Joe’s Blog

Promoting Healty Homes

 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.

Lead Testing Without The Normal Tools

Lead Testing Without The Normal Tools

As we step lightly into the future of remodeling pre-1978 homes in a post-3M lead test swab era, we find ourselves hoarding swabs and stretching the most out of them. If we could make them last, then we can avoid the inevitable disappointment of the Old Mother Hubbard...

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Recent Posts

I Just Recertified My RRP

I Just Recertified My RRP

I just had a wonderful day of RRP Refreshment. It is hard to believe it has been 3-years since my last online class. It just sneaks up on you. The curriculum hasn't changed much from the initial class but the booklet was updated and I think it has been streamlined....

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Lead Locators By Lumetallix

Lead Locators By Lumetallix

Lead Locators is the proud new USA distributor of Lumetallix lead test kits. One kit will allow someone to do at least 100 tests. The green product is full strength and can test down to 500 PPM. That is 10x more than is needed for Professional Use. Why you ask? I have...

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Get The Lead Out

Get The Lead Out

This was a common phrase my dad used to say. It had to do with teaching a work ethic. Turns out that he got some traction, we 4 boys learned how to work hard and stay busy even when we weren't being watched. Now the saying has a different meaning because I am focused...

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Promoting Healthy Homes Is An Endless Undertaking

Promoting Healthy Homes Is An Endless Undertaking

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. I was a bit of a pioneer when the EPA's RRP rule was coming into play. At Levco Builders in...

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