Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.
Mold From Dryer Vent On JoistLos Angeles is a huge city. Traveling from one location to another in LA can take hours. If you dont know which freeways or highways to drive youll run the risk of driving around and around the same ring and never reach your destination. Thus, car repair in this city is a complicated problem if you dont have the car repair map of Los Angeles.
The maps are available online and also as separate bulletins in many of the gasoline stations of the city. However, the one with automated systems for doing the repair works in the car are highly preferred by the car owners.
When there is defect in the emission systems, the repair works need to be carried out on war foot basis. You cannot wait till you find some reputed firm to deal this kind of emergency repair.
However, it is better to approach the famous firms that are involved with car repair for many years. Further, one has to enquire whether the car care help center is capable of identifying the repairs in the car.
The payment of car repair may be made like in any other places in USA by means of the credit card based payment systems. Many firms that have more reputations of dealing in such car repair works for many years do car repair in Virginia Beach sides.
However, the maps available online need to be utilized to approach such reputed car care clinic or the firms. The automated cleaning and repairing systems are found to be better in such car repair places.
The car repair stations of Virginia Beach without automated systems for repair works of the cars belonging to many firms are not welcome ones by the car owners. Most of the Americans look out these features before approaching these firms for the purpose of car repair.
Terry Bolton is a publisher of Car Repair Information and articles. You can go to The-Car-Repair-Portal.com for more.
Damaged Vent ScreenA Focal Point In Your Home
Are you wanting to change the look of your home? Are you embarrassed to have people over.A great and simple way to increase a home's value is to improve the look of your kitchen. People spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Look at your cabinetry. There are many easy and effective ways to change the look of your kitchen. You can refinish your cabinets, or even alter them by creating a glass front.
You need to pay attention at the condition of your cabinets. If they are severely worn or damaged, you may want to replace instead of refinish. However, refinishing adds style as well as functionality. Changing the front of your cabinets to glass will completely change the look and can add a touch of class to your kitchen.
Refinishing Your Cabinets
Before you refinish, keep in mind that the technique you use will vary with cabinetry type. Some faux cabinets made from inexpensive materials and may not be suitable for most standard finishes. Composite cabinets are better suited to deep cleaning, painting, or veneering versus using stains or finishes that would reveal wood grains and result in inconsistent coloration.
Hardwood is most compatible with a variety of techniques, including natural finishes, stains, paints, or veneers. As with all home improvement projects, much of the work takes place during preparation. Prior to refinishing, use tri sodium phosphate cleaners to fill scratches or mask imperfections. Sanding is another possibility, as are gels which could prepare your surfaces without scraping away fine woodwork details..
As for the finish, you can choose from paint, stain, clear finishes, or veneer, which requires a large, climate controlled work area. Whichever method you feel works best for you, finishes can be applied with rollers, paint brushes, rags, or sprays. They should always be applied in well ventilated areas, and a kitchen pro should be hired for optimum results.
Changing To Glass Front
A great way to change old, flat surfaced cabinets is to make glass doors out of the doors you already have. Take the cabinet door fronts off and their hardware, so you can lay it down flat,
and then measure a opening for your cabinet door. It is best to leave at least a couple of inches around the edge to retain strength.
Drill 4 pilot holes in the 4 corners, and then using a jig saw, cut out your opening. Then put decorative moldings on the front, to hold your glass in, and 1/4 round on the back. Repaint your cabinets, and the change is stunning!It is not hard, and you will give new life to your kitchen cabinets without buying new ones, and getting glass cut is very inexpensive, (unless you go for tempered or etched).Changing the hardware can make all the difference in the world. You can update your kitchen, while waiting to update your bank account!
Creating Space
Some kitchens just don't have enough space. With careful planning, one can always maximize space in any kitchen. The optimal use of storage space is vital and this has to be done systematically as the kitchen is a multifunctional area.
The golden rule for freeing up any space anywhere is to first make it clutter-free. This also gives the room a neat and organised look and also makes it more pleasant to work in. Identify and discard any unusable utensils/unused pots and pans or any crockery. There are countless varieties of kitchen racks available in the market today. There are styles and sizes to suit every need. Use pull-out cabinets for lower-level storage space. You can also have a pull-out counter top space for cutting and other processes or a wall-mounted pull-out table.
Often, the major part of kitchen counter top and storage space is taken up by appliances. One way to increase storage space is to use combination or multifunction ones to reduce space needed. For example, there is a device which is both an oven and can brew coffee or a toaster.
Some brands combine microwaves with coffeemakers and so on.
Bryan Marshall writes about home remodeling and other related items
For more info: http://bmarcoskitchencabinetremodeling.blogspot.com/
Mold On Lower Wall AreaBasement remodeling is a great way to improve your home. Do it for yourself, your buyers or your wallet.
If you currently have a basement in your home, you know it can either be an asset or an annoyance. Basement remodeling cant turn your dark, wet basement into a warm livable space for your family. Add a new family room to your home with basement finishing or create a new bedroom for your older child with an exciting new basement renovation.
Thinking about selling your home? Add value to your home with basement remodeling. Home improvement means improvement to your profit when all is said and done. Giving your basement a facelift will not only entice buyers, but it will make your homes living space larger and more comfortable.
Considering the value of adding a basement apartment? If your basement is just sitting there, you can turn it into a monthly check by renting it out to tenants! With a modern basement design and the right contractor, your basement apartment will be a comfortable home for a single person or small family.
When you think of home improvement, basement remodeling is a great place to start. Basements can be a great hangout for teenagers and young children alike. Create a home office, game room or a child's play room in the newly acquired space. Youll appreciate how it will warm up your home and expand your living space. The right basement remodeling will make a huge difference in your house.
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Kitchen in the busiest place in our home, and the busiest part of the kitchen is the sink. If you are a type of person who loves to stay in the kitchen cooking different dishes, you may say that kitchen sink is the very important part of the kitchen.
Indeed, kitchen sink is really the busy part of the kitchen, it is where a cook usually starts and end is cooking session. And of course this part of a kitchen should be tough enough to sustain the need of the cook. Most of these sink are made in different metal material and of course we usually go for those that will last for a lifetime and can handle the heavy task of daily activities inside a kitchen.
That is why before planning to build a kitchen, owners should consider some things in choosing the materials that they will be using in their kitchen. And one of the important things that we need in the kitchen is the sink. There are different considerations in choosing a sink and to help you out, here is the list of considerations that you need in choosing a kitchen sink:
Size of the family
If the size of the family is big, you may have a lot of kitchen utensils like, fork and spoon, plates, knives and other things that need to wash after meals. In these cases a bigger kitchen sink is necessary if you have a big family. Choose those that have two sink and one faucet on each sink.
Love cooking
Most of the people who love cooking go for those sink that can be easily clean. Because these people tend to cook different dishes in a day and most of the time they cook 2 to 3 dishes at the same time. Of course they don't want to mix up the ingredients together and a sink near a stove will suit their needs and functionality.
Utensils Size and Weight
If you have a lot of heavy utensils and plates, well you need a tough sink that can carry these things. Stainless steel sink is the best sink for these, durable and rust free is some of the good features of this type of sink.
There are a lot of sinks available in the market and we somehow give us a hard time to choose which one is the best one for us. But assessing things that we need in our home is what we should do to know which the best is for us. Stainless steel sink is the best sink that you can have because of the durability and ability to sink in to the style you want on your kitchen.
Article Author Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com - a SEO Company.
There are two ways to make stained glass, leaded or copper foiled. The major difference between the two is in the construction. With leaded stained glass, the glass is fitted into channels of lead came. In contrast, copper foiled stained glass is constructed by wrapping each piece of glass with copper foil.
Leaded stained glass historically is found in churches. It was during the Victoria Era where leaded stained glass was introduced into homes and has remained a popular method of constructing stained glass ever since.
Foiled stained glass was mastered by Tiffany in the early 1900's and soon after became a popular method for creating stained glass.
Common Questions:
Is one method better than the other?
The simple answer is no. A better answer is that it depends on the artist and the design.
