Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.
Mold Growing Under PaintMany people around the world have made life easier for themselves by using well written PS3 repair instructions to learn how to fix their own PS3 consoles. Alot of people are unaware that most PS3 errors and problems that occur can in fact be repaired by yourself at no cost! Unfortunately most PS3 gamers panic and take their console back to shop or if they did not pay for a warranty sent it to a technician only to pay hundreds of dollars to get it looked at and fixed.
However, the good news is there are lots of information available on the internet that can walk you through the process on how to fix any PS3 problem or troubleshoot that you might come across. Certain PS3 support sites can show you step by step with detailed diagrams,videos, and pictures how to tackle any problem that you might think is beyond you.
You can fix problems like:
-How to clean the Blu-Ray lens in your PS3
-Fix the Blinking PlayStation 3 problem
-fix the PS3 Bluetooth controller issue
-Freezing games - and Movies
-No - Display
-Other common video issues
The list above are only some of the issues that can occur, but with a good easy to follow instructions you can have your PS3 running in no time and not spend a dime while doing it!
Don't be afraid to repair your own PS3 , with a well written instruction manual any person young and old can learn how to repair a PS3, you don't have to be a certified technician to perform these jobs!
Another bonus to learning how to repair a PS3 is reselling broken PlayStation 3 consoles and making a killing on ebay, or just fixing your friends and PS3 users systems for a fee.
There are some many benefits to fixing your own PS3 console, please visit my site for more information on how to fix your own PS3 -> PS3 repair guide
Shower Shelf Wood DamageStress is a common thing that everyone encounters in the City that Never Sleeps-New York. With the never-ending hustle and bustle, you are sure to get a good dose of stress-inducing factors. The effects may range from depression to health issues like migraine and high blood pressure. The most ideal place to help us recover from its preying claws is our homes. But what if this silent predator has already invaded your home? Then it is high time to implement some home remodeling ideas to help reduce, if not totally rid your home of stress.
Home remodeling can do fantastic things not only for you but also for your home's value. Though stress can affect people in different ways and just the same, people also have varying ways of fighting it; the following are general home remodeling projects that are great as stress-busting ideas:
De-clutter
Numerous studies have proven that disorganization is among the major triggers of stress. Just imagine having to go home with a disarray of everything piled up wherever. This not only makes things unsightly but also causes the area to not be as functional as it is essentially meant to be. What you can do first is to minimize your belongings by going through them and deciding whether to keep them, sell, giveaway or throw them out if they are already in very bad condition. The rest of the things that you decide to keep should be put in storage. If you think storage areas isn't enough then, add innovative storage solutions into your home.
Exercising in the Comforts of Your Own Home
Exercise is another great reducer of stress. An exercise room can be a great addition and home remodeling project. Other than saving considerably on gas and fitness club memberships, this is also a great way to get yourself some privacy while exercising. The feel of the outdoors is another idea that you could add into this home remodeling project making an additional sunroom to be used as exercise area ideal.
Avoid Sleeping Problems
To prevent stress, it is important that we are able to get enough sleep. When home remodeling, a good area to focus on with stress-busting in mind is the bedroom. Make sure that the lighting, noise level, and temperature in this room are well controlled, promoting a good sleep. Comfort should be at its highest level here.
A Personal Spa Out of Your Bathroom
The bathroom is where we start our early morning routine and end our day to get ourselves ready for a peaceful slumber. This makes it a vital stress-reducing area and a great focus of your home remodeling. When wanting to achieve that utter comfort in your bathroom remodeling result, you have to consider warmth, and stylish functionality. Floor heating system and towel warmers are excellent in optimizing comfort even after stepping out of the shower or tub. Depending on your budget, and preference complete relaxation can be achieved through a steam shower, home sauna, or whirlpool tub.
Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with pre-screened Staten Island Contractors. For more, visit Remodeling Staten Island.
Ceiling Plumbing Leak RepairHome improvement and remodeling involve the renovating the whole house or just one area and making additions such as another floor, a room, a deck, a garage or a garden to name a few. There are different types of home improvement that include beautifying your home and making it more comfortable and functional. Remodeling, on the other hand, takes a similar juncture but usually involves changing the whole structure of a room or the building itself. Home improvement and remodeling can be a do-it-yourself project but still needs proper planning, materials and equipment.
Home improvement is the process of making additions to a house or apartment (if possible). It makes the house larger in terms of adding rooms or areas as well as making your home more beautiful and elegant than it used to be. There are different types of home improvement which include:
Remodeling, on the other hand, involves the process of improving a structure whether the whole house or office or a specific area of a structure. It is often applied to many commercial and residential structures especially when these are transferred to other owners. Other reasons for remodeling include if the business or the family becomes bigger and if the owner of the structure wants to change its design.
Remodeling involves the following processes:
Home improvement and remodeling industries have risen in popularity in recent years due to television shows focusing how to do these activities on your own and showing which designs are best for your own home. They usually show the step-by-step process and the "before" and "after" pictures. Anyone will be enticed to have their own rooms renovated just by watching these shows.
Zipcodez.com is a widely-used local business listings service and search engine. It features a complementary collection of useful topics and resources from "Arts & Entertainment" to "Wireless & Telecommunications." If you are interested in "Home Improvement and Remodeling," you might also want to read "Bring New Life to Your Old Home - Remodeling," and "Installation & Maintenance of Your Windows - Windows" available at http://www.zipcodez.com/article/featured-articles.htm.
Minimum Access In CrawlspaceKids love to get dirty, I mean cook, in the kitchen. Its an amazing thing, on many different levels, to see the end result of their creativity. One word of advice -- keep an eye on em!
You Know Youve Got Kids in the Kitchen When...
You hear Oh... I was supposed to put the lid on the blender before I turned it on, wasnt I?
Youre still finding bits of cookie dough behind the coffee maker, fruit bowl, and salt shaker after that incident with the beaters.
You feel a distinct crunch when youre eating the scrambled eggs theyve lovingly prepared for you.
You hear Mom! Wheres the mop? and How do I pick up broken glass?
You find flour hand prints on the bathroom mirror and the stair rail and the black lab.
Every dish you own has been used in the space of one hour.
Each strawberry dipped in chocolate now has a name, and youre not allowed to eat them.
You hear Mom, just in case, where do we keep the fire extinguisher?
You notice the bread, ketchup, peanut butter, pickles, and marshmallows on the counter just as your child proudly proclaims hes made you a masterpiece. Youre supposed to eat it.
You have your suspicions about that cake in the oven. Your favorite stirring spoon has gone missing.
You hear the older one telling the younger one that recipes are just a guideline.
You have to remind your kids, again, that the only time a pot should be turned on high is when theyre boiling water.
As you turn off the smoke detector and open all the windows, you explain that microwave at medium heat means in the microwave, not on the stove.
You yell, just in time, that wadded up paper towels do not make good oven mitts.
There is some sort of goo in a large Tupperware container taking up valuable front space in your fridge.
Parents, although it may not seem like it, your kids are learning to cook through all their trials and errors. And just remember that everything that happens in the kitchen now is just a happy step down the wonderful path of Memory Lane later!
Peggy Baron cooks with her kids in Colorado, and runs cookinkids.com a website devoted to helping parents and kids have fun together in the kitchen. Peggy is the editor of the popular Cookin' Kids Newsletter, a bi-monthly newsletter with fun facts, recipes, jokes, games, cooking safety, and cooking terms wrapped around a different theme
No ideal home is complete without a beautifully designed patio. This is a paved area outside the house, commonly for relaxation, dining, and good conversation, listening to music, drinks and other recreational activity. A patio is best covered, so as to be suitable for all seasons. Besides, roofing adds much beauty to the patio. Patio roof come in many shapes and designs. Here are some great ideas for your patio roof designs.
