A New York politician yesterday sounded the latest call for the EPA to push back its April 22nd deadline, saying contractors haven’t had enough time to get certified. Congressman Tim Bishop of Long Island joined the chorus of contractors and trade groups that have been asking the federal agency to push back the implementation of the new lead law guidelines.  Bishop told the media yesterday that only a few hundred of the 18,000 licensed contractors in Long Island have been certified.

Here's what the EPA's Dale Kemery told us late yesterday:  

"The EPA issued the LRRP rule because a disturbing number of America's children are still being poisoned by lead-based paint in their homes - leading to learning and behavioral disorders. The rule provides simple, low cost, common-sense steps contractors can take during their work to protect children and families. The Agency is on course to have enough contractors trained and certified in lead safe work practices to ensure that Americans will be able to find a certified contractor to repair or renovate their homes.  For more information on how to become a certified firm or trained renovator, visit : http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_training.htm"

For now, April 22 is still the date for the new lead law enforcement to go into effect. We know there are issues with getting people trained and the costs involved for both contractors and consumers. But we believe protecting our children from lead poisoning is worth the effort.

Angie's List will add a special icon next to contractors that have been certified in lead-safe work practices later this week to help homeowners identify which companies are up to date.

I'm happy to say that beginning April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency will require all home improvement contractors who might disturb lead paint in homes, schools and child-care facilities built before 1978 to be trained and certified in proper lead safety techniques. But is it enough?

Read more about the new lead paint law and what it means for your family in my April column for Angie's List Magazine. The magazine also put together this article, which digs into the lead paint issue even further.

You probably don't give your water heater much thought until there's no hot water or a leak, but a plumber in Dallas made an excellent point last week about where the water heater is physically located in the home.

New home builders charge by the square foot, so they don't like to put water heaters in living spaces. Instead, they prefer to add them in the garage, which is fine, or the attic, which may not be so fine.

A local plumbers union in Texas has actually lobbied for a new state law that makes it illegal for builders to install water heaters in the attic. The proposal didn't make it out of committee last session, but Sonny Friedman, owner of Atlas Plumbing in Dallas, and one of the plumbers behind the idea, says they'll try again this year.

Sonny admits there's some selfish reasons behind the effort - like the fact that it takes two to three plumbers to take a water heater upstairs, job takes longer, etc.

But it's also more costly for the homeowner. Because the job takes longer and requires more labor, the cost of replacing a water heater increases for the customer. Not to mention the costs if the water heater ever leaks. Fifty gallons of water can get everything wet real fast.

So I'm just curious how many of you have actually thought about where your water heater is located. If you're building a new home, ask your builder where they plan to install it. If it's the attic, you might want to consider an alternative location.

Related: Richmond water heaters, water heaters in dallas, find a contractor

It's the second year for the EPA's Fix a Leak Program which encourages homeowners around the country to fix leaks around the house. Not only does fixing plumbing leaks help you save money on utility bills, it also helps conserve water. According to the EPA, Americans waste 10,000 gallons a year on leaky plumbing fixtures.

Check the EPA website for more information about what your local community is doing. And here's a story we did on Dallas, which won national attention for its program that fixes plumbing leaks for low and moderate income families.

If you've got a dripping faucet or running toilet, now is the time to fix it!

We’re back on the road again for more home shows this weekend, but first, I wanted to share this great note we got from a member today:

“…Angie’s List served us well.  A representative of this company approached my wife and me at a (local big box department store) and offered us a major discount for energy-efficient windows if we would schedule a sales pitch with them.  I gave them our information, but went home and checked the company’s Angie’s List and Better Business Bureau listings. I quickly discovered that this was a company we did not want to do business with.  I called them the next day and canceled the appointment.  Thanks for saving us from a lengthy, annoying sales pitch with no reasonable prospect of a satisfactory transaction.”

We love it when we can help!  Keep those reports coming in so we can help more people avoid potential scams. It IS the season for homeowner scams, you know. Just as the spring weather brings homeowners out of the house to take stock of projects that need to be tackled, it brings out scam artists who are eager to take your money and run.

So, please, check Angie’s List before you do any kind of home improvement project. Look up the rep of your local general contractors, remodelers, plumbers, handymen or any other service pro. It’s fast, it’s easy, and best of all, it can save you time, trouble, stress and money.

Now, the latest home show schedule:

Chicago Flower & Garden Show on Navy Pier
Now through March 14
Booth: #411

Cincinnati Home & Garden Show at the Duke Energy Convention Center
Now through March 14
Booth: #935

Duquesne Light Home & Garden Show  at the Pittsburgh Convention Center
Now through March 14
Booth: #1834

Maryland Home & Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Baltimore
Now through March 14
Booth #330

Washington Home & Garden Show at the Washington Convention Center
Friday through March 14
Booth: #2509

Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show at the Discovery Sports Center in Germantown, MD
Friday through March 14
Booth: #214

Indianapolis Flower & Patio Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds West Pavilion
Saturday through March 21
Booth: #435