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Tom Reilly

Getting to Know the New Owners of AZ Super Plumber

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Customer service goes beyond a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We want our customers to be raving fans!

Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy!” This month we are talking with William and Brielle Gagnon, new owners of AZ Super Plumber. So, keep reading, and enjoy a cool “Heir Apparent” local family story.

When parents own a business, children often find themselves starting to work at a very young age. In the construction business, this can mean developing character through tough manual labor at the bottom of the rung. It can also mean perks like playing with real bulldozers or tagging along with your dad’s buddies at lunch, or in the case of William Gagon and his wife, Brielle, we now have a third-generation family assuming the plumbing business. While serving in the Marines, William really came to like plumbing and always had the dream of owning his own business. When the opportunity came about to join the family business, William and Brielle jumped in with both feet and recently assumed the business 100%.

Sandy: Tom, I am delighted you had the opportunity to visit with William and Brielle.

Brielle: We are glad to be here with you, Sandy and Tom, and looking forward to talking!

William: Likewise, we love talking about the family business for sure.

Tom: As I understand it, William, you, and Brielle have taken over and are the new family heir apparent, owners of AZ Super Plumber business from your father and mother.

Sandy: I was so excited to hear about another local story of multi-generational family-owned businesses. Williams and Brielle, both of you are a great example of the next generation stepping up into the trades. That is super cool! You are super plumbers! Tell us a bit of your history with the business. Have you worked in it for long?

William: I started going out on calls with my dad, Bill, when I was about 13. I would learn by his side for several years until I joined the Marines. Brielle and I moved back home to Prescott about seven years ago and we became re-involved with AZ Super Plumber.

Sandy: What type of plumbing work do you do?

William:  We do primarily residential service work of all types, from water heater replacement to yard lines and everything connected in between. We also do some remodeling but tend to stay away from new construction.

Tom: William, what motivated you to come on home and get reinvolved?

William: That is an easy question. We missed being home and with family.

Brielle: That is pretty much it. We really wanted to be home.

Sandy: That is so impressive! Not all families in business have that bond. So, you are a third-generation family of super Plumbers.

William: My grandparents, Eileen and Bill Gagnon, started the business and my mom and dad ran it, and now it is our turn. Almost 35 years of a family business.

Tom: Wow, three generations, which is both exceedingly rare and super cool. Some of our readers would like to know what it is about the business that attracted both of you.

William: We wanted to work for ourselves. I am a perfectionist like my grandfather and my dad. Owning our own business affords us the opportunity to have hands-on quality control.

Brielle: And that quality control is not only in the field, but also in the company atmosphere, how our team members work together and most importantly with our customers.

Sandy: Excellent reasons. So now that you two are running AZ Super Plumber, what are some of the challenges you face these days?

Brielle and William (simultaneously): Finding employees!

William: Fewer people are interested in the trades these days, not like the ‘old school’ where you find people to work with who genuinely cared about quality and customer service. We need people who want to maintain and share our commitment to excellence.

Tom: What are you doing to attract those type of team members?

Brielle: Ad campaigns. We partnered with Google. When certain search words are used, we get a hit. That is one way. We also talk to our team members and ask them to keep an eye out for potential team members.

William: We advertise everywhere! Our goal is to have a bunch of applications to choose from so we can attract people who fit our team and culture. The goal is to have a happy team and a happy culture.

Sandy: Tell us more about happy team and happy business culture. I really like that!

William: We focus on high quality work and high-quality customer service. Both of those go hand in hand all our team members get a great deal of personal satisfaction from knowing they are achieving that goal.

Brielle: All our team members go through several training sessions that teach best practices for not simply good, but great customer service. The sole purpose is to train our people to understand how best to communicate with our customers. We use a third-party company, Nexstar, to help us all have the tools necessary to achieve that goal.

William: Customer service goes beyond a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We want our customers to be raving fans!

Sandy: That is so important in our industry and you should take great pride in that.
Tell us about yourselves. I understand you have a couple of kiddos running around. How does all that work with work?

Brielle: We have a daughter who is 4 and a son who is just turning six months old. I try to work from home between naps and bedtime, which helps me be there for the children.

Sandy: What happens when you need to go to the office? How often does that happen?

Brielle:  Well the reality is I would like to go in just one day a week but am often called in three or four times a week, at least for a half day. I bring our children with me. Both are accustomed to taking naps at the shop.

Tom: So, if I get this right, you are starting to train the fourth generation?

William: LOL I guess that is right!

Sandy: Do you enjoy working together? Is there a separate list for each of your responsibilities? Brielle, can you do plumbing work? Give us the inside skinny!

Brielle: Well, I know a lot about plumbing. Before kids I would go out on calls with William quite often.

William: Yeah, Brielle is 95 pounds at best ,so lifting a 40-gallon water heater onto its raised platform doesn’t always work out. LOL

Brielle: That is the truth! As for working together though we always start with a plan for the day and beyond. This helps us manage both our personal and professional life. We have a mutual respect for what each of us does and that helps a lot.

William: We really take a very professional approach to work and that helps both reduce and resolve any conflicts. There is never any yelling or screaming. We keep work apart from our family life, which affords us quality time with our kids.

Tom: Now that Bill and Kim are no longer the owners, how are the adjustments going?

William: Well, they are pretending to be retired. Mom comes in from time to time to help in the office and Dad is actually working in the field a few days a week as one of our service guys.

Brielle: They are both on the hunt for new hobbies.

Tom: That is helpful, I am sure. I am most impressed with your attention to quality, both in your work and customer service. Kudos to you both for putting your efforts and dollars into team training as well. That is so important and often a most overlooked process.

Sandy: William, is there a word of wisdom you would pass along to others working in a family business or thinking about it?

William:  Just because you think you are right does not mean you are right. Learn to effectively communicate and compromise. A family will never make progress if all you do is disagree. My parents instilled that work philosophy in me big time!

Sandy: It is mega impressive that you both are taking over the family business. It speaks volumes about the next generation moving into the future. Our readers will want to contact you. How best do they do that?

Brielle: Call Daisy at our office at 928-778-7120 and learn more about us on our website, www.azsuperplumber.com or stop by the shop at 501 6th St.

Sandy: Brielle and William, thanks from the bottom of our hearts for stopping in and sharing yourself with our readers. It’s been a real pleasure having you join Tom and me this month.

Until next month – Tom and Sandy signing out. QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect.

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. (928) 778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7:00 am on KQNA 1130 am/99.9 fm/95/5fm or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and her wingman Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Considering the Cost Per Square Foot to Build a Home

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Home construction costs vary widely based on the home’s size, design and materials used to construct it.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.”  As I always like to say, “sit back and relax.” We hope  you enjoy our column this month.

Sandy:  Hey Tom, winter is here, and our weather has been mighty splendiferous.

