tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83053412815997102392024-03-06T03:16:27.771-05:00Our Neighbor's HouseThomson Remodeling's On-Line Home Improvement Newsletter.
Information on Home Improvement products, product reviews, ideas, designs, and techniques.
Thomson Remodeling Company offers professional remodeling services, including kitchens, baths, additions, restoration work and slate roofing.David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-59035348194830011202020-04-13T14:05:00.000-04:002020-04-13T14:16:48.152-04:00<div align="JUSTIFY" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
Architectural Scavenger Hunt</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
by David Robinson</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">Since the “Stay at Home” order was issued for Maryland roughly two weeks ago, many residents have taken up walking. In fact, I've never seen as many people outside walking in my neighborhood as I have over the last ten days- and it's not just individuals taking in the fresh air and exercise, it's entire families and their pets! I can't get enough of all of the canines, but unfortunately, they can't be petted. If you are walking, treasure hunts are the latest craze, including teddy bear hunts, where people are placing teddy bears in windows, trees, porches and places where you wouldn't expect to see them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">In my neighborhood, we have scavenger hunts with teddy bears, pictures of hearts, flowers, trees, shamrocks and other items posted in windows. While the teddy bear hunt will amuse both young and old, try another type of hunt when while walking – (and hey, we might be walking for quite some time to come). Go on an architectural walk where the goal is to not only identify the style of house or building, but see if you can identify and name some of the more unique features found on our dwellings. Many of us are familiar with the Peterson's Guidebooks to birds and other creatures, but what about houses? There is an excellent resource by Virginia Savage McAlester, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-American-Houses-Understanding-ebook/dp/B010ZX93N6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3Q0KHUB6G3VFK&dchild=1&keywords=a+field+guide+to+american+houses&qid=1586785602&sprefix=a+field+guid,aps,148&sr=8-1" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><em>A Field Guide to American Houses</em></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">. This book was a text we used in our Historic Preservation curriculum. </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">A Field Guide to American Houses </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 16px;">covers both styles and features of our dwellings. One of the books best features is its “Pictoral Key” in the first part of the book. The key depicts house, roof shapes and other features along with what might be the corresponding style of house that matches that feature.</span><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<img data-file-id="12901608" height="480" src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/c65e31c2-20b0-4181-aec0-7a168504c8ee.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 480px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 640px;" width="640" /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Illustration 1: Mushroom House, Bethesda, Maryland</em></span><br />
<br />
Another useful guidebook is, <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471250368/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ournshou-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0471250368&linkId=e3363e2fdf3338b6d19631324eaed223">What Style is it?</a></em>, by Poppeliers, Chambers and Schwartz, which provides a short history and examples of each of the major building styles found in America.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
Now, forgive me for saying, but it might be difficult to do an architectural treasure hunt for <em>styles</em> of houses in new neighborhoods where sadly, there is generally one “style,” but architectural treasure hunts can be done for architectural <em>elements</em> in any neighborhood or downtown area. What's more ubiquitous than a Palladian window in any neighborhood? Types of roof shapes can be identified too, from mansard, to gambrell and hipped, but also flat and flat with deep eaves for the more modern styles. Keep in mind that roof shape strongly corresponds to style. On the other hand, if you live in an older neighborhood, there will be an abundance of styles and architectural elements to hunt for. For example, in Stoneleigh, Homeland, Guilford, Roland Park, Ten Hills or anywhere in the city, one can easily come across Georgian, Tudor, Spanish, Italianate, Cape Cod, but not Victorian! As many architectural historians will point out, Victorian is an era, roughly 1837-1901, not a house style, but one can find many great examples of Queen Anne, Shingle, Stick, and other styles from the late 19<sup>th</sup> Century. Can you find a Sears house? In some neighborhoods, that maybe very easy. Are there any modern houses in your neighborhood such as mid century modern, prairie or Art Deco inspired? What would you consider the most unique house in your neighborhood? For instance, have you seen the mushroom house in Bethesda? Is there a house made of unique materials like cinder block (Silver Spring), concrete (Pikesville), or hay bales and thatch (Sparks)?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
Below is an architectural treasure hunt list with styles and elements that can be checked off. Who knows, you might find an actual architectural treasure, like a Frank Lloyd Wright house (Pikesville), or replica Usonian (Stevenson). Best of luck!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<img data-file-id="12901736" height="616" src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/9ca32d50-1f17-4ebd-ae40-67388f14e134.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 616px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 858px;" width="858" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Illustration 2: Usonian Architecture: Malcom Wiley House, Minneapolis, MN</em></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
Architectural Treasure Hunt List:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Styles</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Vernacular (farm house)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Tudor</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Craftsman</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Colonial Revival</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Georgian</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Italianate</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Spanish Revival</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Queen Anne</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Stick</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Greek Revival</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Split Level</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Mid Century Modern</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Four Square</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Prairie</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Art Deco</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ International Style</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Ranch</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Shingle</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□New England</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Dutch Colonial</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;">Elements</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Dormer</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Corbel</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Tuscan Column</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Doric Column</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Ionic Column</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Corinthian Column</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Composite Column</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Metope</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Triglyph</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Pent</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Hipped Roof</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Gambrel Roof</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Flat Roof</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Gabel Roof</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Pilaster</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Pediment</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Chimney Pot</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Quoin</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Keystone</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Spanish or Mission Tile</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Porte Cochere</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Sleeping Porch</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Vestibule</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Turret</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Crenelation</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Garland</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ Flemish Bond</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□ English Bond</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Entablature</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Arched Dormer</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Dentil Molding</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Vergeboard/bargeboard</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">
□Oriel Window</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352882238693612036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-85832804197647596822020-03-19T15:39:00.002-04:002020-04-13T14:17:13.560-04:00Solving the Mystery of Chamfered Floor Joist, Or, What is Under that Floor or Behind that Wall? <h1 class="null">
<span style="font-size: 20px;">Solving the Mystery of Chamfered Floor Joists, Or, What is Under that Floor or Behind that Wall?</span></h1>
<h1 class="null">
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">If you live in an older home, (and we'll just say built sometime between the 1880's and the 1960's), and you've never lived through a bathroom renovation, what's behind those walls and under the floor might come as a bit of a surprise. Often, these hollow spaces beneath the floorboards might be mini-time capsules containing newspapers from the 1920's, or whiskey bottles from the 1930's. Ever wonder why walls aren't square and plumb in an old house? Empty whiskey bottles stuck in the wall might be a clue. There is both the myth and reality of old houses that exists in every old house neighborhood.</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><a name='more'></a><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">But first, getting to the bare joists (floor) and studs (wall) can be a challenge. Older, mudset bathrooms have mortar beds on the floors often 3” to 5” thick and tile wainscoting on walls set in 1 1/2” - 2” of mortar and wire mesh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/98e5f325-7a50-4df3-98cd-dc5d9f11f5c7.jpg" data-file-id="12843512" height="400" src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/98e5f325-7a50-4df3-98cd-dc5d9f11f5c7.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 400px; margin: 0px; width: 533px;" width="533" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Illustration 1: Exposed Bathroom Floor</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">Beyond yesterday's news and someone's lunchtime libations, other more important elements exist beneath the floors and walls. Aside from sawdust, houses constructed before 1921 will contain knob and tub wiring. Porcelain knobs held copper wire along the sides of joists and studs, while the tubes isolated wire that had to be drilled through the joists. Outlawed after 1921 for safety reasons, active knob and tube still exists and often in close proximity aging plumbing supply and drain lines. Needless to say, knob and tube should be eliminated where possible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/_compresseds/1ca6bb8e-5301-4d6d-8125-966711490630.jpg" data-file-id="12843516" height="400" src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/_compresseds/1ca6bb8e-5301-4d6d-8125-966711490630.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 400px; margin: 0px; width: 300px;" width="300" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Illustration 2: Cross Section of a Bathroom Floor </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">Illustration two shows a cross section of a bathroom floor, showing a roughly 5” mortar bed resting on sheathing between the floor joists. The galvanized pipe is corroded so that only a trickle of water could pass. Galvanized pipes and lead drum traps should be replaced when renovating the bathroom. This photo illustrates some of the difficulty in remodeling old bathrooms with mudset floors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/8330f1b7-6153-45c9-812b-344a8aaeced4.jpg" data-file-id="12843532" height="180" src="https://mcusercontent.com/ace99bc9db28773c3a39d26f6/images/8330f1b7-6153-45c9-812b-344a8aaeced4.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 698px; margin: 0px; width: 774px;" width="200" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">After years of tearing out mudset floors, we nearly always encounter floor joists that were chamfered at the top. Having never heard a satisfactory response as to why the joists were invariably chamfered, I found this illustration and explanation from <em>Suggestions for Setting Tile</em>, by Karl Langenbeck, 1907.<a data-cke-saved-href="#sdfootnote1sym" data-cke-saved-name="sdfootnote1anc" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8305341281599710239#sdfootnote1sym" name="sdfootnote1anc"><sup>1</sup></a> “The corners of the upper edge of the joists should be chamfered off to a sharp point, as the flat surface of the joists will give an uneven foundation.” Well that's it and that makes sense. The chamfered allowed the the mortar bed to be laid across the entire floor uninterrupted, and without influence of uneven, shrinking or expanding lumber. The other benefit of chamfered edges is that they offered a structural element to supporting the tile and mortar on their angled shoulders. The illustration below shows that the mortar is locked in place by the angled tops of the floor joists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">I've always enjoyed the history of houses that can be found in the fabric of old buildings in the attics, basements, behind the walls and under the floors. Sometimes we discover how the building was made, the quality of the craftsman, or the objects they've left behind. I am currently renovating a 1965 mid century modern house in Lutherville with my wife and after opening up one of the walls, I found a scrap of blue print with the original owner's names, architect and year. This promptly went back into the wall for some future contractor or homeowner to find in another fifty years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a data-cke-saved-href="#sdfootnote1anc" data-cke-saved-name="sdfootnote1sym" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8305341281599710239#sdfootnote1anc" name="sdfootnote1sym">1</a>Page 141, Suggestions for Setting Tile, by Karl Langenbeck. April 1907. Carpentry and Building, Vol. XXIX.