It is extremely important to make sure that the contractor that he or she decides to hire has previous and current customers that will provide testimonials as to the competence of the contractor. Prior customers that are happy with the service that they received will be more than happy to provide an individual with a testimonial. Also, asking the company for a list of completed projects and specifications is becoming commonplace. One can obtain the names and telephone numbers of the residents that received the service in order to gain the testimonials.

This reference list should not only have recent projects listed, but also projects from several years prior, so that one is able to also check on how their service stands up to the test of time. From the list, one should also be able to see if the contractor has performed jobs similar to what he or she is needing performed. Construction has many avenues and each job requires a multitude of skills in order to be completed.

This is why it is important to have this list of completed jobs. A contractor that is great at repairing roofs may have no idea how to set a foundation. So, whatever one’s specific job entails, he or she should be sure that his or her chosen contractor is able to perform the job. Project management skills are also important, so look for a contractor whose management skills are impeccable.

Construction workers and contractors should have strong methods in place with regards to planning their projects. If one has any bad impression when speaking with the contractor about the job, it is most likely that he or she will only get the same feeling once the contractor begins work. One wants to be sure that the contractor that he or she hires takes pride in the work that he or she provides.

Always be sure to get a proposal or a quote in writing. All costs associated with the job should clearly be explained along with a detailed time line for the completion of each section of the job. Any architectural blueprints that may have been drawn up in regards to the job should also be given to the customer at this point.

Schedules and payment terms or plans should be clarified prior to the beginning of construction. If the contractor is utilizing the services of any subcontractors, one should be sure to verify the abilities of said subcontractors, as well. It is also important to verify the company’s financial standing, as if the company were to go under in the middle of construction, one would be left with an unfinished job.

If one is sure to follow these guidelines, he or she should be able to find a reputable contractor. JohnstownContractors.com is a great place to start. Be sure, when finalizing one’s choice, that the individual checks with the local Better Business Bureau to be sure the company has no pending lawsuits.

The typical roof has a peak and gabled ends which is the main support system for the structure. Unlike other parts of the home a roof does not have to hold heat unless the structure has been designed as an “open beam” home where the living space goes right up to the peak. In a normal structure the roof system is composed of a system of trusses, triangular supports which hold up the roof decking and provide it with its pitch, or angle. Once this is built in place a roofing contractor puts a crew on the job to install the roofing system that was designed for the home. The type of roof depends upon the climate and the deck that the roof will employ.

Asphalt Shingle Roof
In northern areas one of the most popular roof materials is asphalt shingles. These are composed of a rolled sheet of compressed paper soaked in asphalt cement and stamped into a three-tabbed shingle. Many manufacturers offer fiberglass matt shingles which is lighter and stronger than paper but more liable to break off in a windstorm.

Small ceramic stones are pressed into are of the shingle that will be open to the weather. This covering not only protects the shingle from ultra violet rays and weathering it provides color for the roof. After the shingles have been allowed to set for a few days an asphalt, adhesive strip melts into the bottom of the tabs, gluing the two surfaces together and making the roof a single surface.

One of the drawbacks with three-tab asphalt shingles is that individual tabs can break off in a sever windstorm. In addition they can be corroded by mold, mildew and tree sap which can deplete their useful life from 25 years down to 12 to 15.

Laminate, or architectural, shingles fight weathering, material breakdown and breaking. Architectural roof shingles are composed of two regular shingles glued together to form a heavier, shake-like shingle which lasts longer than the normal ones.

Clay and Concrete Shingles
A clay tile roof system goes back to the early civilizations in Asia and the Middle East but came across the ocean with the Spanish almost 500 years ago. These roof do not require a solid decking like asphalt shingles but need a strong support system of cross-planks called “battens” to hold the heavy clay tiles. These are either nailed or screw on through holes in the edges of the tiles and a special bottom piece prevents rain from being blow up under the tiles.

Pressed concrete tile has provided competition to clay because it is cheaper and lighter. Like clay it is also available in many colors and id installed in much the same way. Both products deflect intense heat that could degrade asphalt after a short time. In addition clay and concrete tiles can be manufactured to look like almost any product including cedar shakes and slate.

