The Truth About Lowe's and Toxic Chinese Drywall

Building a home or remodeling are both very expensive and most home owners tend to look at the cheapest product as well as availability. Because there was a large building boom between 2004 and 2008 and also natural disasters, such as hurricanes in 2006, some home owners purchased Chinese drywall.

Why the panic? Some homeowners that put Chinese drywall in their walls have found that it caused corrosion problems and some health problems as well. If you remodeled, built or bought a new home during this time period you may want to learn some facts.

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The first thing to know about Chinese drywall is that in humid areas it was found that it emitted toxic fumes that smelt like rotten eggs. It also caused problems with pipes in the walls. Piping found in air conditioning units and other appliances had corrosion problems that were directly linked to the fumes. Some residents also had some associated health problems. Many people found that the fumes caused respiratory and sinus problems. Because of these health related issues some people actually moved.

It was found that over 540 million pounds of Chinese drywall was imported to the US. However, as far as Lowes, they claim that there was none sold at their stores. Lowes called all of their suppliers when the problem was first discovered and their suppliers claim that they never received any contaminated drywall from China. Lowes claims that if you bought drywall from them, then there is no need to worry.

As you can see Chinese drywall has become a very large problem and there are many lawsuits in the works. Insurance companies and manufacturers are fighting over who's to blame--and who gets the bill. Unfortunately, as it usually happens in cases like this, the litigation could go on for years while thousands of families suffer from the effects of this toxic drywall. Lawsuits have been filed in Alabama, Louisiana, and other southern states. If you live in these areas you may want to have your homes inspected before problems occur.

The Truth About Lowe's and Toxic Chinese Drywall

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Bathroom Ventilation and Ceiling Fans

Although a traditional ceiling fan (one with exterior blades) is not generally what a homeowner considers when looking for ventilation in the bathroom. A small, half-bath or even a small full bath is usually not an appropriate place to consider installing a traditional ceiling fan, however in more modern, larger deluxe homes with large "live-in" bathrooms, a ceiling fan can add both a functional as well as a decorative touch that makes this area even more elegant and comfortable.

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To avoid possible confusion, a bathroom ceiling fan is not the same creature as the bathroom exhaust ceiling fan or ventilator although the terms may often be used interchangeably. Building codes in all the areas I can think of require bathrooms to have a means for directly ventilating hot, moist air to the outside. This can be accomplished by having either a window that can be opened in the bathroom or some type of electrical ventilating device that pulls the air from the bathroom and discharges it to the outside of the home via a vent.

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Each type of external ventilation has its pros and cons. A window often provides a nice decorating touch as well as providing a source of natural light and outside air ventilation. However, a window doesn't remove bathroom odors and moist, hot air very well under most circumstances and can't generally be used during the colder months. If the window is of wood construction, you may also run the risk of it warping with the obvious negative results. Window units are also susceptible to mold and mildew (depending on the material used in their manufacture) and require some extra attention when it comes to cleaning. A mechanical ventilation system (that runs quietly) will effectively eliminate hot, moist air and bathroom odors year round. Because of the moist air drawn through them, frequent cleaning of the blades is advisable to avoid the build-up of debris, etc.

Hanging bathroom ceiling fans serve both functional and decorative purposes. Although they don't remove (exhaust) odors, etc. they do provide a pleasing movement of air in an area that usually doesn't include this simple luxury. Even bathrooms with good outside ventilation can be stuffy sometimes, particularly when you are spending time on the "throne" or when drying your hair or after taking a shower. Exhaust systems, whether mechanical or an outside window, take time to remove heat and moisture from the bathroom area and most of us want more or less instant relief when stepping out of the shower or when taking a long, soothing bath. The air circulated by the addition of a ceiling fan can keep that mirror steam-free and otherwise provide the added comfort that you will enjoy.

There are several important considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the type, style and size of a fan that will be used in this area. Many on-line or brick and mortar retail sources will include a category for ceiling fans which can make the selection process easier. A primary consideration is the actual size (length) of the blades. 3-blade models are very popular in bathrooms. These ceiling fans are available with smaller motors and shorter blades that limit the intensity of the air circulation. To be on the safe side, shop for a fan with a variable speed control that will allow you to adjust the air circulation to its most comfortable level.

Take into consideration the height of the bathroom ceiling. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least 6 ½ to 7 feet of clearance from the bottom of the fan to the bathroom floor. If you have, for example, an 8-foot ceiling, a fan with a 3-inch down rod will be just about right, etc. For lower ceilings, "hugger" type ceiling fans are available from most manufacturers.

