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Do you have an area in your home that is difficult or impossible to read in? Proper distribution of light in a home or work environment is essential. With the growing trend towards energy efficiency and CFL and LED bulbs, task lighting is becoming essential.
Last year we lost the 100 watt incandescent bulb and this year the 75 watt build will disappear and then you can say goodbye to the 60 watt bulb. Once again Congress is making decisions for us, but that problem is a whole other article.
With this fading of the incandescent light bulb and the increased use of LED bulbs and the CFL bulb, which I view as the 8 Track of bulbs, I have noticed a new and growing need in the marketplace, task lighting. The reason for this is that the CFL and the incredibly energy efficient LED bulbs do not yet have the lumens (intensity) of incandescent light bulbs, and a house laid out for conventional lighting, with incandescent lighting, when re-lamped with CFL or LED bulbs has areas that become dark spots. Some of these areas need to have light for us to function in our daily lives.
Designers of new space and newly built homes must take into account the loss of lumens that comes with the energy efficient bulbs and add more general lighting or add task lighting to compensate for that loss of lumens. Of course every time you add something it comes with a cost. In this case that would mean additional electrical openings and light fixtures.
Recessed cans can be installed to illuminate a particular area, that is home for a couch or reading chair but then that furniture is “locked into” that location. Portable lights with adjustable arms are a great solution as well as lamps. Both these solutions can work quite well but will need a close electrical receptacle (in the floor) or have an unsafe electrical extension cord running across the room.
The kitchen is an easy fix with some under cabinet lighting illuminating the workspace. Usually the bathroom will not be affected by re-lamping. The bedroom is another potential area. Reading in bed could be a thing of the past without a desk style lamp placed somewhere on the headboard.
As you can see re-lamping your existing fixtures with energy efficient bulbs can create a few new problems, but with a little thought, and planning a reasonable solution can be found and applied.
To avoid the nasty sewer gas smell in your home you should check the trap in your floor drains in your house to make sure they have water in them. The water forms a seal that keeps the sewer gas on the pipe side and out of your home. You should have floor drains in the laundry room, near the hot water tank, and furnace. Also there is one in the basement. Do not forget to check the tub or shower drain if it has been months since it was used.
To the left is a simple drawing of a trap. The trap itself is buried below the floor, but you can see how it uses water to form a seal and keeps the sewer gas smell out of your living space. To inspect it and add water simply remove the cover or grate and shine a flashlight into the pipe and look for the water level. It won’t hurt anything if you pour a cup or 2 of water into the pipe. If the water level remains the same it’s full and your job is done.
There is an old trick which has you pouring a cup of vegetable oil into the drain. The thought behind it is that the oil will float on top of the water and the water will not evaporate, keeping the break/seal in place. My question is, have you ever smelled rancid vegetable oil? Not a pleasant smell. I recommend sticking with the water and checking it spring and fall
Have you ever cooked bacon or fish in your home and the smell lasts for days? Proper ventilation in the kitchen can greatly reduce if not eliminate that problem. I this article we will discuss the proper guidelines for selecting the proper ventilation system.
Most of you are familiar with the exhaust fan over the stove. Some are individual units and some are combined with the microwave. These types of units allow for 2 types of ventilation. The first being removing air from the cooking area and blowing it outside, and the second is absorbing the air running it through some filter and replacing it into the room. The correct method is to remove the air from the kitchen and exhaust it outside.
A typical range is 30” wide and so is the range hood or microwave combination unit. Also most units are approximately 16” deep. Most manufacturers suggest a hood extend 3” past the end of the range and is 21” deep. Secondly we have to consider air movement, or the amount of air the fan is capable of removing. Air movement is expressed in CFM’s, cubic feet per minute.
There are 2 ways to correctly size the fan. The first method is to allow 1 CFM of air flow for every 100 BTU’s of heat output of each appliance. The second is to allow for 15 ACH (Air Changes per Hour). To calculate that you would use the formula width x length x height= cubic feet/4. Then multiply by 15 ACH and divide by 60 minutes = total CFM’s needed.