Tom:  I would agree Sandy. It’s my favorite time of year, without a doubt.

Sandy:  So, I have a question for you, Mr. Architect. I have been getting a mountain of calls from folks wanting to know the cost per square foot to build a home. Some have no plans but have a lot, some have no plans or lot and some have a lot and no plans. Let’s talk about how to answer their questions.

Tom:  Well, there is not a quick, succinct answer to that, Sandy, and no doubt with the growth in Yavapai County, I am sure the volume of calls you receive is increasing.

Sandy:   Tom, let us have a starting point for our readers to help them better understand why there is no exact cost per square foot to build.

Tom:  Agreed. It is kind of like asking how much a car costs!

Sandy:  Tom, it depends on the car, of course.

Tom:  Exactly. There needs to be some planning before any kind of budget can be established.

Sandy:  I suspect some people are just trying to figure out if they should build or buy. Either way they need to have a number/budget in mind.

Tom:  There are a lot of ways to get some notion as to what someone will need to spend to get what they want.

Sandy:  Let’s give our readers some of those notion pointers. The more informed people are, the better it is for everyone.

Tom:  OK. If you know the neighborhood you want to live in, look for homes recently constructed and ask the builder what home costs are in that area. The actual cost of construction for any home is not public knowledge.

Sandy:   The permit valuation, while not based on the contract amount, might give people some information as well.

Tom:  Yes, some idea, but as you know, they are not that accurate.

Sandy:  Realtors can play a part in helping with establishing a budget, also. They sell both new homes as well as preowned.

Tom:  Perfect. That was going to be my next go-to helpful person. Folks need to remember, though, that without a lot and no plans, any numbers you get will be way off what their reality might be.

Sandy:  I agree and am a huge proponent of planning. People need to get with an architect or home designer to establish a basic design that can help focus probable construction costs.

Tom:  Exactly. The more info you have, the more accurate the pricing will be.

Sandy:  I am asked about web-based home pricing tools like Zillow. Do you find these to be accurate?

Tom:  Well, yes and no. Zillow gives us likely value of an existing home based on algorithms that I am not smart enough to understand. Bottom line is that while helpful with existing homes, new construction is often more expensive.

Sandy:  So, if my home is next to a vacant lot and my home was built three years ago, the value of my home is not a good indicator of what it would cost to build a new home on the vacant lot. Is that the point you are making?

Tom:  Yes, exactly. Not always, but a good rule of thumb has been that you can buy an existing home for a little less than the cost for a new build.

Sandy:  Does that include the inevitable remodel?

Tom:  No, of course not. But not all older homes are candidates for remodels.

Sandy:   True. So, let us bring this subject to a recap. Home construction costs vary widely based on the home’s size, design and materials used to construct it.

Tom:  Yes, and the more planning folks do will increase the accuracy of any pricing model.

Sandy:  Tom, with everything you have said, here is my takeaway. With the rising prices of construction materials, especially lumber, the cost to build a home is based on a number of factors and can certainly be higher than for what one would consider selling their home. There is no standard cost per square foot amount and there are many key factors that have an impact on what it would cost to build a home.

Tom: Sandy, you are a quick study. Costs to build a home often differ from market values because of mortgage requirements, tax assessments and real estate appraisals and, of course, current building codes, current labor and, as you said, Sandy, material costs.

Sandy: Tom, you love math. Give our readers the math answer as to why there is no exact square foot price to build a home.

Tom: Square foot pricing is a ratio of the total cost of the project’s components divided by the size of the livable portion of a house in most instances. Since the components that make up a project can be so different from project to project, it is impossible to predict a price per square foot with any accuracy.

Sandy: What is the most expensive part of building a house?

Tom: The most expensive part of building a home is usually finishing the interior. Depending on the level of finishes an owner wants, they can spend about one-third of their budget on flooring, appliances, cabinets and other high-end touches.

Sandy: Tom, considering project components, there are many factors that will influence the cost per square foot. Some of the components to be considered are permitting fees, utilities, design fees, the location of the home, building materials and products selected, the major systems such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. The size and type of systems will certainly affect the price. For example, are you considering electrical components such as smart-home devices? How do you want your home to be wired? Do you want traditional systems or do you want valued engineering systems? The foundation is a huge component. There are excavation costs, fill and soils reports. The interior finishes are also a critical component to costs. Countertop material, fireplaces, windows, doors, roof material – all these items and more add to the cost per square foot of building a home.

Sandy: Great information, Tom, and thanks for being our wise sage in the building arena. You are indeed a valued partner.

Together, Tom and I say, “Happy Winter to you.”  Until next month, thanks for stopping in to read At Home With Tom and Sandy. QCBN

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect.

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. (928) 778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7:00 am on KQNA 1130 am/99.9 fm/95/5fm or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and her wingman Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

What to Expect in Construction for the New Year

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Asking oneself every day, “What is it I am grateful for?” goes a long way to a positive outlook for sure.

Welcome to another addition of At Home with Tom and Sandy! We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry, what is up, what is down, what is hot and what is not. We will share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and we will just talk.

Tom: Hello Sandy! Like the John Lennon song, “Another year over, a new begun a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let us hope it’s a good one. . .”

Sandy: Back at ya, Tom! Wow, 2021 sure was a weird, zany, bizarre year full of new ways to conduct business and, at the same time, there is a lot to be thankful for.

Tom: We should talk about this past year as it relates to this wonderful, crazy construction industry we are part of – what we are grateful for, what changed and what we must look forward to.

Sandy: Excellent idea. So much has changed this year. As I like to say, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. I am so grateful for the construction industry.

Tom: So many of our local construction companies are family-run businesses and they genuinely care about their employees and treat them with the respect and understanding, just like they would do for their own families.

Sandy: I feel that every community person should not take staff/workers for granted with everything that every business has been through during the pandemic. Every employee needs to be given appreciation and respect every day. Every employee and business is so important and everyone should be grateful to have a community of such industrious, professional and knowledgeable individuals working so hard.

Tom: Simply put, without our community workforce we would be unable to provide services to our citizens. Every employee is out there braving the elements (and I do not mean weather elements) and not only getting the job done, but ensuring that every customer is taken care of.

Sandy, in addition to the workforce, what are some thoughts on your grateful list?

Sandy: Oh my, that is one exceptionally lengthy list! Next to every single employee everywhere, my list starts with our local farmers markets and goes all the way to peanut butter, with a little “Alexa, please play Christmas Music” and lots of gratefulness for YCCA thrown in the mix.

Tom: Quite the range there, Sandy.

Sandy: LOL. I really think being grateful is the ultimate boost for feeling happy and fulfilled in life and gratitude matters because it is such a crucial aspect of looking at life positively.

Tom: Asking oneself every day, “What is it I am grateful for?” goes a long way to a positive outlook for sure. I suspect many of our readers feel the same.

