Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets

Most framing contractor's look at the building plans and order all of the material, according to those that are specified on the plans. This works out fine, and can often save you money, but rarely produces the best home that you could possibly frame.

As a professional framing contractor, I would like to share one of my house framing tips with you. Most plans require half-inch plywood or oriented strand board as their roof sheeting. This product is fine and if you're building a lot of homes, you're not going to have the choice. Ordering larger sized plywood could cost you thousands of dollars, especially if you're building a lot of homes.

However, if your framing or building a home for someone or even yourself, you might want to take my advice and think twice about it, before ordering the roof sheeting. Half-inch plywood, works okay for 16 inch on center roof rafters or engineered truss roofing systems. It doesn't work well on 24 inch on center roof rafters spacing.

It is usually flimsy and weak at the center point, directly in between the 24 inch roof rafter bays. If you're going to use the half-inch plywood, I would recommend using plywood clips that are relatively inexpensive and can be placed in the direct center of each roof rafter bay on each sheet of plywood. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers or lumber yards.

The other alternative, and this is what I recommend, would be to use 5/8 inch plywood. This plywood works great for 24 inch on center roof rafters and you will have a nice sturdy roof to walk on, while roofing your home.

I have actually seen people step through the flimsy plywood, while lifting heavy roof tiles and bundles of composition roof shingles. Experienced roofers try to walk directly on top of the roof rafters, when loading their roof shingles or even carrying them on the roof.

If you're a home builder and your concern is about making a profit, you will need to use the half-inch plywood. If you want to build a superior roof, use the 5/8 of an inch plywood.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link House Framing Contractors.

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Greg Vandenberge 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 excellent home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Subfloor Damage From Poor Bathtub Installation - Read Bath Tub Fixture Manuals

You should never under estimate the amount of damage that water can do to your wood subfloor. Especially if this wood is underneath your bathtub. If the bathtub is not installed properly, you could find yourself replacing the wood underneath, within a short period of time. This repair is not uncommon and as more homeowners and handyman seemed to be doing projects like these, without the proper experience, it's becoming even more common.

I wish I had a solution to the problem, however, I don't. The best advice I could give anyone who is going to be involved in any home remodeling project, would be to get some books on what ever task you are about to undertake and read all of the information that you possibly can about the products you are going to be installing. This is extremely helpful for anyone who has never installed a bathtub or any bathtub fixtures.

If the product fails and was installed properly, the manufacturer should be responsible for the water damage. I have been reading the manufacturer's installation manuals for quite some time now and every once in a while, I find something that is of great value to me and I get to pass it on to my readers. That's what I'm doing right now.

Whether you want to remodel your bathroom to save money or you want to accomplish a task that you haven't done yet. I would recommend, taking the time to understand, exactly how the water flows off of and on to another section of the bath tub or shower on its way to the drain. Understanding the basics of bathroom remodeling can save you big money in the future.

Save yourself some money and make sure that you install your bathtubs properly. Taking a little time before you start to read the bath tub fixture manuals, can save you some money and grief in the future.

Find More Facts On Home Water Damage.

Greg Vandenberge 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.

Check out These Amazing Home Damage Videos.

Five Things That a Termite Inspection Company Might Not Ever Say

I don't think that I've ever heard of a termite inspector, ever go to a home and not find any termites. Even if the home doesn't have any damage that is visible from the termites, it seems like it's always a good idea, to tent the home, just in case, for protection. Anyway, here's five things that you might not ever hear a termite inspector ever say.

1. Your house is free of termites. This means that there isn't, one termite on your property and the termite inspector isn't going to make any money. Let's face it, termite damage, whether it's visible or invisible, keeps these guys working.

2. Your house isn't going to fall down, if I don't do anything to stop the termites. I have seen homes, where termites have been working on them for quite some time and they still seem to stand up and function properly.

3. Termites don't eat much and I wouldn't worry about the damage. Most termite inspectors will tell you how much a termite in Hawaii or Africa will eat in a day, but doesn't seem to have an honest idea, how much damage they are doing to your home, if they can't actually see it.

4. Every one that works for our company, has at least 30 years experience, repairing any termite damage. Don't even get me started with this one.

5. We will replace all of the termite damage wood, back to its original condition. What they might say, is that they will replace the wood that is damaged by termites, that you can actually see.

There are plenty of great termite companies out there and this article was meant just to have fun with most of them. Termite damage can be a serious problem with some homes and I would suggest that you contact at least three termite inspectors, before proceeding ahead with any home repairs or use of chemicals.

Try not to forget, the only way that a termite inspection company will make any money, looking at your house, will be to find something wrong with it.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Easy Home Repair Tips . Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link San Diego Remodeling Contractors

Greg Vandenberge 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.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

What If My Contractor Does Not Return My Call

This is one of the biggest problems in business today. You have some work done on your home in good faith that the contractor knows what he is doing. When all is said and done you have a problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. I really don't care how long it has been since the work was done. If you have a problem the least that your contractor can do is answer the telephone.

Some companies go out of business and others get to busy to respond to your problem. You will hear the old excuse "That's not my problem" or the ever popular " I didn't do that". I have been in business for over twenty years and had very few problems. Of course I built things to last as long as possible.

Keep in mind that some contractors are a one man operation and they might be on vacation. Some contractors do not answer their phones over the week ends or after business hours. So don't sink the ship to fast.

Do not call the Contractors Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau unless it has been at least a few working days. I would give it at least a week or so. Oh yeah don't assume that the contractor got your message. Call a few times at the least.

It has always made me mad when I have to fix someone else's problems. I get the call when the other contractors won't respond. I listen to the home owner with regret for being in a business where I am considered a crook. This is one of the reasons why contractors in my business get out of it.

If you have the contractors address and they aren't responding by phone you can always send them a letter by certified mail. Request a return receipt. That's your proof that the company received your letter. Keep a copy for your files.

The good news for a home owner when a contractor will not respond to your calling them is the Department of Consumer Affairs. Most states have a complaint department of some sort that will listen to your complaints. Does this mean it will get resolved? NO there are no guarantees here.

If your state has a licensing board for contractors, this will be your next step.

This will get your contractors attention and there is a great chance they will respond now. If there are enough complaints against the contractor and they do nothing about them the contractors board will take their license away.

If your contractor does not respond after all of this. There is very little you can do about it. Hire someone to fix the problem and look at it as a very important lesson learned.

If your state doesn't have a contractors licensing board contact the Better Business Bureau or your local government for their recommendation. Ask some of your friends if they have had any problems like this and how they handled them.

For some more tips about hiring contractors go to
http://gregvan.com/library/homeowner_checklists.htm

Greg Vandenberge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.

Plumbing Problems and Solutions - Repair Manuals

If you've owned a home for over 20 years, there's a very good chance, that you've had a water pipe break, a drainpipe clogged, a toilet that wouldn't flush right, or a water leak that damaged part of the home. If you don't know, what you're looking for and you have no idea what damage can be done, over time, this could mean trouble for the homeowner.

Plumbing problems like these have been around and will be around for many years. Knowing what to do about them, how to repair them and what materials will be needed, can be found in plumbing repair manuals for books. How would you like to have a professional plumber to advise you on your plumbing repairs. What if I told you that you could have a plumbing professional on hand at all times. Is this something that you might be interested in.

Well I can't guarantee that, so let's forget about what I just said and go to the next best thing. Plumbing repair manuals are full of tips and advice that when needed can sometimes be priceless. If water is leaking from the ceiling in your home and you have no idea, where the water is coming from or how to stop it from leaking, any information could be priceless and I mean priceless.

Plumbers, usually charge over $100 an hour for emergency service. I've seen plumbers come to peoples homes, turn the water off to the house, stop the water from leaking and now it is no longer an emergency. The plumber quickly pulls out an invoice for the plumbing repairs and it could be over $1000, if you decide that this is ridiculous and choose not to pay it, the plumber can hand you a bill for stopping the water leak. Some of these bills are what I would consider quite ridiculous, for just shutting the water off.

