The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Preventing or fixing frozen water pipes

Updated: This article was originally posted in early 2010 after the Alabama Department of Health issued the following warning via press release: Prolonged period of cold weather ahead prompts warnings to take winter precautions. While the press release mainly brings up the elderly and methods of preventing hypothermia, I recommend that anyone who will be working […]

New Year’s Mailbag of FAQ’s

As we are starting a New Year, many bloggers including myself were left pondering on what to write about. Should we look back on the past, look forward to the future, ignore it, or what?  First, I wish to thank all of you that have read the articles, referred your friends to our site, posted […]

January – Mid Winter Maintenance Checklist

Welcome to the start of a New Year, and the first full month of winter. This is the time of the year when many individuals try to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with a list of New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of adding to your list of resolutions (unless one is keeping up on […]

Holiday Checklist – The day after

First off, we hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Many people will be heading out today for the annual gift exchange / returns, while plenty of others will go out shopping with all those gift cards they got.  If you have been following along with our Holiday […]

‘Twas the night before Christmas – DIY Version

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse. The stockings were hung on the mantle with care, covering the missing tiles that hopefully would soon be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of a finished playroom dancing in […]

LEAD FAQ’s – To Test or Not to Test – that is the question

As the property owner you have a question you should seriously consider, due to the increased costs of the EPA’s RRP rules, should I get my house or areas that are being worked on tested for lead, or should everyone just assume lead is present and proceed accordingly? In order to start answering that question, […]

LEAD, the EPA, and You – a quick primer for Home Owners, Rental Owners, and Contractor’s regarding Renovation’s of pre-1978 houses

As I mentioned in a prior article, the EPA has released new regulations concerning LEAD in houses built before 1978. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of confusion out there on the subject and many contractors still don’t know this is coming. One quick example involves an ADECA class on weatherization projects for the Department […]

Another hotel, another city – Why?

Well, here I am sitting in another hotel room.  Why? Two words – Continuing Education; this time I am down here in Montgomery to take a three-day class on Weatherization. Back in October, I was in Indianapolis to take a government mandated Lead class and to attend the Remodeling & Deck Expo. Then there were […]

Ramp-A-Thon 2009 Press Release

Official Press Release: Ramp-A-Thon Project Built for Local Quadriplegic by SLS Construction David Gentry of Vinemont was the recipient of a free ramp courtesy of SLS Construction who is part of the national Ramp-A-Thon project. Vinemont, AL – December 3rd, 2009 – David Gentry of Vinemont was the recipient of a free ramp courtesy of […]