Tis always the season for someone using a ladder

Look too familiar?

Whether owners or renters, we are constantly maintaining or making improvements to the inside and outside features of our homes. Then, there is the seasonal tradition for many of us to decorate for the holidays. Chances are that you have been or will be on a ladder soon since many projects involve reaching areas above one's head.

True, some people will make due with other makeshift forms of vertical extension such as creatively standing on chairs and the like, but the ladder is the safer way to go.  So here are some tips to read now for when the time does come to put your ladder to good use.

LADDER TIPS:
(source: http://www.laddersafety.org/)

• If you feel tired or dizzy, or are prone to losing your balance, stay off the ladder.
• Do not use ladders in high winds or storms.
• Wear clean slip-resistant shoes. Shoes with leather soles are not appropriate for ladder use since they are not considered sufficiently slip-resistant.
• Before using a ladder, inspect it to confirm it is in good working condition.
• Ladders with loose or missing parts must be rejected.
• Rickety ladders that sway or lean to the side must be rejected.
• The ladder you select must be the right size for the job
• The Duty Rating of the ladder must be greater that the total weight of the climber, tools, supplies, and other objects placed upon the ladder.
• The length of the ladder must be sufficient so that the climber does not have to stand on the top rung or step.
• When the ladder is set-up for use, it must be placed on firm level ground and without any type of slippery condition present at either the base or top support points.
• Only one person at a time is permitted on a ladder unless the ladder is specifically designed for more than one climber (such as a Trestle Ladder).
• Ladders must not be placed in front of closed doors that can open toward the ladder. The door must be blocked open, locked, or guarded.
• Read the safety information labels on the ladder.
• The on-product safety information is specific to the particular type of ladder on which it appears. The    climber is not considered qualified or adequately trained to use the ladder until familiar with this    information.
• Never jump or slide down from a ladder or climb more than one rung/step at a time.

Make it a safe holiday for everyone and enjoy!
Ken

Firebird Festival in Phoenixville

Take a drive through Phoenixville Boro on Main Street, north of Bridge Street and you'll see a sign announcing the Firebird Festival which takes place December 8th, 2012, beginning at 4pm.  If you look into the adjacent parking lot you will observe a very large majestic bird made out of wood that is the honoree of the big event.

I have been to this festival and there is great music, food and lots of enthusiasm. It is an annual celebration of the borough's namesake - the Phoenix. The locals build a Phoenix sculpture and then set it ablaze after sunset.

So, if you get a chance to go to the festival, it will definitely be a memorable experience.

BTW. It can get quite chilly waiting for the sun to go down to see this ultimate bonfire, so dress warmly.

Chimney Crown Maintenance

Chimney crowns seal off the air space between the outer walls of the masonry chimney and the flue liner and prevents water entry into the stack. Cracks in the crowns of masonry chimneys allow water from rain and snow to enter the masonry where it can freeze and cause further damage to the surrounding masonry and over time erode away the brick and mortar. Eventually, if it goes unnoticed long enough, you have a chimney that has lost its structural integrity and will need to be rebuilt.

 A cap on the chimney flue as shown in this photo will serve the purpose of arresting sparks, prevent entry of unwanted pests and keep water out of the flue.  

Because of their location on a house, chimneys tend to be one of those out of sight, out of mind items. It's recommended to routinely have a specialist inspect your chimney interior and exterior to determine if there is any need  for repairs.

Carpenter Ants -a resourceful bunch

There is one ant that is harder to go unnoticed than the rest and that is the carpenter ant because of its size. Around these parts they are typically 5/8 inches in length or larger. Like all types of ants, they depend on food, water and a place to call home. This ant with wings means it is able to fly off and be involved in starting another colony.
One day I noticed a few carpenter ants foraging in the kitchen and decided to take the time to follow their progress and see if I could find out where they were coming from. Typically ants locate the food source, collect it and then exit at some location near a door or at the base molding of a wall.  This time they were heading towards a large wooden table in the kitchen that was made from the hatch covers of  WWII liberty ships.

Upon further observation they disappeared into a void in a piece of plywood that was holding together the sections of hatch covers making up the top of the table. So they had their food and a place to call home. The next part was equally interesting. Some of the ants exiting the plywood void headed to the top surface of the table where there was a potted plant. There these ants were collecting little sponge-like pellets in this potted plant's soil which had absorb moisture from when the plant was watered.

The ants then proceeded to carry these tiny wet sponges into the table top void.  They had their water source using the potted plant as their own private oasis which I was replenishing once a week. I was unknowingly the ants waiter that continually filled their water glass.
Needless to say it was a fun discovery for me and the end of the line for these resourceful ants.

---Ken

Winterizing

Winterizing in the colder states means taking steps to hopefully eliminate any damage to the house when no one is living there. Water damage to interior structures from water freezing in plumbing  pipes is probably the most common thing experienced  from not properly winterizing a house. So if the intent is to not heat the house or portions of the house where the plumbing resides, then steps must be taken to ensure there isn't water in the pipes that can freeze and crack the pipes.

We were scheduled to do an inspection at a house and upon arriving there we were met by very disappointed buyers.  There was a problem. The house had been vacant during the winter and the water was turned "on" to the house just several days prior for the inspection. When the buyers and their agent opened the house for the home inspection they found the interior of the house in a very different condition from when they had made their offer to buy it.  

Apparently, plumbing on the second floor had been damaged from freezing months before and when the water was turned "on" to the house the result was a waterfall from the first floor ceiling on down through the basement ceiling resulting in a foot of water above the basement floor.

With water coming down everywhere from the ceilings it looked like a rainfall in an amazon forest.

   The sump pump in the basement was working furiously but didn't stand a chance.  

It's best to have a house winterized by a professional and for someone to check on the home for a couple of hours after the water is turned back on to look for signs of leaks.

---Ken