-1907. New York, David Williams Company.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352882238693612036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-77291761944237784862018-07-24T11:45:00.001-04:002018-07-24T11:47:34.438-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="416" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4NJfBwe5sqgbH4GLPBdX2C4X6dXv-8G7Y079E_YakPYs37sglk1Ko2_dLwjRts38N6cDj8Q3KD-TBvTEgPv7x5QiE0kZYD1StK6NSv3Gmy8DpjwN4pxZ2vktZMVmrUa0VJJtGZ-31WX1S7JleA" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="624" /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;">How to Boost Your Home’s Market Value Before You Put Up for Sale</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Suzie Wilson</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Few things can be as nerve-wracking as when you are trying to sell your home. You want to be able to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sell your home quickly and for more than you got it for, but navigating this world can be intimidating and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">confusing. Thankfully, this process doesn’t have to be fraught with anxiety. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Hire a Listing Agent</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">An agent is your best friend. They bring with them years of</span><a href="https://www.thebalance.com/top-reasons-to-hire-a-real-estate-agent-1798906" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">expertise</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> to guide you through the entire </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">process. It is their job to help you attract the right buyers, set the price, determine when it’s the best </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">time to sell, point out anything you can do to boost your home’s value, and guide you through all of the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">paperwork. Since they make commission off the sale, they want to sell your home as badly as you.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you’re hesitant about the cost of an agent, Realtor.com reminds sellers that in most scenarios an </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">agent’s fee is wrapped into the</span><a href="https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/who-pays-the-real-estate-agent/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">price of the home</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, so you won’t be paying them out of pocket. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Be sure to interview with several agents before deciding on one. You need to find someone that you </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">trust to get the job done professionally.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Setting the Right Price</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you prefer to do it alone, remember that one of the most vital aspects of </span><a href="https://www.redfin.com/resources/how-to-sell-a-house" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">selling a home</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> is </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">finding the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">right price. A home priced too high can scare off many buyers, likewise a home priced too </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">low can lead</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">them to assume there is something wrong with it. Take a look at what</span><a href="https://www.maxrealestateexposure.com/factors-to-consider-when-pricing-a-home-for-sale/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">similar homes</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> in your </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">neighborhood recently sold for to set your price. And also, look for online calculators to help determine </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">what </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">you could realistically get for your home. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Address Major Maintenance Issues</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before you let anyone even look at your house, you should address any major maintenance issues. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The last thing buyers will want to do after purchasing a home is to deal with repairs. Many will</span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zillow/2013/08/27/why-you-should-have-your-home-inspected-before-selling/#5d7e73f62369" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zillow/2013/08/27/why-you-should-have-your-home-inspected-before-selling/#5d7e73f62369" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">turn down</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> an otherwise perfect fit for them because of excessive repair needs, and too many </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">maintenance </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">issues can knock thousands of dollars off your home’s value.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">To avoid this, hire an inspector to walk through your home and point out any issues so that you can take </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">action. Be sure to address any</span><a href="https://www.trulia.com/blog/sellers-pay-prelisting-home-inspection/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">deal breakers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> such as a rusting pipes, cracked foundation, or mold. Make </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sure your roof is in good condition too. If it is not, consider replacing it or repairing any leaks. Remember </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to keep track of any repairs you do as they can help boost your homes sale.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Upgrade Your Interior Design</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you have the budget, a great place to spend it is on updating some cosmetic fixtures. Adding updates </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to the interior design can help give your home a fresh feel. Fortunately, many of these updates are </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cheap and can be handled on your own.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">HGTV recommends giving all the rooms a fresh</span><a href="https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/30-tips-for-increasing-your-homes-value" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">coat of paint</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and to stick to neutral colors. A set of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">cheap curtains or new throw pillows can also go a long way. Do not shy away from the kitchen and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">bathroom either. Updating handles and faucets is a surprisingly cheap and easy tactic to add a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">contemporary feel to these spaces.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Set the Stage</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Buyers are looking to see themselves living in your home. Make it easier for them by</span><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/homes-preparing-to-sell-home-real-estate" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">depersonalizing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">your house. This means removing any family photographs, sports paraphernalia, and the various </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">knick-knacks you have collected over the years. Further emphasize your home’s assets by creating </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the illusion of more space. Try rearranging rooms and removing some furniture. Once the stage is set, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">consider investing in a deep clean. Keeping your house sparkling will give it a ready to move in feel.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you are planning on hiring a professional photographer, after this step is the time to do it. Investing </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in high-quality photos is an excellent way to promote your house and drive in any potential buyers.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lay Out the Welcome Mat</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There are a lot of steps to go through before a for sale sign even goes up on your lawn. While it may </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">seem like a lot to do for something you are trying to sell, these steps can raise your home’s value </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">significantly. This way, when it hits the market, it won’t stay there very long.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Photo courtesy of </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/r3WAWU5Fi5Q" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Unsplash</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352882238693612036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-26538417234587905112016-08-13T07:43:00.001-04:002016-08-13T07:43:57.105-04:00<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
Guide to Hiring a Contractor for Your Project </span></span>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When
it comes time to work on your home, the first step towards getting the greatest value for your money is choosing the right company. In most cases, home owners are handing over their most
important asset to a company with the intent of making significant
changes or alterations. <a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/">Good contractors</a> take the pressure off and
alleviate some of the worry. Professional contractors should always
add value to your home and not leave customers with shoddy
workmanship, half completed jobs, or a project that was not what was
agreed upon in the contract. Here's a guide to choosing not just any
professional, but the right professional.</span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Insurance
and licensing are a must</i> </span></span>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">First
of all, the most important step in hiring a contractor to work on any
home, is to hire a licensed contractor and one who has full liability
insurance. Prior to start, ask that an insurance certificate be
issued in your name provided by the insurance company directly. There
are many home contractors out there who will work without proper city
licensing or insurance for themselves or their workers. This can
bring the price of the job down, but it will increase your liability
significantly. If someone falls off a roof or city officials happen
to drive by, you might face a large fine, or worse, an expensive and
time-consuming lawsuit. Always choose contractors with the proper
licensing and insurance. More importantly, a contract entered with an
unlicensed contractor is not a valid contract. So, if the
“contractor” decides to walk off an incomplete job, the contract
is unenforceable. The contractor may be liable for civil or other
penalties, and likewise, the consumer is not obligated to terms of
the agreement. (consult your attorney). As I have written elsewhere,
hiring unlicensed contractors contributes to an illegal underground
economy. There seems to be a low threshold for entering the trades (not talking about licensed electricians, master plumbers, or skilled tradesmen), but almost anyone can put a shingle on their door and call themselves a contractor, regardless of skill, knowledge and just as important, business acumen. </span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Experience
in your neighborhood or area </i></span></span>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
contractor should have plenty of experience working on your type of
home. Not all homes are built the same and that is certainly true of
homes built in the early 1900's versus post war housing. If you have
a balloon framed home, and the contractor only has experience with
post war housing, he may not be the right fit. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Furthermore,
you'll want a contractor who has a reputation to protect in your
neighborhood or region. This will ensure two critical things. One,
it'll ensure the contractor understands the home style where you
live. Perhaps more importantly, it will ensure your contractor works
hard and finishes the job. When there's something to lose, the
contractor's more likely to treat you well.</span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A
contractor who listens </i></span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Your
home improvement project is ultimately your own, even if a home
contractor is doing the work. There's nothing worse than coming to
your home to find that a contractor strayed from the agreed upon contract. You'll then
have the headache of having to re-do the work and find a new person
for the job. You can assess the likelihood of your contractor going
rogue by considering his listening skills. Is he taking in what
you're saying or is he trying to convince you to do things a
different way? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Good contractors always listen well. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
world of contracting is dominated by males (with few exceptions). We
have heard of plenty of situations where men tend to talk over female
clients. This is unfortunate, especially given that female clients
are often the most informed about current design trends,
environmental and green remodeling, and more often, technical information
some men may have taken for granted. The best or most successful
projects are where the contractor and the client have collaborated,
and not dominated by one side or the other. </span></span>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Finally,
you should feel comfortable with your contractor meaning: ideally,
you should expect to hand over the keys to your house, and feel
confident that if you left for a three week vacation, and upon your
return you would feel that your house was in good hands. That's is a
high level of service accompanied by a high level of trust.