What is the difference in leaded and foiled construction?
With leaded stained glass, the construction must begin at an outer corner, the individual pieces are fitted into lead came. Once all pieces are cut and placed in lead came, the joints of came are soldered. Then the piece is cemented.
With foiled stained glass, the construction can begin at any point in the design and worked out from there. The individual pieces are wrapped in copper foil and soldered together.
When is foiled stained glass construction better than lead?
With intricate designs, foiled construction is superior
When is lead construction better than foiled?
Leaded construction is used most often with designs that have repetitive geometric shapes. These designs can be foiled, but construction time is increased.
Which is easier?
There is no simple answer for this. It is really a personal preference. Leaded, foiled or combination of the two are used throughout the stained glass industry.
Is leaded or foiled construction better than the other?
No, each method, if done correctly, will provide the same long lasting beauty and endurance.
Why is foiled construction taught to beginners doing stained glass?
The cementing in leaded construction tends to be messy. Foiled construction can be started and stopped, making weekly classes work.
What are the steps for making leaded stained glass?
My Personal Choice:
I tend to do a lot of intricate designs, so I use the foiled construction method. It provides the flexibility and detail I need for my designs.
Author: Maureen Summy
Creativity-in-Glass http://www.creativity-in-glass.com
If you would like more detailed information for making stained glass using the foiled method, check out http://www.creativity-in-glass.com/howtomakestainedglass.html
I started out as a stained glass admirer. After a class in stained glass, I became addicted. At first I made stained glass to decorate my homes, which lead to friends asking me to make stained glass for them. Now I am a full time professional making stained glass as well as instructing others on how to make stained glass. My studio is located outside of Chicago, Illinois. For more information on making stained glass go to http://www.creativity-in-glass.com
Increase Your Profits With Sustainable Commercial Building
In 2007 green building practices are gaining popularity at an accelerated rate. The American consciousness of environmental issues has changed and the financial benefits of building, living and working green are becoming more attractive to residential and commercial real estate investors. Green design spotlights a variety of environmental and human health concerns.
- Reduction of exposure to toxic materials
- Conservation of non-renewable energy and materials
- Minimization of the ecological impact of building
- Utilization of renewable energy and recycled or earth-friendly materials
- Protection of local water, air, soil, plants and animals
- Support of transportation alternatives including walking, bicycles, mass transit and alternative fuels
Many people are also surprised to discover that in 2007 green design and building often costs the same as building more traditional designs. According to the July 2007 issue of Today's Buyer's Rep, in an article entitled Housing Trends Worth Watching by editor Julie Collins, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that 97,000 homes have been built and certified by green building programs around the U.S. This is a 50% increase from the last survey conducted in 2004. The Santa Monica Green Building Program, reports, "Buildings have impacts on health as well as the environment. It is estimated that half of all commercial buildings suffer from air quality problems, resulting in poorer health of workers and other occupants".
Green Building and Design Options for Commercial Property Investments
In the commercial real estate industry economics and financial profit play an important part in green building. Businesses, corporations and investors are more likely to invest in green building if they know it will increase their bottom line. According to Commercial Investment Real Estate Magazine, "When analyzing green economics, commercial real estate professionals should consider long-term operating and maintenance costs. These factors are beginning to affect leases, insurance rates, loans, and other real estate practices as tenants, owners, banks, and communities recognize energy efficiency's value". As technology advances and improves the performance of lighting, heating, cooling and water systems the operating costs of buildings will decrease. This will attract tenants and increase the value of your commercial property to future investors. When building or purchasing a green commercial design look for the following:
1.Energy Efficient Lighting Systems
2.High Performance Glazing
3.Ventilation Systems
4.Water Efficiency Systems
5.Green building materials (i.e. recycled materials or materials from renewable resources)
Incentives for Commercial Green Building
Increased profitability is the number one reason commercial real estate investors are moving towards more green building and design features. According to Building Momentum: National Trends For High Performance Green Buildings, a report prepared by the US Green Building Council for the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, "Design features that enhance energy efficiency and indoor air quality are cost effective strategies for improving worker productivity and product quality. An increase of 1 percent in productivity (measured by production rate, production quality, or absenteeism) can provide savings to a facility that exceeds its entire energy bill".The report provides examples such as Lockheed, an engineering development and design facility in Sunnyvale, California and the Postal Sorting Facility in Reno, Nevada. Lockheed built a high performance green facility and experienced a 15% decrease in employee absenteeism that recuperated the extra costs of their facility within the first year. The Postal Sorting Facility in Reno experienced a 6% increase in the number of items sorted per hour when an alternative lighting system was installed.
In addition federal, state and local governments are now also offering incentives to commercial builders and investors interested in a green approach. According to the Building Momentum report "public and private entities offer financial and regulatory incentives. New York, Maryland and Oregon offer tax credits for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings. Portland (OR) and Seattle (WA) offer grants for energy modeling, commissioning and related costs." The report continues to explain that, "Arlington County (VA) links preferred zoning considerations for LEED projects. Santa Barbara (CA) and Scottsdale (AZ) are some of the first jurisdictions to offer expedited permit reviews for buildings with certain high performance features. Tax credits and other incentives are part of broader green building assistance programs offered by a growing number of state and local governments across the country." Green building programs have been developed in California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. As the green building and commercial investment trend continues tax incentives will increase and green building and design will continue to pay for themselves in more ways than one.
Elaine VonCannon is an award winning REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia. She specializes in retirement and relocation in the Williamsburg, South Eastern Virginia area and in Virginia Estate properties. To learn more visit http://www.voncannonrealestate.com or http://www.estatesinvirginia.com
Tile RoofingStair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.
For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com
Masonry BooksIf you live in a cold part of the country you are familiar with condensation and ice forming on the inside of windows. This problem is becoming more prevalent with new home construction due in part to the increased insulation and "tightness" of the houses. As the temperatures continue to drop outside I receive lots of inquiries about window condensation.
Condensation and ice form on windows because the window surface is below the dew point for the air near the window, so some of the moisture in the air condenses on the glass. The higher the relative humidity of the air near the window, the higher the temperature of the dew point. Basically there are two ways to prevent this from happening. The first is to reduce the relative humidity in the house and the second is to increase the temperature of the window glass.
Reducing the relative humidity is the most effective way of reducing window condensation. Make sure that exhaust fans are vented properly and in good working condition. Bathrooms, dryer vents and kitchen vents are the biggest culprits for introducing increased humidity inside the home. Proper venting is crucial because today's homes have been insulated so well that there is no way for the additional moisture to escape. To be effective the relative humidity must be dropped to a minimum of 40%.
Increasing the temperature of the window is a bit more challenging. For starters make sure window curtains and blinds are opened during the day to let in sun and also to allow air movement to help dry things out. By opening curtains and blinds you're also allowing the warmer air from the room to warm up the window.
If you take these steps and have good quality windows the condensation and ice should go away. For additional information contact the manufacturer of your windows or check with your local building supply company.
Todd Fratzel, P.E. is a building superintendent for a construction firm in New Hampshire. In addition to supervising the construction of new homes Todd is a registered professional engineer in the New Hampshire and Massachusetts and has an extensive back ground in building structures. For additional articles like this one see his blog at http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com
Stair Handrail TransitionDeciding to paint the house can be a big decision that requires other, smaller decisions that go along with it. Homeowners will have to decide what color they want and what kind of contrast they are looking for, as well as what supplies they will need to buy. Hiring a professional contractor to assist with these decisions and perform the work themselves can be a huge burden off the shoulders of already stressed homeowners.
When homeowners find that home contractor painting is a notch above the work of any amateur, they will have discovered a secret to a wonderfully painted house. With the expertise of a professional contractor, homeowners are getting the most out of their painting endeavors. Whether it is just putting on a fresh coat, or remodeling the entire house, the work of a professional is something that the homeowner will be glad they hired. Hiring their services means that homeowners will be able to sit back and enjoy the work of their contractor.