In a normal home kitchen the amount of air being removed will not cause a problem. In larger homes with commercial style stoves and ovens and consequently larger exhaust hoods can remove a large volume of air from the room. This can cause the gases from a nearby fireplace flue, or even extinguish pilot lights on a stove, water heater, or furnace. This phenomenon is called back drafting, and can cause serious situations and even death. For this reason it is very important to have the system properly sized and in some circumstances make up air will have to be introduced into the space. This makeup air can be brought into the space simply by undercutting all the doors 1” to allow air for other areas of the home to “make up” the deficiently, or in some cases additional air from the exterior will have to be brought into the pace through the HVAC system.
It is always better to error on the side of safety and do your homework, consult a local building official or a HVAC technician that has the background to properly size the unit, before you attempt it.
Universal design is a relatively new term and as such many homeowners don’t really understand what it is and what it isn’t. Simply stated, universal design isn’t just for disabled persons. It makes all of our lives easier, through the use of products and design, no matter what your age or physical condition is. Universal design is a style of building or remodeling that can include, design specific ingredients such as aging in place, smart home technology, and space planning.
Let me use a few examples that we all can relate to. Remember back when you had to carry your books to school? Along came the style of backpacks that allowed you to carry all your books, laptop and even your lunch easily. From that simple design idea the front-pack baby carriers were developed, both of which are a form of universal design, once again making life easier for everyone. Another example of a universal design product we all can relate to are the small wheels that are installed on suitcases. These wheels applied to the bottom of our suitcases allow you to haul your luggage through an airport or hotel hallway with greater ease.
If we take a look at universal design in our homes we can find many examples that a mere 10 years ago were absent from our home. Although some of which may have been used commercially or in situations where you were building or remodeling for disabled persons. Infrared sensors on faucets and hand dryers are just such examples, as are infrared sensors on toilets.
Looking at the inroads smart technology has made into universal design is as easy as looking at your HVAC system. You can now turn your HVAC system on and off and even adjust the temperature from your smart phone or laptop. You can monitor your alarm system from your smart phone and receive text messages when an alarm is tripped or be notified when a predetermined event takes place such as low temperature or sump pump failure.
Certain types of lighting controls fall under universal design, such as dimmers, and I am sure we all have walked into a bathroom and had the light go on magically. Obviously it was controlled by a wall switch that senses motion and turns on, and after a predetermined amount of time turns the lights off, once again making life easier and additionally saving energy. Door bell intercom systems that ring to the phones in the house are yet another example of universal design.
I am sure you can think of examples in your own life and home that fall under the universal design umbrella, making our lives easier. If you think about it, isn’t that the need that the vast majority of invention address, making our life easier and more comfortable.
I have written a few articles about proper kitchen design principles in the past. Those kitchen design principles have stood the test of time and are as valid today as they were 30, 40, or even 50 years ago. Add Universal Design for kitchens. As I have previously written universal design is a concept that holds within it any product, space, planning, or design that makes life easier or functions more efficiently. If you need examples please refer to my other articles on universal design. Please remember universal design is not just for disabled people. If you are designing for a disabled person and/or a wheel chair bound person please refer to the ADA guidelines for kitchen design.
The kitchen is arguably the most used and therefore the busiest room in the entire home. It has become a room that not only meals are prepared in, but homework is completed there, bills are paid, lunches packed and pets are fed. The kitchen also seems to attract everyone during any type of social gathering. So it is natural that we turn to universal design in the kitchen and make our life easier.
Counter Tops should be smooth and easy to clean. I never understood the grouted tile counter-tops, a real nuisance to keep clean, not to mention rolling out a pie crust, lest I digress. If you use contrasting colors between the counter-tops and other items it will help visually impaired persons see where one stops and another starts.
