Sunday, May 31, 2009

Bringing Sexy Back in Home AC Projects

When you decide to build a new home or renovate an existing one of your highest priority steps should be having a load calculation performed on your home. NO, the builder will not perform this for you. Usually they will put the cookie cutter AC unit in the home that's hot at the moment.

Being able to understand where the heat loss/gains are imperative in making decisions on how to lower your energy bills. Your HVAC should be sized according to load calculations; also it is the best source for understanding the current condition of your existing home. Your new renovation can benefit from a heat load calculation in the types of construction techniques, construction materials, such as roofing material, doors, windows, insulation that should be used in your project

There are software programs on the market that can assist you in doing a load calculation such as Wrightsoft, or Right_J. Both of these programs are based from the ACCA manual J method. Just like working with any other computer software the saying "garbage in, garbage out" is very accurate in these. Most of you have used some sort of Income Tax software in the past, the same principal apples to this case also. Remember this calculation will stay with your home until you are required to replace the unit. This is a major investment in your home, so my suggestion is that you do it right the first time. Any of these programs will catch the common math errors, which will keep you on track as to the order of what goes in & how.

My suggestion is to hire a "Third Party Consultant" to do the load calculation for you. There are several out in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the one I recommend often is www.myacguy.com.

If you choose to work with a builder or a contractor make sure they have experience with both the load calculation software they are using & the basic general building construction techniques as well. A contractor can make the result of the load calculation come out to what ever they want it to be. As a homeowner it would be good advice to read up on load calculation methods and terminology or attend a workshop that can help you become more familiar with them.

Become a smart home buyer and owner and take advantage of this valuable step when building or remodeling your next home.

Ricky Ellis - Senior Inspector
Safety First Home Inspections 214.533.2536
http://www.safetyfirsthome.com

Safety First Home Inspections (http://www.safetyfirsthome.com) offers Top Quality Home Inspections in Dallas/Plano/Allen Frisco/MicKinney Texas,

Building Safe Stairs

Please Help Us with Your Remodeling Advice

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

House Lighting Books
House Painting Books

Credit Repair For Newbies

The times are tough. Card companies are hurting, and the lending market is frozen for those who need it. As long as you don't have an excellent credit history, you are going to be snubbed by lenders and card companies. Paying your bills on time is only one part of the equation. Many folks assume that as long as pay their balances on time, they will be fine. In reality, many have suffered from this lack of knowledge and fallen on hard times. Knowing how to fix your credit is not something that only people with less than stellar track-record should be worried about. Life throws curve balls at all of us, and the more you know about these issues, the better chance you have of dealing with them in a calm matter.

If you are new to the whole concept of repairing your credit, you should know about the following

  • Score: your score is more than just a number. You need to understand what affects your score badly and try to avoid it. Your D/C ratio is one of the many factors that you need to be concerned about. The more you know, the faster you can up your FICO-score.
  • Report: Everybody knows what a credit-report is, right? But do you know how to get it for free? Are you aware which companies can help you monitor it more effectively. Can you even read your report properly?
  • Dealing with creditors: let's say you are in big trouble. There is a right way and a wrong way to deal with creditors. By knowing how to deal with these guys, you can get back on the right path faster.
  • ID theft: as someone who's been a victim of identity theft, I know it's something you don't want to deal with. That's why you should keep your eyes and ears open and protect your information at all times. If your identity is stolen, you need to contact authorities and start reversing the effects fast. But you've got to know where to start.
  • laws: knowing the laws can help you figure out what rights you have. You should always know your rights to protect yourself against unjustified action by creditors and card companies.
  • Litigation: dealing with litigation is a whole other animal here. If you are in this stage, there are probably a lot of issues you wonder about. By reaching out to others who have had the same issue, you can face your challenge easier.

There you have it. As you can see, there is more to credit repair that meets the eye. By staying informed, you save yourself time and focus on things that matter more, like your family and your life.

Looking to repair your credit history? Log on to creditcardsunleashed.com to find out credit repair tips and products that you can use to help you with the process.

Find the latest credit card rankings on http://www.intellicreditcards.com

Ice Dam Melting Socks

If you have never used a ice dam melting sock on your roof before, you will find that they provide an inexpensive method for removing roof ice dams and improving your home's heating efficiency. Roof ice dams are an annoying source of roof damage, leaks, and heat loss in the winter. The main causes are drip melt from improperly capped warm air vent pipes and poor roof insulation. Laying a ice melt sock onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter, will melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof. If done properly those ice sickles that form as the snow melts from the edges of the gutters will never appear, they too are a cause of much damage and are dangerous to life and limb.

Refillable ice dam melting socks breaks ice dams in minutes by creating ice channels to drain water. Just place and forget it for the winter. The socks are available from most manufacturers full of non-staining ice melt or empty for you to fill.

Ice dam melting socks remove ice dams to prevent water damage to ceilings, windowsills, wood floors, and carpets.

Most ice dam melting socks are nylon; this nylon sock can be used again and again to remove ice dams from your roof. Most ice melt socks do not include ice melt or throw cord. Typical sock when filled weight 3 pounds, and is 18 inches long, ice melt sock lasts for months. This is based on melt of 20-40 Square yards of roof snow per sock used. Place one sock every 10-15 feet at right angles above channel eaves and gutters. Reuse sock until empty.

After use allow socks to dry naturally. Store in well-ventilated area.

Purchase only environmentally friendly 100% nylon socks.

An ice melt sock can last all winter and keep a 20 square foot area clear of ice dams depending on roof angle, sock placement, and rain/snowfall.

You can fill and refill the ice melt socks with off the shelf ice melt. Simply open the Velcro strap at top of socks, fill with off the shelf "ice melt" from any hardware store, and reclose the strap tightly, bottom knots for the pull cord, attach your own nylon throw cord and throw or place at troubled roof areas where ice dams are evident. Allow the throw cord to hang over the edge of the roof. Leave in place all winter or use approximately 20-foot pull cord to retrieve.

Most manufacturers can make socks to any length and can prefill them at a reasonable price plus shipping.
You can purchase the "ice melt" with the socks from most manufacturers and fill and refill as needed.