Metal Roofing
Steel: The first manufactured metal roofing was galvanized steel and remnants of these can be seen on barns and sheds all over the country. Even though they are orange with rust these old coverings still shed water and provide protection for the structures. Steel went through many changes and now rust protection has reached high proportions with the addition of plastic coatings that also are impervious to ultra violet rays. Unlike clay or asphalt steel will shed snow easier and is completely recyclable. The installation of steel is not complicated and is manufactured to go over battens that are fastened to the roof deck. Like asphalt the top of eaves is protected with tarred felt or rolled roofing to prevent moisture from getting under the roof.

Aluminum: Long a competent roofing material aluminum was originally put on in its natural form. Homeowners became bored with the metallic look but were impressed with the long-lasting nature of the material. Today aluminum is powder-coated with a wide variety of colors. In addition, like steel, aluminum is available in seamless strips to provide an uninterrupted surface from the peak to the eave.

Aluminum shakes are also making inroads into the roofing industry. Made in colored, interlocking pieces this roof becomes a solid surface impervious to wind and other hazards.

Slate Roofing

Slate roofing cost is very expensive but it’s still a popular material in high-end homes. If the roof structure is sound slate will last several lifetimes and many slate roofs have reached the century mark. Because of the nature of the stone each roof has its own look and personality. In addition a slate roof will increase the value of the home more than any other material.

In the past most home homeowners would never have considered hiring a landscape contractor. The old-fashioned Victory gardens had long been covered over in lawn and the buzz of lawnmowers was the sound of a neat yard. Grass was easy to maintain. You fed it twice a year and, in the spring and summer, cut it once a week. Also, a lawn could be edged for flowers or paving stones. Landscape edging was, and still is, a great way to show off other yard features.

In recent times there has been a movement against large areas of grass because of the water, pesticides and fertilizers needed for its maintenance. Water is becoming a scarc e commodity, not only in the dry areas but also in places where it was once thought that water would run forever. In addition, pesticides and chemical fertilizers have been leeching into the water table and causing health problems. Not only do the chemicals harm or kill off good microorganisms in the soil, both on the area where it is applied and beyond as these harmful additives leech into the aquifer.

New techniques in soil enrichment, watering and vegetation placement have put the art of landscaping on the forefront for remodeling a home. Landscaping contractors are not only being consulted by large estates and commercial enterprises, in order to have a beautiful yard that does not infringe on the environment, residential owners are also making changes to their respective backyard landscaping.

Native Plants
Yew hedges and Kentucky bluegrass do not grow wild in most parts of the country so they have to be fed, watered and protected from insects. Now landscapers are looking to the countryside and stocking native species for redistribution into yards where their ancestors once grew free. The reason for this change in thinking is that many of the natural shrub varieties are used to the weather patterns so do not need watering or covering up in winter. In addition many species are either impervious to damage from local insects or have natural scents that repel them so no pesticides are needed. Finally, they will adjust to taking what nutrients they can get from the natural minerals in the ground.

Organic Fertilizers
If you want to find out how much chemical fertilizers harm the environment just go into a hardware store and walk into the garden section. The aroma is overpowering at times and many of these chemicals cause rashes and allergies. Not only are they hard on people they either kill or curtail the work of natural microorganisms that are necessary for natural composting. Organic fertilizer is cheap and easy to use. Many homeowners use last year’s composted leaves and garden waste as a starter for their gardens. In addition most garden centers have dried manure that can be shoveled into bags and brought home.

Water Conservation
We waste a lot of water by using lawn sprinkler systems for hours at a time. In the summer you can walk down any street and see sprayers going during the day and much of this water is being evaporated. In many parts of the country the watering laws are being very strict and wholesale lawn watering is a thing of the past.

Drip Tube Irrigation: This system is composed of a series of perforated tubes buried below the shrubs and lawn that “weep” water. Since almost all the water gets to where it is intended the draw on the water supply is a fraction of surface watering.

Rain Water: A well-placed cistern can capture an amazing amount of water during a light rainfall. If you multiple the square footage of the roof by the amount of rain you can have a reservoir of water before you know it. The water can be piped into the drip tube system for dispersal when needed.

Gray Water: The water from a washing machine, dishwasher, shower and sinks is called “gray water.” new organic detergents have made this gray water eco-friendly and by plumbing it in to the irrigation system you can have a wealth of gardening water without turning on a freshwater tap.

Pot Gardens

For those who do not have a large area to plant flowers or vegetables large pots are a great idea. Care is minimal and a wide variety of flowers and vegetables can be grown in this way. Not only that these pots can be moved around and, when fall comes, indoors.