Patio umbrellas are wonderful roofing patio styles. With a good swimming pool nearby, an umbrella patio gives a natural resort feel to the patio that increases relaxation. While they are made of wood, the umbrellas usually come in different colors. One very good thing about this patio design is that it can easily be closed down or adjusted to taste.
Canopies and gazebos are made out of iron or wood. They also come in various shapes and sizes. The covers are moveable. The fabric and draping come in many designs and colors. Some are even water proof. Trellis and vines can be added up to the sides of the vines to climb up and add a more natural feel Using simple wood pergola Patio roof designs will make the whole terrain a site to behold, especially when properly maintained. A very innovative touch to the entire property can be enhanced by the color of paint and designs applied on the patio. Planting ornamental plants will add up to the artistic feel of the patio.
A good patio cover design that is used mostly on summer is the vinyl Awnings. They come in many colors, designs and sizes. They also make good poolside beauty and comfort additions.
If you want a more permanent fixture for your patio roof designs, a metal patio roof should be one of the styles to consider. Made of corrugated metal sheets, it is very suitable for rainy seasons and last quite long. When attached to your home, maximum shade from excessive sunlight and rain is guaranteed.
A clear glass patio can be tinted, depending on choice. It is beautiful and labels your property and elegant. With a glass patio, sunshine can be let in, as well as a good protection from the elements. They are also strong.
Another affordable patio roof design to use is the Aluminum Pan roof. Besides durability and affordability, it can also be maintained with minimum costs. A cool shade in summer, a shield from the rain and a good protection from the elements is what this roof style offers.
In choosing a roof design for your patio, it is advised you choose the designs that will so complement your house design that it will be seen as part of your house that it really is. Most importantly, uniqueness is what makes the patio roof a site to behold.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about patio roof designs, please visit My Room Additions for current articles and discussions.
These days it seems that the fashionable trend in living is going green. By that we mean more and more people are choosing to opt for cleaner energy, less waste, environmentally friendly building materials, paints and flooring plus energy efficient appliances. Al Gore's award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth did more to stir up interest in the green movement than most published scientific studies did. Whether or not you support the global warming theory, one thing you can't dispute is the obvious savings, both in the environment and your finances, that making some simple and if you're willing, not so simple, green improvements to your condo or house. Not only will this benefit you as long as you live there, but it will also make your home more attractive to potential buyers if you should decide to sell.
Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to start saving money and energy is to replace your old light bulbs with energy efficient ones. The newer compact fluorescent bulbs are available in a wide assortment of sizes and last a lot longer than basic light bulbs, all while saving on electricity consumption. New compact fluorescent bulbs often use as little as 20 percent of the energy that an older bulb will use. You can also install timers on outside lights.
To improve water consumption you can install low flush toilets and also either attach aerators to your faucets or buy new ones with aerators already installed. This simple device mixes air with the water flow, which creates good pressure with less water. You can also replace the shower heads in the baths with low flow heads.
A typical hot water heater will run constantly to keep the water hot at all times, making this appliance one of the most costly to operate in your home. You can either improve the heating efficiency of the tank you currently have by adding insulation around the tank or wrapping the pipes. You can also install one of the newer models that only heat water on demand, not constantly. Tankless models work very well and can save up to 50 percent of what an older model would cost to run. There are also solar powered hot water heaters for the ultimate in energy efficiency.
You can also go the extra mile with saving water by installing a rain water collection system to water your lawn and landscaped plants, plus making sure that you only plant native species that are tolerant of local climate conditions will also benefit your outdoor environment.
The appliances in your kitchen as well as your washer and dryer are another major area where you can green up your home while saving energy and money in the long run. Replacing some or all of your kitchen appliances with more efficient Energy Star rated ones will reduce electricity consumption and they will run much more efficiently. Remember that for every perk like an automatic ice maker or defrost, a refrigerator becomes less energy efficient. This is especially important because in the average home, a refrigerator uses the most electricity of any appliance you own. Washer and dryer models are now available that operate much more efficiently. Front load washers not only hold bigger loads, they use less water and energy.
For some really major savings you can replace your outdated heating and cooling system with an energy efficient one. Older systems, especially boiler-based ones, are usually extremely inefficient. Newer systems with programmable thermostats allow you to adjust settings according to the times you are home and need more heating or cooling. Just by installing a ceiling fan in even just the biggest room in your home and then lowering the setting on your air conditioning by 3 to 6 degrees, you can save as much as 25 percent on the cost of cooling your condo or home.
Insulation is critical to saving energy, and an average home will lose about 50 percent of its heat through the ceiling and walls if not properly insulated. Check the R value, which is the rating system for insulation value, of what you currently have in your home or what you are considering installing. The higher the R value, the better the insulation value. Don't be fooled by thinking the thicker or heavier the insulation, the better. You should only look at the R value when deciding on what type.
For a basement in a typical home in North America, the suggested R value insulation should be R-12. One inch of insulation is basically equal to 30 inches of concrete. Of the different types of insulation, Expanded Polystyrene is the best, with blown in Cellulose a close second and Fiberglass in third place. It is also important to install some type of water proof barrier or membrane to protect insulation from moisture. If insulation gets wet it severely reduces its performance.
By adding some simple or some slightly more difficult green touches to your condo or home, you will not only improve your own savings, but will help the environment and probably entice more buyers to your home if you decide to sell. For more tips on selling your home or to find out more about some popular green developments and condos, you can check out the buildings profiled on About Chicago Real Estate
Kim Richards writes articles about Chicago real estate and new home trends for About Chicago Real Estate
Aluminum Roof ShinglesStair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.
For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com
Furniture Restoration BooksThe great thing about the American construction developer is that the never give up. In the past 24 months the condo developers have had an impossible time getting financed. Several reasons were overdeveloping, bad price points and just the economy in general.
In my line of work, I saw lenders advertising their programs and at the bottom of their flyers, in large red letters they would post: "No Condos, Residential Developments, or Raw Land".
At last, a solution as arrived on the scene of this economic disaster for the condo developer. It's not exactly a condo solution, but it is a solution that a) makes sense, b) serves the market, and c) gets the developers back on their feet and back to work....which ultimately boosts our ailing economy.
The solution is simple: there is a new funding program in the private sector that is very flexible and very favorable towards mulitfamily projects and apartments. Developers don't have to lie or misrepresent themselves, they simply need to change their unfunded project into a multifamily or apartment project. Same tract of land, the structure can even be very, very similar. It simply cannot be called a "condo" project. The key to success is having a direct conversation with the funder, and sharing exactly what is in place now. The funder will then tell the developer exactly how the project needs to be tweaked in order to fit into the funder's funding footprint.
The other good news is the rates are fantastic. These are not "hard money" terms, which were the only solutions for these projects in the past.
Brian W. Walker
Walker Commercial Funding
Please visit our website for more information on our programs and services:
http://www.walkercf.com
brian@walkercf.com
(281) 852-8298
Skype: brian.walker7
One method sometimes employed to turn surface water away from cellar walls is to lay a concrete pavement, walk, or gutter, 2 or 3 feet in width, around the house with a gradual slope away from the walls.
Where the sidewalk joins the wall, the wall surface should be roughened, cleaned, and moistened and the concrete rounded up to meet the face of the wall. This method will make a good bond and turn water away from the joint.