Dick Pennington
http://www.snowmeltsock.com
Email or call me for more information!
DickPennington@comcast.net
1-484-624-4909
Pennington Equipment Company
Life Customer Service
Toll Free: 1-888-261-4726
VoiceFax: 1-866-422-0018

What Does A Gfi Do

Planter Boxes

If you're preparing for spring planting and want to make sure you have the best looking garden of them all, you may want to do more than sow the ground and toss some seeds down. Sometimes you need to add more texture to your garden than just plants can provide. This is where planter boxes will come in handy.

Using planters will not only allow you to add layers to your garden, but will also help you keep your plants from getting into fights with one another.

When you are initially picking out the right boxes for your garden there are a few considerations you should take into account"

Size - If you have a large garden area, this may not be a major issue, but if you have a smaller area that is going to be your designated garden space, you don't want to purchase too large of of one or they will look like they are overwhelming the garden space.

Shape - No longer are these accessories just long thin rectangles. These days they come in a variety of shapes. While those long rectangles can help you define various locations within the garden, by acting as blossoming walls, there are also other shapes that will make great accents. Oval or circular planter boxes can make great centerpieces in various locations of the garden with a star plant or two inside them.

Material - There are a few reasons you have to look into the material you are making your desired boxes out of. Will it hold up in your location? If you get very cold winters and very hot summers, some materials don't really like extreme temperatures. Most will have recommendations on the environments they are to be used in.

Safety - Many of the boxes that are on the market today are created of materials that have been treated with a number of chemicals or dyes in their creation. If you are just making a pretty flowerbed this may not be a real problem, but if you are creating a vegetable garden that you and your family are planning to eat from, you should really try to avoid those types of planter boxes. Over time the chemicals and dyes in the planter boxes can leech into the soil and ultimately into the vegetables you are planning on eating.

Style - Luckily you no longer have to scrimp on style when it comes to these. After all, a nice garden needs to be aesthetically pleasing, and that's not just referring to the plants that are growing. The plants can only look so nice if they are in tacky boxes. But no matter what style of garden you want, you will be able to find planter boxes to suit. If you want a Victorian theme, you will be able to find planter boxes with a faux marble finish that look like they were chiseled just for use in your garden. If you are looking for a country theme, you should be able to find planter boxes made of what looks like the logs left over after building the log cabin.

The possibility of how your garden can look with planter boxes is only limited by your imagination.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of numerous niche online stores that offer customers not only products, but information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether you want to renew your deck or patio with accessories or create the ultimate living environment with outdoor furniture that is perfect for entertaining, there is a lot of helpful advice to take advantage of to make it happen. Click today http://www.simplybenches.com and indulge your senses.

Ceiling Water Damage

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Insuring Your Home

Unless you know in advance what the most suitable plan for your home is, you can end up confused and paying too much for homeowners insurance. Your premiums will be affected by several factors, but there are steps you can take to cut costs. If you choose wisely, you will end up with the proper level of coverage and you might also save hundreds of dollars a year. This article will provide you with information about homeowner's insurance so you can preserve both your house and your peace of mind.

If you are seriously considering purchasing a house, seek information from the real estate agent about the potential insurance costs associated with that house. Your premiums can be higher or lower depending on how old the electrical wiring, the plumbing, and the other household systems are.

A "personal articles floater" is an option for insuring particular items with values that are higher than your policy limit. Personal articles floaters may cost as little as $30 a year and give you coverage for your most expensive and treasured possessions, at either their current market value or a recently appraised value. "Floaters" have no deductible and are generally used to insure electronic equipment or engagement rings. They cover a much wider range of claims as well, including loss or theft while not at home.

The neighborhood in which you live can affect both the insurance coverage you will have and the premiums you will pay. Research shows that many families are under-insured when it comes to insuring for the replacement cost of their home. Replacement value refers to the cost of rebuilding your house in today's market. If you have upgraded your home, you will need to adjust your insurance coverage to take into account the new replacement cost. Although raising your insurance coverage can lead to higher monthly premiums, choosing a higher deductible will actually save you some money on your premiums each month.

If disaster should strike, you will want a current record of the contents of your home. So, make a detailed list of all of your possessions and include their initial cost as well as their current value. Use a camera to take pictures or videos of all of your belongings, and then keep the records in an external location so they will be safe in case of a natural disaster or theft. These records will assist you in working out what type of coverage you require and are also helpful as proof of ownership if disaster should strike.

While it's every homeowner's worst nightmare to think of their house being damaged in a flood or fire, the right level of homeowners insurance will provide significant reassurance. It is essential that all home buyers should know about the potential insurance costs associated with any house they might be thinking of purchasing. Appropriate protection is essential, so discuss your needs with a range of insurance agents in order to protect your family's most important investment.

When Donald Arnissane moved to Florida, he knew that choosing the right Miami homeowners insurance was very important, especially with hurricane season approaching. That's why he chose to get his insurance through Insurance Pointe, a Miami Insurance agency that also offers Miami group health insurance for Donald's business.

Bathroom Remodeling Problems

Basement Floors For Insulation

If you are interested in better insulation in the bottom levels of your home then you should be considerate of the insulation in your basement. Making sure that all the insulation in your house is well tended to is a smart idea because of the money saved in both heating bills, extermination of animal predators, water damage, warping, and general safety from burglars is; the time spent on taking care of these issues is well worth any upfront costs. In addition, the value added to your home will make you feel at ease.

Putting Up Walls For Your Basement

After you have made the decision to make a new basement floor you need to do a number of other things so that your home improvement will be successful. One of the things that you need to pay close attention to are your basement walls. Putting up walls in your basement is not as easy as it sounds and is a thing which should be handled with the utmost care.

You should make sure that you know exactly what it is that you are doing because taking out and replacing your basement walls is a delicate balance in deed. However once you have made the decision, there is really no looking back. You should speak with an expert so that you know all the things you need to do it so that you are well equipped to handle your basement replacement situation.

Beginning From The Ground Up; Total Home Repair

Once you have begun the arduous task of replacing your basement floors and walls, this should be a call to you to begin your whole home repair. Fixing up your home can be a daunting task and oftentimes with all the other things that you need to do with your life, home repair is often driven down to the bottom of the list. However, making quick work of your home repair is a good thing to do and it can be very rewarding both for yourself individually and for your home value.

