hawaii renovation 19 december 2010

AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC.

HAW

AII

DECEMBER 19, 2010

Serving Hawaii Since 1981

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BY KAREN NAKAMURA

The deadline is loom-ing for homeownerslooking to save

money — and enjoy a sig-nificant tax credit — bymaking energy-efficient im-provements to their home.

The stimulus legislationthat President Obamasigned soon after taking of-fice providing energy-effi-ciency credits for up to 30percent or $1,500 of the costof certain energy upgradesexpires at the end of thisyear.

According to EnergyStar, a joint program of theU.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency and the U.S.Department of Energy, atypical household spendsabout $2,000 a year on en-ergy bills. By incorporatingEnergy Star appliances andother energy-efficient com-ponents into your home,

you can save about a thirdon your energy bill. The ex-panded tax credit moneyavailable to homeownerson top of these savings isicing on the cake!

“Time is running out forhomeowners to take advan-tage of these tax benefits.It’s a good idea to act now,to make changes in theirhomes that will not onlybenefit them immediately,but over the long term aswell,” said Eric Borsting, aCalifornia homebuilder andchair of the National Asso-ciation of Home Builders’

(NAHB) greenbuilding subcom-mittee.

Whatt iss in-cluded?

Tax credits areavailable at 30 per-cent of the cost ofthe materials, up to

$1,500, until Dec. 31 (for ex-isting homes only) for:

• High-efficiency win-dows and doors

• Insulation • Roofs (metal and as-

phalt) • HVAC (heating, venti-

lating and air-conditioning)• Water heaters (non-

solar) • Biomass stoves

Tax credits are also avail-able at 30 percent of thecost of the materials, withno upper limit through 2016

(for existing homes andnew construction) for:

• Geothermal heatpumps

• Solar panels • Solar water heaters • Small wind energy sys-

tems • Fuel cells

Details on qualifying im-provements are available at

www.nahb.org/efficiencytaxcredit.

Howw too claimm thee creditsHomeowners can claim

the 25C and 25D credits onIRS Form 5695 when theyprepare their income tax re-turns. Be sure to retainrecords that include:

• Name and address ofthe manufacturer

• Identification of thecomponent including makeand model

• Climate zones forwhich the criteria aresatisfied

• Additional informationfor storm windows, if appli-cable

• Manufacturer’s certifi-cation — a signed state-

ment from the manufac-turer certifying that theproduct or componentqualifies for the tax credit

To find a builder or re-modeler in your area tohelp make your homemore energy-efficient, con-tact BIA-Hawaii atwww.biahawaii.org. Youalso can find CertifiedGreen Professionals,trained in green buildingscience and energy-effi-ciency improvements, byusing the search feature atwww.nahb.org/designationsdirectory.

Karen Nakamura is exec-utive vice president of theBuilding Industry Associa-tion of Hawaii.

2 | HAWAII RENOVATION | DEC. 19, 2010 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHED BY OAHU PUBLICATIONS, INC. | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BIA-Hawaii Remodelers

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DEC. 19, 2010 | HAWAII RENOVATION | 3

Your home is probably the biggest financialasset that you own. Unlike a car, computer orbig screen, it is an asset that appreciates in-

stead of going down in value each year.So, it makes financial sense to invest in and protect

that investment.Did you know that Anlin energy-efficient doors and

windows give a 95 percent return on investment? Ifyou spent $10,000 installing replacement doors andwindows for your home, once the job is completedyou have basicially added that investment to thevalue of your home. And, like your home, that invest-ment will appreciate year after year.

Windows Hawaii guarantees the installation ofAnlin doors, windows and siding for your home forthe life of your home..

But that isn’t even the best part. The investmentcould grow in value over time as well as:

•Improvee thee appearancee off yourr home. Make yourhome look new with new windows and siding. It can

benefit from a facelift after 40 years!

• Makee yourr homee moree secure. Jalousie windowsare easily broken into. Anlin windows are rated topfor security with “cam” locking systems, double-strength glass and dead-bolt locks that allow you tolock your windows open so you get the breeze youwant without sacrificing security.

