Its a threat you cant see, kills 21,000 Americans each year, and it could be in your home right now. The only way to find out, is to test for it.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month. Radon is an odorless, invisible and tasteless gas released in rock, soil and water and it can build up to dangerous levels in your home, whether new or old, well-sealed or drafty, and with or without a basement. It is usually harmless outdoors, but when the gas is trapped in a building or home, it can be a health hazard. Unfortunately, many people tend to ignore that it might exist at high levels in their home. The truth is radon has been found in every state and vary from home to home even in the same neighborhood. You could have a significantly different level than even your neighbor next door.

Breathing radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. In fact, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause among smokers. Children are more sensitive to radon because their lungs are smaller and their respiratory rates are twice as high. By the age of 10, a child receives twice the lung dose of an adult whos been exposed to radon for the same length of time. If you are a smoker and you have a high concentration of radon in your home, you are at an even greater risk. The good news is the risk of lung cancer from radon is the easiest to avoid.

Testing radon levels in quick, easy, and affordable, and prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem.

Testing for Radon The best time to test for radon is during the colder months when the windows and doors are closed. Where can you get a kit? Some state radon offices, especially during National Radon Month, may offer kits for free or at a discount. Most home improvement and hardware stores sell test kits for under $25 or a kit can be ordered online. Testing is as easy as opening a package, following the directions for where to place the kit, and sending it to the company indicated on the package to receive your test results. Most testing last between 2 and 7 days. You can also hire a qualified radon tester.

Fixing High Radon Levels If the test results show your home has high radon, dont panic; the problem can be fixed. Consult an EPA-qualified or state-certified radon contractor who can evaluate the problem and determine the right solution. To find qualified contractors in your area, click here. Repairs focus on steps to keep radon from coming into your home, including sealing cracks in floors and walls to changing the flow of air into the home. If you are remodeling or building a new home, installing a simple ventilation system can prevent radon gas from seeping in.

Dont delay; take action today! And remember, radon testing should not be a one-time thing. The ground under your home can always shift, so it is important to have a radon test at least every five years or after any remodel or addition to your home.

Mark Bello is the CEO and General Counsel of Lawsuit Financial Corporation, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company.

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Is Your House Making You Sick?

LAPORTE | The courthouse in LaPorte has been around long enough to go from using kerosene lamps for lighting to the latest in environmentally friendly technology, geothermal energy.

If the county doesn't get its investment back from lower utility bills, the contract with Amaresco, Inc. calls for a full refund.

"That's what they say," said Jerry Cooley, LaPorte County's head of maintenance.

Ameresco is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America.

Work began Tuesday on replacing all of the electrical wiring at the courthouse built in 1892.

New heating and cooling systems at both courthouses are included in the job estimated at $6.9 million.

The work at the courthouse in Michigan City erected in 1909 will begin in about two weeks, Cooley said.

The LaPorte courthouse has radiator heat that relies on a boiler heating water through original pipes that also will be replaced, he said.

The system that will be put in uses the temperature of the ground and air to help with heating and cooling, reducing energy usage.

Another $2.1 million will go toward remodeling the second floor of the LaPorte courthouse to house LaPorte Superior Court 3 now in the basement of the county complex.

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LaPorte courthouses going green

Basement Remodeling Blaine MN | Minnesota Remodel
Basement Remodel Finishing Blaine MN | http://www.uneekbuilders.com | (763)515-9660 Uneek Design Build Remodel specializes in custom basement remodeling,...

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Basement Remodeling Blaine MN | Minnesota Remodel - Video

Originally published January 16, 2015 at 3:00 PM | Page modified January 17, 2015 at 10:40 AM

After devoting most of her working life to a rewarding but modestly paying career in child care, Darlene Bakes was understandably worried about her retirement.

Bakes, 62, hit the financial peak of her career six years ago, when she became the full-time director of the Parent-Child Center at Shoreline Community College. She currently makes $56,788 a year.

She doesnt have a deep investment portfolio loaded with securities and properties. Instead, her wealth is almost entirely in her Seattle house, built in 1928, and retirement-savings accounts from work.