Sandy: I am a lucky lady. To be able to help so many people when they call YCCA for help is truly a blessing.

Tom:I suspect you have gotten more calls this year and last, given the craziness of our industry.

Sandy: Well, I do not know about more calls, but the subject of the calls is different. Finding contractors to taking on projects of varying sizes is more difficult than in the past.

Tom: Got that. The labor shortage is only the tip of that iceberg. A lot of contractors are having difficulty finding help and that weighs in on where to focus your company’s attention.

Sandy: Demand is high, which leads to higher costs for products as well. Although, that has not really slowed down the desire for people to want to improve their homes or build new ones.

Tom: Have you seen a rise in folks turning to unlicensed people?

Sandy: Yes. And I say I get it, but it is such a bad move. I know costs are rising and people are saying they can get the work done cheaper.

Tom: I get it, too. But, boy, oh boy, can that backfire. Projects not being completed, no warranty security, there is that tip of the iceberg again. I agree it is a bad move to use unlicensed entities.

Sandy: Absolutely. I recall a book on management titled, “If You Haven’t Got the Time to Do It Right, When Will You Find the Time to Do It Again?” People need to be cautious as always. Do not be tempted to take what seems like the easy way out.

Tom: That might be the best take-away from this conversation!

Sandy: Maybe. What are some of the other changes you have seen?

Tom: Well, contracts have changed. Because contractors have zero control over the delivery and availability and cost of a lot of items that go into a home, contracts are now reflecting and specifying those items to make clients aware and to limit liability.

Sandy: I understand that for certain. I have also heard that ordering items like cabinets and widows earlier than normal is causing deposits to be higher.

Tom: That is another change. Consumers need to have those early down payments documented. The professional contractors out there know this and build it into their contract specifics.

Sandy: Our industry cannot perform its tasks on Zoom, so personal contact is essential. The protocols taken by contractors have changed. Masks and sanitizing are new features in our wheelhouse. We must remember you cannot install countertops virtually.

Tom: LOL. That is so true. So now I want to evaluate your clairvoyance skills. What do you see on the horizon for 2022?

Sandy:  My crystal ball is always a bit fuzzy, and it is always turning, swirling and thinking! I would base my comments on those who do these predictions for a living. I am hearing from economists that the supply chain will catch up. I think this new COVID variant omicron and our leaders’ responses to that may have a real impact on whether that happens. What are some of your thoughts?

Tom: Great point. I think the changes in how detailed contracts have become will remain. And that is a good thing. I think inflation will continue to inch upward even though it is an election year.

Sandy: And Tom, I bet we see 40-year mortgages at some point in time. I am not even sure what “normal” is anymore. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it.

Tom: I keep hearing about the new normal. I hope that is not going to be a reality. Fear seems to have become more of a driving factor and that is not good. I believe that is more divisive than productive.

Sandy: There are so many topics, political points of view and social baggage that divide us nowadays. I am saddened by that. We need to find more ways to compliment and enjoy people for who we are. Being respectful and being grateful. Now those are changes I can really get behind!

Tom: Amen.

Tom and Sandy: Together, we say Happy New Year and let us all be grateful for life in general. Let us be grateful for work, let us be grateful for friends and family, let us be grateful for love and laughter, and let us be grateful for every random thing possible!

Thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy. You are in good company, and we love sharing our talk with you. QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Practicing Water Conservation

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I, Tom and Sandy, pledge to do our part to save water.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month we are talking about water conservation. Water is a resource to use wisely. Naturally, water sustains all living things. Consider conservation as conscious consumption. We need to respect and appreciate water as a finite resource. Water conservation in practice is low-tech, low-cost and everyone can participate. We all play a part in consuming water.

Sandy: Hello again, Tom. Here we are at year end. Wow, did 2021 zip by. We are going to talk water this month. Are you ready?

Tom: Great topic, Sandy, and happy soon-to-be New Year to you. Water – yep, there is a lot to talk about.

Sandy: We have thousands more people living in the Quad Cities now than we did 20 years ago and we are using less water now!

Tom: That is not only per person using less water, but overall usage as well. I recall 20 years ago our usage was around 150+ gallons per person per day.

Sandy: Now, that number is down to between 100 gallons per person per day in Prescott Valley and 115 gallons per person per day in Prescott.

Tom: These usage numbers are from within the Active Management Area, or AMA.

Tom: The Arizona Department of Water Resources, also known as ADWR, requires conservation efforts to be in place within the AMA for the designated water providers, and Prescott is within an AMA.

Sandy: Our local jurisdictions have also stepped up the effort by implementing the WaterSmart programs designed to educate all of us on wise ways to conserve, and even included a rebate program in Prescott, to encourage existing users to replace water using fixtures and landscaping with water conserving devices and xeriscape.

Tom: That has been a successful program in Prescott. While Prescott Valley does not have a rebate program, their education has gone a long way to making folks see the potential impact water conservation has based on individual consumption.

Sandy: The Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition brings all the local jurisdictions together with the goal of water conservation. They include Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino, Yavapai County and The Yavapai Prescott Tribe all working together. The cooperation always impresses me.

Tom: Me as well. Let us tell our readers about some of the practical things each of us can do to conserve water.

Sandy: Tom, are you aware that everything in life – food, buildings, vehicles, furniture and clothing –embodies water, the amount of water directly or indirectly used during production? Although often aware of energy requirements, the public is hardly aware of the water requirements in producing their good and services. Everything has a water footprint.

Tom: Sandy, are you saying my glass of beer has a water footprint?

Sandy: Yep – your 16-ounce glass of beer takes 40 gallons of water to produce the beer.

Tom: So, Sandy, we all know you love shoes. You have been called out many times on your radio show, “Hammer Time.” What is the water footprint for your shoes?

Sandy: Tom, it takes 2,105 gallons of water to produce my beloved boots. YEEKS! There is so much about water such as ground water, aquifers, springs and creeks, natural recharge, artificial recharge and safe yield, and the list goes on. What do you say we get into some water conservation tips?

Tom: First thing that comes to my mind for water conservation in the home would be Tankless or On-Demand Water Heaters. It is estimated that tankless water heaters are as much as 50% more efficient than traditional water heaters.

Sandy: First thing that comes to my mind for water conservation is washing machines! Did you know that washing machines that spin on a horizontal axis reduce water consumption of 20% to 50% per load, require less detergent and consume 50% to 60% less energy?

Tom: Since we are saving water on the inside of the house, how about dishwashers? Energy efficient dishwaters consume six to 10 gallons of water per cycle compared to nine to 12 gallons or less efficient models.

Sandy: Water leaks inside the home are a culprit for loss of water. But you say, “it is only a small drip, right?” Slow drips of water add up quickly. A toilet that continues to run after flushing or a sink that continues to drip after it is turned off will waste thousands of gallons of water a year.

