Thursday, May 24, 2012

Rogers Remodel Promotes Green Projects!

When every last detail of bath or kitchen remodel is wrapped up, Northern California plumber and building contractor Jamie Rogers hopes his clients are happy with the way the room looks and works. Most of the time, the project also makes the home a whole lot greener.

 

Rogers brings a passion for both green plumbing and green building to every project. In construction for 18 years and plumbing for 15, he started Rogers Remodel, Inc. in 2003 in Novato in the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied civil engineering and worked as a journeyman carpenter in Washington State before moving to California.

Rogers Remodel primarily serves affluent Marin and Sonoma counties, San Francisco and the East Bay. The full-service plumber handles residential and light commercial work, from basic plumbing to full-on, ripped-down-to-the-studs renovations. The company does repairs, inspections, sewer and drain work, water audits, gas line and water heater installation, and bath and kitchen installation and remodeling.

Rogers is not shy about admitting he's a bit of an evangelist on the subject of conservation, saying that he's frankly touched when his efforts to educate homeowners and business clients hit home. Sometimes he's preaching to the choir. Customers do come to him with an eye to reducing immediate water and energy use and slicing utility costs for the long run.

He estimates that 75 percent of his remodels are green and 80- to 90 percent of his plumbing projects have a green component. Rogers has been able to reduce clients' water bills as much as 47 percent.

 

The company has benefited from the remodeling surge in recent years, Rogers said, as owners of older homes take on updating a single bath or knocking down walls to create expansive master suites or create double bathrooms. He cited projects where a total "remodel" budget has surpassed the value of the original space and his part of the job was significant. Most of his larger remodeling jobs have been in Sonoma and Marin Counties, where clients have had the funds to renovate.

 

Rogers is on a mission to convince more clients that a green remodel is within their budget. "If there's one thing consumers need to know, it's that green projects and products don't have to be any more expensive than traditional options. "They can get the look they want with products that do the job while saving water and energy," Rogers said.

As a plumber/building contractor, Rogers is hands-on during the design and specification stages of many projects, offering his input on sourcing green products.

He uses many of the same sources repeatedly because field experience has demonstrated what products best fit project needs, while being on constant lookout for new products and ways to improve on installation. For example, when possible, he configures piping in shorter runs to get water where it needs to go more quickly and efficiently.

One extensive remodeling project was the 4,500 square foot Courtney residence in Marin County's slightly posh Mill Valley. "The initial plan was to add a guest suite to the '70s era home, and push out to give the son a larger room and private bath," Rogers said.

The Mill Valley project's "in-law" suite included a kitchen, bath and laundry room. Rogers did the plumbing on those areas as well as remodeling three existing baths, five baths in all. The job stretched over eight months, with possibly the biggest challenge having to haul cast iron up about 90 steps, he said.

The plumbing work included interior re-piping in PEX and copper and exterior in Aquatherm, a very durable green pipe that uses heat to fuse pipes together, and installation of a whole-house circulation system with Metlund pumps. Hot water was provided via two A.O. Smith hybrids, a large one of the main house and a smaller one for the guest house. The advantage of the hybrids, Rogers explained was that they heat up water quickly like a tankless but also store water, and that an upgrade of the gas line wasn't required.

In the baths, Rogers put in Toto high efficiency 1.28 gpf toilets, lower flow Grohe valves and showerheads and low-flow Hansgrohe faucets. While they were at it, the homeowners added PV solar. Rogers' pride in the project is obvious when he talks about how cool the baths look with features selected from Restoration Hardware that give the baths a retro, yet modern feel.

For another large green project, the Kramer residence in Novato, the company remodeled a full kitchen and two baths. Rogers and his full-time crew of three not only did the plumbing but framing, electrical, cabinetry and lighting as well.

"What I liked about this kitchen is the use of recycled materials and natural light," Rogers said. The countertops are fabricated of recycled marble and granite and the backsplash of recycled glass. Natural light is brought in by a skylight and the space boasts energy-saving under-cabinet LED lighting. A non-demand circulation system feeds hot water to remodeled kitchen and two bathrooms.

An example of going green without sacrificing the "wow factor" is a bath from another Rogers Remodel project in Novato which included a full kitchen and two baths.

Green materials were used when possible. The master bath was plumbed with low-flow faucets and showerheads in the large shower and soaking tub with waterfall faucet, and the builder used recycled materials for the floor, and added a skylight and LED lighting. "In the master bath, we retained the tank heater. On a lot of projects we'll upgrade the tank or go tankless, depending on what they need what their peak flow is."

The large shower guest bath had both a rain-type showerhead and a handheld shower. The installer used a diverter so that only one low-flow showerhead or the other could be used at one time.