However before you enter the task of home repair and basement repair you should be sure that you have all the resources that you need and you should be prepared for any potential fallout which could result from your going to task at your home. Ask anyone who has ever done any kind of major home refurbishments and they will tell you themselves; getting at your home is a difficult task indeed and is not something that should be entered into lightly. However once you have completed your task and you will see the excellent results from all your hard work; it will all be worth it.

The writer Noel Wortinger is particularly interested in issues related to porter cable air nailer and pneumatic nailers. From his reports on porter cable floor nailer the reviewer showed his deep knowledge in the field.

Professional Advice on Home Building

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, 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. An 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 home inspection or home building ideas.

Peace And Religion

Galvanized Metal Roofing - All You Need To Know

To protect their roofs from problems brought down by extreme weather conditions, many home owners are now using galvanized metal as the main material for their household roof.

It was designs to be free from rust and corrosion brought down by both wet and dry temperature. If you aren't careful in choosing your roofing material, you may end up getting holes in them in due time - which will result in leaky roofs that will prove to be a disaster to your home's interior.

What Is Galvanized Metal?

It undergoes a process where the metal is treated chemically with zinc. First, the metal is mixed with liquefied zinc that will result to the metal being coated with it.

Once the process is complete, the zinc will become part with the metal with several layers formed into it. The outermost layer is mostly zinc, the middle later is a combination of both metal and zinc, and the innermost layer is the metal itself. The main reason for this is to stop rust from going deep into the innermost metal, which can ruin its durability and quality.

Benefits of Galvanized Metal Roofing

Compared to other materials that serve as your roof, it has many benefits to make it the most cost-effective of all the rest; such as:

1. The toughness and durability of it is top quality. The zinc-coating allows it to resist rust and corrosion. It can also withstand extreme weather conditions, like hail, rainstorm, snow, and heat.

2. Since it is lightweight, it doesn't add that much stress to the underlying foundation of your roof; thus adding to its longevity.

3. This material is non-combustible and is fire-resistant.

4. It is known to be reusable. Considering that its make is durable and lightweight, you may use it for other purpose if you have some extras lying around.

5. Another quality of it is its ability to reflect heat from the outside. This can definitely give your interior a cool atmosphere. This quality can also reduce the cost of air-condition systems and electric bills.

6. It is proven to be maintenance free. No need to treat it with chemicals for protection, though you might need to hose it down with high-pressure water once in a while to clean it up.

Using galvanized roofing is rapidly gaining popularity in many modern or contemporary homes. It sparks of flexibility, creativity, and durability that each of us want in our very own household.

If you need more information on metal roofing, visit http://www.metalroofing101.com

Structural Framing Beams

Friday, May 29, 2009

Appliance Part Service to Fix Your Broken Appliances

If you have a broken appliance, you should be aware that fixing appliances is no job for an amateur. Unless you are experienced in appliance repair or electronics, you could end up causing more damage by tinkering with the appliance yourself. You could even end up injuring yourself or others around you. The most sensible thing to do when you need an appliance repaired is to seek the services of a qualified appliance part service and repair specialist.

The first thing to do when an appliance breaks is to determine whether it is still under manufacturer warranty. If so, you will need to locate a certified appliance part service center in your area. This way, you can be sure that the replacement parts you buy are suitable for use in your appliance, and you won't risk voiding your warranty by using unauthorized parts.

Using a manufacturer-approved appliance part service technician will also prevent you from being charged too much or getting sub-quality service. If you are treated unfairly, you will have recourse to the manufacturer.

What do you do if there is no factory-approved appliance part repair facility in your area? Then you'll need to search for your own local appliance repair technician.

The best place to start when trying to locate a quality appliance parts service technician is by asking friends and acquaintances for a recommendation. You can also check with a local appliance vendor or the retailer where you purchased your appliance. Chances are they will be able to point you in the direction of a repair technician that other customers have had good experiences with.

If you find yourself at a dead-end and are unable to get personal recommendations, you'll need to do the legwork yourself in locating an appliance part service center. While it can seem easy enough to simply look in the phone book and pick the first listing you see, this is not a good idea. Prices and service quality vary greatly from one repair center to the next, so a little comparison shopping is in order. Take a look online or in the phone book, and contact at least three or four different companies to ask for a price quote.

While your first instinct may be to hire the cheapest possible appliance part service technician, you should consider value over price. While more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better service, you want to make sure that you choose a reputable service company that is likely to get the job done right the first time. Sometimes the cheapest services end up costing you more money by botching the job, or using substandard quality parts that aren't compatible with your appliance. If so, you could end up spending more money to get the job done right.

Finally, be sure you deal only with a certified appliance part service repair specialist. While a general electrician can be quite knowledgeable, you simply don't want to take a risk with someone who isn't specially trained to work on your appliance. Hiring a specialist may cost a bit more, but it will save you money in the long run by ensuring that your appliance is properly repaired the first time.

Also, if you are good with tools and a multimeter, you can find the parts at any reputable online or brick-and-mortar appliance parts store.

Eric Stein is the eCommerce manager for Midwest Appliance Parts, which specializes in helping people find the appliance parts they need to cost effectively repair their appliances by themselves. MAP has a huge inventory of new appliance parts for all the latest models and also obsolete appliance parts. So next time your machine has a problem, save time and money by starting your search for appliance parts at Midwest Appliance Parts! http://MidwestApplianceParts.com

Bad Termite Damage To Window

Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Importance of Windows Registry Repair

Windows registry repair is vitally important. Your computer's performance and quality depends on its registry. If it is messed up, then your computer will be sub par at best. At worst, it will be nothing but a big, expensive center piece, sitting uselessly in the middle of your desk. The registry is one of the most important aspects of any and every computer, especially those which run on Windows. If it is cluttered or full of programs, your computer will ultimately follow suit.

Registry repair is crucial. Many things can cause problems in your registry. A lot of computer owners make the mistake of thinking that their anti virus programs, firewalls, and anti spyware programs are all they need to keep their computers safe. Now, it is true that these applications are more than beneficial. They are necessary. However, they are not all powerful. They are definitely not all you need to keep your computer running properly. You see, some malicious programs, applications, and so on, can slip past your scanners. They can slip right through the nooks and crannies and end up in your registry.

