On Friday, June 18th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will provide additional time for contractors to become trained and certified under the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. They have moved the deadline back to October 1st and will make exceptions regarding enforcement for workers who have applied to enroll or are enrolled in courses as of September 30th. Although it has delayed the certification deadline, the EPA will continue to enforce the work practice requirements set forth in the rule.
This announcement is a result of trade groups and elected officials voicing concern that contractors did not have proper access to the necessary certification courses. Contractors working on the pre-1978 target housing were originally required to be certified by April 22nd of this year.
For more information please visit the NARPM® webpage dedicated to the new lead based paint rules. There you will find helpful links to websites and important documents. Local and state governments have also started working on additional laws regarding lead-based paint. Please be sure you are monitoring updates from your local and state chapters of NARPM® to ensure compliance with all necessary laws regarding lead-based paint and residential property management.
This information is courtesy of NARPM®. For more information including contact information, Click Here.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Summer Property Checklist
Courtesy of Richard Dobson, owner of The Master's Touch Painting Service. 253-988-6055
The general upkeep of rental properties is essential both in maintaining the value of a property and in attracting quality tenants to lease the property. Property owners depend on their property managers to help them identify items of concern that need to be taken care of. The days of summer is the best time to address certain items of concern that are easy to overlook.
Here is a short summer property checklist:
DRIVEWAYS / WALKWAYS / PATIOS: Horizontal brick, concrete and paver surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis. Dirt, mold and moss can quickly build-up during the winter months. A quick pressure washing of these areas can easily brighten the appearance of any property.
DECKS: Wood decks usually need to be cleaned and stained every 2 to 5 years. Mold and moss build-up will not only deteriorate decks, but it will also make them slippery and dangerous to walk on. Regular cleaning is essential. Checking the decking for rotten boards is also important for safety concerns.
FENCING: Like wood decks, wood fences ought to be cleaned and stained in order to keep their durability and beauty. Replacing an entire fence can be expensive, so regular pressure washing, staining and repairs can extend the life of a fence by years.
ROOFING: Composite, tile and shake roofs should be treated with a moss killer treatment to prevent moss growth. Long term moss growth can rot composite and shake roofs. All roofs can be pressure washed if needed. Shake roofs need to be cleaned and treated every 5 to 10 years in order to preserve their beauty, life and durability.
TRIM / SIDING: The appearance of a building not only adds curb appeal, but also adds value to a building. Vinyl siding and trim need to be routinely cleaned. Ideally, a new paint new coat should be added before paint peeling occurs. Once peeling begins, deterioration speeds up rapidly. The trim still needs to be painted on buildings with vinyl siding.
GUTTERS / DOWN SPOUTS: In the Evergreen State, gutters and down spouts can fill quickly with leaves, branches, mold, grime and even plant life. Cleaning them out not only helps preserve them, but it also protects wood trim and siding from the damage caused by sitting and over flowing water due to clogged gutters and down spouts.
WINDOWS / SKYLIGHTS: These ought to be checked for leaks, cracks and cleanliness, both on the inside and outside. Even minor leaks can cause extensive damage where building surfaces get consistent exposure to unwanted moisture.
SHEDS / GARAGES: Detached buildings that tenants do not live in still need to be cared for. Neglecting these pieces of property can not only be a real eye sore, but can also cause the overall value of a property to decline. Regular repairs, cleaning and painting can go a long way in maintaining these buildings.
Maintaining the appearance of a property not only adds curb appeal for potential tenants, but it also adds to the long term value of the property. Your clients will appreciate your input on any recommendations you may have in helping them maintain the value of their investment they have entrusted you to oversee.
The general upkeep of rental properties is essential both in maintaining the value of a property and in attracting quality tenants to lease the property. Property owners depend on their property managers to help them identify items of concern that need to be taken care of. The days of summer is the best time to address certain items of concern that are easy to overlook.
Here is a short summer property checklist:
DRIVEWAYS / WALKWAYS / PATIOS: Horizontal brick, concrete and paver surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis. Dirt, mold and moss can quickly build-up during the winter months. A quick pressure washing of these areas can easily brighten the appearance of any property.