You're not paying the plumber for the amount of time it took him, you're paying him for his knowledge. If you knew where to shut the water off, you wouldn't have an emergency situation and could contact a plumber during normal hours. This could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

With a simple home repair manual or a home plumbing book, you could prepare yourself for a situation like this and other plumbing problems. Most home repair manuals have general solutions and advice and can solve most of the problems around your home. If they can't solve all of the problems, they can probably save you from major catastrophes like a water leak.

Most of the time it's not the water leak that will cost the most money, it's the damage the water will do to your furniture, carpeting, wood flooring, walls or ceilings. A little information and preparation can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Home Plumbing Books

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vandenberge 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.

Basic Home Electrical Wiring - For the Do it Yourself Home Electrician

The Green Bay Packers were one of the most successful football teams and Vince Lombardi said something to them that I will never forget," This is a football." All the football players laughed and he said that we're going to start with the basics and that's what I'm going to do, with this article.

Let's start with our electrical wire, the two most common electrical wire sizes, that will be used in most homes, will be 14 and 12 gauge electrical wire. Let's clear something up, right off the bat, the smaller the number, the larger the wire. In other words a 12 gauge electrical wire is a little bit larger and will carry more electricity, for longer distances than a 14 gauge wire.

What about electrical outlet plugs? These plugs are usually the same, except for the fact that they come in different colors. When I said that most electrical plugs are the same, I'm talking about your standard wall outlet plug. There are different electrical plugs that will be used for air conditioners and some kitchen appliances like 220 Volt electric stoves and ovens.

What about your home's light switches? Your standard two way light switch will usually turn a one light on or a group of lights on, from one location. A three way light switch will usually turn one light on or a group of lights on from two different locations. A four way light switch, will usually turn one light or a group of lights on from three different locations.

It doesn't get any more basic than that. I hope this gives you a better understanding about your home's electrical system.

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet.

Greg Vandenberge 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 pictures or home building ideas.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Tips. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Greg Vandenberge 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.

Thanks for reading the article

Plumbing Repair Advice from a Professional Contractor

If you've owned a home for over 20 years, there's a very good chance, that you've had a water pipe break, a drainpipe clogged, a toilet that wouldn't flush right, or a water leak that damaged part of the home. If you don't know, what you're looking for and you have no idea what damage can be done, over time, this could mean trouble for the homeowner.

Plumbing problems like these have been around and will be around for many years. Knowing what to do about them, how to repair them and what materials will be needed, can be found in plumbing repair manuals for books. How would you like to have a professional plumber to advise you on your plumbing repairs. What if I told you that you could have a plumbing professional on hand at all times. Is this something that you might be interested in.

Well I can't guarantee that, so let's forget about what I just said and go to the next best thing. Plumbing repair manuals are full of tips and advice that when needed can sometimes be priceless. If water is leaking from the ceiling in your home and you have no idea, where the water is coming from or how to stop it from leaking, any information could be priceless and I mean priceless.

Plumbers, usually charge over $100 an hour for emergency service. I've seen plumbers come to peoples homes, turn the water off to the house, stop the water from leaking and now it is no longer an emergency. The plumber quickly pulls out an invoice for the plumbing repairs and it could be over $1000, if you decide that this is ridiculous and choose not to pay it, the plumber can hand you a bill for stopping the water leak. Some of these bills are what I would consider quite ridiculous, for just shutting the water off.

You're not paying the plumber for the amount of time it took him, you're paying him for his knowledge. If you knew where to shut the water off, you wouldn't have an emergency situation and could contact a plumber during normal hours. This could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

With a simple home repair manual or a home plumbing book, you could prepare yourself for a situation like this and other plumbing problems. Most home repair manuals have general solutions and advice and can solve most of the problems around your home. If they can't solve all of the problems, they can probably save you from major catastrophes like a water leak.

Most of the time it's not the water leak that will cost the most money, it's the damage the water will do to your furniture, carpeting, wood flooring, walls or ceilings. A little information and preparation can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Home Plumbing Books

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

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.

What Does A Gfi Do

11 Tips for Stripping Wallpaper: How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper!

I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before finishing the work and needed the home ready for appraisal.

While stripping the wallpaper, I realized that many homemakers get wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience on over 30 houses, I offer my tried and best tips:

1. Use a clothes steamer or rent a professional steamer

2. Soak a large section of the wall

3. Run a "Paper Tiger" scoring tool across the damp section

4. Steam the section again

5. Spray the section with fabric softener and hot water

6. Score the section with the paper tiger again

7. Steam again

8. Remove any curling edges (sometimes large areas peel off)

9. Scrape with a six inch sheetrock blade

10. Repeat the above steps on the section until most scrapes off easily

11. Scrub with hot water, TSP, and a sponge with a scratchy surface

Cautions: Use the Paper Tiger gingerly so you don't scratch or gouge the walls. Use gloves with the harsh chemical TSP.

Don't live with ugly wallpaper any longer!

P. S. Please email me if you have any additional tips on stripping wallpaper that would help others!

Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher loves to help home makers create homes for glorious living. For free ebook on Interior Design Psychology go to http://www.joytothehome.com

What Does A Gfi Do

Painting Contractor and Homeowner Survival List - San Deigo Home Tips

From a contractors stand point he or she must feel comfortable with the home owner(s) before entering into a contract before making the necessary improvements. This being said the homeowner(s) must know exactly what they want and the procedure that is going to get them to the final result of their project. Homeowner(s) do not like to be surprised in the way of unexpected disruptions to their environment. Furniture and pictures must come down or be covered up. Computers and tvs must be undone etc. Basically the room under improvement is going to be totally in disarray for a certain time period. It is up to the contractor to note this disruption to the homeowner(s) prior to commencement of the project.

As a home owner they must expect a certain amount of disruption to their living quarters so that the improvement will be done in the most professional way. For an entire room to be painted furniture no matter how large or small must be moved away from the walls. Cords, wires, and draperies etc. must come down until the project is complete. This is an uncomfortable situation to the homeowner(s) but it surely provides the contractor to perform the work professionally.

"DUST" can be a major challenge to both the contractor and homeowner(s). Where the contractor has patched and taped a hole or structural crack requires sanding. If the room contents are not well covered as well as entry ways into other rooms, there will be a "Dust Storm" that is time consuming for the contractor to clean up and a unprofessional situation that it happened in the first place. The homeowner(s) should make sure that the contractor takes every necessary precaution to protect the homeowners valuables from start to finish.

Getting the cheapest price by the homeowner is usually not a wise decision. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is true. If a contractor feels he or she is not getting the money they deserve they will cut corners on their workmanship and materials. Using a better grade of paints and materials should be spelled out in the beginning. This assure that the contractor does not use commercial grade paint when the homeowner(s) expect name brand quality.

Daniel Rowe owner of Rowes Painting and Carpentry Sayreville, NJ
http://www.rowespaintingandcarpentry.com

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Types of Countertops

When remodeling or building your home, you naturally want it to look as beautiful as possible. You put a lot of thought into every decision. The countertops are no different. You want to make sure you get a beautiful surface that can handle lots of use, and is somewhat affordable. Here are a few options.

Laminate is a popular choice because of its versatility and reasonable price. You can get it in a huge variety of colors, and even choose different finishes and patterns.

Stone, of course, is highly popular. Typically it is more expensive but it is well worth it because of its beauty. Granite is the most durable and the most popular. It looks beautiful and handles stress well. Marble is also used, but it is a softer stone than granite and damages more easily.

Some people use a form of wood for their countertops. It is known as butcher block. This can be beautiful, but keep in mind that wood is a soft material so it is easy to damage. It will also stain more easily if something spills and it will attract more germs.

You can create your own look for your kitchen by using ceramic tiles. These tiles do sometimes chip, but they are easily replaced. It may require a little more maintenance to keep the grout clean, but these can add a touch of personality to the home.

When it is time for you to buy your countertops, take the time to consider those mentioned above. Of course, these aren't the only types of countertops available, but they are some of the more popular. The best thing you can do is to learn what you can about them, price them, and make an informed decision.