If your registry needs repaired, you will definitely know it. Your programs may begin running very slowly. Some of them may not run at all. Still others may just be wrong. There can be something wrong with the way they function. Your computer itself will suffer the effects as well. For example, if you notice that it takes your computer longer and longer to boot up when you turn it on, then your registry may definitely need repaired. If you do not deal with this problem as soon as you notice it, you should be prepared to suffer the consequences. More often than not, your computer will stop booting up altogether. Now, no one needs that. You can thus see the importance of a good registry repair program.

For more help with your Windows registry repair check out these Windows registry repair reviews.

Water Damaged Wood Floor

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Can You Help Us with Your Remodeling Experience

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below.

Home Security Books
Home Electrical Books

Interior Wall Framing Help For Home Owners

Framing a new wall, anywhere in the home will not be very difficult to do. However, removing an interior wall on the other hand could be an enormous task and create some big problems, especially if you remove a loadbearing wall. A loadbearing wall would be something that is holding up another section of the home, like the roof or the floor.

If you're not removing or moving a wall, framing a new wall is a task that most homeowners with very little skill can do quite easily. Let's start with the basics, most walls are built from 2 x 4 framing lumber, which can be purchased at any lumber yard or home improvement center.

Let's start with measuring the length and the height of the wall. For example let's say that the wall you intend to frame is going to be 8'7" long and 8 foot tall. If I was going to figure the lumber for this wall, or how much material I would need. I would start with some simple arithmetic.

We need one bottom plate and one top plate. This would be the lumber that's going to run horizontal or right to left in our wall. So now we know that we need two pieces that will be 8'7" long and since they only sell lumber in 2 foot increments, our choices will be narrowed down to a couple of 10 foot two by fours.

The height of the wall is 8 foot tall and will require us to buy 8 foot two by fours. Now how many two by fours am I going to need? Most walls require 16 inch on center placement of the vertical two by fours, or in other words the two by fours that go up and down will be spaced 16 inches apart. If I was to divide 16 inches into 8'7", that would require 7 - 8 foot two by fours.

It's pretty simple math and don't forget to convert your measurements into inches to make the job easier. 8'7" can be converted to inches by multiplying the number of feet times 12, 12 times eight and then adding 7 to it will give us 103 inches. We can now divide 16 into 103 inches to give us the amount of vertical two by fours needed to frame our interior wall.

Don't forget there's 12 inches in a foot.

House Wood Damage or Wall Framing Tips

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.

Moisture Barrier On Crawlspace
Damaged Plastic Vapor Barrier

Audi Auto Repair Tips - Ways to Reduce the Cost of Audi Repair

Auto repair has become so expensive nowadays especially for imported cars such as the Audi. If you find yourself having trouble with your Audi, then these tips could help in reducing the cost of repairs.

Check the Warranty of Your Audi

Before bringing your Audi to the repair shop, check if it is still covered by the warranty. If it is, then you need to contact your car dealer immediately and tell about the problems of your Audi.

You can get free service and parts replacement if the Audi is still within warranty. The car dealer and the manufacturer will be the one responsible for repairs.

The Do-It-Yourself Repair

If you understand cars and knows the basics of car repair and maintenance, then it is usually best to repair the Audi by yourself. You will not pay for services which are really expensive now.

When repairing the Audi yourself, take advantage of free auto repair manuals which can be found abundantly on the web. You can find general repair manuals and model-specific car repair manuals.

There are also sites that have repair manuals exclusively for Audi cars. Specific Audi problems are listed on these sites. You only have to choose which manual to use and start repairing your Audi.

Simply download these free repair manuals. They are usually formatted in PDF or Word so you can print them easily. Just follow the steps in the manual and you can surely troubleshoot the problem bugging your Audi.

Finding Car Repair Shops

In case you don't know anything about car repairs, then don't tinker with your Audi. You might do more harm to it than good. You should bring your Audi to a reliable car repair shop and let the professionals repair your car.

It is best if you can find car repair shops that have extensive experience in repairing Audi cars. You can search for them on the Internet under the business listing and locator services of search engines.

You can also use the yellow pages to find the nearest Audi car repair shop. Call them and describe your problem. Ask them a few questions about the troubles being experienced by your Audi. They should be able to give their initial diagnosis on your car. This is an indication that you are dealing with professionals.

Repairing an Audi should not always be very expensive. There are lots of options available to you in order to reduce the cost of repairs.

Euro Motorworks has been offering uncompromising maintenance and repair for fine European automobiles since 1993. Visit Audi repair Indianapolis

Monday, May 25, 2009

Building Contractors - Master Builders of Homes, Buildings and Roads

Building contractors or general contractors are construction professionals that contract other individuals or companies for the construction or renovation of a house, building, road or any other structure. They provide estimates to clients by studying the blueprints of the structure. Subsequently, once a contract is signed, building contractors will then be responsible for the means and methods to be used in the construction of the house, building or road. They have to make sure that all the details of the signed contract will be met.

Building contractors, especially established ones, already have their own equipment, manpower and even construction materials to supply their clients. However, for those who are still starting out, the only way to execute the contract agreement is to contract other contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Building contractors often work 24/7 throughout the duration of the project to be able to immediately solve problems that may occur from accidents or those caused by the weather. Other problems that may occur are lack of materials, malfunctioning equipment and lack of manpower.

Building contractors also accept projects for different government agencies and they are often referred to as the prime contractors. They often follow the same procedures similar to contracts they accept for private clients. In general, building contractors specialize in one type and size of construction project. Commercial contractors, however, sometimes accept residential projects and vice versa but most rarely take on large scale public works projects such as building industrial sites, bridges and sewage systems to name a few.

Building contractors often start out as construction workers mastering in carpentry, insulation, landscaping, plumbing and other similar jobs. After gaining the necessary skills, they will then work as apprentices or assistants for other contractors or developers. Before becoming a contractor themselves, they should have at least 5 years of experience in the contracting field and have certifications in mastering a construction skill. They are also required to get a degree in construction science, construction management or civil engineering. Many states require contractors to be licensed before they can work and get clients from the area. Building contractors must complete several requirements before they can be granted their licenses.

Other ways of getting a license aside from taking a four year course degree is to attend training programs plus at least two years of college programs in construction science or construction technology. The American Institute of Constructors and the Construction Management Association of America often offer voluntary certification programs for aspiring contractors. Once you have completed the requirements and passed the written examinations, you will be granted your certification.

