New Regulations on Lead-Based Paint
 The use of lead-based paint in home application was banned in the U.S. in 1978. Prior to this, lead was commonly added to paint as it increased the durability of the paint, shortened drying time, and helped the paint resist moisture and corrosion. As of April 2010, all contractors that work in a potential lead-contaminated environment must be certified by the EPA to do so. If you’re considering remodeling an older home, you should be aware of the dangers of possible lead poisoning due to exposure to lead-based paint. Remodeling activities, such as sanding or removal of lead-based paints, can create dangerous dust and paint chips. Ingestion and inhalation are the most common ways for lead to enter the body. Lead poisoning can lead to permanent developmental and behavioral problems in children who are exposed at ages younger than six, but it affects the health of adults as well. Even a small amount of lead in your system can lead to a wide variety of health issues, such as reproductive problems, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and convulsions. Pregnant women can transfer lead to their unborn child. Even pets are susceptible to lead poisoning. If you aren’t sure about the lead content of the paint in your home, there are several steps you can take to find out. If your home is old enough, you may just want to assume that the paint is lead-based. If your home was built before 1940, there’s an 87% chance that it contains lead. A building constructed between 1940 and 1960 has a 69% chance of containing lead, and a building built between 1960 and 1978 has only a 24% chance. Lead test kits, which are are available at your local hardware store, can be used to determine the lead content of existing paint. Make sure the test you purchase has been approved by the EPA. Another option is to hire a certified inspector to determine which areas of your home contain lead-based paint.
While work is being done, be mindful of your family’s exposure to lead. Consider the area where work is being done off limits or stay somewhere else temporarily. - Do not enter and exit your home through work areas.
- Ensure that work areas are entirely sealed off from the rest of the house, including ductwork.
- Turn off heating and air conditioning.
- Securely cover furniture that can’t be moved.
- Ensure a thorough cleanup.
If you have lead paint in your home, be sure to work with a certified contractor to ensure proper removal. Ask to see their certification. Before work begins, review plans with your contractor on how they plan to confine dust to the work areas and ensure proper cleanup after the work is completed. Know the facts before you start. Get more information by calling
1-800-424-LEAD, or visit www.epa.gov/lead.
Home Energy-Saving Investments When we think of energy-saving investments to our homes most of us think of big projects. Indeed, there are some big-ticket items you should consider that can increase the energy efficiency of your home. But there are also many smaller projects that cost little and that can go a long way in cutting energy costs and help the planet too. Start small and let the savings work for you.
Close air leaks in your home - A tube of caulk costs little but can save as much as 30% of your energy bill. Seal gaps around window and door frames, and holes in floors, ceilings, and attics that allow pipes, cables, and electrical connections to pass through. Seal windows or doors that don’t close completely with foam tape or weather stripping. Install automatic door closers on storm doors. Insulate your attic floor and basement ceiling.
Maintain heating and air conditioning systems - Air filters that are clogged with dust degrade the performance of heating and air conditioning systems—change them often. A yearly maintenance service agreement can help keep these systems running at top performance. Move furniture in your home away from air vents to allow free air movement.
Change your energy “habits” - Unplug cell phone chargers, appliances, and other electronics when not in use. Utilize sleep mode on your computer. Lower the setting on your hot water heater to 120 degrees F. Air dry laundry when possible.
Consider the following long-term energy-saving improvements as well. If you’re worried about funding these higher priced investments, consider a Home Equity Line of Credit. Don’t forget the energy tax credits if you make qualifying energy-efficient improvements in 2010.
Solar panels - Solar panels can be expensive to install but can result in significant savings, especially if you plan to be in your home long term. Solar power can provide electricity to a bank of batteries or used to heat water. If you’re considering installing solar panels, visit findsolar.com to determine whether it is feasible in your area.