• Keepp youu maintenanncee free. Anlin windowshave EZ glass that repels dirt and does not waterspot. The Mikron vinyl frames do not corrode or pitlike aluminum in Hawaii’s salty environment and

clean easily.Our acrylic/vinyl siding will last a

lifetime and you will never need to paint again. Thissiding also adds insulation to your home and a deter-rent to termites.

Our Hardie cement board siding looks like wood,but will not weather like wood and is impervious totermites.

So, it makes sense to invest in your home, improveappearance and comfort, and reduce maintenanceand energy costs.

Call Windows Hawaii at 671-0808 or 383-7233 for afree in-home demonstration and estimate.

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• Qualifies for 30% Federal Tax Credit (check with your tax advisor) as of 3/1/10

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We are also licensed and experienced in excavation, grading, cutting

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For FREE Estimate& Consultation call 841-1800

When looking for some-one to build yourhome, make sure you

settle on a general contractoryou’re comfortable workingwith.

To qualify that statement,after interviewing potentialcontractors, you should baseyour final decision on thecontractor’s quality of recentprojects, as well as his knowl-edge of building, his relation-ship with sub-contractors

and his references.Steven Wong of Island

Home Designs (IHD) is a gen-eral contractor you can trust.He’s on time for meetings,honest, communicates welland finds solutions to prob-lems.

Family and friends say it wasa brave task taking on a recentproject of tearing down an oldhouse and rebuilding it fromthe ground up. The house wasa virtual buffet station for ter-

mites, with its foundationblocks literally floating overthe dirt.

But Wong had no fear andwas determined to get thingsdone. He has a calm demeanorand is patient with customers.If he doesn’t know about aproduct, he researches it andprovides feedback.

The relationship with yourgeneral contractor is a partner-ship. Like a maestro in a sym-phony, general contractorsorchestrate the sub-contractors,every move.

Many residents don’t have theexperience to coordinate homeconstruction from the groundup. Let IHD be the one to helpyou get started.

For more information, call Is-land Home Designs at 383-4663.

LetIHDGet You Started

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Personalized service! Buy direct from the source!

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Any Size Job• Repairs • Remodels • Updates • Interior/Exterior • Masonry • Tile/Granite• Laminate/Engineered wood flooring• Best Avail Quality Ext-Int Prep & Painting• Remodel/add a room, and much more!• Numerous Great References

HPS Home Improvement ServicesHawaii’s Leader in Home Improvement Cost/Benefit/Value,Licensed Handyman Services, and Hurricane Protection

FEATURING AFFORDABLE TOP QUALITY

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELS/UPGRADES

AND TUB TO SHOWER CONVERSIONS

Insurance DiscountsUp to $600/year

Don't miss Hawaii's premier drive time, call-in, home repair and upgradenews/talk/non-infomercial show: "Fix It Fridays on The Mike Buck Show",

Co-hosted and content produced by Gerald Peters of HPS, Fridays live 3-4 pm, KHVH 830 AM, now in its 7th year.

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CALL 847-4400

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Redesigning your bathroom couldbe the most effective way to re-duce the risk of a serious accident

in your home. There are about 25,000 ac-cidents in the bathroom each year in theUnited States — many of which occurwhen residents attempt to step into theirtubs.

To solve this problem in the traditionalway, a contractor would take out the tuband change it into a shower pan, allow-ing for easy access that would cost thou-sands and normally take about one weekto finish. You need to plan for the downtime, mess and hassles associated withthis type of job, which include the demo-

lition of walls and the removal of tubs. Ifyou have only one bathroom, this couldbe a nightmare.

At All Island Bath, we have a solutionthat is a fraction of the cost, takes onlythree to four hours, allows for the tub tobe used a few hours after installation andcomes with a lifetime warranty.

It’s called a Cut Out. Our trained tech-nicians cut out a section of your tub — 25inches wide by 8-inches deep — leaving aneasy-access opening that greatly reducesthe risk of an accident.

Thanks to our 20 years of experienceusing state-of-the-art restoration tech-nology, All Island Bath has many creative

methods that save Realtors, hotels, prop-erty managers and homeowners time andmoney. Over the years, we have restoredor lined more than 30,000 tubs — whichequates to 7.5 miles in height if youstacked the tubs atop each other.