The gutter type of construction is used to conduct surface water along the wall and lead it to some low spot. The gutter should be at least 2 feet wide over all, with an outer lip, or edge, about 5 inches in width.
The depression should be about 4 inches deep at the outer edge and sloped gradually up to meet the wall, and the joint should be treated in the same manner as above recommended for the sidewalk.
In low damp locations, or in other places where there is a large amount of water in the subsoil, it is advisable to install drain tile around the footings to lower the water table, or water level, and to carry the water away before it can penetrate into the cellar. Where conditions are unusually bad, waterproofing may be necessary in addition to the drain.
Generally this is going to be underneath something like a swim spa or hot tub, if you have one. Sometimes under bathtubs as well, if you have a leak or a habit of splashing about while taking a bath.
To lay the tile, dig a trench adjoining, to a depth of a few inches below the level of the bottom of the cellar floor but not below the footing level. The tile should be at least 4 inches in diameter (although 3-inch tile has proved satisfactory in some cases) and should be laid so that the grade or fall will be smooth and as sharp as possible to avoid settlement of mud within the pipe.
Kitchen faucets, bathroom fixtures, and counter tops should all have sufficient tiling as well, to prevent water from getting into the innards of your home and rotting them.
The tile should also be connected to an outlet similar to those recommended for down spouts. The cracks between the joints should be covered with pieces of tin or strips of roofing paper, to prevent sediment running into the pipe.
The pipe should be carefully laid and protected against settlement or breakage under strain, but surrounding it with fine screened gravel or broken stone, tamped firmly around it. Following this, coarser material up to 1 inch in size should be covered over the pipe to a depth of 1 or 2 feet.
Before back filling to grade with earth, it is well to spread burlap or bagging or to place sods, grass side down, on top of the stone to prevent fine material falling or washing down into the stone.
Steam rooms are much the same, but the sauna is a bit simpler, especially the dry sauna, because they are located outside and any damage done by moisture will not directly affect the home.
Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer specializing in do-it-yourself home improvement from sauna and hot tub installation to bathroom fixtures. For a wide selection of hot tubs, steam showers, and infrared saunas, stop by http://www.mybath.biz/.
Building Stairs With Recycled ConcreteWith the future of housing markets all around the world looking uncertain, many people are deciding against moving homes at this point in time. Instead, it seems like there has been a surge in the number of people carrying out home improvements.
If done well, home improvements can certainly add to the value of your home. Equally, if you make a mess of things then your DIY skills could lead to a decrease in the value of your home.
The key to increasing the value of your property is to take on tasks that will add to the quality of your home. Think about the type of improvements that potential buyers might like to see.
Also consider your own skills. If you're not a DIY expert then you don't want to try making changes that could go horribly wrong. It may be that you need to get expert help with some jobs, but think about whether the work will be cost effective.
So let's take a closer look at the changes that you could make to your home. Firstly, take a look at the outside of the property. It may seem like a strange place to start but any potential buyers will see the exterior of the building before they step inside.
Think about how it looks and the type of impression that it creates. There are some simple tasks that can be carried out inexpensively but which really can improve the appearance of any house. You might, for instance, consider painting any woodwork and taking a look at the state of the front door.
How about your garden? Is it neat and tidy? Are you able to make as much use of it as you like? Improvements to the external areas of the property won't just mean that you can enjoy your home more - they will also add to its value, making it easier to sell at some point in the future.
When it comes to the inside of a house, traditional wisdom dictates that two rooms worth spending time and money on are the bathroom and the kitchen. Think about what changes you can make to these two rooms, since they could certainly add value to the property.
Don't forget that if you spend too much money on home improvements then you may never be able to get it back. Think about the value that you could add and set yourself a budget. Then make sure you stick to it!
If your improvements cost too much time and money then you may have little to show for your work at the end of the project.
Be sure that you don't neglect your living room too. A simple lick of paint can make a big difference, while modern electric fires can make a great focal point for any room.
Changes such as these needn't cost an enormous amount of money but they really can help you to increase the value of your own home, helping you to enjoy it more and making it more valuable when you come to sell up.
More on Electric Fire Suites is available online, as discussed by Keith Barrett. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.
Vinyl DeckingSometimes the house of your dreams just can't be found on the market. No problem, luckily you can build your own home. If your plans are well thought out and you carefully go through each step of the process, you could be living in an outstanding home you never thought was possible!
The most important aspect of building your own home is deciding on a budget. This will dictate each step of the process all the way through completion and beyond. Don't forget to add land cost to the budget of the entire project. It is also important to not forget Murphy's Law when doing a project this big, building estimates are just that, an estimate. There are numerous reasons that construction costs can increase slightly; be sure to leave a little extra room in your budget for changes to the plan.
The next step is deciding what kind of home you would like to build. Browsing through home and real estate magazines is a good start. The internet is also a great resource to get great ideas about your homes style and function. Once you have a general idea of the type of home you like, you should try to see some similar ones in your area. They don't need to be identical, but you can go down to a model home and see if you like or dislike certain features. Taking pictures of things you like is also a good idea; it can only help your designer draw up a plan exactly like you imagine it.
Purchasing the land is the next big step. You should, of course, have a general idea of what kind of land you want, but don't automatically filter out properties that don't exactly fit your search criteria. Keep in mind how much backyard space you would like, how big the house is you are planning on building, and what you are going to use the land for. For example, do you plan on putting in a swimming pool? How about having animals on your property? Would you like a little privacy from the neighbors, or just a good view?
As soon as you have purchased the land that fits your dream home, the next step is hiring a general contractor to oversee and manage the building of your house. It is a very good idea to call at least a handful of contractors and to have each of them give you an estimate. Make sure you ask their price per square foot, inquire about specifics that you would like on your house that may cost extra, and definitely ask for some references from each builder. Most contractors will be more than happy to show you homes they have built before and the homeowners will often answer any questions or concerns you have about the contractor. This is also a good time to check your budget. Is the home you have imagined going to fit into your budget?
The biggest determining factor of your budget is going to be securing financing. Contacting lenders is the next step towards building your home. Make sure to shop around for the best rates and situation that fits your finances best. By securing a loan you will get the money to go forward and will also have a better idea about how big your budget for the rest of the project will be.
The hard part is now over and the exhilarating part begins. Choosing paint colors, carpeting, and cabinets are just a few of the many exciting options you have when building your own home. You also get to observe the building process in action and see your new home being erected each and everyday. For many people this is fun, because they have put a lot of work into their project and are excited to see it come into fruition.
Building your own home is certainly a lot of work, but the benefits can not be overlooked. Careful planning and patience will go a long way into making sure everything works out just as expected. Believe me, once you move in to your new home you will be thrilled!
Sara Green is the real estate marketing director for Placerville real estate where you can find local school information, full access to the Sacramento California area MLS listings.
Great video on how to deal with window jam problems.
If you're thinking about buying a home, check out this home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping. For under $15, you can save yourself a lot of frustration and money.
Roof Fascia Section RepairEveryone wants the best for their homes and one of the most important areas one's house is the kitchen, which is probably the most favorite place of bonding for families and friends alike. We only want what is best for our homes, which is why we fill them with beautiful interior decoration pieces and possibly, with the most modern equipments available in the market today.
Those of you wondering on how to remodel your kitchen on a budget, there are a lot of options available which can enhance the look and functionality of your home. Most home stores can help those who are on the lookout for remodeling their kitchen on a budget.