Avoid purchasing a ceiling fan with wooden blades or blades that are made of other natural material that tend to warp in damp or moist conditions. Keeping the blades at the same weight is a major factor in preventing a ceiling fan from getting out of balance and becoming noisy.

Bathroom ceiling fans generally need to be cleaned more often than ceiling fans in other rooms because the moist conditions under which they operate causes dust, dirt and other debris to accumulate more rapidly.

While some people use the bathroom for strictly functional purposes and are in and out rather quickly after completing their "business", others use the bathroom as a place to relax and unwind after a long day of hard work. Adding a ceiling fan to this area can truly enhance its use and make the time you spend there a pleasant experience.

Bathroom Ventilation and Ceiling Fans

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Selecting the Best Generators For Home and Business Use

While it's always a good idea to have a back up plan for power, it can be extremely confusing to make a choice when selecting generators for home and business use. What do all the specifications mean for you when you go to get a job done? If you don't understand how a generator works, you may find that you have something that is insufficient for your needs. It's also just as likely to you'll end up spending too much by purchasing a machine that has more capacity than you will use.

The needs can vary greatly between applications in your home and on a job. For home use, a smaller model will likely be sufficient, such as those sold at hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowes. The home standby generators and portable lightweight generators can handle basic power needs around the home, including running a water heater or washing machine. If you intend to provide full back up power to the entire house, you may want to purchase a larger model with more horse power and output. If you already have access to gas lines, consider one of the many propane generators or natural gas generators. Portable gas generators can be significantly less expensive to operate than other choices. For those that live away from a populated area or want to be more energy independent, it may be a good idea to examine portable solar generators. Besides home use, these models are ideal for camping and hiking. Powerenz makes several fantastic machines.

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For business applications, the most important thing to take into consideration is the power load that will be needed. Portable diesel generators are the most popular choice for job sites and farms. They can handle most moderate loads for things like power tools. For a large site, several machines may be needed. If your business has large machines that need to be able to run consistently, you will likely be looking at commercial models. These have the capability of running an entire factory floor in the event of a power outage. You can also find marine generators that are comfortable in a water environment, such as on a boat or at a dock.

Having reliable power is necessary for both homes and businesses. Selecting generators for home and business use isn't difficult if you understand what your needs are and which models best fit into those requirements.

Selecting the Best Generators For Home and Business Use

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Ceiling Fan Direction - Warm or Cool?

Have you ever wondered which way your ceiling fan should rotate depending upon the season? You are not alone in this dilemma, as many people are not aware of the proper direction ceiling fan should rotate for the right job.

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Most fans come with a ceiling fan direction of forward and reverse. When the ceiling fan direction is on forward, it will blow the air in a downward motion. When you stand beneath the fan, you will feel the breeze. When the ceiling fan direction is in reverse, it will blow the air upwards. If you stand beneath the fan, you will not feel any breeze.

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The proper ceiling fan direction should be obvious. When you want to enjoy the cooling breezes, you will want your ceiling fan direction on the forward setting. This will circulate the cool air throughout the room to ensure your comfort. If you use your air conditioner in conjunction with a ceiling fan, you will enjoy the cool air without your air conditioner having to do all the work.

In the winter, with the ceiling fan direction on reverse, all the warm air that is trapped close to the ceiling will be sent down to the ground where you will need it most. This will ensure that no toes are affected by the cold. You can save lots of money on your heating bill when you reverse the ceiling fan direction in the winter. Think of the heat stuck up on the ceiling as money, and the ceiling fan direction in reverse can shower you and your family with plenty of dollar bills.

If you have a room with a staircase where the ceiling fan is located, you will want to do the opposite. For a ceiling fan direction in reverse in this case, you will want to send the cold air up and in the forward setting in winter to circulate the heat downward.

Read the instructions that come with your fan to ensure you are operating your ceiling fan direction the right way to enjoy the full benefits of your ceiling fan all year round.

Ceiling Fan Direction - Warm or Cool?

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Discount Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans sell at a wide range of prices. They usually cost at least 0, and some models can cost more as 0. This may be too much for many people, but luckily, it is easy to find discount ceiling fans. Many stores and Internet sellers offer nothing but discount ceiling fans all the time. Other sellers put ceiling fans on sale during certain parts of the year.

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Many stores exclusively sell discount ceiling fans. They may sell the same ceiling fans found at retail stores for hundreds of dollars less. Discount ceiling-fan sellers are especially common on the Internet. Stores and websites selling discount ceiling fans must remain competitive with each other in order to stay in business, and the easiest way to do this is to sell the fans at extremely low prices.

