Blog Posts

GFCIs - What the heck are they?

3/31/2023

First, let’s talk about what GFCI stands for. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. They can be found in our kitchens, our bathrooms, on the exterior of our homes, sometimes in our bedrooms, and even in our basements. Go ahead and take a look around your home. I guarantee you’ll find several.

So, what are GFCI outlets, why are they needed, and how do they work?

GFCIs are designed to protect electrical wiring by causing the circuit to close or break whenever an imbalance occurs between outgoing and incoming circuitry. GFCIs are particularly important in areas of your home that are near water…bathrooms, kitchens, etc.

A GFCI looks like any standard outlet. However, it includes a “test” button and a “reset” button and unlike a standard outlet it continually measures the flow of electricity through it. I think most of us know about the effects of electrocution on the body that once a shock occurs the current can be so strong that we simple humans are unable to pry our hands away. So, the GFCI is here to help. They are incredibly sensitive to any change in electrical current and if it senses an issue the GFCI will immediately (like within 1/10th of a second) shut the power off without us having to do anything. For example, if you accidentally drop your plugged-in hair dryer in a sink full of water the GFCI would sense the power variance (as small as 4 to 5 milliamps) and immediately cut the power.

Being the amazing contractor that I am I bet you’re asking yourself what the difference is between a breaker inside your electrical panel and a GFCI. A breaker and a GFCI are both helpful in preventing terrible things from happening, but they are vastly different. A breaker is generally associated with the protection of your home from electrical fires. Really important stuff obviously but little to do with the prevention of electrical shocks produced by outlets. That’s where GFCIs come in by directly detecting interruptions in electrical current and cutting power right then and there possibly saving your life.

How can you tell when a GFCI is going bad or is bad?

Just like most everything else in our world nothing lasts forever (my knees are a great example). GFCIs do wear out with age so it’s important to know how to test them. It’s pretty easy. All you have to do is grab some sort of electrical appliance and plug it into the GFCI and make sure the appliance is on and receiving power. Then while the appliance is on push the “test” button on the GFCI and the appliance should lose power and turn off. If that happens, you’re halfway there. Finally, push the “reset” button and your appliance of choice should regain power. That’s it. If the appliance lost power after pushing the “test” button and then regained power after pushing the “reset” button you’re good.

If your appliance didn’t lose power after pushing the “test” button or regain power after pushing the “reset” button then you need to immediately, without delay, either fix the issue yourself or call an expert. It could be that the GFCI is bad (just like my knees things we use all the time don’t last forever) or it could be that there’s a larger issue with how the GFCI is wired. Seriously, if you think you have an issue or one of your GFCIs fails the test procedure get it taken care of.

Finally, there are certain instances when a GFCI can trip repeatedly when there isn’t really an issue. This type of nuisance tripping tends to be caused by slight variations in the electrical current running through them. Here are some ways to avoid this issue…

Maintain all your power tools in good condition…no frayed wires, no sticky buttons, etc.
Use GFCIs only for circuits that are 100’ long or less
Do not connect stationary motors to a GFCI outlet

This is so important that I’ll say it one last time…if you suspect (even just a tiny bit) that you have an issue with one of your GFCIs replace it. They’re pretty inexpensive for something that can literally save your life.

This article is for general information purposes only. Rick Kelley Builders makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of any information contained herein.

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

3/26/2023

Spring seems to finally be here and with it brings about much-needed spring home maintenance including leaf-filled gutters, possible shingle issues, and HVAC maintenance. Following are 10 tips for spring:

