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Air Seal and Insulate To Lower Heating and Cooling Costs

December 23, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard 2 Comments

Sealing and insulating the "envelope" of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. You can save up to 10-20% of your heating and cooling costs. Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts, Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Insulation

Teaching Moments and our Kids

December 22, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment

>Image mcb.web.psi.ch/teaching/Teaching.gifTeachable Moment Defined: A moment of educational opportunity: a time at which a person, especially a child, is likely to be particularly disposed to learn something or particularly responsive to being taught or made aware of something.I sometimes think that one of the most challenging and important skills of being a dad is my ability to recognize and capitalize on teachable moments.We as parents should … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child safety Tips

One in Four Boomers Plan Move, Survey Reports

December 19, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment

Image: www3.shastacollege.eduOne in four baby boom generation households (26%) expects to move from their current home in the future, with the majority looking for a single-level home that is more comfortable or convenient, according to a new survey prepared for AARP.Echoing past surveys, most boomers (79%) say they would like to stay in their current home for as long as possible. Some — less than 10% — said they would like to stay in their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Remodeling

Key Points for Green Remodeling

December 17, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment

Image: remodel.netGreen Remodeling:~ a concord carpenterReduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency.Conserves natural resources.Increases the value of the homeReduces wasteReduces emissions costsIncreases productivity of occupantsImproves quality of life Ways to Implement Green Into Your Home.Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn't necessarily have to encompass the entire home. It's easy to pick and choose elements … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Green Building

Important infomation for our children – avoiding spiked drinks

December 16, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment

There are many stories about spiked drinks and some of them unfortunately are true. Spiking drinks with drugs is done with the aim of taking advantage of a person while their sense of reality is distorted, and sometimes this leads to assaults such as date rape, making people ill so that they cannot perform in sport etc., and robbery. The type of drugs used in drinks to create drowsiness or even unconsciousness include Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Child safety Tips

How to Install Speaker Wire Behind Crown Molding

December 15, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard 6 Comments

~ a concord carpenterA client of mine asked for me to install crown molding in his living room.We always buy the moldings we install at Anderson McQuiad. All the moldings are made on site and always have very sharp, detailed profiles.This molding is made from poplar.This morning, when we arrived to install the molding, the client told us that he wanted to install a surround sound speaker system.He asked us if we would be willing to run speaker … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crown Molding

How to adjust that door that wont latch

December 14, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment

~ a concord carpenterYou’re trying to close a door in your house and it won’t latch. Or you have to lift or put a should into it to latch it…… check the latch plate.A lot of times the problem is with the hinges, house settling or just a heavy door not installed well.First close the door and see if the door reveals [space between the door and the jamb] look even and if there are any loose screws in the hinges, knob or latch plate.If the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home Repairs And Remodeling

How to control dust during a renovation

December 13, 2008 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment

Image: rd.comA simple and effective way to remove fumes, dust and odors from a confined area is to create negative pressure in a room and draw the contaminants out of the room. Any environment can be cleared and exhausted this way.What is Negative Pressure Ventilation (NPV)?NPV is the extraction of air from a structure with suction techniques.NPV uses a combination of a window box fan, and sealing off all door openings.Put a box fan in the window … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dealing With Dust, Remodeling, Workshop tips