Fairly often I hear my family complain about how long it takes for hot water to get to their shower. It’s not that we ever run out of hot water. We’ve used tankless gas water heating systems on our new homes for years. When sized appropriately, they provide an endless supply of hot water. So what’s the issue then?
As background, the overwhelming majority of new homes in the Tampa area use CPVC piping which is installed in a trunk and branch method. This method runs rigid pipe “trunks” from the water heater, making twists and turns until it’s in the area where it’s needed; then it “branches” to feed multiple faucets and showers. Bottom line, it takes a long time when you turn on your shower to clear out all the cold water sitting in the pipes until the hot water gets where you want it.
That’s a lot context for what we believe is the big advantage of PEX plumbing, getting hot water quicker. PEX plumbing is installed with a manifold at your water heater which sends a direct plumbing connection, or home run, to your fixture. PEX is flexible tubing, not rigid, so there are few connections, which mean less twists and turns and a much more direct route to your shower head or faucet. Voila – quicker hot water.
But there’s more…
Some other advantages include ease of installation and durability. I mentioned it’s flexible, so there are fewer connections. This makes it much easier and faster for plumbers to install. With fewer connections, there are fewer points of failure in the plumbing system. It is also color coded (Red=Hot; Blue=Cold). Although we don’t have to worry about freezes much in our area, its flexibility allows it to expand and be more durable if a freeze does occur.
The last advantage goes back to the manifold I mentioned earlier. Think of this like a breaker panel for your plumbing. It allows you to turn off and on water in specific areas of your home, much like a breaker panel does for your electric. Should you ever have a leak or need to make a repair; this manifold makes it much safer and easier to work.
At Javic Homes, we’re always looking for smart innovations that make our homes better. PEX plumbing is one of those items. Now that’s one less item my family can complain about. If I could only convince them to take shorter showers, but I think that’s a battle for another day.
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By Lana Bingham, Marketing Assistant
To celebrate International Working Women’s Day, here are a few helpful hints for women to manage the balance between mom, wife and working woman.
Divide Your Duties - As home builders in Tampa Florida, we know that maintaining a house is no easy feat. To lessen the workload, dedicate 30 minutes each weeknight to a specific cleaning task. The sleek and flexible design of the new Dyson Ball vacuum will help capture more dirt and dust. Yet don’t forget the beauty of chores. Having kids help out around the house not only makes life easier on you, but it teaches values and time management. Assign responsibilities, such as, feeding the pets, emptying the dishwasher and cleaning your room.
Dinner Dilemmas - Out of work by 5pm (if you’re lucky), home by 6pm or later (thanks to rush hour traffic), and your family expects dinner on the table by 7pm? It’s sure tempting to grab takeout every night on the way home, but instead dedicate each night of the week to a different theme. Try out a new easy recipe each week or incorporate leftovers into a new meal (like steak tacos). Make homemade pizza with the family or have the kids help Dad make dinner one night. Invest in a Panini maker for other quick and delicious dinners.
Make the Most of Your Mornings – To make the start of your day less hectic, layout clothing and prepare school lunches the night before. For a fast and delicious cup of coffee that pours directly into your travel mug, try the YouBrew by Breville.
Sneaky Shopping - Whoever said women love to shop must have never set foot into a crowded grocery store. On weekends, grocery shopping is a nightmare with long lines and jam-packed parking lots. Save yourself the hassle by using your lunch break to take mini trips to the grocery store and grab lunch on the go. Use your office refrigerator to store perishable items.
Unwind on the Weekends – Saving all your chores for the weekends can lead to stress rather than relaxation. Instead, use your days off for activities that you find enjoyable. Set aside some time for yourself; relax and rejuvenate with Kohler's innovative bubble bath, pamper yourself at a salon or grab lunch with friends. Don’t forget to throw in a dinner date with your husband every now and then; just remember to plan ahead for the babysitter.
Follow these tips to help take care of your familiy and your Tampa Bay home all while maintaining a thriving career.
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By Missi McCombs, Javic Homes Designer
The Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association will hold its 10th Annual Home Tour on Saturday, March 17th!
