Lead can be found in all parts of our environment – the air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes. It is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. If your home was built before 1978, you may very likely still have lead paint on the walls, which pose health hazards to you and your family. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-containing paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning.

• Lead is particularly dangerous to children under age six because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Babies and toddlers tend to put everything in their mouths, which means a higher risk of exposure even to small amounts. Little ones may swallow or inhale dust containing lead from their hands, toys, food, and other objects.
• A pregnant woman’s exposure to lead is of particular concern because if she is at risk, it can cause miscarriages, premature births, low birth weight and brain damage. Both adult men and women may also breath lead dust by spending time in areas where lead-based paint is deteriorating, and during renovation or repair work that disturbs painted surfaces in older homes and buildings. 
  

How do you know if you are experiencing the negative health effects of lead? Some symptoms in adults include high blood pressure, fertility problems, loss of sex drive, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, muscle or joint pain.

Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint. If the paint is in good shape, the lead paint is usually not a problem. But to be on the safe side and to help determine if your family is being exposed unnecessarily:

• Regularly check your home for chipping, peeling, or deteriorating paint, and address issues promptly without excessive sanding. If you must sand, sand the minimum area needed, wet the area first, and clean up thoroughly.
• Regularly check all painted areas that rub together or get lots of wear, like windows, doors, and stairways, for any signs of deterioration.
• Regularly check for paint chips or dust – if you see some, remove carefully with a damp paper towel and discard in the trash, then wipe the surface clean with a wet paper towel.
• Wipe down flat surfaces, like window sills, at least weekly with a damp paper towel and throw away the paper towel.
• Mop smooth floors (using a damp mop) weekly to control dust.

Remodeling or renovating your home is not only an ideal way to increase its value and make your living space more enjoyable and useful, it is also a way to remove the potential health risks that lead-based paint can present. Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively, while at the same time reducing the likelihood of contaminating your home with lead-based paint dust during the process.

Want a FREE quote on painting for your home or business in Monmouth, Independence, Dallas, and the greater Salem, Oregon area? Call Jack at 503-838-1714 today!

Exteria Building Products defines itself through innovation and quality, and is extremely proud to announce the introduction of 3 new colors to the “Weathered Series” color profile.

    •    Autumn Cedar
    •    Seaside Gray
    •    Newport Cedar

These three new colors, as well as the other 3 existing weathered series colors (sunset cesar, antique gray, and harvest cedar), are now available in all Exteria Cedar Profiles-- RoughSawn Cedar EZ, Hand-Split Shake EZ, Cedar Pride EZ and the new new RoughSawn Cedar EZ Single.

Transform your home from ordinary to extraordinary with one of six premium shades. Exteria pioneered the weathered look and carefully engineered its building products to convincingly depict the life cycle of natural cedar. From newly installed, to the rich colors found after years of sun exposure, you can can the perfect look for your home. The life-like characteristics deliver the utmost realism and are designed to allow for the timeless look of natural cedar at a fraction of the cost and maintenance.

The benefits of choosing Exteria siding include:

• Six distinct shades from light gray to dark brown, there's a variety of colors to help you capture just the right feel.
• Realistic weathering means a balance of tone and texture to simulate nature's imperfect beauty.
• Authentic beauty is crafted in using real cedars as templates, which means attention to detail so there are no unnatural repeating patterns and visible seams.
• Lasting appearance from a proprietary UV coating system protects against fading and creates durable and long-lasting siding that is virtually maintenance free.

If you haven't replaced your siding lately, you will be pleasantly surprised by all the new and innovative siding products now available to increase the beauty, value, safety, and durability of your home or commercial building. Fiber cement siding is one such product that allows you to enjoy the beauty and character of wood or other building material you like, but is low maintenance and resistant to weather, insects and fire.

