Make homes more resilient to flooding and increase home value with home lifting By RANDY YOUNG People will always want to live by the water. “Salt Life” isn’t just a cute phrase — for some, it truly is a way of life. Current building codes and Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) regulations are greatly reducing the risks that affect homes in the floodplain. These are all good news for homeowners and insurance companies. For the contractor, new homes are a great source of production and income. But what about the…
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R.D. Olson Construction, TCA Architects renovate Olive Crest residential home
R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contracting firm in Irvine, Calif., partnered up with TCA Architects and local subcontractors to renovate nonprofit Olive Crest’s short-term residential therapeutic home in Santa Ana. “Demo day” occurred Saturday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.and kicked off the renovation of the 1954 home’s kitchen and living areas. Improvements will include new flooring, appliances, water heater, AC and other amenities to provide a more comfortable environment for the six young women living in the house. Founded in 1973, Olive Crest provides safe, residential facilities to house Orange County youth. R.D.…
Read MoreDiscreet Smoke Detectors Gain Favor in Homes
Small, unobtrusive smoke detection sampling points replace traditional smoke detectors for improved look, superior fire protection Although smoke detectors are essential for safety and mandated by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), traditional, bulky models mounted on ceilings or walls in high end residential homes can interrupt – even ruin – the overall design and feel of a space. As a result, many affluent homeowners are seeking out alternative solutions that allow for the discreet placement and even concealment of smoke detectors. For some, this has meant adopting more advanced…
Read MoreDevelopment Strategies to Manage Vapor Intrusion Risks
Due to potential health and safety risks that vapor intrusion may cause residential occupants, considerable measures must be taken to abate and clean up these vapors By Andy Bajorat Vapor intrusion continues to be a hot issue with state Environmental Protection Agencies. Due to potential health and safety risks that vapor intrusion may cause residential occupants, considerable measures must be taken to abate and clean up these vapors. To help manage these risks, focus on identifying the problem in the due diligence process, addressing the problem through abatement and re-allocating…
Read MoreToilet Problems? 4 Top Tips From Plumbing Experts
Best Service, a leading plumbing company in Orange County, California, offers some possible fixes to common toilet problems, so when you encounter a leaking toilet on the job, or yours at home starts acting funny, you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber. “Toilet plumbing operates on pretty simple principles,” says Brian Vardiman, owner of Best Service. “Sometimes the problems that occur most often are easy to diagnose, and if you’re the slightest bit handy, you can take care of the issue yourself.” Vardiman presents four of the most common toilet…
Read MoreNew Corrosion-Resistant Curb Valve Box System Eliminates the Need for Costly Repairs
Municipalities choose polyurethane and durable PVC pipe to save time and money By Alan J. Henderson The repair of cast iron curb valve boxes has long been a costly, frustrating process for municipalities. Time-consuming excavations and land restorations strain public works and water department budgets. And the old school materials, vulnerable to rust and corrosive soils, too often prove inoperable during emergencies. The quest to eliminate such repairs seemed unattainable, even in recent years. But now department chiefs are encouraged by a new initiative to install curb boxes designed with…
Read MoreThe Importance of High-Quality Paint for Remodeling Jobs
A successful remodeling job begins with good product preparation—starting with premium paint. By Joe Richardson Painting contractors should know that to fully satisfy customers, they must deliver on quality above all else. Ensuring that you have the project properly set up, along with the right equipment and products, will lead to a project’s on-time completion and a satisfied client. Premium paint is just as important, and professionals will see various benefits by relying on high-quality paint, as it has the potential to give remodeling professionals high margins of return with…
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