Do It Yourself
The best way to save money when while trying to remodel your kitchen on a low budget, is to try and do it by yourself. You could try to involve help from the members of the family or friends who you know might have similar interests and would enjoy the process. Involving yourself, friends and family in the whole thing, would give your kitchen the look you want, besides being a great opportunity to re-bond with those who are involved in the entire process
Once you have decided to remodel your kitchen on a budget, you should at first sit down and in details write down all the ideas and changes that you have in your mind for your new kitchen. You should be able to conceptualize the look and feel of the kitchen after completion. By doing this, you can decide on the appliances that would complement the ambience that you want. By this time you have to decide if you want to totally change your old kitchen cabinets or just upgrade them with a new color scheme and freshness more suitable to the new look of your kitchen.
Yet another great tip for remodeling your kitchen on a budget is that you can retain your old plumbing which means that you don't need professional services. In doing this, you will be saving on the cost of labor and new materials, apart from that it would save you a lot of time, energy and hassles for everyone.
Moreover, try to browse through the nearest Lowe's or Home Depot home store in your vicinity because they can help you and suggest ideas about the best options when you are trying to remodel your kitchen on a budget. For detailed information and to make a list of the materials that you might want, try visiting their website at www.homedepot.com and www.lowes.com.
The free-lance writer Carl Esonhouse is very passionate about topics related to saeco espresso maker. You might discover his observations on saeco coffee machines and saeco coffee maker over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com.
Home Selling BooksIn bathroom decorating, the shower curtains tend to be the focus of the room in most cases. The great thing is that there is a wide variety of choices that you can choose from to enhance the look of your bathroom and your home. From simpler, more sedate shower curtains to unusual and unique shower curtains, you are sure to find just the right look and personality of curtain for your bathroom remodeling. This is a low cost way to undergo bathroom remodeling if you are not able or willing to redo the entire room. You can choose shower curtains that coordinate with the rest of your accessories to give the entire room a new look and feel.
How Do You Choose Shower Curtains?
There are many different choices in shower curtains for your bathroom. From unique styles to more traditional, simple styles, you will be able to find just the right style and color of shower curtain for your bathroom. After you have chosen the fabric and design of your shower curtain, then you can move on to the curtain rings and rod. Be sure that you choose wisely, because these choices can make the room look complete or it can detract from the whole look.
Shower curtains come in many different waterproof materials, including PVC coated, vinyl coated, and nylon to ensure that they are durable in the shower. Even if you find a curtain that is not made of a waterproof material and it will work great for decorating your bathroom, you can still use it with a plain vinyl shower curtain. This can give you the exact look that you are desiring and you will still have the durable, waterproof protection.
Shower Curtains Made By You
If you just cannot find the right look or style for your bathroom, then you will be happy to know that you can create your own. Whether you are a sewer or not, there are a wide variety of different instructions to enable even the most craft-challenged of us to create designer shower curtains. Use your imagination and create the perfect look for your bathroom.
Keeping Your Shower Curtains Clean
The number one problem in the bathroom is mold. Your shower curtain will be no exception to this problem, simply because mold loves the warm and damp environment of your shower. In some people, mold can trigger health problems, which is why it is very important to you're your shower curtain as clean as possible.
To clean your shower curtain you want to use a cleaner that is specially made to clean and kill the mold. Most of the time, shower curtains can't be cleaned in the washing machine, but you will have to check the tag on your particular curtain to be sure. If you can wash it in the washing machine, then wash it using hot water and bleach to kill the mold and germs. If not, then you can wash the curtain, apply lemon juice to the mold, and then place it in the sun. The sun and lemon juice together will kill the mold.
After the mold is killed, you want to keep it away. To do this, you want to keep your bathroom ventilated by opening a window or opening a vent and you can soak your clean shower curtain in salt water, as this can help inhibit mold growth.
The free-lance writer John Bakers is especially interested in themes similar to designer draperies and designer curtains. Recording his experience in detailed writings like http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com the columnist expressed his experience on ideas related to designer shower curtains.
Like most every company in the world these days, there is a move afoot to cut costs and make the operation of our businesses far more efficient and cost-effective. If you're the person tasked with this daunting objective, then you would be wise to take a look at something very simple that could really make a large difference to your company's bottom line, as well as to its green initiative. That would be the use of environmentally friendly photoluminescent exit signs in your building. These self-luminous exit signs collect and store ambient light for use when there is an emergency event, such as a power outage, fire, earthquake or other catastrophe. Let's take a peek at all the advantages photoluminescent exit signs bring to the table.
Photoluminescent exit signs use no electricity, consume no batteries, and require no maintenance. There is no wiring to run and no backup systems are needed, as these exit signs shore up the ambient light in the building to use in the event of an emergency situation. There is then no question whether your emergency lights will operate when you need them, as there often is with other types of solutions. These will glow green up to a distance of 100 feet in smoky or dark conditions, and will stay illuminated for several days if the need were to arise.
The energy savings associated with the use of photoluminescent exit signs are significant. A typical building with 100 exit signs will realize a direct energy savings of more than $3,500 dollars yearly, as well as reduced costs for maintenance, replacement parts and more. What's more, this same building with these same exit signs will have its carbon footprint reduced by nearly half a million pounds of CO2 over the life of the product-which, by the way, is roughly 25 years! This will make you a hero in the green circles for sure!
When or if you ever need to move your photoluminescent exit signs-if, for instance, your emergency egress plan changes-the task is easily done. Simply move the mounting hardware to the new location and remount; no wiring to run or any other power issues. Should the time come to replace the units, it's good to know that they are 100% recyclable, and can be tossed into the nearest metal recycling bin with no other concerns. Try doing that with tritium exit signs, which contain a radioactive isotope and are tracked individually. You'll have the FBI and NRC on your doorstep issuing citations before you know it!
Photoluminescent exit signs are by far the greenest and most economical choice for emergency exit signs available today. There is but one manufacturer of this type of sign in the U.S., Jessop Manufacturing, located in McHenry IL. You can see their wide variety of exit signs and other emergency evacuation products at GloBriteSystem.com.
To learn more about how photoluminescent exit signs can help your company become more eco-friendly and save energy dollars in the process, visit us today at http://www.GloBriteSystem.com
Rusting Nails In Stair TreadIt is hard work to find a reputable painting contractor. There are many ways you can go about selecting a company to paint the interior or exterior of your home, this article will discuss the ways.
Most people start off selecting a contractor through a recommendation from a friend. This is a great way to get going as you already have someone that has tried the business out and had a good experience with them.Even ifyou get a recommendation from a friend, you shouldconsider getting multiplebidson your project - at least 3.One of the easiest ways tofind a contractor is to go online. If you go to Google search and type in "Painting Contractor" you wil see a lot of names pop up. The righthand side ofthe screen is the paid advertising section (where Google makes all it's money)and the left handsideis the organic search area.
After you've checked outa few painting company websites, the next step is to set up a time for a bid on your project. After you've narrowed down your contractors, makesure to check that they are licensed and bondedto operate in your state.It'salsosmart toask for references so you can talk to them on the phone and then visually inspect the project to see if they can provide the quality you are looking for.
It's also a good idea to check with the better business bureau. Many companies maintain membership there and they have a good system for logging customer complaints about all their member businesses.
We are licensed and bonded Seattle Painters and would be happy to look at your project. We are a reputable Painting Contractor that has done tons of projects in the area, check us out today!