Here are some of the methods we em-ploy in bathroom restoration:

• Bathtub and wall surround resurfac-ing. Resurface your worn or stained bath-tub or wall surround, giving it a newlook.

• Illusionite Simulated Stone. Trans-form your counter tops from laminate ortile to a granite- or corian-like look.

•Bathtub and Wall surround Acrylicliners. Fits a new tub over your oldstained or rusted tub or wall surround inone day.

Call 358-7780 or e-mail Allis [email protected]. You may also visit thewebsite Allisland bath.com or seekitlo-cal.com, a KHON-2 website.

Making

throughbathroom redesign

LifeSafer

HAWAIIRENOVATION


YearEnd SaleCall Now

94-480 Akoki Street #4Waipahu, HI 96797

671-0808 • 383-7233www.northwestexteriors.com

Michael Mitchell,the owner of EastOahu Home and

Remodeling, is a generalrepair specialist who cando home repairs and reno-vation work at affordableprices.

Along with wifeTeresina, Mitchell runs acomplete home mainte-nance service. With many

years in the building in-dustry — ranging fromcement work to finishwork — Mitchell can ac-complish just about any-thing in the business.Although his specialty isin fine finishing, he alsohas carved out his nichein the community as afixer-upper, ranging fromgeneral repair work to

high-end finish work. As aresult, he is well-re-spected by both peers andclients.

Mitchell’s creativityand vast experience of 35years enable him to sup-port his customers whenit comes to selecting fix-tures or choosing installa-tions to complement theirneeds. Mitchell can trans-

form space into some-thing functionally beauti-ful — and all at anaffordable price.

For excellence in home-repair workmanship, giveMitchell a call at 396-1969or 391-9746. He’ll discussways to upgrade yourhome, creating a beauti-ful, comfortable environ-ment.


Building BeautifulCustom Furniture

HAWAIIRENOVATION

Call for a Free Estimate 808-377-6686825 Halekauwila St., Honolulu

www.energyprohawaii.com

• No Interest

• No Paymentsup to18 Months!

“We are so pleased with the results of the renovations we had done on our home in Manoa.”

–Doctor Jill

New Construction • Additions • Kitchen/BathroomRemodeling • House Painting

Since 1987

Lic.#BC-19251

Ph. 306-0843Call for a free in home consultation

Pacific Isle Contractors Ltd.

• “With focus and determina-tion, Chris resolved unavoid-able problems that arose, i.e.40-day rain.• He completed the job in atimely manner.• Chris’s completion of theproject gave me total satis-faction and happiness.• Paragon Builders is a reli-able and trustworthy compa-ny which I would recom-mend to anyone planning todo any renovations.”Ann Keamo, Realtor, Aiea

Paragon Builders:–Specializes in quality work–Does custom upscale

remodeling and renovatons–Is an award winning company–Is insured and bondable–Winner of the 2009 BIA

Renaissance Residential Remodeling Division

–Call for a consultation today

Christopher Koike, Owner/ManagerCELL: 808-306-2653FAX: 808-841-6512

email:[email protected]

License No.BC28003

Courtesy of Archipelago Hawaii

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Lic# C-30215

2815 Kaihikapu Street • Honolulu, HI 96819Ph: 808.833.8338 Fax: 808.833.8339

Email: [email protected]

HAWAIIRENOVATION


As a large segment ofHawaii’s populationmoves into its

golden years, it’s wise forfamilies to begin convert-ing one of their bathroomsinto a walk-in shower andadding assist bars to theirwalls to prevent injury

among the elderly.Taking out and replacing

one of the tubs with a lowor flat threshold walk-inshower is preferred overordering one of the so-called walk-in tubs, whichusually cost more for thetub and shipping alone

than the conversion job al-together. Furthermore, be-yond unaffordable pricing,these walk-in tubs areproblematic relative to theswing-in hatches develop-ing leaks.

You can install a built-inbench in the walk-inshower and also a conven-ient sliding, adjustableshower head. This enablesyou to take comfortable,water-saving showers andsave thousands of gallonsof water and many dollarsto fill a tub. Most impor-tantly, the walk-in showeris safer than a tub androomier also. That’s be-cause tubs have an inward

slope that takes up space.Options to have a hatchet

job, which requires merelycutting out a slice of the tuband using a shower curtain,is a heartache waiting tohappen. Not only do theylook awful, but the opensections allow water to rotthe floors, rust the tubs, orcreate large amounts ofmold. For a couple of thou-sand dollars extra, you canget the job done right, en-hance your daily living ex-perience and watch theresale value of your home orcondo go up.

