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Macerating Toilet aka Upflow
Macerating Toilet aka Upflow
Have you ever wanted to install a toilet in a basement without the Concrete Break up dirty expense?
There are any number of reasons to add another toilet or full-on bathroom to a home (or wherever). And while it's easy to get wrapped up in designs, colors, finishes and all of the pretty stuff, our best-laid plans are always subject to the cold and sometimes cruel realities of the existing plumbing system...and gravity.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights
Collective Knowledge & Expertise
Collective Knowledge & Expertise
Gary Katz of Katz Roadshow and THISIsCarpentry discusses threats facing trade professionals, including a lack of long-term investment in construction trades.
Dunn Solutions is for you—the carpenter, the general contractor, the electrician, the window installer, professional handyman or the homeowner. This is a place we've created to share our collective knowledge and expertise, and to continue to build success together.
Project Management & Business Management
2 Full Time Jobs
Project Management & Business Management
2 Full Time Jobs
"When bidding a project, it's not good enough to bid by the square foot, per unit, or using any other method that doesn't account for unique project logistics." - Daniel Westbrook
Every project has its own unique logistics—and thereby unique costs. These are the five business components that can help in identifying the unique costs of each project.
Every project has its own unique logistics—and thereby unique costs. There are the five business components that can help in identifying the unique costs of each project.
News Story
Michigan House Passes Bills Rolling Back Arbitrary ‘Handyman’ Licensing
Projects costing less than $4,000 would face fewer restrictions
By Jarrett Skorup | Sept. 24, 2016
“It can quickly become overly burdensome to be required to hire a licensed residential builder or contractor to perform everyday projects or improvements to your house,” said Franz in a statement. “Even simple projects can get very expensive. There needs to be a system in place to make sure people aren’t charged an arm and leg for a small job.”
House Bill 4282 is sponsored by Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama
House Bill 4282 is sponsored by Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama
“Hiring a family friend or neighbor to complete a project on your house is much easier,” Franz added. “In some cases, it can make a person feel more comfortable hiring someone they know. Requiring a licensed residential builder for something a friend or relative could do with ease seems unnecessary.”
by Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama
by Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama
“By raising the threshold for minor home repair projects, the bill would provide welcome relief to handymen across the state,” said Lee McGrath, the legislative counsel for the Institute for Justice, which works to lessen licensing requirements. “Homeowners shouldn’t have to fear Michigan’s array of arbitrary and costly contractor licenses to fix up their own homes.”
Legislative Counsel for the Institute for Justice. Lee McGrath
Legislative Counsel for the Institute for Justice. Lee McGrath
As, a Retired licensed residential builder, who built projects from the ground up, I can Now appreciate even more significantly the benefits of this bill to senior citizens/homeowners...
The bill mostly affects the following occupations: carpentry, concrete, excavation, insulation work, masonry, painting and decorating, siding, roofing, screen and storm sash, gutters, tile and marble, house wrecking, swimming pools and basement waterproofing.
Hjean Williams, Project Manager - AaaPlushandyhands.com
Hjean Williams, Project Manager - AaaPlushandyhands.com
The new bill lessens restrictions on many contractors while preventing mandates on those doing limited amounts of work.
If you put up siding in Michigan, you are required to have a license — but if you build a fence you are exempt. Laying down wood food floors is subject to extra mandates; laying down carpet or vinyl is not. Putting up drywall is no problem, but painting that wall requires a license. Paving with asphalt requires no license, laying down concrete does. Moving a house can be done unregulated; wrecking a house requires a license
MICHIGAN HOUSE BILL 4282
House Bill 4282 is sponsored by Rep. Ray Franz, R-Onekama and was recently passed by the Michigan House. The bill would drop the number of class hours for residential maintenance and alteration contractors down to five. It would also exempt from stringent licensure any person who worked on projects that cost less than $4,000. The current limit was $600.
“By raising the threshold for minor home repair projects, the bill would provide
welcome relief to handymen across the state,” said Lee McGrath, the legislative counsel for the Institute for Justice, which works to lessen licensing requirements. “Homeowners shouldn’t have to fear Michigan’s array of arbitrary and costly contractor licenses to fix up their own homes.”
To exempt individuals and contractors who do home and commercial rehabbing, and those in certain building trades, from licensure mandates imposed by the state. Homebuilders would still be subject to licensure, but those who make a living doing home and commercial structure carpentry, concrete work, swimming pool installation, basement waterproofing, excavation, insulation, masonry, painting and decorating, roofing, siding and gutters, screen or storm sash installation, tile and marble work, garage building and house wrecking would be specifically exempted. Individuals who buy, rehab and sell "fixer-uppers" for a profit also would be exempt. Official Text and Analysis.
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OUR BLOG
Interesting Helpful Inspirational Topics
Interesting Helpful Inspirational Topics
What is the one thing that causes wood decay/rot?
What is the one thing that causes wood decay/rot?
March 4, 2018
It is the Fungi. The simplest of all plant life. Microscopic fungus spores are all around us floating on the breeze and landing all over our homes. Wherever they land, if the 4 conditions below are present, then you will have rot and that rot will continue as long as those conditions are present.
