[Archived] Alexandria Offers Home Remodeling Tips

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2004
PIO 158-04

Alexandria Offers Home Remodeling Tips

The City of Alexandria offers tips for homeowners who are planning summer remodeling or building work around their homes:

T Contractor Licencing is regulated by the State Board for Contractors and the City’s Code Enforcement and Business License Bureaus for work on any residential property, including owner units in condominium buildings. Many hi-rise and older condominium buildings constructed without sprinkler systems are built of non-combustible materials. When remodeling projects - including moving or installing new non-load bearing walls - result in the removal of steel framing members or the introduction of wood components, the overall fire safety of the building is compromised. The City advises residents to use only contractors licensed for the type of work you are having done. Unlicenced persons or contractors or with a Home Improvement Contracting designation (HIC) on their State license are prohibited from working in high-rise structures or buildings with more than two dwelling units. And, the HIC designation does not allow the contractor to perform any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work.

For more information on construction type and contractor licensing requirements, call 703.838.4360 or visit the following web sites: www.state.va.us/dpor for state contracting information and www.alexandriava.gov for the Alexandria Fire Department/Code Enforcement Bureau.

T Treated lumber for decks and play equipment containing the Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) preservative should no longer be used for residential purposes. CCA treated lumber has been replaced with alternative preservatives such as Amine Copper Quat (ACQ) and Copper Azole (CBA-A or CA-B). Lumber treated with the new preservatives is incompatible with aluminum fasteners, connectors and flashings and will cause them to corrode and fail. This is especially important to remember when repairing older decks and play equipment so that the new wood products are not used with existing aluminum fasteners. For more information, call 703.838.4360 or see the new Deck Detail on the Code Enforcement Bureau web site at www.alexandriava.gov.

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