As a Tampa custom home builder, we are often asked how to invoke charm into a new home. This tour gives you the opportunity to walk through some amazing homes, in Tampa’s first subdivision. As a designer, I like to look to the past for ideas for our custom homes. The workmanship in the trim and molding is always inspiring. However, I’ve said it before...but it is worth repeating; I appreciate the charm of old homes, but I am far more enamored with closet space, modern technology and a builder warranty.
The Home Tour is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on March 17 starting at Kate Jackson Park at 821 S. Rome Avenue. Advance tickets are $20 and may be purchased at www.ehydepark.org, or at any Coldwell Banker location in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, or at City Street Sweets shop in Hyde Park Village in Tampa. Tickets are also available on the day of the tour for $25 at registration.
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Aren’t you curious what your home would say? I am. I can imagine my home speaking to me in a James Earl Jones Darth Vader voice, “Jon, I am your house. You don’t know the power of clean AC filters and gutters. Perhaps, I can find new ways to motivate you.” Okay, I’ll admit that I’ve been watching Star Wars with my kids a bit too much, but that would probably be enough to get me off the couch.
As entertaining as it might be to have our new Tampa homes talk to us about maintenance, I’d be more interested to hear what they would say on how they were constructed. I recently walked through some other builder’s new homes. I thought I heard a few of those homes talking. Here’s what I heard:
Forrest Gump voice: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get…especially behind these walls. My electric bills are so high because I have the bare minimum insulation and inefficient AC and appliances.”
Dirty Harry voice: “I know what you are thinking. Did he use cheap, particle board cabinets or solid wood cabinets? Well, you have to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?”
Apollo 13 Astronaut voice: “Houston, we have a problem. It seems the roofer didn’t use a peal and stick underlayment and now we have a leaky roof.”
Kind of odd that these homes are into classic movies, but it sounds like they all have a similar message - not every new home in Tampa is created equal. It sure would be convenient if all new homes could tell you more about themselves, but unfortunately it’s often up to homeowners to listen and learn how builders compare.
Fortunately, at Javic Homes you’ll hear our homes doing their best Godfather impression when they say, “I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse - The highest quality, energy-efficient homes in the area with first-class service at an exceptional value.”
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By Lana Bingham, Marketing Assistant
Today is an exciting day for both children and parents, not only is it Dr. Seuss’ birthday, but it is also opening day of the long-anticipated movie, “The Lorax.” As home builders in Tampa Florida, we greatly enjoy creating custom homes for families with children of all ages.
“A person's a person, no matter how small.” - Horton Hears a Who!
A child’s room is a playground for imagination, laughter and creation. So, why not make it the most amazing and inspired room in the house? Despite their young age, children are bursting with ideas, knowledge and energy; they need a room that not only organizes all their belongings but also matches their unique personality. The room can take on any theme, so have a bed made to resemble a pirate ship or fairytale castle.
“And when they played they really played. And when they worked they really worked.” – The King’s Stilts
We all know that children play hard; so set aside a specific area to encourage playtime. Make the space fun by adding a ceiling swing, chalk-board painted walls or a built-in secret passageway.
“And this mess is so big and so deep and so tall, we cannot pick it up. There is no way at all!” -The Cat in the Hat
When designing a children’s room, organization is key. Create sufficient space for toys, books, and games. Make clean-up time easier by adding shelving and built in storage closets. Take height specifications into account, making sure things are built within the child’s reach.
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.”- Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
Get creative. We have seen some pretty interesting ideas when it comes to interactive children’s rooms. Think outside of the bedroom box and try using all four walls plus the floor and ceiling. If you’re stuck, your designer should be able to brainstorm a few fun architectural ideas.
“Some days are yellow. Some are blue. On different days I'm different too.” - My Many Colored Days
Kids love colors, as you have probably figured out after placing a set of crayons or finger-paint within their reach. When it comes to their walls, experiment with color, patterns and murals.
When weighing the option to buy or build, create a custom home so that you can design a unique atmosphere for your children to live and play in: “If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” – One Fish, Two Fish
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Javic Homes builds & renovates homes throughout the Tampa & St. Petersburg, FL. Our goal is to provide the highest quality, energy efficient homes with first-class service at an exceptional value.
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