The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Tuesday Tip: Fixing a common closet light chain issue

Unless you have a walk in closet or one with a light switch, one big issue is just where is the cord to turn on the light? Sure you could turn on the bedroom light, but waking up your spouse or sleeping kids… yeah not a good idea. Adding in a light switch? Yeah that […]

2018 IECC – Illinois Board Approved Version

Based on the Administrative Rules for the Energy Code  (71 IAC 600.130) once the Advisory Council has recommended modifications to the Energy Code (See: Where we stand (Sub Committee’s)), the Capital Development Board is to review them (9.11.18). As they review those amendments they are also allowed to accept, reject, or make changes on there […]

Wacky Weds: Just a slight bow…

Wow – this piece of drywall was bowed out almost 3″ above the fireplace… The culprit? Well besides the change of paint color making it obvious the answer is two-fold. The first was it was never screwed or nailed in properly. Now even if this happens you won’t get a bow like this without water […]

Tuesday Tip – Eliminating a Common Paint Can Issues

Properly stored paint can last for years which is great if you need to make a small touchup. The catch I hear from most though is it was almost impossible to get the lid off & when they did it was dried out or had rust inside. In a lot of cases the issue was […]

Friday Follow Up – Frozen Wall Fixed

You may well recall this massive retaining wall fail which started out like this back in January of 2017 and by March of 2017 it looked like this…  Well on the good news front they finally have it fixed – the next three pics were taken June 15th, 2018 while they were reconstructing it… As […]

Energy Code Basics: Avoiding the most common fail

No one likes to fail a building inspection especially when you get dinged a penalty from the Building Department for it. Not only are you out the fee & time you spent there, but it can leave the homeowner or General Contractor wondering about your work. So what is the biggest failure? Duct leakage or […]

Electrical FAQ: Off the wall questions…

In some past articles we have talked about swapping out outlets in your house with newer Tamper Resistant ones especially if you wish to child/baby-proof your home or if you wish to give your house a facelift. Last week we also posted a question – just what is wrong with these pictures? If you haven’t […]

Wacky Weds: Electrical What’s Wrong

Can you spot the issue? Quick Note – please ignore the light not showing on the plug – it does have power & the device itself works properly, the real issue is… If you got a guess, please leave a comment below & then check your answer… Electrical FAQ: Off the wall questions…

Energy Code Basics: Duct Testing – 4% or doesn’t matter?

I’ve looked everywhere… read the code book three times… you’re full of it, they fail… The issue? Well that is where does it state that while duct testing is required, only those following the Prescriptive* path have to be at 4% or less while those following the Performance* or ERI* Paths just have to test […]