Dangerous Drywall

You wouldn't expect your brand new home to make you sick but, according some Florida homeowners that is exactly what happened. The CPSC has received about 2,091 reports from residents in 32 states. Homeowners in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi as well as many other states and U.S. territories that had homes built between 2006 - 2007 have complained of several health problems, itchy eyes and skin, asthma attacks, persistent cough and bloody noses. They have also complained of a "rotten egg" smell in their home, electrical wire failure, and metal fixtures and copper tubing turning black.

Drywall made in China is believed to be the source of the problem. High levels of hydrogen sulfide have been found in homes built with this particular drywall. If you believe you have contaminated drywall you should contact your state and local health department. The CPSC has not advised whether or not to take certain steps to test and remove the contaminated drywall. But warn homeowners to be cautious of persons or businesses advertising testing and remediation services. There may be unqualified or dishonest individuals seeking to take advantage of consumers struggling to address this issue. You should consult your State and local authorities if you have any questions or concerns about contractors or testing companies promising solutions to these drywall matters.

According to the CDC you should watch for potential electrical hazards in you home

Power outages - a circuit breaker which needs resetting frequently without any apparent cause; especially if a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) trips frequently. Arc-fault circuit interrupters are a special kind of circuit breaker that is designed to detect arcing conditions in the electrical wiring.

Dim/flickering lights - lights dim often without any specific cause, such as the air conditioner or the refrigerator turning on.

Arcs/sparks - bright flashes or showers of sparks anywhere in your electrical system.

Sizzles/buzzes - unusual sounds from electrical system devices.

Overheating - parts of your electrical system, such as switch plates, dimmer switches, receptacle outlet covers, cords and plugs may be warm as a normal consequence of their operation but should not be discolored from heat or painful to touch.

Odors - pungent smells such as strong fumes from overheating plastic or electrical insulation materials.

Electrical shocks - any shock, even a mild tingle.

Multiple symptoms would be a stronger indication of problems.

For more information please go to http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html

Pictures are from the CPSC Report

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Recycling is the act of taking something that isn't useful anymore and making it into something new. Everyone has at some-point has taken something old in their home they were just planning to throw out and transformed it into a new and viable, like a old shoe box into a keepsake box or an old window into a picture frame.

Most people are familiar with large scale recycling that takes used consumer goods and turns them back into raw materials to be made into something else. The most common things we recycle are paper, plastic, glass and aluminum. Don't forget that composing is a form of recycling too. Taking organic waist like food scraps and yard clippings and breaking them down to put back into the earth will save a lot of energy and free up space in our landfills. For information on how to start your own compost check out http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm for some easy tips.

large scale recycling is important to the environment and economy. When we can reuse materials to make other goods it cuts back on the amount of garbage going to our landfills, the United States is home to approximately 7,000 landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.4 pounds of garbage a day, 29 pounds a week and 1,600 pounds a year. Only about 20% of the garbage produced in the US is recycled, 70% of the garbage thrown out could have been recycled.

Remember those three easy words Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Just following these three words can save our precious resources and energy. Reduce what you use, buy reusable grocery totes, and choose products that come in the least amount of packaging. Reuse what you can and buy products made from recycled materials. And last of all recycle, These three word are in a certain order for a reason. Although recycling is important, it is also expensive and we need to do our part in making sure we get everything out of what we use.

Like all things there is a down side to recycling, it is expensive to run recycling programs. Most areas have curb side pick ups of recyclable goods, they then need to be sorted and cleaned, then transformed into new consumer products. Recycling causes its fair share of pollution as well. When recycling paper it needs to be bleached which brings different chemicals into the process.

Even though there are still energy costs and pollution that come with recycling, it is important to be aware of all the good it can create. Recycling teaches us to be aware of the products we use and to be more responsible with how we use them.

Utah has many recycling programs. below are links to the different county programs. Check out what is recyclable in your area and pick up schedules for your neighborhood.