New windows and doors - Replacing old single-pane windows with double-pane, especially double-pane metallic-coated “low-e” glass windows, can reduce your energy consumption. You should also consider replacing your exterior doors. Not only will you benefit from the energy savings, but you will increase curb appeal. New windows and entry doors can save you several hundred dollars per year in heating and cooling costs, depending on where you live.
New heating and air conditioning - Replacing your old HVAC systems can shave up to $200 from your annual bill, particularly if your unit is more than ten years old. Advances in heating and cooling technology, and new systems like residential geothermal units, give homeowners many options.
Not sure what to do? Contact your home improvement professional for additional information and ideas specific to your home.
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Remodeling Trends for the New Year
 Remodeling trends have changed recently in light of the troubled economy and the strong focus on greener living. The new catchphrase in remodeling is “smart, sustainable luxury.” When people update or upgrade their homes, they’re opting for smarter rather than bigger. Building with eco-friendly materials, choosing more efficient appliances, but not skimping on luxury. Homeowners are turning their home from a place to stay into a place to live.
Outside the home, an outdoor living space has become a necessary extension of indoor living space. Renovating the yard from lawn to paved party area expands entertainment space. Fire pits make outdoor entertaining in the colder months possible, and outdoor kitchens and bars bring the functionality of the house out into the yard. The addition of pools, hot tubs, and saunas multiplies the activity options available and creates a sanctuary of life and rejuvenation. Outdoor entrances are receiving more attention these days. Gone are the old concrete sidewalk paths. New stone pavers lead visitors to entrances that have been updated with stonework, columns, and covered porticoes. Upgrades to front exterior spaces can add curb appeal and value and set the home apart from the competition. Indoors, kitchens are still the heart of the home and rank high on most renovation lists. New kitchens are designed with entertaining in mind. The kitchen space is traditionally the greatest energy consumer and waste producer in the home. New high-efficiency appliances dramatically reduce energy usage in the kitchen. Built-in composters turn food scraps into useful fertilizer for gardens or houseplants. In keeping with the trends toward greener living, many updated finish choices are also available. These can range from expensive stone and granite to synthetic materials that offer the look and durability of stone at a fraction of the price. Wood finishes have also changed. Many older building materials, such as medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or pressboard, can give off harmful chemicals. Recycled or sustainable woods with eco-friendly finishes and nontoxic paints have become popular choices. Master bedrooms and baths have changed from utilitarian spaces to private getaways. No longer a place to just wash up, the master bath can be upgraded with luxuries like doorless showers with multiple shower heads, spa tubs, heated flooring, and other spa-like comforts. Tankless water heaters offer a continuous supply of hot water for quiet baths or long, hot showers, as well as dramatic energy cost savings.
The Internet, wireless communications, and other advancing computer technologies have freed many people from having to go into the office every day. Dedicated home office suites provide both the necessary separation from home life that is required for productivity and a stress-free commute.
Living/family rooms have evolved into flexible entertainment areas that do more than provide a place to sit and watch TV. As the interactivity levels of video-game systems increases, more space is needed to jump, run, ski, and exercise.
Let your home-improvement specialist help you update your space. Click Here to Read More
ANDY OnCall Birmingham Wins 4 Awards!
"ANDY OnCall Birmingham has received the Golden Hammer, Silver Nail, and Bronze Saw awards, which recognize their efforts in sales and production. They have also received a Super Service Award for both the Handyman and Roofing categories." Thank you for allowing us to help you with all your handyman needs. We couldn't have won these awards without our loyal customers.
2010: Don't Miss Out on Home Improvement Tax Credits
 In early 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was enacted as part of a plan to stimulate the economy. The bill grants tax credits to homeowners who make specific home improvements during 2009 and 2010 that meet certain energy-efficiency guidelines. If you made home improvements in 2009, make sure that you have what you need to claim the credits on your 2009 taxes. If you missed out in 2009, these credits still apply for 2010. Start planning now so that you can take advantage! Here are some of the basics; for detailed information go to to energystar.gov/taxcredits. - The eligible improvement must be placed in service or work must be completed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
- A maximum of $1,500 can be claimed for qualifying products.
