I grew up in an older home and my father Ed Levitch MHRIP was an Architect and remodeling contractor in and around Berkeley California and the surrounding cities since 1958. Growing up I learned so many things from him, he taught me the value of family, respect and everything I know today about remodeling homes safely.
I remember a time at Levco Builders when I received a call from a man who shared a personal story about lead poisoning. He thanked me for advocating for the rule. I assured him of my commitment to safety. I was an early supporter of the EPA’s RRP rule, and I’m still a strong advocate today for ensuring people are safe in their homes.
What is a Healthy Home?
We all believe our homes are healthy places but all too often the opposite is true. As a remodeling contractor too, I deal with it every day. From the materials we use to how they are installed and the environment we create within the envelope of your home is unbelievably important. The CDC describes a healthy home as “One that is designed, built, and maintained to support our health” I couldn’t agree more. The other pivotal moment in my quest to promote healthy homes was a document written by the then Surgeon General, Steven Galson in 2009 who articulated the need for a healthy housing stock. This blog is dedicated to all things related to healthy homes with an emphasis on lead, lead detection as well as protection of humans and pets.
Can you flip a p trap?
I recently came across a problem that is fairly common in remodeling kitchens. A client remodeled their home after 35 years and ended up with a nicer, under mount sink. The sink bottom ended up about 4" lower than the previous one too, so the connections to the wall...
Fuse failure almost causes fire
Fusees are an important link in the safety chain of electrical components of a home. They are designed to fail prior to the wires getting so hot that they melt and or catch other things on fire. Sadly many folks are willing to put too large of a fuse or the wrong...
More winter blues, the ceiling is falling!
I got called by a property management company to urgently evaluate a second story apartment that had a leaking ceiling, and likely falling in. The first time pregnant woman was worried about her health and rightfully so. Upon arrival I found a snow covered roof at a...
How cold is it?
Its so cold I saw a dog stuck to a tree. Just kidding, but it did freeze a vinyl window shut. Egress windows are giving a false sense of security if they don't open when they need to. To say the least it has been a hell of a winter. I am exhausted and frustrated with...
Hissing sound turns out to be serious
A past client called to report a strange hissing sound emanating from beneath her kitchen area. She said "It sounded like a machine running or air moving". It seemed like no big deal until she noticed a crack in her drywall in the same general area. That is when I got...
Holiday appliance advice
Hello LevcoCare Nation! The Holiday Season is rapidly approaching, at least on the calendar. I know in Boise it seems like we just can't shake fall, but winter is lurking just around the corner, Trust me, I about froze my buns off at the football game last night. I...
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My House is More Humid Than Normal
I recently was asked to look at a new development in the summer of a home we recently remodeled. The concern is that it is in the 'mid to high '80's and the house is humid. OUTSIDE HEAT mid to high '90s INSIDE SET TO: 73deg UPON ARRIVAL: House is 70 deg AC not...
According To The Big Box Store Guy…
A friend called to tell me that "according to the Home Depot guy" (If I had a dime for every time I've heard this) "This pull on and twist for temperature shower valve faucet is illegal now, and must be completely replaced". He also said the the parts are no longer...
The Leaky Faucet Gets the New Parts
I have been surprised at how often new things don't work like we expect them to. As a remodeling contractor our plumbers install lots of faucets. In a recent project we had two of them start to leak within a few months of installation at the kitchen sink. Warranty...
Retrofitting Hydronic Heating
Our client wanted heated floors in their existing home. There was a partial basement and crawl space access. I remembered a system that we have used before that circulates fluid beneath the floor and felt that this would be a good option to offer. It uses glycol and...