After 30 years of hard work as a Manager in the Textile Industry, I finally decided to quit my job with the lump sum of PF to take home as my savings. Buying my family dream home in New Delhi is the top priority as I love the capital city for its patriotism and beauty and its Magnificent History, Awe-inspiring Monuments, and The magic of Intracity rails, significant markets, Street shopping, Delicious food, and Cultural Hub.

Besides savings, with the help of a house loan, we planned to buy an affordable medium-size home equipped with good amenities and infrastructure in one of Delhi's prime areas. Though it's challenging, the developers and the builders offer competitive pricing and better deals to fit our budgets and requirements. Before finalizing our contracts with builders, one of my friends referred to a professional home inspection team in Delhi for the property's final contingency check. As a handyman, I have already gone through my preliminary Inspection, but I realized that it's an entirely different scenario when the home inspection team inspects the home in detail. Let's see how the home inspection is worth the time and money we spend on it in the long - run.

A home inspection is the visual evaluation of a home from the roof to the basement conducted by a qualified home inspection company. It can be done on a newly built/renovated/used home. In the process of closing the home sale, the buyer hires the home inspector for a visual observation that identifies the health, safety, or major mechanical issues. It takes nearly 2-3 hours for a careful lookout of both the Exterior and the Interior of the home during the home inspection. The cost of Home Inspection varies greatly depending upon the size, location, age, and special home structures. Usually its between 270$ - 480$. However, advanced home inspection using technologies like Thermal Imaging, Moisture meter Inspections, Four-point Inspections, wind mitigation, Energy-saving Inspections may cost more.

Steps to hire a home inspector are,

Why Home Inspection is a must before buying homes?

What to expect during the Home Inspection?

A Qualified home inspection company generally covers the Foundation, Pre-drywall, and the Full walk-through Inspection of a newly built home. They note down each problem for a safety issue, major defect, minor defect, needs replacement, repaired or serviced, and items of routine maintenance. Some of the specific things included in the Home Inspection checklist are,

What is expected After the Inspection?

If the home inspection report details the minor/major repair work, you can ask the seller to fix it. If the seller neglects to fix or the repair is too expensive to fix, the buyer can walk away from the sales contract. If the home you are going to buy is Bank-owned or sold as-is, the buyer has to analyze the importance and the affordability of the report details and the cost estimated for repair and maintenance.

After my home undergoes the Inspection, we got a professional assessment report that helps negotiate with the builder for a better deal. Finally, we bought our dream home with peace and confidence by hiring the home inspector who justified its worth by ensuring the safety of my life and the property.

Excerpt from:
Why a Home Inspection is must before buying homes in Delhi - Siliconindia.com

Posted on Jun 25, 2020

By Harold C. Ford

We shouldve never moved in that [Northwestern] building.

Vera Perry, trustee, Flint Board of Education

We create the instability that we face.

Diana Wright, vice-president, Flint Board of Education

At its meeting June 9, the board of education of Flint Community Schools (FCS) was informed that it would cost the school district an estimated $4 million to bring the Northwestern campus up to speed in terms of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, and other needed upgrades such as roofing and parking lot repairs.

As a result, the 2020-2021 location of Flints 7th and 8th graders, as well as the location of the districts central kitchen services operated by Sodexo MAGIC, is uncertain.

A campus in disrepair:

The June 9 presentation to the board of education by two representatives from Johnson Controls very familiar with the districts infrastructureDaniel Mack, energy solutions account executive, and Herb Cavendish, project team superintendentdescribed a facility in a serious state of disrepair.

Daniel Mack, energy solutions account executive, Johnson Controls (LinkedIn Photo)

Johnson Controls, a company with nearly 20 offices in Michigan and a history stretching back to 1885, has serviced all FCS buildings that remain open.

Cavendish spoke of the possibility of a catastrophic failure (meaning) the system will go completely down and the building would have to be closed. Or worse.

He (Cavendish) probably knows this building better than anyone else on the planet, Mack said.

Mack and Cavendish presented their findings to the board in a report titled Performance Infrastructure for Flint Community Schools, Change of Work at Northwestern Jr. High. Board members seemed stunned by the extent and gravity of the reports findings:

Deleterious impact on learning and health:

When building automation equipment doesnt work, when mechanical equipment doesnt work, you dont control the learning environment, said Mack.

The classroom was very hot in the wintertime as well as in the summertime, Mack reported. In the wintertime we saw some classrooms that were 80-85 (F); some were 90.

Trustee Blake Strozier, as knowledgeable as anyone on the Flint board about infrastructure, warned of older equipment that, in some cases, hasnt been reviewed, updated, or even looked at since 1964. Northwestern High School was opened in 1964.

Youre absolutely right, responded Mack.

I worked in that building when it first opened and I dont ever remember the cooling system working very well, recollected Betty Ramsdell, board trustee.

The biggest concern I have with that building is the airflow, especially with what were going through right now, warned Mack, an obvious reference to the coronavirus pandemic.

We have kids with asthma, all kinds of problems going on, observed Ramsdell. It would really, really concern me.

Entrance to the problem-plagued former Northwestern High School campus (Photo by Tom Travis)

Board remorse:

We shouldve never moved in that building, said Vera Perry, board trustee.