Green features in the kitchen included a recirculation pump, aerators on faucet, a low water use dishwasher, skylights, and LED under-cabinet lights. On projects like this, Rogers said, it's important to insulate everything well.

Rogers' efforts on the green plumbing front earned him the GreenPlumber of Year award or the Western states from GreenPlumbers USA and IAPMO. He was cited for "going above and beyond by collaborating with community partners to install water catchment systems in two local schools. Jamie has calculated that he has saved 2.4 million gallons of water this year [2011] in the Bay Area and has also promoted water conservation by serving on local job-building boards and green employment councils."

"We teamed up with local water districts for toilet change outs and did a lot of water audits the past year for clients in commercial buildings and we were able to calculate how much water was saved with the change outs and the other projects that I did," Rogers explained.

On the school projects, "we teamed up with RainwaterHog, a rainwater harvesting company out of Australia, to install rainwater capture systems in a couple of different schools," Rogers said. "We met them (RainwaterHog) at a trade show and signed on as distributor and installer of their products in the Bay Area."

Through GreenPlumbers, Rogers and the manufacturer put in seven rainwater tanks and a hand pump at McKinley Elementary School in San Francisco for the students to use to water their plants. They installed three tanks at Hall Middle School in Larkspur which were rigged to flush a toilet. "We donated most of our services for those first two projects. It's a great hands-on demonstration about conservation for the kids. We want to do more like them."

Rogers plans to keeping delivering the green message, whether with individual homeowners or business clients, working with local water districts in programs such as water audits and toilet change outs and through GreenPlumbers to help educate other plumbing and building professionals.

Even though he started on the construction side, Rogers said he loves plumbing. And, there's no greater compliment to plumber or builder than having a client say, "I love the work you did and I want you for my next project."

Check out the article written about Rogers Remodel in Reeves Journal, the oldest publication in the plumbing industry.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Maria Oliveira’s Language Learning offers Spanish and Portuguese Language Lessons in Bay Area California and Online Language Courses

Maria Oliveira Language Learning Center is a new and innovative school for adults who enjoy smaller and more personalized classes in Spanish and Portuguese. The philosophy of the school derives from Maria's personal, lifelong goal of helping people to become bilingual. In Maria's view, acquiring a second language enriches life and rewards the successful student in many ways. Whether you are seeking personal pride of accomplishment or need to expand your skills in the workplace, Maria Oliveira Language Learning Center provides affordable, comfortable classes in a non-threatening environment where you can learn at your own rate. Your success is our goal!

Through her education and teaching experience in adult schools, colleges, and for a wide variety of professional groups, Maria has addressed the challenges of adult learners by developing her own series of highly successful workbooks and audio materials that individuals and teachers use around the country. Now, in her Language Learning Center, Maria provides students with the same practical and efficient approach using teaching methods with proven, successful results. Classes at the Center provide what the large, institutional classes leave out; individual attention, rapid progress, successful retention, and a place to ask questions, make comments, and be more than a face in the crowd!

 

Enrich your life! ... Impress your friends! ... Become bilingual!

 

 

Learn Spanish, Portuguese, French and English with Maria Oliveira's Language Learning Center. Call Toll free: 877-251-8353 / Local: 510-223-3320

 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Arbor Works Tree Service, Arborists and Tree care experts serving San Francisco and the North Bay.

Arbor Works Tree Services specializes in the latest arboricultural techniques, expertise, knowledge, and practices, when caring for your trees.

The arborists and Tree care experts at Arbor Works Tree Service serve San Francisco and the North Bay.

Arbor Works Tree Services specializes in the latest arboricultural techniques, expertise, knowledge, and practices, when caring for your trees.

With over 33 years of experience, Arbor Works is dedicated to the proper inspection, preservation, and when necessary, the safe removal of your trees.

They know how trees are important to the clients, and that beautifully maintained specimens evoke a sense of serenity and sanctuary to the immediate surroundings of the home and property. Trees can influence the microclimate by providing shade, wind shelter, and the oxygen we breathe.

Trees are delicate bio-systems with specific horticultural needs that can be disrupted through the stresses that the urban environment may impose upon them.

At Arbor Works Tree Service primary concern is the safety of their client.  Proper abatement of dangerous or unwanted trees will be performed with the utmost concern for safety in a quality professional manner in accordance to American National Standards Institute protocol.

Arbor Works Tree Services Includes:

•          Tree Pruning
•          Cabling
•          Tree Removal
•          Consulting
•          Treatments

Cabling

Every tree situation is different, and species vary in wood hardness and decay resistance. Different hardware is tailored for each specific application. Some hardwood trees can be braced with lag bolts, some softer or decayed woods require through bolt installation.

Cable bracing should always be a last resort option. However, where safety and scaffold limb preservation are priorities for our clients, cabling can, in many cases aid in bracing the tree when pruning options alone are inadequate. Cabling must always be done in conjunction with pruning to reduce weight first.