Ideal Countertops (http://idealcountertops.com/) does countertops in Charlotte, NC. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Remodeling Your Garage

Ever thought of improving your garage or remodel it to add more
space to your house? A very cost-effective way to gain more space
for your house is to remodel your garage. If you no longer use your
garage to park your car, you can greatly expand your homes living
space. Apart for that, remodeling your garage can help you become
more organized and stop storing everything in your garage.

Garage has been traditionally been used as workshop or to park your car
as it provide a perfect environment to work. Many people are converting
their garage to used for a gym or for another living room designed for
special activities. However, remodeling your garage does not necessarily
mean that you have to sacrifice your storage space or your parking area.
Garages today have become multi functional, allowing cars, general storage,
a workshop and even a home office all in the same place.

Because many garages are attached to the home they can benefit
from the same comfort as a home: phone wires, heating and
cooling and plumbing. All you need is a little imagination, a fixed
budget and a plan.

Moreover, when remodeling your garage you should consider an
addition above the garage. Adding a room for work space and even
for living, for one of your kids(they usually love this) above the
existing garage can give you additional space and also increase the
value of your home without major changes to the floor plan.

If you feel the need to remodel your garage but you dont know
exactly what you want or need, you should consider the following
ideas.

1. Converting your garage into a laundry room, if you have your
laundry room in the basement, will eliminate the need to go up and
down the stairs.

2. A music studio can be a great choice for your garage remodeling
plans if you or your kids have some tendencies in this direction.
The garage is the place where many garage bands got their start.
To avoid your neighbors complaints consider soundproofing your
garage walls.

3. Transform your garage into a gym. If you do not have enough place to
store your equipment, you can always move it into the garage and have
plenty of place for your daily exercises and training.

Before you decide to remodel your garage, first consider your budget
and determine how much you can allocate to spend on your garage.
If you are converting your garage to a living area, you need to consider
adding additional phone lines, electrical wires, heating, cooling, and
plumbing,.

However if you prefer your garage to remain your workshop, you could
consider the following things that need to change or improve.

1. Storage cabinets

2. Workbench

3. Drywall

4. Flooring

5. Plumbing

6. Electrical

7. Heating/Air/Ventilation

8. Countertops

9. Ceilings

10. Interior walls

11. Interior/Exterior doors

12. Laundry/Mud room

13. Bathroom

Discover the insider secret to a successful home improvement at http://www.perfecthomeguide.net

Buying A Functional House

First Steps in Planning a Finished Basement

Like many homeowners, you might be thinking about adding living space by finishing your basement.

Before you go too far in planning how you will use all of that extra space, there are some steps you will need to take to be certain that space will be healthy for your family. In fact, many of the first steps in planning a finished basement are good to protect the health of your family whether you finish your basement or not.

The first steps in planning a finished basement are these:

1. Inspect for signs of dampness. Look for standing water anywhere in your basement, especially in corners and below windows. Also look for signs of mold or mildew. Mold and mildew can grow on walls, floor, windows, and on the wood beams and framing for the floor above the basement. Mold and mildew inside your home can cause respiratory problems for your family, even if they don't have allergies or asthma. Basement dampness can also damage hardwood floors above, cause warping and buckling of framing boards, cause odors and even increase your heating and cooling costs.

2. Determine the cause of any dampness and correct the problem. Water or dampness in a basement can be the result of cracks in walls or floor, leaking windows, inadequate drainage below the basement and inadequate removal of water around the foundation. Drainage of rainwater is relatively easy to fix, and making sure downspouts are correctly placed and extend far enough away from the house is important both to have a dry basement and to protect the footers beneath your basement. Be sure to check the areas where floor and walls meet.

3. Correct any foundation problems. When you inspect, keep a sharp eye out for large and uneven cracks in walls or floor. These could indicate a foundation problem. You will need to have this fixed before you finish your basement.

4. Have your basement inspected by a professional before you start construction. Particularly if there are cracks in your basement floor or walls, it is a good idea to have a professional check your basement for potentially harmful leaks. You should also have the basement checked for Radon and other gases that could be collecting under your basement. While many homes today are built with drainage systems under the basements, this might not be the case in your locality. A professional can advise you about what you need to do to protect your family when you plan to use your basement for living space.

5. Check local building codes for specific things you must do before you start remodeling. For example, some localities require a set number of windows and doors for emergency escape. There might also be specifications about stairs and ceiling height. Remember that the most important part of finishing your basement is protecting the health and safety of your family.

6. Make plans to install appropriate vapor barriers and adequate insulation. You will probably want to install a vapor barrier of some sort when insulating exterior walls and before installing floor covering. This prevents moisture from penetrating porous concrete. There are floor mat products and insulation with attached vapor barrier that can be used for this purpose.

7. If you have any appliances in the basement that use water, check pipes and hoses for leaks. It will be worth the time and trouble to check bathroom pipes, washing machine hoses and the like to be certain there are no leaks before you start construction. Also check for leaks around your water heater and where pipes penetrate walls.

By taking these first steps in finishing a basement you can be assured that your new living space will be safe for your family and will protect your investment in your home.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founder of the websites http://www.remodelormove.com and http://www.remodelestimates.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

The Beauty of a Construction Site

Something that architects and contractors take for granted but that homeowners rarely experience, is the construction site. When it is your house being built or added onto, I recommend that you spend as much time as possible with the "insides" of the place where you will be living.

It is a bit like viewing the inside a person during an operation. Yes, it may be messy and confusing unless you know how everything works, but it is always fascinating and sometimes beautiful. Not to take the metaphor too far, but a home has structure like we have bones, wiring and controls as we have nerves, and mechanical systems like we have...maybe I've gone too far, but you can see where I'm going.

The most universal observation is that during the building process, the scale of rooms and the overall building changes dramatically depending on the phase of construction. When the foundation is poured the space may look too small, with the framing up, the building may look too large. Trim, siding, windows and roofing bring the massive structure back into proportion. Inside finishes and trim as well as cabinetry and paint make a room that felt too large or small, feel comfortable.

The craftsmanship that goes into the framing and rough plumbing and electrical work pays off as the home is being finished. Straight, plumb, and square walls and floors make the trim carpenter's work easier and faster. You can tell a lot about a contractor by the way the early stages of the building are completed. If they care about the way the house is framed, chances are they will take the same care in finishing the job. A friend and talented photographer, Michele Muir was at one of our job sites photographing everyone in our office, and took some time to record the beauty of the job site.

http://www.crisparchitects.com/

James M. Crisp, AIA is an architect working in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

Solar Energy For Home - How to Get Solar Energy For Home Heating and Other Things

In this new age of physics and science, we have discovered as human beings the ingenious way to utilize the sun's energy as power for our benefit. Thus, it is possible to drastically reduce the cost of electric energy that tanker us down economically by converting to solar energy for home power.

Before you begin thinking about converting to solar energy for home energy consumption, there are some things that need to be considered. You have to determine what type of equipment you will be using and how much of energy you will require. You also need to have a sufficient location that you will be able to use to install a solar panel. Purchasing a durable solar energy panel is the first step in changing the way your home consumes energy. The exhibition will be much easier if you buy a kit that comes in a collective package. The problems of trying to find out what additional little extra parts you need and trying to purchase them in individual packages won't plague you. Solar energy for home power consumption is truly a revolutionary milestone in energy efficiency technology and the cost saving benefits are astounding.

You may want to consider putting the panels on the roof if you have not figured out where you want to place them. This is because the roof is closer to the sun which makes it the perfect place to fixate the panel. The panel will take this solar power but only from the sunrays and transfer it to a converter where the gathered energy will be stored. Make sure that your solar panel is not facing a direction where there are things like hanging tree branches or buildings in its way. You should scan the area around house to make sure that he had the ideal location and position so your solar panel will be able to get the most possible of the sun's abundant energy. As soon as you set out for utilizing solar energy for home power and energy, make sure that you gather a solar energy kit that comes with all the necessary parts to make the transition as smooth as ice. But in case you hadn't heard, you can build your own for less than $200 and have it up in a matter of hours!