If we had known all this before, we would never have opened that building and used it, said Ramsdell. She then cautioned against putting good money after bad.

The reopening of the Northwestern building to 7th and 8th grade students for the 2019-2020 school year was done during the administration of now-suspended FCS Superintendent Derrick Lopez. As reported by The Flint Journal-MLive which obtained a suspension memo via a Freedom of Information Act request, one of five reasons listed for the suspension was lack of a plan while reopening the districts Northwestern school building as a junior high school.

Before his suspension, during emotionally charged building consolidation/closure meetings, Lopez appeared to lobby board members for moving junior high students out of the Northwestern building.

We have too much infrastructure for the number of students were trying to educate, said Lopez in November 2019. A key component of his administrations proposed deficit elimination plan was closure of the former Northwestern High School, the largest Flint campus still open at 212,000 square feet.

We dont like closing buildings at all, Lopez said in January 2020, but I tell you that is one of the things we have to consider.

Lopez noted that the Northwestern building, which has a seating capacity for 1551 students, housed only 400 junior high students at the time. He said that cleaning and electricity for the building alone respectively cost $141,500 and $328,000 annually.

Of the five consolidation options offered by the Lopez administration, two plans would have middle school students remain at Northwestern, two would have sent them to Holmes, one would have sent them to the Scott building.

But where are we going to get the money?

The prospects for finding money in the FCS budget seemed bleak after a review of district finances by Carrie Sekelsky, FCS executive director of finance.

Sekelsky said FCS could squeeze about $2.8 million out of current financial resources for the purpose of upgrades at Northwestern, but it would be a severe cut on our general operating fund. She concluded: There would be virtually nothing left in the budget for needed maintenance and upgrades at the other 12 buildings in the district.

We have a lot of roofing issueswe have severe leaks, we have major parking lot issues throughout the district, said Sekelsky. We will have a very difficult time to do any other repair at any other building.

She explained that voter approval of the March 10 millage diverted funds from the districts 4.0 mill sinking fund used for infrastructure needs: 2.82 mills are now used to pay off the districts debt; the remaining 1.18 mills are used for infrastructure needs.

Comments by Diana Wright, board vice president, seemed to capture the air of resignation and financial reality that consumed the boards discussion: My position is, no, I dont want to abandon the north end; yes, I want our students to have a quality learning environment; but where are we going to get the money?

North and south:

For a short time, the Flint boards discussion devolved to familiar territory: the needs of the citys northside residents versus the needs of its southside residents.

We have to invest in something on the north side to prevent Flint students from going to suburban schools like Hamady, Beecher and Carman-Ainsworth, proclaimed Carol McIntosh, board trustee. Avoiding the north side, avoiding Northwestern, avoiding Northern, and running to Southwestern has not helped us.

I do not want to desert the north end, responded Ramsdell. I do not want to desert our familiesWere going to have to listen, adjust, and compromise.

You cant call yourself a community school when youve gotta go across town to go to school, replied McIntosh.

It sounds like we just have to move (out of Northwestern), said Perry with an air of resignation, as it would deplete the districts sinking fund monies and leave no money for the needs of other buildings.

What to do?

A brainstorming session led by Anita Steward, FCS interim superintendent, resulted in four options.

Option 1 was to continue to use the Northwestern building for the districts 7th and 8th graders. The challenge, of course, is finding the funds necessary to upgrade infrastructure.

Option 2 would relocate the students from Northwestern to Holmes. Im not comfortable putting all those children into the same building unless you have Joe Clark as a principal, said Strozier. Clark was the no-nonsense principal of Eastside High School portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the 1989 film Lean on Me.

Option 3, proposed by Strozier, would send the 7th and 8th graders to the elementary schools in their own neighborhoods making them K-8 buildings. Citing maturation issues, at least one board member objected to the idea of putting elementary and middle school children in the same building.

Option 4, proposed by Perry, would return 7th and 8th graders to the Northwestern building and then to other campuses in phases.

Itinerant middle schoolers:

Since 2018, FCS leaders have mulled over multiple plans for the location of its middle schoolers.

The more we move people, the more they leave, lamented Strozier.

Indecision, the central kitchen, and the FCS budget:

The boards indecision about the Northwestern building has an impact beyond the location of its middle schoolers.

FCS spent approximately $1 million to centralize and equip its food services at the Northwestern campus. Are we talking about complete closure of the facility? asked Steward during the boards brainstorming session about the future of the campus. If so, then the district would also need a plan for the relocation of its food services presently managed by Sodexo MAGIC.

Further, uncertainty about future use of the Northwestern building resulted in the boards only nondecision at its recent marathon discussions of the budgets for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. After lengthy back and forth, the board tabled a decision on the Food Service Fund line item for 2020-2021. FCS decisions on the budget are due to the Michigan Department of Treasury by June 30.

Time is running out:

FCS board members are chagrined by the possibility of moving their middle schoolers yet again. We are moving those kids at the most developmentally fragile time of their lives, lamented Strozier.

Nonetheless, with its balanced calendar, FCS students return to school the first week of August. Steward had earlier advised the board that parents start making their decisions about school choice in May and June. She urged the board to make a decision about Northwestern by the first week in July.

EVM Education Beat reporter and staff writer Harold C. Ford can be reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.

