor] anybody that had ever heard of such a thing, according to Finkel.

During that follow-up inspection on March 13, Finkel says the same inspector told him the theatre had two violations. Both were due to Construction Design Permits that werent filed or approved with the state for the electrical panels that were replaced eight years ago, as well as the new HVAC system that had been replaced starting two years ago.

Finkle says the state inspector has threatened the Strand Theatre with a $250 a day violation per fine, which would equal $3,500 a week if levied against the non-profit organization. Finkel says the theatre will file an appeal.

93 WIBC contacted the office of James Greeson, the State Fire Marshal to ask for his response to the interview with David Finkel. An e-mail was sent from the Public Information Office of the Indiana Department of Homeland to 93 WIBC asking to submit questions in writing regarding the Strand Theatre.

Below is the return e-mail correspondence that 93 WIBC received on Wednesday, April 5, 2017:

Following is a reply regarding the Strand Theatre in Shelbyville. All text from IDHS and the State Fire Marshal are in red. The first is a general statement. The remaining text is in answer to your questions.

Your questions were wide ranging, and we had to talk to quite a few people inspectors, supervisors, an agency attorney, etc., to track down the information you had questions about. Thats the reason we were not able to get this information to you earlier.

Thanks,

Office of Public Affairs

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Building inspectors under the state fire marshal, part of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, have a primary concern for the safety of the public. One of the agencys responsibilities is to inspect public structures like the Strand Theatre for compliance with state fire and building code as adopted by the Fire and Building Safety Commission. This result is to use the code as part of a process to protect the public with appropriate fire safety measures.

1) A representative from the Strand Theatre says thatthe State Fire Marshalls office performed a Construction Progress Inspection on the property. Are those types of inspections required of every building that is going through ongoing upgrades?

These types of inspections are not required, but are not uncommon. This was not the type of inspection with regard to the Strand Theater. The Strand Theater was being inspected because improvements without a state construction design release were discovered. One of the goals of that inspection was to determine next steps. State Fire Marshal inspectors, part of IDHS, do have the authority to conduct these inspections, even if facility owners originally filed plans with local building officials.

2) Is it common for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to require the installation of a sprinkler system in order to finish work on a previously approved State Design Release, such as the one granted to the Strand Theatre for the installation of a new fire exit?

The design release was given for plans that provided incomplete information, which the agency did not know at the time. Once discovered, the design release was rescinded. This occurred in December of 2016. Also, the follow up inspections that have been negatively mentioned helped determine that a sprinkler system was not required for the building. It helped identify an area that wasnt documented in the plans that removed the need for the sprinkler system.

3) A representative from the Strand Theatre also says the previous inspector(s) with the State Fire Marshals office responsible for regular inspections of the property did not ask for or communicate the requirement of Construction Design Permits for HVAC work done in 2008 and electrical work done in 2015 and 2016?

It is the responsibility of property owners, managers, design professionals and construction managers to follow all applicable code. It is the responsibility of the building owners, managers and designers to ensure their work is properly filed so the appropriate inspectors can conduct inspections.

In this case, the state inspector had no knowledge that the HVAC and electrical improvements had been made. The inspections being conducted previously by the state inspector were for Entertainment and Amusement permits. As such, the inspectors normal inspection would not have required him to view any areas where updates of the electrical or HVAC had been made. When the inspector incidentally saw the updates, he did tell the team representing the Strand that permits would need to be applied for.

Local building officials are responsible for regularly inspecting facilities within their jurisdiction.

State inspectors, in addition to regular inspections, may make more frequent visits to a facility. The main two reasons are: 1) Follow up on violations or 2) if complaints are received.

Were these permits required as far back as 2008? Yes.

4) How does the Indiana Department of Homeland Security respond to those who would say that the recent requests made of the inspector from the State Fire Marshals office, as well as the suggestion of a $500 a day fine for violations, put an undue financial burden upon a non-profit organization with limited funds such as The Strand Theatre in Shelbyville seeking to provide an economic benefit to the community?

While the option of a fine does fall under the authority of IDHS and the State Fire Marshal, this option isnt used often. Also, if its determined a venue owner or manager is working to come into code compliance, fines can be withdrawn. The agency would prefer to simply work with the facility to ensure compliance with state code. Also, please note that the option of a fine is up to $250 per day, per violation, just to clarify.

Representatives of the agency have explained to the Strand team on several occasions that they would rather work with them for compliance rather than issue a fine. The agency is charged with protecting the public with appropriate safety measures, according to code adopted by the Fire and Building Safety Commission.

93 WIBC asked David Finkel, Executive Director of the Strand Theatre, for his follow up response to the answers provided by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security:

[In response to IDHS answer to Question #1] This answer is not what was communicated to the Strand. The following is part of the email received from the State Fire Marshal's Office:

Marshal Greeson has directed a construction progress inspection of the Strand Theater. Could you please make arrangements for our inspection team to have access to the facility on Monday March 13that 10:00 AM. We will need access to the entire building including the loft above the stage.

We informed them that there was no work done on the area for the Construction Design Release. It was assumed that progress of the construction from the reinstated Construction Design Release was the purpose of the inspection, hence a "construction PROGRESS inspection". All other work at the theater was properly permitted and inspected locally. When we asked construction professionals about what to expect in a Construction Progress Inspection, none had ever heard of such an inspection. The "next steps" as determined by that inspection was issuing of violations.

[In response to IDHS answer to Question #2] The Constructions Design Release for this fire exit was reinstated by the State Fire Marshal's office in December 2016.

[In response to IDHS answer to Question #3] The 100% volunteer Strand Theatre relies upon the advice and guidance of the local inspectors and design professionals for all work done to the theater. At no time was it communicated that work such as replacing of electrical panels would need a Construction Design Release. The work was locally permitted and inspected. The Strand is proud to provide entertainment to our community without soliciting our community or businesses for funds. We have had gracious professionals do work pro-bono and contractors perform work at reduced rates. Had there been a requirement at that time, the Strand would have complied.

[In response to IDHS answer to Question #4] The State Fire Inspector, during the process of having the violations signed for on his tablet, told the representative from the Strand that each violation carried at $250 per day fine. The volunteer asked specifically when that fine commenced, he stated "as of today's date" which was March 13, 2017. He did not mention it was a potential fine. He did not seem willing to help in resolution of these issues, only communications of the violations and actions that could be taken.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE POSTED TO WIBC.COM ON SUNDAY, APRIL 2.

93 WIBCS C.J. MILLER REPORTING.

Twitter: @CJMillerWIBC

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Strand Theatre

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State Office Responds to Conflict Over Shelbyville Theatre Inspections - 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis