Water Pipe tips
ICE FORMING IN A PIPE
Why Pipes Burst?: Surprisingly, ice forming in a pipe does not typically cause a break where the ice blockage occurs. It's not the radial expansion of ice against the wall of the pipe that causes the break. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe causes water pressure to increase downstream -- between the ice blockage and a closed faucet at the end. It's this increase in water pressure that leads to pipe failure. Usually the pipe bursts where little or no ice has formed. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can always retreat back towards its source, so there is no pressure build-up to cause a break. Water has to freeze for ice blockages to occur. Pipes that are adequately protected along their entire length by placement within the building's insulation, insulation on the pipe itself, or heating, are safe. When is it Cold Enough to Freeze?: When should homeowners be alert to the danger of freezing pipes? That depends, but in southern states and other areas where freezing weather is the exception rather than the rule (and where houses often do not provide adequate built-in protection), the temperature alert threshold is 20°F. This threshold is based upon research conducted by the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois. Field tests of residential water systems subjected to winter temperatures demonstrated that, for un-insulated pipes installed in an unconditioned attic, the onset of freezing occurred when the outside temperature fell to 20°F or below. Letting the Water Run: Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. It's not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow. Rather, opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. The drip can be very slight. Even the slowest drip at normal pressure will provide pressure relief when needed. Where both hot and cold lines serve a spigot, make sure each one contributes to the drip, since both are subjected to freezing. If the dripping stops, leave the faucet(s) open, since a pipe may have frozen and will still need pressure relief. If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe: If you open a faucet and no water comes out, don't take any chances. Call a plumber. If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve (usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house); leave the faucet(s) open until repairs are completed. Don't try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame; as this will damage the pipe and may even start a building fire. You might be able to thaw a pipe with a hand-held hair dryer. Slowly apply heat, starting close to the faucet end of the pipe, with the faucet open. Work toward the coldest section. Don't use electrical appliances while standing in water; you could get electrocuted. Going on a Trip: When away from the house for an extended period during the winter, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe, freeze and burst. A solution is to drain the water system. This is the best safeguard. With no water in the pipes, there is no freezing. This remedy should be considered even when the homeowner is not leaving but is concerned about a serious overnight freeze. To drain the system, shut off the main valve and turn on every water fixture (both hot and cold lines) until water stops running. It's not necessary to leave the fixtures open, since the system is filled mostly with air at that point and not subject to freezing. When returning to the house, turn on the main valve and let each fixture run until the pipes are full again.
Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
CROWN MOLDING
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$8,000 1st x Home Buyer Credit - Expires on April 30th , 2010
Hello
The $8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended until April 30, 2010.
Yes, April 30th, sounds like a long way away, but is it really?
The average home buyer will need a minimum of 60 days to start and complete the home buying cycle. This is the minimum time it will take to accomplish some of the following:
· Start looking for a home
· Get Pre-Approved for a mortgage
· Negotiate a Sales Contract with the Seller
· Complete a Home Inspection and Appraisal
· Have your mortgage approved
· Close your purchase with an attorney
As the old saying goes, “Use it or lose it.”
WJ Bradley offers free mortgage pre-approvals to help you find a mortgage program the meets your needs and helps show sellers that you are a serious home buyer.
* If you are living in your primary home for 5 years you are elegible for the $8,000.00 dollars Tax Credit. Call me and I will explain. 404-567-1855.
Keep Cool by Adding Shade to your Backyard
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Buying a new House?
Buying a new home should be an exciting, enjoyable time; whether it’s your first home or your tenth. Here are six more tips to help you feel comfortable when it is time to sign on the dotted line and feel good about the home you purchase.
Use your home-buying team as much as possible. Working with the right real estate professional mortgage lender, closing attorney and home inspector can make a world of difference.
Be sure to do a final walk through once all the previous owner’s furnishings have been moved to be sure of no surprises.
Plan for flexibility. Closing dates are not carved in stone. Allow for certain contingencies and always have a back-up plan in the event that delays occur. These types of circumstances are not at all uncommon in real estate transactions, so it is important that you are prepared for them.
Any and all promises and agreements must be written. If it is not in writing, then assume that it doesn’t exist. Even the best of intentions can be unintentionally misinterpreted, so take the time with your REALTOR to be certain that all agreements have been signed on paper.
Remember, your team will work best for you if you are honest and up front with them. Take the time to select the right team of professionals to get you into your new home and do everything possible to make this an enjoyable experience. They will return the favor by getting you into your new home as smoothly as possible.
Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Ask questions of your agent. Find out how knowledgeable he or she is about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Can your agent recommend a good lender that has the reputation of excellent customer service and low rates? Does your agent ask questions of you to have a full understanding of what you are looking for to help you get the most home for the money?
Mind your money
Even thought this is old news it applies until December 31, 2009.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
On February 17, President Barack Obama signed into law a $787 billion economic stimulus plan. That package includes many provisions that may directly benefit you:
Tax Breaks. Individuals earning $75,000 or less will receive a tax credit of $400 on payroll taxes paid in 2009 and 2010. Married couples are eligible for an $800 credit. The tax credit would phase out for single taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (AIG) of $75,000 to $90,000 and married couples with AGI of $150,000 to $190,000. Retirees who receive Social Security benefits and individuals on disability would receive a one-time tax credit of $250.
Healthcare. The bill provides a subsidy to cover 65% of COBRA premiums for up to nine months. The subsidy is limited to workers who were laid off between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009.
Education. Parents of college students will be eligible to claim a tax credit of up to $2,500. Available in 2009 and 2010, the credit covers tuition, fees and course supplies such as textbooks. The credit phases out for individuals with AGI of $80,000 to $90,000 and married couples with AGI of $160,000 to $180,000.
New Housing. First-time homebuyers are eligible for an $8,000 tax credit, which does not have to be repaid unless you sell your home within three years. The credit is available for purchases between January 1, 2009, and before December 1, 2009. The credit phases out for individuals with AGI of $75,000 to $95,000 and married couples with AGI of $150,000 to $170,000.
Green Homes. New tax credits are now available for green home improvements on a principal residence starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. The credit covers 30% of qualifying upgrade costs, or a maximum amount of $1,500. Qualifying modifications must meet a certain efficiency level to be eligible for the credit. For record keeping, experts advise that you retain all receipts.
New Cars. New car buyers can deduct the sales tax from their AIG on purchases of up to $49,500. The deduction is limited to car and truck purchases made on the date of the enactment of the bill through December 31, 2009. The credit phases out for individuals with AGI above $125,000 and married couples with AGI above $250,000.
Green Cars. From January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010, there is a tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles. This credit — based on the capacity of the battery system — for electric hybrid cars and trucks starts at $2,500 and is capped at $7,500. Previous tax credits for electric vehicles would have been phased out after 250,000 total vehicles. The current stimulus package has increased that number to 200,000 vehicles per manufacturer.
Always consult your tax advisor for tax information and advice.
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