Though the recent weather may not give the impression that winter is on its way, the calendar is a stark reminder that winter, and the accompanying holidays, are fast approaching. Many people are making their holiday travel arrangements now and, if you’re like me, your home is going to end up being the hub of the excitement during the next few months. You’ll be entertaining on an almost weekly basis once Thanksgiving gets here and won’t have time to come up for air until late January. Also, if you’re like me, you’re currently finding a ton of small items all over the house that need attention before this whole crazy holiday things hits. From general maintenance (can’t have the heat going out on Christmas Eve!) to some simple facelift items (a dab of paint here, some new caulking there) there are many things you can do to keep your home beautiful and safe during the winter months. Below are a few tips that can help save you time and money as well as ways for keeping your home safe the whole year through.

For more detailed items such as finish carpentry (moldings, casings, etc.), new cabinet hardware, new plumbing fixtures, new doors, ceiling fans, extra outlets, lighting, tile/grout repairs, grab bar installations, deck and patio cover work and much more give us a call at 714-558-1094 for a consultation!

Make sure you print out your coupon from the weekly blog email we sent for a special offer on the above services! (if you didn’t receive a coupon please let us know and we will send one out to you asap!)

T Have your heating systems inspected by a qualified service professional at least once a year including lubrication and cleaning, replacing filters, a check of belts and thermostats and having vents cleared of obstructions, as necessary.
T Make sure window air conditioners do not allow cold air to sneak through or around sides, top and bottom. Local hardware stores can provide covers and other easy, low-cost ways to keep that cold air out.
T Caulking around windows and other openings can stop the cold air invasion dead in its tracks. A warmer home and lower utility bills can result.
T When using a portable electric heater, keep flammable materials – bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs and furniture at least three feet away, even if it has safety features such as cut-off switches or heating element guards.
T If you use an electric blanket to keep warm on a cold night, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you turn it off and unplug it when it’s not in use.
T Install a smoke alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Test it monthly to ensure it is working properly. Be sure and change the batteries in your smoke detectors once a year.
T Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
T Have your fireplace chimney and flue inspected each year and cleaned if needed. Open the flue and use a sturdy fireplace screen when you have a fire. Burn only untreated wood; never burn paper or pine branches-pieces can float out the chimney and ignite your roof, a neighbor’s roof, or nearby trees.

In the wake of recent California wildfires, both this year and in years past, homeowners are becoming more and more concerned about the safety of their home in the face of these disasters. When faced with this type of crisis many of us feel vulnerable and helpless to do anything to protect our biggest investment, our home. Despite the lack of control we have over a wildfire once it is in our neighborhood, there are many things homeowners can do before the threat is at hand to reduce the risks to their home during the wildfire season. If you’re considering a home remodel, now is the perfect time to look at the overall construction of your home and find places where fire-resistant materials can help you prepare for the worst.

There are several upgrades that can be made to a home which can help to make it more fire-resistant from windows to landscaping. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Roofing – Any home’s most important defense is the roof. A Class A roof made of steel, aluminum, concrete, clay or slate will help to ward off the hot embers emitted from a nearby foliage fire.

Ceilings, Walls, and Floors – Fire-resistant gypsum wall board can be used in walls, floors and ceilings to create a stronger and longer lasting fire barrier.

Exteriors – Splurge on the stone, stucco, masonry and other exterior  alternatives instead of wood. Though more expensive, they can provide up to a two-hour fire rating which could save your home and, most importantly, your life.

Windows – Recently we’ve all heard a lot about the energy efficiency of dual- glazed windows but many people don’t think about the safety. During past wildfires, the exterior pane of many dual-glazed windows cracked but their interior pane held. Dual or triple-glazed windows with tempered glass and Low-E coating will add fire-resistance to your home by keeping out the radiant energy that can heat up indoor combustibles such as fabrics and wood, causing them to catch fire.

Doors – Just like roofing materials, doors are also fire rated. Metal doors are always best with a longer fire rating but if wood doors are a must-have, consider going with solid wood doors instead of hollow core ones. Regardless of your choice you must ensure that adequate weather stripping is installed on all exterior doors to keep out hot gasses and tiny burning embers during a fire.

Decks – While providing the perfect family gathering spot to enjoy the gorgeous California weather, decks are an easy fuel source for wildfires. Fire retardant wood should be used to build the deck and then covered with a fire-resistant polyurethane coating. You can also isolate the deck from the fuels and fire by building a noncombustible patio and wall below it. The patio prevents combustible materials from getting below the deck. The wall helps shield the deck from both the radiant and convective energy of the fire.