Fiber cement siding is an extremely durable material derived from cement, sand, and cellulose fiber which is made to resemble real wood, or pretty much any type of surface you are looking for. The materials are bonded together with high temperature steam. It is insect-proof because it is not real wood, therefore, it offers no food source to bugs. It is fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and is not prone to warping or cracking, thanks to the cellulose fibers which boost its dimensional stability.

You can choose textured, primed, and pre-painted fiber cement siding that comes from a reputable manufacturer such as James Hardie, CertainTeed, and Nichiha, or your siding can be stained or painted when it is installed. Paint adds another layer of protection, as well as adding an attractive look to your exterior. Fiber cement takes and holds paint and stain extremely well, which creates a  uniform look from board to board. And when it comes time to re-coat, it’s a straightforward job.

Fiber cement is a low-maintenance siding option when compared to many others, including wood siding. Since it is made to be resistant to a variety of harmful forces – insects, fungus, extreme temperatures, rain, UV rays, and more – you don't have to worry about a lot of preventative maintenance. Depending on where you live and the amount of pollution the structure is exposed to, you may want to regularly do a simple cleaning with a garden hose or a pressure washer to remove surface grime. 

Whether you want your home or business to look like brick, stone, block, shake or smooth lap siding, be assured that the siding products we install are durable and add curb appeal. And because of fiber cement's durability, most manufacturers warrant their products against defects for up to 50 years. What a great value!

Contact Best for Less Siding today for your FREE quote!

It's that time of year again... time to take a few moments to protect your home inside and out in preparation for the colder months ahead. Use these tips as a checklist to ensure your family's safety and comfort no matter what Old Man Winter might bring this year.

Indoor Preparations

• Furnaces – regular annual furnace inspections will help keep your furnace in good repair. Cleaning or replacing furnace filters monthly during the operating months will also keep your furnace operating efficiently.
• Wood-burning fireplaces – periodic cleanings should be performed by a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote buildup to prevent chimney fires.
  
• Inspect windows for leaks – replacing cracked or old windows, or sealing air leaks, will not only make the winter months more comfortable, but will also lower the costs of heating your home. Replacement windows not only keep you warmer in the winter, but help keep your home cooler in the summer when air conditioning is in use.
  
• Evaluate smoke detectors and related safety equipment – the ending of daylight savings time is an ideal time to replace batteries in smoke detectors, flashlights, and any other battery-powered safety or emergency equipment. It is also a good time to evaluate existing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in terms of lifespan and whether they provide an adequate level of coverage. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are generally considered to have a lifespan of 10 years, whereas carbon monoxide detectors have a lifespan generally ranging from 2 to 5 years. Beware that batteries in the carbon monoxide detectors may still function after the actual carbon monoxide sensor has ceased being operational.

Outdoor Preparations

Take a walk around your property with an eye for the following:

• Hoses/hose bibs –  it is important to disconnect and drain your garden hoses and either wrap hose bibs or cover them with insulating covers to prevent freezing pipes. A quick inspection for other exposed pipes that may need insulating will prevent the headache of dealing with broken pipes later.
• Sprinkler systems –sprinkler systems will need to be drained to prevent water from freezing and causing cracked or broken pipes. You may be able to drain the water yourself, or you may hire a professional to winterize it by blowing the water out of your system with an air compressor.
• Roof – inspect your roof for any loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles, tiles or other roofing material and have any needed repairs made immediately to prevent water damage and expensive emergency calls to a roofer.
  
• Clean your gutters and downspouts – after leaves and other tree debris has fallen and collected in your gutters, it will be important to clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent water from backing up and causing water damage or overflowing during winter storms.
• Landscaping – an application of winter fertilizer to lawns will promote stronger roots and help produce a healthier lawn in the spring. Determine if plants require special preparation. Some may need to be trimmed, others may require additional composting materials around their roots to protect them during freezing temperatures, and others will need to be moved to a sheltered area or indoors. This is also a good time to plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

Need help accomplishing this check list? Contact us for a free estimate!