Tom: Here is how to detect a water leak inside the home: Locate your water meter. Turn off all indoor and outdoor water-using devices including the evap cooler, water softener and icemaker. Record the read from the water meter. Wait 30 minutes and read again. If you have a different reading, you have a leak!

If your water meter test indicates a leak, I would say start your leak search with the toilet. A leaking toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water. To check your toilet, put 10 to 15 drops of food coloring into the tank. After 10 to 15 minutes, check the bowl for color. If there is color in your bowl, guess what, you have a leak!

Sandy: If you have an older toilet, it’s time to get a new one. Many years ago, toilets that used three to five gallons per flush were the norm. Now we are using mostly one-and-half gallon flush toilets. That is a huge savings right there. Out with the old and in with the new!

Tom: Sandy, we could keep going – there are shower head leaks, leaky pipes, outdoor faucet leaks, landscaping sprinkler line leaks, which all impact water conservation.

Sandy: Tom, we have enough water conservation items to talk about for another couple of months! A big user of water is our landscaping. Several landscapers encourage low, or no water use landscaping. Xeriscape landscaping has become the norm for new construction, both residential and commercial. And I might say with pride, our landscape folks at YCCA are all very well informed and are good at implementing water conservation yards.

Tom: Let us end our column with a water conservation pledge:

I, Tom and Sandy, pledge to do our part to save water. By taking just a few small steps we can save significant amounts of water, which will help protect our environment and save our precious water resource for future generations.

Thanks most wonderful readers for stopping in to read “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” We love ya. QCBN

By Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Adding Quality of Life Value by Remodeling

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I say: dream, invest in your own comfort and lifestyle. When you do what you want, you will be much happier.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy!”

We are here to give you the inside scoop on the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share our thoughts, thinking and, of course, opinions on construction, remodeling, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment and, as they say, “so much more.”

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy. We are going to talk about value added remodeling dreams.

Sandy: You know, Tom, one of my big wants if money were not object as they say and I could remodel my home to my heart’s content would be to have a steam shower in the master bath. The ahhh in steam would be terrific.

Tom: I am halfway there with you, Sandy. There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to add steam to your existing shower enclosure or get a standalone shower. Either way, you could be looking at an investment between $2,500 to $5,000, or higher, depending on the bells and whistles.

I love outdoor living in our area. Since this can happen eight to nine months a year, my big ‘If money were no object’ would be an outdoor living room and kitchen, where I could hang out, grill, maybe nap, listen to the birds and watch the coyotes walk by.

Sandy:  Sounds cool Mr. R. What would that dream run you?

Tom:  My dream? Probably $100K. Then again, I can design some pretty cool stuff! What else is on your remodel bucket list?

Sandy:  I like the idea of outdoor living, but my next thought runs to my kitchen. I would like to have a deep sink, like a farmer’s sink, warming drawers, and a really cool “kick it” cooking surface complete with four to five burners and a griddle. I love to cook fresh, healthy meals!

Tom:  Sounds like my kind of kitchen. A nice big Wolfe Range with an intergral convection oven could cost $10K. The warming, or even cooling drawers between $2,000 and up. The deep farmer’s sinks are all over the cost map. Enamel, cast iron, pewter-type metal, hammered metal, will run anywhere from $600 to $2,500.

Sandy:  Well, we started this conversation with the thought that ‘money was no object,’ so let me dream a little.

How about a huge walk-in closet with shelves, drawers and lots of hanging space? Some daylighting in there, places for an untold number of shoes. Oh, can I get an automatic shoe polisher too?

Tom:  Ok then, wait. How many shoes you got?

Sandy:  A girl never tells!

Tom:  Fair enough.

Let’s pretend you can steal space from an adjacent room to expand your itty-bitty closet. Say 8 feet by 10 feet. That will give you all kinds of room for dressing, a chair or bench to sit on, and of course a full-length mirror. I assume, since we are dreaming, you might want piped in music or a TV. A custom designed closet system can run between $1,500 to $4,000 or more. When you think about using this space 365 days a year, over 10 years, two times a day, the high end would only cost about $.50 per use. Well worth it.

As for the automatic shoe polisher, well they run about $100 to $300 plus a 110v outlet. The LEED Accredited Professional in me is glad you mentioned daylighting. Skylights can work well. Lately we have been using the indirect solar tube systems for closets since you don’t really need to see outside.

Seems you can have it all, Sandy!

Sandy:  Oh boy, I am not done yet! The laundry room is next. A side-by-side front loading washer and dryer with storage below and above, a deep sink for prewashing, with a spray nozzle, a space to hang wet things, dry things and a way to catch the dripping water on the floor for the wet stuff and maybe a bench where someone could sit and take off their shoes. Think you could do all that for under $10K?

Tom:  You have got your priorities together, that’s for sure. As for the cost, that largely depends on the washer and dryer you choose. Your budget could be realistic, though.

Sandy:  Well I always have all kinds of ideas that I think up as my days roll on, you know how great it is working in this industry, we see so many innovative ideas and new products. I told you about my dream kitchen, but I want to add a fireplace where I can warm my tired feet while I sip my tea. Have you ever done something like that, Mr. Architect?

Tom:  No I haven’t, but what a great idea! We have put fireplaces in living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms and outside rooms but not in a kitchen. Maybe a space for a flat screen above so you can watch the DIY home improvement TV shows!

Sandy:  I love those shows, don’t you be making fun of them, mister!

Tom:  Sorry. This has been a fun column. When we meet with clients, we encourage them to do just like you are doing Sandy and dream. Too often, folks think about the next homeowner, someday, down the road and try to imagine what might help with resale. I say: dream, invest in your own comfort and lifestyle. When you do what you want, you will be much happier.

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

What to Know About Monsoon Damage

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Our wind-driven hail tore up siding on houses, broke windows, shredded landscaping and, of course, dented cars.

Hi readers – welcome to another edition of At Home with Tom and Sandy. We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry, what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and so much more.

As we all know there is a plethora of hustle and bustle going on in the housing and construction industry and the biggest hustle and bustle has been the most recent deluge of monsoon rains and hail. So, settle in and enjoy our article.

Tom:  Hi Sandy, is your phone ringing off the hook from all this weather we have been getting, especially with the hail?

Sandy:  Hail yes, it has. Flood stuff, mud stuff, but mostly hail damage stuff. I am amazed at just how destructive hail can be.

Tom: Ok, my Wikipedia of hail damage, what is hail?

Sandy: Hail 101: How does hail form? Hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. Hailstones then grow by colliding with our monsoon rains that freeze onto the hailstone’s surface. If the water freezes instantaneously when colliding with the hailstone, cloudy ice will form as air bubbles will be trapped in the newly formed ice. However, if the water freezes slowly, the air bubbles can escape and the new ice forms.

Tom: I am liking this Hail 101 class. So how does hail fall to the ground?