Home contractor painting makes the entire thing much easier and more manageable for the homeowner. They will not have to deal with problems that may arise in most cases and they will rest easy knowing that the contractor has been trained on how to handle these problems if they do arise. Taking their newfound free time to rest and relax or to focus on other projects is something to celebrate for many homeowners. They will get a lot of work done when they do not have to focus on painting. Home contractor painting will make the entire experience much more enjoyable and can turn home improvement into a fun activity for all parties involved.
More information on home contractor painting is just a click away.
Cold Drafty WindowsIs it time to consider solar power for your home? Recent solar research has uncovered some amazing technologies which will not only make solar more efficient but will finally bring solar prices into the average householder's price arena.
If you think the solar energy solution is for you here are 10 steps to get you powered up.
1 ~ If you're building a home, orient the largest windows and the roof toward the south, smallest windows to the north. Plant deciduous trees (leaves fall off in winter) in a position where they'll shade the windows in the summer but allow the winter sun to shine in.
2 ~ Make your home as energy efficient as possible. Replace all heating and cooling appliances (fridge, freezer, air conditioner, stove, oven, dryer) with the most energy efficient model available or switch to gas or propane where possible. Install a solar power water heater and possibly a wood, pellet or corn husk stove.
3 ~ Check your electricity bill to determine the amount of power you use now that you've made changes. Size your system for the month with the greatest energy use. (In warm climates that'll be summer and in colder climates it'll be winter. Sizing your system for the month with the highest use ensures that you'll produce enough power for any month of the year.
An average 2 bedroom home in the southern US uses 25 KWH per day.
4 ~ If you intend to tie into the grid then sizing will not be as critical as it is for an independent system.
5 ~ Price out your system. Remember that the panels themselves only account for about 45% of the cost of your system. You may want to acquire more than one estimate and if you have an installer or are handy enough to do it yourself you can often save money by purchasing your components through ebay or other avenues. (Be careful, you may not qualify for warranties)
6 ~ Other set up costs are ~ inverter, charge controller, batteries, installation and various wires and hardware. (Some of these costs will not apply to a grid tied solar power system.)
7 ~ Without subsidies expect to pay at least $75,000 USD (August 2007) for an independent solar energy system. A grid tie system will cost significantly less because you don't have to size the system to cover all of your power needs. The utility grid will pick up when the solar power falls off.
8 ~ Many nations, countries and municipalities provide substantial subsidies, grants and tax incentives which reduce the price to you by half or better. Check with gov't and power companies in your area to see if solar power subsidies exist.
9 ~ Once the system has been installed there is little maintenance required (some battery maintenance and periodic inspections of the solar panels) and interruptions in power will be a thing of the past.
10 ~ Solar panels not only increase the value of your home but pay monthly dividends in electric bill savings for up to 40 years.
The more
energy efficient you make your home the lower your cost to convert to solar power.
Free yourself from the political tug of war over oil and gas and help clean up the environment at the same time. Solar power is here to stay and about to take its rightful place at the energy table.
Hi, I'm Debra from http://www.solarpowerathome.com Solar Power At Home. Here you'll find information to help you decide whether solar power is right for you.
Woodcraft SuppliesOne of the most popular of all categories of toys for children very young through teenage years (even many adults rediscover the fun of these toys as they begin to raise families of their own) is the Legos Toy Construction product. These toys allow children to exercise their creativity and build valuable problem solving skills which will serve them well throughout their lives.
This partially accounts for the lasting popularity of such toys; such as Toy Construction Trucks, Toy Construction Equipment and Toy Construction Sets despite the proliferation of video games and the personal computer as a delivery device for entertainment, children will always enjoy playing with toys that offer a more tactile play experience and children will always love to build things.
One toy with a lasting appeal is the Lego Set. These snap-on plastic blocks come in many sizes, shapes and colors and many adults fondly recall finding inspiration inside of a box of jumbled Lego Pieces. These toys can be very absorbing to children of a wide age range and provide many hours of thoughtful play. However, are Legos, properly verbalized as a Toy Construction product? Most would consider the answer to this question to be a resounding yes.
Legos offer the same kind of problem solving practice and creative outlet for children as do other forms of Toy Construction products (such as erector sets and the like). In fact, they may be even more helpful to children in developing a set of skills which also includes eye-hand coordination - and as far as many children and parents alike are concerned, the empty palette represented by a Toy Box brimming with various sizes of brightly colored Legos is even more of an open invitation to explore and create than is provided by any other type of Toy Construction product.
Legos should absolutely be considered a Curving Construction Bricks Toy product; the kind of open-ended play encouraged by having an ample supply of easy to work with building materials and no blueprint to follow brings out the creativity in any child and the delight with which almost all children take up Legos and spend hours in building their own creations is ample evidence of this fact.
Not only are Legos a Toy Construction product, they may be the best kind of Construction Toy since they are appropriate for all ages (except those children so young that they are more likely to swallow the Legos than to build with them, of course). The skills and the simple love of the creative act which can be learned by playing with Legos can last a lifetime and of course, adults do plenty of creative things with Legos themselves. There have been miniature replicas of entire cities built from Legos, Lego safes and any number of other unique projects all made from these, seemingly the most basic of toys.
However, it is this very simplicity which makes this ingenious Toy Construction product appropriate for young children yet versatile enough to capture the imagination of grown men and women as well. Legos have an appeal to them which is timeless and these toys are sure to retain their popularity for a long, long time to come.
Find out about the latest Toys Vehicles and Airplanes from Brian Garvin and Jeff West. Also discover more about Toy Construction Products Online free. Freely distribute this article but please leave author bio and links intact.
Like most smart homeowners, you realize the impact the right cabinets can have on your kitchen. Selecting the perfect cabinets for your home is one thing; keeping them looking great is another. Here are some handy hints to keep your cabinets looking as beautiful as the day you put them into your kitchen.
Cleaning 101
If youre like the typical homeowner, you have wood cabinets finished with a catalyzed conversion varnish. These types of cabinets only need to be cleaned occasionally by wiping with a damp cloth and dried with a soft cloth. Keep in mind that you can use gentle soap and water once in a while, but your cabinets wont stand up to this kind of treatment on a regular basis. And abrasive cleaners or furniture cleaners that remove wax build-up should be avoided altogether.
Choose Non-Abrasive Alternatives
Instead, look for a liquid, non-abrasive cleaner. If theres grease build-up on your cabinets, experts recommend the same tip you might have heard from your grandmother: Use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, which wont leave residue behind. But no matter what anyone says, you wont need to use any type of wax products they wont hurt your cabinets, but they wont make them look any better, either.
Do your cabinets have punched tin or metal inserts?
Clean these panels with a soft, dry cloth. If thats not enough and you need a liquid cleaner, use only a mild soap diluted with water, then wipe immediately. Stay away from abrasive cleaners, waxes and polishes, as these can damage the inserts protective coating.
What about the hardware?
Most cabinetry has coating on the hardware specifically designed to protect it against abrasion and corrosion, so cleaning it is simpler than you might think. Just use a soft cloth with some warm water and a gentle, non-abrasive cleaning solution to remove any dirt or spills.
An Ounce of Prevention
There are some easy things you can do to care for your cabinetry that will not only make your regular cleaning much easier, but also to extend the life of your cabinets. These tips may seem like common sense, but cabinetry experts say that over time, the smallest things can have a big impact on your cabinets.
On finished wood surfaces:
With a little patience and a simple cleaning routine, you can keep your kitchen cabinets sparkling like brand new. Beginning when they are new is the smartest idea to keep your cabinets in top condition for years to come.
A one-stop shop for all your home remodeling, decorating, and building needs, DirectBuy has virtually everything including the kitchen sink for in and around your home.
Feng Shui BooksSolar power is starting to go main stream. While this technology has been around for some time, many people are just starting to learn about alternative fuels such as these. They have been getting a lot of buzz because of high oil costs. The inability to afford rising fuel costs, have forced some individuals to think of new ways to run their homes. One way is to use energy from the sun. There are advantages and disadvantages of solar power. Let's discuss the advantages first.
There are many well noted benefits of sun energy. The ones that are most often discussed include cheaper energy costs, clean fuel and less dependence on oil.