Related

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Education Beat: Northwestern needs $4 million in upgrades; where will junior high students go? - East Village Magazine

Deciding which material to use for injection molding is one of the most important decisions in the entire production process. It protects you from having to make costly tooling adjustments down the road, once production has actually begun. Injection molds are also designed for a specific amount of shrinkage to occur and take into account the parts application, and any post-injection molding processes that the part will undergo. Aluminum and steel are two of the most common materials used, but it can be difficult to know which one is best for your production needs. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both aluminum and steel and when it is best to use each.

Aluminum is a soft metal that is lightweight, resistant to rust, heat-resistant and easy to form into new shapes. This makes it a popular option for those looking for a material to make their mold out of for use in the injection molding process.

Steel is an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements that give it unique properties that make it great for fabrication. Along with aluminum, it is a popular material for producing molds.

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The post Aluminum or Steel Mold: Whats the Right Fit for Your Product? appeared first on Proto Plastics.

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Aluminum or Steel Mold: Whats the Right Fit for Your Product? - TippNews DAILY

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in conjunction with Lochinvar Corp., issued a recall for Lochinvar residential condensing boilers, combi boilers and packaged systems sold after August 2016.

The boilers flue grommet can deteriorate and dislodge during use and allow the boiler to emit carbon monoxide, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The firm has received seven reports of boilers flue grommets deteriorating, including one report of two nonfatal injuries involving carbon monoxide poisoning, and two reports of carbon monoxide emission not involving an injury.

Consumers with the recalled boilers should immediately contact the installer or a qualified technician to schedule a free repair. Consumers who continue use of the boilers while awaiting repair should have working carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

The recalled boilers were sold under the Lochinvar, A. O. Smith and State Proline brand names and have serial numbers within the range of 103475818 through 115078306. The model number and serial number can be found on the data plate on the product located on the units rating plate, which is located either on the outer jacket of the unit or on the underside of the removable front jacket plate. The brand name is printed on the front of each unit.

Model numbers and additional photos can be found atwww.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Lochinvar-Recalls-Condensing-Residential-Boilers-Due-to-Risk-of-Carbon-Monoxide-Poisoning#. About 34,300 were sold in the United States and about 3,642 units were sold in Canada through independent contractors, plumbers, and plumbing supply vendors and distributors from August 2016 through June 2020. Cost was between $8,000 and $25,000, including installation.

Consumers should contact Lochinvar toll-free at 833-232-9706 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Check for the recalled boilers serial number atwww.waterheaterrecall.com, and select the look-up feature for the flue grommet recall.

Consumers with Lochinvar-branded boilers can find a qualified service technician by visitinggreen.lochinvar.com/support/contractorlocator.aspx. Consumers with A. O. Smith or State Proline-branded boilers should contact their installer. If consumers do not know their installer, contact Lochinvar toll free at 833-232-9706.

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PHCC Connect event will be virtual show - Contracting Business

The study on the Heat Interface Units Marketby Brand Essence Market Research is a compilation of systematic details in terms of market valuation, market size, revenue estimation, and geographical spectrum of the business vertical. The study also offers a precise analysis of the key challenges and growth prospects awaiting key players of the Heat Interface Units market, including a concise summary of their corporate strategies and competitive setting.

In 2018, the Global Heat Interface Units Market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025.

Download Premium Sample of the Report: https://industrystatsreport.com/Request/Sample?ResearchPostId=12561&RequestType=Sample

A recent report on Heat Interface Units Market provides a detailed analysis on the industry size, revenue forecasts and geographical landscape pertaining to this business space. Additionally, the report highlights primary obstacles and latest growth trends accepted by key players that form a part of the competitive spectrum of this business.

Heat Interface Units are installed in multi-family apartments and act as a bridge between the housing unit and the central heating system. They eliminate the need to install heating systems in individual dwellings, and thus save costs. Reduced investment and maintenance cost is one of the major factors driving the global heat interface units market. Installing gas boilers in individual dwellings in a multi-dwelling apartment complex includes various costs.

Armstrong Fluid Technology Dutypoint Honeywell International Ideal Boilers Robert Bosch

Moreover, during installation, the gas lines are required to be calibrated for the right BTU levels. To prevent any compromise with the integrity of the pipe and the possibility of explosions, it is important to ensure that all the procedures are carried out properly, which requires trained professionals that add to the costs. Installing a central boiler plant eliminates the need for connecting individual dwellings to gas lines, resulting in significant cost savings. HIUs only require a centralized boiler and hot water risers. Therefore, there is no need for a piping network running through the buildings; this results in reduced costs and brings down the future costs for repair and maintenance.

EMEA accounted for the maximum shares of the market during 2017. Our analysts have predicted that EMEA will witness steady growth in the next five years. HIUs are very popular in Europe, due to which they are the key leaders in the central heating systems market. Moreover, the extreme climatic conditions in Europe makes it a huge market for heating and cooling systems.

In this report, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Heat Interface Units. This report studies the global market size of Heat Interface Units, especially focuses on the key regions like United States, European Union, China, and other regions (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia).

This study presents the Heat Interface Units production, revenue, market share and growth rate for each key company, and also covers the breakdown data (production, consumption, revenue and market share) by regions, type and applications. history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025.

