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.
Fall checklist of To-Do’s
Although we remodel here in Boise Idaho and we do not really offer these services, I would like to get the word out to "Show that we care." about you and your home. Planning for cold weather is a good thing to do. I especially like getting these things done during our...
Remodeling and Your Senses
Let's first outline the subject matter. I recently published a similar blog on foundation moisture to review the senses and how they can be used to ferret out what is wrong. In this post I am exploring how I use my senses in a broader way. I work like a Crime Scene...
Stucco, Yesterday & Today
Plaster describes the earliest interior coatings. It is a Greek term meaning to "daub on" and it dates back to 500 BCE. It was not until the invention of Portland Cement that exterior plastering, then called Stucco, was developed that could withstand the elements. A...
Engineering 101
We, " Levco" just encountered another situation where the handy man would not be a good fit. Did you ever get the feeling that the (fill in the blank) just didn't feel strong enough to hold a few folks in the same place. Weird feeling, trust your gut. I recall seeing...
Hydronic Heat
Although I have remodeled many homes we haven't run into too many hydronic heating systems. By the time we remodel most of the home's heating systems have been altered several times. My own home started with Coal, then converted to Oil and then to Natural Gas forced...
Hardwood Floors
This project had original 2 1/4"x 3/4" tongue and groove #2 Red Oak floors already as the primary flooring in the home. It was easy to weave in the new identical product and refinish the entire place. Josh at Sunrise hardwood floors did the work. Oak flooring like all...
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Water recirculating pump problem
Stump the Plumber This is another installment in the stump the plumber series. The situation I went to look at a kitchen remodeling project and during my evaluation I asked an open question that I always like to explore. "Is there anything else that you would like to...
What is a Water Hammer
"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...
Little Kiss, Big Hug & Window Handing
Hugs & Kisses from Levco Did you ever wonder how to determine what kind of windows you are getting, reading plans can be confusing. Understanding the window handing is handy. Here are my tips and techniques to help you understand the madness behind the secret...
Snookered by a hose
As a self-proclaimed fix it kind of guy, I do these things separately from my company as a hobby and past time that I enjoy. Nothing makes me sleep better than knowing that everything is working. How dare you not work I had been struggling to repair a washing machine...