Take a good look at the exterior of your chimney for signs of deterioration. Make sure the chimney cap is still there and in good shape and check out the siding around the chimney and make sure it’s all there and in good shape. If you have brick or stone grab some binoculars and take a close look at the grout joints and make sure that the joints are intact and in good shape.
Since you have binoculars out walk around your house and check out your shingles. Make sure they aren’t cracked, buckled, loose, or even missing (we’ve had some crazy high wind in Central Ohio lately).
Since you’re already walking around your house look at all the trim (gables, soffits, around windows) and the windows themselves. Look for missing caulk (that could let in water and cause rot), soft spots on the trim and windows (indicates rot), and missing paint.
While you’re walking around your house looking at the trim also keep an eye open for low areas in the yard and especially around your foundation. All low areas (especially around the foundation) should be filled with compacted topsoil to help prevent basement water issues and eliminate low areas (pooling water) where insects can breed.
Check for loose or leaky gutters. Bad drainage can lead to water in your basement or crawl space. Make sure all downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear of debris.
Remove firewood stored near your house. It should be stored at least 18” off the ground and at least 2 feet from any structure.
Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service will keep the system working at peak performance levels.
Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and test each one of them to make sure they are all functioning correctly (if one works it doesn’t necessarily mean all of them are working). According to the National Fire Protection Association an average of 1,450 fire deaths occur every year in homes with missing or non-functioning smoke alarms.
Clean out your dryer vent. There are several companies that will do this for you or you can do it yourself with an electric (NEVER use gas-powered equipment inside your home) leaf blower. Just unhook your dryer from the duct, stick the business end of the ELECTRIC leaf blower into the duct, wrap a wet towel around the opening to keep lint from blocking back into the room, and turn on the blower. Again, DO NOT use a gas-powered leaf blower inside your home!
Finally, before outside temperatures are regularly warm enough that we can enjoy having the windows open check your screens. In fact, I’m typing this in my home office and just looked out a window and noticed I have a torn screen. Most local hardware stores will replace screens (assuming the frame is in good condition) for a reasonable amount.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Why is it so great?

8/4/2022

I’m not talking about the old-school vinyl flooring that was shiny and arrived at your house in a big heavy roll that had to be glued down to ¼” thick luan underlayment. No…I’m talking about vinyl plank flooring that looks incredibly realistic and is unbelievably popular due to its durability, versatility, and ease of use. Just like with other products not all brands of Luxury Vinyl Flooring are created equal so read on to find out what might make this a good flooring choice for you and why we recommend it to many of our clients.

What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Within the realm of Luxury Vinyl Flooring there are basically two types - luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Both types offer styles that mimic all sorts of surfaces such as wood, concrete, slate, marble, and tile complete with “grout” joints. The tiles or planks are constructed from multiple layers of plastic and padding which vary in thickness by manufacturer.

So, now I bet you’re wondering what each of those layers are, right? The outer layer or top layer is called the wear layer. This layer is vitally important and is what you walk on, so the thickness of this layer is unbelievably important. Basically, the thicker the wear layer the more durable and long-lasting your Luxury Vinyl Floor will be so pay attention to the data provided by the manufacturer. The thickness will be listed in mils and 1 mil is one-thousandth or an inch.

The next layer down from the wear layer is called the core. The core gives the floor stability, so it won’t buckle or warp. Under the core you’ll find the underlayment layer which usually consists of cork or foam which helps reduce noise transfer and provides a cushion to make the floor a little more forgiving.

Now here’s a bit of a twist…some Luxury Vinyl Flooring are manufactured with rigid-core vinyl that have reinforced engineered wood or even a stone core. Products that contain these cores are widely considered to be more durable which makes them a good choice for families with kids and/or large pets.

Where can I use this stuff, you ask?

LVF is a great choice for really any room in your house especially where there could be spills, kids, or pets as the flooring is usually waterproof and moisture friendly. It’s great for kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and especially basements. Honestly, it a great flooring choice for just about everywhere.

OK, so now you’re wondering how you clean this stuff, right?

Really the easiest way to clean your new LVF is to sweep or vacuum it and mop with a mild soapy water. That’s pretty much it. Obviously, always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines but mild soapy water is about all it takes.

Again, not all brands of Luxury Vinyl Flooring are created equal so be sure to read through the manufacturer’s specifications and don’t hesitate to call our office as we would be happy to help you!

Air Conditioner Struggling?

6/15/2022

With the extreme heat this week many of our home air conditioners are struggling to keep our houses cool. Assuming you are one of the lucky households with power right now there are a few things you can do to help. Some are easy and some require a little advance planning…

Install ceiling fans or use the fans you already have

Set on counterclockwise in the summer months ceiling fans create a wind chill effect that will make you feel cooler without having to lower the temperature setting on your thermostat. Operating the fans counterclockwise draws the cooler air upwards.

Maintain your air conditioning system

Even if you have cold air blowing out of your vents it doesn’t mean your air conditioning system doesn’t need maintenance. This maintenance includes simple things like replacing the air filter, cleaning the condenser coils on the exterior unit (clogged coils will reduce airflow and force the system to work harder), inspect the condenser unit fan, inspect wiring, etc. All this work can be done by an HVAC contractor at a reasonable cost.

