Mark Johnson Custom Homes Blog

St. James, NC custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes understands safety on the home and jobsite are of the utmost importance. That’s why previously we’ve shared propane safety information regarding what to do if you smell gas and prevention measures if odor loss can be a factor in your home, courtesy of the Propane Education & Research Council. But what about propane system safety and hazard prevention? Below are some helpful appliance maintenance tips.

• Leave it to the experts. Only a qualified service technician has the training to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Have your appliances and propane system inspected just before the start of each heating season.
• Help your appliances “breathe.” Check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors; clear away any insect or bird nests or other debris. Also, clear the area around your appliances so plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.
• Do not try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so created the risk of a gas leak that can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
• Have older appliance connectors inspected. Certain older appliance connectors may crack or break, causing a gas leak. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connector. Do not do this yourself, as movement of the appliance might damage the connector and cause a leak.
• Flammable vapors are a safety hazard. The pilot light on your propane appliance can ignite vapors from gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids. Be sure to store and use flammable liquids outdoors or in an area of the building containing no propane appliances.
• Don’t risk it! If you cannot operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not working properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician for assistance.

The most fulfilling part of building someone their dream home is their affirmation that we exceeded their expectations. Throughout each step of the building process, Wilmington, NC home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes aims to offer superior service and below is our latest client’s confirmation that we have achieved our goals.

“We would highly recommend Mark Johnson Custom Homes to anyone. Mark Johnson Custom Homes builds a high quality home at an extremely reasonable price with many quality features built into the home that you would not find offered as a standard option by any other builder. Mark Johnson Custom Homes stands behind their work during and after the construction has been completed. The most important thing we found outstanding was the integrity of the organization and that of Mark Johnson. They stand behind their word and the finished product we call HOME.”

- Steven & Elaine Ashton

Wilmington Star News Business Editor Wayne Faulkner featured custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes’s Green Home in Landfall in August 13th’s edition. Below is an excerpt and to read the complete article click here. 

Mark Johnson Custom Homes Invites You to Attend an Open House for Our LEED Platinum Home in Landfall!

We would like to invite our readers to tour the Wilmington, NC LEED Platinum home on August 29th, 2009 from 10am-3pm.
 
The home is located in the Birkdale Community at 2002 Kenilworth Lane in Landfall.   

Please RSVP to Kevin@MarkJohnsonCustomHomes.com or call 910-208-9151,
as your name must be added to the guest list at the gate for entry if you are not a resident of Landfall. 
 
We look forward to seeing you there! 

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

“We are proud to have constructed such a beautiful yet environmentally conscious home and are thrilled about the savings the homeowner will enjoy for years to come,” said Kevin Johnson, Vice President of Business Development for Mark Johnson Custom Homes. “In five or ten years these energy efficiencies will be standard construction practices, but for the time being, we are excited to be viewed as pioneers in our industry”. 

Mark Johnson Custom Homes focused on health, sustainability, energy and water efficiencies in the 2,770 square foot, 4 bedroom/4 bath concrete home located at 2002 Kenilworth Lane, Wilmington, NC 28405. The home is listed for $624,000.

In a previous blog post, New Hanover County home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes addressed propane safety and the steps one should take when you can smell gas.  But how can you be sure you are smelling gas?

Some people may have difficulty smelling propane sue to their age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); a medical condition; or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal.

But on rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this including:

• The presence of air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder
• The passage of leaking propane through the soil

But since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.

Propane gas detectors are extremely useful in the event that you may not smell a propane leak. Propane gas detectors sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. You should consider the purchase of one or more detectors for your home.

Guidelines regarding propane gas detectors:

• Buy only units that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and maintenance
• Never ignore the smell of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm

Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Inc.’s LEED Platinum Green Home in Landfall was recently featured in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Wilmington, NC custom home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes completed the certification process last month for what is only the second LEED Platinum home in North Carolina. To read the complete article, click here.

Tours are available upon request; email Marketing Director Kevin Johnson at Kevin@MarkJohnsonCustomHomes.com or call 910-208-9151 for more information.

St. James Plantation home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes, Inc frequently uses propane tanks in their Brunswick County custom homes. Safety is one of the most important factors on the jobsite and educating the homeowner on safety issues upon moving in is equally important. Below are some propane safety facts, courtesy of the Propane Education & Research Council.

 If You Smell Gas:

• No flames or sparks: Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
• Leave the area immediately. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
• Shut off the gas. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
• Report the leak from a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak. Call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
• Do not return to the building or area until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
• Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak free.

Brunswick County home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes introduced their readers to SmartStrand Carpet in May, but now you can watch it in action! This video highlights its stain resistance and how simple it is to clean. We welcome you to familiarize yourself with our website and consider us for your next home or remodeling project!

Mark Johnson Custom Homes’ LEED Platinum Green Home in Landfall Country Club was featured on local news station WECT 6 Wilmington. The LEED Platinum certification is the highest possible rating for a Green home from the United States Green Building Council. View the video and read the complete article on the “Greenest Home in the State”.