Even if you remedy the conditions, the fungus is still present and will resume growth (aka rot) when the conditions are more favorable.
These are the 4 conditions that must be present in order for wood decay/rot to occur. Remove any one of these conditions, and you stop rot in its tracks.
1.) Substrate (Wood)
2.) Oxygen
3.) Warmth
4.) Moisture
The 5 business components that can help in identifying the unique costs of each project.
The 5 business components that can help in identifying the unique costs of each project.
May 26,, 2018
1. Project-Specific Customer Service
This just means some people require different services than others. This may include design work, budgetary consultations, or restrictions in access to the project. Maybe the customer has allergies that need special consideration, or they live offsite but require daily communication.
2. Project-Specific Logistics
This category is a reminder to help in identifying things like movement of workstations, material and tool storage on-site, proximity of parking, type of and length of access to work area, how material deliveries are handled, and even parking permits. Each project has its own set of unique logistics that relate to time and money.
3. Project Labor
This includes all specific project hands-on work. Not only for the standard time for installation of the skills carpentry, plumber, electrician, or say, demolition labor, but also, for things like dust control, material hauling, workstation set up and take down, movement of ladders or scaffolding, or the time factor for all the trips it will take to climb two flights of stairs to access a small bathroom remodel, for example.
4. Project Management
This is different than business management and project labor, and the costs for this category do not come from contractor markups. Project management refers to scheduling, having meetings with the homeowner, property owner. architect or engineer, meeting with the subcontractors— managing the project. That comes from the cost of the job.
5. Business Management
In my business, contractor markups cover business management costs. Whether it's a multiplier, a percentage, a combination of both, or some other calculation doesn't really matter: This portion of revenue is allotted for things like advertising, accounting, insurance, vehicles, tools, licensing, phone, internet, looking at projects, paying bills, writing contracts, business communications, owner's salary—and of course, profit!
"When bidding a project, it's not good enough to bid by the square foot, per unit, or using any other method that doesn't account for unique project logistics." - Daniel Westbrook
RE: https://solutions.dunnlumber.com/projects/remodel-estimating-how-to-create-a-competitive-bid
A Macerating toilet aka Upflow
A Macerating toilet aka Upflow
6/04/2018
Many homeowners have had their bathroom dreams dashed because of a location that's simply too far from the main drain line to work without a major concrete and plumbing overhaul. This happens most often in basements, where the would-be bathroom's drain locations are below grade, or below the level of the main drain line. With no gravitational pull to help move waste out of the home, an alternative means of transport is necessary. Fortunately, there are two possible solutions: the macerating toilet and the sewage ejector pump.
Be it a basement-turned-bedroom or a workshop toilet outside the house, macerating units can be installed in a number of situations, provided they're located within range of the main drain. That range is dictated by the power of the pump, and varies between models - usually it's somewhere between 10-15 feet of vertical lift and 100-150 feet of horizontal run. Many units have additional inlets to hook up a sink (kitchen sinks are not recommended), shower, or tub. Macerating toilets are safe to use with septic systems.
Note: Macerating toilets are not recommended as a primary toilet. Though this may be unavoidable in some circumstances, understand that because of the various mechanical parts working together in the unit, failure can come more quickly than with a standard toilet. Using a macerating unit all day every day will significantly shorten pump life. Even if your pump does die, don't worry: replacements are available!
Installation & Use
Installing a macerating toilet is fairly straightforward, and can usually be completed within half a day by a highly experienced DIYer. That being said, even small installation errors can lead to bigger problems down the road - something you definitely do not want to deal with (as it typically involves a slurry of raw sewage). Study the instructions thoroughly, and follow them to the letter.
Largely maintenance-free (the macerator and pump are usually permanently sealed in an oil-filled enclosure), macerating toilets shouldn't present any significant problems when installed correctly...provided they're used correctly. Recent news stories about "flushable" wipes wreaking havoc on municipal water treatment systems have brought about an increased awareness of what's safe to put down the toilet drain. The same guidelines apply to macerating units, sewage ejector systems, and every other toilet, ever: human waste and toilet paper only - and try not to go overboard on the paper!
Pro Tip: Cleaning products that foam up can trick a macerating unit into running continuously. Manufacturers offer their own specialized cleaners, or you can save money by using plain old vinegar to clean the bowl and limescale inside the unit. When a sink is connected, try to use a soap that doesn't lather too much.
Reference excerpts: https://www.plumbingsupply.com/when-and-where-to-use-a-macerating-toilet.html
NO Light bulbs replaced - No Household chores
More than Husband and Wife
Many Hats
Best Friends
Affluent Lifestyles = AAA+ Pro HanDy HanDs...
Home Repairs, Maintenance & HandyMan Services
NO Light bulbs replaced - No Household chores
More than Husband and Wife
Many Hats
Best Friends
Affluent Lifestyles = AAA+ Pro HanDy HanDs...
Home Repairs, Maintenance & HandyMan Services