In recent years, utility bills have gone through the roof in many parts of the world. Oil prices are skyrocketing and global supplies are diminishing. This trend is not going to cease worsening. Some people have been unable to pay their bills, while others have had to cut back drastically in other areas of their life affecting their lifestyles to a great measure. There have been many families who have had to go without heat simply because they could not come up with the money to pay their utility bills. Because the sun is a free fuel source, it is now possible for us to cut back on costs.
Sun energy is also good for the planet. It does not emit any harmful gases. It also makes people who use it less dependent on oil. Their monetary outlays are also not dependent on oil prices.
As noted earlier, there are advantages and disadvantages of solar power. We have already discussed the advantages, now let's discuss the disadvantages.
The biggest disadvantage of tapping on sunlight as a fuel source is the high cost of purchasing the panels and then having them installed. Thankfully, there are online guides that will give step-by-step instructions to build and install your own. For around $200 worth of materials, you can do everything yourself.
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages of solar power. Sun power can replace oil based fuel. As a result, an individual can save money and do something good for the environment. The main disadvantage of using sunlight to provide energy is that it can be costly if you pay someone to install such a system for you. However, you can save a ton of money if you create and install the solar panels yourself.
Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade solar power systems to power their homes!
Color Coat Around WindowIt is hard work to find a reputable painting contractor. There are many ways you can go about selecting a company to paint the interior or exterior of your home, this article will discuss the ways.
Most people start off selecting a contractor through a recommendation from a friend. This is a great way to get going as you already have someone that has tried the business out and had a good experience with them.Even ifyou get a recommendation from a friend, you shouldconsider getting multiplebidson your project - at least 3.One of the easiest ways tofind a contractor is to go online. If you go to Google search and type in "Painting Contractor" you wil see a lot of names pop up. The righthand side ofthe screen is the paid advertising section (where Google makes all it's money)and the left handsideis the organic search area.
After you've checked outa few painting company websites, the next step is to set up a time for a bid on your project. After you've narrowed down your contractors, makesure to check that they are licensed and bondedto operate in your state.It'salsosmart toask for references so you can talk to them on the phone and then visually inspect the project to see if they can provide the quality you are looking for.
It's also a good idea to check with the better business bureau. Many companies maintain membership there and they have a good system for logging customer complaints about all their member businesses.
We are licensed and bonded Seattle Painters and would be happy to look at your project. We are a reputable Painting Contractor that has done tons of projects in the area, check us out today!
When you shape the kitchen interior, the greatest problems are connected with drawbacks of planning and lack of space. Appropriately chosen kitchen furniture can resolve this situation, even more so that variety of models gives such an opportunity. The main thing is to imagine how your own kitchen acts out, i.e. even on the stage of planning you are to foresee conformity of all objects and their sizes. Believe us, this will greatly facilitate the whole process, up to setting the last shelf in the dresser.
So, you have already made up the list of all kitchen equipment with indication of its size. Now pay attention to technical details, such as dimensions and location of the ventilation, pipes, wiring, sockets, flexible (gas, water-supply) hoses etc. Enter all necessary stuffing in your list and you can set off for the shop to make your choice. If you are going to buy all elements of kitchen interior separately, dont forget that the standard depth of household appliances is 600 mm, so check in advance the parameters of the things you need.
The dominant is high storage cabinets for storing foodstuffs and high cabinets for storing inventory (brushes, brooms etc). It is necessary to remember that they should not break off the work surface and they should not be located on the outskirts of your kitchen field. If you prefer an inbuilt grill or oven, it is the high storage cabinet that will accommodate them without breaking the uniformity. Besides you can pick up the height of their location, so that it is convenient for you.
Now lets touch upon on-floor cabinets. They are the basis of your workspace, their height directly affects the extent of your hands fatigue after cooking food, a great amount of drawers on rollers can help simplify reaching out for any object of kitchen interior that you need at the moment. We advise that you plan the space of on-floor cabinets in such a way, that the most frequently used objects could be easily accessed (pullout rotating shelves), while the rarely used dishware can be placed on the ordinary shelves.
A detail: trays and baking sheets can be conveniently settled in the plinth case under the on-floor table, which in fact, can have any width, depending on your requirements. If the height of the on-floor cabinet (preparation table) is not convenient for you, the plinth will add several centimeters, necessary for your accommodation and will relieve your hands and back of overstrain. Important: it is extremely comfortable to work while sitting, so if you decided to bring in something new to the interior and give yourself a treat, plan a pullout shelf under one of cabinets of work surface or get a high (bar) stool.
Overhead cabinets are to be located not less than 450 mm from the work surface, it is necessary, in order to accommodate freely all used electrical appliances (a food processor, a coffee-machine, a toaster etc). The height of standard cabinets is 600 mm, perforce you can buy 900-mm cabinets. They will exactly reach the ceiling in typical flats. Even if after all this, there are some things left and there is some vacant space on top, we finish the composition by entresol shelves up to the ceiling (open or closed ones) or a cornice with inbuilt lamps. Corner wall-mounted cabinets have either open shelves, or a folding door, which makes all the contents visible; the rotating shelf is remarkable for its capacity and convenience.
The distance between the work surface and overhead cabinets is called the apron. With regard to the work surface the main thing for the apron is to be in harmony with it as to colour and texture. For instance, a glossy table top and glazed tiles, mat colour of the work surface and mat apron (covered with mat washable wallpapers or imitation of tiles).
Such attention to the image of the apron is connected with the fact that it should protect the wall from dirtying, for example, from grease that can be easily washed off. The work surface is often overloaded with objects and their abundance induces the feeling of discomfort. We will free it with the help of the apron. Lets fix the microwave oven on brackets, arrange the parade of species on the miniature shelves and place the small metal items and knives on the magnetic panel. One more nuance: the decorative nook (plinth), made of water-resistant materials, will protect the back surfaces of on-floor cabinets from ingress of moisture.
When you place standard furniture, there may be narrow gaps between separate elements or between the furniture and the wall. Use them put a narrow shelf or a table in this gap. For example, a movable table will increase the active surface and will be used as a serving table.
A narrow socle will prove useful for storing preparation plates, towels, bottles. Select the same materials for these inbuilt constructions as those used for main furniture. Kitchen furniture made from natural hard wood (oak, cherry, beech, nut-tree) and work surface from granite and marble look impressive and respectable.
Ultramodern directions of finishing are represented by metal surfaces (stainless steel, aluminum) and heat-resistant glass. Inexpensive surfaces can be made of laminated plastic, ceramic tiles, plastic. All these materials are rather practical and differ in the ways of installation and operation: laminated plastics is deformed by high temperatures, the tiles can crack as a result of unsuccessful landing of a heavy pan, plastic is vulnerable to scratches, but in contrast to laminated plastic it withstands high temperature almost without deformation. No kitchen can do without silent assistants, such as a gas cooker, refrigerator, sink. Selection of equipment depends only on you. When the kitchen is small, the equipment and sink are to be compact.
There are sinks of various shapes and dimensions; in our opinion, it is better to select a round sink made from stainless steel. It is smaller than the square one, yet everyone, who has ever used a round sink, will agree that it is more convenient for washing and cleaning, and besides it has a more aesthetic look.
It is very convenient, if the sink has additional ribbed trays for drying dishware, the water then does not spill on the surface of the table top and gradually trickles down to the sink. There are models, where the sink is combined with a drying apparatus, but if you have a dishwasher, you can do without a drying apparatus. Instead, choose a sink with two additional compartments for wetting cutlery and rinsing washed dishware. The drawback of the combined multisection sink is that it takes up too much space. If you have some room, buy a wider 800-mm table top instead of a standard 600-mm one. Then the part of the table top that adjoins the wall can be lifted for 15-20 mm and you will have a convenient shelf. Besides under the table top you can have a special cavity 20 cm deep that will allow you to conceal drainage equipment. As a result, we get additional space under the sink, where you can put a dishwasher and arrange shelves for cleaners on the remaining space.