When could she retire? How could she do it?

I was thinking about it a lot, Bakes said.

At that point, she volunteered for a free money makeover by a member of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. Bakes was contacted by Carlos Lopez, an Eastside private-wealth manager with Kansas-based Creative Planning.

Lopez examined Bakes goals and finances, and much to her surprise declared her financially independent, which means she has the resources to support herself throughout retirement.

For Bakes, working is no longer a necessity, but a choice.

How did she do it? Lopez said Bakes built a solid nest egg by controlling her expenses, taking full advantage of retirement-saving plans at work and saving money whenever possible.

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Thrifty habits put retirement in reach for child-care worker | Financial Makeover

After devoting most of her working life to a rewarding but modestly paying career in child care, Darlene Bakes was understandably worried about her retirement.

Bakes, 62, hit the financial peak of her career six years ago, when she became the full-time director of the Parent-Child Center at Shoreline Community College. She currently makes $56,788 a year.

She doesnt have a deep investment portfolio loaded with securities and properties. Instead, her wealth is almost entirely in her Seattle house, built in 1928, and retirement-savings accounts from work.

When could she retire? How could she do it?

I was thinking about it a lot, Bakes said.

At that point, she volunteered for a free money makeover by a member of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Financial Planning Association. Bakes was contacted by Carlos Lopez, an Eastside private-wealth manager with Kansas-based Creative Planning.

Lopez examined Bakes goals and finances, and much to her surprise declared her financially independent, which means she has the resources to support herself throughout retirement.

For Bakes, working is no longer a necessity, but a choice.

How did she do it? Lopez said Bakes built a solid nest egg by controlling her expenses, taking full advantage of retirement-saving plans at work and saving money whenever possible.

She saved diligently, despite her circumstances, Lopez said.

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Thrifty habits put retirement in reach for child-care worker

Contemporary- Modern Basement Remodeling in Bella Vista Philadelphia
Just a block from South street, this basement remodel exhibits a rich variation of designer materials that culminate in an opulent and warm overall design. F...

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Basement Remodeling Philadelphia suburbs
To really use this expansive basement for purposes other than just storage, homeowners called on dRemodeling to help carve out spaces for the variety of acti...

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Stratford homeowners are being urged to take care this winter and guard against burst pipes.

Every winter unsuspecting property owners experience catastrophic frozen pipe bursts. According to Aquarion Water Company, unprotected pipes and water meters can freeze and expand within hours of the onset of frigid weather. Pipes running through uninsulated exterior walls or other unheated spaces usually are at the highest risk, although pipes in heated rooms can freeze if exposed to cold drafts.

Frozen pipes can burst, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage for remodeling, mold remediation, emergency substitute housing costs, as well as the loss of irreplaceable belongings. To help customers avoid these problems, Aquarions website Aquarionwater.com is featuring tips on preventing frozen pipes and meters.

It doesnt take much. Even a tiny split in a pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water into your home or business in one day, said Donna Parlatore, Director of Utility Operations for Aquarion Water Company. We strongly encourage property owners to review and utilize the frozen pipe and meter prevention tips on our website to prevent this from happening to them.

Keeping cold temperatures away from pipes and water meters with insulation is far easier and less expensive than replacing pipes that freeze and burst. Some actions customers can take to prevent frozen pipes include:

Letting a faucet fed by pipes exposed to the cold drip to prevent the water inside from freezing.

Never completely shutting off the heat in a building unless all the pipes and toilets are drained first.

Keeping the doors to rooms where the pipes and water meter are located, including sink cabinets, open so warm air can keep temperatures above freezing.

Eliminating cold drafts near water pipes (and, if indoors, the water meter) by filling cracks in walls and around windows, replacing broken glass, and installing storm windows on basement windows.

If a meter freezes, Aquarion will send a service technician to replace it, but the company will not thaw frozen pipes or repair burst ones. Parlatore also stressed that anyone trying to thaw a pipe on their own should never use a torch or open flame.