The secret to cost-effec-tive kitchen and bath im-provements, according to

Gerry Peters ofHPS Construc-tion Services, isto reject notionsthat you have tomove drainsand otherplumbing orelectrical partsto get a reallynice-looking,modern andf u n c t i o n a lkitchen andbath.

HPS says that,depending on

the level of change, andwhether there is currentwater or other damage,these upgrades can be hadfor between $3,500 and$8,500 for baths, includingtub-to-shower conver-sions, and between $9,000and $15,000 for kitchens, asa general scope of pricingrange, saving up to 40 per-cent over the old approachof tearing tubs out andstarting anew.

Another major area ofconcern on choosing theright bid, is to determinehow detailed the proposalis, and whether it addressespotential unforeseen hid-den problems, such as ter-

mite and water damage.Another warning on up-

grades, remodels, and re-pairs and bigger projects isto watch out for “low ball,”“base” pricing to get youhooked, but then you getadd-ons for things youthought were included, Pe-ters adds. Unforeseen dam-age, clearly spelled out inadvance, is a legitimateadd-on, but only when it isreally necessary. On theother hand, keep in mindthat you, as a client, cannotadd things in that weren’tdiscussed.

Peters says that resi-dents should never assumethat a handyman or so-called contractor knowseverything about the proj-ects or jobs you have forthem. Remember that astate General Excise Tax li-cense is not a contractinglicense.

Check and double checkwhom you choose to dobusiness with. HPS offerslicensed handyman serv-ices in addition to kitchenand bath upgrades and re-models, plus other generalcontracting services.

For more information,call 847-8400.

Tub-to-shower

Conversionsa Popular Option

Contact Us Today For a Free Estimate!

Ph: (808)636-1888e-mail: [email protected]

Quality, Friendly & Reasonable

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Drawing power from the rooftopMatchThe

The word is out and people are flocking to pur-chase photovoltaic (PV) systems to reduce oreliminate their electrical bills.

There are a virtually unlimited amount of prod-ucts available today for residential applications andmany companies are touting the amount of electric-ity that their panels produce. This is only part of theequation; once the panels produce electrical power,that power needs to be converted from direct cur-rent (DC) to alternating current (AC) and deliveredinto your electrical panel.

Choosing the right combination of products toproduce the most energy can be challenging, butthere is one combination that is clearly the best oneavailable now. We call it the “perfect match.” Sanyopanels and Enphase micro inverters are designed foreach other, and together they truly perform betterthan any other product that is currently available.

We have known for a while now that this combi-nation delivered the most power to a typical house-hold and we have been able to compare systemsthrough remote monitoring, but we have never hadour system mounted on the same roof, with thesame exact conditions until recently. A customercalled to request that we add more PV panels to herroof. She had purchased a system from another ven-dor approximately a year ago. The company pro-

vided her with 10 solar panels and micro inverters. She was told that this was the highest DC watt

panel she could purchase with a micro inverter. As aresult, she has averaged a little less than 1 kWh perpanel per day. This combination produces on aver-age 250 kWh a month, or a reduction of $62.50 fromher electric bill. This left her with an averagemonthly electric bill of $110.00.

We suggested that she add eight of our Sanyo pan-els with the “Perfect Match” Enphase micro invert-ers. This second system (with two less panels) hasbeen producing an average of 1.3 kilowatts a day, 312kWh per month, or $78 per month in savings. Our“Perfect Match” of products is delivering over 32percent more power per panel than the other prod-ucts. This translates to $186 a year more, per panel!A typical residential system consists of anywhere be-tween 10 and 30 panels, which means our “PerfectMatch” will potentially produce $1,860 to $5,580more in annual savings over any of the other systemscurrently available. These other systems may pro-duce more watts per panel on your roof, but they de-liver substantially less kilowatt hours to yourelectrical system, where it really matters.

For more information, visit the EnergyPro Hawaiishowroom at 825 Halekauwila St. in Honolulu or call377-6686.