Gunite Pools
The early swimming pools were solid concrete before a gunite came into vogue. Gunite stands for “dry gunned” concrete. For swimming pool builders, these pools and spas are very labor intensive to build but many are still made this way.

A preferred way of building a gunite pool for a swimming pool contractor is to first have the excavation done. Then forms are built with wood lined with a sealer like tarpaper or plastic. After the forms are up a thick mat of reinforced concrete is tied into the form to the shape of the swimming pool. The gunite process is now initiated.

To start the gunite procedure the operator points the nozzle at the wall and a mixture of sand and cement is powered by an airstream to the nozzle where it is mixed with a spray of water and both are delivered to the walls and floors of the pool. This separation of dry and wet makes the operation easier than trying to push a heavy sludge through the nozzle. After the concrete dries the walls and floors are plastered.

Most commercial pools are gunite but many homeowners choose them as they can be built in many shapes and sizes. In addition, they can choose from finishes, pebble applications or tile while allowing for water features like waterfalls and jungle-style rock spas. A swimming pool builder will take an average of 8-10 weeks to complete a gunite pool with a minimum cost of $37,000 for a 16′ x 32′ pool.

Vinyl Changes the Industry
Putting a vinyl liner on the surface of the pool walls and floor changed the way a pool was made. Pool builders could now make in the ground swimming pools with supporting materials like fiberglass, concrete block and steel and then covered with a vinyl liner. In addition old, leaky gunite pools could be resurfaced with vinyl instead of repairing them. Vinyl surfaces are easier to clean and there are fewer injuries from scrapes with the material. A 16′ x 32′ vinyl pool with steel walls would start at about $17,000.

The nice thing about a vinyl liner is that repairs can be accomplished with a patching kit. However, if the liner gets too tattered then it can be replaced for about $1,000. So even if you replaced a vinyl liner every 5 years you would rarely get up to the price of a gunite pool. And a gunite pool may need resurfacing as well.

Above Ground Pool
If a vinyl liner put the in-ground swimming pool into the backyards of middle-class America then above-ground pools gave everyone the chance. At around $3,000 for a 16′ x 32′ pool and much less for smaller ones almost everyone can have a soak after a hot day at work or throw a pool party. In addition, these are a do-it-yourself project for installation and each kit has a DVD to show step-by-step instructions for the setup. In addition, many include the filter system, cover and a skimmer in the kit as well as a 20-year limited warranty. Because of the price and versatility the above-ground pool is definitely one of the biggest growth areas of the swimming pool industry.

Lap Pools
A relative newcomer to the pool world the lap pool is a way to add a pool to the home for workouts and and pleasure without the expense of a full size swimming pool. Lap pools can be as narrow as 5′ wide but can be as long as 75 feet or as short as 40 feet. In addition, even the long lap pools can be easily place indoors or be a part of the regular-sized swimming pool.

Swim-in-Place Pools
The compact current pools can fit in almost any indoor application that can support the weight. At around 8 feet x 14 feet x 3 1/3 feet deep they are quite compact. How they work is that the swimmer turns on a water flow that emanates from the front of the swim tank and pushes against the swimmer. He or she adjusts the flow from a floating controller, making it go fast or slow depending on the workout that is required. When not being in use as an exerciser it is a nice, small pool to have a relaxing dip.

Sink Styles

Some of the new trends in bathroom design are borrowed from a page in bathrooms in high-end restaurants and hotels. Vessel sinks first gained a foothold in restaurants and are quickly becoming the popular style in homes. A vessel sink can be made of a variety of materials, including hand painted glass, hammered copper, or a natural stone, and rests atop the countertop. In bathroom remodels a vessel sink is typically used above a furniture piece in lieu of a traditional cabinet or pedestal sink. Combined, this can make quite a statement and enhance any decor. New innovative technologies from commercial construction have also found their way into bathroom design. Automatic motion sensing plumbing faucets are in vogue and due to their cleanliness and eco-friendliness they are sure to be around from some time to come. A professional bathroom contractor has insider knowledge on the latest advances in bathroom technology.

Showers and Vertical Spas

It seems that showers are getting larger and more luxurious with each passing month. Walk-in showers, floor to ceiling tiles showers, and showers that wrap around behind the tub are new trends in bathrooms remodels. Many homeowners are installing double heads, body sprayers and ambient lighting to make their shower experience more soothing and relaxing. The latest is home therapeutic treatments is not a jetted tub but a vertical spa. Going a step beyond body sprayers, a vertical spa is a system of water jets with adjustable settings to focus on any muscle group in your body. Vertical spas can soothe aching joints, massage sore muscles, and make your bathroom experience feel like a trip to a four star spa.