For in-depth detail on the advantages of using solar energy and access to a step-by-step guide to building your own solar energy panel for less than $200 you can visit my website here at http://www.CreateHomeEnergyNow.webs.com Remember -- go green!

When Google Doesn't Matter

My kitchen sink clogged up today.

No problem, I thought. I'll just call a local plumber to help me out.

Hopped onto Google.

Typed in "St. Louis Plumbers."

And I was presented with several excellent options.

The first hit was a plumbing company located a few miles from my house.

Naturally, I called them first.

And nobody picked up.

So I tried the next hit on Google. Also close to my house.

And nobody picked up.

Then I scrolled over to the sponsored links. I clicked on a promising looking website description, got their phone number, called, got a voicemail, pressed extension #2 for "Bruce..."

And nobody picked up.

"Damn it! This is ridiculous!" I exclaimed.

"Screw this -- I'm calling Roto-Rooter."

I took a wild guess and typed in roto-rooter.com.

Bingo!

I called their customer service hotline. An agent picked up the call on the second ring.

Woo hoo!

"I'm sorry to hear about your kitchen, sir. We'll take care of you!" she promised.

Heck yeah!

After I gave her some basic information, she replied, "We can have someone at your home within the hour."

"Really?"

"Absolutely sir! Let me check our schedule..."

Sure enough, the plumber was over right away. He took care of my clog, told me how to prevent it in the future and even gave me a free sample of Drano!

LESSON LEARNED: any number multiplied by zero is still zero.

In other words: it doesn't matter how great your service is if nobody can get a hold of you to find out how great it is.

Sure, quality is vital, but accessibility comes first. Without it, you may as well be winking in the dark. Because if you're not Available, customers are going to find Another company to hire.

LET ME ASK YA THIS...

If nobody's there to answer your customer's phone calls, does your Google ranking even matter?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS...

For the list called, "22 Questions to Sidestep Entrepreneurial Atrophy," send an email to me, and I'll send you the list for free!

2007 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg, aka "The Nametag Guy," is an author, speaker, award-winning blogger and entrepreneur. As the creator of NametagTV.com, he teaches people how to GET noticed, GET remembered and GET business. To rent Scott's brain, call 314/256-1800 or email scott@hellomynameisscott.com

The Glass Block Revolution Spreading to Home Design

Glass blocks have come a long way, even competing with regular bricks when it comes to interior and exterior design of rooms. We are living in times when visual appearances are very important and more people are insisting on having something out of the ordinary when it comes to their immediate surroundings. For many, they can simply accentuate the room with special flowers, paintings and more. Others prefer something more permanent, such as glass blocks.

Glass blocks come in very many designs, shapes, colors and even textures although all of them are made of glass. Below are some different types of glass blocks:

Standard series
Decorative
Glass flooring
Colors and finishes

Standard series
-wave satin
-wave endblock
-90% curved corner wave
-Imported from Germany
-Made in USA

Decorative (water organic, arts and crafts, geometric, lined and ribbed)
-starburst
-Mirage
-Neptune
-Bubble
-Bonzai

Colored
-Pastels
-Primaries
-Earthtones

We now see how many types of glass blocks exist. Their variety is awesome and this caters to any type of design and preference. One would be hard-pressed to find a glass block that they would regard as ideal for their own custom surroundings.

If you want to get glass blocks installed, the first place to look is the home improvement stores. Stores such as Home Depot sell and install almost all the above types of glass blocks that we have mentioned. Most people are not experts at this and that is why Home Depot maintains qualified personnel who for an extra fee, can help you choose just the ideal glass blocks for your immediate liking and also assist you with installation.

Glass blocks have several major advantages. One of them is resilience. Glass blocks are very strong because they are designed out of industrial glass that has been treated to temper it and make it able to withstand great pressure. This makes it an ideal for construction and in some quarters it is actually known as glass brick.

Glass blocks are also beautiful. In some European cities, they are used to construct entire buildings giving the building a very exotic and at the same time futuristic look especially when light bulbs are fitted inside. Glass blocks allow light without compromising on security and that is why they have become a favorite when it comes to office construction.

When it comes to energy saving and conservation, glass blocks have also become a favorite in many quarters. This is because in a glass block environment, there is little need for artificial lighting especially during the day because natural light is allowed into the room. That means that with time, the office begins to realize energy savings in form of lower energy costs. It is hard to realize these savings when all the light bulbs are on 24-7 as is the case with natural brick office buildings.

The best way to go about installing glass blocks is to contact a handyman. In many cases they will refer you to a home improvement store to choose and buy the glass block designs of your choice first.

Need information about about glass blocks? Theodor Cartman recommends the best glass blocks when buying.

Home Buyer Beware - Who's Watching the Construction of Your Home?

In 2005, over 1.2 million new single family homes were built and sold in the U.S. Thats new houses being built by thousands of large and small contractors. And the number one complaint is that the quality of the work was less than satisfactory.

In fact, if you bring up the word contractor at any cocktail party, everyone has a horror story to tell. If youre having a home built, you start to wonder, Whos watching the construction of my home? Who makes sure its built right?

Most new homeowners I talk to say, Well, isnt the local building inspector taking care of that? Yes, to some extent they make sure the house is built right - but only from a building code standpoint.

Remember that the building codes are minimum standards your builder must follow. For example, the code says that a bathroom exhaust fan must provide a given number of air changes per hour for a given size of bathroom. The code doesnt care how noisy the exhaust fan is.

The codes cover design criteria that are intended to keep your house from failing structurally. Codes also emphasize life safety issues, to protect you if you are not smart enough to know that you shouldnt use your hair dryer in the bathtub.

Its what the building inspector does NOT inspect that you should be concerned about. Rarely do they climb onto your roof to see that the roofing shingles are installed properly to prevent them from blowing off in the first wind storm. I dont recall ever seeing any local code inspector check to see that the tile around your shower has a moisture barrier to prevent mold problems later.

If the building inspector is not watching your house construction, then your builder must take responsibility for the other 10,000 opportunities to build things right (or wrong). Many of the biggest builders in the country have internal inspection systems to ensure their homes are built right, but many do not. Some builders use third-party inspection organizations to check some of the structural items that the code inspector does not check.

Chances are, your new house was not inspected to the extent that you will be satisfied. What can you do?

The number one solution is to educate yourself and dont be afraid to ask questions if it looks like something is not right. One of the easiest ways to do this is to get copies of the installation instructions from the manufacturer of the products being installed on your house. Many are available on the Internet at the manufacturers Web site.

Another way you can protect your investment is to hire an independent inspector to periodically check the work in progress. This can be expensive, but its a bargain compared to what lawyers working on the problems that occur later may have to charge per hour. Check out the inspectors qualifications; some home inspectors may be knowledgeable about new construction but may lack the experience needed to do a thorough examination.

People often hire inspectors after the house is built, just before they close on the sale. Houses must be inspected as they are built. Most inspection people are hired too late in the process, when the most important things are covered up or are difficult to fix.

Ask your builder if he uses an independent inspector. How often and at what milestones does he inspect the home? Are there inspection reports available for you to see?

Homeowner beware: dont assume that your home is being built right. Take control of the outcome by educating yourself about construction practices and making sure your new home gets the quality focus you paid for.

Gary is an independent construction quality advisor. He visits hundreds of housing job sites a year, coaching, auditing and generally raising the bar on quality. Gary is also the primary author and producer of the website at http://qcfocus.com

Is Your Home Fully Protected Against Winter

In winter you should naturally take more precautions than in summer. Some years winter hits harder than others. Quite often people will go away on holiday and it is warm. They dont leave their heating on (or if they do not very high) and think they will not have problems. A few days after the holiday has started the weather turns very bad at home, freezing conditions for example and upon their return from skiing or a winter break in the Caribbean they arrive home and the ceiling is on the floor and water is gushing out. This is bad enough on a house, but could even worse if you are in apartment below.