Flooring should be easy to clean and slip resistant. If you spend a lot of time standing you will prefer to use a softer material, rather than stone or ceramic tile.
Cabinets should be designed so the heaviest items are stored in the upper lower cabinets or the lower upper cabinets. The average woman is tall enough to comfortably reach into the bottom shelf of the upper cabinets. All the shelves should be adjustable and fit snugly. Door and drawer hardware should be large enough so everyone can slip 2 or 3 fingers behind it to operate.
Microwaves and Ovens should be installed so you can easily remove hot items safely. If you do any heavy cooking in a microwave, an over the stove installation is not the way to go. The same can be said for stack ovens, they should be installed side by side, with the bottom at about 30” from the finished floor.
Faucets like the type in doctors’ offices are the best and can be turned on and off without using your fingers, they can be pushed or pulled with the side of or a cupped hand. I am not a fan or the push button or touch faucets, too expensive to purchase and repair.
Lighting should be task orientated. If you have an island hang lights directly over it. If you will be working on the wall counter then install under cabinet lighting. All lighting in the kitchen should be installed with dimmers, so everyone can use the brightness that is the most comfortable for them.
Appliances are a tough one. Standard sizes have been around forever and are not going to change anytime soon. The dishwasher is an appliance that needs to be raised about 12” off the floor. Obviously doing this would require a taller base cabinet and change in counter height, but what if you installed the microwave over the dishwasher in a pantry style cabinet?
As you can see incorporating some universal design features into you existing kitchen can be easily completed. Others require extensive remodeling and will have to wait. Whatever features you choose to incorporate will undoubtedly make your life easier.
The SSHBA )southwest suburban home builders association) and the HBAGC (home builders association of greater chicago) are happy to present a Trades and Suppliers Showcase. We welcome all trades and suppliers to rent a tabletop and show off their product or service to home builders. All vendors will also be listed in a Trades directory that will be in the monthly………. to see more details
Foreclosures for January 2013 in the 6 county Chicago region increased 10% over December 2012. A total of 3,778 homes in Will, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendal and Lake counties received default notices in January. These numbers are substantial and tell us that it’s not over yet. Housing in this area is improving but with unemployment remaining around 8% people are still left with few options but to let their home enter into foreclosure.
The tax and spend philosophy, coupled with the mass of regulations, that drive the cost of doing business up and up under the current administration continues to do very little to actually stimulate the economy. Also with Obama-care looming large companies are cutting back full time employees to part time. I doubt that this administration will ever get it, it being how to effectively stimulate the economy…. more on this subject later….
Since flat screen televisions have gained in popularity, mounting them to the wall has become the way to go. A common question is how high do I mount the it? In researching this subject, it seems like everyone has an opinion. The chart below will give you all the information to will need to mount your television to the wall. The chart assumes you are seated while watching tv.
Visit the Contractor John Youtube channel, ContractorJohn1, to watch a How To install a wall mount TV video.
| Television Screens | Viewing Distance Range | Mounting Height |
| 26” Flat Screen TV | 3’3” to 6’5” Middle 4’10” | 49” To Center |
| 30” | 3’8” to 7’6” Middle 5’ 11” | 53” To Center |
| 34” | 4’3” to 8’5” Middle 6’4” | 54” To Center |
| 42” | 5’3” to 10’5” Middle 7’10” | 59” To Center |
| 46” | 5’8” to 11’5” Middle 8”4” | 60” To Center |
| 50” | 6’3” to 12’5” Middle 9’1” | 62” To Center |
| 55” | 6’8” to 12’8” Middle 9’4” | 63” To Center |
| 60” | 7’5” to 15’ Middle 11’3” | 66” To Center |
| 65” | 8’1” to 16’3” Middle 12’1” | 69” To Center |
| Or You Can UseTV Viewing Distance Formula | VD = TVS/.55 | VD= Viewing DistanceTVS = Television Size |
| TV Mounting Height Formula | MHC = ELH +(VD *.22) | MHC = Mounting Height CenterELH = Eye Level Height
(Measure in viewing chair) VD= Viewing Distance |
You’ve conquered your house, your home office, and your car, and you’ve mastered the art of scheduling and cooking in bulk. But your garage is still a cluttered and unorganized mess. As with everything else, a neat and organized garage is attainable with just a little elbow grease and some simple storage solutions.
