News You Can Use From Leading Edge Homes
December 2014
          

   

 

In this issue I talk about how to avoid common mishaps that can lead to a house fire. But there is another type of house disaster that I am frequently called in to handle and that's water damage.

 

Many times this is avoidable (putting off replacing old washing machine hoses or forgetting to turn off a kitchen faucet because you are distracted), and other times it comes as a surprise like when a roof leaks or a pipe bursts.

 

The common result, regardless of cause, is water damage.  Further, when there is water damage there is usually mold.  There is an accepted protocol to follow when mold exists for identifying where it is, what type of mold it is, how to remove it, what paperwork the building department will require before a reconstruction permit is issued and how to keep everyone involved safe.

 

I hope you are never the victim of water damage in your house, but if it occurs, knowing what to do and what to avoid doing is critical.  I am well versed on the topic and strongly recommend you call me immediately after it happens so I can advise you on who to call to:

  • dry out the house,
  • test for mold
  • remediate (remove) the mold and safely dispose of materials that can not be saved if mold exists
  • test for clean air and surfaces after remediation
  • ensure you are properly compensated by your homeowner's insurance company

...and much, much more!

 

Have a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to serving you in 2015.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd Perry
Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

 

Five Ways Your House May Catch on Fire!


 

Being a card carrying member of AARP, I receive their monthly magazine.  This month they had an article about six common household hazards, four of which could burn down your house.  I thought now would be a good time to pass along the information so you can make sure you have a safe holiday season in your house.

  1. Lint in your dryer, lint trap, and exhaust piping.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires.  Not all of the lint generated by a dryer is stopped by the lint screen.  Much of it ends up inside the machine on the heating element - and lint is highly combustible.  Lint also builds up in elbows, termination caps, and in flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders. Only smooth metal vents should be used and fittings must be taped together with aluminum tape (no screws), which is what most manufacturers specify.  Here's the take away - have your dryer and duct work cleaned out once a year.  If you need a recommendation, call us.
  2. Aluminum wiring.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated two million homes in the United States were built or renovated using electrical circuits with aluminum wiring.  And, according to the commission and specialists in the field, unless certain safety procedures are undertaken, every outlet, light switch and junction box connected to such circuits is a fire waiting to happen.  If your house was built before 1972, have your entire electrical system checked by a licensed electrician.  If you need a recommendation, call us.
  3. Paper towels. It is obvious that you should not leave paper towels, or oven mitts and dish towels, near stove burners, yet people still do it.  However, did you know that you should NEVER put a recycled paper towel in the microwave oven?  Many contain tiny metal pieces which can cause a fire.  Only use all white paper towels - no prints.
  4. Fireplaces and chimneys.  Fireplaces are designed to safely contain wood-fuel fires.  The chimneys that serve them have the job of expelling the by-products of combustion - like smoke, gases and unburned wood.  As these substances flow up the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs.  The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls (flue) of the chimney is called creosote. Creosote is highly combustible and when it builds up on the chimney lining, the result could be a chimney fire.  Hire a chimney sweep to clean the flue and always keep a screen in front of the logs to keep embers inside the fireplace where they belong.   If you need a recommendation, call us.

Does Your Kitchen Have The Ideal Work Triangle?

Peck Kitchen

The kitchen is the most used room in the house.  At parties, guests seem almost magnetically drawn to the kitchen.  That's where the food and drinks are, so this makes sense.  But when you're cooking before they arrive, is your work triangle like the Bermuda Triangle?

 

The work triangle refers to the triangle created between the stove, refrigerator, and the sink.  These three "areas" are some of the most important components.  If you have a small kitchen - and as a result, a small work triangle - you almost don't have enough space to maneuver.  On the other hand, if your work triangle is too big, you not only run yourself to death, but you also have to carry heavy dishes long distances.

 

Work Triangle Basics

Long ago, when designers started paying attention to how kitchens function day-to-day, they realized there was a natural triangle of traffic for whomever was doing the cooking.  Through years of research they discovered some figures and principles of sound kitchen design.

  1. No one side of the triangle should be greater than nine feet or less than four feet.  If you slightly exceed or don't meet these measurements, this doesn't mean that your kitchen is dysfunctional.  However, you should measure the distance to each triangle component to see exactly how your kitchen measures up.  If you notice that you feel cramped on one side or can barely make it to the sink with a pot of boiling water on the other, then you might benefit from a kitchen remodel.
  2. The triangle should not be interrupted by traffic or cabinetry.  If your work triangle dimensions are correct, but they don't include walking around the island to get to the stove, or that people are always moving to the trashcan or standing by the refrigerator, then maybe kitchen traffic needs to be detoured.
  3. The perimeter of the triangle should measure no more than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet.  If you have a small kitchen and each component is four feet away from the other, there's not much you can do.  But consider how easy it is to work in your kitchen.  If something always feels a bit off when you are preparing a big meal, interior designers can help to restructure your kitchen.

If your kitchen doesn't measure up and is not working for you, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 so we can collaborate with you to create your dream kitchen that functions properly. 

 On a personal note...
      
  
Blizzard, my four-legged furry grandcanine who loves to keep me company in my office while relaxing on his soft pillow, just turned 2 years old! 
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In This Issue
Five Ways Your House May Catch on Fire!
Does Your Kitchen Have The Ideal Work Triangle?
On a Personal Note
Featured Article
Does your kitchen not function well for you but you don't know why?   Click on the "Does Your Kitchen Have The Ideal Work Triangle?" article above to discover why.
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