What you should do: This applies just as much to a person renting as an owner occupier.
First of all you can turn off the water supply whilst you are away and drain the system down, but this means it all has to be set up when you return and can take time. Instead people can keep the heat on at a low temperature and also put in a frost stat. These are not very expensive and if the temperature drops below four degrees centigrade, the frost stat will activate the heating system.

It is no good just turning the water off at the mains as there is still normally water in the property pipes radiators and internal tanks.

Before winter sets in check the condition of the roof. Make sure there is proper guttering and all tiles are secure and remember if you have a conservatory or area with a glass roof below to ensure the builder has installed good quality wire mesh to stop tiles slipping if they are loose and if they have snow on them, they would be much heavier.

Check the roof space inside you should insulate the attic and if there are pipes and water tanks there they should be fully covered in a suitable insulation material. You could have a situation of a family in Ireland who went off on their winter holiday to the sun. They didnt take any precautions for the house and when they returned found the water storage tank had burst and half the ceiling was on the floor. If you have not got a light in the loft, have one installed helps so that you or your contractor can see properly for a close examination.

If you dont make sure you have taken adequate precautions, you could possibly find that when you go to make an insurance claim, the claim is declined by the insurance company. It doesnt cost a lot to prepare a property and even a relatively new property should be checked from time to time as insulation can wear out etc. The cost of keeping a property warm whilst it is unoccupied should not be too expensive. You dont need the hot water to be on much and if for example it is rental or for sale property that is empty between tenancies it is much more welcoming to walk into a warm place than one that is cold, damp and probably smells.

Philip Suter is a Director of JML Property Services, http://www.jml-property-insurance.co.uk a UK based company offering Insurance products on line (and there is more information about insurance cover for whatever weather at http://www.jml-property-insurance.co.uk/adequate_building_insurance.htm ) a holiday home advertising service - http://www.jmlvillas.com and management training with in the uk. He is a very experienced property consultant with over 30 years work in the Residential letting business and served in the national council of ARLA. He is a Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and a Member of The association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA)

"Saving on Electricity Bills" System - It Really Works!

Having an independent power-supply doesn't have to be that expensive or complicated task anymore, simply because "Saving On Electricity Bills" System enable you to do that at minimal cost and effort. You may be surprised but this technique can easily operate refrigerators, w. machines, and other popular home-appliances. Read the following article to hear more about how this technology can help you to significantly cut your expenses.

Short background

The idea is quite simple yet a clever one - "Saving On Electricity Bills" System is based on a downloadable instructional guide that explains in simple words how to assemble Solar-Cells at ridiculous cost. It may sound obvious, but be sure to choose the right guide; make sure it provides detailed descriptions, diagrams, and support so you'll never get lost. In any case, here are just a few advantage & advices to help you better understand this topic.

Important benefits

Implementing this exciting solution definitely provides many benefits:

* Very quick return on investment (ROI).

* Rely only on your own energy-resources and not the ones supplied by governments or corporations.

* Can produce 1000 Watts +.

* Uses natural and clean resources.

* Increases the value of your home by thousands.

Advice

In many states you can sell your unused energy, give it a quick search on the Web to verify that you can benefit from that.

Conclusions

Many home-makers already recognized the fact that "Saving On Electricity Bills" System is a 'must have' for the simple reason that it truly works, and most importantly it saves up 80% on elect. expenses. Without any question - there are plenty other advantages provided by this one-of-a-kind 'machine', simply because it is innovative. The best advice would be to simply try it and experience how it takes just days to start enjoying from its benefits.

Learn how "Saving On Electricity Bills" System easily enables you to produce free and unlimited electricity in just few days.

Visit: http://www.EasyFreeEnergy.com

What Qualities Should a Good Handyman Have

Handymen are hired to perform occasional domestic repairs or minor renovations. From caulking tubs to fixing fences, and from hanging blinds to putting up wallpaper, good handymen should be able to perform any small job, repair, or maintenance you require. What else makes a good handyman?

When you first begin to look for a handyman, you need to consider the services that you want performed. Do you need yard work or carpentry? Repairs or painting? Whoever you hire depends a lot what you need him to do. Good handymen offer many different services and can perform all the services advertised. Not all handymen are created equal, and some have more expertise or experience in certain areas than others. If you need someone for a plumbing repair project, it's not a good idea to hire someone who is more experienced in yard work. So from the beginning, ask prospective hires what kind of background they have.

Second, the person you hire should have all the necessary tools to complete the job. Remember that if he has to rent tools, that will be reflected in the final price. When this happens, not only are you paying him to complete a project, but you are also paying for equipment that he should already have. Of course, handymen come across the occasional special project for which they have to rent a specific tool. But they should have every tool necessary to complete jobs they do on a regular basis, especially the jobs they advertise. For example, a handyman who advertises roof repair should have a ladder--otherwise, you would have to wonder about his ability to complete the job correctly if he doesn't even have the right tools in the first place.

A third and final consideration is experience, and with that, age. Exercise caution when hiring young workers. Even people who have been in the home construction business for twenty or more years profess to not know everything. Make sure that as you hire someone with the advertised skills to complete your job, you check out his credentials and past work experience. If possible, find out how he has dealt with unforeseen problems in the past. Not every project is the same, but it does pay to do your homework before committing to someone you are unsure of.
In summary, a good handyman has a winning combination of the right tools, expert knowledge, and necessary experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Jason Locke Construction (http://jasonlockeconstruction.com) provides experienced and honest handyman service in Livermore. Visit the website today to discuss renovation ideas and to get a free consultation. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

Power Saving

Property owners are looking for more ways than ever to "DIY", tackling their own home improvement projects to save money and boost property values. One of the best projects doesn't require power tools and will have a huge impact - on your electric bill. Here are a few things you can do this weekend to save hundreds of dollars this year.

1) Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) - you might be tired of hearing about them but a 14-watt CFL is as bright as a 60-watt incandescent bulb, uses 75 percent less energy, and lasts ten times longer. A 4-pack costs under $10 but likely represents nearly $800 in lifetime savings.

2) Exterior lighting - If you can read book outside at night, you're probably wasting energy. Switch out 60 watt candelabra (mini) bulbs for 20 or 40-watt ones, and 60-watt standard bulbs with 14-watt CFLs.

3) Electric hot water heater - Does your hot water heater and pipes feel warm to the touch? Insulate them and cut power use up to 25 percent. Carefully wrap the copper hot water pipes with tubular polyethylene insulation or insulated pipe wrap ($6 for 25 feet). Water heater blankets go for around $20 and can be installed with duct tape and a pair of scissors. Just make sure you don't cover the access panels.

One day of sweat equity and a $50 investment could pay for itself within two months, and keep returning guaranteed savings for years to come. These days, that's even better than your IRA! This project can be done this weekend and before you know it, you will be saving a lot of money.

Dusty Lindemann is a handyman in Northern Virginia with the group, http://shirlingtonapartments.com

Are Resistance Piers Right For Your Home?

The resistance pier belongs to a family of foundation repair products that are sometimes referred to as micro piles, push piers, or steel piers. These foundation repair products are driven hydraulically into the soil using the structural weight of the building as a reaction force.

A friction reduction collar is attached to the lead section of pier pipe. The purpose of the collar is to create an opening in the soil that has a larger diameter than the pier pipe. This dramatically reduces the skin friction on the pier pipe as it is driven into the soil and allows the installer to load test and verify that the pier encountered firm bearing stratum or rock that is suitable to support the design load.

Resistance piers like other steel piers are an end-bearing pier that does not rely upon nor requires skin friction to produce support. Each pier is field load tested after it is installed. The piers are able to develop a factor of safety because the piers are installed and load tested individually using the maximum weight of the structure as the reaction force. The ability of the system to develop significant factors of safety comes from the different methods used between pier installation and load transfer during restoration.