Honestly, most of the professional contractors in the market have and
deserve this level of trust, but like any profession, there are bad
eggs. Which brings up the very last issue; price. Price driven
consumers will end up with the level and quality of project they have
bargained for, nearly every time. In other words, if cost is the main
determining factor in choosing your contractor, the quality<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/r-5pefiIQMMH6CKfPC4U9DRQW7nvM3QB76e4oqup9xjkQ8f7jffRgMdw72lbjDJ035Xc6ZsxiSWqYW3U4wR7CdYDPznwVHZlTb4Poh_MmXlf9bDu5stBsXXLdGWt6wZVsQ00SigGyvheCNh8WhqO2VfkaFyTwNWPstGaeodW_J6YL2muIbd4f_EVHNK2dTUi_ZQkYghwLn_9RKoXODM_-kqSMHcSDmK9etZ8A0pbeKxE8svGtBhd9fNupw9bnHP7Hzv3R9eZaBeEVg5rB4YYpE7Q4n4bpD8dgPLGU8dBq5EjVLniZt0ayuM8GDbPCcTJs2XZq8XbSF4cyCu5Eo-2K0DQEu_C62S61q_1w_OKochaGcfdNhm_X8SKNtofsD_VS1aDycZhOXsbB2GMB-bBfv1JYkGuQNBcHrMyjaB4uQRsKuwntVR0vTGqYylEgPMy4PUjP40xjn9SCL2nF0es8pdVOCxKj-8RojrBzeBSGLASmyeglQCwhyiN7V5QijqhqmlJ8hNyilv57I25lm__o1I_M8QXp_WYcRTuxriTCN07ECuUTlGEi9-0dxmau4w3v8y2ogNH7aimD-FUucL1NiXMJXZE78LE=w1239-h929-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/r-5pefiIQMMH6CKfPC4U9DRQW7nvM3QB76e4oqup9xjkQ8f7jffRgMdw72lbjDJ035Xc6ZsxiSWqYW3U4wR7CdYDPznwVHZlTb4Poh_MmXlf9bDu5stBsXXLdGWt6wZVsQ00SigGyvheCNh8WhqO2VfkaFyTwNWPstGaeodW_J6YL2muIbd4f_EVHNK2dTUi_ZQkYghwLn_9RKoXODM_-kqSMHcSDmK9etZ8A0pbeKxE8svGtBhd9fNupw9bnHP7Hzv3R9eZaBeEVg5rB4YYpE7Q4n4bpD8dgPLGU8dBq5EjVLniZt0ayuM8GDbPCcTJs2XZq8XbSF4cyCu5Eo-2K0DQEu_C62S61q_1w_OKochaGcfdNhm_X8SKNtofsD_VS1aDycZhOXsbB2GMB-bBfv1JYkGuQNBcHrMyjaB4uQRsKuwntVR0vTGqYylEgPMy4PUjP40xjn9SCL2nF0es8pdVOCxKj-8RojrBzeBSGLASmyeglQCwhyiN7V5QijqhqmlJ8hNyilv57I25lm__o1I_M8QXp_WYcRTuxriTCN07ECuUTlGEi9-0dxmau4w3v8y2ogNH7aimD-FUucL1NiXMJXZE78LE=w1239-h929-no" title="Gutted Bathroom" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once its taken apart, can it be put back in a timely and professional manner?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
should
commensurate with the cost. The lowest bid should almost always be
thrown out, especially wildly underbid projects. In these cases,
there was probably a mistake or the contracts weren't apples to
apples. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Summary:
</span></span>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Get
references for similar jobs</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Call
or contact the Better Business Bureau. Usually, an A plus rating
says a lot</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Review
sites aren't always accurate or legitimate. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Check
whether the license is current</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Get
a certificate of insurance directly from the insurance company
issued in your name</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Avoid
unlicensed contractors (most horror stories revolve around this one
point) </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Avoid
paying more than 1/3 down payment: NEVER pay everything up front. If
a contract has such language, even from large/big box companies,
show them the door. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Have a written, legal contract. </span></span></li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Place
value, not cost further up the list of importance. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
<li><div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">During
your meeting, did you or the contractor speak more at the
consultation? Listening is a virtue, and it suggests your ideas are
valued. </span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10352882238693612036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-90853190121033674612014-11-26T18:37:00.000-05:002014-11-26T18:37:56.231-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Slate roofing is a learned craft. As opposed to using electric tools to mindlessly attach mass produced roofing shingles, there is very little in the way of gas or electric power need for slate roofing. Cranes, trains and saws maybe, but angle grinders? Really? Once the big slabs of slate come out of the ground, individual slates are hand split from a larger block. They are then typically punched using an iron jig and stacked by hand. When it comes to installation, its all done by hand, cutting, punching, nailing and layout. Not much is needed in the way of tools. A slater's stake, slate hammer, a story stick, some nails and paper (and a modicum of skill) and one could slate just about anything. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This video is not unique. There is ample evidence out there of people with just enough knowledge to seem like they know what they are doing, and yet their lack of skill or understanding is quickly unmasked. I am all for encouraging people to take up a craft, but at least read a book or ask an old timer how it's done and go practice on a barn or shed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ESOMAaHzsyE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-27610733092697007952014-10-23T16:32:00.000-04:002014-10-23T17:00:27.506-04:00Deck Collapse Demonstration<br />
Although somewhat rare, deck collapses are dramatic and can be deadly. Between the years 2000 and 2006 there were at least 179 deck collapses resulting in thirty-three deaths and 1,122 injuries. <a href="http://036d44a.netsolhost.com/images/Deck-Collapse-Report.pdf" target="_blank">(See Report)</a><br />
<br />
Most of the deck failures occur where the deck is attached to the home similar to the demonstration below. A ledger board is attached to the home, and if this is done improperly, the entire deck can collapse with horrifying results. Most of these failures occur where the deck is occupied. Professionally constructed decks where a permit was pulled are less likely to collapse than decks built by a homeowner where no permitting was done. <br />
<br />
If you have a deck that is 8' or more above grade, do an annual inspection.<br />
1. Look for rusted fasteners. <br />
2. Look for nails or screws that have pulled loose.<br />
3. Check for loose or wobbly railings. <br />
4. Inspect for large checks or splits in main supports.<br />
5. Make sure the ledger board was lag bolted or bolted using carriage bolts to the house and a piece of flashing installed at the decking/wall junction to prevent the structure from rotting out. Consult a <a href="http://www.decks.com/deckbuilding/Ledger_Board_Fasteners" target="_blank">spacing chart</a> for bolt spacing and size. <br />
<br />
Your deck should never wobble If it does have a professional do an inspection. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mo5JBpAo2So" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thomsonremodeling.com/" target="_blank">thomsonremodeling.com</a> (C)<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD, USA39.2903848 -76.61218930000001139.0937408 -76.9349128 39.4870288 -76.289465800000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-38323403542579354552013-03-01T11:10:00.001-05:002013-05-30T14:52:25.783-04:00Mineral Deposit Leak<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, it seems like an odd title for a post, but we recently replaced a shed dormer roof, the shed flashing and the flashing around a vent pipe. The only problem was, after we did the job, the home owner complained of a leak in the vicinity of our work. We went back out to inspect the job, including the head lap, side lap, broken slate, etc. The installation appeared to be fine. Everything began to point to a leak in the cast iron pipe itself. But after measuring the leak in the dormer from the front wall, the leak was actually several feet behind the dormer and vent pipe, unrelated to the work on the dormer.