Sandy: Hail falls when it becomes heavy enough to overcome the strength of the thunderstorm updraft and is pulled toward the earth by gravity. Just like we have seen with our recent hailstorm, hail can fall at an angle or even nearly sideways! Our wind-driven hail tore up siding on houses, broke windows, shredded landscaping and, of course, dented cars.

I bet you now want to know how fast hail falls. This is a very complicated answer. The fall speed of hail primarily depends on the size of the hailstone, the friction between the hailstone and surrounding air, the local wind conditions (both horizontal and vertical), and the degree of melting of the hailstone. For small hailstones (< 1 inch in diameter), the expected fall speed is between nine and 25 miles per hour (mph). For hailstones that one would typically see in a severe thunderstorm (1 inch to 1.75 inch in diameter), the expected fall speed is between 25 and 40 mph. In the strongest supercells that produce some of the largest hailstones, one might expect to see (2 inches to 4 inches in diameter), the expected fall speed is between 44 and 72 mph.

Tom: Sandy, how does one estimate the size of hail?

Sandy: Hail size is often estimated by comparing it to a known object. Most hailstorms are made up of a mix of different sizes. Pea size hail is about ¼ inch diameter. Mothball size hail is about ½ inch diameter. Penny size hail is about ¾ inch diameter. Nickel size hail is about 7/8 inch in diameter and quarter size hail is about 1 inch in diameter.

Tom:  As we can see from Hail 101, our area experienced lots of damage primarily based upon ½ inch size hailstones and larger.

Sandy:  Thank goodness we did not experience the golf ball size hail stones. That would have been a major destructive force of damage to our area.

I am getting calls about roofs, of course, but also damaged siding, stucco damage, windows and even cars!

Tom:  Well, that’s what you get when the world knows who YCCA is and what they do.

Sometimes the damage doesn’t get noticed right away. Folks would do themselves a real service by walking around their homes after a storm and looking at all the surfaces.

Sandy:  That’s a great suggestion. For homes that are on hilly terrain, it might be best if they had a pair of binoculars instead of getting on a ladder.

Tom:  Sometimes you can see your roof across the street or from the next block and the binoculars really let you see the condition of your shingles.

Sandy:  Asphalt shingles and metal roofs sustained the most damage, based on the calls I am receiving. However, calls are coming in about manufacture homes and the foam roof coverings as well.

Tom:  Have you had calls pertaining to landscaping?

Sandy: Heck yes. Out by the Dells, many homeowners had their landscaping shredded by the hailstones – yards and yards of plants and bushes left without a leaf in place.

Tom, it is important to share with our readers that hail damage, as we experienced in our area, the dents and bumps, do not cause leaks. Unless a window was shattered by hail, everything remains in good shape until new replacement items can be put in motion.

Tom:  Absolutely good to mention. Hail and wind and rain will knock the granules on an asphalt roof off, but no leaks will occur.

Sandy:  With the number of calls, everyone needs to be patient. Our roofers are working as hard and as fast as they can.

Tom:  I, of course, would agree. We all know how very busy everyone is right now and unless the damage is serious, I agree, be patient.

Sandy, it is important to share with our readers that with any major weather event, an area will get the less-than-upright solicitors from somewhere else, swooping in to take advantage of people when they need help. Sandy, when doing battle with the nefarious “carpetbaggers,” what advice can you give our readers on determining the authenticity of a solicitor?

Sandy: Use licensed local roofers. Do not turn your insurance over to third party companies for negotiating and handling the claim for you. Make sure you have a contract that describes the work to be performed, material to be used, etc. I have seen out-of-area contracts that have just had a dollar amount. Please be aware and beware!

Thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy. You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. QCBN

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Home Modifications Can Help Seniors as They Age

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The vast majority of Americans aged 65 and older, about 90%, say they want to continue to live in their own homes as they gain in years.

Sandy:  Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Warm then hot then blistering hot and hotter. And let the monsoons pour!

Tom:  Sounds counterintuitive, but I agree. Let’s hope the monsoons, as our summer rains are known, make a long-lasting appearance this year.

Sandy:  Everything is so dry. This might be a good time to remind our readers about being firewise. To our readers, please check with our local fire departments to find out what the fire regulations are. And when towing a trailer, make sure those tow chains do not drag. It is so easy to cause a brush fire with those dragging chains and the sparks they create.

Tom:  Great point. What will we talk about this month? What are your most frequent calls these days?

Sandy:  Well, Tom, I receive all kinds of calls. The cutest call I received last week was from an elderly woman. She wanted to adopt a doggie and wanted my help on where to go to find one. Her current dog is 17 years old and is in failing health. She wanted a new medium-size dog to bring into the home before her current doggie crosses the rainbow bridge. The Yavapai County Humane Society only had small dogs, so I told her I would make a few phone calls on her behalf. Other than the dog adoption call, I have had numerous calls from homeowners, the elderly precious seniors who are trying to decide if they should stay in their home as they age. It is a dilemma and can be pretty daunting if they don’t have good information.

Tom:  So very true. As an architect, I have spent quite a bit of time using the American swith Disabilities Act information as part of what we can apply to what the industry calls “Aging in Place.” There are two questions folks need to ask themselves regarding staying in their home or moving to other locations.

Sandy:  I bet the first question should be, “Are they comfortable where they are currently living?” Do they know the neighborhood, the neighbors, are they close to services, things like that?

Tom:  Spot on, Sandy. That is the key first question. If the answer is no here, then moving to an incorporated all-encompassing living facility that can better support their needs makes sense.

Tom:  If the answer is yes, well then, we suggest looking around to see what changes or improvements might be needed in order to make aging at home a bit simpler and easier and less stressful.

Sandy:  I would venture to say that changes in the bathroom would be first and foremost for ease and convenience and of course, safety. I receive so many calls to remove the bathtubs and install walk in showers with shower seats and grab bars. Many families want showers without curbs to support wheelchairs.  Getting in and out of a tub can certainly be a challenge for folks with mobility issues. What is some of your sage advice here?

Tom:  Yup. Great place to start, as that room ranks as the most accident-prone space in the home and the most dangerous part of this room is the tub/shower.

Tom:  In an ideal situation, we would remove the tub and replace it with a zero-entry shower. That is a shower that has no curbs.

Sandy:  No tub, no curbs, that certainly reduces a major tripping hazard. With a seat in the shower and a handheld faucet, many issues could be solved.

Tom:  We also recommend having the floor surface that is non-slip. While mats can help that, they can also move.

Sandy:  What if someone wants to keep their tub? Can you install grab bars to help?

Tom: Yes. We would install at least three. One vertical bar at the entry point to help stabilize the movement over the tub’s edge, and a second, typically on a 45-degree angle along the long wall of the tub. This facilitates sitting down, and if you are standing, the angle helps catch you if you fall. The third one is horizontal just above the faucet or tub filler. This helps sitting up and preparing to stand.