The main principle of placing the sink is convenience. It should not be located far from the gas cooker and be connected with it via a common work surface. If the kitchen is small and you planned it as a single line (please refer to the previous article), place the sink in the center, and refrigerator and the gas cooker on each side. A sink in the corner looks good in a big kitchen. The main advantage is economy of space. It is possible to plan a kitchen island; in this case the sink perfectly fits into the center of the composition.
One more must of the kitchen interior is the gas cooker. Modern cookers with burners and an oven have the same height as the furniture, that is why there are no problems with breaking off the sole horizontal work surface. Nevertheless, if the cooker does not match this parameter, it is preferable to choose models with a flap that closes the burners, when food has been cooked.
Inbuilt kitchen equipment is more expensive, yet more convenient. You can use any combination of equipment at your discretion. This principle is called domino. The basic modules are gas and electric burners, an oven, a cooking panel. Delicatessen-lovers will install a grill, a deep-fryer, a steamer, a brazier. You are absolutely free in the flight of your fancy and can endlessly enrich your arsenal of kitchen innovations. Work with inbuilt models is practical, because you use minimum dishware and have maximum pleasure from cooking. Also important is the fact that cooker hoods are inbuilt as well, they absorb smoke and soot in the horizontal, but not vertical direction. A substantial drawback that prevents many people from buying inbuilt equipment is its high price.
A small fridge, as well as the washing machine, can be put under the work surface. If you need a big fridge, dont forget about the law of non-breaking off the work surface, when you place it.
So, you have taken care about all kitchen components, and in conclusion add to the interior some personal charm, because its face should reflect the traits of your personality.
Your imagination will prompt what elements of dcor are relevant in your interior, these can be flowers, paintings, porcelain collections or just cute trifles. The designers of the best repair and construction companies will help you orientate in the endless variety of kitchen furniture and household appliances. With their help your kitchen will be not only convenient and cozy, but will also become a unique reflection of your personality.
Arthur Prudent is a developer of London builders: kitchen, bathroom renovation - web site offering all aspects of builders services. Find Home Improvement articles at "Useful Tips"
In today's ever changing economic scenario one has to compromise so many desires like having a dream house. But don't worry at all the solution is here and it is "Room Additions". Now, what does a room addition mean?
Room Addition means creating new rooms within our house by making few logical and structural changes which not only expand your space but also give it a new feel. Room additions require addition along with creativity. In some cases we need more accommodating rooms and in others we need to modify the size by making it a great room. All is done using framing diagrams. Now opting for new room space means remodeling your kitchen and bathroom also because these areas are given the first preference in design patterns. It can be said that these are the areas from which other rooms get a room space too and all these factors make your house elegant, user friendly more livable and comfortable place as a paradise. Room additions can have varied benefits like split entry issues, adding a fake basement, growing a small bedroom to master bedroom, adding value to any room through new interiors creating a recreation room or a kid's den or a guest room and the list goes on and on.
With room additions, the advantage is that you can recreate the whole scenario of your house with a new methodology which will be cost saving , re-changeable in design and tailored according to your needs. Apart from that you can preview them using the simulation techniques i.e. have a virtual view of them through the appointed architects and designers. Type of materialistic and structural changes required depends on the desired stucco quality, vinyl finishings, brick material opted, wood type- oak, cherries, hard wood, pine cedar, maple etc. Depending upon the location, wall furnishings and material used, some classifications of rooms are patio rooms, sun rooms, garden rooms, gabled rooms. The added benefits which make room additions a success and prominent are weather guards, fine vinyl usage in furniture to protect them from moisture, tempered glass windows with screens, glamorous lights, wooden flooring.
You can find many room addition service agencies offering all this with new introduced tiles, granites and woods with thousands of patterns, styles, colors and sizes. These are experts in modulation for kitchens, rooms, bathrooms, backyards, garages, office space etc. Various requirements for basement conversions, reinforcing ceiling joists for a second story conversion, handling attic conversions or the requirements of footings, foundations etc. is handled with utmost care and responsibility.
So why not go for the San Diego Room Additions whenever you need an extra room or an altogether new look of your house because we see your dreams as ours.
The other day, I was surfing the Internet and came upon an online home building bookstore that put together a website with the best-selling home building books on the market today. These books range from basic carpentry to advanced structural engineering and everything else you could possibly think of that could be related to the home building, selling, remodeling and construction process.
I couldn't believe the simple and easy to use. Here's a list of some of their books selections.
Photo Guide to Home Repair - The most up-to-date, complete, and useful guide to home repair a homeowner can have. With more than 350 projects and 2300 photos, virtually every home repair challenge.
Exterior Siding, Trim & Finishes - This first ever compilation by Fine Homebuilding on the popular subject provides builders with ideas for choosing the correct finishes for home exteriors, plus solid how-to information.
Flipping Houses - This book is designed for realty investors who want to profit from buying below market, making cosmetic improvements to add value, and then quickly reselling.
Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling a bathroom is a challenge - it's action-oriented and requires extra energy and stamina. But you, undoubtedly, realize it's a challenge you want to take on.
One $20 home building books or home repairs book, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.
By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. Our online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.
Home Stucco BooksWhen deciding to remodel or add an addition to your home, many people would like to include a game room. Whether it is in the basement or first floor of your home, a game room adds a place to unwind and have a good time. It can be used for guys or girls nights, family time, holiday gatherings or just any night of the week.
Once you have decided to create a game room in your home, you must decide what types of games you would like to include in it. There are a variety of gaming tables you can buy including poker, blackjack and roulette. You can find any of these items and their accessories online or in a store in your own area. If you order these items online, some sites will even let you customize the tables or accessories with your name or phrases.
Another item you can add to your game room is a pool table. Pool tables come in three sizes, starting at 7 feet and going to 9 feet. You should pick a table that best fits the size and needs of your game room. Once you decided on your pool table, you can then purchase your table accessories such as billiard balls, ball rack and pool cues. A pool table is fun for people of all ages.
Another gaming room item that is fun for people of all ages is a dart board. You can either get your standard cork dart board or an electronic one. You can get standard dart boards complete with wood cabinet and chalk board score board. This keeps up the appearance of your game room when the game is not in play. You can purchase dart boards online or at your local store. For the casino lover, you can add some slot machines. There are a variety of slot machines available for purchase online or at your local store. You can choose from a variety of themes and types of slot machine you would like to purchase.
Once you have chosen all the games you would like to include in your game room, you should decide if you would like to include a bar. If you choose to include a bar, you can either have a custom one built and installed or you can purchase one from your local home store. You can include game themed glasses, dishes and bottles to make your bar game room friendly. Now that you have all your games and maybe a bar, you can now decorate the room. You can choose from gamed themed pictures and signs. If you have a bar you can decorate with signs of your favorite beer or liquor. You can buy your signs and pictures online or in the store. If you buy your signs online, most sites will let you customize them with your name, picture or phrase that you like.
Now that you have everything that needs to go in your game room, all you need to do is set up, decorate and enjoy!
Purchase your poker supplies and billards equipment at Cards and Cues. Article written and Distributed by Steve Cancel at Secure Link - Michigan Website Design.
Porch Rafter Beam DamageHome renovation can be an easy way to improve your living space. The work can include anything from a simple bathroom upgrade to a full house renovation.
You can take it one area at a time or renovate the entire house at once. There are do it yourself type projects and renovation projects where you should hire a contractor.
The best place to start is with finances. There are a number of questions that you should ask.
How much chaos can you stand during a renovation?
How much renovation is needed?
Are the renovations structural or upgrades?
Do you have skills where you can DIY and save some money?
Just remember that DIY projects take time and energy. You have to ask yourself if you have that much spare time? Also, you should make sure that any work that you have done on your home meets building codes for your area.
If you do renovations that are not up to code it will cause you major problems when you try to sell the house later. You can even cause serious damage to the house or cause accidents if major things like plumbing and electrical renovations are not done by a licensed professional.
Renovating your house can create added value and a better place for you and your family to live, Just make sure that you do it correctly.