The piers are driven individually and the entire structure works as the reaction; but during load transfer hydraulic cylinders are placed at multiple locations thus reducing the load on each pier to only the design working load. A building with substantial construction and rigidity can develop greater pier factors of safety than a weaker structure. A quality resistance pier system, incorporating a synchronized lifting system, is the first step towards fixing your structures failing foundation.

About the Author:

Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here

This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site

How Do I Build a Sunroom?

If you love the idea of being out side and enjoy the sun but you don't want to deal with bugs, hot or cold temperatures, or allergies, building a sunroom definitely makes sense. It's a great place where you can enjoy the feeling of being outdoors without having to deal with all of these problems. You'll find that a sunroom is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself and it will also increase the value of your home too. If you want to build a sunroom on your own, here are some simple steps that will guide you as you work to build your own beautiful haven.

Step #1 - Find the Sunroom Site - The first thing that you need to do is to find the sunroom site. Take a look at your home, the area around your home, and where the sun is most of the time in relation to your home. Usually your sunroom should face as close to solar south as possible so that you get sun in the room all day long. Once you have decided where to build the sunroom, you're ready to go on to the next step.

Step #2 - Come Up with a Design - Now it is time for you to come up with a great design for your sunroom. If you're not sure where to begin, then consider looking online or in magazines at some pictures of sunrooms to get a good idea of what you may want your sunroom to be like. While you'll want to think about the appearance of the sunroom, remember that you'll have to build it, so you want to think about how difficult it will be to build as well.

Step #3 - Pick Materials - Once you have a design in mind, you'll need to consider the materials. Many times when you build your own sunroom, it won't be quite as energy efficient as sunrooms that are professionally built. So, you'll want to make sure that you go with materials that are energy efficient.

Step #4 - Decide on Windows Carefully - The windows that you choose to install in your sunroom should be carefully decided upon. Make sure that you know how energy efficient your windows are going to be and you you'll also want to check out the U-value of the windows as well. Consider going with windows that are especially treated to keep out harmful UV rays from the sun.

Step #5 - Get Some Professional Help - When you decide that you are going to build your own sunroom, there are many things that you can do on your own; however, in some cases you are probably going to need some professional help. You'll need to have a professional help you with the plumbing and electricity installation, since you probably are not a professional with these skills. So, don't be afraid to have some professional help with these important parts of sunroom installation.

For lots of sunroom ideas as well as information on sunroom windows and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms - Method of Building Walls

There are several different methods used to build walls. This article will discuss the ICF method. We will look at the materials used in this method and then list the conclusions reached based on these materials. If you are standing inside the house, we will talk about the materials from the inside of the house to the outside of the house.

Gypsum Wall Board - this material absorbs water. The moist Gypsum wallboard can contribute to mold and mildew.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Concrete - this material is poured in what is known as a 'continuous pour'. Even if the concrete is poured in lifts, the adhesive properties of concrete to itself allow the pour to be considered continuous. This material that goes from free flowing to rock solid is what provides the best-sealed envelope of a home.

EPS foam - very good insulation properties. It is 'continuous and touching' which provides excellent energy savings.

Cementious Finish - typically a fiber mesh wrap is applied to the walls and synthetic stucco materials are installed in two applications to get the requested look by the homebuyer.

Windows and Door openings - typically the openings are formed with 2x12's cut down to the width of the foam blocks and braced to accept the concrete pour. The 2x's are fastened with J-bolts that are placed prior to the concrete pour. An issue with the openings is that they have wood in the exterior walls in the areas where water has the highest possibility to enter the house. This creates the possibility, and likelihood, of water entering at these locations (the same as a wood framed house.) Remember, when the air is flowing thru the return air it is pressurizing the air which means 'additional air' has to come in the house. The window and door areas are where this air will come from, which allows water to get further into the wall, into the wood 2x bucks and farther away from the edges. This makes it take longer for the moisture to get out. When this occurs this will lead to the formation of mold and mildew.

Ease of construction - the trained skill level to build the walls of a custom home are similar to the skill level needed to build a concrete block home, or for a skilled carpenter to build a wood framed home.

Issues during construction - typical issues are proper bracing to minimize/eliminate concrete spills (blowouts) and bracing to keep the walls plumb (vertically aligned) and straight along the top of the forms.

The ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, contracted by the United States Department of Energy) after testing all 16 methods of construction proves the method of construction that Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) utilizes is the second best method of building a home (by approximately 9% less savings) in regards to energy savings. To confirm please view: http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/research/detailed_papers/thermal/index.html

The ICF method exceeds all building codes for high wind resistance due to the use of poured-in-place concrete in the forms.

This article has discussed the ICF method of building walls. It has described the various materials that are used. This article has also shown the problems and benefits that each of these materials can cause when building a house. The use of the ICF method of building walls only fails in 2 areas of building a home to prevent mold and mildew issues, which is the use of wood around openings and the use of a gypsum product (drywall) on the interior of the exterior wall. The 2 inches of foam and the drywall board on the interior is what accounts for the 9% higher use of energy than a wall with concrete in direct contact with the interior, such as the most energy efficient wall that utilizes the method referenced by the ORNL as concrete- insulation - concrete (CIC).

Are you getting ready to build a new home? Are you trying to build an energy efficient home? To get more information about building your next energy efficient home, visit http://www.allwallsystem.com, a "CIC" method of building.

New Versus Old Lumber - Structural Failure

During my 30 years of remodeling and building new homes. I have ran across quite a bit of structural framing failures. I find myself answering this question a lot when explaining to a homeowner about the structural failure I am repairing on their home, "Why Didn't They Use Better Lumber" or " Why Didn't They Use Larger Lumber." I really have a hard time answering these questions because I honestly don't know the answer.

However I can try to use some logic and reason to give these people an answer that seems to make sense to both of us. Why didn't they use better lumber, quite simply because, with most older homes that were built before the 1970s they actually do have better lumber. Now you're probably thinking how can these homes have better lumber when the lumber is old versus the new lumber used in a brand new house.

Most of the structural repairs I have made over the years has nothing to do with the lumber and whether it was new or old. A large number of these repairs were caused by neglect and poor maintenance.

The lumber in most older houses are from older growth trees. Some of these trees were extremely large and only the premium parts of the trees were used. The premium lumber is cut farthest away from the center of the tree. Now the larger the tree it makes sense that there will be more premium lumber.

A large majority of the newer lumber used in home construction comes from trees about 6 inches in diameter. Now you're probably wondering how can they cut a 2 x 8 piece of lumber out of a 6 inch tree. Of course they cannot, the larger lumber comes from larger trees.

Most 2 x 4's that are less than 8 foot long can be cut from these trees. This scrap or waste that comes from cutting these two by fours will now go into engineered building materials like particleboard, oriented strand board and engineered beams. Another name for an engineered been would be a paralam.

I hope you're starting to get the picture now when it comes to using new or old lumber. There are companies that are going into old logging rivers and retrieving old growth lumber. These were logs that sank to the bottom of the river's and were never retrieved because it was too costly.

The old growth lumber is quite expensive. Who's to say what problems we will happen in the future from the newer products created with modern day technology. When it comes to building houses it is not an exact science and as contractors we have been repairing the damage from poor engineering for years.

When I use the word poor engineering I am not pointing fingers at engineers. We now have more knowledge about home construction then we had years ago.

New versus old lumber, who wins the battle. Only time will tell.

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 Structural Repairs.

Replacing Solar Panel Systems at Home

Many people have the misconception that solar power is a relatively new concept in modern science. While it's true that solar energy has not been widely available for private use until recently, it has been used for decades in many applications. Believe it or not, the first solar home was built in 1939 by MIT. The experimental house was designed to provide solar thermal heating throughout the home, and it proved successful!

The first privately available solar panels became widely available in the early 1990s. These panels were simple mono-crystalline panels that had low efficiency and did not promise 20-25 years of reliable service. Instead, these panels lasted maybe 15 years at most and only covered about 25-50% of the average home's energy needs. Today, many homes that purchased these first panels need solar panel replacement. Luckily, with new technology, they will be able to keep their panels almost twice as long and maybe even get 90-100% of their electric needs from their new solar panels.

