Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

You may be trying to forget about the harsh winter of a few months ago, but you probably remember your high heating bills. Well, nows the time to insulate yourself from a similar fate with next winter not all that far away.

Exterior caulk and insulation can provide a formidable defense against the cold, says Debbie Zimmer, spokesperson for the Paint Quality Institute. By using these products to seal cracks and openings in the home exterior, you can save a small fortune on heating cost, and on the cost of air-conditioning as well.

Caulk and insulation work in two ways to add comfort to a home: first, they stop outside air from seeping in (or literally blowing in on windy days); second, they keep costly heat and air-conditioning from escaping. This one-two punch is a powerful way to knock down home energy bills.

If youre in the mood to fight spiraling energy costs, begin by doing a walk-around inspection of your home exterior.

Keep an eye out for cracks, gaps, or holes especially where different surfaces meet, or where pipes, vents, or wiring penetrate the walls. Also look for areas where your old caulk may have cracked, or pulled away from the surface. Every one of these areas is a potential energy sieve. . .and prime real estate for your caulk or insulation!

If the old caulk is damaged or deficient, remove it with a scraper or sturdy putty knife. In these areas, and in areas that are totally devoid of caulk, clean the adjacent surfaces, sand them smooth, and spot-prime if any bare wood shows. This will help your caulk adhere properly to create a weather-tight seal.

When applying your new caulk, be sure to use a top quality product either a water-based all-acrylic, or siliconized acrylic caulk (similarly named silicone caulks cannot be painted, so theyll be more visible on your home exterior).

With a loaded caulk gun in hand, work your way around your house, filling every gap or seam with a generous bead of caulk (this is not the time to be penny-wise, or youll look foolish when your heating bills arrive).

Immediately after applying the caulk, tool it by running a wet finger over the full length of the bead, using a slight amount of pressure. This will ensure that the caulk fills the entire gap and makes good contact with the adjacent surfaces.

Openings that are too large to caulk typically, spaces more than wide should be filled with a polyurethane foam insulation product. Unlike caulk, which shrinks slightly as it dries, some types of polyurethane foam actually expand after being applied. So, this type of insulation is ideal when filling large openings and cavities.

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Weatherproof your home before the weather turns cold

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

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The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

See more here:
ACCC forces recall of electrical cabling sold nationwide and fitted in 40,000 buildings

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

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The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

See the article here:
Fire risk: 40,000 hit by cable recall

Defective electrical cabling sold through major hardware stores and fitted in 40,000 homes and businesses nationwide has been recalled due to a risk of fire.

The consumer watchdog said 18 retailers and wholesalers had recalled cables supplied by Infinity Cable Co Pty Ltd after testing found it failed to meet safety standards.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned that poor quality coating on the cables may break and cause a fire.

"Testing has found that the cables will degrade prematurely and if the cables are disturbed, the insulation could break and expose live conductors, resulting in possible electric shock or fires," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

Advertisement

The recall affects the Infinity and Olsent cable ranges, which have been sold across Australia since 2010 and are estimated to have been used in about 40,000 homes and businesses.

The cables were sold in Victoria between 2012 and 2013 through Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, Plants Plus, Thrifty-Link Hardware, Mitre 10, Go Electrical and six smaller retailers.

There have not yet been any reports of the cables failing and the ACCC said a taskforce of consumer agencies and building regulators had deemed they did not pose an immediate danger.

But home and business owners who have recently had wiring installed at their property are being urged to contact their builder or a licensed electrical contractor to arrange an inspection. Infinity cabling located in roof spaces, under flooring or close to a heat source will need to be replaced.

Mr Sims said the recall served as a reminder that companies sourcing cheap products from overseas suppliers had a duty to make sure they were safe.

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Fault sparks huge recall

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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from Alliance Security - Video

4 HVAC Service LA 800) 215-8151 Climate Control
http://www.climatecontrolla.com/air-conditioning-heating-and-hvac-services/ (800) 215-8151 4 HVAC Service LA Air Conditioning and Heating Repair in LA When you live in LA, where extreme...

By: Michael E. Mueller

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August 26, 2014 | 6:20 p.m.

Almost a year after the death of a Costa Mesa handyman, the trial of the man accused of killing him is still on hold because of questions about the defendant's mental health.

Christopher Leovy, 34, has been behind bars since Sept. 11, when Costa Mesa police arrested him in connection with the fatal bludgeoning of 54-year-old John Kubat after the two got in an argument at a vacant building where Kubat was working.

Prosecutors charged Leovy with murder and a felony count of battery on a police officer stemming from his arrest.

Defense attorney Joel Tamraz says Leovy's erratic behavior and paranoia have kept him from telling his side of the story.

Since December, court-appointed psychologists have tried repeatedly to talk with Leovy to assess whether he's competent enough to aid in his defense. But Leovy has refused to meet with them, according to Tamraz.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Vickie Hix told Leovy on Tuesday that the psychologists just want to evaluate him. But Leovy interrupted.

"They're trying to prescribe me medication," he said.

Tamraz said Leovy is convinced that someone is trying to kill him.

"He's got a lot of worries," Tamraz said.

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Mental-health questions delay trial in handyman's slaying

Pretty fly for a hardware guy By NATE ELLIS Wednesday August 27, 2014 11:28 AM

A devotion to customer service and the melding of old-fashioned features with cutting-edge technology recently earned Nutter Hardware a very hip designation.

Of the 4,850 locally owned and operated Ace Hardware stores throughout the world, Nutter Hardware in the Kingsdale Center in Upper Arlington is among the "coolest."

So says the Ace Hardware Corp., which doesn't rank the top six but recently included the local store in its loftiest of lists.

"The store's ambience takes customers back to a simpler time, with its old-school style reminiscent of a classic general store, with its functioning potbelly stove and old-fashioned ceiling fans," a recent Ace Hardware press release stated. "Part of that traditional piece of Americana is created through the simple things the shop offers, such as vintage soft drinks, free popcorn and, of course, amazing customer service.

"If you come into Nutter Hardware with a project a little too big to handle, you may end up leaving with a lot more help than you expected, thanks to the experience Chuck Nutter brings to his Ace store from his other business, Nutter Handyman Services."

Owner Chuck Nutter and Nutter Hardware, 3078 Kingsdale Center, celebrated four years in the business Aug. 24.

In addition to the "coolest" distinction, which Nutter said "just blew me away," the venture has fulfilled a nearly lifelong quest.

After 23 years in corporate America as a chemical engineer, Nutter started Nutter Handyman Services and quickly decided there was a hardware store void in Upper Arlington, where he has lived since 2003.

He also never lost track of boyhood memories of local hardware store employees who at times gave his father the know-how to perform do-it-yourself projects of all kinds when his dad was a farmer in northeast Ohio.

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Nutter Hardware among Ace's coolest stores