First, we inspected the keyways of the slate behind the dormer. Nothing. We had to resort to pulling slate. This yielded a slate that appeared to be normal, but where the slate above it overlapped, there was a dimmed sized hole in the slate. Yikes! This slate had a mineral deposit that eventually deteriorated enough to leave a hole. It was close enough to the keyway so that during a heavy rain or wind driven rain, a leak resulted.</div>
<br />
I guess after eighty-three years of protecting the house, a few slates are allowed to yield to their faults.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf97oefAlGesGwnnNyfcAMt4vL0-gUOwHoyh0bcg9vSnmNn-KU4U30tVuQ4CIQCVauh-eL_WFVAlKSTTZK49eu71FaQeHwmNt7JS3Din946GsX8oA_Wqhq_OyfWwSDU4WAO7yrxPiVS5V_/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf97oefAlGesGwnnNyfcAMt4vL0-gUOwHoyh0bcg9vSnmNn-KU4U30tVuQ4CIQCVauh-eL_WFVAlKSTTZK49eu71FaQeHwmNt7JS3Din946GsX8oA_Wqhq_OyfWwSDU4WAO7yrxPiVS5V_/s320/IMG_0708.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gSeLZCydnfGQY9xQhZp7zjJhVPWJnXgtm0ZuQiwp45-9DPlwgEhtUhpNEQiyFg8ufdQvmk_LZpUGETPr9uancIxU5x5mWamtjPIu2OBw0e2zE1wuZxFVpN0kcmAH3wu4UptLeXVQRNLW/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gSeLZCydnfGQY9xQhZp7zjJhVPWJnXgtm0ZuQiwp45-9DPlwgEhtUhpNEQiyFg8ufdQvmk_LZpUGETPr9uancIxU5x5mWamtjPIu2OBw0e2zE1wuZxFVpN0kcmAH3wu4UptLeXVQRNLW/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" /></a><br />
Pictures on left, front of <a href="http://thomsonslate.com/index.php/identify/80-vermont" target="_blank">Vermont Slate</a>, right, back side of same slate.<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-5347821949437710182012-10-30T13:41:00.002-04:002012-10-30T13:41:38.614-04:00Thomson Remodeling Wins Historic Preservation Award<div class="articledescr" style="clear: both;">
Thomson Remodeling Company
has been awarded a 2012 Historic Preservation Award by Baltimore
Heritage. Since 1960, Baltimore Heritage has been Baltimore’s leading
non-profit architecture and historic preservation organization. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thomson Remodeling was recognized
for the restoration of the exterior of 2214 E Pratt Street near
Patterson Park. The project was designed by architect Virgil Bartram for
the current home owners. The award wining project involved rebuilding
the home’s cornice and replacing the slate roof. The cornice had been
torn off at some point in the past when the house was covered with form
stone. The new cornice was constructed using prefabricated moldings and
lots of custom copper work. The gutter was lined with sheet copper as
well as the parapet caps. A diamond pattern was incorporated to the
cornice just below the parapets and pyramidal copper embellishments were
installed. New Vermont Black slate was installed on the roof. This job
also included masonry work and painting. There are many historic
neighborhoods throughout the region. The Maryland Historic Trust
continues to offer its Maryland Sustainable Communities Rehabilitation
Tax Credit Program. The program offers a 20% tax credit towards certain
improvements on owner occupied certified historic structures. Some of
the items covered include roof repair and replacement, HVAC systems,
repairing windows and doors, exterior restoration, some interior
restoration and consulting and architectural fees associated with the
restoration.</div>
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F116386965432022304897%2Falbumid%2F5786597151168877617%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you think your house could benefit from the tax credit, call us at (410) 889-7391.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-16537490050474015872012-09-30T13:36:00.002-04:002012-09-30T13:44:12.481-04:00<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Asbestos:
A Toxic Danger in Older Homes</b></span></span></h2>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>by Brian Turner </b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">What
should American homeowners do when they discover asbestos material in
the home? The </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/453.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
(CPSC) says, “If it is in good condition, leave it alone.” Their
advice is based on the knowledge that asbestos is usually safe if it
is undisturbed. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A
problem occurs when asbestos materials are deteriorating or otherwise
disturbed. This can be a big concern for Americans who are planning
home renovations. The sanding and sawing that goes on during
renovation projects are prime ways to disturb asbestos materials.
This causes a release of toxic particles into the air, where they can
become inhaled. Exposure to asbestos fibers has serious health
consequences, including a risk for cancer. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><b>Asbestos
in Home Construction</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Asbestos
is the commercial term for a group of six natural, fibrous minerals.
For much of the last century, it was used in numerous consumer
products such as building supplies. Although the government banned
its use in 1977, the toxin continues to lurk in many homes
today.</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old
and brittle asbestos is often found in older homes, particularly
during home renovation projects. Asbestos can live anywhere in the
home: insulation, fireproofing materials, floor and ceiling tiles,
roof and siding shingles and other building materials. When
construction and carpentry work disturbs old asbestos, small fibers
break off and escape into the air. Breathing these fibers pose health
threats to contractors, carpenters, homeowners and their
families.</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><b>Cancer
and Other Health Risks</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The
risk of developing asbestos-related lung problems increases with the
length of exposure and number of fibers inhaled. High levels of
asbestos exposure over long periods of time can cause non-cancerous
conditions such as pleurisy, asbestosis and other breathing problems.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Asbestos
exposure has also been linked to lung cancer and an uncommon cancer
called mesothelioma. This rare cancer usually attacks the lining of
the lungs. In some cases, however, it may affect other organs in the
chest cavity or abdominal cavity.</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><b>Protection
and Prevention</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">American
homeowners who plan to start home renovation projects should take
care to protect themselves and their families from asbestos exposure.