Arbor Works Tree Service uses standard extra high strength cable with tree grip connectors and thimbles to guard the “eye”. Cable size varies with the estimated load stresses that we determine.

At Arborworks we gauge the height of the tree, the wood girth of the branch, limb length, and mechanical dynamics to properly engineer the positioning of the cable bracing system.

All cable bracing systems require periodic follow up maintenance inspections.

Consulting

Consulting at Arbor Works Tree Service is done with an analytical approach to diagnosing tough tree problems.

A good diagnostician knows how to observe the subtle differences in a tree exhibiting abnormal appearance based upon familiarity with what is normal vigor for that species. This comes from years of observing trees in their environment both from the ground and up in the canopy.

Practical Arboricultural consulting starts with sound knowledge of the different characteristics that different tree species have, and their individual horticultural needs.

Arbor Works look at the site and its soil, climate, horticultural practices, construction impact, pests, diseases, plant competition and all the interactions of these influential factors upon your tree.

They recommend the appropriate and approved treatments to correct plant maladies.

Tree hazard evaluation is an important part of the job.

Knowledge of dangerous decay organisms and the conditions they thrive in is critical to the diagnostician.
Spotting internal defects in trees is a skill they possessed based upon arboricultural education and experience that comes with years of observing actual tree failures in the field and dissecting the wood during the course of removing them.

Arbor Works use diagnostic tools such as the resist graph decay detection device to assure accuracy in diagnosing internal defects.

Treatments

Arbor Works Tree Service recommends the proper treatments and care that your tree needs.

To correct tree problems they may recommend implementing improvements such as:

irrigation,

soil fertility,

pest control,

pruning

Whatever the situation, proper tree care starts with knowing what the problem is and the corrective solution.

Tree Pruning

Fine ornamental tree pruning is an art that has taken Craig Peterson many years to perfect.
Every tree species is different in its tolerance to pruning, and every individual tree is different in its landscape setting.

Craig and his team at Arbor Works Tree Service take into account all the environmental factors, health, vigor, and horticultural conditions when setting the parameters of tree surgery.

Tree Removal

Tree removal at Arbor Works Tree Service is always performed in the safest manner possible with your home, security, and property in mind.

They are fully equipped to handle most tree situations with the best tools and occasionally the assistance of a crane (please see video footage).

With over 33 years of experience, they have become experts in the field. From sophisticated rigging techniques, and fast efficient machinery, to fine cleanup, they get the job done!

From their workers, your property, the property others and the public at large are fully insured with workers compensation, public liability, and property damage liability to give you the peace of mind you deserve as an 
Arbor Works Tree Service costumer.

Arbor Works Tree Service serves Marin County, Sonoma County, San Francisco. San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Larkspur,  Tiburon, Ross, Kentfield, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland.

About Arbor Works

Arbor Works Tree Service is a sole propriety owned and operated by Craig Peterson, an ISA Certified Arborist #1169 WC.

Craig and his team of tree experts run Arbor Works Tree Service, a small company based in San Rafael CA. Since 1989 they have been performing tree care services in Marin County, San Francisco, and Alameda County.

As a certified arborist they are fully insured with tree service liability insurance, and workmans’ compensation.

Arbor Works Tree Service has a perfect safety record with State Fund Workman’s’ Compensation Insurance Company.

Craig Peterson knows Marin County as he has been living in Marin since the seventies.

For inquiry about Tree Service, Ornamental Tree Specialist and Tree Pruning and other tree service, contact Arbor Works at Tel 415-457-7119

Monday, May 7, 2012

2012 Is a Special Year for Kahl Consultants

Kahl Consultants, a web services company based in San Rafael, CA, is making 2012 the year of giving back to their community and their nonprofit clients.

 

Each existing nonprofit customer of Kahl Consultants is now the recipient of a FREE annual online marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) package. This marketing package retails for $1195 per website and is available for all small business and nonprofit customers.

Kahl Consultants specialized in small business and nonprofit internet marketing. Their staff includes web developers, programmers, and online marketers specializing in SEO and social media.

The Kahl Consultants annual SEO package is based on a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes many different tasks to optimize the online presence of clients from all industries. There are hundreds of specific steps taken in the fields of site optimization, link building, content creation, and social media.

Alex Kahl, owner of Kahl Consultants, hopes that the greater visibility online will help their nonprofit clients in several ways:

* attract more publicity

* give websites a stronger online presence

* deliver more website traffic

* encourage more donations and contributions

Kahl Consultants firmly believes in giving back and helping nonprofits.

Kahl Consultants is a certified green business that has been offering their nonprofit customers reduced rates and free consultations since 1996.

For further information and to contact Kahl Consultants please visit www.kahl.net.