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Many ceiling fan stores sell their products at discounts during certain times of the year. It is common for ceiling fan dealers to offer discounts during the hot summer months in order to capitalize on people who are looking for relief from the heat. Some ceiling fan dealers may have special offers for homebuilders, allowing them to buy ceiling fans at a discount.

Consumers should be careful when buying used fans, since they can be broken or defective, but they can be a good deal. It is important that buyers make sure that the used fan is in working condition and includes all parts necessary for the installation and operation of the ceiling fan before spending any money.

Discount fans can be a great way to cheaply escape the heat. Most of the time, people who buy from a discount seller have to install the ceiling fans themselves, but they are easy to install so this is usually not a problem.

Discount Ceiling Fans

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Ceiling Fan Blades - The Heart Of The Ceiling Fan

If you are trying to find ways to learn more about ceiling fan blades, then here's how to save you from a lot of trouble. Ceiling fans are only as good as their motor and blades. The blades are the determining factor for efficiency, stylishness and other stuff. When you see a fan, you don't notice the motor first, or the buttons, or even the brand. What you see first is the fan blades. You will definitely first notice its color, its blade span and the blade design. The blades are probably the most important part of the fan, next to its motor. It's the blades that enable the fan to produce airflow. What good is the motor if it has no blades?

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You have the option to choose the ceiling fan blades that you prefer but blades usually are included when you buy a ceiling fan. But sometimes we prefer something over something else that is why manufacturers give as the option to purchase blades, separately. The ceiling fan blades play an important role in the fan's ventilation capabilities. It simply determines the amount of air circulation it could generate in the same room which the fan was installed. These blades are created, balanced and checked thoroughly to make sure that it would function properly when installed in a correct manner. These are all done before they sell it. This guarantees you that it would function as smoothly as it could. The styles in which you could choose from are vast, so you could always be sure that there is a ceiling fan blade that would suit your taste. Not only that, sizes also varies and there are several different sizes available. This is to ensure that you could acquire the right - sized blades for your fan because your fan motor is only capable of turning fan blades that are inside their limit. Outside that limit, the motor will have to work double time, consuming more electricity, making it much less economic, and you might also cause it to break.

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Ceiling fan blades has also different designs that are made with consumers in mind. Different styles for different types of people and different house interior designs are created by their manufactures to make sure that you could pick something that would fit your existing interior design or the theme that your houses has, as well as the fan itself. So if you really want maximum functionality, maximum efficiency and maximum savings, pick only the type of fan blades that is suitable for the situation. For example: for big rooms which uses a fan with a large and strong motor, extra wide fan blades are perfect; it would allow the fan to generate more air circulation, thus, ventilating the whole room effectively. But, if you have a small room with a small fan, you might not want to buy larger blades. Remember that the fan is only as good as the fan blades. The pitch, the length, the rotations per minute, and the number of blades are the determining factor that tells how good a fan is.

Ceiling Fan Blades - The Heart Of The Ceiling Fan

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How to Remove Old Ceiling Fans

Before you install a new ceiling fan, if a fan is already installed and you are removing it, you need to remove the ceiling fan globe, lighting kit, blades and fan motor canopy so all that remains is the old base. Remove this base before you installing the new, more modern fan.

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The tool you need are pliers and a screwdriver (flat or star head depending on the screws). You also as a safety precaution should make sure that your main electricity supply to the lighting circuits is switched off.

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Follow these easy steps to remove the fan and the old base.

1. Remove the ceiling fan globe by removing the light cover or by unscrewing and casing screws using the screw driver (depends on the brand). This should expose the inner fittings for unscrewing yet more screws to remove the ceiling fan globes completely.

2. Once step 1 is complete, remove the blades and fan motor canopy. All is self explanatory but make sure any loose wires are taped up.

3. With only the base left, using the pair of pliers, unscrew the bolts holding the base into the ceiling. Most are mounted to the ceiling using either a ball and a bracket or hook and bolts. After you remove the bolts, the hook will keep the ceiling fan hanging but you should still exercise caution to avoid knocking your head.

4. While the fan is still hanging pull the black and white wires down a little from the ceiling opening to give you slack to work with. Unscrew the wire nuts to release the wire ends and also unscrew the ground wire from the grounding point. The ceiling motor can then be placed along side the other parts to be exposed of or whatever you wish.

5. Lastly to remove the bracket from the ceiling. Simply hold the bracket and unscrew the main screws holding the bracket to the ceiling. Job done.

How to Remove Old Ceiling Fans

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