The very first thing any homeowner with solar panels should do is to assess whether or not they should replace the roof when they replace the panels. If this wasn't completed the first time around then it's probably time to replace the roof this time. This actually makes the installation process very easy and is the best way to ensure there are no leaks. If your roof isn't ready to be replaced, then installation is a bit trickier.

Depending on how long the panels have been on your roof will determine whether or not you can use the existing roof tile tracks that keep the solar panels attached. Chances are, you will have best results from your new installation if you uninstall the old roof tile tracks and use the ones deemed appropriate for your new panels. You may find yourself paying a little extra to ensure the old brace attachments are securely sealed and leak-proof before they install the new tile tracks.

For many new systems, your old inverter might work as long as your voltage output doesn't exceed your inverter's max input. Some solar companies may offer a nice discount on a new inverter if you're buying a solar package though, so weigh your options carefully. The same goes for your batteries. If your specifications match your old system then you can probably keep using your old equipment with your new system.

You'll be surprised at the efficiency of the new solar panels. Chances are, your electric bill will lower dramatically, as the efficiency of the new models has skyrocketed in the past few years. If you're a net-metering participant, you'll also see your earnings increase in the kWh you produce for your grid. Finally, replacing old panels is a great way to continue your positive impact on the environment. The initial cost of a new solar system may seem a bit much when compared to your old system, but it won't be as bad as a full-sized electric bill every month!

Philip Richards is an expert when it comes to solar power and has written extensively on the subject. Learn how he built homemade solar power at his residence. Or check out his blog on solar energy at http://HomeSolarBlog.com

Paint Me a Picture - No - Paint Me a Hall, DIY Style

Painting is one of the easiest DIY projects around. Novice DIY weekend warriors often begin with their DIY home improvement projects by repainting fences, hallways, doors, windows and walls.

Important tools

To be able to do painting jobs around the house, you would need the following:

1. Roller brushes of different sizes- you need different sizes, depending on the job. Roller brushes that are more than six inches in length are good for walls. Smaller roller brushes can be used to paint the bottom of walls. Small roller brushes can also be used to paint tables and chairs.

2. Synthetic brushes- synthetic brushes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, as a rule of thumb, purchase those that have fine yet durable strands. Synthetic brushes should be at least two inches wide. Larger brushes should have longer handles.

In addition, large brushes are heavier, so you have the option of attaching them to poles for hard to reach areas, such as the corners of ceilings.

3. Supply of old newspapers- you can use newspapers or similar recyclable papers. Use these to protect furniture and other surfaces when you are painting. Use plenty of paper when painting large surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

4. Plastic paint pans- pans can be bought from hardware stores. These specially made pans hold the paint on one side, while uneven surfaces allow you to remove excess paint.

5. Thinners- thinners will allow you to remove excess and encrusted paint on your roller brushes. Hard, encrusted paint can damage your roller brushes in the end. Never use water, as it will take too long to remove all the paint.

How to paint a hall

It seems daunting at first- the idea of painting a hall. But in reality, some tools and a bit of patience, plus lots of fun will get the job done.

The first step is to clear out your hallway. Put all the stuff in your hallway in another room. This eliminates the need to put newspapers all around. The risk of paint spots on your stuff is reduced to zero.

Second step is to clean the walls with a wet sponge and some soap. Rinse the walls and allow it to completely dry. If there is glossy paint, use a sandpaper to make the surface a bit rougher.

With a roller brush, apply the primer. Proceed to applying two coats of paint. Let the paint dry for a day or two.

Start re-adding things to your hallway. Old, useless things like unused golf bags should not be added to your hallway again. This process will de-clutter your hallway.

To beautify this space, consider adding plant life. Potted plants are a good choice. The potted plants need not be real. You can use plastic daisies or synthetic roses. Just make sure you clean your plants regularly with a wet piece of cloth to preserve their color.

If you do not have a clock in the hallway, consider adding a wall clock. Wall clocks can be either modern or completely classical with swinging pendulums.

The author of this article is Benedict Yossarian. Benedict recommends Roof Bond Foam Roof Insulation and Dekorbeton Concrete Stamping for your DIY needs.

Tips in Remodeling a Small Bathroom

Being among the top players world-wide in the financial, commercial, entertainment and cultural industries, New York City has become the most densely populated city in the country. With such reputation, the cost of housing soars leaving smaller living spaces a more popular option. Making a home out of these amply-spaced to smaller units is a challenge to many. This includes making important features of the home seem much cozier such as remodeling a small bathroom.

When remodeling a small bathroom, a complete focus on space fused with the right amount of creativity is key to the success of the project. Another important thing to ponder on is that quality does not come cheap. But it does not mean that you would have to always stick with the most expensive service or product, it only means that you should take careful considerations before letting go of your hard-earned cash to be able to give the most value to the money that you spend.

There are various ways to make less space appear much bigger. Enlisted are helpful tips in remodeling a small bathroom:

First off, unless you have significant skills and experience in plumbing, carpentry and electrical works, or the project is not a major one; you should seek the expertise of a competent NYC contractor to help you. Following this first tip in remodeling a small bathroom would save you a whole of time and money in the long run.

Instead of having a tub, maximize the space by having a shower instead. Rather than the traditional shower pan construction, a simple one-piece pan would serve as a much sleeker option as well as a leakproof solution. But if you still prefer a tub over a spacious shower, then go for the soaking bathtubs that are smaller but deeper designs.

In remodeling a small bathroom, choose a lighter and cooler hue for the walls and delicate patters for wallpapers or tiles. Light colors have an airy feel to them creating an illusion of more space. To create a better impact out of these designs, install fixtures offering heavy lighting. Another way to better illuminate the small bathroom is through skylight features. A bay window is a good choice as its alcove may also offer additional storage space.

Two elements have long since been known to give an illusion of more space. Reflection
and vertical objects and designs such as unframed mirrors and tall bathroom products that have shiny surfaces can be used in remodeling a small bathroom. You can have two mirrors installed opposite each other or facing the window. And when shopping, choose a tall but compact model of toilet and either a wall-mounted or sleek sink.

Important considerations when remodeling a small bathroom are the storage of toiletries and room for decorative items. Choose to have spaces cut out into the walls to serves as additional storage or display area rather than having free-standing cabinets or shelves installed into the walls. Lesser things protruding from the walls would help make the space seem larger.

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 the right, prescreened NYC contractor. To know more about remodeling a small bathroom, visit Contractors New York

Vertical Wind Turbine - Easy Electricity at Home

When looking for information about using a vertical wind turbine at home, there are several things you need to take into consideration. In this short article, I am going to cover a few of these things and hopefully better educate you on the subject on making your own electricity easily at home.

The first thing you need to take into consideration is whether or not you want to buy a pre-made wind turbine system. Just so you know, these can range in price from $1000 to $5000 or more. If that very high price tag doesn't fit your budget, do not worry. There is still an inexpensive way to make your own power, and I believe that it is even more effective than buying a pre-made system.

To make your own home windmill, it will take a pretty small investment. This small investment will be for basic parts. It will not take long to build, and this small investment will pay for itself very quickly. This is what is drawing literally millions of people to the idea of a home vertical wind turbine. It is easy, cheap, and a great financial decision.

In addition to saving money, you can help the environment exponentially and feel good about it. While the saving money part is great, this will give you a personal sense of satisfaction because you will be doing your part to help our beautiful planet. Usually when I mention this combination of savings and environmental health to people, it becomes a no-brainer to get started.

These are just a couple of the basic principles behind using your own vertical wind turbine at home. I highly recommend that you expand your learning on this subject through my totally free email course. I have helped many people realize the opportunities of home wind power and see great results.

Interested in the idea of making your own electricity very easily?

My totally free 5 day Home Wind Power Email Course will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know.

