Promting Healthy Homes

Latest News & Resources

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...

Filters and Your Home

Apr 29, 2011 | Green Remodeling, HVAC, Understanding your home

Indoor air quality is one of the four pillars of our green philosophy. Besides working with products that don't off gas things like formaldehyde, filters are high on the list of things we have control over that keeps our indoor air quality in good shape. Residential...

Egress Windows

Apr 22, 2011 | Egress Windows, Understanding your home, Windows

As a remodeler in Boise, I am often asked to discuss the possibility of adding Egress windows to existing basements. I realized that the term is foreign to many folks. What is an egress window? Egress Windows are those that meet or exceed a rigid set of dimensions...

I Have a Cold Room

Apr 13, 2011 | HVAC, Understanding your home

As a remodeler I am frequently asked about this problem and often get to troubleshoot the situation prior to calling in the big guns. Here are a few of the tips I have found to solve the problem. Turns out this situation is fairly common even in newer homes. In Boise...

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....

What is a Water Hammer

Jul 29, 2013

"No honey, there are not ghosts in our house rattling the pipes." Much like the "Snow Lion," my friend's son was having trouble seeing in the foot hills. "No son," he said "Snow Line." In our case, the rattling pipes are being caused by a water hammer. A water hammer...