Astonishingly, Americans generally spend $1600 or more a year on their utility bills. Not only is much of this wasted energy, but more carbon dioxide is emitted into the air from one home than two average cars. The following tips will help you save energy costs both at home and in the car.
*Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
* Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
* Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
* Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
* Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
* Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Take short showers instead of baths.
* Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
* Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
* Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy.
Energy Auditing Tips:
* Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
* Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
* Check for open fireplace dampers.
* Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner's manual for the recommended maintenance.
* Study your family's lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls - like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers - to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.
Insulation Tips
* Consider factors such as your climate, building design, and budget when selecting insulation R-values for your home.
* Use higher density insulation, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls.
* Ventilation plays a large role in providing moisture control and reducing summer cooling bills. Attic vents can be installed along the entire ceiling cavity to help ensure proper airflow.
* Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss, but you need to be careful how close you place insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked IC.
These tips, and more, are provided to you in a larger PDF file by the US Department of Energy.
David Tanguay is dedicated to providing research, reviews & helpful information to consumers and businesses. For more information related to Green Energy and Alternative Energy please visit http://greenenergyonline.org
With all the home improvement shows on TV these days, it's easy to get the impression that anyone with minimal skills can tackle their own remodeling project. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you can't or even trying to discourage you from it. Just be aware of your abilities and skill level before you begin any major undertaking.
A bathroom or kitchen remodeling project can get very labor intensive, especially if it's going to involve a complete "tear out". If you're re-arranging fixtures in a bathroom, chances are good there's going to be some plumbing skills needed as well. Careful planning before the project begins is the best solution to avoid being overwhelmed in the middle of the project. Knowing exactly what you are going to do and what the desired outcome is to be will help the project to be a success. The last thing you want is have your kitchen or bathroom tore out, standing in the doorway, looking at the mess, scratching your head wondering what to do next. Hiring a contractor, The thought of this option makes some people cringe. Contractors are right up there on the list with auto mechanics and a lot of people feel like they're going to get "worked over" before the deal is done. It doesn't have to be this way. I think a lot of the problems stem from mis-communication.
The best contractor for the job isn't necessarily the most expensive. There are a lot of specialty contractors that are good at what they do and offer their customers a fair price for their services. again , planning and knowing exactly what you want will be important for a successful project.
Here are some tips for using a contractor;
Whether you decide to DIY or hire a contractor , careful planning beforehand will keep your stress level down and help ensure that your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project is a success.
Clint Walker is a licensed contractor in SC and specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling
Most of us only dream of building your own home and living in it for the rest of our lives, well maybe not for the rest of our lives. My grandfather built his home when my father was nine years old and lived in it until he died. As a Carpenter and general contractor, I have always wanted to build my own home but never got the chance.
For anyone interested in building the home of your dreams, I found a few books on home building that seemed to be pretty helpful. I have been remodeling, building room additions, worked on track house framing for years and have done more home repairs than you could possibly imagine. I have found some of these books to be very resourceful and helpful, when it comes to solving some of the problems I run into.
When it comes to building the foundation, it's not just about pouring a concrete slab or footings. You need to run electrical conduit, plumbing supply and waste pipes, make sure the building foundation is square and level, and if you forget one thing, just one thing, you could find yourself in a world of hurt. I have worked on homes where the builder forgot to install electrical conduit and plumbing for a kitchen island. The contractor needed to saw cut the foundation and repair at it, during the home construction. This cost the building contractor around $4600.
Sometimes a checklist makes sense but where you get a checklist for building homes. Well maybe one day, I will try to make one. These home building books have been valuable resources to me for many years and have saved me grief and agony over simple things that often get overlooked.
It's a little overwhelming to even think about building your own home, if you don't have some construction skills. Construction knowledge can be gained through on-the-job training and by reading construction manuals. The best of both worlds would be to have both of these skills.
Construction knowledge can be gained or improved, over time with experience, combined with a couple of great books.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.
Flipping Houses BooksWhat do you want from your bathroom?
Do you want it to be more than clinically cold and merely functional? The trend today is towards making bathrooms a warm, friendly place to be, a place where you don't mind spending a fair amount of time in. Lets face it, we all have to use the bathroom sooner or later and it's probably the most used room in the house.
If you are planning to remodel your bathroom you should try to provide an experience for the users of the room and that includes yourself. Try to think beyond the simple utility of being a place to wash in.
How ambitious is your bathroom-remodeling project?
When you remodel your bathroom a lot will depend on how much space you have available and how extensive you want your bathroom remodel to be. When I remodeled my bathroom it all started because I dropped something into the bathtub and cracked it. That meant that the bath had to be replaced but I could have stopped there instead of taking the opportunity to replace everything, rearrange the bathroom and add a shower cubicle. Oh yes and I spent a lot of money too.
You don't have to be that ambitious
As long as your bathroom fittings are in working order you don't need to replace them. There is a lot you can do by adding storage space to get things off the floor, replace some tiling that may have seen better days. Giving the place a simple coat of paint can work wonders also. Even if you do need to replace some items like I did then replacing it with a similar item in the same position can be a lot cheaper than a full blown remodel.
How about a few plants?
If you have the space in your bathroom you might like to add a few pot plants here and there. They can hide the more drab aspects of your bathroom and provide a point of interest for anyone using the room. Some people like to talk to plants but don't like others to know that they do so being alone in a bathroom with some nice plants can be very therapeutic.
Think about the lighting
Lighting can make a big difference and adding some nice warm, soothing light that makes you feel cosy and at home can enhance your experience of the bathroom in a very subtle and pleasant way.
Keep it clean and shiny
Often all a bathroom needs is a good clean. Polish the metal work in the room, the faucets and towel rails etc. Make sure that you remove all the lime scale that has built up over the years. Clean the tiles on the walls so that they gleam like new. Do all this and keep it all clean by going over it once a week. It can make your bathroom look as good as if you'd done a complete bathroom remodel. It's also quicker, a lot less stressful and will save you loads of money.
What to do if you're thinking of a more ambitious bathroom remodel
If you've got plenty of money, time and enthusiasm then you may want to do something a bit more radical than simply clean or paint your bathroom. The article href="http://www.bathroomsremodeling.this-info.com/bathroom-remodeling-idea.php">Bathroom Remodeling Idea - How to get inspiration will give you some inspiration on how to get started on a more ambitious project.
Steve is an engineer and writes for http://www.bathroomsremodeling.this-info.com He remodeled his own bathroom recently Do it yourself bathroom remodeling
Water Stains On 1x6 Roof SheathiLet's face it: For most people, the subject of home inspections is anything but a fun subject. However, it is an important subject. Increasingly, new home-buyers are required to make sure that their homes are up to a certain standard. Furthermore, it's in your own health interests to make sure that the new house comes up to those standards. So while it might not be terribly exciting, you would be well-advised to learn about this subject.
Back in 2001, a study was conducted by the Market Enhancement Group (or MEG) about home inspections. While that was seven years ago, it's the most exhaustive examination of the subject that has been conducted, before or since. The results of the study were enlightening.
First let's discuss the methodology of the study. It was done through MEG's omnibus poll. This poll consisted of 1,000 phone interviews which were divided equally among four regions of the United States, with 250 persons in each of these regions: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Those who responded to the survey were all U.S. consumers who had bought a house within the 18 months prior to the survey. There was a margin of error in the study of plus or minus 3.4 percent.
Now let's look at who the study found obtained an inspection. According to the study, 77 percent of recent house buyers had gotten a house inspection before they bought their homes. Seventy-nine percent had attended this inspection and participated in it. An astounding 97 percent said they felt the inspection was worth what they paid for it.