They can do this by avoiding renovation work in areas that have
damaged asbestos materials. Sawing, sanding, scraping and drilling
should also be avoided. </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rather
than dusting, sweeping or vacuuming asbestos particles, they should
hire an asbestos professional for cleanups. Wet mops reduce the risk
of spreading airborne particles. Repairs, removal and disposal should
only be handled by a professional who is trained in </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/handling/"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">the
proper handling of asbestos</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Homeowners
can contact their local health officials or the EPA for help in
finding a qualified asbestos inspector or contractor. Most states
have training and certification programs for asbestos removal
professionals. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-68798982604057479582012-09-09T16:44:00.000-04:002012-09-30T14:21:51.893-04:00Big Storage in Small BathroomA small space doesn't have to sacrifice storage. Custom cabinetry, flexible design and a scratch shower can turn a small space into a more functional room. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Custom cabinetry can be sized down to smaller rooms. Normal depth wall cabinets can be sized down to 9" or 6" to allow for functional storage. Also, open cabinets or cabinets without doors will give a more open feel. With so many choices in vessel style lavatories, vanity cabinets can be made small, while still allowing for storage beneath. </li>
<li>A scratch shower eliminates the need to rely on a factory sized shower pan. </li>
<li>Niches in shower walls create more storage space. </li>
<li>A 4" deep cabinet above the toilet can create a huge amount of storage space for toilet paper and other toiletries. </li>
<li>Heat beneath the tile can eliminate the need for radiators. </li>
<li>Larger format tile on the floor gives the room a larger feel. </li>
</ul>
Products included in this product: Kohler Bancroft shower faucet, Ultracraft Cabinetry, Dal Tile, Air King ventilation, Pella Windows.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=9&p2_articleid=84" target="_blank">Read more about a small bath project here.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F116386965432022304897%2Falbumid%2F5786253788404240161%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="192" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="288"></embed><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD 21212, USA39.364133 -76.612388439.315028000000005 -76.6913524 39.413238 -76.5334244tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-82517284298634340932012-06-21T15:00:00.001-04:002012-09-30T14:42:27.279-04:00Master Bathroom and Bedroom Remodel<div style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; width: 500px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344002720/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2423"><img alt="IMG_2423" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5006/5344002720_46a2a37b16_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343501939/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_0184"><img alt="IMG_0184" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5204/5343501939_2ec510db55_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343503621/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_0181"><img alt="IMG_0181" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5050/5343503621_701652ef00_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343393409/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2424"><img alt="IMG_2424" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5003/5343393409_367d8dd31c_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344112126/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_0179"><img alt="IMG_0179" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5126/5344112126_963618a700_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344003198/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2425"><img alt="IMG_2425" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5007/5344003198_8bfc283808_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344111714/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_0172"><img alt="IMG_0172" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5289/5344111714_fb3330d04d_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344003430/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2426"><img alt="IMG_2426" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5286/5344003430_a3f8af6cca_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344003672/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2427"><img alt="IMG_2427" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5048/5344003672_ae0c9bc485_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344003900/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2428"><img alt="IMG_2428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5004/5344003900_5b7c43f412_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343394891/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2431"><img alt="IMG_2431" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5243/5343394891_eaf6195776_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343395377/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2432"><img alt="IMG_2432" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5005/5343395377_3b5c91fcb9_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343395847/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2433"><img alt="IMG_2433" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5043/5343395847_b9a5223efa_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344005662/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2434"><img alt="IMG_2434" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5081/5344005662_a19f42ec47_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5344006090/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2435"><img alt="IMG_2435" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5041/5344006090_b9fe9edbc0_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5343397075/in/set-72157625668647555/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="IMG_2436"><img alt="IMG_2436" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5165/5343397075_bcf417c0cf_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<br clear="all" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/sets/72157625668647555/">Master Bathroom and Bedroom Remodel</a>, a set on Flickr.</div>
Baltimore homeowner wanted updated master bathroom, new hardwood flooring and new windows in water front home. This bathroom was reconfigured to feature a large custom shower, two vanity cabinets and separate toilet room. The shower features body sprays and custom tile work.<br />
<br />
Read more about bathroom remodeling <a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=9" target="_blank">here</a>. <div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-74729017095961348532012-06-20T16:06:00.001-04:002012-09-30T14:18:21.939-04:00Guilford Master Bath<div style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; width: 500px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600623767/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="bathroom_toilet"><img alt="bathroom_toilet" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5141/5600623767_10162beae4_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600623553/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 After"><img alt="Bath 1 After" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5069/5600623553_22c1844095_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5601207446/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 After"><img alt="Bath 1 After" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5310/5601207446_2aa6a878c1_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600622695/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 After"><img alt="Bath 1 After" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5261/5600622695_ca0db740ce_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5601206690/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5308/5601206690_3ddd3a7b9f_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5601206590/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5146/5601206590_ffa7695db2_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5601206472/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5227/5601206472_d67e3e55f4_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5601206366/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5150/5601206366_f852ee3cac_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600621893/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5225/5600621893_fff2ebb6a6_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600621771/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5264/5600621771_e73fde9b79_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/5600621685/in/set-72157626455752664/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Bath 1 Before"><img alt="Bath 1 Before" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5267/5600621685_2e3993fc45_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<br clear="all" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomsonremodeling/sets/72157626455752664/">Guilford Master Bath</a>, a set on Flickr.</div>
Master Bathroom in Guilford undergoes renovation. <div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD 21218, USA39.3322127 -76.600833439.3076487 -76.6403154 39.3567767 -76.561351399999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-88003952706264718842012-04-09T20:51:00.001-04:002012-04-09T20:51:43.439-04:00<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peachbottom Slate</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ever wonder what one of the best slates ever quarried looks like? This Peachbottom slate from the 1920's will remain serviceable for many years to come.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l9P6V9pGrpwL1NC4bIbiS-HiWjV6qCQuzpYGTyNim0w?feat=embedwebsite" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="312" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2MNudCzUer8/T4N_giDQsJI/AAAAAAAABPs/Qrsil51qUGc/s400/1-IMGP3820.jpg" title="Peachbottom Slate" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02309688953942502179noreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD, USA39.2903848 -76.612189339.1920723 -76.7701178 39.3886973 -76.4542608tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-10837365243616417622011-10-07T14:38:00.000-04:002012-04-09T20:53:27.812-04:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Faulty Slate Installations</span><br />
