February 29, 2000

BY MAUREEN O’DONNELL STAFF REPORTER

An equipment fracture created a gas leak that caused the explosion that leveled a Southwest Side home Sunday, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

“There was a leak in the line, the flexible line coming to the gas cooking stove,” said Fire Department spokesman Bill Norris. “That natural gas leak was ignited and that’s what caused the explosion and ensuing fire.”

A fracture was found in the uncoated brass flexible connector, which links the stove to the gas line, said Peoples Energy Vice President Desiree Rogers. The connector is made of tubing that resembles a goose-neck lamp.

Fire investigators “actually did see an opening” in the connector, Rogers said. “If there’s a fracture in that, then you’ve got gas escaping.”

The blast destroyed a home at 5214 S. McVicker belonging to Peter Honcharevich, 85, and his wife Anne, 79. He was in critical condition and she was in “very critical condition” Monday at Loyola University Medical Center. She had burns on 84 percent of her body, said hospital spokesman Michael Maggio.

If air becomes composed of as little as 5 percent natural gas, an explosion can be set off by friction as slight as a key turning in a lock or a light being switched on, or the mere presence of a pilot light, Rogers said.

“It’s a perfect environment for there to be an explosion,” Rogers said. Two other adjacent severely damaged homes probably will have to be demolished, according to the city Building Department.

Investigators from the Fire Department’s Office of Fire Investigation, the Police Bomb and Arson unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are not sure what ignited the blast, Norris said.

Consumers concerned about whether their homes contain outmoded uncoated brass flexible connectors should have an inspection by a private heating, venting, air conditioning or plumbing contractor, Rogers said. Newer connectors need to be replaced every 10 years.

Even if your appliances are new, “That doesn’t mean that . . . you don’t have an outmoded connector,” Rogers said.

Customers can also schedule an inspection by calling Peoples Energy at (312) 240-7000. The utility charges $12 for testing and $32 for each connector replaced, said spokesman Luis Diaz-Perez.

The injured couple’s children, Gregory Honcharevich and Carol Hager, announced Monday through Maggio that a foundation for blast victims is being established at LaSalle Bank, 6331 S. Archer, Chicago 60638. The McVicker Avenue Foundation will assist the Honcharevich family and others who suffered damage or injury from the explosion, Maggio said. Three other neighbors were slightly injured, but were treated and released.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/blast29.htmlrel=”nofollow”

Gas appliances should be handled by the professionals.  Call Leinbach Services Inc. To check all your gas connectors.

In Abingdon, VA-276-628-3975                    In Bristol, TN-423-764-0126

In Johnson City, TN-423-282-4983,         In Bristol, VA- 423-764-0126

In Kingsport, TN-423-239-3147                                                      

Let Leinbach Services Inc. be your heating, air conditioning, plumber, electrician and handyman. We have locations in Kingsport, TN, Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN and Abingdon, VA.

We do:

water heater repair, faucet repair, drain cleaning, toilet repair, toilet replacement, Heating, HVAC, AC, heating and air, heating & cooling, air conditioning, furnace, electrical, wiring installation, electrical wiring, home improvement, house repair, garage door repairs, commercial door repair, commercial door replacement.

1)  They should be professional.

A professional landscape company should come prepared to a meeting with a client. The representative should arrive on time, dressed appropriately and ready to work. Each team member should be able to get all of the information needed to move forward with your project in the initial meeting and respond within a timely manner.

2)  They should be courteous.

A courteous landscape company is one that has respect for each client and their respective property. A crew, as well as the company representative, should always be dressed in company uniform, refrain from smoking on property, keeping a neat and clean work environment, and complete tasks safely and efficiently.

3)  They should be trustworthy.

Go with your gut instinct. Do you feel like the company representative was upfront and honest? Do you feel like he or she listened to your needs, or was their ideas and vision pushed over what you were looking for? Don’t be afraid to stand your ground!

4)  They should be knowledgeable.

Landscape professionals should have a comprehensive knowledge of local plants in your area, as well as what plants work best for your specific landscape.  Hardscape and other outdoor elements should also be in their expertise so that they are a well-rounded company that can provide you with the services you desire.   Don’t be afraid to ask questions! A good landscape company will have the right answers. A good representative will tell you if he or she does not know the answer, AND THEN go and find the answer! If you feel like you were not given an honest answer, call another company and verify the response to see if it was an honest one.

5)  They should be flexible with their schedule.

A good landscape designer/representative works around the needs and requests of the client. A good representative will always offer their best solution to the design, but always keep in mind the client is the number one priority and do their best balance the client request with the most appropriate solution to the problem area.

6)  They should stand behind their word.

When a company stands behind their words, they gain respect by the surrounding community.  If they say they will do something, they should stand by their word and do it.  This builds trust and confidence in the relationship and enables you to feel comfortable working with them in the future. 

7)  They should be punctual.

Your landscape company should be on time, if not early to appointments and reviews.  You should be able to count on them to be there when they say they will be there.  Being punctual is a professional courtesy, make sure the landscape company you choose to work with is on time! 

8)  Their customers should like them.

Customer satisfaction is always an important aspect of business, it is no different in the landscape industry.  Ask around, look them up online, and check out their work to make sure they have a good reputation with their customers. 