Bathroom Design

If budget and space constraints will not allow for a massive bathroom remodel, you can probably better design the space you currently have. A well thought out layout is key to maximizing the area in your bathroom. Empty wall space can be converted with extra shelving and cabinetry. A poorly designed bathtub and shower arrangement can make your bathroom feel cramped. A professional contractor can help you redesign the layout of your bathroom to optimize space and light and create a whole new look.

Moving
But this choice becomes more daunting as the hunt for a new home begins. All of a sudden there is the reality that schools may have to be changed and that their child’s favorite extra-curricular activities will have to be altered or even curtailed. And this is not to mention the act of moving and the disruption of life for maybe months on end.

Sometimes they are successful and can get a place within their cherished realm. However, now comes the part where they have to sell the first house in order to get the new, larger one. So, they luck out and the timing is perfect for walking from one property to the other. Or they face the chilling thought of carrying two mortgages and maybe dumping their old house at less than its value just to lighten the burden.

Remodeling Options for Space
One of the most popular options is to renovate the home to accommodate the enlarging family. A contractor may be called in to go over the options. Because in reality this includes adding a story to the home, adding and addition to the home or turning to a basement finishing contractor. In other words, they can up, sideways or down.

Unlike the other two options going up into the attic requires demolition work. This is basically having a contractor and crew take the top of the home, shingles and frame, and add another one story home on top. This requires the family to move out for period of up to a year and a contracting bill that might equal or best the mortgage for the original home.

An addition requires building “a cottage” out of the original structure. This means pouring a new foundation and, if required, a basement. Utilities have to be brought in laterally – pipes, conduit and ducts – and, in many cases the roof line is altered to accommodate the new portion of the home.

Digging for Dollars
The basement is the most logical place to increase your living area for so many reasons:

• Location: It is already there.
• Infrastructure: The pipes, ducts and conduit are already there.
• No moving: Your family does not have to leave during the basement finishing
• No Structural Changes: House walls nor roof line is changed.
• No Mess: The renovation waste and dust is kept in the basement area.
• Equity: Your home has increased in value.
• Revenue: The space can be constructed so that it can become an apartment or an in-law suite after the kids have gone

Planning

• What Do You Want? The first order of business is to find out exactly what you want in a basement remodel. In other words is there going to be a bathroom, kitchen or both? This will determine the infrastructure considerations such as water, sewer, heat and electrical load.
• Draw It: Now take some graph paper and draw a rendering to scale. This will allow you to visualize the project. For those of you who have a computer there are free programs you can download which will enable you to add cabinets, etc.
• Basement Finishing Contractor: A basement finishing contractor is skilled at making the subterranean are of homes into livable space. You should get 3-4 estimates for this project because it not only helps you define the cost but will solidify the plan that you have. Each contractor will have a different spin on how the project should be done.

Preparation

Clean: The basement needs to be decluttered so you can see where you are going to be working. If need be use a storage rental place. It should be an empty shell before you begin.

Moisture: Being below the ground a basement is a portal for moisture. Cement by its very nature is porous and will absorb water from the earth around it and allow it to infiltrate the air. This is why a basement always seems cool. To alleviate this problem the walls should be sealed and any cracks filled.

Mold and Mildew: If a basement is old there is a chance that there is some mold and mildew. This is especially true if the walls are already covered with wallboard or another covering. The contractor will see that this is taken out and the walls scrubbed with a fungicide. Then the walls will be sealed. However, there are a few old school contractors who might want to put plastic vapor seal on the walls and floors before insulating. If there is the standard vapor seal protecting the fiberglass batts from inside moisture then there will be an air lock which will promote more mold growth. It is best to look to a closed-cell foam spray insulation. This will not only seal the cement it will not provide any surface for mold to grow.

Painting is like playing the guitar. It’s easy to pick out a tune and even get a whole song down but it’s difficult and time-consuming to master. Painting professionals are in business because their clients either don’t have the time or the patience to paint or they simply want a professional job in the quickest time.

Color is a Process

The painting process, like almost every great accomplishment, begins with an idea. It is how you think a space should look. You may see a picture in a home remodel magazine of a kitchen or living room and think, “Hey, that would look good in my home.” This where it starts.