<br />
It can be an expensive surprise for homeowners to find faulty<a href="http://www.slateservice.com/index.php?categoryid=10&p2_articleid=5" target="_blank"> <span style="color: black;">slate installations</span></a><span style="color: #b45f06;">,</span> especially after moving into a new house. Occasionally, we will find one or two mistakes in new slate roofs. Rarely, will mistakes be found on older slate roofs. Usually, when doing an inspection of an older slate roof, some of the fundamentals don't need to be checked. Had these fundamentals been violated, the roof wouldn't have lasted. On newer slate roofs, the fundamentals should be checked.<br />
<br />
Fundamentals<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Install a cant strip of the same thickness of the slate. (For further reading, see "The Slate Book," page 108, by Stearns, Stearns, and Meyer, 1998). </li>
<li>Use the correct exposure for the size of slate AND roof pitch. (For further reading, see "The Slate Roof Bible," page 198, by Joe Jenkins. 1997) or find a copy of the NSA (National Slate Association) Installation Guide </li>
<li>Install the first row of the Starter Course chamfered side down and be careful of the sidelap. </li>
</ul>
<div>
For further reading about inspecting slate roofs, slate roof jargon and installation and repair problems, </div>
<div>
see,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Buying-Maintaining-Home-Slate-Roof/dp/143824620X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318009874&sr=8-1"> Buying and Maintaining a Slate Roof, by David Robinson</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Below are a few pictures of some of the fundamentals violated on a lower sloped porch roof. </div>
<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fthomsonremodeling%2Falbumid%2F5660758389369862129%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCI6W6Y266ZHcUA%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br />
<br />
Also See:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://ourneighborshouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/installing-slate-roofs-from.html?spref=bl">Our Neighbor's House: Installing Slate Roofs</a>: from http://www.slateservice.com A new slate roof is a big investment. Whether you are reslating an addition, or installing slate on your ...</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD 21210, USA39.3566383 -76.635495239.3075278 -76.7144592 39.4057488 -76.5565312tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-18148072976167857842010-12-17T14:29:00.000-05:002012-09-30T14:28:22.741-04:00"Green" Countertops<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">by Bruce Moffatt</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">We all know that going “Green” is popular in many aspects of daily living. For countertops, the Green products are generally expensive and don’t perform as well as granite or quartz countertops. This discourages many customers from making a decision to buy. However, within the Green family, Eco by Cosentino is the most affordable and least “fussy” material available. ECO™ by Cosentino is a durable surface made of 75% recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials and is bound by an environmentally friendly resin which comes in part from corn oil. ECO is non-porous, never needs sealing and is scratch and stain resistant---not scratch and stain proof, but scratch and stain resistant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">ECO is composed of:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories;<o:p></o:p></span></span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">glass from windshields, windows and bottles; <o:p></o:p></span></span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">granulated glass from consumer recycling practices; <o:p></o:p></span></span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and ECO by Cosentino elements<o:p></o:p></span></span> </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">ECO uses products that have reached the end of their lifecycle - this means materials being used in ECO cannot be incorporated in to any other industrial product that would otherwise collect in landfills.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Learn more about Eco at <a href="http://www.ecobycosentino.com/" title="blocked::http://www.ecobycosentino.com/">www.ecobycosentino.com</a>. If you are into “Green” products, Eco can be the right product at the right price.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD 21210, USA39.3566383 -76.635495239.3075278 -76.7144592 39.4057488 -76.5565312tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-42105188796297660872010-11-23T15:13:00.001-05:002012-09-30T14:20:27.174-04:00Amazing, But True?<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3pwhTIHztdb7GS_l8JTI0bFBUb0ygc22RdSv79-Yz8RlH9FFtaojB5ltzScP5swN4l7rxFCUgjLef52lhmdQhf68Fves5CAKwBV-oineJjEbFJbwGz55NUzq23dpanLAA2TvJAHYUqhF/s320/IMG_3510.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">I recently heard on the radio that "Company X's" gutter covers will prevent ice damming, and the subsequent damage to homes caused by ice damming! Amazing! Several years back, I went to a remodeling show at the Baltimore Convention Center and the most prevalent vendors were gutter cover companies. Around every corner was a tube dripping water down a mock-up roof and over a new-fangled gutter cover into a reservoir. Step right up folks and watch the leaves slide right off the gutter! Get your perforated aluminum right here! Protection from clogged gutters is big business. During the show, I believe the figure I heard was hundreds of millions of dollars annually in installed sales. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">With limitless potential customers, covering gutters is a lucrative business, and it's not surprising to hear some tall claims. The most common claim is (and I say this in a generic way) "never clean your gutters again," or something to that effect. In my own experience, I have never seen a product that completely keeps out the debris. It seems that the main problem of these systems is the failure to keep out small debris. Small particles can easily enter the gutter and build-up inside the gutter forming a thick muck leading to clogged gutters. This was also the finding of Tim Carter, from "Ask the Builder." Tim wrote a series of articles and performed some tests of his own. See his article: "<a href="http://www.askthebuilder.com/184_Gutter_Guards_-_Do_They_Really_Work.shtml">Gutter Guards, Do they Really Work?"</a> From his own tests and experience, Tim prefers gutter covers with very small perforations, mesh or possibly even micro-screens. Whatever system is installed, plan on disassembling portions of the system after two years to flush out the debris so it does not build-up. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Back to ice damming. From my previous article: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://ourneighborshouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/winter-snow-storms-can-wreak-havoc-on.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Winter Snow Storms Can Wreak Havoc on Roofs</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I discussed the fact that t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">hirty-two inches of snow on your roof can weigh over fifty-five pounds per square foot depending on the density of the snow. This mass of heavy ice and snow, whether stationary, moving slowly or moving quickly down a roof, is very destructive and a relatively thin layer of aluminum over the gutters will do nothing to add protection the roof or prevent ice damming or the results thereof. Perhaps the only true solution to ice damming is Joe Jenkin's Snow Apron shown in the video below. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EV0pp6Fwccc" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe></span></span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">In this video, Joe shows how he has removed the first 36" of <a href="http://www.slateservice.com/">slate roofing</a>, and installed copper pans. These pans, once soldered, form a fully supported, monolithic sheet that is impervious to ice, snow and water. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">If we could eliminate ice damming and subsequent damage from ice damming by installing a thin sheet of aluminum over our gutters, that would truly be amazing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPG2Nfa_xJ2oHAP2DgiVZas99xbt-b3VVvTOZ5ALcT9c8ruZIzXyjSTwTQn7rfGVlljDDLBwFIWsdYKZWeJ2Dfc23haf1zMYVtqFAMmMpxXeuoApyQ13Dvlv7eYqzylM9N6r75offROct/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPG2Nfa_xJ2oHAP2DgiVZas99xbt-b3VVvTOZ5ALcT9c8ruZIzXyjSTwTQn7rfGVlljDDLBwFIWsdYKZWeJ2Dfc23haf1zMYVtqFAMmMpxXeuoApyQ13Dvlv7eYqzylM9N6r75offROct/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">This house on the left has a damaged aluminum gutter cover at the bottom of the valley. It also has a damaged drip edge. This white gutter cover is installed under the slates. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8d231f; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">This massive gutter cover below was damaged and pulled out during the snow storm.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LwK8Jcfe7c8_tHNafpvoYBOcSjcs52_JJJh4iyPNlIB59yAUt4s0QtDhG1kqg64LKkieSUesFp1S9NyL2ale4Ko-e4DuREtSUgNArCtLG-rdw0H91hnEH4gGd29cv5mE6y_qa_Wv5yFG/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LwK8Jcfe7c8_tHNafpvoYBOcSjcs52_JJJh4iyPNlIB59yAUt4s0QtDhG1kqg64LKkieSUesFp1S9NyL2ale4Ko-e4DuREtSUgNArCtLG-rdw0H91hnEH4gGd29cv5mE6y_qa_Wv5yFG/s200/IMG_1911.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLi49xRLFuUcj8h7GTunrQw1A0mRAQDUbhRZ9ykXPNokBOiL5cW3ZeS4GnBJ9PakAkWSEy8Sc5ViWyuagSlT7lDVpFBUC2XMNAruy2hIO50ZFMyjpU2O6lMPmT_vz_0MHhJTSepNuH7mm/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLi49xRLFuUcj8h7GTunrQw1A0mRAQDUbhRZ9ykXPNokBOiL5cW3ZeS4GnBJ9PakAkWSEy8Sc5ViWyuagSlT7lDVpFBUC2XMNAruy2hIO50ZFMyjpU2O6lMPmT_vz_0MHhJTSepNuH7mm/s200/IMG_1912.