Make your renovation project go smoothly with the right resources. Bob Current is author of http://www.homeimprovementtips.info, a resource for people renovating their homes
When you finally put in a hardwood floor, you can finally sit back and enjoy the warm beauty that glows from underfoot. There is something almost breathtaking about a finished hardwood floor but it can be completely overwhelming when you stop and think about how you should care for your new home investment.
Let's face it, you can't ask people to not walk on your floor and you definitely can't leave all the furniture out of the room, although that would probably seem like the best solution to the scuff problem. Instead, you should get ready to care for your floors right from the start.
Surprisingly, hardwood floors really don't need too much extra care and most of the overall care comes in with the set up of your furniture instead of on a regular basis.
The Do's of Hardwood Flooring:
There are several do's when it comes to caring for your hardwood flooring and I have outlined them below.
Do use felt contacts and floor pads for your furniture to ensure that it won't scratch the hardwood.
Do sweep your floor regularly with brooms that have soft, fine bristles. Hard bristles may gouge your floors.
Do dust mop your floors on a regular basis. You can do this by having a soft head mop, about 12 to 18 inches in width, and a special dust mop cleaner. Simply spray the mop head and dust the hardwood. No water is necessary.
Do mop with a solution of a neutral pH cleaner and water whenever your floor needs it. Only wash with a damp mop, never swamp a hardwood floor.
Do choose cleaners that are designed for hardwood floors.
Do use floor mats at any entrance to keep dirt from being tracked across your hardwood floors.
Do wipe up any water or liquid that has spilled on your floor as soon as you see it. Moisture can damage your hardwood flooring very quickly.
The Don'ts of Hardwood Flooring:
With every do, there is a don't and obviously some of them have been identified in the do's section of this article but it is still important to look at a few don'ts that we haven't gone over yet.
Don't drag furniture when you move it. This will cause serious damage to your hardwood floors.
Don't use hard and abrasive cleaners on your hardwood floors. Also avoid using any high oil soaps and cleaners.
Don't use a vacuum with a rotating brush. The best type of vacuum to use to remove debris is a canister vacuum with floor attachments.
Don't let dirt and grime build up on your hardwood floors. Dirt works as an abrasive and will begin to cut, dent, scratch and dull your hardwood.
Don't let water collect on your hardwood flooring. Make sure you clean it up immediately. Also, keep dog dishes on a mat, and make sure you dry their paws off when they come inside during the winter or on a rainy day.
Don't expose your hardwood to long periods of direct sunlight. Sunshine will cause fading and discolouring to occur in your hardwood flooring.
If you are aware of all the do's and don'ts of caring for your hardwood floors, you should have beautiful floors for the life of your home. You shouldn't have to refinish your flooring or repair any significant problems with your flooring.
Following a regular cleaning regime with your hardwood is very simple and you will find that you spend only half the time caring for your hardwood that you would caring for a carpet.
Sirena Van Schaik is a professional writer who provides information on hardwood flooring and wood flooring for A1 Wood Flooring.
Plumbing Pipes Crammed Into StudFiberglass shower pans are a quick and relatively cheap shower floor. The traditional way to install a shower floor is to build a masonry base and then set ceramic tile over the base. As you can see, the skill level for installing fiberglass pans is much lower.
You can find standard shower pans at your local building supply store. These pans will be standard sizes, but you can special order other sizes and sometimes even custom sizes. If you have an odd drain location or size, the price for your application will be much higher..
Often a fiberglass shower pan fits into an existing location without replacing the walls. For your older ceramic tile shower, you can replace just the floor and enough of the walls to get the replacement pan in place. That's assuming the walls are still in good shape. Often the walls are damaged if water has worked behind the walls. The walls will often break as the floor is removed.
If you are installing a new shower, fiberglass shower pans can be used with ceramic tile walls or with fiberglass walls that match the floor. Often the pans are used in handicapped access showers so there is little or no curb and a special non-skid surface.
Compared to traditional masonry shower pan construction, fiberglass options have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are: easier to install, quicker, cheaper, easy to keep clean. The traditional masonry and ceramic tile advantages are: lasts longer with proper care, looks better, less subject to wear and damage.
Note also that a fiberglass shower pan available at your local store is not suitable as a base for ceramic tile. There are tile ready shower pans, but they are different and more expensive.
Puzzled about fiberglass shower pans? Visit our site for fiberglass shower pan tips
We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for free answers to your shower questions.
Just a few months ago I went over to repair a pocket door that was closing at a weird angle. This was the first time I had ran into this sort of situation and was definitely confused. I got a flashlight and started looking inside the pocket door frame. I had a hard time finding the problem but when I did it was obvious.
As the pocket door was sliding closed it would work perfectly but when you went to open it the bottom of the door would stick out about an inch and a half passed the door jam. The problem turned out to be the track was missing a screw in the very back and as the door slid back into the frame the tracking would hang down at an angle from the weight of the door. There was no way to reach the screw because it was at that very back of the pocket door frame near the framing itself.
In order to fix the pocket door problem I was going to have to remove a good sized area of the plastered wall at the upper right hand corner of the pocket door frame. This was the only thing I could think of and would require a simple wall patch and some paint to make the repair complete.
This job took me about one hour to cut the hole and replaced the screw that had fallen out of the pocket door tracking. I then use some fast setting drywall plaster and some fiberglass drywall tape to repair the wall. This took another hour to finish the drywall properly.
Some pocket door problems are a little easier to repair than this one. Most pocket doors seemed to have problems sliding and eventually are left closed, never to be used again.
Painting the doors over and over again can actually add to the thickness of the door or excessive moisture in the home over long periods of time can also cause the door to swell preventing it from opening properly.
Painting the rollers themselves or the track that the rollers ride in can create a problem with rolling the door easily and effortlessly. If the pocket door rollers or tracking is damaged they will have to be repaired or replaced, obviously. Some people actually spray silicon on the rollers or grease the pocket door wheels and over time the track becomes caked with dried grease and dirt making the door hard to open and close
Here's one most people don't ever think about and yet I have faced this problem more than once. "The Dreaded Picture Hanger". Most people don't realize that the pocket door will not operate very well with a nail driven through it. I have had people complain about their pocket door not operating properly but they can wiggle it a little.
When I come upon a situation like this it usually just requires removing the nail that the picture is hung upon.
I have also seen instances where the home has been remodeled and new floor trim or door trim has been installed. The finish carpenter using his nail gun without changing to a shorter nail has himself nailed the pocket door shut. This could be a big problem because the nails are so thin they could be hard to remove.
Well that's all I can think of for pocket door problems that I have ran into for now. Until the next article have fun remodeling your home.
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 Vista Door Repairs
As we all know with the changes in supply and our increased focus on environmental issues heating costs continue to rise every year. The Natural disasters which seem to occur more often and other world events inflate the prices of home heating expenses, for electric, gas and oil furnaces. However all is not doom and gloom as there are steps that you can take to lower your bills and save some money for other things or just to brace for the next rise in energy costs for your home.
Think about the tips below and see what you can do to lower your bills by conserving energy in your home.
Insulate Windows. Go though your house and check your windows. Make sure theyre well sealed. A good test is to do a smoke test. Turn off all fans and stand close to a window and produce some smoke perhaps with a match taking care not to burn yourself or anything! If theres a minute leak of interior home air to the outside the smoke will move in the direction toward the window. Kits can be bought at your local hardware or home improvement store for insulation.
Buy a Ceiling Fan. Because warm air rises youll want to get the warmer air down low by buying a ceiling fan. Reversible switches come on most all models and can be used in summer time too. The relative cost of the ceiling fan and its usage costs are quickly made up in savings.
Shut Doors. If a room is not being used then shut the door and leave it closed. This is really useful if youre not using the room for any length of time. Rooms that are used some of the time will have the door fanned and cold air will escape into the others rooms. Of course this will cause your boiler to work harder, and drive your heating costs up.
Close Curtains and Mini Blinds. If a wintry day is sunny or even if there is minimal sun, make sure you open them during the daylight hours but shut them as soon as it starts to go dark. The warmth from the suns rays will help warm the house and by closing the curtains you can keep it trapped for the night time. Re-open them when the sun comes up the following morning.