For top companies in United States, European Union and China, this report investigates and analyzes the production, value, price, market share and growth rate for the top manufacturers, key data from 2014 to 2019.

Market Segment by Product Type

Indirect Heat Interface Units Direct Heat Interface Units

Market Segment by Application

Residential Commercial Industrial

History Year: 2014-2018 Base Year: 2018 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2025

Qualitative Analysis covers:

Industry Status and TrendsManufacturer/Company profiles, manufacturing base distribution, sales areas, product introduction, main business, market position and their competitors.Product Development, Technology, Price, Cost, Manufacturing Process and TrendsMarket segment by regions, types, applications and forecastMarket opportunities, potential, government policies and influence factors.

Quantitative Analysis covers:

Market size (value, sales/output, historical data and forecasts)Sales/output/capacity, revenue, price, gross margin, market share, for top players. Through interviewing each manufacturers, distributors, traders, dealers and buyers etc.Cost structure, proportion, price trend, gross margin and trend, status and trend, for 10 yearsMarket size by types, regions, applications for 10 yearsMarket forecast based on the potential demand from downstream clients/buyers, government, influence factors and the total economic indication, maybe occur in following years.

To analyze and research the Heat Interface Units status and future forecast in United States, European Union and China, involving sales, value (revenue), growth rate (CAGR), market share, historical and forecast. To present the key Heat Interface Units manufacturers, presenting the sales, revenue, market share, and recent development for key players. To split the breakdown data by regions, type, companies and applications To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regions To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market

Table of Contents

1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Heat Interface Units Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2014-2025)1.4.2 Topical Products1.4.3 Botulinum1.4.4 Dermal Fillers1.4.5 Chemical Peels1.4.6 Microabrasion Equipment1.4.7 Laser Surfacing Treatments1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Heat Interface Units Market Share by Application (2014-2025)1.5.2 Hospitals1.5.3 Dermatology Clinics1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size2.2 Heat Interface Units Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size by Regions (2014-2025)2.2.2 Heat Interface Units Market Share by Regions (2014-2019)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities

3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Heat Interface Units Market Size by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Heat Interface Units Revenue by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.2 Global Heat Interface Units Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.3 Global Heat Interface Units Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Heat Interface Units Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Heat Interface Units Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Heat Interface Units Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

Read More: https://industrystatsreport.com/Machinery-and-Equipments/Heat-Interface-Units-Market-Growth-Rate-Demands-and-Status/Summary

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Heat Interface Units Market(Covid 19 Impact) 2020 Worldwide Industry Size, Key Vendors, Growth Drivers, Opportunity And Competitive Landscape Forecast...

During this challenging time with COVID-19, many families are finding themselves doing more home renovations or home maintenance projects and perhaps learning new skills in the process.

Your home cannot take care of itself. Your monthly budget should include money for routine maintenance and repair for the house and yard. Plan to set money aside for the large, irregular expenses that occur normally as a house ages. Large expenses include interior and exterior painting, repairs or replacement of heating and air conditioning units and appliances, floor coverings, and roof surfaces.

Housing experts recommend setting aside 1 to 2 percent of the market value of your house each year to pay for maintenance and repair costs. While you many not need to use all of these funds in a given year, the accumulation of funds will help you pay for large future expenses such as installing a new heating and air conditioning unit, or replacing a roof.

Home maintenance helps provide a healthy, safe environment while protecting your largest investment your home. It is much easier to prevent possible health and safety issues or structural damage than it is to pay large medical or repair bills.

Who Is Responsible for Home Maintenance?

As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your home. If you live in a condominium or townhouse, you should check your homeowner agreement to determine what responsibilities you have and what responsibilities lie with the homeowners association.

What Is Involved in Home Maintenance?

Cleaning roofs and gutters, cleaning or painting outside wall surfaces, cleaning floors and walls, vacuuming carpet, keeping sinks and shower drains running freely, etc.

What Is Involved in Home Repair?

Replacing broken glass in windows or doors, replacing warped or worn shingles, repairing a cracked sidewalk or driveway, replacing worn out faucets, repairing broken stair rails, etc.

How Often Should You Do Maintenance and Repairs?

Maintenance and repairs should be done as soon as the need appears. This sooner-the-better practice helps prevent further damage and keeps repair costs down. At least once every 6 months, inspect your house and yard thoroughly to identify items needing work.

Who Should Do the Work?

The homeowner who does his or her own maintenance and repairs saves money. Use the following sources to learn how to do your own maintenance and repairs:

Manufacturers use booklets and care guides for repair and guidance on how to clean.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) publications are often available free in builder supply or hardware stores.

Home maintenance/repair books and videos in public libraries, stores, or online.

An experienced neighbor or friend.

If you are not able to do the work, hire a qualified, experienced contractor or repair person. Ask friends for personal recommendations. Check the telephone book, neighborhood newspapers, special advertisements and the Better Business Bureau to find a reputable repair person. Ask for written estimates and do not pay in advance for maintenance or repair services.

Include a maintenance and repair category in your monthly budget. If you do not need the money in a particular month, put it in a savings account for the periodic, expensive, and/or unexpected repairs that will happen as a house ages.

Inspect your home regularly. Develop a system where you inspect one area per month to ensure regular inspection of each area. Start at the foundation of the house and work upward and inward. Use the following list of areas to conduct your home inspection.