PerfectHAWAIIRENOVATION

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$80OFFXMAS SPECIALthrough Jan 15, 2011


The bathroom is an oasis for manyof us, a place where we not onlytake care of personal needs, but

also relax and decompress after a hecticday. But as people grow older and lessmobile, the bathroom can become a riskyplace.

Falls are a leading cause of hospitaliza-tion among aging Americans, and mostat-home falls occur in the bathroom. Byupgrading their bath with some productsdesigned to facilitate aging in place, babyboomers and mature homeowners cancontinue to enjoy their bathrooms, withless concern over possible safety risks.

“Good design — in the form of prod-ucts which specifically address age-re-lated concerns — can supportindependence as well as increase safety,’says Diana Schrage, an interior designerat the Kohler Design Center. “Making afew simple improvements in key areaslike the bathroom can be a cost-effectiveway for anyone to ensure their home con-tinues to work for their changing needs.”

Here are a few must-have items tomake a bathroom more senior friendly:

• Grabb bars. As we age,our ability to lift ourselvesfrom or lower ourselvesinto a seated position candiminish. Grab bars orsafety bars positioned nearthe toilet, and in the bathand shower area, can help people withmobility issues navigate more safely inthe bathroom. You can find a wide selec-tion of safety bars specifically made foruse in the bath. Choose bars that are easyto grip, won’t become slick when wet,and can be positioned horizontally orvertically. Avoid diagonally positionedbars as your hand could slip off themwhen wet.

• AA seatedd shower. Some people mayfeel fatigued from standing, or uncertainof their footing, in the shower. While ashower seat may help, it can also create aslip hazard if the seat moves unexpect-edly while in use. A seated shower, likethe Accord Seated Shower by Sterlingmay be a better option. The seat is inte-grated into the shower for convenience,beauty and stability, but is also removable

and movable, so it can suit everyone inthe household. Grab bars, designed to fitthe overall aesthetic of the shower, offeranother layer of safety. And because theunit is easy to install, it can cut down onremodeling costs. Visit www.sterlingplumbing.com to learn more.

• Slipp resistance. Some of the mostpopular bathroom floor materials, likeceramic and vinyl, can become very slickwhen wet, creating a risk of slipping andfalling. In addition, acrylic bathtub sur-faces can be slippery. It’s important fortubs, showers and bathroom floors to beequipped with slip resistant materials.For tubs and showers, this could be assimple as a rubber mat with suction cupsthat keep it in place. You can also findslip-resistant mats and area rugs for thefloor itself.

• Hand-heldd showerhead. Hand-heldshowers make it easier to use the showerfrom a seated position and minimize theneed to reach over one’s head — a posi-tion that tires arms and potentially leavesone off balance. Such showerheads havebecome very popular, are available in avariety of styles and are easy to install inmost bath settings.

• Levers. People with arthritis or otherhand problems that make grasping achallenge often are better able to uselevers, rather than traditional doorknobsor twist faucets. Replacing doorknobswith simple lever-style handles can giveseniors easier access to the bath. And alever-style faucet control can make iteasier to adjust water temperature thancontrols with one or more knobs.

• LLighting. As we age, our eyes needmore light to see by. Be sure to provideample light in the bathroom, especially atnight. A nightlight not only helps seniorssee where they're going, it can help easethe confusion that an abrupt transitionfrom darkness to bright light may cause.

“From seated showers to slip-resistantflooring, homeowners can find plenty ofbathroom products designed to helpkeep them safe and comfortable in theirhomes well into their golden years,” saysSchrage.

for baby boomers aging in place

HAWAIIRENOVATION

Must-dobathroom upgrades

Before

After

• Tubs, Showers, Counters, Vanities, any type of Wall Surrounds

• Rust, Fiberglass, Tile Crack Repair and Refinishing

• The thickest tub liners available on the market

• Specialist in Cost Effective Alternatives for property managers, realtors, hotels,homeowners & senior citizens

• Walk through tub cut for Seniorsor disabled

• Complete remodeling consultation

All Island BathCall for a Free Estimate 358-7780 • www.allislandbath.com

GUY KAKUGAWA

Over 20 Years ExperienceLocally owned & operated.