Only a tiny fraction -- 23 percent -- of home-buyers said they'd bought a new house without getting an inspection. Of those who did buy one, most selected their inspectors after receiving a recommendation for him or her from their real estate agent (69 percent).
Of those who hired an inspector, 43 percent did so only after their real estate agent suggested they do so; however, the majority, 57 percent, did so of their own volition.
Now let's consider the differences that the survey found according to geographical location. Those buying a new home in the Western region had the highest incidence of hiring a home inspector, at 81 percent. The South follows closely at 80 percent, with the Midwest next at 77 percent and he Northeast Region at 70 percent.
Just at those in the West had the highest incidence of hiring inspector, they also had te highest rate of selecting a home inspector after a real estate agent recommended the person.
However, home-buyers in the South
For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at their personal request was highest in the South Region (65%) and the West Region (60%), followed by the Midwest Region (53%) and the Northeast Region (47%).
For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at the real estate agent's request was highest in the Northwest Region (53%).
What this study shows us is that there are a whole lot of people who choose not to have their houses inspected--and of those who do hire an inspector, many do so only after a real estate agent suggests one. This means that many home-buyers are not yet independently convinced of the need for such an inspection. But here are some reasons--and areas of your house--that call for an inspection.
1) A home needs the exterior inspected. If a roof is just now starting to age, then the subtle defects and damages are probably not going to be readily apparent to you, a novice on the subject. They can be found by a qualified inspector, though. Keep in mind that you'll spend several thousand dollars resurfacing a roof if you wait too long. The same holds true for the siding. Finding problems while they're still minor can save you big bucks.
2) A home just as urgently needs the interior inspected. For instance, you don't want to wait until after you've moved in all your furniture to discover that your basement floods easily. It's important to have an inspector check the basement for any clues of possible water intrusion, like a damp odor, mildew, water stains, etc.
Also on the interior, the house should be checked for proper ventilation and insulation. What many people don't understand is that inferior ventilation, particularly in the attic, can actually accelerate the deterioration of your roof deck. This can cost a lot of money to fix, if you wait too long.
The interior inspection would also include a check of the paint surface, to make sure it does not contain lead paint.
3) And finally, a house needs to have its electrical work and plumbing inspected. You need a qualified inspector to check for problems such as over fused circuits, burned wiring, poor wiring connections, amateur-installed wiring, openings in the wall where a young one could put his or her fingers, and dead-ended / exposed wiring.
As for plumbing, you need an inspector who can look for old lead pipes or galvanized steel ones. Replacing bad ones could be costly. Naturally, he'll also look for leaks and, using a moisture meter, he'll evaluate plaster or wall board suspected of having damage caused by leaks. Many plumbing issues are not clearly visible to the average house-owner, which is why it's so essential to have a professional--one who knows where to look and what to look for -- do it for you.
There are many other responsibilities for a professional inspector. However, these are some of the crucial issues, and they are ones that any knowledgeable expert will be able to investigate. Most importantly, they are issues that, if left to an amateur, could result in expensive repairs in the not-too-distant future. Sure, hiring an inspector will cost money--but it's quite likely that it will save you more than it costs.
Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056
Copyright 2008 Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspectors,
2008 All Rights Reserved
Please visit my inspection mega-site for more information about my full service home inspection and environmental testing company. We service Brooklyn, Queens, New York, Manhattan, Staten Island, Nassau County, Yonkers and the Bronx. You may also wish to visit my learning library which is packed with great tips and advice for buyers, sellers and homeowners alike. Lastly, you can also take advantage of my VIP referrals for vendors in over 50 home related trades, where your satisfaction is assured and the inspection of vendors completed workmanship or products is conducted on your behalf for free; visit my site for more details or call toll free 866-476-2056.
http://www.olympiancares.com/olympian4.htm
Carpet Damaged At ThresholdLet me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.
If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.
This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.
If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.
You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.
There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.
If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.
First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.
There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.
Happy Toilet Repairing.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more House Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Some Great Plumbing Ideas
Everyone wants to upgrade and renovate his/her house in affordable way. Budget is the major factor of consideration. If your budget does not allow you to start major renovation projects such as adding new room or changing floor or alteration in room dimensions you can also go for less expensive affordable home improvements. Minor changes may results in remarkable difference in your home. With less expensive improvement projects you can improve your home and also save money for major renovation project. There are various styles available you can chose such as Victorian, country and modern. Now day's modern style is most popular home dcor. Due to popularity modern home dcor has become expensive. But there are still some ways to upgrade your home in affordable way. You can take advantage of certain affordable home improvement tips for affordable home improvement.
Affordable Home Improvement Tips
Affordable home improvement tips allow you to upgrade your home in less expensive way. Following are some affordable home improvement tips.
Use of Inexpensive Home Decorating Items
Use of inexpensive objects to decorate your home is the most easy affordable home improvement tip. You can use inexpensive home decorating accessories to make your house look impressive. Such accessories include curtains, fancy cushions and table covers that look compatible with the pattern and main wall color. This will make your room warmer and modern. Even a good family photograph at suitable place can add character to your room.
Paint
Paint is also less expensive and easy way to give brand new look to your home. You can select any color of your choice. You can use paint on old furniture, walls and floors to give new look. You can also create different designs with paint.
Mirrors
Addition of mirror to any place can make your room look larger than its actual size. It is best for small rooms. In larger rooms you can also use mirrors. Mirrors look great above fireplaces, beds, dressers and in bathrooms. It gives instant fresh look without making complete changes in every thing. It is also a useful and affordable home improvement tip.
Fabrics
Fabric is easy to use in different ways. You can use it in lot of creative ways. It is not necessary that you must buy new fabric to use. You can even use old fabrics in your house. Normally everyone has old table cloths and scarves in their homes. You can change the look of old furniture by simply covering it with cloth. You can also make pictures by covering canvas boards with beautiful scarves or cloth. This is very cheap way to add look as compared to buying expensive show pieces from stores.
Old Furniture
Another affordable home improvement tips is simply change the setting of your old furniture and give a fresh look to your house. This can be done by simply putting same furniture in other room with different theme. You can make your furniture look different by painting it with different color or by covering it with fabrics.
Stenciling
It is also a simple home improvement tip to make your room alive. Stencils are easily available. It can easily paste on the walls. You need to paint them and remove them. It will leave a nice and clearly defined design to add character to your room. It can also used on fabrics and furniture.
Photographs
Beautifully framed photographs are also good option for adding value to your room. It is very affordable home improvement tip for those who have limited budget to renovate your room. The only cost is framing of photograph. Photographs can give pleasant effect to your room.
Working with what you already have
Utilizing all the things you already have is also an affordable home improvement tip. Most people purchased decorating items that does not match with furniture you have. To solve this issue you must try to purchase things that are compatible with other things you already have.
You can visit this site http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/home_improvement_tips/index.php to know more home improvement tips.
Upper Window Corner Over MoistopToday, hot tubs are more popular than ever and the number of hot tub owners is steadily rising. If you are ready to join this already large group of home owners, you must decide if you would prefer an indoor hot tub or an outdoor. Hot tubs are traditionally found outside, but more and more people are choosing modern indoor versions.
Indoor hot tubs offer many conveniences that cant be found with outdoor tubs. Extra privacy is one popular convenience. Indoor hot tubs eliminate the awkwardness of using the tub in front of neighbors or passersby. This type of hot tub is located in the privacy of your home so it is only viewable to people you are already comfortable with.
