On The Beam Remodeling Newsletter
www.onthebeamremodeling.com

August 2008
lisandsteveattownhousesmall
Matt Gober, Project Manager, and Steve Schliff

As summer fades toward autumn, we find a typical flurry of remodeling requests come in before the weather changes and rain (hopefully) falls.  You can avoid the last minute, "Oops, I forgot to remodel..." end-of-summer blues.  Simply put your worries aside and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Bay Area.  Being on the coast, we don't have freezing snow and paralyzing frosts; therefore, most building projects can continue unobstructed throughout the late fall and winter.

Lisa and Steve Schliff
Owners, G.C. License #484793  Fully licensed, insured and bonded

Flushing, U.S.A.

Steve and I took a trip to England four years ago and noticed a distinct difference in the loos (bathrooms) there.  The public and private ba�os in Spain shared that same difference from the ones in the U.S.  Can you guess what the difference is?

 ransobath
They all had dual-flush toilets, the most water- conserving kind you can own.  It seems that Europe is ahead of the U.S. in this way, but we're starting to wise up .  New dual-flush models are now available through Toto.  Caroma of Australia also offers them, and  the Australians are on board too.

The toilet uses around 30% of the average home's water usage.  The typical single flush toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf).  If it was designed before 1992, it is probably using 3.5 gpf.  The dual-flusher uses 1.6 gallons for a big flush and .8 (Caroma) or .9 (Toto) for a small flush. If you've never seen one, they are set as twin buttons nesting side-by-side inside a round metal trim surround on top of the tank.  You choose which button to push and voila!

Guest bath addition in Oakland hills by On The Beam Remodeling
My Kind Of Grill

Never use lighter fluid to start your grill because it impacts air quality, especially during the summer.  The fluid emits VOC's (volatile organic compounds - nasty stuff), creating ground-level ozone that contributes to respiratory problems and asthma.  Instead, use a chimney briquette starter and lump charcoal.  Natural gas and propane grills infuse the air with carbon dioxide, the evil greenhouse gas.

Steve and I start a fire in our outdoor grill with newspaper and kindling from wood scraps, then add charcoal.  But the best choice is a solar cooker.  These are heat-trap boxes or panels that convert sunlight to energy that cooks your food, and they are being used by the hundreds of thousands among the poor in developing countries.
                            

 
Ransobricksteps

French doors open to exterior brick landing and steps in the Oaklad Hills, by On The Beam Remodeling

The Ecology Center in Berkeley is offering a solar cooker class on September 28.  You can even make your own solar cooker with materials supplied by the instructor.


In This Issue
Dual-flush toilets conserve water
Outdoor grills and air quality
Free Trip To Our Website
Free Trip To Our Website Here!
Allen Romano
....and take a tour of Remodel Dreamland in our Photo Gallery. 
...experience our PR adventures in Press...
...Get some remodeling  savvy in Free Tips For Homeowner.

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Steve and Lisa Schliff
On The Beam Remodeling, Inc.
855 Marina Bay Parkway, Suite 28
Richmond, California  94804
phone: (510) 412-9964
fax:      (510) 412-4750

email: otbeam@sbcglobal.net

General Contractor's License # 484793
Serving the Bay Area

Please come by and visit us in the beautiful Richmond Marina.