- You must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement for the product in order to qualify. Save receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement; for new windows, keep the Energy Star label.
- Improvements must be made to your principal residence. However, certain products also qualify for second homes.
- Claim improvements made in 2009 on your 2009 taxes using IRS Tax Form 5695.
- Tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters are not available for new homes. Certain other improvements do qualify for new homes.
Items that are eligible for the tax credits include: - Exterior windows, skylights, storm windows, and doors that have a U factor below 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, of less than 0.30.
- Certain types of insulation – specific lifespan and warranty requirements apply
- Energy Star brand metal or asphalt roofing – specific lifespan and warranty requirements apply
- Central air conditioning
- Furnaces – either natural gas or propane
- Heat pumps
- Hot water boilers
- Hot water heaters – either gas, oil, or propane
- Biomass stoves
- Photovoltaic solar panels
- Wind energy systems
- Residential fuel cells and micro-turbine systems
All qualifying products must meet certain energy-efficiency levels; thus, not all products qualify for the tax break. Only those with higher energy efficiency ratings are eligible, and these products typically cost more than standard products. Also remember that the $1,500 maximum (as a percentage up to 30% of the cost of the upgrade) is cumulative for ALL improvements. If you’re thinking about making home improvements this year, the time is definitely now! Your home improvement professional can provide you with additional information on qualifying products and exceptions. Click here to read more.
Freshen up your Home's Exterior
A fresh exterior can make your home seem new again. It can relieve you of the hassle of constant painting, provide greater curb appeal, offer energy savings, and enhance the value of your property. There are lots of reasons to consider changing your home’s exterior, but how do you know if you need new siding? Here are some indications: - There are damaged sections that need repair.
- Existing siding requires excessive maintenance.
- Your home needs additional insulation (certain rooms in your home are too warm or too cold or you have areas of blistering wallpaper or peeling paint). New siding can increase the insulating ability, or R-value, of your home.
- Existing siding has dry rot, insect damage, staining, shows uneven weathering, buckling, or decay.
If you decide to replace your home’s exterior, there are a number of things to consider. What look do you want? Do you want your home to stand out or blend in? What’s your budget? How long will you live in your home? What type of climate do you live in?
Click here for an overview of the most popular choices.
Have You Taken a Good Look at Your Roof Lately?
Most roofing materials (such as ceramic, natural slate and fiberglass-based asphalt) have a lifespan of about 20 years. But, this can vary widely depending on the type of roof you have, where you live, and the weather conditions in your area. So how do you know if you need a new roof?Inspect your roof periodically from the outside. Don't walk up on the roof; you can do more damage that way. Get a pair of binoculars and look for any of the following problems: - Blistered, curled, or split shingles.
- Loose, broken, or missing shingles or tiles.
- Loose or exposed nails.
- Dark patches on asphalt shingles or large amounts of granules in the rain gutters (this indicates advanced wear).Sagging on the ridges or in the center of the roof.
- Rusty or corroded metal flashing.
- For flat roofs, look for blisters, depressions near vent pipes, separations in the flashing, and clogged drains.
Also inspect your roof from your attic. Check for the following problems: - Sagging decking between the rafters.
- Outside light that can be seen through the roof (check with a roofing professional—this may notsignal a problem in all types of roofs).
- Signs of leaking in the attic (dark spots in the wood, especially around vents, chimneys, and other holes to the roof). Test dark spots with a screwdriver to see if they are old or new problems. The spot will be wet or soft if it is a current problem. Wet spots may not be directly under the actual leak; water travels to the lowest point before dripping. Bacteria, fungi, and mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours.
- Signs of leaks (usually in the form of water stains or sagging ceilings)—these may be caused by an active leak in the roof or by condensation resulting from poor roof ventilation.
- If you have wooden shakes, look for damage from termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-boring pests.
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