Foundations, Basements, and Yards

Water that strikes the house or drips down from the roof should drain away from the foundation walls. The gutter and downspout system should keep water from pooling around the foundation where it can create a moisture problem. Be sure gutters and downspouts are kept open and in good repair.

Trim shrubs and bushes away from the foundation walls. Clearance space should be at least one foot.

Check masonry foundation walls for cracks or weakened and crumbling mortar.

Examine main support beams, support columns, and floor joists for evidence of bowing or warping.

Check wood structural members, such as joists, beams, and columns, with a screwdriver or pocket knife to be sure wood is solid and free from decay.

Check the inside and outside of all foundation walls and piers for termite tubes and damage. You may choose to have a pest control company do this each year.

Check that the crawlspace vapor barrier is in good condition and placed correctly. A vapor barrier is usually polyethylene material (at least 6-mil) that covers 100 percent of the crawlspace.

Examine the inside of the basement or foundations walls for dampness or water stains indicating seepage or a leak.

Water lines and outside faucets need some freeze protection or winter drainage. To prevent damage, water hoses should be drained and stored for the winter.

Clean leaves and debris from around the outside heating/air conditioning condenser and trim back shrubs that may block air movement around the house.

Yard care power equipment should be drained of fuel in the late fall or early winter and serviced according to manufacturers instruction.

Clean and repair garden equipment after the last use of the season. Remove dirt and rust, then store in a dry area. Winter is a good time to file rough spots on hoes and shovels and to apply linseed oil to handles of garden tools. Thoroughly rinse pesticide and herbicide sprayers to prevent clogging, and rinse fertilizer spreaders to prevent corrosion.

Doorways, below grade window wells, and storm drains should be cleaned of debris or leaves.

Driveways and walks should be checked for cracks, breaks, or erosion. If asphalt surfaces need repairing, be certain you have the equipment and skill to do a lasting repair job, otherwise hire a reputable contractor. Unrepaired cracks in concrete and asphalt can lead to further damage.

A septic tank needs periodic attention. Learn how to check for sludge and scum accumulation in the tank, and have solids pumped out of the tank as needed.

Fences, gates, and retaining walls should be checked for ease of operation, condition of structure, and materials. Make repairs as needed.

Exterior Walls, Windows and Doors

Check bricks for cracked mortar or loose joints.

Check siding for loose or missing pieces, lifting or warping, or any sign of mildew.

Check painted surfaces for paint failure (peeling, chipping, blistering, chalking), water damage, or mildew.

Examine all trim for tightness of fit, damage or decay.

Check conditions of caulking where two different materials meet, such as where wood siding joins the foundation wall, at the inside corners, and where window and door trim meets the siding.

Check the windows for cracked or broken glass, loose putty around the glass panes, holes in screens, and evidence of moisture between pane and storm windows.

Check the condition of door frames and windows. Look for evidence of moisture and decay.

Check that windows and doors close properly. Examine all hardware on windows and doors, and lubricate moving parts.

Check weather stripping on windows and doors for damage and tightness of fit.

Make sure that all window and door lock work properly. Each exterior door should have a one-inch deadbolt lock for safety.

Roof

Trim back tree branches that scrape against or overhang the roof. Keep branches away from chimney to avoid fire hazard and allow proper draft for safe and efficient chimney operation.

Check for curled, damaged, loose, or missing shingles.

Check the lower edge of roof sheathing for water damage.

Examine all roof flashing and the flashing around chimneys, vent stacks, roof edges, dormers, and skylights.

Make sure that the chimney cover (cap) is in good condition, and that it is tall enough to prevent creosote build-up.

Check vents and louvers for free air movement.

Clean screens and remove bird nests, spiders, insects, and dust.

If there are wind turbines on the roof, check ball bearings. Clear gable vents of birds nests and other obstructions.

Check for damaged gutters, downspouts, hangers, and strainers. If needed, clean out gutter and downspouts. Make sure they are free from leaks and rust.

Check the condition of the paint on the gutters.

Examine television antenna guide wires and support straps.

Interior Surfaces

Check all ceilings and walls for cracks, lose or failing plaster, signs of leaks or stains, dirt, and finish damage.

Check for cracks where ceilings join walls and where moldings attach to ceilings and walls.

Check for odor or visible evidence of mold or mildew.

Examine all joints in ceramic tiles and laminated plastics for adequate caulking. Check for discoloration around cracked tiles.

Check caulking around sinks, bathtubs, and showers. Some caulking becomes brittle with age, and therefore loses its effectiveness as a water seal. Replace this caulking with long- lasting resilient caulking material, such as silicone or latex.

Check all floors for wear and damage. Are the floors level, bowed, or do they squeak when you walk on them? Particularly check where one type of flooring material meets another, such as where carpet or wood joins tile.

Check stairs for loose treads, handrails, or carpeting and repair as needed.

Electrical Systems and Fixtures

Check the condition of lamp cords, extension cords, and plugs. Also examine the appliance cords and plugs of vacuums, iron, mixers, washers, and dryers.

Check for exposed wires and signs of wear in the service box. If you have a fuse that blows often or a circuit breaker that trips frequently, call an electrician to determine the cause and make the repair. Mark each circuit so you will know what outlets or appliances are included on each.

