“Tis the Season” for Educational Opportunities

It’s seems like “Tis the Season” for Educational Opportunities here at Almar. In the last few weeks Craig, Mark & I have attended both the Harvey Building Products and Pella Pro Expo. They were both great opportunities in very different ways.

At the Harvey Building Products Event we had the opportunity to check out some new products and talk to the manufactures about existing products that we often recommend like:

· Certainteed’s new decking product EverNew Lt. EverNew is a cellular PVC decking with Lumenite technology.
· Azek PVC decking.
· Certainteed Siding & Roofing Products
· Velux Skylights.
· Mastic Siding products.


We also got a chance to see Better Grain by Harvey’s: Simulated wood grain Finish for Harvey Vinyl Windows. Harvey’s says that “No longer will you have to choose between the maintenance free performance of vinyl and the look of wood!..BetterGrain is a revolutionary dual-process painted wood grain finish that mimics the qualities of natural wood better than veneers, laminates, foils or other alternatives.”

We were especially excited to get more information about Masic Home Exteriors Homes for Our Troops Program. In 2010 mastic will donate over $100,000 in cash & building materials to Homes For Our Troops.

Not long after the Harvey show Craig & I headed to the Pro Expo presented by Pella, which offered us the opportunity to catch up with a whole other set of manufactures for products we commonly install.

The Pro Expo also offered several educational seminars for us to participate in. I like to tell our clients that we always learn something new on every job, well we also like to keep on top of the latest business practices in the industry and the presentations by Mark Richardson, CR about the Future of Remodeling and industry leaders was enlightening. And Best Practices to Strengthen Your Business hosted by Remodelers Advantage Members.

Craig & I are hard at work going over the new information we gathered, and deciding how best to apply it to our clients and projects here at Almar. All in all the time was well worth the information we gathered, and look forward to sharing these new and improved products with all our clients.

The EPA requires remodelers to become certified to work in pre-1978 homes

Protect your family from lead
The EPA requires remodelers to become certified to work in pre-1978 homes

Hanover, Ma March 12, 2010—The Almar Building & remodeling Co is making homeowners aware of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that will take effect April 22, 2010, requiring remodelers working in homes built before 1978 to follow practices designed to minimize the exposure of residents to lead hazards.

“Lead is harmful to both children and adults. In children, a tiny amount of exposure can lead to neurological damage, and in adults, lead inhalation can lead to hypertension, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and nausea among other symptoms,” says Craig Guido.

The EPA is calling for all remodelers who intend to work in pre-1978 homes to register their company and complete an 8-hour training and certification course with an accredited trainer. The course teaches remodelers how to safely contain lead in a home as it is being disturbed and reduce exposure to residents and workers.

Almar wants homeowners to know how to protect themselves from harmful lead exposure during renovations. If you know your home was built before 1978 and your renovation will disturb painted surfaces you will have to hire an EPA Certified Firm.

Guido adds that current law requires that renovators give homeowners an EPA brochure called “Renovate Right,” which includes facts about lead and lead safety in the home and have it signed to signal that homeowners have been properly notified of the dangers.

If owners of a pre-1978 home decide to remodel, it is important to assume lead is present unless testing is done to identify exactly where the lead is by using a lead test. The following three main areas of safe work practices recognized by the EPA can be used to help homeowners start the lead conversation:

· Containing the work are so that dust and debris does not escape, complete with warning signs, heavy-duty plastic and tape.
· Minimizing the dust by using methods such as misting water on areas before sanding or scraping.
· Clean up thoroughly on a daily basis using special cleaning methods such as using a HEPA vacuum and wet mopping with plenty of rinse water.

As a certified firm, Company can prove the certification by displaying our training certificate to homeowners and on the jobsite.

The EPA also recommends that homeowners have the remodelers specify what the final lead inspection entails. If a homeowner has any doubts about the quality of lead safe practices being conducted in their homes, call 1-800-424-LEAD.

Almar Building & Remodeling is a full service Remodeling Company which has been serving the South Shore since 1959. Almar delivers not only a guarantee and warranty with all of work, but also promises quality work to homeowners. Almar’s office is located at 1130 Washington St on Rt. 53 in Hanover. For more information please call 781-826-2577 email Almar@AlmarBuilding.com or visit the Almar website at www.AlmarBuilding.com