Working as a building contractor can be very demanding and stressful but can also be very fulfilling. With an average $69,870 annual income and with the employment rate for contractors and other construction personnel and workers increasing until 2014 (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics), there will surely be a lot of opportunities for building contractors for the next few years.

Zipcodez.com is a widely-used local business listings service and search engine. It features a complementary collection of useful topics and resources from "Arts & Entertainment" to "Wireless & Telecommunications." If you are interested in "Building Contractors," you might also want to read "For Your Construction Needs - Building Contractors" available at http://www.zipcodez.com/article/featured-articles.htm.

Fence Building Bible - Great Construction Advice

What if I told you where to get the ultimate fence building Encyclopedia? Better yet, what if I told you, you could get it for under $20? If you're building a standard 1 x 6 dogeared fence, that's 6 foot tall and made from wood, with 4x4 post cemented into the ground, this book might not interest you, but if you're thinking about building a fence, that will make all your neighbors jealous, you might be interested in the "Fence Building Bible."

If you're interested in using your imagination, along with some of the information in this fence building Encyclopedia, if you're interested in creating a masterpiece, instead of just another barrier that divides the property, you had better think seriously about, either running down to your local library and checking the book out, or purchasing the book, so that you have it on hand when needed.

Here's a quote from the product description that could be helpful, "Beneke suggests the appropriate types of fence to keep the swimming pool secure, con fine the livestock, keep deer away from the garden, or create outdoor living spaces. He then discusses the essentials of proper fence design and provides step-by-step illustrated instructions for planning, building, maintaining, and repairing any style of fence."

If you're planning on building a fence to keep livestock, it would be extremely helpful to know what kind of fence will be necessary to keep pigs or cows separated from the other animals, including you. There's nothing worse than building a new fence, putting some large cattle inside of it and having them tear it apart and escape.

The fence building Bible as simple instructions, with lots of illustrations, to give you plenty of ideas. There's a good chance that you will see a fence in this book that you have never seen before. If you're thinking about building something out of the ordinary, I would suggest strongly, that find this book.

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.

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.

Attic Odors and Strange Smells

If you've ever opened up your attic access hole, only to find one of the worst odors you have ever smelled in your whole life, I've been there too. What causes these horrible smells and what can you do about them?

Let's start with the cause of these smells, moisture, dirt, mold, mildew, dead animals, animals that make their home in your attic and the biggest problem of all is normally poor ventilation.

Poor ventilation is the biggest problem with musty smells in the attic. These smells are often caused from moisture accumulating in the building materials over time. If there is enough moisture in the attic, the wood will start to rot but this wouldn't be a normal situation, unless there was a roof or water leak.

Roof leaks can cause a constant supply of water to one part of the attic. This constant supply of water will eventually rot the wood and damage the ceiling. Water leaks from pipes can provide a steady supply of water and the situation can attracts termites and mold. Not a good thing.

One of the worst possible smells or odors in your attic would be a dead animal. Don't under estimate the size of some of these animals, they have found dead raccoons, cats, snakes, large birds, squirrels, rats and mice in some attics. These animals usually enter through damaged access holes or vent blocks, roof vents, large gaps, holes and even fireplace chimneys.

Once these animals die, their bodies start to decompose and produce one horrible odor. Once the body is completely decomposed, the smell usually goes away if the attic is ventilated properly. These smells can seep into the homes living area, often creating a room that no one wants to enter.

Home peststhat make their home in your attics, often create smells from urinating and defecating in the areas around their nest. Large birds like owls can become a problem over time.

Now that we've figured out some of the causes for attic odors and strange smells, what can we do to prevent this from happening and if it's already happened, how can we get rid of the smell.

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 having problems in your attic, find out more at pest control books and home building ideas.

Long Dryer Vent Problems

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Please Contribute Helpful Information to Our Blog

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Kitchen Books

DIY Projects For Interesting Weekends

People usually do their do-it-yourself projects during the weekends. While some people enjoy fishing or playing golf, many choose to try their hand at do-it-yourself projects around the house.

Easy home improvement projects and the like are a good choice for enthusiasts of all competences.

How to paint woodworks

The first step is to secure the edges of the woodworks around the work area. Use wide masking tape that easily peels off. Mark all the wooden surfaces to be worked on. Begin the painting process with two coats of primer.

Make sure that the color you choose for the final layer of paint would not clash with the overall design of the area. Make sure that there is harmony between the new paint and the old paint.

First paint all windows, before larger objects such as doors. Skirting boards should be painted last. Use fine brushes that easily absorb paint and use even strokes when painting.

The spreading of paint should be done sideways, to save paint and to achieve an even texture on the surfaces. The size of the brushes you will use should be one inch or two inches wide. Avoid overly large brushes as these absorb far too much paint when used.

If you are painting outside your house, avoid painting during windy or rainy days. Windy days will ruin the new paint with flecks of foreign particles.

How to unclog your toilet

Use an old-fashioned plunger for this task. If you do not have one at home, go to your hardware store and purchase the largest plunger available. Plungers are generally inexpensive, and the larger the plunger the more effective it would be.

After you have acquired the plunger, place the plunger in the blocked toilet and flush. The flushing will flood the toilet bowl. As the toilet bowl slowly fills with water, move the plunger up and down.

Make sure that you are consistent with the up and down movement. If you have done it correctly, the vacuum created will dislodge the blockage from the pipe.

The extra water that had been flooding the toilet bowl will slowly recede and will help carry away the blockage. If it is a hairball, add another wave of water to the receding flow by flushing the toilet again.

Next time, avoid flushing kitchen towels and similar kitchen implements to avoid further blockages. People should also avoid flushing cotton swabs, as these will eventually accumulate.

Wallpapering

Hanging wallpapers is easy, as long as you clean the surfaces well before attaching the wallpaper. With sandpaper, smoothen the wall to level the surface. If the surface of the wall is glossy, use the same sandpaper to roughen a bit. Making it rough will make the wallpaper stick better.

Use a table when applying the adhesive to the wallpaper. From the top of the table, roll down wallpaper and apply the adhesive evenly. A soft brush may be used to make the application easier.

To ensure that the wallpaper would be evenly distributed, use a plumb line. The wallpaper should be as even as the plumb line when the two are placed parallel to each other.