However, before you can start sawing and ripping out the old the whole scenario must work. In other words the kitchen cabinets must match the countertops which must match the backsplash design ideas and so on. These are important components as are the appliances. And while you are deciding what works with what item the underlying shades of the area should be addressed. Because it’s easier to do it at the planning stage than pour through mounds of paint samples trying to choose the one that’s the least offensive!

People Are Getting Bolder
Color and shading are the basics of any design. It used to that colors on the neutral color pallettes were the safe alternative and the building industry met this desire with products that accommodated the reserved tastes in all of us. However, during the past year there has been a change in this so-called “sensible thinking” and homeowners are experimenting with colors in a way not seen since the 1960’s. And this new desire to bring vibrant coloring into areas that used to be reserved for neutral tones is driving the painting industry to bring in new innovations for this growing demand.

For example, Benjamin Moore has brought out colors like Peacock Feathers and Gypsy Pink while Sico has Echinacea Flower (dark mauve) and Saxon Cobalt (blue-purple). These are a far cry from Seafoam Green and Lace Apricot of a few years back although these type of light colors are now being used on the trim.

“Green” Tones
Because people are getting more conscious of the environment this has spilled over into their tastes for coloring. Tones mimicking ferns, palms and other vegetation are making their way into the pallette. The trim is a mixture of medium-browns, tans and different hues of blue which bring the outdoors, indoors, and give the homeowner a sense of nature. Mostly of these colors do best in the bathroom or areas like spa rooms and bedrooms but many people are sporting them in the main living spaces.

Every now and then black and white comes back but this time as enhancing tones for small spaces behind lighting, draperies and mirrors. Metallic finishes and high gloss finishes highlight the other hues. Reds and taupe will also cause this sensation in these areas.

Old Europe
From the walls of the Mediterranean kitchens comes a series of yellows, from drab to bright canary which are meant to go with a cluttered kitchen décor. The sterile European design cabinets, with its banks of stainless steel, is being pushed aside for a more fun approach with cutting boards, mix-and-match for the new kitchen cabinets featuring a seprate style and color on the modules than of the wall units. This also makes room for the reds, terra cotta, marbles and other tones that go with a busy kitchen from Italy.

Textured Paint Techniques
The “faux” revolution is still big in wall covering and the textured results mimic marble and other European designs which can be put over the basic hues. Oriental designs compliments of the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Chinese capital are seeing magentas, purples, reds, turquoise blues, oranges, jade greens and deep blues. A popular texture from this part of the world is two areas of the same paint color but one painted with a regular finish and the other a bright sheen. Satiny textures or regular colors accented with satin and gold-accented drapery maintain the oriental flavors.

Whatever you desire to paint the inside of your home – you’re right. The person to please is you because, unlike a few years back, it will also have a great chance to please others who come into your home. This includes resale where even the buyers are looking for décor that’s bold and exciting and real estate agents and reality shows are giving less advice on how to be conservative for a sale.

So call a painting professional and begin to express yourself.

In the past an electrical contractor started out as an apprentice and this is true today. However, now prospective electrical workers are encouraged to take the first part of their training in school. After this course has been successfully completed the student then applies to the apprenticeship program and an admission board will test the individual on both physical and mental attributes necessary to be an electrician. This includes comfort with heights and high voltage areas because not all people, despite their intelligence, are cut out for this kind of work.

However, intelligence and marks are a big part of acceptance into the program. This is because electricity is not a trivial service for the home. A mistake by a plumber can cause water damage thatmay also lead to structural repairs. However, improperly installed electrical work can lead to death by fire or can kill outright with a high amperage shock. This is why the applicants are screened before being accepted. In school the applicant brushes up on calculus and algebra and must have an understanding pf physics and chemistry. Electronics and mechanical drawing are also taught so that the student gets a well-rounded education in the electrical industry. Once the apprentice has been completed then the person becomes a licensed journeyman

To be an electrical contractor takes years of being an electrician. This also requires experience in electrical construction where the electrician learns the skills required to market his or her skills and to give educated quotes on projects. In addition, there has to be a wide knowledge of electrical processes including signs, telecommunication, large-scale lighting and digital equipment.

For building a home the general contractor will give the blueprints out for quotes by the electrical contractor. The successful bid will have to include all the electrical power applications including, lighting and outlet installation, mechanical systems (furnace, air conditioning), appliance considerations, computer and telephone connections and the electrical panel. Before the power can be turned on there has to be an inspection by a government source. He or she will go through all the systems and then certify that the home has been wired to the satisfaction of the local authorities who decide on the parameters of the electrical code.