Another primary reason many homeowners are now opting for indoor hot tubs rather than outside is the weather. An indoor hot tub can be used year round, regardless of the weather conditions, making an indoor tub perfect for everyday use. The usage of an outdoor hot tub is influenced by the conditions, as well as the season, resulting in a typical loss of three to four months of possible use.
If you plan to purchase an indoor hot tub, you should consider where you will install it and the people who will use it most often. To get the most relaxation from your indoor hot tub, you should place it in an area that is typically calm with little distraction. You should also consider a location that will minimize the mess of water, because an indoor hot tub makes it easier to get out of the tub and walk through the rest of the house before drying off.
Another thing to remember if you are thinking of buying an indoor hot tub is that, although they are more convenient, indoor hot tubs require more complex installations than traditional outdoor ones. Hot tubs produce extreme heat as well as high humidity so your hot tub needs to be placed in a well ventilated area of your home. Too small of a space can cause structural damage to your home, including weakened plaster and condensation that leads to mold and window damage.
A typical hot tub can weigh more than two tons when it is filled, depending on its size, so it is imperative to check the foundation of your home for sturdiness before installing your tub, especially in the room where you plan to install the hot tub. Wherever you decide to install your indoor hot tub, you should reinforce the floor in that room. A standard floor is only designed to support a quarter of the weight of a full hot tub. To allow simple maintenance of your hot tub, you should also ensure that the room you choose can be easily connected to adequate drainage.
Thomas Oak writes articles for http://www.a1hottub.com if you are intrested in some addition information on a Hot Tub or are just looking for Spa Filters follow the links.
Have you ever been frustrated with goal setting? As busy moms, some days we barely get through our daily to-do list. Who has time for long term goals?
Yet amidst all the family activities, I have found a way to set goals that works.
Every August for many years, I have attended a fantastic personal growth seminar called Mastermind Summit. Although top notch speakers like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn have been highlights, it's the goal setting session that has impacted me the most. Now that I'm a busy mom with two young children, goal setting is very centering. It helps me see what's really important to accomplish and what can be abandoned if necessary.
Here's how you can create effective goals for the year ahead, no matter how busy you are:
1. Plan a goal setting time every year.
Maybe you want to set goals in December for the New Year. Or you can set them in August to correlate with the school year and get your kids to set goals with you. The important thing is to establish a regular ritual of goal setting that you won't forget. Maybe you want to plan a weekend getaway on your anniversary and make sure that one hour of that weekend is committed to goal setting. Create a fun ritual that you and your family will look forward to. Be sure to celebrate past accomplishments every year with your family.
2. Set goals in five areas of life.
The five areas are: personal, spiritual, business, financial and family. Following are a few examples to help you brainstorm:
Personal - to lose 10 pounds, to exercise at the gym twice a week, to learn how to play the guitar
Business - to increase sales by 10%, to find a freelance job for 5 hours a week
Financial - to save $2000, to make a budget for Christmas gifts
Family - to take a vacation to Hawaii, to help my child learn the 50 states
3. Make sure your goals are specific.
For instance, don't make a goal to "exercise more." Instead say "I am going to exercise twice a week." Now you have a measurable goal. You will know whether or not you accomplished it.
Even as busy moms, we can set goals that move our dreams forward. Effective goal setting starts with keeping it simple and specific. Keep growing alongside your children by setting personal goals for yourself and reaching them!
Moms, want to lose your baby weight once and for all? Get results in one breakthrough month called "Losing Weight After Baby: 31 Days to a New You" Listen for just 5 minutes a day at your convenience and enjoy positive changes like smaller dress sizes and more energy. Try it risk free at http://www.LosingWeightAfterBaby.com
As we all know with the changes in supply and our increased focus on environmental issues heating costs continue to rise every year. The Natural disasters which seem to occur more often and other world events inflate the prices of home heating expenses, for electric, gas and oil furnaces. However all is not doom and gloom as there are steps that you can take to lower your bills and save some money for other things or just to brace for the next rise in energy costs for your home.
Think about the tips below and see what you can do to lower your bills by conserving energy in your home.
Insulate Windows. Go though your house and check your windows. Make sure theyre well sealed. A good test is to do a smoke test. Turn off all fans and stand close to a window and produce some smoke perhaps with a match taking care not to burn yourself or anything! If theres a minute leak of interior home air to the outside the smoke will move in the direction toward the window. Kits can be bought at your local hardware or home improvement store for insulation.
Buy a Ceiling Fan. Because warm air rises youll want to get the warmer air down low by buying a ceiling fan. Reversible switches come on most all models and can be used in summer time too. The relative cost of the ceiling fan and its usage costs are quickly made up in savings.
Shut Doors. If a room is not being used then shut the door and leave it closed. This is really useful if youre not using the room for any length of time. Rooms that are used some of the time will have the door fanned and cold air will escape into the others rooms. Of course this will cause your boiler to work harder, and drive your heating costs up.
Close Curtains and Mini Blinds. If a wintry day is sunny or even if there is minimal sun, make sure you open them during the daylight hours but shut them as soon as it starts to go dark. The warmth from the suns rays will help warm the house and by closing the curtains you can keep it trapped for the night time. Re-open them when the sun comes up the following morning.
Weather Proof Doors and Seal Windows. Drafts arent necessary around doors if they have been weather stripped. Look around the bottoms of doors, and if air is streaming in then weather proof it. Check windows too because wear and the age of windows can let in cold air too. Caulk and seal windows, and if interior of seal is damaged replace it with the correct seal type.
Realign Doors. Doors just like windows can over time begin to sag from their original tight fitting position. Before winter sets in go around and really look at how your door closes. Adjust them for a good fitting.
Replace the Air Filter. You can eliminate unnecessary high cost bills by conserving energy by simply changing out a clogged air filter. Not only does the clogging cause your system to run slowly, but the danger is it can get into the motor and cause a fire, or just burn up the motor itself.
Close House Vents. In autumn and winter shut up the vents that allow circulation of air during the summer time. In the winter the goal is to keep all cold air out. Cold air under the floor boards infiltrates the house and drives up heating cost.
Check Roof Top Insulation. If its been a few years since you last checked out the insulation in your attic then go up and look around. Insulation should have enough air pockets to trap the cold air and push it back from the interior of the house. Old rotten insulation is usually brittle and flat. Replace the insulation with new and youll see evidence of your energy conservation in your heating costs.
By implementing just a few of these tips you will see start to see results. There is so much more that you can do too. Go online and read other different ways to conserve energy. Talk with your local energy provider to see if there are tips for your area that will help lower your bills, and drive down costs for everyone. In the end you wont regret that youve used the tips!
Paul Duxbury offers more advice at his Home Improvement site at http://home--improvement.blogspot.com
Here's a word of advice for any contractor, Carpenter, handyman or homeowner that is planning to remove an interior wall from your home or someone else's. Beware of removing interior walls, to eliminate your fears of the house collapsing. Some of the interior walls inside of the house are important structural components of the building.
Some of these walls hold up floors, roofs and other loadbearing sections that could create safety problems within the structure of the house itself. This is an area where an expert with framing skills should be consulted. What is the definition of someone with excellent framing skills? Some one with at least 10 years as a master framing carpenter.
My home building experience consists of three decades for over 30 years of assembling some of the most difficult sections of a home. During these years I have seen damage done to houses from removing structural interior walls. Most of this damage could be repaired with a little structural engineering. Some of the damage could not be repaired and caused other damage to different sections of the house. The damage caused in some cases to the floor and the roof framing had to be completely rebuilt.