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBtRv_XIhsJ_JKH-VBqPowzly6zdRuMM_R5O7IsHMbtMeuoH9x_r7lYs_VFOSjBZla2g6DuPsQvvwkg_etS6jgJnoTQzSdhJI_tJsVtmyrkZY4dxL4gey2BbZ-U-zkPxeYZkkd6Bfy50X/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBtRv_XIhsJ_JKH-VBqPowzly6zdRuMM_R5O7IsHMbtMeuoH9x_r7lYs_VFOSjBZla2g6DuPsQvvwkg_etS6jgJnoTQzSdhJI_tJsVtmyrkZY4dxL4gey2BbZ-U-zkPxeYZkkd6Bfy50X/s200/IMG_3946.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFT5lsiVH5AvvVwrxl5bn_BxdfQZih-H4nn5qLmIGTqUZQaW90rCad3vFP1-hS5qXYwSUqmjP2aBrMLsF66jUPcaD2oRJS9lTbkRiEi74AcikDU1LQ2V9mzZM01vyjJrhnbE95hMn1W8c/s1600/IMG_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFT5lsiVH5AvvVwrxl5bn_BxdfQZih-H4nn5qLmIGTqUZQaW90rCad3vFP1-hS5qXYwSUqmjP2aBrMLsF66jUPcaD2oRJS9lTbkRiEi74AcikDU1LQ2V9mzZM01vyjJrhnbE95hMn1W8c/s200/IMG_3947.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">These two photos above show another house with damage from ice damming, including a damaged gutter cover, paint and woodwork. Below: more damaged gutter covers and gutter. </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7uihUSjXzjixwmvQs3K5jqDZ8dizvzRWWECz7wHLv4TD9v2861AGBbkrLG9N1uXAYjthcTktDNvTdp7Q8UBoVJYKdoEpsRZs2r0pQGvgpbuWQZCfifB5zo6QoZE1pMe2S-wDAT6l_XEw/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7uihUSjXzjixwmvQs3K5jqDZ8dizvzRWWECz7wHLv4TD9v2861AGBbkrLG9N1uXAYjthcTktDNvTdp7Q8UBoVJYKdoEpsRZs2r0pQGvgpbuWQZCfifB5zo6QoZE1pMe2S-wDAT6l_XEw/s400/IMG_3948.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jp_FB9jz2pU0xRNo-aFqQLsftEm7NHrUikDHVUOpX7x8PKYTqQXHEUZXk_ao8wG4mgLU9JgqvHWQly8SIZ2Z7FjTKVZIhfNt4J1Y_zQFilwTePc0FHODuxiaE3PINPeJ5TM9wtYlGaLL/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jp_FB9jz2pU0xRNo-aFqQLsftEm7NHrUikDHVUOpX7x8PKYTqQXHEUZXk_ao8wG4mgLU9JgqvHWQly8SIZ2Z7FjTKVZIhfNt4J1Y_zQFilwTePc0FHODuxiaE3PINPeJ5TM9wtYlGaLL/s320/IMG_3508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">This gutter cover is visually obtrusive. It really stands out on the roof. When you look up at your house, the first thing that catches your eye should not be your gutter covers. </span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Not only do gutter covers not prevent ice damming and the damage from ice damming, some covers can actually cause damage to the roof. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70Bf1OJrIYtZZ0RQsyEqudbuYw-961ifnN_onLN2AWQ6MxFdpGfMjyLXZGOSOd8qXrtkFLnirMSUnGmYftfmiQ9FQv3vyZDwiULs8pLzFXyXqkhUgfx9RLrqob1THY-IxqIENc8Gu2JKr/s1600/IMGP2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70Bf1OJrIYtZZ0RQsyEqudbuYw-961ifnN_onLN2AWQ6MxFdpGfMjyLXZGOSOd8qXrtkFLnirMSUnGmYftfmiQ9FQv3vyZDwiULs8pLzFXyXqkhUgfx9RLrqob1THY-IxqIENc8Gu2JKr/s200/IMGP2395.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyR142xcZ6VpBnrdWniKJK47gaH1Htx8mDKrBDydHMfaNA1Hyg1ZfeMTzn1QOJm2siMNc_EMpLVBCjsgWDVLd8b1QLmSgUTlfr43jpQgPbH5I99cewl53OjacciuS_j28kgRGkz8MKrFA/s1600/IMGP2396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyR142xcZ6VpBnrdWniKJK47gaH1Htx8mDKrBDydHMfaNA1Hyg1ZfeMTzn1QOJm2siMNc_EMpLVBCjsgWDVLd8b1QLmSgUTlfr43jpQgPbH5I99cewl53OjacciuS_j28kgRGkz8MKrFA/s320/IMGP2396.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">These gutter covers are attached to the roof between the first slate (starter) and first row of slate. These slates have snapped in two as a result of the bend in the gutter covers not being installed at the correct angle. Another common problem is that the installers will screw directly through the roofing material. With slates, which are not self sealing, this will leave an avenue for water infiltration.There is definitely a need for gutter covers. The risk to life and limb climbing ladders twice a year to clean the gutters is significant. When finding a solution to your gutter problems, don't believe everything that you read. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Suggestions for choosing covers: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Small Perforations</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Should not interfere with the roofing material</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Use quality materials like aluminum, steel or copper</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Portions should easily disassemble for future cleaning of gutter </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Not visibly obtrusive</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">There are many systems out there. One that I have seen and used is <a href="http://www.leaf-relief.com/">Leaf Relief</a>, which conforms to the suggestions. </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Baltimore, MD 21212, USA39.364133 -76.612388439.315028000000005 -76.6913524 39.413238 -76.5334244tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-85457723326685731912010-10-28T08:28:00.001-04:002012-09-30T14:27:30.848-04:00Velux Redesigns SkylightsVelux offers sleek new designs and great features. Velux offers manually venting, electrically venting, and fixed units. Sun shades and blinds are also available. These skylights can be installed on tile, slate and shingle roofs. Velux also offers curb mounted skylights for flat roofs. Have an old "bubble skylight?" Velux can make a custom unit to replace that old bubble. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid403535636?bctid=74506198001">Velux Skylight Video</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slateservice.com/index.php?categoryid=11">Get Estimate</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA38.9875145 -77.073714938.938146 -77.1526789 39.036883 -76.9947509tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-83137671511449686312010-09-01T15:52:00.002-04:002010-10-23T17:33:31.619-04:00Signs of Recent Damage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84qOEsOi7-OsUfgTEgU3ODrZY9J3WLmMO4tVeldcgw7owsEmTVhyhFYgsMmVZa675Ypa-05DOrjsxyXsNybEiYPXbOYhIVpEfSAmORPfSvM7cXwORIM2QE_B3VkfXG4Dsd5dRhX5tTPU/s1600/storm3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84qOEsOi7-OsUfgTEgU3ODrZY9J3WLmMO4tVeldcgw7owsEmTVhyhFYgsMmVZa675Ypa-05DOrjsxyXsNybEiYPXbOYhIVpEfSAmORPfSvM7cXwORIM2QE_B3VkfXG4Dsd5dRhX5tTPU/s400/storm3.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> <br />
Signs of recent damage. Occaisionally, I'll be on a job that involves an insurance claim relating to a leak. Usually, normal wear and tear wont be covered by insurance. It may seem obvious, but if the leak is in the field of slate, new damage can often be determined by the presence of small chips of slate (not always though). <br />
<br />
These small chips will wash away with the rain. Larger chips and pieces will hang around and eventually end up in the gutter. So, if there is every a question of whether some damage is old or new, look for small chips of slate around the problem. This picture shows tree damage and there are lots of small pieces.<br />
<br />
The kind of damage shown in the picture is usually caused by falling tree limbs, falling snow and ice and people.<br />
<br />
For other information on slate roofing, visit: <a href="http://www.slateservice.com/index.php?categoryid=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Slate Roofing</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: LEFT;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-67749492602601192832010-08-05T21:24:00.006-04:002010-10-23T17:38:46.709-04:00Low Maintenance and Highly Detailed<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the main problems with trying to make an old house low maintenance is losing those details which </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtZY-STwkTBSVseOAeejbImqz8Whye-doeyChQyUtCtU1B-1q4tBU75rL7n8D1yD8BIbcT8ESEVHfmo2ugnBPZHOddZLBj-PXCVwubbPsVLh6gcS8n9GgBM8VrLqiyTHzECcgx4FPJAU/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtZY-STwkTBSVseOAeejbImqz8Whye-doeyChQyUtCtU1B-1q4tBU75rL7n8D1yD8BIbcT8ESEVHfmo2ugnBPZHOddZLBj-PXCVwubbPsVLh6gcS8n9GgBM8VrLqiyTHzECcgx4FPJAU/s400/IMG_1984.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">make an old house special. Most pre-war homes have a lot of architectural details in the eaves of the home, including highly detailed beadboard soffits and special rake molding.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Typically, if no or low maintenance is the goal, these details go out the window. Rake molding is often covered by a piece of coil stock bent on an angle to cover up the molding and rake board leading to a dull and dumbed down exterior! Aluminum soffit panels are usually installed and have no interest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But several products have come along in recent years that can give a house traditional details and still be maintenance free.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Among this new generation of products are ACCM's Presige line of aluminum moldings, Certainteed's beaded soffit panels, and a full line of rot resitant moldings from Azek. Making cornices and moldings out of metal or long lasting materials is nothing new, but its nice to see a modern twist on an old idea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
For more exterior remodeling, visit: <a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=59"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Exterior Restoration Services</span></a><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Products:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rake Metal ACCM Prestige V:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1c232;"><a href="http://americancolonialcrown.com/index.html">http://americancolonialcrown.com/index.html</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1c232;"><a href="http://americancolonialcrown.com/index.html"></a></span>Molding, Azek AZM287:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.azek.com/azek-moulding/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1c232;">http://www.azek.com/azek-moulding/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soffit Beaded Triple 2":</div><a href="http://www.certainteed.com/products/vinyl-siding/soffit/310365"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f1c232;">http://www.certainteed.com/products/vinyl-siding/soffit/310365</span></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: LEFT;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-84513564654472750832010-07-16T21:54:00.002-04:002010-10-23T17:50:05.939-04:00How to Install a Beadboard Porch Ceiling | Step-by-Step | Porch | This Old House - Introduction<a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,1174950,00.html">How to Install a Beadboard Porch Ceiling | Step-by-Step | Porch | This Old House - Introduction</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Porch Restoration