Plumbing Basics

Plumbing Plumbing may be defined as practice, materials, and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with sanitary or storm drainage facilities, the venting system, and the public or private water supply systems. Plumbing does not include the trade of drilling water wells, installing water

Safety Guidelines for Home Pools

Pool Safety Swimming pools should always be happy places. Unfortunately, each year thousands of American families confront swimming pool tragedies, drowning’s and near-drowning’s of young children. These tragedies are preventable. These are guidelines for pool barriers that can help prevent most submersion incidents involving young children. This designed for use by owners, purchasers, and builders

Radon

Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon Radon EPA Recommends: If you are buying a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon. For a new home, ask if radon-resistant construction features were used and if the home has been tested. Fix the home if the radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter

Roofing

Roofing Roofs play a key role in protecting building occupants and interiors from outside weather conditions, primarily moisture. The roof, insulation, and ventilation must all work together to keep the building free of moisture. Roofs also provide protection from the sun. In fact, if designed correctly, roof overhangs can protect the buildings exterior walls from

Septic Systems

Septic Systems Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual or small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures

The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco

The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco The term “stucco” is used to describe a type of exterior plaster applied as a two-or-three part coating directly onto masonry, or applied over wood or metal lath to a log or wood frame structure. Stucco is found in many forms on historic structures throughout the United States.

Termites

Termites Wood destroying insects and other organisms can cause serious problems in the wood structural components of a house and may go undetected for a long period of time. New Construction All chemical soil treatments, bait systems, and chemical wood treatment must be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and applied in accordance with

Water Quality

Drinking Water The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world. However, national statistics don’t tell you specifically about the quality and safety of the water coming out of your tap. That’s because drinking water quality varies from place to place, depending on the condition of the source water from which

Wildlife Control at Home

Wildlife Control at Home Control Wildlife Damage Around the Home With Common Sense Control Methods Whether you are a home gardener, enjoy landscaping around your home or just own your own home, there are times when certain species of wildlife can become a nuisance or a pest and cause damage to plants and even economic losses.

Home Safety Checklist

Home Safety Checklist Each year, according to estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly one million people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with the products they live with and use everyday. CPSC recommends the use of grab-bars and non-slip mats in the bathtub, handrails on both sides of

Closing Costs & Information

The Closing Process Congratulations! You have decided to buy a new home. This will help you take this big financial step by describing the home buying, home financing, and settlement process. Lenders and mortgage brokers are required by federal law, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), to give you this informaation. You should receive

Prebuilt or Manufactured Homes

Prebuilt / Manufactured Homes The term “manufactured home” was adopted in 1980 by the the United States Congress to describe a type of house that is constructed in a factory to comply with a building code developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the past, manufactured homes were called “mobile homes,”