Keep your windows covered

When direct sunlight shines into your home through the windows it heats the interior of your home causing your air conditioner to work harder to cool the house. By closing your blinds or curtains on windows that receive direct sunlight your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool the space.

Limit oven use

During particularly hot days consider cooking on a grill outside. The use of your oven, especially if you’re not cooking low and slow, can really heat up your kitchen and cause your air conditioner to work even harder to keep the house cool.

Keep interior doors open

This simple act is vital in keeping your home cool as it allows air to circulate freely keeping hot spots to a minimum thereby regulating the temperature within your home.

Install heat reducing film

Did you know that on average 30% of all energy used to heat and cool homes escapes through your windows? 3M and other similar manufactures make some interesting Low-E window films that they claim block up to 78% of the sun's heat without blocking natural light and your view.

The Rest of the Story...Design Trends for 2020

1/15/2020

A couple weeks ago I received an email from a Columbus Dispatch reporter asking if he could interview me about design trends for 2020 (see article HERE). I’ve been in the remodeling business a long time and fancy myself a fairly talented designer, but I never thought that anyone would want to hear what I had to say on the subject. I love what I do and love to talk to people about it, so I tend to ramble on and on about construction, design, and, well, anything really. My wife says that I’ve never met a stranger. She’s probably right. In fact, she’s usually always right – just ask her.

Anyway, because I tend to ramble, I thought it wise to sit down before the interview and organize my thoughts. I started writing down some thoughts. Yes, I was literally writing down my thoughts using a pen and yellow legal paper…old school baby. As I was furiously writing on my yellow legal pad, I started to get really excited because it appeared that I actually have learned something over the past 20 years of being in the remodeling business and that I did have some interesting stuff to tell the reporter.

Fast forward a week or so and the day came for the interview. I was ready and sitting at my desk with my trusty legal pad in front of me. My iPhone rang and away I went with the interview. I think the article is great but after reading it I realized that I came up with some really great stuff that didn’t make it into the article.

So, in the immortal words of Paul Harvey here’s “the rest of the story” …

Sustainability is becoming less of a trend and more of an expectation. One might even go so far as to say that it’s now a demand from clients. From low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint to cabinetry made from sustainable products this “trend” is here to stay. This is especially now because sustainable materials are becoming more and more affordable.
Less is more. I know you hear people say that a lot but for 2020 it really seems to be the case. Since I’m no expert in the human condition I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s a response to all the chaos occurring in our world these days. It seems that more and more folks want a kind of calm and pared-back look in their homes. You know…refined but also comfortable and lived in.
Spa-like master bathrooms. This may also be a result of the chaos in our world as homeowners look to create a sanctuary in their homes away from all the noise of life. Benches, window seats, shaped tile (no more rectangles or squares), framed mirrors, integrated lighting (built into mirrors, cabinetry, woodwork), freestanding tubs, and partially tiled walls are all ways of creating a more spa-like atmosphere.
Less of the same. I can’t tell you how many times I hear “We don’t really know what we want but we do know that we want something different than everyone else”. Whether or not this is a trend it’s definitely something I’m hearing more of so I believe that within reason anything that is unique will shine in 2020.
Excitement in other areas. Homeowners are definitely looking to spice up areas of their homes that may not have received attention in the past. The most popular right now is the laundry room. Cheerful colors, creative storage solutions, quartz countertops, chalkboard walls, fun patterns on the floor (tile) or walls (wallpaper) are all popular with laundry room remodel projects nowadays. Have fun in your laundry room and maybe try some things that you wouldn’t necessarily do in the more public areas of your home.

Finally, and this may come as a shock to some of you…

Wallpaper. Yes, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Hell, I’ve even spec’d it out on some of our projects and not just as an accent but in whole rooms or areas. There are some great papers out there people so don’t be afraid to go that route. I have a whole thing here in my notes (yes, my paper notes) about what wallpaper colors, patterns, etc I think will be popular in 2020 but I won’t list it all here because, well, my fingers are getting sore from typing. So, if you want to hear more of my thoughts on wallpaper send me an email at [email protected].

As always, we’re here to help so don’t hesitate to hit the “contact us” button here on our website and ask away. If you missed the link to the Dispatch article that I put in the first paragraph of this blog, well, here's the LINK again.

Big Tiles? Little Tiles? Which is Best?

