The New year in many countries is associated with chimney sweeps and good luck. This photo is from a book for the enlightenment of Soviet children in 1926. This illustrated book confirms the connection of sweeps and luck in the Russian new year tradition as well as the European ones. Of course, the Russian new y

One of the things I've always loved about the Holidays is gathering for the big feasts. I love the smells, the kitchen bustle, the traditions... eating - It's all good. Exhaustion, headaches, and body aches sometimes accompany these days. We often write these off as flu symptoms or simply the result of tiredness fr

In response to a recent Redding.com post by Anna Moseley about the idea of using your kitchen cook oven to clean your grill:Don't forget - gas fueled cook ovens vent directly into the home. CO is a dangerous byproduct that enters into the home, and your body, when the stove is in use. Most manufacturers directions inc

It’s 4:30 a.m. and I’m riding my bicycle by myself. It’s dark. Not counting the few street and business lights. It’s hushed. The one main road I have to be on for about 5 miles has few cars to worry about at this time. Two or three cars going my direction are usual. Once I turn east on

Air ducts should be cleaned periodically sometimes.In theory, a duct with a great air filter and no leaks in the ducting is going to get very little in the way of contaminants. However the real world bucks the theory. When do your ducts need cleaning? 1. When you look in them and see a

[https:]

I need some help. We ask our customers for testimonials at the end of each job. Not only do we really want to know how well you think we serve you but we need a way to get that information to potential new customers.The problem is -1.) If we stand and ask you the survey questions while at your hom

I went to check out a plugged dryer vent. There was a squirrel in it. It had had babies.This is not my favorite kind of job. I've seen lizards, snakes, rodents in the vents... ugghh!It's easy to prevent this with a screen guard over the vent termination. Or, you can make sure the flap works correctly

There are a couple of issues with Carbon Monoxide. 1. It frys your brain. 2. It can kill you.There are many ways to get CO into your home and, from there, into your lungs. Here are a few common sources:Leave a car running in your attached garage.Your fireplace or wood stove smokes.You use a gas

What's that Gray patch? See below.Alpina ski reviewI bought the Alpina Lite Terrain Skis in 2010 for an intended trip on the Sierra Haute Route. This is an ambitious route through t

I just love a good ad. Besides potentially causing fires a clogged dryer vent may back carbon monoxide into your breathing space - with gas dryers. When we clean a dryer we are installing the LintAlert which tells you when the system is getting clogged. You don't have to wait until it takes two or three cycles to dry and a

On Monday the Wall Street Journal reported that the Obama administration may approve an EPA finding that classifies greenhouse gases as detrimental to human health.This would give regulators more leverage over greenhouse gas emitters - like people who breathe out I suppose. Athletes, who often breathe harder tha