If you experience a slight tingling shock when handling or inspecting any appliance or lamp, disconnect the appliance and repair it.

Check places where wiring is exposed, such as in the attic. Look for exposed wires and wires with cracked insulation. Replace those in poor condition.

Check that all appliance cords are in good condition.

If you have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in outlets near sinks, the laundry, the shop, and the garage, be sure to check the GFCI monthly and after an electrical storm.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Have heating and cooling systems checked by a qualified service person at least once a year (before heating/cooling season) or according to the manufacturers warranty and service recommendations. Failure to do manufacturer-recommended servicing may void warranties.

Clean or replace filters. Check your owners manual for recommended procedures. Some filters should be replaced as often as once a month.

Clean dirt and dust from around furnaces, return vents, and supply ducts.

Regularly clean out the fireplace ash pit.

Have the chimney checked each fall before you use it. A build up of creosote and soot can be very dangerous. If you use your fireplace or wood stove regularly, a yearly cleaning is recommended. Seek help from professional fire fighters or chimney inspectors if you have any doubt about the safety of your chimney.

Check the attic to be sure that insulation or other material is not blocking free air flow through soffit vents, gable vents, or other attic vents. If light from the outside shines through each vent into darkened attic, then the vents are clear.

Plumbing Systems

Check faucet and hose connections under sinks and toilets. Look for leaks at shut-off valves, toilets, laundry equipment, and main water shut-off valve.

Check that the water pressure is adequate and that drains run freely.

In the basement or crawlspace, pull back the floor insulation to check for leaks and wood damage around water supply pipes, drains and water closet.

Check sinks, tubs, and showers for proper drainage. Remove hair from drains. When necessary, use a snake or plumbers friend to unstop drains or call a plumber.

Check the pressure relief valve on the water heater. Open it to see that it is working. Check the water heater for signs of leaking or rusting. Some manufactures recommend that a small amount of water be drained periodically from the tank.

Safety Systems

Test smoke alarm systems at least monthly. Replace old batteries.

Test carbon monoxide detectors at least monthly and replace old batteries.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy for use in kitchen and near any wood-burning stove or fireplace. Check the extinguisher gauge for proper pressure.

Keep a flashlight(s) handy and in operating condition.

Keep outside security lighting in good repair. Lighting exterior grounds helps discourage prowlers.

Regular inspection and maintenance of your home will help keep the house in good condition and maintain its value. Doing maintenance and repair as the need arises also keeps small problems from becoming bigger, more costly problems. Having and following a plan for home maintenance and repair will make the job easier. And, finally, a well-maintained house will be more comfortable. Starting with this checklist can help you can identify areas where work may be needed in your home. Once you have reviewed all the items on the list above, you can customize a seasonal checklist for your home and continue your preventive maintenance measures.

Rachel Lockwood is the Family Consumer Science Extension Educator with Pittsburg County OSU Cooperative Extension Service. For more information related to this topic or related FCS programs contact Rachel at 918-423-4120, email Rachel.lockwood@okstate.edu or on Pittsburg County OSU Website http://oces.okstate.edu/pittsburg/ or find Pittsburg County OSU Extension Center or Pittsburg County OHCE on Facebook.

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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LOCKWOOD: Some things to know about preventive home maintenance - Mcalester News Capital

"Brownstones and other historic homes have a lot of charm, but the older construction can make it difficult to efficiently regulate the temperature and air quality," said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing & Heating. "Since June is National Homeowners Month, we want to help New Yorkers know when it's time to consider an HVAC upgrade."

Most air conditioning failures happen in early summer, when the HVAC system is strained by climbing temperatures. The risk of failure increases if the system hasn't had a professional spring tune-up. Today's modern Energy Star-certified HVAC models, however, are more efficient than older systems and offer better performance with less energy and lower costs. In addition, ductless systems, programmable thermostats and zoned HVAC technology can be used to create custom solutions for most homeowners.

Petri Plumbing & Heating advises homeowners to keep these facts in mind when considering whether to repair or replace their HVAC:

Petri stresses the importance of professional consultation and installation.

"A professional will know when to recommend supplemental heating and cooling like ductless mini-splits or zoned HVAC technology to ensure whole-home comfort," he said.

As an essential business, Petri Plumbing & Heating is committed to keeping customers and employees safe while providing exceptional service. The company is practicing social distancing and ensuring technicians sanitize their equipment and work spaces as well as wearing personal protective equipment. Petri Plumbing & Heating also offers Zero Contact Service to reduce the risk of disease.

For more information about Petri Plumbing & Heating, or to schedule a service call, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/ or call (718) 748-1254.

About Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is a family owned and operated business serving Brooklyn and the New York City area. Founded in 1906, the company offers a 100 percent guarantee on all services, upfront pricing, and friendly and knowledgeable Service Experts for all kinds of home and business plumbing and heating needs. Services offered include water and gas pipe leak repair and installation, fixture installations, inspections, boiler repair, water heater installation, complete bathroom, kitchen, laundry & utility room remodeling and more. Petri is also licensed and certified by Green Plumbers USA, the first in New York City to receive this designation. For more information, please visit http://www.petriplumbing.com or call 718-748-1254.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather RipleyRipley PR(865) 977-1973[emailprotected]

SOURCE Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

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Petri Plumbing & Heating offers HVAC advice to owners of older homes as temperatures rise - PRNewswire

HAMPTON, Ga.(BUSINESS WIRE)Josh Williams has been building his NASCAR Xfinity Series career brick by brick over the past few seasons, and the fruits of that labor are finally starting to show themselves.