9)  They should care about the environment.

A landscape company who doesn’t care about the environment is kind of like a doctor who doesn’t care about medicine, it just doesn’t make sense.  As stewards of the environment, it is our job to educate others about environmental responsibility and how to lessen your environmental impact.  You should talk with any landscape company you are thinking of working with and ask about what they are doing to lessen their impact on the environment.       

10)  They should provide high quality work with incredible service.

                 High quality of work paired with great service is what all landscape companies should strive to provide their customers.  Ask them when you initially meet with them if they would be willing to show you some of their previous work.  A good landscape representative will be more than happy to show you what they are capable of and what they’ve done in the past.

Jarett Crump

Landscape Designer

Englewood Lawn and Landscapes

www.englewoodlandscapes.comrel=”nofollow”

(423) 791-4025

“Bringing Your Life Outdoors”

If you notice your water pressure has decreased, there are different reasons for this problem.

There are a few things to check before you call  a plumber.

1. Check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing low water pressure. If  you live on top of a hill or live near a massive water tower that helps create water pressure for the municipal water system, your pressure many not be as strong as other areas of the town/city
2. Check with your city or town water department to see if they are or have made repairs to the water works.
3. Check your own pipes for leaks.

There are several possible reasons that your water pressure in your whole house  is down.

1. Your main water line could be clogged or broken
2. Your inline water filter could be clogged (especially if the town/city has turned off the water main to work on a main water pipe and turned it back on)
3. One of your indoor horizontal pipes could be clogged.
4. You main shut off valve at the street may not be completely open
5. The main shut off valve at your house may not be completely open
6. Faulty water pressure relief valve.

• If pressure is just one faucet, check the aerator, it might be clogged.

• If the pressure is just your hot water side, it may be your hot water heater.

• If your water pressure is low or need plumberservice, call Leinbach Services Inc.

Leinbach Services Inc. also works on heating and air, wiring installation, handyman and commercial door hardware.

In Abingdon, VA-276-628-3975

In Bristol, TN-423-764-0126

In Johnson City, TN-423-282-4983,

In Bristol, VA-423-764-0126

In Kingsport, TN-423-239-3147

Let Leinbach Services Inc. be your heating, air conditioning, plumber, electrician and handyman. We have locations in Kingsport, TN, Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN and Abingdon, VA.

We do:

water heater repair, faucet repair,  toilet repair, toilet replacement, Heating, HVAC, AC, heating and air, heating & cooling, air conditioning, furnace, electrical, wiring installation, electrical wiring, home improvement, house repair, garage door repairs, commercial door repair, commercial door replacement.

Leinbach Services Inc in Tennessee is the only name you need to know when it comes to your building maintenance needs. Whether it is residential or commercial, Leinbach Services Inc can be your plumber, electrician, heating and air conditioning specialist and Handyman Company. We also do commercial door hardware repair and replacement, parking lot lights replacements and parking lot signs.

You can Call 24 hours!  We Take the “Wait” out of service

Whether you spell our name Lineback Services, Linebaugh Services,  Leinback Services, we still want to be your plumber, electrician, heater, faucet and toilet repair company that you call. Call Leinbach Services Inc if you need the following repairs:

Toilet repair

Faucet repair

Water heater repair

Electrical wiring installation

Heating and air conditioning repair

Door repair

Door installation

Door closer

Home improvement

and more…

AC, air conditioning, heating and air conditioning, humidifiers, air quality product installation, HVAC, electrician, plumber, Handyman, water heater repair, wiring installation, faucet repair, You can Call 24 hours.

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home—typically making up about 54% of your utility bill.

No matter what kind of heating and cooling system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling—and reduce environmental emissions—from 20%-50%.

Household Heating Systems: Although several different types of fuels are available to heat our homes, more than half of us use natural gas. Source: Buildings Energy Data Book 2010, 2.1.1 Residential Primary Energy Consumption, by Year and Fuel Type (Quadrillion Btu and Percent of Total)

Heating and Cooling Tips

• Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer, as well as when you’re sleeping or away from home.
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces and air conditioners once a month or as recommended.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.
• Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
• During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• During summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to block the sun’s heat.

Long-Term Savings Tips

• Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage.
• For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR® models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14.5 SEER or more.
• http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/heating_cooling.cfm

Let Leinbach Services Inc. fix  your HVAC problems.  We also do plumbing, home improvement, electrical and commercial door hardware repair.

In Abingdon, VA-276-628-3975

In Bristol, TN-423-764-0126

In Johnson City, TN-423-282-4983

In Bristol, VA-276-628-3975

In Kingsport, TN-423-239-3147

Let Leinbach Services Inc. be your heating, air conditioning, plumber, electrician and handyman. We have locations in Kingsport, TN, Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN and Abingdon, VA.

We do:

water heater repair, faucet repair,  toilet repair, toilet replacement, Heating, HVAC, AC, heating and air, heating & cooling, air conditioning, furnace, electrical, wiring installation, electrical wiring, home improvement, house repair, garage door repairs, commercial door repair, commercial door replacement.

On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day.” However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

Did You Know?

There are more than 70 million fathers in the United States.