Hiring an Electrical Contractor
As with hiring any profession choosing the right electrician is a process. You are paying the money so you have to be sure that the person will perform the task up to the codes of the industry. Referrals are a good place to start but should not be the end-all and be-all. This especially true if your project is not quite the same as your neighbor’s. The internet is another place to find names for your list as is the local building supply places. They will have a list of people to who they sell equipment. They will usually recommend tradespeople who pay their bills promptly and have a good reputation in the industry.

Here is a checklist of what to ask:

• How long have you been an electrician?
• For what kind of electrical work are you presently licensed?
• Are you and your workers insured?
• What is you personal specialty?
• Will you subcontract the work or do it yourself?
• How will you do this project?
• When can you start?
• How long will it take?
• Will you provide the clean-up?
• Do you give a written contract and warranty?
• Will you take out the permits required?
• May I get a list of references?

A reputable contractor will not take offense to any of these requests.

Now is the time to get a sense of how you feel about the contractor. Because when it all comes down to it, you are that person’s partner for the duration of the project and until you are satisfied that the job has been completed. Therefore, you want to feel that you can have a good working relationship with this person.

You can fill in the rest of the blanks with the references that the contractor gives you. By having a short conversation with a former client of the contractor you can get an idea how he or she works. For example, does the electrician work for a few hours and then take off for the rest of the day, not to return until a couple of days later? Or did he or she come for a whole day and then not come back for a week?

In addition, a reputable electrician does not expect to get paid until the job has been completed. Therefore, do not pay in advance regardless of the situation. Paid workers find it hard to return to the job.

One of the best parts about new home building is getting to choose many of the inclusions such as windows, doors, interior décor and other forms of customizing. However another way in which homeowners can benefit from building a new home is to provide a heating system that will save them money for many years to come.

Energy-Efficiency is the New Code
With energy costs on the rise again many prospective homebuilders are looking toward making the home as energy-efficient as possible. New building methods such as insulated concrete forms, structural insulated panels and thick foam insulation has made the newer homes almost impervious to changes in the temperature outside. However extremes in temperature will require that even the best-insulated homes will need to have a either a heating or air conditioning system, or both.

Heat Pumps
Heat pumps have been growing in popularity for the past thirty years. In essence they are operate like a refrigerator taking energy out of the air to provide either heat or cold, depending what is required. In most parts of the country heat pumps can be switched over depending on the season. For example, in the summer a heat pump can be used as an efficient air conditioning system, one that also can take the moisture from the air if required. In the winter the system becomes an efficient heater capable of providing heat down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that mark most models rely on a back-up system like gas or electric power.

Geothermal heat pumps are not constricted by changes in the weather because instead of taking heat and cold from the sir – which is constantly changing in temperature – the consistency of the below-ground temperature or water well is used. Both water and the ground can provide as much heat or cool air as is needed 365 days of the year.

Both types of heat pumps can drive either a forced-air system or a hydronic system.

Condensing Gas Furnaces
Natural gas used to be relative cheap, so much so that the old, inefficient furnaces were built the same way for decades. Today’s gas furnaces are engineering marvels, heart sources that draw as much heat from a the fuel that is physically possible. In fact many models are up to 97% efficient.

The key to the success of the new gas furnaces is that there is a second heat exchanger above the first. As the burned gas cools it releases more heat into the second heat exchanger by condensing into liquid form, which is drained off. In this way more heat ends up in the plenum for distribution to the home and not up the chimney. Other innovations such as precision valves and electronic motors to run the blower fan reduce the overall energy consumption. Condensing gas furnaces can also be used as efficient boilers for in-floor heating systems.

Solar Hot Water and Air Heating
In colder areas of the “Lower 48″ the sun is still very strong for a few hours a day. In fact two hours of direct sunlight can provide enough energy to heat a home through hot water and even hot air. Vacuum tubes in an array on the roof magnify the sun’s energy and transfers it to glycol. This heated coolant is then pumped into a storage tank for dispersal throughout the home. Sometimes it is used to pre-heat hot water tanks.

Hot air systems are becoming more prevalent as well. In fact, southward facing solar rooms capture the heat in ceramic tiles and a fan disperses the heat throughout the home. Heat can be stored in the ceramic for hours.