Williams, whose focus was simply on making races when his tenure began in the series, has now been able to set his sights on a new goal as his performances have improved making the postseason and contending for a championship for the first time.

After a strong start to the Xfinity Series season, Williams and the No. 92 DGM Racing team find themselves solidly in playoff contention through seven Xfinity Series races in 2020, sitting just 15 points behind the playoff cut line heading into this weekends Echo Park 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Man, its so cool to have good runs like weve been having and to be showing good speed every week, said Williams. I think were going to keep these good finishes going and try to get inside the playoffs. Thats a huge goal were shooting for right now and it feels good just to have a shot at it.

Well try and do it without a win, but we still have a few races here superspeedway races at Talladega and Daytona where we can probably put ourselves in contention, Williams added. Right now, though, as long as luck stays on our side and we can prevent things on our end from happening, well do our best to keep these strong runs rolling and keep racking up points. Thats what we need right now.

Through the seven races run so far, Williams has recorded an average finish of 13th, including top-10 runs at Californias Auto Club Speedway (10th) and Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway (ninth), respectively.

The Bristol run marked Williams second-highest finish in Xfinity Series competition, as well as his best on a non-superspeedway track and his best result so far in 2020.

Williams was quick to note that he and his team expected to have those kinds of solid performances even early in the Xfinity Series season, but admitted he wasnt sure just how the points might shake out.

We expected to be in the top 15; I feel like thats where we should be running. I feel like thats a good, comfortable spot for us, and I think weve really shown a lot for what we have and weve even been able to exceed that in some cases here, early on, Williams said. But man, to have these couple races here and do what weve done just shows the speed that we have here. Its awesome.

I really appreciate the things that Mario (Gosselin, team owner) has done in the offseason to try to improve our program, and its showed. Its definitely showing, Williams continued. Hopefully we can keep those good results going.

In an effort to continue the momentum that Williams has built, DGM Racing has added Coolray Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical as the primary sponsor of Williams No. 92 Chevrolet Camaro for this weekends 250-mile event at the 1.54-mile quad-oval located just south of downtown Atlanta.

The Coolray Company of Brands, part of The Wrench Group, is the Atlanta leader in home maintenance and repair services, specializing in heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical and water solution services.

Their brands include Coolray, Mr. Plumber and BriteBox Electrical, and Coolray has served metro Atlanta since 1966, with a staff of more than 450 employees and offices in Marietta, Suwanee and Jonesboro.

Being able to add a locally-based, home-grown sponsor for the Echo Park 250 is something that Williams appreciates, given the tight-knit, family nature of his own squad in the Xfinity Series.

Were really excited to have Coolray and their brands onboard with us for Atlanta this weekend, Williams said. To have them come on for this race in their home market is a big deal for us and for them, and well be working to give them a strong run and build on this foundation weve set for ourselves here over the first month of the season. People are really starting to take notice of what we can do, and we want to keep that trend going into the spring and summer months.

Coolray was scheduled to adorn Williams No. 92 Camaro during the original Xfinity Series date in mid-March, just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the motorsports world to a sudden halt.

After a nearly three-month wait, Coolray President Andy Piercefield is looking forward to seeing the Coolray colors finally hit the race track this weekend with Williams at the controls.

Coolray is proud to have served metro Atlanta since 1966, and we look forward to partnering with Josh and the DGM Racing team as they come to Atlanta this weekend to compete, said Piercefield. This relationship allows us with a unique opportunity to elevate our brands by aligning ourselves with a world-class sport, as well as the most dedicated fans in all of motorsports. Coolray and Carrier are proud to support Josh and the rest of the No. 92 DGM Racing team. We are thrilled to partner with them as they build on their momentum to start the 2020 season and we look forward to an exciting race weekend with the Coolray and Carrier colors on his car.

For more information on Josh Williams, visit http://www.joshwmotorsports.com. Williams Tweets as well, and can be followed on Twitter @Josh6Williams.

For more information on Coolray, visit http://www.coolray.com, http://www.MrPlumber.com or http://www.BriteBoxElectrical.com.

About The Wrench Group

The Wrench Group is a national leader in home repair and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, water and electrical services. The Company collectively serves over 500,000 customers annually in the Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, Naples, Phoenix, Sarasota and Tampa metropolitan areas. For more information, please visit http://www.wrenchgroup.com.

Contacts

Meghann McNally

(678) 784-2260

mmcnally@wrenchgroup.com

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Coolray Partners with DGM Racing and Josh Williams for Atlanta Race Weekend - Collision Repair Magazine

Landon's Heating & AC offers updated services to Lafayette, LA businesses and residents while maintaining assistance to Youngsville and Broussard communities. Providing distinct brands like Trane, the company specializes in energy-efficient heating and cooling units designed with optimal functionality to save customers money

YOUNGSVILLE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2020 / Youngsville-based HVAC contractor, Landon's Heating & AC, announced a variety of updated services for clients located in Lafayette, LA. The company also serves the area of Broussard, LA.