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Homeowners urged to guard against frozen pipes

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) January 12, 2015

REMODELING Magazine announced today the release of its 28th annual Cost vs. Value Report comparing construction costs with resale value for 36 of the most popular home improvement projects in 102 U.S. markets. The entire report, including interactive infographics, is available at http://www.costvsvalue.com and at http://www.remodelingmag.com.

The 2015 report, which compares changes in home improvement project costs with members of National Association of Realtors perceptions of what those projects contribute to a homes price at resale, reflects the mixed messages that were delivered by the housing market throughout 2014.

While the cost of doing projects rose across the board last year by an average of 4.22%, the modest gains in price and tepid increases in the volume of home sales left Realtors concluding that only about half the 36 projects would benefit a homes value at resale. As a result, this years report saw cost-value ratios rise for only five projects. The midrange roofing replacement led the way, rising 5.9%. The other four gainers were the midrange garage door replacement, up 5.6%; the 20-gauge steel replacement entry door, up 5.4%; vinyl siding replacement, up 3.2%; and the sole upscale project: a fiberglass replacement entry door, rising 1.7%. Another 30 projects declined and there was one new project.

Our Cost vs. Value Reports in recent years indicated big-ticket projects such as attic bedrooms and basement remodels were enjoying ever-bigger payoffs, said Craig Webb, Editor-in-Chief, REMODELING and ProSales. For 2015, however, the simpler and lower-cost the project, the bigger its cost-value ratio three of the four projects that cost less than $5,000 are ranked in the top five for cost recouped, and the other two are in the $5,000 - $25,000 price range.

In 2015, the top recouping projects are:

Under $5,000: Steel Entry Door Replacement (101.8%); Mid-range Garage Door Replacement (88.4%); Upscale Garage Door Replacement (82.5%); Steel Entry Door Replacement (72.0%)

$5,000 - $25,000: Manufactured Stone Veneer (92.2%); Fiber-cement Siding Replacement (84.3%); Vinyl Siding Replacement (80.7%)

$25,000 - $100,000: Attic Bedroom (77.2%); Basement Remodel (72.8%); Major Kitchen Remodel (67.8%); Garage Addition (64.8%)

$100,000 +: Two-Story Addition (64.1%); Master Suite Addition (61.7%); Major Kitchen Remodel (59.0%) Master Suite Addition (53.7%)

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Hanley Wood Releases REMODELING Magazines 2015 Annual Cost vs. Value Report

DEADWOOD Witnessing a variety of evident problems and also a few that could eventually become evident, Lawrence County Commissioners voted to replace the three boilers that provide heat and hot water to the Lawrence County Courthouse Complex at a cost of $387,742.

Commissioners were presented three options and associated costs by engineer John Hey at the regular meeting of the Lawrence County Commission Tuesday. Hey said he wasn't sure about the county's long-term master plan and what that entailed, so he provided three options.

Option one was total boiler replacement, along with system updates to allow for future expansion in order to back up the jail services, which run on their own separate boiler and generator system, to include a new generator capable of handling more capacity, at a cost of more than $750,000.

Option two, existing courthouse basement boiler replacement only at a cost of nearly $390,000, was the one selected by the commission and option three was to simply patch the existing courthouse basement boilers with their corresponding cast iron sections that are leaking.

The courthouse basement boilers are approximately 25 years old.

"Owing to their age, maintenance is becoming problematic and parts are difficult to come by," said Lawrence County Deputy State's Attorney Bruce Outka.

"With option one, I don't know that there's a reason to go quite that far and I don't know that option three makes any sense either," said Lawrence County Commissioner Brandon Flanagan."

"Option one is $367,000 more than option two," said Lawrence County Commission Chairman Terry Weisenberg. "Will we see energy savings, no matter which option? How much is the gas bill?"

The gas bill for the Lawrence County Courthouse complex is roughly $10,000 per month or $100,000 per year.

The boiler replacement is needed. If one of the boilers goes down, the complex will not have heat. The courthouse boilers also supply the jail with hot water.

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Lawrence County Courthouse complex boiler replacement to cost $388K