8/28/2019

If you’ve shopped for tile sometime in the past, well, 30 years or so, you know that it is offered in a zillion different sizes and even more shapes (yes, even more than a zillion). From one inch mosaics to massive porcelain squares and rectangles there seems to be an option for every room size and every taste.

The tile size and shape you choose will impact your room greatly so be sure to give the following tips some thought:

Big is Better:

For a sleek contemporary look
If you despise cleaning grout because, well, the larger the tile the less grout you have
For a smaller space to make it look larger. Yep, it seems a little contradictory but that’s the case.

Small is perfect:

When you find a fun shape or cool patterned tile that jumps out and grabs you. I love patterned tile in small bathrooms…it’s a great look but be prepared to commit to a pattern and then embrace it.
For a more traditional and timeless look
When you have a tiny space such as a powder room or a separate potty room off of a larger master bath.

Obviously, this blog post doesn’t really delve into the details of this because there’s just so much available to choose from. If you are thinking about using tile in a remodel project don’t hesitate to contact Rick Kelley Builders and we’ll be thrilled to talk with you about the possibilities for your space.

To Divide or Not to Divide? That's the Question...

5/30/2019

Captain Obvious here…the sink is a vital part of your kitchen. The sink plays a role in virtually every aspect of meal preparation and clean-up not to mention the occasional dog bath, houseplant watering, and hopefully washing of your hands.

Kitchen sinks are used a lot so it’s worth learning about the different types of sinks.

Single vs Double Basin

Single Basin:

Pros: No center divider so it’s easier to wash large items such as dogs, babies, large baking pans, and large pots.

Cons: Can’t separate clean and dirty dishes or thawing meat from other things

Double Basin:

Pros: One side is dedicated to the disposal so you can wash veggies in one side and cut/peel in the other. It’s also easier to hand wash dishes…wash in one side and rinse/dry in the other

Cons: Harder to wash large pans, dogs, babies, and cookie sheets

Now, there’s one other type of sink and it’s a hybrid of the two listed above. It’s a double basin sink except the center divider is low. Believe it or not, they’re called low divide sinks. Some of our clients believe low divide sinks are the absolute best of both worlds as they allow almost all the benefits of a standard divide sink but allow you to wash large pots, pans, and baking sheets.

Still can’t decide? Call our office and we’ll be happy to help.

Water Dripping from your Exhaust Fan?

2/27/2019

This past winter brought about some crazy cold temperatures and I received a few emails from some friends of mine who were concerned because water was dripping from the exhaust fans in their bathrooms. Actually, concerned isn’t the right word…they were totally freaked out because they assumed it meant their roof was leaking. Occasionally that’s a correct assumption but usually the cause is something much easier to diagnose and fairly simple to fix.

Your first step is to head up into your attic. Yeah, I know. It’s dark, smelly, and full of itchy insulation but in the attic is where your answers will be found so suck it up and get up there. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to make sure to walk on the tops of the ceiling joists and not on the drywall itself. If you walk on the drywall, you’ll end up like Clark Griswold in the 1989 classic Christmas Vacationexcept you likely won’t land on Rusty’s bunk bed.

Next, locate the exhaust fan duct that hopefully travels from the fan in the ceiling of your bathroom and terminates to the exterior. If it doesn’t terminate to the exterior you’ve got more problems but that’s for another blog post. So, in the interest of me getting another blog post out of this let’s just assume, for the time being, that the duct terminates to the exterior of your home.

After locating the duct give it a once over and if you can see metal that means it is not insulated and, well, there’s your problem. What’s happening is the warm moist air in your bathroom is being drawn through the fan and into the duct where it condenses inside the cold uninsulated duct and reverses course and drips back into your bathroom.

The fix is pretty easy…head to your local home improvement store and buy duct insulation and some zip ties. Then wrap the insulation around the pipe and attach it with the zip ties.

That’s all there is to it.

To Tub or Not to Tub...

1/3/2018

Huge bathtub or spa-like shower? It’s a hot topic right now and is likely a question you’ll be faced with when considering a master bathroom remodel. Before you take the plunge and yank out your big tub (get it?) though here are some things to consider…

It may seem obvious but when making this decision, first determine what your needs are currently and what they may be in subsequent years. I don’t imagine you have a crystal ball but do your best to think about how long you’re going to live in the house, where your health might be heading, etc.

For many of our clients who rarely use their tubs, it seems that an awesome shower is the right answer for them. They can’t wait to yank out their old dust-collecting tub and replace it with a sleek-looking, glassed-in, dreamy shower.