Specializing in energy-efficient brands, and as a certified dealer for Trane Air Conditioning Units, Landon's Heating & AC provides professional heating and air conditioning installation, as well as maintenance and repair services. Working with a team of fully licensed and certified staff, the company brings high-quality air conditioning services of all brands to Lafayette, LA.

More information is available at https://landonsac.com.

With over 20 years of professional experience in the HVAC industry, Landon's Heating & AC is one of the leading contractors in South-Central Louisiana. Reliable and professional service is essential to ensure safety and efficiency, as well as lower the risk of costly maintenance in the future. The company aims to provide quick, efficient, and trustworthy assistance for all prominent brands of air conditioning and heating systems.

In particular, Landon's Heating & AC offers a selection of exceptional energy-efficient units, including the highly-respected Trane brand. These systems use state-of-the-art functionality to provide the most efficient heating and cooling available, all while keeping costs low. Customers looking to save money and upgrade systems, especially as the hotter summer months approach, can request a free, no-obligation quote today.

Updated services available to all Lafayette, LA, customers range from general installation and repairs to full unit purchasing and tune-ups. Whether seeking residential or business assistance, customers can contact Landon's Heating & AC for a professional estimate and diagnosis of any issue or purchasing inquiry.

The city's businesses and residents can now take advantage of all available energy-efficient units, and more. Landon's Heating & AC hopes to support the community of Lafayette by helping its customers to reduce costs and save money while keeping cool.

And knowing that emergencies can occur in the middle of the night, the company offers its services 24/7 for all customers throughout the Lafayette, Youngsville, and Broussard municipalities. Whether units break, malfunction, or simply don't operate as they once did, Landon's Heating & AC can help diagnose and fix issues when they occur. Repairs, new installation, and air balancing are all improvements that can keep homes and businesses running at their best.

A satisfied client said: "Our two-unit system was 25 years old. Landon gave me an assessment of what needed to be done. He took the time to answer my many questions. The job started at 7 am sharp Monday and was complete at 2:30 Tuesday. [Landon's team was] very courteous and professional. They used drop cloths on the floors, moved furniture, and swept the floors when the job was done. We could not be happier with the work they performed. Thanks again."

More information about the services and inventory of energy-efficient units is available at the URL address above.

Contact Info:

Name: LandonEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Landon's Heating & ACAddress: 416 South Larriviere Road, Youngsville, LA 70592, United StatesPhone: +1-337-519-2135Website: https://landonsac.com/

SOURCE: Landon's Heating & AC

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Energy Efficient AC Repair and Installation Updated for Lafayette, LA - Yahoo Finance

The warm weather season is coming fast and cooling homes and businesses will be important. Make sure that the air conditioning system is in good working order before it is needed to avoid a breakdown during the hottest days of the summer. If there is no central air conditioning or if the equipment is old and inefficient, now is the time to have new air conditioning equipment installed to be ready for the record heat forecast for this summer.

Air Conditioning for Summer

Glendora, CA residents should be thinking about getting their air conditioning equipment inspected, serviced, repaired, or replaced before the warmest month of the year catches them unprepared. Air conditioning is a must as the average temperatures for the hot months of the year go up. Warmer temperatures mean air conditioning systems must work harder to keep homes and businesses comfortable. Warmer temperatures also mean that people who have not installed air conditioning will need it now to avoid the discomfort of warmer summers. They can contact https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com for an appointment.

Air Conditioning Equipment Needs Periodic Service

Homeownerswith existing air conditioning equipment should contactAccurate Electric Plumbing Heating & Air to get the equipment inspected and ready for a hot summer. Air conditioners work hard and need maintenance and some repairs to keep going year after year. A small repair now can avoid a large repair or replacement in the near future. Air conditioning equipment is connectedto a home's electrical service and even plumbing lines. It is often combined with the heating system, using the same power source and ductwork.

For this reason, a contractor who offers services for electrical, plumbing, and heating, as well as air conditioning, is the best company to call. While the professionals are checking out the air conditioning system, they can also inspect the related systems to make sure everything is in good working order. Some homeowners may even sign up for a maintenance agreement with https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com/contact/ so that once or more times a year an expert comes to the house to check all systems and perform maintenance and repairs as needed. This might include changing over from heating to cooling in the spring and from air conditioning to heating in the fall.

A Trusted Home Service Contractor

Accurate Electric Plumbing Heating and Air is a dependable choice for all home system repair needs. They have been helping customers since 1989. Their founder, Jeff Seale started offering licensed electrical services and expanded the company as customers demanded additional services. Customers in the service area of Glendora, CA can call this one contractor for every home repair and installation requirement. This company prides itself on providing clean, courteous, reliable, and accurate service every time, for every customer.

A homeowner needs a dependable contractor to call with home emergencies involving their electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems that will come quickly and fix the problem right the first time. Hiring one contractor for everything saves a lot of time and money. Avoiding emergencies with regular service is another great idea for homeowners.

Media ContactCompany Name: Accurate Electric Plumbing Heating & AirContact Person: OwnerEmail: Send EmailPhone: (800) 947-1747Address:734 E Laurel Ave City: GlendoraState: CACountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com

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Homeowners Should Get Their Air Conditioning Units Ready for Summer - Press Release - Digital Journal