DECKS: Wood decks usually need to be cleaned and stained every 2 to 5 years. Mold and moss build-up will not only deteriorate decks, but it will also make them slippery and dangerous to walk on. Regular cleaning is essential. Checking the decking for rotten boards is also important for safety concerns.
FENCING: Like wood decks, wood fences ought to be cleaned and stained in order to keep their durability and beauty. Replacing an entire fence can be expensive, so regular pressure washing, staining and repairs can extend the life of a fence by years.
ROOFING: Composite, tile and shake roofs should be treated with a moss killer treatment to prevent moss growth. Long term moss growth can rot composite and shake roofs. All roofs can be pressure washed if needed. Shake roofs need to be cleaned and treated every 5 to 10 years in order to preserve their beauty, life and durability.
TRIM / SIDING: The appearance of a building not only adds curb appeal, but also adds value to a building. Vinyl siding and trim need to be routinely cleaned. Ideally, a new paint new coat should be added before paint peeling occurs. Once peeling begins, deterioration speeds up rapidly. The trim still needs to be painted on buildings with vinyl siding.
GUTTERS / DOWN SPOUTS: In the Evergreen State, gutters and down spouts can fill quickly with leaves, branches, mold, grime and even plant life. Cleaning them out not only helps preserve them, but it also protects wood trim and siding from the damage caused by sitting and over flowing water due to clogged gutters and down spouts.
WINDOWS / SKYLIGHTS: These ought to be checked for leaks, cracks and cleanliness, both on the inside and outside. Even minor leaks can cause extensive damage where building surfaces get consistent exposure to unwanted moisture.
SHEDS / GARAGES: Detached buildings that tenants do not live in still need to be cared for. Neglecting these pieces of property can not only be a real eye sore, but can also cause the overall value of a property to decline. Regular repairs, cleaning and painting can go a long way in maintaining these buildings.
Maintaining the appearance of a property not only adds curb appeal for potential tenants, but it also adds to the long term value of the property. Your clients will appreciate your input on any recommendations you may have in helping them maintain the value of their investment they have entrusted you to oversee.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Kent Summer Concert Series
Throughout July and August, enjoy a variety of the region’s best live performances in some of Kent’s most beautiful parks – for free! Call 253-856-5050 or visit www.kentarts.com.
TAKE-OUT TUESDAYS:
Noon - 1pm
July 6 - August 10
Kent Station
July 6 - Blue 4 Trio
Eclectic music, including '30s and '40s swing and jump blues.
WEDNESDAY PICNIC PERFORMANCES: -Especially for Kids
Noon - 1pm
Sponsored by Allied Waste
Town Square Plaza
July 8 - Tickle Tune Typhoon
Dancing vegetables, larger-than-life robots and award-winning music! This Northwest favorite delivers positive messages and educational topics cleverly disguised as silly fun!
THURSDAYS AT THE LAKE:
7 - 8:30pm
Sponsored by Valley Medical Center
Lake Meridian Park
July 8 - Ray Wylie Hubbard
This legendary Texas troubadour counts among his colleagues icons like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Jerry Jeff Walker. Like them, Ray Wylie Hubbard is part of the musical legacy that continues to inspire subsequent generations of up-and-coming Texas talent.
Summer concerts are free. Donations of any amount are appreciated and used to continue to offer free quality entertainment for families. Donations are accepted on site the day of the performance. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact (253) 856-5050 or artscommission@ci.kent.wa.us to learn more about becoming a sponsor.
Summer Concert Series is family friendly and offers some performances that are especially for kids and families. All seating is unassigned, lawn seating and first come, first serve. Visitors may bring their own chairs or blankets.
Please the City of Kent know in advance how they may be able to help provide reasonable accommodations to those needing special assistance.
A heartfelt thank you to the sponsors 4Culture and Washington State Arts Commission and Kent Station.
Reprinted from the City of Kent's Scene eNewsletter and website
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