Hundreds of people have seen great results after reading through my email course. Click below to read more:

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Turning Your Home Green

In recent years we can see more and more people switching to buying green homes. This is either because they are getting concern about the environment or that the standards and techniques for building green houses have improved tremendously over the past years. In addition, sellers can also get a higher price for these green homes as they tend to save more on maintenance costs and utility bills. As such, if you are keen in purchasing a green home in Texas, how do you know that it is worth the price that you are paying for the house? This article will give you some tips on how you can get yourself a good deal. Check to see if the following things are found in the house:

1. A passive solar design

This is useful for natural heating and cooling of the house. Make sure there are not any skylights or greenhouse rooms in the house because that would mean too much heat gain in the building and will be very hot.

2. Attic spaces ventilation

Attic spaces can also accumulate heat, especially in hot climates, thereby causing the house to become very hot. On the other hand, moisture will remain in these attic spaces which are not ventilated, causing the wood to rot and smell.

3. Use of recycled or renewable materials

Since you are getting a green home, you should ensure that the materials used to build the house are not damaging to the environment. Some examples are using waste wood to build decks, use materials that are locally produced and can be renewed easily or recycled wood for the flooring of the house.

4. Use of safe materials

Products that are water based, non-toxic and biodegradable are more environmentally friendly so these should be used to build the house. Ensure that there are no materials that contain ozone depleting chemicals which are detrimental to the environment.

5. Site protection

The surroundings of the house is equally important, thus, ensure that the natural vegetation and animal habitats are protected from any unnecessary harm, especially if you need to do any additional constructions to the estate.

Search Texas Home Builders and Green Home Builders today.

How to Go Green With Your Home Heating System - Ideas to Save on Energy

These days everything around us reminds us to be conscious of the world we live in. Reports on climate change, diminishing world food supply, and damage to our ozone layer - what more warning signs do we need before we do our part to save the environment.

I say we start at home. Though eco-friendly home heating systems may cost more, they come out cheaper in the long run and definitely more energy-efficient. The biggest plus is you can be a good vanguard of the Earth while enjoying the benefits of the latest home heating systems. You can get started with these earth-friendly home heating ideas.

Adjust or get programmable thermostat. You can set the temperature according to times of the day, so you are not wasting energy when you are not home or you are asleep. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save a considerable amount of energy use.

Power your home with solar/photovoltaic panels. This may be costly to begin with but is likely to be beneficial in the end. Solar panels can capture sunlight into energy which in turn can heat water. The PV system needs no refueling, does not emit pollution and does not produce noise and is easy to maintain.

Warm your home with biofuels. For going green stalwarts, a perfect alternative to heat the home is through the use of biofuels. Biofuels are derived from recent compost. They reduce pollution from burning.

Install a radiant heating system. Although this may be expensive and involve some home renovations; opting for a radiant heating system is known to cut electricity bills to as much as forty percent. Radiant heating can be placed under carpets or ceramic tiles. Since heat rises, radiant heating adequately warms up an enclosed space without having to adjust the thermostat.

Invest in space heaters. Space heaters surround a room with added warmth at a fraction of the cost of oil or gas. They are recommended for places where central heating is not practical.

Go for double-paned windows. Windows account for much heat loss especially old windows. Upgrade to double-paned windows. They have low emissive coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss. Others help reflect heat back to the room during winter.

Choose wood stove and wood stove alternatives. In early times, a wood burning stove is traditionally used to heat up the home. It is even more effective than a fireplace. Nowadays, the pellet stove is gaining popularity. Pellets which are made from compressed sawdust or wood chips have replaced fossil fuels. Pellets can also be burned to heat water.

Set up a ground source heat system. A ground source heat pump taps water from underground into the home to provide central heating and in some instances heat water too. A heat pump is generally powered by electricity and for every unit of electricity consumed to pump heat, three to four units of heat are produced.

Use the fireplace. Gather wood scraps to make fire or better yet install a fireplace insert made from steel plates, cast iron and glass to make your fireplace airtight and more efficient.

Seal out the cold. Get rid of drafts around the windows, doors, baseboards and outside wall openings. Apply weather stripping, caulk or expanded foam to sea air leaks.

Learn more about home heating systems by visiting:
http://www.HomeHeatingSystemHelp.com

Various Windows For Various Rooms

For your house to look beautiful and yet remain functional, it is important that you have the right type of glass in all the different windows of your house. An ideal window glass should offer privacy, security and also exclusivity.

While most window glasses are made up of plain glass, there are places where this glass would not be suitable such as bathrooms or kitchens. A bathroom window will need to protect the privacy of its users and hence transparent glass will not be suitable. In such a case, the glass will need to be opaque. If you have already fitted your bathroom with clear glass, then this can be achieved by either chemical treatment to the glass or by applying film to the window glass. Alternatively, you can also fit curtains on the inside of your bathroom windows although that will also block out the light in addition to requiring additional maintenance. If you are fitting new bathroom windows, then the job becomes very simple since you can directly fit opaque or translucent glass to your bathroom windows. Another exciting alternative is to fit leadlight window glass to these windows. You can call in designers who can convert your thoughts into virtual pieces of art. Thus, your bathroom window can sport pictures of ships, fishes or any such design that your mind desires.

Leadlight windows are also suitable for your kitchen windows. They can brighten up your kitchen and make it a cheerful place to cook in. Your kitchen door or window glass can carry images of fresh fruits or vegetables. This leadlight theme can be carried over to your main door or your children's windows too. If your home has a traditional look, then leadlight windows will impart that ancient cathedral or church look to it. However, if your home is built on modern lines, then clear, tinted or frosted glass will help to maintain that modern look. A modern theme will also require the window glass to be frameless or framed in powder-coated aluminum frames that are fitted with matching hinges, instead of wood, which is mainly for traditional framing. Thus, your glass windows should be sturdy, but should also match to the theme of your house and should be aesthetically pleasing to look at, from inside as well as outside. The right kind of glass will also lead to energy savings since you will be able to save on lighting and cooling or heating costs. Windows will definitely look better when your frame matches with the rest of the house and if you use the right material, color and texture of curtains to go with your window glass. If you live in areas where the weather is extreme, then you can also use blocks of double glazed glass for your outer windows for improved insulation.

Thus, the right glass and other accessories are very important in determining the ideal look for your window and your house. By taking the help of experienced experts, you can easily ensure that your window glass is functional and also enhances the looks of your house. The right type of glass will impart a clean yet warm look to your beloved house and will also be easy to clean in the future.

Rob Mainstone is the owner Perth glass company, West Perth Glass and provides residential and commercial glazing services for West Australian clients.

Laptops Conserve Power, Reduce School District Energy Costs and Help Minimize Carbon Footprint

U.S. K-12 schools are challenged to serve growing student populations and rising community expectations with constrained operating budgets and ever-increasing energy bills. According to Energy Star, the annual energy bill to run America's primary and secondary schools is a staggering $6 billion - more than is spent on textbooks and computers combined. In the midst of this energy crisis, the debate rages on: laptops or desktops? To some, the answer is clear. Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, is aimed at helping American consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. According to Energy Star's Web site, "Notebooks are the most obvious way to save energy ... laptops use the most energy efficient displays (LCD), adapters, hard disks and CPUs that are available."

The Web site adds that notebooks can offer up to 80 percent in savings when compared to desktop PCs. "Even in the notebooks intended as 'desktop replacement,' with a larger screen (up to 17 inches) and less aggressive power management settings, the savings are still well over 50 percent."

In areas with blackouts and power-surges the notebook (batteries included) could save even more. In these areas, desktop PCs typically require the backup of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to keep computer users from losing data. And a UPS is not only a significant extra cost, it is also a significant energy-eater.

If a school district's budget takes priority over total cost of ownership, most desktop PCs are cheaper than notebooks. However, even when only looking at the energy cost advantages, buying a notebook might well be worth the extra money.

RELATED STORY: Northland Pines High School Goes Green with LEED Certification

Converge magazine provides strategy and leadership for technology use in K-12 and higher education. Senior policy makers in education utilize Converge for articles on proven, effective educational methods and models for 21st century learning and beyond.

Published in the Special Issue 2007 of Converge

Indoor Hot Tubs - Home Tips

Today, 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.