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

Techniques For Framing Partition

Friday, May 22, 2009

All About Retaining Walls - Concrete Retaining Walls and Decorative Retaining Walls

Introduction to Retaining Walls

First, a retaining wall is a structure that holds back, or retains, lateral faces of dirt, water, or other materials. Retaining walls are used to prevent erosion or collapse of higher level ground onto a certain building, structure, or general area. The earth that is retained is often referred to as backfill. The word backfill is also used as a verb to describe placing more dirt behind a retaining wall to make the ground more level.

Retaining walls can be the answer if you are blessed (or cursed) to a contoured lot. They can turn a steep slope into a terraced yard, creating a stair step effect instead of a slope.

Retaining walls can be constructed from many different materials using many different techniques. There are several factors that influence which choice will be the best choice for each situation, including cost, height of the wall, soil characteristics, and ground water conditions.

Generally, most municipalities require that any retaining wall over four feet in height be engineered or approved by a licensed engineer. It is important to check local building codes before starting any retaining wall projects, even if it is below four feet tall. After all, retaining walls should be structurally sound before there is any thought of aesthetic appeal. The retaining wall must be able to stand up to the pressure exerted by the backfill, also called lateral earth pressure. This lateral earth pressure is a majority of the force that the retaining wall will need to bear. Lateral earth pressure is determined by studying the weight of the soil unit, slope of the soil, soil type (for plasticity and adhesion purposes with clay soil types), and ground water levels. Engineers do many calculations with these factors to determine what design to implement with the wall. To homeowners and contractors that do not want to go through engineering steps, it is generally a good rule to overdo it. Many structural methods to build retaining walls with withhold earth, at least temporarily, with a height up to four feet, are adequate, which is why most local building codes require engineering if the wall will be over four feet tall.

However, even methods that may seem adequate for retaining earth can fail if they are not built properly. Many times, it is elements below grade that can make (or break) a retaining wall. Problems including bowing, slanting, or cracking are evidence of retaining wall failure because it was not successful in retaining the dirt. Cutting costs with a bad contractor, insufficient materials, or neglecting the below grade elements can turn out to be more expensive over time if replacement or repair is necessary often or if collapse of earth causes damage to nearby structures. For example, erosion can cause foundation issues if dirt erodes from under the foundation. This is just one example how a retaining wall failure can cause expensive problems aside from the cost to repair or replace the retaining wall.

Another aspect that is often neglected or underestimated that can cause failure of a retaining wall is drainage. Inadequate drainage of retaining walls can mean that water is trapped behind the wall, adding to the weight that the wall must hold back. Usually weep holes and/or drainage pipes are used to flush rain water and ground water from behind the wall. It is important that the drainage system, whatever it be, have a filter barrier to keep dirt from clogging the drain or weep hole.

Options for Retaining Wall Materials

Railroad Crossties Railroad crossties, also shortened to railroad ties, can be used as a retaining wall material; however, as with most every retaining wall material, it must be installed correctly in order to be a solution. For example, most railroad tie retaining walls will need a substantial footer to tie the crossties to in order to keep the bottom from sliding out. Also, there needs to be perpendicular members placed into the ground behind the wall to keep the wall from overturning. These members, called deadmen, should be at least 1.5 times as long as the wall is high and should be placed at minimum every 6 feet or so. Because railroad ties are wood (even though they are treated most of the time), there is a risk that they may rot over time or be subject to termite infestation, which can lead to a weak wall likely to bulge or break. And, even though there are areas for water to slowly seep though, it is still a good idea to have a filtered drain or weep holes designed into the wall.

Treated Wood Treated wood retaining walls offer many of the same risks as retaining walls because over time it is susceptible to rot and termite infestation. It is a labor intensive construction, but it is usually lightweight and decently strong if built correctly. It is recommended to build a concrete footer to attach the wall to in order to keep it from shifting. Construction usually requires a clear area to be backfilled after the wall is built, so it is not always the best material to use if you are replacing an existing retaining wall. This wall still needs weep holes or drains designed into the wall. Standing water behind the wood will only increase risk of rot.

Concrete Concrete is a great material to use for retaining walls. Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to build a concrete retaining wall, which makes choosing your contractor a big job. There are many different designs that can lead to a successful concrete retaining wall, but one thing is for sure: there needs to be a footer beneath the wall to ensure success. Concrete is one of the most durable man-made products known to man. Most concrete poured today is engineered to last for over 50 years. Plus, concrete offers many decorative options as well. Aside from a plain, white concrete retaining wall, you can also pour a colored concrete retaining wall, stain a retaining wall after it has cured, pour into a patterned form, apply a vertical stamp material and pattern after poured, etc. Sealing the concrete wall can lead to an easy-to-maintain surface that rinses free of most dirt and grime.

Blocks or Paver Stones Engineered blocks that stack together to make a wall must be as simple as building with Legos, right? Nope. These retaining walls should also have a significant footer in order to support not only the weight of the dirt but also the weight of the wall. These blocks can be a unique look, but it may even be necessary to place a concrete retaining wall behind the blocks if there immense lateral earth pressure. In such a case, the concrete would be the structural element, using the blocks as a visual feature.

Rock or Brick One of the favorite looks for a retaining wall is natural stone or brick. These materials usually look more permanent and traditionally classy. However, just as we have seen with the other materials, it is necessary to have a concrete footer below grade to carry the weight and ensure success of the retaining wall. Like architectural blocks or paver systems, it may be necessary to back a masonry retaining wall with a concrete retaining wall for structural support.

Tasha Lucas
Monster Constructors - http://www.monsterconstructors.com
Retaining Walls - http://www.monsterconstructors.com/dfw-retaining-walls.htm

Homeowners with Good Contractor Stories

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Solar House Books

New Patio Furniture For Better Outdoor Living

Outdoor patio furniture can define a new outdoor living space and provide you with quality outdoor time this season. Outdoor patio furniture comes as individual pieces and as complete sets. The material that the furniture is made from varies from plastic resins to teak and cedar. Key characteristics of outdoor furniture materials are durable and how hard it is to keep them clean. As you will see there are many choices available.

One of the most important components to a great outdoor living space is an outdoor patio dining set. The basic dining set consists of a dining table and chairs and more elaborate sets might add an umbrella that fits into the center of the table. Dining arrangements usually consist of 4, 6 or 8 chairs. You need to make sure the dining set fits your area so that you still have the ability to move around and enjoy the perimeter spaces. Smaller dining arrangements can be had with bistro sets which are 3 person tables and chairs that are usually elevated like bar stools.