"people feel that it's OK to purchase and use environmentally harmful products like bottled water or plastic diapers because they make up for it by recycling. These views point to the ultimate solution: buy less stuff. Purchasing reusable goods or simply buying fewer things we don't need is the best way to stop the garbage stream at the source." Ed Grabianowski

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/06/recycling.refresher/index.html (fun facts)

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321 (what recycle symbols and numbers mean)

http://www.slcgov.com/publicservices/Streets/recyclables.htm

http://www.co.summit.ut.us/publicworks/recycle.html

http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept2/Health/Environmental%20Health/Hazardous%20Waste/curbsiderecyling.asp

http://www.daviscountyutah.gov/health/environmental/waste_management/solid_waste.cfm

http://www.co.weber.ut.us/

http://www.sanitation.slco.org/html/recycle.html

New EPA lead regulations

Common restoration activities like sanding, cutting and demolition work can kick up hazardous dust into the air containing lead particles that can be harmful to you and your family. As of April 22, 2010 all restoration companies will need to be in compliance with the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting rule when dealing with lead-based paints. The new rule will apply to any housing and child occupied facility that was built before 1978. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Paining rule states that all restores be certified by the EPA to handle projects involving "renovations preformed for compensation in target housing and child occupied facilities" (40 CFR, 745.80). Each project will also be required to have a certified renovator supervising the job.

Restoration firms should already be in compliance with phase one of the EPA's new regulations, restorers should handing out a pamphlet called Renovate Right! to home owners or occupants, it teaches homeowners about the dangers of lead and how to protect their families, http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf . Phase two needs to be complete by April 22, 2010, by then any project manager/ supervisor should be certified to handle the renovation or removal of an area greater than six square feet covered with lead based paints in a home or child occupied facility.

The new regulations for dealing with lead based paints will require stricter practices in treating an affected area. Signs will need to be posted warning occupants of the dangers of lead and to stay out of work areas, better containing work areas so not to let dust and debris move to far from the source. The use of certain high speed paint removers will be limited.

Advanced Restoration is in the process of having all our estimators certified, we are committed to stay up to date with all current laws and regulations set by the EPA. We also hold ourselves to the high standards set by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). Our goal is to keep home owners safe while restoring their home to its original beauty. It's just another way of "building you up" . For more information on the EPA new lead regulations visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or call Advanced Restoration 888.886.1740

5 things to remember for winter driving

1. Be prepared, make sure your car is fully equipped to handle all the snow and ice on the roads. Change to snow tires. Have an emergency kit in your car in case you get stranded in a snow storm. Your kit should include water, non perishable food, a flash light, a small shovel in case you have to dig snow out from under your wheels. If you get stuck in the snow, don't spin your wheels, you'll just be getting yourself deeper and deeper. Move your wheels back and forth to clear out snow and then rock your car back and forth to get the momentum to get out of the snow pack.

2. Slow down, black ice can form anywhere and once you hit it there is no stopping. Make sure you keep your distance from other cars. In the event that you start to slide depending on what type of breaks you have you will want to break slowly. If you have ABS brakes slowly ease into the break and you'll feel a pulse, which means they are working. If you have standard breaks pump your breaks, if you put full pressure on your breaks your chances of sliding out of control are greater.

3. Look ahead, if you are heading for a light be prepared that you might need to stop break sooner if you need to make a stop. During the winter months in Utah deer and other wild life come down from the mountains in search for food. Keep a look out for movement on the side of the road, if you see a deer crossing the street chances are they are not alone. Deer travel in packs.

4. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions, just because you have a SUV with 4wheel drive doesn't mean you can go full speed down the road. Know the limits of your car by reading the drivers manual.

5. Avoid driving in snow storms if you can. The best way to stay out of danger is to stay off the roads during a storm.

Fresh Air, Fresh Veggies, Fresh Life

I was recently visiting Melissa Felis's State Farm office in Salt Lake City and discovered that the back yard of their office, which is a converted home, is a wonderful vegetable garden. Melissa has donated the space behind her office to the residents of The Canyon Creek Assisted Living Center, and every week they come to work in the garden and take home some of the wonderful vegetables.