234.1129Hours:

Wed-Sun: 11am-5:30pm

46-2122 Kahuhipaa St.(Directlyy acrosss fromm Cityy Mill)) inn Kaneohe

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.islandstylefurnishing.com

LIC. # ABC 30244

Visit revolusun.com or call 748.8888

to Join the RevoluSun!

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was performed smoothlyand professionally.”

- Dan and Lynn, Mililani

We are RevoluSunary!

Brian CunninghamChris CarbonellaRevoluSun

Photovoltaic systems aregenerally installed and con-nected to a structural ele-

ment in your home or businessthrough your roof. Since the pri-mary purpose of your roof is tokeep your home or business dryand free from water intrusion, it’s

important to properly “flash” pen-etrations made through the roofin order to prevent leakage.

Pacific Islands Constructionhas more than 20 years of experi-ence in roofing and as a licensedroofing contractor; we believethat proper flashing details will in-

sure that the PVsystem does notcompromise theprimary purposeof your roof.

What are flash-ings, you mayask? Roof flash-

ings are industry-standard com-ponents that are constructedaround penetrations or at hori-zontal/vertical intersections suchas walls or curbs on the roof. Ar-chitects typically will draw detailson plans specifically detailinghow they want the contractor toisolate these roof penetrationsand construct these details sothey will not become a leak. Roof-ing systems generally would liketo have no penetrations and justbe one smooth continuous sur-face. Since the modules of the PVsystem need to be securedthrough the roof, these penetra-tions are in need of proper flash-ing details to ensure that they donot leak now or in the future.

Different types of roofing sys-tems use a variety of pre-manu-factured flashings such as edgemetal, boot jacks, lead vent pipejacks, and pitch pockets. It is im-portant to understand that theseflashing components are designed

to work with the roofing materi-als and have become standardsbecause they have proven overtime to prevent roof leaks. Roofpenetrations that rely on caulkingor roof mastic have proven toeventually leak and should beavoided. Unfortunately, since it’smore expensive to construct andi n s t a l lp r o p e rflashingsa r o u n dthe roofpenetra-tions thatsecure themodulesto ther o o f ,many in-stallationsare beingd o n ew i t h o u tt h e s eflashings,jeopardiz-ing the in-tegrity ofthe roof ink e e p i n gwater out.

PacificI s l a n d s

Construction considers the entireinstallation of the PV system to beimportant, not just what modulesand inverters are being installed.Contact us at 841-7756 so that wemay consult with you regardinghow a photovoltaic system shouldbe installed and what componentswe recommend.

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Being a homeowner meansbeing vigilant. From theroof to the foundation,

you need to keep a close eye onyour house to guard againstdamage to your investment andto protect the place your familycalls home.

Water damage is one of themost common problems thathomeowners need to watch for.Home appliances like dishwash-ers and washing machines canbe some of the leading causes ofwater damage inside the home.That's why it’s just as importantto look for potential sources of

water damage inside your homeas it is to check for outdoorproblems.

If you catch water damageearly, you can save yourself a lotof stress and money, but lettingit slide can cost you: Safeco In-surance estimates that the aver-age cost of repairing waterdamage is around $5,000, a sig-nificant figure for any home-owner. However, if you takeaction to prevent water damagein the first place, you’ll giveyourself extra peace of mind forthe future.

Signs of water damage can besubtle: a ripple in your wallpa-per, a hint of a yellow stain. Ifyou see signs like these, it's bestto start investigating them assoon as possible. But whereshould you be watching forwater damage in your home?

Use this check list to protectyour home — once you’ve gonethrough it, you'll be able torelax, knowing that your homeis water tight.

• The kitchen. While kitchensare typically a place of warmmemories surrounding the din-ner table, many of its compo-nents have the potential tocause costly water damage toyour home. Using your appli-ances is essential and if some-thing goes wrong, it is nice tohave the peace of mind thatyou'll be protected. You canprotect yourself by investing ina dishwasher that has built-inleak-protection technology.Dishwashers from Bosch homeappliances, like the Bosch 800Plus Dishwasher, are equippedwith the comprehensive

AquaStop Leak Protection Sys-tem. The system features a dou-ble walled inlet hose thatimmediately stops water at thesource upon recognizing a leakin the hose. Should the leakoccur at the base of the dish-washer, the system will auto-matically shut off the machine ifit detects water and will pumpthe excess water out to avoid aleak. In addition to your appli-ances, you should check for andrepair any sink leaks and pullout your refrigerator to makesure no water is collecting be-hind it.