Another good patio furniture set is a conversation set. These sets are all about casual seating and they are usually anchored with a two person love seat. Along with the love seat will come a pair of chairs and a center coffee table. Some sets will also include a side table or two that are height matched for the chairs. Supporting the comfy seating goals, cushions come with many sets and they make for a great opportunity to add additional style and color to your patio area.

A bar table and chairs are another option for supporting a dining and casual seating arrangement. These are smaller tables and chairs raised up to bar height and they create an intimate sitting arrangement. Another option is to get a full on bar unit that can be used as a mini-kitchen with a refrigerator and other beverage preparation options. Bar sets of this kind also come with bar stools that match the height of the counter top of the main bar unit.

Garden benches are another popular choice and the work well at the perimeter of your patio area or just about anywhere in your yard. Garden benches come in many different styles and materials but wood benches are some of the most popular. Teak wood garden benches have a very appealing look to them and they come in many different styles. You can also find benches build into other units such as arbors. A bench with storage for patio items may be a good choice as well.

Once you have an idea of the type of furniture you want, it is time to think about the type of material that the furniture is made from. Natural materials include wicker made from canes or switches and wood such as teak, cypress or cedar. Super strong and durable options include wrought iron and cast aluminum. Less expensive options, and often less durable, include plastic resin and thin walled aluminum tubing. Each of these options has their own style so it is important to choose the right type to match the rest of your home's style.

Yes there are many options when it comes to choosing patio furniture. Start with choosing the types of furniture piece that you want, them move into balancing material versus costs to meet your style and budget goals. With just a little bit of research you should end up with patio furniture that will work well for you for many seasons.

Shirley is an avid outdoor entertainer and enjoys good conversations with good friends around her patio set. You can read more from Shirley at Best Patio Sets.

Metal Strap With 4 X 6

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Walking on Your Roof Safely

Here's some things to think about before walking on the roof of a house. If you slip and fall off the roof you could get hurt seriously. For your own safety if you have no experience walking on a roof use extreme caution. I would even suggest using a ladder and moving the latter around the perimeter of the house if you are inspecting the roof for damage.

Here's some things to keep in mind before walking on a house roof.

1. If the building is above two stories hire a contractor especially if you think the roof has building damage.

2. If the roof is too steep stay off. This could be extremely hazardous to your health.

3. If the roof is severely damaged and has loose shingles or tiles, this could create a safety hazard as you slip on one of these loose shingles and possibly fall off the roof.

4. You should stay off the roof at all costs if there is snow or ice. Ice obviously is extremely slippery and would be difficult to walk on. The difficulty would be increased if the roof has a steep slope.

5. Now last but not least if the roof is wet you should avoid walking on it until it is dry. I have been on wet roofs before and personally slipped myself losing my balance but not falling off of the roof.

Climbing up on a roof and walking around is not child's play and should be left to an experienced professional . If you feel comfortable walking around on any roof please use caution. If you slip in the middle of the roof there is a good chance you will be able to regain your balance or have time to stop yourself before falling off.

I would suggest using caution near the edges of the roof. If the roof is too steep or you don't feel comfortable, why risk serious injury. Use common sense along with the proper ladders to ensure your safety and "Think before walking on a house roof."

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 stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

House Lighting Books

Monday, May 18, 2009

Injection Waterproofing - Home Repair Tips

Injection waterproofing is often used to fill and seal cracks and crevices. The material is most often made from a polyurethane compound. The compound is lightweight and expands up to twice its original size when applied to a surface. Many non-toxic and environmentally safe products are available at home improvement stores nationwide. Injection waterproofing is used mainly in foundation crack repairs.

In most foundation cracks, a polyurethane injection can seal the opening. In some smaller cracks it may be apparent that a sealant was used because it may be difficult to evenly inject the compound. Single caulking style cartridges and the dual side-by-side cartridge systems are the types of injection waterproofing compounds available for retail purchase. Both of these are manually injected and easy to pump.

When using an injection waterproofing method, it is important to keep the area dry. Temporarily block any flowing water to the area, and clean and dry the area as needed. Experts say that in the case of water flowing through a hole, you can temporarily caulk the hole with candle wax, modeling clay or plumbers putty. If the cracks are in narrow or hard-to-reach places, you can use a flexible hose attached to the injector nozzle.

Whatever waterproofing system your leakage problem requires, be sure to do your research. If you choose to make this a do-it-yourself project, make sure you know where your leaks are coming from and the proper method to repair them. When purchasing waterproofing materials you should make sure you are buying the appropriate product for your needs. The National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC) has tons of information on waterproofing. Whether or not you decide to hire a contractor, this organization can help you from beginning to end.

Waterproofing Info provides detailed information on waterproofing systems, including injection waterproofing, foundation waterproofing, concrete waterproofing, deck waterproofing, basement waterproofing, and waterproofing basement walls, as well as waterproofing contractors and consultants. Waterproofing Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Interior Concrete Waterproofing: Protect Your Concrete Against Water Damage

Moisture is a major enemy of concrete. It can weaken concrete, make it crack and in general cause deterioration of any concrete structure. Moisture can also cause staining and fungus that is nearly impossible to remove. Interior concrete waterproofing can help prevent moisture damage of this type.

Before you apply any type of interior concrete waterproofing you should first make sure any leakage or drainage problems are corrected. Just because you apply waterproofing doesnt mean water wont occur in the area. If landscape drainage problems or leaks arent fixed, youll still have water pooling on the treated concrete.

Interior concrete waterproofing is a sealing method that can be used on poured concrete, concrete blocks and even on stone foundations. Interior concrete waterproofing can be used on new and old concrete alike. For the best protection you should seal concrete right after the curing stage.

Interior Concrete Waterproofing

The sealant you use should protect against water, water vapor, and radon. To waterproof properly you may have to apply more than one coat of sealant, usually at least two. Read the manufacturer directions carefully before applying your brand of sealer.

Make sure to thoroughly clean and dry all concrete before you apply any interior concrete waterproofing. For existing concrete surfaces such as in a basement, all old paint or adhesive that might have been used on the floor must be removed before it can be waterproofed. The areas to be treated should be as clean as possible and free of any mold or mildew.

