In the 14 tracked Central Virginia counties, child food insecurity rates range from 6 to 22 percent, with Richmond being the highest. That is almost 1 in 4 kids who are food insecure. In Virginia, almost 10 percent of adults are food insecure. Food insecure basically means that they worry about where there next meal is coming from.

Feedmore is a leader in tackling the hunger problems Virginians face, and it’s our responsibility to help our fellow citizens. Whether you participate in our food drive, your church or school food drive, or you donate directly to a charity, I implore you take action to help fight hunger in Virginia.

 


Richmond Home Inspector

chesterfield home insepctor

When I was a “youngen,” during an era when children actually played outside, I always waved to anyone who was walking their dog, tending their garden, or simply enjoying a stroll around the neighborhood. I knew all the neighborhood kids, and my parents knew the adults. There were some conflicts over property lines, loud dogs, and block parties, but for the most part we all got along. However, now it seems that neighbor relations are limited to what you can learn by peaking through the blinds, and new neighbors are mysterious strangers. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are 6 ways to greet your new neighbors, and create a more friendly atmosphere.

 

chesterfield home inspector

1. Send a card. The great thing about new neighbors is that you always know when they’ve arrived. The big moving truck parked for hours, or days is sure sign you have a new neighbor. The other great thing is that you know their address. If you are shy, send a card welcoming them to the neighborhood, and let them know you are there for them. They will remember it.

 

 

 

chesterfield home inspector

2. Order them pizza and deliver it. Moving is one of the most stressful events for families. The kitchen may not have the appliances installed for a few days, and the cookware my be hidden among the towers of boxes. Do them a favor and make them dinner, with paper plates and all. They won’t have to clean anything up and they will appreciate it. Trust me.

 

 

 

 

chesterfield home inspector

3. Bake them something. This might be cliche, but everyone loves freshly baked goods. Avoid nuts to make sure your new neighbors won’t be allergic to your gift. Don’t serve them on anything that needs to be returned. That can be an added hassle for them. You can never go wrong with cookies.

4. Meet them! I know we live in an age of digital communication, but there isn’t anything wrong a classic handshake. Walk on over and have a good ol’ fashioned conversation. They might be busy so keep it short. Let them know they can borrow anything they need. Save the gossip for later.

Chesterfield home inspector 5. Mow their lawn. I can’t keep count of the number of new neighbors we’ve had that delay mowing their lawn. It doesn’t bug me. They may be first time home owners who have never owned a lawnmower. They may be busy unpacking and adjusting. Either way, give them a helping hand and mow the lawn, or pay for a neighborhood kid to mow it for them(if you can still find entrepreneurial kids). It will be a weight off their shoulders and it certainly will not go unnoticed.

6. Invite them to dinner. People bond over food. It has been that way for centuries, if not millennia. You can invite some of the other neighbors as well so the new neighbors get a chance to make plenty of new friends.  Make sure to ask them what they like to eat. You want them to feel welcomed.

In order to better understand this article, take a minute to look closely at photos “A” and “B” below. Based on the photos, try and determine which metal vent is allowed to be installed in your gas appliance venting system. Venting is the process of distributing the poisonous combustion byproducts, such as Carbon Monoxide, to the exterior of the home.

dryer duct Flexible B-Vent

 

 

Having trouble picking A or B?

dryer duct You aren’t alone.  The introduction of flexible gas venting materials has led to some confusion in the home inspection, and HVAC industries. During our routine Richmond home inspections, we often find flexible materials used in the venting system. Some are acceptable, and some are not. It is not always apparent by simply looking at the material, and nearly impossible to make a determination based on a photo. So what do you need to know about flexible vents?

Some flexible vents are not intended to be used for venting gas appliances. They may be used for dryer venting, bathroom or kitchen venting, or other purposes, but not gas appliances. The flexible vent in photo A is not approved for venting gas appliances. It’s intended purpose is for dryers.
flexible b-vent
Vents that are listed and approved as flexible B-vents for gas appliances can be installed where rigid B-Vents are allowed (with a few installation differences).  The best way to determine this is by looking at the label. Flexible B-vents are listed and labeled as such .

flexible b-vent Photo B is if a listed flexible B-vent. One of the biggest differences between photo A and B, is that B has two walls. You can’t see that in the photo, and since home inspections are non invasive, (we don’t take anything apart) its not a method applicable to an inspection. Whenever we see flexible vents installed on a gas appliance, we always check the label to ensure its approved for that purpose. Unlike rigid B-vents flexible B-vents can not be enclosed, and can not be installed through walls, floors or ceilings. Both flexible, and rigid B-vents require 1 inch clearance from combustibles such as drywall. For more detailed installation instructions click here Flexible B-Vent installation

 

flexible b-vent  flexible b-vent