• The utility room. Checkyour washing machine's hosesfor bulging, cracking and leaks,and keep in mind that theyshould be changed every threeto five years as part of regularmaintenance. Bosch home appli-ances also offer a comprehen-sive AquaStop Leak ProtectionSystem on their Vision washers,which gives homeowners thepeace of mind that their washerwill not cause costly damage.Also be sure to check yourwater heater for wet spots onthe floor or rust on the tank. Ifyour home has a sump pump,

test it periodically to make sureit's functioning properly.

• The bathroom. Sealants area key method of protection inthis water-friendly room, but ifthey aren’t in good condition,problems can arise. If the caulkaround your shower or bathtubis cracking or coming apartfrom the wall, remove and re-place it. You should also checkunder your sink and around thetoilet for any loosened fittingsor existing leaks.

Once you've checked the in-side of your home for potentialcauses of water damage, youshould also go outside andcheck your home’s exterior.Give the roof, walls and guttersa detailed inspection for anycracks or damage that could letwater in.

By carefully checking yourhome for signs of water damage,you can save yourself the time,money and stress that comewith having to make major re-pairs. And when you’re confi-dent that your property isprotected against costly dam-age, you can sit back and enjoythe comfort of your home.


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Finishes are vital to protecting thebeauty and performance of hard-wood cabinetry, flooring and mill-

work. And while these will always beimportant considerations for today'sconsumers, the health of their familiesand overall environmental health are im-portant as well. So before you visit thelocal home center, the American Hard-wood Information Center, www.Hard-woodInfo.com, suggests you contemplatethe following “finishing facts.”

Whether purchasing factory-finishedproducts or engaging in a do-it-yourselfproject; be knowledgeable. Ask ques-tions. Read labels. The key words are"volatile organic compounds," com-monly referred to as VOCs, usuallylisted in grams per liter. Lower VOCcontent products are more environmen-tally friendly and pose lower healthrisks. According to EPA standards, toqualify as a zero-VOC finish, VOC con-tent cannot exceed 5 grams per liter, andlow-VOC finishes cannot contain morethan 200 grams per liter.

Consumers interested in finding the

healthiest and most environmentallyfriendly products should be aware ofVOC content. While paints, stains andother coatings can be emitters of VOCs,they are not alone. VOCs are emittedfrom many other products found in thehome including carpeting, electronics,cosmetics, plastics, cleaning supplies, to-bacco products and more.

Thanks to advances in wood-coatingtechnology, many of today’s finishes arebetter than ever. Zero-and low-VOC fin-ishes deliver the same quality, durabilityand performance as their predecessors.In the not-so-distant past, it was consid-ered practically impossible to makehigh-quality finishes that did not emitVOCs, both during their application andthroughout their service life. But thatwas then. Some manufacturers arguethat today's low-VOC finishes are evenbetter than old solvent-based products.They require fewer coatings, provideequal performance and do it in a health-ier way.

Most zero-and low-VOC finishes arewater-based. Because they contain no

solvents, they are safe for people and theenvironment, and they give off virtuallyno odor. They're also easier to use be-cause they dry quickly, and clean-up canbe tackled with plain soap and water.

Disposal is simple, too. Most manufac-turers have online calculators to helpyou determine exactly how much finishto buy, but if you end up with extrapaint, stain or sealer, there’s no need toworry. Because of their natural ingredi-ents, water-based finishes do not need tobe taken to a hazardous waste center.

Simply let open containers sit in a well-ventilated area, and once they solidify,place them in the trash. Of course, youcould always leave the lid on and passthe finishes along to a neighbor or char-ity organization.

To learn more about flooring, cabi-netry, moulding and other productsmade from American hardwoods, visitthe American Hardwood InformationCenter at www.hardwoodinfo.com, aservice of the Hardwood ManufacturersAssociation.

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hawaii renovation 19 december 2010

Documents

department of energy

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