Weather Proof Doors and Seal Windows. Drafts arent necessary around doors if they have been weather stripped. Look around the bottoms of doors, and if air is streaming in then weather proof it. Check windows too because wear and the age of windows can let in cold air too. Caulk and seal windows, and if interior of seal is damaged replace it with the correct seal type.
Realign Doors. Doors just like windows can over time begin to sag from their original tight fitting position. Before winter sets in go around and really look at how your door closes. Adjust them for a good fitting.
Replace the Air Filter. You can eliminate unnecessary high cost bills by conserving energy by simply changing out a clogged air filter. Not only does the clogging cause your system to run slowly, but the danger is it can get into the motor and cause a fire, or just burn up the motor itself.
Close House Vents. In autumn and winter shut up the vents that allow circulation of air during the summer time. In the winter the goal is to keep all cold air out. Cold air under the floor boards infiltrates the house and drives up heating cost.
Check Roof Top Insulation. If its been a few years since you last checked out the insulation in your attic then go up and look around. Insulation should have enough air pockets to trap the cold air and push it back from the interior of the house. Old rotten insulation is usually brittle and flat. Replace the insulation with new and youll see evidence of your energy conservation in your heating costs.
By implementing just a few of these tips you will see start to see results. There is so much more that you can do too. Go online and read other different ways to conserve energy. Talk with your local energy provider to see if there are tips for your area that will help lower your bills, and drive down costs for everyone. In the end you wont regret that youve used the tips!
Paul Duxbury offers more advice at his Home Improvement site at http://home--improvement.blogspot.com
QUESTION Number 1 - Who is a Narcissist?
Dear Dr. Vaknin,
I read the excerpts you placed on your web site with great interest.
I wanted to ask:
Isn't your definition of malignant narcissism too wide? Having read it, I think that it fits my neighbours, friends, and family to a "t". Everyone seems to be a narcissist to me now!
HELP!
ANSWER
Yours is an understandable reaction. All of us have narcissistic TRAITS. Some of us even develop a narcissistic PERSONALITY. Moreover, narcissism is a SPECTRUM of behaviours - from the healthy to the utterly pathological (known as the Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD).
But the "malignant" narcissist consistently manifests at least 5 of these 9 criteria.
The DSM IV uses this language:
"An all-pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behaviour), need for admiration or adulation and lack of empathy, usually beginning by early adulthood and present in various contexts."
So, what matters is that these characteristics, often found in healthy people, appear:
Here are the 9 criteria. Having 5 of these 9 "qualifies" you as a narcissist...
The language in the criteria above is based on or summarized from:
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Sam Vaknin. (1999, 2001). Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited, second, revised printing Prague and Skopje: Narcissus Publication. ("Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/faq1.html)
About The Author
Sam Vaknin is the author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" and the editor of mental health categories in The Open Directory, Suite101, and searcheurope.com.
His web site: http://samvak.tripod.com
Frequently asked questions regarding narcissism: http://samvak.tripod.com/faq1.html
Narcissistic Personality Disorder on Suite101: http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/npd
Here's a word of advice for any contractor, Carpenter, handyman or homeowner that is planning to remove an interior wall from your home or someone else's. Beware of removing interior walls, to eliminate your fears of the house collapsing. Some of the interior walls inside of the house are important structural components of the building.
Some of these walls hold up floors, roofs and other loadbearing sections that could create safety problems within the structure of the house itself. This is an area where an expert with framing skills should be consulted. What is the definition of someone with excellent framing skills? Some one with at least 10 years as a master framing carpenter.
My home building experience consists of three decades for over 30 years of assembling some of the most difficult sections of a home. During these years I have seen damage done to houses from removing structural interior walls. Most of this damage could be repaired with a little structural engineering. Some of the damage could not be repaired and caused other damage to different sections of the house. The damage caused in some cases to the floor and the roof framing had to be completely rebuilt.
I'm not telling you about every single thing I have ran into but you would be surprised if I started to make a list of all the homeowners and professionals in the building industry or home selling and buying business that contacted me to remove a structural component of a building. There have even been a few of these people that told me everything was going to be okay just go ahead and remove the structural building component.
Needless to say I would leave these people very irritated but I'm sure they found someone to do the job. The bad news is I was normally the person they would hire to go back and repair the damaged building after these people were gone and out of business. There have been cases where people have removed an interior walls against my better judgment and over the years of driving by in these homes I personally got to witness the structural damage that was occurring on the outside of the house.
I have no idea what the inside of the house looked like but could only imagine. My advice again when removing interior walls is to hire an experienced contractor or at least get some advice from an experienced framing carpenter. This does not include your basic know it all that has basic construction experience like your father in law, parents, friends, golfing associates or people you work with that tell you not to worry about it, just do it, everything will work out just fine.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and What Does A Shear Wall Do
Mold Growing In GroutFlooding can happen at any moment and for any reason. Mother Nature can run her course and create flood conditions or a water main may break. At any rate, no matter how it happens, if you experience flooding within your home it is stressful, worrisome, and hard to deal with. At the same time, you have the question is flood damage covered by my home insurance?
The one thing you want to understand is that in most cases, flooding is not covered on general home insurance. You may see clauses that state water damage, but essentially, flooding by acts of God or manmade items are not covered. It is truly very important to understand your policy and discuss options with your insurance agent to be sure that you have the coverage you need.
Far too often, many people go through thinking they have what they need, regardless of the circumstances. However, as with many instances within the last few years, people find out, the hard way, that they in fact did not have coverage for flood damage. Most insurance companies offer flood coverage, in fact all of them offer it, however, it is an additional policy, an additional source of coverage that will increase your premium.
It is important to talk with your insurance agent and discuss flood coverage. You might think that you live in a relatively safe area, free of major flooding, however, you cannot control Mother Nature or events that happen outside of your home. Having your home fully protected is the only sure way to feel comfortable and have peace of mind if the event does occur.
Flooding causes all kinds of damage. You have to deal with contamination, mould, sanitation, water damage to property and content rotting, and so much more. While flooding itself can be hectic, if the work is not performed properly, it can cause a great deal of trouble for you in the future as well.
In other words, to really know if your home insurance covers this type of damage, you want to contact your insurance agent. Talk with him or her and ask them if flooding is included in your coverage. Unless you specifically asked for it and it is a part of your premium that you pay each month, it is highly likely that you are not covered.
If you are not covered, talk with your agent about coverage. Ask what is included, what is not, and how much it will add to your premium. Flood damage coverage is one of the many things you will need to fully protect your home and your belongings. It gives you added peace of mind, knowing that if a flood does occur, you are protected and have the means to cover the cost of repairs, drying, and replacement if need be.
Does your home insurance cover flood damage? Call your agent today and find out, if not, make sure you add it, just to be on the safe side.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Loss Assessors and Domestic Flood Insurance claim services, he recommends Morgan Clark.
If the exterior of your home is beginning to look a little faded and weathered, it may be time for a paint job. It is never good to put a badly needed paint job on hold because you are risking a great deal of damage to the outside of your home.
If you are unfamiliar with exterior house painting and aren't comfortable with the steps involved in the process, it is probably a good idea to bring in a contracted painter for the job. There is a great deal of prep work and other procedures involved in an exterior house painting and a professional contracted painter will make sure that those procedures are completed to keep your home painting looking the best that it can and to ensure that your home's exterior is being protected.
One example of the prep work needed during an exterior house painting is pressure washing your home before applying the new home painting. Pressure washing will help clear your home's exterior of any debris and anything else that can negatively affect the exterior house painting. Any mildew and loose paint will also need to be taken care of before the painting is completed. These are just a few examples of the procedures involved in the project.
A home is a major investment and you probably don't want to do anything that would damage that investment. If you have been putting off a badly needed paint job however, you may be unknowingly risking damage to your home's exterior that could be easily avoided. So, when you notice that your exterior house painting is looking faded and weathered, it is probably a good idea to call your contracted painter to schedule that home painting.