Off-Peak Electric Thermal Storage
In most states the power companies offer programs to sell surplus power to its customers at drastically-reduced prices. However, the excess power is usually available during the hours of 11pm and 7am and weekends. This works well for washing clothes or setting the timer for the dishwasher for 1:00am. But how does this help home heat? The hot water tank can be set to shut off during prime time and the occupants can still shower with hot water.

ETS (Electric Thermal Storage) units are cabinets loaded with ceramic bricks. Also included are heating coils that surround the bricks. A microprocessor switches on the electricity during the times when power is cheap then shuts the unit off during peak times. During the time of high prices for electricity a small fan circulates the stored heat from the ceramic bricks throughout the home. ETS heating can also be utilized in a central heating capacity just like a standard electric furnace.

Water Supply
The water supply begins with a pipe coming into the home from either a municipal source or a private well. Pressure propels water through the pipes which is why you can get the same pressure – 35 to 85 pounds on average – in the upstairs bathroom as you can in the basement. The temperature of this water is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and for hot water it has to be heated in a water heater. Any type of water heater can be installed quite easily but it takes a gas plumber with a certification to put in a tank heated with natural gas. The water supply is controlled with a water shut-off valve that is usually situated in the basement or storage room

Wells
If the home relies on well water the system is pressurized in a holding tank for distribution throughout the home especially an upstairs bathroom. There are two basic types of wells: dug and drilled.

Dug Well: A dug well is the old, traditional style which was dug by hand until water began filling up the bottom of the hole. Then the diggers dug down until the water coming in exceeded the rate a man could empty it baling by hand. Then the sides were reinforced with stones. Later, electricity made it possible to pump water into the home when it could be stored in a tank. When the tank got low a trip mechanism started the pump and let it take water until it was full.

Drilled Well: A newer innovation these wells, also called “bored wells,” are drilled with bits. As each length goes down another section of pipe is added. When water is struck a meter measures the rate and the drilling continues until a certain gallon-per-minute rate is reached. The well is then capped off and a submersible pipe is lowered. An umbilical cord of wiring relays both electricity and signals to the pump directing it to go on when the pressure in the holding tank is low.

Sewer
Waste, both solid and liquid, needs to be drained from the home and the municipal authorities provide a drainage pipe which, in most cities, flows to a sewage treatment center. This includes all the wasted from toilets, garbage disposals and “gray water,” the drainage from showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwater. In some areas where water is at a premium this water is saved, treated and used either for toilets or irrigation of outdoor lawns and shrubs. There are two main types of sewage disposal: Municipal; and Septic Tank.

Municipal Sewer: Up until the 1840’s almost every home had an outhouse in the back yard, even the wealthy. The invention of indoor plumbing allowed plumbing entrepreneur, Thomas Crapper, to exploit the indoor flush toilet and soon indoor toilet plumbing became the rage. The waste went right into the London sewers and into the Thames but it was still a marvel at the time.

Today sewage disposal has been mechanized in some places the solids are composted. However, it takes a licensed plumber to set it properly: drainage, traps, pressure.

Septic Tank: The septic tank provided rural people to do away with outdoor toilets. In effect it is a holding tank that allows bacteria to break down the solids so that it can drain out into a leaching field. Homes using this method must be careful a out what they put into the septic tank because even laundry detergents can kill off the anaerobic bacteria cause the system to clog or overflow. In all cases a septic tank has to be pumped out every few years because sludge will develop.

New Home Plumbing
Proper plumbing installation of a new home is performed license by a licensed plumber under the plumbing contractor’s watchful eye. The architect or designer will have a set of construction plans for the plumber to go over and decide what bid to tender based on the work and the materials involved. Heating and plumbing can be two different trades but both overlap to a certain extent. For example, you will find both a plumbing contractor and a eating specialist both putting in a hot water heating system and an on-demand water heater. As well, the gas company will have their own gas plumber to hook up the system to the main line but a residential plumber will have it all set to go.

Go With a Professional Plumber
In most cases a plumbing problem is an emergency and plumbers are ready to respond. This is the big part of plumbing: to help homeowners in trouble. In other cases their speed and diligence are required in new home building. Builders need plumbing completed on schedule by licensed plumbers because plumbing installation has to be completed before the interior walls of the home can be put in. In many cases the building contractor will have the name of the plumber who installed home system and many problems can be rectified quickly by the source contractor.