Services</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-26378828078376587042010-07-16T21:52:00.003-04:002010-10-23T17:54:59.491-04:00Creating Major Impact in a Small Bath<a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20386371,00.html">Creating Major Impact in a Small Bath</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=9"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Bathroom Remodeling</span></span></span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-29654257434972863042010-07-16T21:50:00.002-04:002010-10-23T17:56:38.869-04:00Making a Kitchen That Lasts | Simple Kitchen Design, Timeless Style | Photos | Kitchens | This Old House<a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20294185,00.html">Making a Kitchen That Lasts | Simple Kitchen Design, Timeless Style | Photos | Kitchens | This Old House</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/index.php?categoryid=8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kitchen Remodeling</span></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-8696292444027829762010-02-08T12:55:00.003-05:002012-09-30T14:34:57.566-04:00Winter Snow Storms Can Wreak Havoc on Roofs<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Winter snows can cause lots of damage to your roof. As snow accumulates on the roof, damage can occur in many forms. The first type of damage can occur from the shear weight of the snow sitting on the roof and in the gutters. Not all snow is the same. The water content in heavy wet snow will be much greater than dry light snow. One cubic foot of heavy wet snow can weigh up to 20.81 pounds. That's twelve inches of snow. Keep adding snow, and we can see how quickly the weight can add up. Thirty-two inches of snow on your roof can weigh over fifty-five pounds. Excessive weight can lead to structural failure. It is no wonder that we see roof failures after major snow storms. But these types of structural failures are most often seen on commercial buildings with flat or low sloped roofing. Some of the worst collapses occurred where a winter storm was followed by a heavy rain some days later. The rain simply has no place to go. This happened in Frederick, MD with the collapse of the roof on the Leggett department store after the winter storm of 1997. Signs of structural problems can be seen by bowing roof rafters or sagging roofs. An engineer should be consulted when excessive bowing or sagging is encountered.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A more common type of damage from snow storms is cosmetic damage, including damage to individual shingles or slate, damage to gutters and fascia that has been ripped from the home. As the snow melts each day, some of the water re-freezes at night. As this cycle continues, ice can accumulate in valleys, gutters and at the eaves of the roof.<br />
<img align="right" alt="Cosmetic Storm Damage" border="0" height="161" mce_src="/images/storm-damage.gif" src="http://www.thomsonremodeling.com/images/storm-damage.gif" title="Cosmetic Storm Damage" width="320" /> Picture showing cosmetic storm damage where the gutters and fascia were torn off, and<a href="http://www.slateservice.com/plugins/p17_image_gallery/images/7.jpg"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">slates</span></a> were damaged.<br />
<br />
This freeze-thaw cycle is the cause of most of the cosmetic damage we see each year. Ice will expand in the gutters and cause seams to fail and the weight can bend and break the brackets holding the gutters to the home. Down spouts can split especially as water freezes in the down spout. As ice builds up in the gutters, down spouts and eaves, there is no where for the melting ice and snow to go. Some of the water will back up under the roofing material and show up inside as a leak. This condition is well known as an ice dam. Unfortunately, while an ice dam is occurring, there really isn't a safe way to stop it. Damage can be minimized if access to the eaves in the attic is easy, but often, the underside edge of the roof is very difficult to reach from inside the attic. In some cases, once all of the snow and ice is gone, there maybe no indication on the roof surface that there was ever a problem. But more often, there will be damage to the roof surface, slate, snow guards, gutters and fascia. At this point, one can plan to minimize future ice dams.<br />
Minimizing Ice Dams:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Increase Attic Insulation Above Heated Spaces</li>
<li>Increase Ventilation in the Eaves including Soffit Vents</li>
<li>Add a Layer of Ice and Water Shield above the Gutter Line</li>
<li>Include a Well Thought Out Snow Guard System</li>
<li>Consider a Snow Melt System</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We often try to solve the problem while its happening, meaning we find ourselves or our neighbors climbing onto roofs in very dangerous conditions. Nobody wants water dripping into their homes. I know from personal experience what a disaster it may seem like while the problem is occurring. But I can assure you, drywall, paint, carpeting and other damage is a lot easier to repair than the physical trama that can occur from fall from a ladder or a roof. If water is dripping through your drywall or plaster, take a screwdriver and poke holes near each of the leaks. This will allow the water to flow out and it can then be collected in buckets. More importantly the holes will help prevent the water from accumulating in the ceiling and causing the plaster or sheetrock from collapsing. Of course, shut the breaker off to any light fixture that is leaking water. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Potomac, MD 20854, USA39.040746 -77.229019338.942083 -77.3869478 39.139409 -77.071090800000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-58867875621245976702009-12-16T14:14:00.001-05:002012-09-30T14:35:41.351-04:00****19 Month Update*****Gerber Ultra Dual Flush Toilet<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
December 16, 2009</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Gerber Ultra Dual Flush 1.1/1.6</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I first installed this toilet in May of 2008 in my powder room on my first floor for my family of five. This it the bathroom that my family uses the most. The interesting thing that has happened it that my children will go to the powder room and use the Gerber toilet even if they are on the second floor or in the basement (where other toilets are available). If we are coming home from dinner or being out, my kids will "call" the powder room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I was initially concerned with the more complicated flushing system and whether it would hold up. The flushing system has held up great. There have only been one or two minor issues where the tank didn't recharge, but jiggling the handle solved that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The other maybe not so surprising thing we've found is, while the toilet has two flush modes, one for solids-- 1.6 gallons and one for liquid 1.1 gallons, the 1.1 gallon flush is more than adequate for most solids...I wont go into detail, but this toilet has some flushing power.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0Frederick, MD 21701, USA39.4241558 -77.366896539.326031300000004 -77.524824999999993 39.5222803 -77.208968tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305341281599710239.post-39502473427571491462009-12-16T13:55:00.002-05:002009-12-16T14:00:54.090-05:00New Kohler Flipside Handshower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvqRNOCh7vdGFjBayoPUJi47Du2mEl74USulFbkJ13RkaYtJzqbmeV23xl4XZi_6tJVVMa53qKf_T262UiH5hdz2bURpyAP2P99Xuy3gI74KMcPc00DJ4SGyqCLbt49PVX1IJsAroAog/s1600-h/flipside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvqRNOCh7vdGFjBayoPUJi47Du2mEl74USulFbkJ13RkaYtJzqbmeV23xl4XZi_6tJVVMa53qKf_T262UiH5hdz2bURpyAP2P99Xuy3gI74KMcPc00DJ4SGyqCLbt49PVX1IJsAroAog/s320/flipside.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, call me nutty for writing about a hand shower, but here it is... We recently picked up a case of these at a kitchen and bath show for our customers. Of course, being the guy that I am, I needed to test this out before we installed one in a customer's home. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A shower head is kind of a personal thing -- I mean, you use it everyday so it might as well give you a great showering experience, or at least more than a ho-hum showering experience. Of course, I was skeptical that it was going to make any difference in my showering experience whether I continued to use my junky old four position personal shower head I bought from a big box store, or this new Flipside showerhead from Kohler. My old shower head had four positions, none of which were very invigorating or exciting -- especially the pulse or message jets that lack the umph to make your back feel better. In this time of low flow fixtures, I figured the new shower would be more of the same...just okay.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I replaced my existing hand shower in all of about five minutes with the new Flipside. I think it took me longer to walk down stairs to get a wrench than it did to unscrew the old hand shower, tape the fitting and screw on the new shower head. My wife was the first to use it the next day and she gave it a pretty strong endorsement saying the "Koverage" setting was almost like a steam shower and she didn't have to turn up the hot so much.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmm, still skeptical, I found she was right, (don't tell her I said that). This new shower blew away our old shower head. It was a much broader and stronger spray that also created more mist. I messed with the other settings briefly, but I found a new highlight to my morning in the "Koverage" setting. Hey, plus Kohler's <a href="http://www.us.kohler.com/performanceshowers/handshowers/flipside.jsp#/home"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Flipside</span></a> webpage is pretty cool.<br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>I give it four out of five stars ****</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="bold" style="display: inline; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Flipside™02 handshower</h1> - K-17492 $107 in polished chrome from Kohler. <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">From, Our Neighbor's House</div>David Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14144195646168360911noreply@blogger.com0