Venting – Vents should not be located in roof eaves or cornices or in the underside or on exposed edges of decks. Required individual venting at gable ends and on roofs should be covered with a 1 ¼” mesh screen to keep out embers.

Landscaping – What grows around your home can also be your first line of defense against wildfires. Many plants are simply fuel for a fire, however, there are those which can help save your home. Plants that should go include pines, cypresses, junipers and eucalyptus. Also get rid of shrubs near your home such as ornamental grasses, acacias, hopseed and berry vines. Vegetation that retains water such as ice plant, California lilac, Carmel creeper, ivy geranium and sedums are wonderful ground cover which can help to hold off a fire.

If you’d like to find out what you can do to make your home safer during the wildfire season call us at 714-558-1094 to schedule an in-home consultation.

Across the nation and the world today everyone is remembering the tragic events that unfolded on September 11th, 2001. Today we honor those whose lives were lost, those who were injured and the families of the victims. We are also taking time today to remember those who have fought and sacrificed for the safety and freedom of our country over the past 8 years in the wake of 9/11 as well as the Police, Firemen and others who give of themselves every day to ensure our safety.

From the Burgin Construction family – Thank you for your service and sacrifice. We will never forget.

For many, the upcoming Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer. Many of us plan get-togethers with family and friends for that last hurrah before really buckling down and getting into the school year and the hectic planning for the impending winter holidays.

My family is no exception to this rule and in preparing for the weekend I came across some great recipes to help me out. In the spirit of the holiday weekend I have included a few of my favorite summer recipes in this blog to make you the hero of the weekend. And on behalf of the Burgin Construction Team, we wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! Enjoy it, you’ve earned it!

Rachel Ray’s Not-Your-Mama’s Tuna Salad

Ingredients:
· 1 tub store-bought pesto sauce (1 cup), such as Contadina brand
· Juice of 1 lemon
· 2 cans tuna in water (6 ounces each)
· 4 scallions, cut with kitchen scissors or chopped
· 1 whole roasted red pepper, cut up with kitchen scissors or chopped
· A handful of grape tomatoes, halved with small paring knife
· 1 pound medium shell pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
· Salt and pepper

Directions:
Place the pesto in a bowl and mix in the lemon juice. Add the tuna to the bowl and break it up into flakes with a fork. Add the scallions, red pepper, tomatoes and pasta to the bowl, then toss the salad to evenly coat it with the sauce. Season the salad with salt and pepper, to taste.

(This is one of many “Yum-o!” recipes – it’s good and good for you. To find out more about Yum-o!, Rachael’s nonprofit organization, go to www.yum-o.org.)

Guacamole – Submitted to AllRecipes.com by Bob Cody

Ingredients:
· 3 avocados – peeled, pitted, and mashed
· 1 lime, juiced
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 cup diced onion
· 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
· 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
· 1 teaspoon minced garlic
· 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Bobby Flay’s Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
· 6 chicken thighs
· 1 cup pineapple juice
· 1/2 cup brown sugar
· 2 tablespoons soy sauce
· 2 cloves garlic
· 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Directions:
Marinate the chicken thighs with the other ingredients for 30 minutes. Place them on the grill over medium heat. Grill thighs until juices run clear

Thyme Grilled Vegetables from Taste of Home

Ingredients:
· 16 small red potatoes (about 2 pounds), halved
· 1/2 cup chicken broth
· 1/4 cup olive oil
· 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 each large green, sweet red and yellow pepper, julienned
· 1 jar (15 ounces) pearl onions, drained

Directions:
In an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. disposable foil pan, combine the potatoes, broth, oil, thyme and salt. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 25 minutes. Stir in peppers and onions. Grill 25-30 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.

Grilled Angel Food Cake with Fruit Salsa by: Linda Larsen

Ingredients:
· 14 oz. prepared angel food cake
· 1 cup chopped cantaloupe or honeydew melon
· 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
· 1/2 cup blueberries
· 1 cup raspberries
· 1/2 cup blackberries
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 2 Tbsp. lime juice
· 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
· 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
· 4 cups any flavor sherbet or sorbet

Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine fruit, sugar, lime juice, mint, and cayenne pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

When ready to serve, prepare and preheat grill. Slice cake in half horizontally and place, cut side down, on grill 6″ from medium coals. Grill for 30-60 seconds or until light golden brown. Carefully turn cake and grill on second side for 30-60 seconds until light golden brown. Cut cake into 8 pieces and serve with the salsa and the sherbet.

Be sure to watch the angel food cake very carefully when grilling. Don’t leave the grill for even a second, because it will brown very quickly! Use your favorite combination of fresh fruits for the salsa.