Thursday, February 26, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
5 things you should do (and one thing you should NEVER do) if your pipes freeze
RICHMOND, Va. — It is advice your mother gives you each time temperatures dip below the freezing mark: “Make sure to drip your faucets.”
Mom is right.
Leaving a faucet open during freezing cold weather can help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting — which can lead to expensive home damage. But do you know how many faucets to keep running at one time? And do you know which faucets are most effective when it comes to preventing frozen pipes?
“One sink is good. Usually the farthest sink from where the water comes into the house,” Henrico (Va.) Fire spokesman Captain Daniel Rosenbaum advised. “If water comes in through the front of the house, look at the sink in the back of the house. That way, the water is flowing through all of the pipes on the underside of the house.”
Here are some prevention measures that may help protect your pipes:
FOAMInsulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts.
By keeping your water warmer, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water in the cold, winter months.
DOMEPlace an insulating dome or other covering on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing, expanding and causing a costly leak.
DRIP
Allow a slow drip from your faucets to reduce the buildup of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, the release pressure in the water system will reduce the likelihood of a rupture.If your pipes do freeze, here are five things you should do and one thing you should NOT do:
If your pipes do freeze, here are five things you should do and one thing you should not do:
- Keep the faucet open. As the frozen area starts to melt, water will flow and running water will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to frozen area using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water.
- Use a portable space heater, kept away from flammable materials, to warm under the house. Never leave heater unattended.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
- If you cannot find the frozen area, if the area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- DO NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Beware of storm chasing contractors.
All Around Contracting out of Appleton had been all around Wisconsin chasing storms and telling homeowners, like LaDonna and Alford Brown, it could help.
“The guy came up and said, ‘Yeah, we do siding and I was looking at your house. We are in the neighborhood — canvassing the neighborhood,'” LaDonna Brown said.
Back in November, FOX6’s Contact 6 reporter, Katrina Cravy, went looking for “that guy” LaDonna was talking about — owner Nick Davis. Katrina showed up at the All Around Contracting office in Appleton in November, but couldn’t find Nick.
After the original story about All Around Contracting aired, Contact 6 received five more complaints about the company. In the complaints, all the stories were the same.
Eric and Wendy King came to Contact 6 after losing money to Nick Davis and All Around Contracting.
Eric and his wife, Wendy King, say Nick was a smooth talker and they trusted him. They signed a contract for more $15,000 and paid him $4,500 upfront. But, when the crew came — the work was horrible.
“I called him and said we got water damage. He brought some guy out here with a glue gun — went up there and started gluing it,” Eric said when describing the work done on his roof.
Then, just like the Browns, All Around Contracting, Nick Davis and his crews couldn’t be reached.
The place has closed.
Five customers have filed complaints with the state’s Consumer Protection Department and while it can’t comment on possible open investigations — it does have some advice.
“Ask for references. Call Consumer Protection to see if there are any complaints on file against a contractor. Go see other job sites from those references. Look online for circuit court access see if there’s been any small claims actions against a contractor and weigh all that information,” suggested Michelle Reinen, Director of the Wisconsin Consumer Protection Bureau.
Eric and Wendy King are using some friends to fix their home and, luckily, didn’t pay All Around Contracting the full amount. It’s been a costly, but valuable lesson.
“We will be alright, but …some folks out there that aren’t going to be alright because he had a lot of business,” Eric said.
Contractors and volunteers work on LaDonna and Alford Brown’s home after the couple got a helping hand from the NARI Foundation.
“I’ve got a few of my guys that are helping out plus MATC is supporting in this project as well. Callen Construction is helping out. There’s also a few other companies that have also been involved with this,” said Randy Miller of Allrite Home & Remodeling.
After the last story aired, Katrina Cravy called NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Milwaukee Chapter – to see if they could help and they came through.
Besides getting out the team of volunteers, the NARI Foundation also voted to give LaDonna and Alford up to $6,000 for the materials to complete the job.
Alford and LaDonna Brown
“I’m very appreciative and just writing that one paragraph and you opening up your heart and your camera crew and your team,” LaDonna said about Contact 6.
Remember to do your homework before hiring contractor because it’s not often you get such a happy ending like the Browns.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Cut your remodeling costs - Check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Thinking about
adding a splash with a new light fixture?
Need to replace that worn or outdated flooring? Want a new look for your kitchen or bath? Maybe you just want to freshen things up with
a new coat of paint. If you are a
homeowner, you probably know that home improvements can get expensive in a hurry. Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, buying
materials and supplies at a hardware store, lumber yard or home improvement center can quickly add up.
What if there was
a place where you could get new or gently used building materials, appliances, tools
and hardware at prices 50%-75% lower than retail? What if, in the process of saving money on
your home improvement project, you were able to help families in need, disabled,
or veterans in your own community to get affordable housing or home
repairs? What if…?
There actually is
such a place: the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
ReStores offer huge discounts on a vast array of donated new and gently
used building materials including windows, doors, roofing, flooring, lighting,
cabinets & counter tops, trim, bath fixtures, tools, hardware and appliances. With new merchandise arriving daily, there is
always a big selection. In addition to
the everyday low pricing, the Washington and Dodge County ReStores are offering
additional incentives.
- · You can obtain ReStore coupons through Groupon, providing as much as 50% off of store merchandize at: https://www.groupon.com/deals/habitat-for-humanity-of-washington-and-dodge-county. Just select your option -
o $20 worth of merchandise for just $12 | Save $8
o $50 worth of merchandise for just $25 | Save $25
- · Ask about ReStore Deal-Finder’s Loyalty Club discount cards.
The ReStores
provide a great deal to their customers and all proceeds generated are used to help Habitat build and renovate homes for familes who qualify in their local communities. The three ReStore locations In Washington and
Dodge Counties help build as many as five homes and repair up to 30 more each
year. Why don’t you come in and visit us
today?
West Bend ReStore
508 N Main St.
West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 334-1801
Germantown ReStore
W188N10707 Maple Rd.
Germantown, WI 53022
(262) 255-7470
Beaver
Dam ReStore
1022
Madison St.
Beaver
Dam, WI 53916
(920)
885-4518
Friday, February 6, 2015
Free "How to" clinics for Habitat for Humanity Women Build participants
Lowes -12000 West Burleigh in Wauwatosa is offering two free clinics in support of the Habitat for Humanity-Washington/Dodge County's WomenBuild2015.
The two clinics are scheduled for March 7th and April 18th at the Lowes location in Wauwatosa. The clinics run from 10:00AM - 12:00 noon.
*March 7th: How to Safely use Hand and Power Tools
* April 18th: How to Session on Framing Walls and Roofs
Please RSVP with our Volunteer Coordinator if interested in participating by calling our Habitat affiliate office at 262-338-0690.
To find out more about Habitat's Women Build program, please take a look at the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzSBl9btVE
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