First, get a handle on the mess by moving everything out to sort through what goes and what stays. Large, clear plastic containers can help you do this. They’re great for clearing away the clutter and then using for storage. Be ruthless with yourself during the sorting and purging process. Don’t keep paint from a project two years ago, and if you have parts to things you no longer have, get rid of those parts as well.
Consider adding several storage cabinets to your garage. The big home improvement stores have great displays featuring creative garage storage systems. You don’t have to buy the entire system; just a few pieces will help tremendously. Look for units that offer keyed locks, so you’re able to store poisonous materials and sharp tools out of children’s reach.
The garage is also where most of your kid’s sporting goods and outdoor toys are stored. To keep bats and balls, frisbee s, etc. organized, purchase a hamper-style organizer. Designate a section for each child. Bicycles can be hung up to free up floor space. Add a bin or shelf outside to store messy, muddy shoes as well.
Find a workable storage solution for all the little things in your garage. Organize bolts, screws, nails, fasteners and other small parts into small clear containers so you can easily see what each contains. Organize into steady stacks or consider installing a shelving unit to house these out of the reach of small and curious fingers. A thrifty solution is to re-purpose plastic food jars with screw on lids. Simply take a 1×4 or 2×4 for a longer span and secure the jar lids to the bottom of the 2×4, leaving room between so your hand can fit to screw the jar to the lid. There you gave an inexpensive and easy way to see what is in the jars storage solution
For long-handled items, such as rakes and shovels, there are many systems you can reasonably purchase that anchor to the wall and eliminate the clutter Pegboard or a newer product called slat board can also be installed on garage walls, and can be a simple solution for hanging items such as rakes or shovels out of the way. Large deep hooks are perfect for hanging a ladder and bikes can be hung and kept off the garage floor as well.
Now that you’ve practiced on your house, your office and your car, organizing your garage is a snap with a little creativity, some hard work, and a well thought out plan.
Now that you’re getting the knack for organizing your home and your life, maybe you find yourself in need of a little extra inspiration, some fresh ideas, or maybe would just like to connect with like-minded people. There are many different websites that can provide a wealth of information, from ideas and tips, as well as providing a place where people can go and share their own ideas, mistakes, and offer support to one another. Let’s talk about some of the best sites for this kind of information on the World Wide Web.
Visit FlyLady.net for tips on how to conquer the clutter in your life and how to overcome the CHAOS factor, which stands for Can’t Have Anyone over Syndrome. This group teaches you how to use an organizational journal and encourages you to shine your kitchen sink often. Followers are often referred to as FlyBabies, and the group is currently over 300,000 members strong. Visit this site at www.flylady.net.
Large comprehensive websites such as www.ivillage.com, www.msn.com, and www.yahoo.com all have a wealth of articles and advice available for you on many different topics to help your home and life run more smoothly. Yahoo has a large following in their user groups section. You can find a group interested in everything. There are yet other groups out there that you can sign up for online to become a member or to chat with people. There are various message boards available that you can post ideas, tips and suggestions on for other readers and get feedback.
If you’re looking for websites that offer ingenious organizational and time-saving products, there are plenty of them to be found on the internet. LillianVernon.com , HarrietCarter.com, Rubbermaid.com and Kitchen-Plus.com all offer innovative and unique ideas for your home, office and car.
Various newsgroups and e-mail newsletters abound on the internet. Take some time and find a few of them that you have found to be useful, and subscribe to them so you’re always sure to get the latest time-saving tips and organizational ideas.
September 15th, 2011 
Contractor John 