Sandy: What other modifications do you see most often when converting a bath for the elderly or for that matter someone who is in a wheelchair or has health challenges?

Tom:  The vanity sink faucets could be replaced from the turning type to a paddle design.

Sandy:  The ease of the on and off is pretty apparent. I would think this would apply to the kitchen sink as well.

Tom:  Yes, and door handles, but one more item in the bathroom before we move on, the toilet. At least trade out for what is known as a “comfort height” water closet if not an outright handicapped height. The increased height is what helps. Grab bars in this area help as well.

Sandy:  So that could be four or five grab bars in a single bathroom, and I know they are worth their weight in gold the one time you need them and those that get used every day for safety assistance.

Tom:  Yes, they are.

Sandy:  So, move us on to the rest of the house. What room is next?

Tom:  Let’s talk kitchen. You mentioned the paddle handles for the sink, that is important. The other aspect of the kitchen’s usability are the cabinets.

Sandy:  Upper shelves can be hard to reach and keeping the most used items on the lower shelves is the smart thing to do here. Heck, I already do that, and pull-out shelving is awesome!

Tom:  Great! We like to recommend installing pull-out drawer shelves for the lower cabinets, Sandy; we are on the same page. Often, a good cabinet shop can retrofit your existing cabinets with these back-saving devices.

Sandy:  How about counter space? Moving pots and pans around can be difficult if the counters are too far from the cooking surfaces, or the refrigerator.

Tom:  Yes. Couple of things here. One, there should be a minimum 18” to 24” of counter on each side of a cooking surface. At least one counter near the refrigerator and pantry. The other back-saving modification would be to have the oven with its racks about counter height and the same with the microwave.

Sandy:  Lifting in and out of those necessary appliances can be an issue. There are other household simple modifications that can be made to help staying in your home. Simple things like area or throw rugs are tripping hazards. Lighting needs to be brighter and that could be as simple as changing a bulb.

Tom:  You are correct. A lot of things that can be done to make your home safe and comfy for years to come.

Sandy:  And a lot of those things can be DIY! How cool is that. Mr. Renovations!

The vast majority of Americans aged 65 and older, about 90%, say they want to continue to live in their own homes as they gain in years. Many seniors are worried about their financial futures. Approximately 15% of seniors surveyed by the AARP say they are not confident their finances will last through their retirement years and 8% have no financial plan for retirement. The good news that we shared with you in our column this month is that these changes for making your home safe will not break the bank.

Tom: For our readers, Sandy, while it seems simple to remain in their home, it is possible that homeowners will need to make some adjustments to their daily routine or even need to make some modifications to their home as they age, such as the ones we discussed. With some research and helpful resources, anyone can find ways to make aging in place safer and more convenient.

Thanks, readers, for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. Until next month! QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Remodeling Manufactured Homes

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Manufactured homes are becoming the wave of affordability and they are built to last.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on everything A to Z for your home – and we love talking about the construction industry. Settle in, enjoy and have fun reading our column. We sure do enjoy sharing our words with you. Thanks for being such loyal and great readers.

Sandy:  Summertime, summertime. Ah, Tom, summer. You have got to love it. The sun comes out, the temperatures go up, and everyone heads outside to enjoy their favorite warm weather activities, right?

Tom: Yes, Sandy, and often with a refreshing drink in their hand. There is a reason so many great summer songs have been written. In my mind, it is the year’s best season, and with all the backyard BBQing, picnics and camping trips, we need a playlist to crank up during the fun.

Sandy: For sure, Tom, especially this summer, when it looks like we are taking our first tentative steps out of quarantine.

So, Tom, what is your favorite top summer song from your playlist of tunes? I bet you are an old-school fan of summer songs from bands like The Drifters or are you into newbie tunes from the likes of Taylor Swift?

Tom:  Sandy, I love “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. It is pure sunny joy.

Sandy: I love The Beach Boys’ “California Girl” and “Under The Boardwalk” by The Drifters. You can almost smell the suntan lotion and hear waves crashing when you crank up those classics.

Tom: Besides waves crashing, I sure hope we hear raindrops crashing soon. We so need the rain.

Sandy: Everything is so dry. This might be a good time to remind our readers about fire restrictions and hopefully we all will do our part in taking them seriously. We are in Stage II Fire Restrictions. For answers to questions about what you can and cannot do, please call your local fire department.

Tom:  Great point. So, now that we have talked about great summer songs, what is on our discussion list this month? What are your most frequent calls these days?

Sandy:  Well, I get all kinds of calls, but these past few weeks I have had several calls from owners living in manufactured homes. They are wanting to remodel and are stumped as to where to begin. It seems our contractors are so busy with work that they do not want to take on these types of buildings.

Tom:  I get that, but my experience has been that most of us contractor types do not fully understand how the homes are constructed and therefore are reluctant to take on remodels.

The first thing to clarify is terminology. A manufactured home and modular home are two different animals. Manufactured homes are built to HUD standards, while modular homes are built to ICC codes and are tailored to various jurisdictional standards.

Sandy:  I have heard of the Manufactured Housing Institute. Here is an organization that is somewhat like YCCA; they are a trade organization representing all aspects of factory-built housing.

Tom:  Yes, a good group. So, basically, there are two different codes for the different manufacturing process.

Sandy:  I understand that the structural aspects are different in manufactured homes and that the interior walls are integrated and necessary to support the overall building.

Tom:  True to some extent. That does not mean you cannot remodel a manufactured home though. The components of a manufactured home are utilized and designed to be a small as they can be in order to meet the code standards that apply to them, which is the HUD code.

Sandy:  And that is why they are affordable, which is the goal.

Tom:  Yup. We have remodeled several manufactured and modular homes. The process is a little different for each, but the basics are quite similar. Walls can often be removed partially or in their entirety. It depends on the model, the code under which it was constructed and the local regulations for modular homes.

Sandy:  The Arizona Department of Housing regulates manufactured homes’ initial placement, but do they also regulate remodels?

Tom:  That depends on the extent of a remodel, but generally that has not been my experience. The local building jurisdiction does that.

Sandy:  So, with both modular and manufactured homes you need to check with your local building department to remodel.

Tom:  While I am not an expert with manufactured homes, that has been what we have done.

Sandy:  There are several local companies that focus their business on manufactured and modular homes. I am seeing that they are so busy like everyone else. That is why it is tough to get somebody to work on them.

Tom:  I think that holds true across the board. Working on either manufactured or modular homes has its own uniqueness. I think that deters a lot of general contractors from getting involved.

Sandy:  It is usually this kind of predicament that attracts the unlicensed people to meet the demand.

Tom:  I am more concerned about homeowners getting ripped off under those circumstances. There are some really honest but unlicensed folks out there and I do not know how a person tells the difference without any licensing authority to help.

