Promting Healthy Homes

Latest News & Resources

Building Code Updates

Jun 10, 2011 | Electrical, Framing, HVAC, Plans, Plumbing, Process, Safe Practices, The Law, Understanding your home

As of January 1st 2011 Boise City along with all of the other jurisdictions that adopt building codes, followed the states lead and adopted parts of the 2009 IRC international Residential Building Code. The last code was the 2006 IRC which was implemented in the same...

Skylights & Solar Tubes

Jun 3, 2011 | Skylights & Solar Tubes, Understanding your home, Windows

During the process of remodeling we often encounter an opportunity to install skylights and solar tubes. The obvious advantage is to allow natural light into the home. A less obvious benefit is energy free interior lighting. In the not so distant past all roof...

Indoor Air Cooling Season

May 28, 2011 | HVAC, Understanding your home

Here are a few things that will help make sense of your home's cooling system. At Levco, when remodeling, we always evaluate the HVAC systems. We usually find something that could be done better or tuned up. Let's face it HVAC is a system at the house that usually...

Diagnosing Concrete Problems

May 20, 2011 | Concrete, Understanding your home

Levco has been asked to diagnose concrete problems with regularity. Whether it is foundations, slabs, or other, concrete,we are seeing the same issues consistently. I have researched the issues and gathered the information needed to understand the more common...

Repairing a Chimney

May 13, 2011 | Masonry, Roofing, Understanding your home

I had noticed that my chimney was in disrepair several years ago and had meant to repair it some perfect weekend. It all came to fruition Saturday, The weather was cooperating and my son and I had time to point the existing bricks. Plus my wife was out of town. As...

Shower Tile Problems

May 6, 2011 | Masonry, Understanding your home

We are starting to see a serious problem as a result of the building boom of the late 80's and 90's. Turns out there is no building code restricting the use of water resistant drywall as tile backer for tile. Even today some remodelers and handyman services are...

Ode To An Old Appliance.

Mar 25, 2014

Most folks don't think much about dishwashers, they have become a necessity of modern life. Most kitchens have them and if they do, the most common decision is what color they will be. Stainless is all the rage right now but black and white are still selling according...

9 Volt Battery Safety Alert

Mar 5, 2014

I saw a heartfelt plea from a gentleman on the internet that had a 9 volt battery cause a serious house fire. Part of his concern is that he felt very responsible because he was ignorant of the danger and asked that I pass this information along. I'm doing my duty to...

Tell Me Where It Hurts

Feb 24, 2014

Come share a cup of Joe with Joe at Contractor Café Anyone who knows me well, knows that I enjoy a good cup of Joe. I also have a bunch of useful knowledge about all things related to homes and remodeling that I am more than willing to share. To put things together,...

Why Do An Energy Audit?

Oct 15, 2013

As a remodeling contractor I am often asked to troubleshoot home comfort related problems. I have used this blog platform, specifically the Understanding Your Home partition, to help others figure out their homes and solve all sorts of issues that we come across....