One of the biggest reasons some of our clients choose to dump their tub is space. They would rather forego the tub and use that space for something that fits their lifestyle better – perhaps a larger shower with a seat, maybe more storage that includes drawers, and even another sink. Basically, what I’m saying here is that doing away with the large tub allows for more flexibility with the overall design of the space.

Some of our clients don’t care about space as much as they just want a big walk-in shower with glass walls and all the bells and whistles, such as overhead, wall-mounted and hand-held multi-function showerheads, thermostatic temperature controls, and steam features. They also want bench seats for added comfort and safety and built-in wall niches to hold soap and shampoo.

Spa-like showers may sound great and may be winning the argument here but don’t throw in the towel (see what I did there?) if you still love to soak in the tub. Our designer (that would be me) is happy to create a master bathroom design that’s right for you. For homeowners who want to keep a tub in their remodeled master bathroom, a smart choice for resale may be opting for a more energy and space efficient one-person soaking tub. Often a free-standing soaking tub can become a wonderful focal point in the room that adds a lot to the overall look and feel of the space.

I bet I know what you’re thinking now – “If I do end up choosing to dump my tub, how will that decision affect the resale of my home”? Most realtors believe preserving at least one bathtub somewhere in the home keeps the door open for buyers who prefer baths or for buyers who have young kids.

At the end of the day, it’s your house and it absolutely must fit your needs. So, whether you prefer showers or baths or a little of both, we’re here to help design a fantastic master bathroom that perfectly fits your needs.

Exhaust Fans...What Are They Good For?

8/22/2017

I recently had the pleasure of spending a night at a fine hotel in downtown Dayton, OH where inspiration struck for this very blog post. I had just taken a lovely shower using the hotel provided vitamin-packed Mega-Rich collection of soaps when I flung the shower door open to find that the humidity level in the bathroom was equivalent to that of a rain forest in Brazil. Seriously, how am I to successfully style my hair with a fogged-up mirror? It’s barbaric.

Anyway, the fogged-up mirror got my humidity clogged brain thinking about exhaust fans in bathrooms and how important they really are. Yep…I’m always thinking about work.

So, why is it important that we have some sort of ventilation in our bathrooms?

The first thing that comes to mind is to remove unwanted and unpleasant odors due to, well, bathroom activities. Come on admit it…that’s what you were thinking and you’re partly correct.

Perhaps even worse than unpleasant odors in your bathroom is a build-up of unwanted steam. Without ventilation in your bathroom condensation can form on just about every surface in the bathroom causing paint to streak, mold to grow, wallpaper to peal, wood to rot, and even cause structural issues with the framing members that surround your bathroom.

Older homes often lack bathroom exhaust fans because in the good ‘ol days if the bathroom was smelly or steamy the architects and builders thought you could open a window. Seriously? Maybe if the weather is perfect but on days where temperatures are freezing or hot this isn’t a very logical ventilation method.

Experts agree that the best way to ventilate a bathroom is an exhaust fan. Exhaust fans should be at least 50 CFM (cubic feet per minute) and go up from there depending on the size of the bathroom and be vented straight to the exterior of your home (not into the attic as that can cause all sorts of mold issues too). Ideally the maximum duct length should be 10 feet or less – 20 feet if you must – with no more than a few elbows (each elbow has the equivalent resistance of 15 feet of smooth metal duct). Smooth-wall duct is preferable to flexible (ribbed) duct. If you must use the flexible (ribbed) duct it will increase the static pressure of the system so a more powerful fan will need to be used.

We recommend operating your exhaust fan for at least 15 minutes after finishing your bath or shower. This will help more the humid air out of the bathroom. We also recommend installing a digital or analog timer switch to control the exhaust fan (where applicable) which will automatically turn off the exhaust fan after a predetermined amount of time.

Do you already have an exhaust fan but suspect it’s not working? The simplest way to test your fan’s suction is to take a single square of toilet paper and place it along the fan vent while the fan is running. If the fan holds up the toilet paper then it’s working properly.

What did we learn?

excessive humidity in your bathroom is bad
If you don’t have exhaust fans in your bathrooms – get them and make sure they are vented directly to the exterior of your home
If you have existing exhaust fans test them using the toilet paper method
Consider installing a digital or analog timer to control the fan so it can continue to operate at least 15 minutes following the end of your bath or shower.

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