Sandy: For our readers, let’s share the difference between modular and manufactured homes.

Tom: Good idea. All modular homes are prefab homes but not all prefab homes are modular homes. A prefab home is a type of home that consists of several components, or units, that are built in a factory and that are then assembled onsite to construct a complete home prefabricate.

Sandy: You answered that question so here is another one. Are prefab homes and modular homes the same?

Tom: A manufactured, or prefab, home is a home that is entirely constructed in a factory. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certifies and oversees these homes. Supported by the sturdy steel chassis, the house is transported wholly to the building site.

Sandy:  So, to clarify, modular homes are factory-built, but, unlike manufactured homes, they do not rest on steel chassis. Instead, modular homes are assembled on fixed foundations. A manufactured home, by definition, is attached to a permanent chassis. A manufactured home is sometimes called a “mobile home.” A modular home is built in a controlled factory environment in sections, or modules, and is engineered and built to the state or local building codes where the home will be located. Factory-built modules are then transported to the site, where they are installed on permanent foundations and completed by professional installers.

Tom: Manufactured homes are becoming the wave of affordability and they are built to last. Many people vastly underestimate how durable manufactured homes can be. Not all local zoning laws allow manufactured homes so it is important to check with the local jurisdictions to confirm that a manufactured home can be situated on a lot.

Sandy: We have a local member, Clayton Homes, that crafts manufactured homes and is so involved in our community. If any of our readers have questions, I reach out to the Clayton team. Clayton manufactured homes allow for improved efficiency and energy conservation and they precision-build each home to reduce cost and waste and lowers end costs by buying brand name products in bulk.

Let’s go enjoy our summer days ahead. Tom and I will see you next month.

Thanks for stopping in to read At Home With Tom and Sandy. You are in good company, and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Considering Growth, Real Estate and Construction

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From everything I have read, the economists are expecting housing’s winning streak to continue through 2021.

Hi, readers – welcome to another edition of At Home With Tom and Sandy. We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate and the construction industry, what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and so much more.

As we all know, there is a lot going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time and money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy.

Tom:  Hello Sandy, our YCCA gal! Since our radio show together earlier on KYCA this month, I have been giving the topic you chose, “Growth,” renewed thought.

Sandy:  I don’t know if that is scary or cool. It is a hot-button issue for sure. There are quite a few subdivisions out there both under construction and on the books.

Tom:  I love quoting a great American philosopher, Yogi Berra, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” As a community, we have been through this many times in the past 40+ years that I have been around.

Sandy:  Haha, I get it. We keep going through the same sorts of struggles. I have been wondering what people think about the growth in Yavapai County and asking why they are either for or against. Answers cover the spectrum – from traffic and road capacity, open space and water resources – from some folks. Others are happy and love to see the growth and know that we need it to prosper and feel that housing is a good thing.

Tom:  This is a great place to live, work and play. Why wouldn’t folks want to move here? You are correct, though, the issues on all sides of the growth question really don’t seem to change. Some of it is perception; some of it is real concern.

Sandy:  I feel like I fall into both categories sometimes. I am concerned about road capacity, and before you jump up and down, I am very aware of the CYMPO (Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization) and the transportation plan in place through 2045 and the fantastic job that CYMPO does in representing Yavapai County. I am just commiserating with the amount of travel traffic I see on the roads. And I must say I smile when I see the construction vehicles on our highway at 6:30 a.m., transporting materials that will be the beautiful home of someone waiting.

Tom: Yes, I get it as well and it feels like a lot of road traffic. I had the opportunity to drive from downtown Prescott to the Navajo Drive area in Prescott Valley. I timed it in the early afternoon, at about 1:30 p.m. It took me almost 20 minutes. I was surprised that was all it took.

Sandy:  The CYMPO plan identified that 80% to 100% of people in the Prescott area have less than a 30-minute commute. For the PV folks who live near Glassford or Viewpoint, that number is 60% to 100%.

Tom:  I think you hit the nail on the head. Perception of what growth impacts are can really drive the conversation. There are many smart people on the local government staff, volunteers and elected officials who are spending a great deal of time trying to make sure that growth happens smartly.

Sandy: I serve on two Planning and Zoning commissions and can concur with that wholeheartedly. There are exceptions, though.

Tom:  Oh, yes! There will always be those who get into a position and let a little bit of their ability to influence go to their head. These folks tend to cause more problems than they solve. They usually don’t last long in that position though.

Sandy: I agree with that as well. But, back to growth. How do we address issues of perception? There are those of us who try to get out facts and discuss mitigation efforts, only to be dismissed out of hand.

Tom:  That’s frustrating for all involved. Some people really do the research and ask great questions. Others just want to dump their frustrations out on you.

Sandy:  Taking the time to understand the issues and what is being done about them is something I wish more folks would do. I think a recent example of what seems to be a great planning process has taken place with AED and the Save the Dells folks. Both sides have taken the time to sit down and really deliberate the issues, each compromising to arrive at a solution all could live with and a benefit that is great for our area.

Tom:  You bring up a great example of organized parties coming together. As you know, our local zoning laws regarding development all strive to have the parties involved or affected engage with each other before coming to the governmental table.

Sandy: Tom, to say 2020 was a year of surprises is an extreme understatement. What started off as a bright year for the housing market and the economy was soon derailed by a global pandemic. We are now seeing a sharp economic incline in housing with decade-plus high prices.

Tom:  From everything I have read, the economists are expecting housing’s winning streak to continue through 2021. New construction of single-family homes is expected to grow this year. The median price ($349,400) is 5.3% over the median price posted a year earlier. Even though new home prices are rising because of increases in lumber prices, the lack of existing homes for sale means new construction is the only option for some prospective homebuyers.

The housing market has seen buyers hyperactive in 2021, driving up home prices by double-digits and causing homes to sell quickly in competitive market conditions. Currently, there is an extremely tight supply of homes on the market, the lowest on record since the turn of the century. Further home price gains are expected until either supply ramps up or demand eases.

Sandy: Tom, our region is growing and there is no doubt about it – the housing market and the construction industry are two strong sectors keeping our economy going.

Thanks for stopping in to read At Home With Tom and Sandy. You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you.  QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 www.renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association.  928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

It Pays to Take Care of Your Plumbing

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The average household plumbing system represents an investment of about 15% of the value of the house.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on taking care of your plumbing. Settle in, enjoy and take these precautions to ensure you do not have plumbing issues in your home. Unexpected situations can occur, so an astute, shrewd look around your home can make the difference between a problem or potential crisis being caught early or a problem or potential crisis that can lead to damage and a huge expense and repairs.

The average household plumbing system represents an investment of about 15% of the value of the house. Nothing in the house is used more often and a smoothly functioning plumbing system is a pin to health and adds to the convenience of modern living.