I'm not telling you about every single thing I have ran into but you would be surprised if I started to make a list of all the homeowners and professionals in the building industry or home selling and buying business that contacted me to remove a structural component of a building. There have even been a few of these people that told me everything was going to be okay just go ahead and remove the structural building component.
Needless to say I would leave these people very irritated but I'm sure they found someone to do the job. The bad news is I was normally the person they would hire to go back and repair the damaged building after these people were gone and out of business. There have been cases where people have removed an interior walls against my better judgment and over the years of driving by in these homes I personally got to witness the structural damage that was occurring on the outside of the house.
I have no idea what the inside of the house looked like but could only imagine. My advice again when removing interior walls is to hire an experienced contractor or at least get some advice from an experienced framing carpenter. This does not include your basic know it all that has basic construction experience like your father in law, parents, friends, golfing associates or people you work with that tell you not to worry about it, just do it, everything will work out just fine.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and What Does A Shear Wall Do
Floor Joist With MoldHow much material is it going to take to do the job? What is the labor cost for the project?
These are questions a contractor asks himself when bidding a job. In most cases a contractor
will use the square foot method to determine the answer to those questions.
This method of take off is particularly handy in figuring sheet good type materials such as
wall sheathing, plywood decking, roof sheathing and drywall. To find the square footage for
one of these areas, multiply the height or width times(x) the length. For example if you
have an eight foot high wall by 40 feet long the square footage for the wall would be 320
square feet. Most sheet goods are 4 feet by 8 feet or 32 square feet. The square footage of
the wall is divided by 32. It will take 10 sheets of plywood or insulated sheathing to cover
this wall.
This same method can be used to figure the plywood or OSB for the house deck and roof. To
figure the deck simply multiply the width of the deck by the length to get the square
footage and divide by 32. Figuring the square footage of a roof is similar but with a twist.
For the roof multiply the length of the rafters by the length of the roof. Take the result
times 2 for the total square footage for both sides of a gable roof, then divide by 32 to
get the amount of plywood to sheet the roof. The square footage of a hip roof is figured the
same way.
Drywall is also figured by the square foot. This can be an involved process. It can be
broken down into two parts. First the square footage for the ceilings can be figured. Like
the deck this is figured length times width. Then the lineal feet of all the walls is taken
times the height. Interior walls will be added in twice because they have drywall on both
sides. Labor to hang, tape, and paint the drywall is also figured this way.
Besides drywall and painting, many other labor costs are figured by the square foot. Roofing
and siding are figured by the square. A square is 100 square feet. For example if a roof is
1200 square feet, it will take 12 squares of shingles to cover it. The same unit of
measurement goes for vinyl, wood, aluminum, steel and cement sidings.
Carpentry makes use of this measurement also. The cost to frame a house is usually figured
by the square foot. Costs to build a whole house are estimated this way to help people
determine if a house or its house plans are affordable for them to build.
Flooring is also among one of those things that use the square foot method to figure labor
and materials. This includes ceramic and quarry tiles, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl
flooring, and carpeting. Most contractors and installers use a price per square foot for
their labor when calculating their costs for installation.
This information will help you understand contractor estimates and help you do your own
calculations for projects.
Mike Merisko(c) 2007 - www.sawkerfs.com
Mike Merisko has been a carpenter for 26 years. Most of those years were spent in the homebuilding and remodeling industries. He was also in business as a carpentry and general contractor. While that is his forte, he also has experience in bridge building, commercial construction, and exhibit building which is how he earns his living these days. You can browse through articles by him and others at his website http://www.sawkerfs.com or visit his blog at http://www.sawkerfs.blogspot.com
Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.
If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.
This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.
If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.
You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.
There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.
If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.
First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.
There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.
Happy Toilet Repairing.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more House Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Some Great Plumbing Ideas
Site DirectoryThe earth at present is facing the dilemma of reduced non-renewable energy resources. At present the focus of the human race is clearly on materials through which we can fulfil our energy needs without being under the fear of finishing them off for good. Solar energy is one of those energy sources. Residential solar power plan is a very good idea. Imagine having your own solar power generator and all, and not to worry about the electricity bill. Also, with the use of solar power you will be fret to use as much of the solar energy as you may want to. The total usage of the solar energy on the earth at present is less than 5%. Residential solar power thus has a lot of potential.
It's something great that you can build residential solar power generator by your own two hands. Just imagine generating your own renewable energy for any purpose you desire. For building your own solar power resource, you will need photovoltaic cells. You will also need a tool kit, solders, silicon wires, glass, copper wires, and ultra violet coating for safety purpose. By using these materials you can very easily build your own solar power generator.
Residential solar power usage will reduce the burden on the current non-renewable most widely used energy resources. Usage of solar power will not only be good for you as you will not need to worry about electricity bill, but it will also help the economy to get strong once again.
Earth4Energy Link to learn how to make your own solar power for residential use.
Adding a garden arbor or trellis to your yard can be a nice "upgrade" for your landscape or garden. Arbors, pergolas, and trellises will add to the overall look of your yard and can even boost property value. However, there are several issues that should be taken into consideration before you begin the process of adding a new arbor or trellis.
One of the first and most important questions to ask yourself, is how does this project integrate into my current garden area? Do you have a wood fence that you want to match the style or color of? Or do you want your yard to have a more eclectic look? Vinyl arbors and trellises for example are available in many colors, and often times provide a very clean, modern look. Wrought iron or aluminum is another choice, and can provide a very classical and formal look-even something of a "castle-like" appearance if you choose black painted metal.
One good idea is to purchase a landscaping software program for your computer that will allow you to take a digital photo of your home, upload it to the computer, and then incorporate various landscaping ideas or elements to the photograph so you can envision how the end result might look. Such software programs are readily available for purchase, and operating them requires just a bit of time with the tutorials and some general computer skills. The results are well worth the time before you begin the actual on site project.
Now that you have thought through the end result, it's time to decide if this is going to be a "do it yourself" (DIY) project or if you'll seek outside help, such as a licensed contractor, to do the job for you.
If you choose to make it a DIY project, how much time will you need to allocate? Can the project be completed in a weekend, or will it require a week or more of full or part time work on your part? Do you need to schedule vacation from work in order to start and finish in a timely manner? Nothing is more frustrating than having an unfinished project linger on much longer than you had anticipated. If you have a friend or family member who would be willing to help you out, now might be a good time to call upon their resources.
If you do seek outside help, one of the most important things you can do is check references. Most reputable landscaping companies will have photo albums of their completed projects. Look through the photos to get an idea of the overall quality of workmanship. If you see that the contractor has completed a similar project to what you're looking for, inquire of the name and phone number of their previous customer. Then call those homeowners to inquire about their level of satisfaction with the job and the contractor. Be sure to ask the following important questions: Were you satisfied with the quality of work? Was the work performed in a timely and satisfactory manner? Did the end cost come in at or below the initial estimate, or did unexpected or hidden fees pop up during the project? Lastly, inquire if you can drive by and have a look at the finished project. Any homeowner who is happy with the end result will probably be very pleased to show it off to someone else.
No matter what your final decisions are, taking the above items into consideration will be well worth the time spent before you begin the project of adding a new arbor or trellis to your garden. Good planning and execution is the key to a successful end result in any home project.
For cedar arbors, metal arbors, or other arbor plans, please visit Home Products 'n' More. We offer free shipping on all garden arbors!
Precast Concrete Fencing