Melissa had the idea for a co-op garden, but said she doesn't have gardening skills. Eventually, one of her clients, offered to help her do the gardening. His wife works for the center and suggested the idea to have the residents garden as a weekly activity. Melissa wanted to give something back to the community, providing seniors and others who need food to have it provided. She believes in paying it forward. If you take something from the garden, she just asks you to do a little work in it! This is the garden's first year and will be continued next year.Seeing the garden in its peak got me thinking about the benefits of such gardens.

I have never been into gardening but the idea of a vegetable garden just seems marvelous. Having been a long-time beneficiary of my aunt’s garden, I recognize great- tasting fresh garden peas and heirloom tomatoes. I decided to see what it takes to manage a great garden, and with what I learned, I will be ready to plant at the first signs of spring.

I have a small yard and not much room for a big garden, but the amount of land devoted to a vegetable garden will return more than you could ever imagine. If you don't have a lot of space to devote to a vegetable garden, make a three foot by three foot grid and plant a different crop in each square foot. If space is limited you can grow some crops in large pots on a deck or patio.

A garden should be well planned in advance. Choose the sunniest spot in your yard, avoiding any areas that are too shady. Decide if you are going to plant in open soil or in raised beds. If planting in raised beds, they should be three to four feet wide and eight to 12 inches high and however long your space will allow. You can either pile the soil or enclose the beds in wood or stone frames. You can either pile the soil or enclose them in wood or stone frames. Open soil is perfectly fine for planting. Raised beds often allow the soil to warm quicker, therefore planting can begin sooner.

Get your soil ready with all the right nutrients. Mix in compost or well rotted manure, even if you are adding new top soil. Utah soil tends to lack nitrogen and phosphorous elements, apply three pounds for every 100 square feet of 10-20-0 fertilizer to supplement this deficiency.

Utah gardens can grow all sorts of vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, kale, asparagus, beans, tomatoes and all sorts of herbs are all grown in gardens across Utah. For information on planting and harvesting different crops, here is a chart from Utah State’s extension services:

Planting and Harvesting various crops

If you have an existing garden, fall is the time to do some early maintenance before the freeze. Remove dead and spent plants. If you want to get an early start on next season’s harvest, you can plant some vegetables now so they mature sooner in the spring. Timing is everything September is a good month to plant onions, carrots and spinach for next summer's harvest. Add some nutrients and cross your fingers.
For more information on gardening or joining a local community garden, check out the following site:

Wasatch Community Gardens

American Community Garden Association-Find your own community garden

Trees are the bee's knees

Trees have many purposes. they provide us with oxygen, homes for wild life, shade on hot summer days, and add aesthetic pleasure to our surrounding. Sometimes trees can cause more problems then not. Trees can become sick and die creating an eyesore, they can disrupt the ground and push up any patio or structure the root may be under, they can they can block views and cause structural damage or they can interfere with electrical line or sewer lines creating disgusting and costly back ups in your home.

The life of a tree can very anywhere from 75 years to centuries old. If you are unsure if your tree is sick, there are a few signs that will help you determine your next step.fungus, disease or even old age can cause a tree to die. If your tree stops growing new leaves or if they are sporadic you should have your tree tested, other signs of a dying tree is brittle and pealing bark, loss of tree limbs or if the trunk is spongy. some diseases and fungi can be cured by an arborist.

if you need to remove a tree whether it is sick or just getting in the way, you should have a professional take it out. A tree needs to be taken out in sections so not to cause any structural damage to nearby homes, building or power lines. Advanced Restoration with any tree removal and have specialist that can repair any property damage as a result of a fallen tree.

If you want to get creative and add a unique quality to your garden, you can leave the stump and incorporate it as part of the landscape. Carve the remaining tree stump into a sculpture then treat it with a wood preservative. You can also have it hollowed out and use it as a planter. If you are into keeping a compost pile incorporate the stump, the pile will help the stump decompose faster.