Drains

Sandy: Tom, did you know that plumbers get more calls to open clogged drains than for any other service. Many such calls could be prevented by greater care in the use of drains and what one puts down a drain. The most-used drains that are clogged the most often are the toilets and the garbage disposals.

Preventing clogs can be done by carefully watching what is emptied into the garbage disposal and what is flushed down the toilet.

Tom: We always tell our clients when moving into their home, never ever flush baby wipes or anything that says “disposal” down a toilet, not even Kleenex. The only item that you should be flushing down the toilet drain is toilet paper.

Sandy: There is another set of rules for what should be put down a garbage disposal. I, for one, know that I never put grease or oil down my garbage disposal. Throughout the ages, people have used the garbage disposal to rid the kitchen of slimy, sticky and stinky things. Well, not really throughout the ages, just since its invention was in 1927. Since that exciting day, the garbage disposal has become an appliance of legend and wonder. Despite what you may have heard, not everything can go into a garbage disposal. It’s called a garbage disposal, not an in-sink trashcan.

Boy, we have all been there and “done that,” as they say, and learned the hard way about what to not put down a disposal. Most of the time, the “hard way” seems to come in the middle of a Thanksgiving dinner or major celebration gathering.

Tom: So, besides grease and oil, I know there are limits to what a garbage disposal system can handle; it’s not equipped to process everything you might want to put in it.

Sandy: Just because it is out of sight does not mean the garbage disposal “disposed” of it. For the most part, garbage disposal systems can handle liquids. The problem with grease is that, when it cools down, it solidifies inside your drain and creates clogs. For that reason, you should avoid putting oil and fats in your disposal unit. Pour the grease or oil into another container and toss into the garbage.

Tom: Here is another danger item to never put down a disposal: vegetable peels. They can leave you with a soupy, backfilled mess in your sink. Fibrous foods such as celery, asparagus, artichokes, chard, kale, lettuce, potato and onion skins should all be kept out of your garbage disposal unit. These items can easily entangle the blades, causing the garbage disposal to jam.

Sandy: I had an eggshell emergency call to a plumber once. Did you know that the membrane on the inside of the eggshell just loves to wrap around the blades and crate a clog? Don’t even attempt to grind eggshells – garbage can them.

Tom: I heard that coffee grounds can cause problems. The first few times they might go down fine, but over time, those pesky little grounds build up in the pipes and will cause all sorts of trouble. Again, garbage can them!

Sandy: When you do use your disposal, put items down in small batches. Do not bulk feed the disposal. You are just asking for trouble. Grind up the material well, with cold running water and then add more. I do use my garbage disposal, only with care and caution. Most everything goes into the trash after having learned my lesson with eggshells. Use the disposal with common sense.

Tom: I clean my disposal every week with lemon rinds, and baking soda and vinegar once a week to keep it clean with no build-up of grease or food. I say love your InSinkErator and almost everyone is the proud owner of a garbage disposal. They are convenient, they get rid of excess kitchen scraps, but keep in mind, we should not think there’s nothing a garbage disposal can’t do.

Water Heaters

You can’t get along without hot water. Therefore, take care of the source – the water heater.

Tom: If you have a gas or electric water heater, keep the temperature dial setting at or below the suggested Factory Energy Savings Settings listed on the water heater. Above that mark means excessive wear on the water heater and the potential for scalding.

The burner of a gas-fired water heater is easily accessible and should be checked by your plumber periodically to keep it clear of dust or sediment. The flame at full fire should be a light to dark blue. If the flame is more orange or yellow, the gas pressure or air flow needs to be adjusted.

Sandy: All domestic water heaters are required to be equipped with a relief valve as a safety feature to prevent damage from excessive pressure and temperature. There is always the danger that this valve may become frozen or corroded from long disuse. For this reason, it is advisable to trip the lever of this valve manually every two or three months to be sure it will operate freely if an emergency arises. Note: The discharge will be hot water that will need to be contained in a pan or bucket or allowed to drain to a floor drain.

Noises in the Plumbing System

In designing the plumbing system for a new house, a plumbing contractor will endeavor to make it as noiseless as possible. Manufacturers of plumbing fixings are making every effort to reduce the noise connected with the operation of their equipment, and contractors have been very successful in eliminating much of the noise formerly associated with plumbing systems.

Tom: Because so much of the noise is due to water traveling at a high velocity, it follows that whatever can be done to reduce the velocity of the water will correspondingly reduce the noise in the system. It is for this reason that it is so important not to skimp on the size of the water supply piping. Larger pipe will not only provide a more adequate supply of water but will reduce noise.

Sandy: There are three general types of noises found in plumbing systems. These are water hammer, whistling and chattering. Most of the calls I receive are water hammer calls.

Water hammer is the thump in the piping heard when faucets or valves are turned off abruptly. There is no excuse for water hammer. It can usually be eliminated by the installation of an air chamber or short length of pipe in the wall where each supply pipe enters a plumbing fixture.

In some cases, however, the ordinary type of air chamber will not prevent water hammer. In such cases, special devices known as shock arrestors should be installed on the main line near the meter or as close as possible to the cause of the noise.

Odors in the Plumbing System

The well-designed and correctly installed plumbing system is odorless. Odors are most likely to arise from leaks in the waste or vent piping or from traps which have lost their water seal. In an incorrectly installed system, there are, of course, many opportunities for odors to result from defects in the system, particularly if it is not properly vented.

Tom: Unusual odors should never be ignored. Such odors are often an indication that sewer gas is present. Sewer gas, while not deadly, is noxious and capable of causing headaches and other minor illnesses. Sewer gas is foul smelling air and should be prevented from entering the house.

The traps and vents control the sewer air. They do so by a very simple method. Sewer air will not penetrate a water barrier. Therefore, a device is employed which keeps several inches of water between the house air and the sewer air. This is the trap, which is plainly visible under such plumbing fixtures as sinks and lavatories. It is built into water closets. In the case of bathtubs and shower cabinets, it is usually concealed in the floor or basement.

Where and How to Shut Off Water

Sandy: It is critical to know where and how to shut off the main water for the entire house in an emergency. That’s why it is extremely important for all members of the family to know where the valves are and in which direction they should be turned to shut off the water.

Tom: It is also important to have water shut off valves to the toilets, sinks, ice makers, washing machines services; i.e. oiled and greased and even changed out every couple of years. These shut off valves do corrode over time and you don’t want to find out that they don’t function properly when you need to shut off the water.

Plumbing problems seem to occur at the most inconvenient times — because the most inconvenient times are generally during seasons or events that put stress on your pipes. We have given you some important tips to follow to prevent plumbing back-ups.

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.”

You’re in good company and we love sharing important information with you.

See you next month. QCBN

By Tom Reilly and Sandy Griffis, QCBN

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 www.renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association.  928-778-0040

Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.