More information on exterior house painting safety and College Works Painting in your area is just a click away.
Frozen Water LinesThe unique challenge of our times is conservation. Everything, from public busses to private homes, is feeling the pressure to go green. In some cases, it's easily accomplished. In others, it's not as easy. And in all aspects of life, the focus has shifted to renewable, eco-friendly resources.
They say every little bit helps. Why not do your part to make your home or business more environmentally helpful? By using eco-safe, agriculturally based spray foam insulation, you can.
There are a variety of insulation options but some are much greener than others. If you're concerned with your home using renewable, energy efficient materials, then using a foam insulation spray could be your solution.
In addition to other benefits you get from using a foam insulator in your home or business, the product is also environmentally friendly. It's made up mainly of renewable resources and the means of application is Earth friendly. It is free of ozone depleting components, and the application solution is water based.
Unlike similar petroleum based products, the greener spray foam has the highest oxygen index, and zero fuel contribution. There are few products that can boast such qualities. The properties of the insulation also help to make your home energy efficient.
You can apply this insulation anywhere you need it, around joints, joists, frames and other building support structures and still get a tight seal. You won't get any air pockets or little crevices where air can leak in or out. This sort of air tight sealing ability helps to keep your heating and cooling units working efficiently. Also, it allows you to get a smaller unit because it doesn't have to work so hard. It's been shown to reduce heating and cooling costs by 40%. That's effectiveness you can see.
Not only is spray foam insulation green, it's versatile. It functions well as a barrier to airborne sound and comes with one of the highest fire resistances available in similar products. Pest and rodents won't do any damage because the insulator has no nutritional value to them. It's water resistant, and flexible enough to allow some movement of the building structure. Finally, it produces no toxic vapors after it's applied. You can even rent or buy the equipment and install it yourself.
With concerns about the environment on everyone's minds, it helps that you can find products to help in your conservation efforts. You can get greener cars, recycle your trash and electronics, and buy energy efficient appliances. Why not make your home or business part of the solution? Renewable resources benefit all of us.
The best thing about spray foam insulation is that you can put it anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're starting fresh on your building, or replacing worn out or useless materials. The spray foam can be applied to existing structures with the same effectiveness it has on new structures.
If going green is a priority for your house or office, applying spray foam insulation is another way to help your environment.
With concerns for the environment growing daily, it's good to know there are more ways that we can be eco-responsible. For your home or business, you can apply spray foam insulation, renewable and energy efficient product. Visit Apex Foam today to see their foam selection. http://www.apexfoam.com
Fascia Damage From Metal FlashinThrough out my career as an air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technician, I have seen thousands of jobs with the same problems over and over and over. I have seen just about every mistake you can imagine. I've been in the field going on 23 years now.
I came across one job a few years ago where the contractor (so called professional) installed a replacement digital thermostat in the same spot where the old unit was located. In between two door jams in a hall way. This guy used the old wires that were attached to the old thermostat, which is not a problem in it self, but the location of the wires is where he ran into trouble. The problem here was the person who installed this thermostat, installed it sideways because it was too long for this location. Instead of telling the customer he needed to go get a thermostat that fit the application or moving the wires to accommodate the thermostat he had on his truck, he installed what he had with him at the time and he told the customer "that was how these new digital thermostats needed to be installed" so they could operate properly. Of course the customer was a senior citizen in her late 80's and he had no morals or values. The funny thing is that this digital thermostat would have actually worked properly installed this way, because the sensor was a solid state device on a circuit board. Except for reading what the display said and reading what the buttons said, this thermostat actually operated correctly. You should have seen the way he installed the duct work but that is another story.
The reason the lady called was because it seemed to her that the furnace would always shut down too early or it would sometimes run for a long period of time making the room warmer than she wanted. I had to laugh when I arrived on the job and saw what this guy had done. The biggest issue mechanically with this thermostat was not the way it was mounted, but that it was mounted and covering a very large hole, where the thermostat wires came though the wall. The sensor was very near the hole on the wall and it was reading the cold inside wall cavity temperature. I removed the thermostat and installed a new one for her, free of charge and then filled the hole with sheetrock mud to stop the stat from reading the wall cavity temperature.
The customer wanted to pay me for my trouble and my materials but I told her that the next time she came across someone that needs a new furnace or air conditioner that could could simply give my name and phone number out and that would be enough. She agreed and thanked me for my trouble.
I still get referrals from her today. It has always bugged me to see someone take advantage of elderly people, especially when they have no business doing the work in the first place.
The digital thermostats today can do a lot and they are generally pretty reliable, most of the time its either that its installed wrong or programmed wrong, wired wrong or there are not enough wires to it. Maybe the thermostat needs the common wire from the thermostat hooked up to operate properly. The majority of these problems are the result of poor technical knowledge on behalf of the installer, or perhaps they simply don't care enough to read the installation instructions. Sometimes people get into the trade and learn how to install duct work and put sheet metal screws in with a drill gun and bam they think they have enough experience to go out and become a contractor.
Unfortunately home owners have no way of knowing whether or not the service company they chose has enough experience or knowledge to do the job right. The NATE Rating is about as close as you can come to being sure you hire the right people. However" I was trained a long time ago in a technical school that focused on the theory and operating principals of electrical, refrigeration, air conditioning and heating. Long before the NATE Training certificate came about. My schooling was 990hrs and the course took place over 9 months. I don't have the NATE certificate badge myself. I guess I should go get it to look more legitimate and I probably will get it as that seems to be the standard today. I have not looked into the certificate yet but eventually will.
You can contact me by email located within my site or you can post questions in our forum and I will respond fairly quickly. Maybe you had a new system installed and are having problems that the installer can't seem to fix. I would be glad to give it a shot. I specialize in residential gas/propane forced air heating systems, heat pumps, air conditioning and zoning.
John Grisler
Specialist in Environmentally Friendly High Efficiency Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Systems
Graduate Universal Technical Institute February 1986
23 Years Experience Residential/ Light Commercial Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
US Patent 7234318 Multiple Stage, Single Pass Refrigeration System. June 2006
Designer of the Self Contained Air Conditioned Chair -see grizzco@feeservers.com
my web site is http://greenfeetco2.com/
Ceramic Tile Shower Corner DamagInfrared security cameras are the perfect choice for areas with low light, or even where there is no light at all!
These types of cameras have infrared LED's (light emitting diodes) encircling the lens, that produce a type of light invisible to the human eye, but that creates conditions suitable for your cameras to record, even in the dark!
Where there is some light, but not enough for a conventional camera, these little cameras will compensate, and the image you get will be the same quality you'd get from a conventional camera in daylight, but even in complete darkness, you'll get a serviceable image.
The main difference is that during the day, these cameras will capture color images, but at night, or when lighting is poor, the cameras switch to IR, and you'll get black and white images, although considering that the camera still needs no light to produce that, it's really quite amazing!
Consider the applications. A dark corner of your warehouse, or maybe in an area of your home or garden where you need surveillance footage, but can't install lighting.
Many security estates are turning to infrared or day/night cameras for their perimeter security, since they are generally cheaper than installing a camera and lighting.
When choosing a camera, the viewing and capturing distance capabilities will play a part in your choice. If it's only a few feet you need to cover, a smaller, cheaper unit can be installed. These cameras, sometimes called bullet cameras are small, lightweight and easy to install.
Longer viewing and capturing range may require a more expensive, higher tech option, such as a dome camera. These cameras can come with swivel, pan and tilt capabilities, which can be remote controlled, so you have a camera that can see in the dark, and move to "look" at whatever you want to see. Sounds a bit like a spy movie, but it's true!
Whatever your requirements, there is a infrared camera that can meet your security camera needs, even in the dark, and while prices may vary considerably, depending on what you need, its always best to make a choice based on the image quality, range and ease of installation you need first, as well as the quality, warranty and after sales service availability, rather than price alone.
Any good supplier or security contractor should be able to recommend an infrared camera system that meets your needs, and your budget, so don't be afraid to ask the experts!
Click these links to learn more about Infrared Security Cameras and Night Vision CCTV Systems.