If you want to waterproof concrete foundation walls they must be cured for about a month. Sealants will keep cracks, holes or defects in concrete foundation walls from receiving moisture as well. For best water protection, it is usually recommended to seal both sides of the wall, using an exterior coating on the outside.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com http://www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com

http://www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Flooring Books

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspections - Know the Facts Before Buying Your Dream Home

Buying a house or property can be very exciting but it is always best to have it inspected before closing the deal. The reason for inspection is preventive because buying a house is an investment and buyers would want to get the most of what they are buying.

Only qualified inspectors should be allowed to conduct building and property inspections. One aspect that the inspectors look for are signs of structural integrity. These would include interior walls, exterior sidings, floors, roofing, foundations and other major structural elements. For cold weather areas, chimney inspection is added. These elements are inspected for damages due to water, molds or decay.

The extent of the damage indicates if appropriate and sufficient drainage systems were used for the property. The state of the fixtures, plumbing and water pressure, heating and electrical systems are likewise necessary to ensure that they are in good working order and for fire safety. These systems should meet the standards and specifications stipulated in their respective codes.

Signs of pest infestation are aspects that have to be inspected. Pest inspection is important because these could lead to structural damages to the house or building if they go untreated. Pest inspection usually involves visual inspection and would only indicate possible infestations. It is up to the owners to contact pest control services for their treatment.

A major pest problem is termite infestation and the occupants do not notice the problem until it is too late. To avoid costly repairs, an inspection should be done annually. Kinds of termites and other insects that may infest the building are ants, beetles, spiders, bees, borers and some rodents. The kind of pest control will depend on the kind of infestation.

It is crucial to know the state of the house you are planning to buy. It is only through building and pest inspections can buyers be assured that they are getting their money's worth.

by Giselle Sanchez - Looking for pest inspections or building inspection services? Make sure you know all the facts about your new home.

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Landlords Building Insurance Providers

Get your building safe guarded with an adequate landlords building insurance policy. If you are muddled up with the choices, reach out to landlords building insurance providers. It is important to protect your building as your property is the biggest investment, you have ever made in your life time. In case of any inevitable circumstances, fire, flood or other natural calamity, it helps you to avoid redo the whole structure again. The insurance should be with a reputable company at an affordable and competitive premium and with an insurer who is going to deal with all claims quickly and as sympathetically as possible.

Find out online, about the instant quotations you can lay your hands on. Landlord insurance experts understand the frustration of obtaining a landlord building insurance policy which is why they have access to a scheme with a range of insurers who offer purely buildings only landlord insurance.

Obtain a cheap insurance quotation and insure your building without having to spend much time looking out for information online, and avoid long waits to get to know your competitive insurance quote. Such landlord building insurance is also indispensable to rebuild the value of your building and not the sale price which is usually higher. Your insurer will only pay out a maximum amount of what the building costs to rebuild the structure. It perseveres to put you back, in the earlier position, so that you retain the same financial position you were in before.

Your property including outbuildings and fitted interiors units will be covered on the basis of repair costs or some times full repayment. This is subject to your policy excesses, against any damage caused by natural calamity such as fire, earthquake, flood, lightning or vandalism, water leakage, falling trees, aircraft. Safeguard your property before it's too late.

Kirthy Shetty, Platinum author,

Get all your tips related to Landlords Building Insurance Providers from:

Landlords Building Insurance Providers & Landlord Taxation

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Friday, May 15, 2009

Panelized Custom Homes Are Similar to PreFab Homes & Share Many of the Benefits

Prefabricated homes are a relatively new concept in architecture and building. In fact one reason why prefabricated homes are currently not as popular as they should be is because there just isn't a lot of information out there.

A Panelized home is similar to a prefab home, but as its name implies, is built of panels, or sections of walls. The panelized sections fit together much like pieces of a puzzle.

A prefabricated home is a house that is built off site, and is assembled on site. A Penalized home is built the same way - off site. The panel sections and components that we use are built in a very large warehouse. The equipment in the plant is very high tech. The lumber is actually cut using laser guided equipment. So the lumber cuts are very clean and precise.

Another interesting feature of panelized construction is that design flexibility is just as great as stick framing. If our architect can draw it we can build it with panels. Prefabricated homes are almost as flexible design-wise as panelized construction. In addition, panlized and prefabricated homes are usually composed of environmental friendly materials, and compared to ordinary stick built homes, the amount of wood used is considerably less. And therefore, there is less waste.

And since the panels are essentially built in an indoor plant, weather does not adversely impact the lumber as much as it would if the home were stick built on the site. With stick built homes the piles of lumber sit out on site in the weather. Many times the lumber can become more warped and twisted when rain and moisture make contact with the wood.

Robert Maggin has an MBA and MS in Real Estate Development. He is owner of a Architect/Building Company specializing in custom homes. Go to http://www.ParamountConstruction.net

Window Header Framing Problems

Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

Well I'm going to start this article with a little information on a job I did once.

I had been repairing a rental house for one particular homeowner for about three years when all of a sudden I got a phone call from him telling me the rental house was destroyed and he had never seen nothing like this. He sounded so upset over the phone I told him I would meet with him immediately.

On my way to the house I was trying to get an idea in my head what the house was going to actually look like. Since I have been repairing rental properties for over 20 years at this point of my career, nothing really shocked me. I had pretty much seen everything that could possibly be done to rental property by the tenants that lived there. There is a lot to be said about taking care of it as if it were your own.

He was waiting for me at the front door and he looked thoroughly disgusted. As I approached him he was shaking his head and yelling at the same time can you believe these people, can you believe what they did to my house. I was expecting to see the front door ripped off and all the windows broken out of the house but this wasn't the case.

As he led me through the home and I could see the usual clothing on the floor, broken cabinets, a few holes in the walls and of course that awful smell of mold and mildew. All of this stuff was nothing new to me because I'm the guy they call to fix it when a renter moves out of the property.

As I entered one of the bedrooms I got my first glimpse of something I had never seen before but heard stories about and could not believe my eyes. Looking at the walls in the bedroom about 3 feet from the floor all the way around the room, the plaster was soft. It actually looks like someone shoved popcorn into the wall somehow.

The homeowner wasn't even looking at this because of the rest of the damage in the home. I started to explain to him I'd never seen nothing like this but I could guess it was water damage somehow since the plaster was soft. I could actually stick my finger into the wall, that's how soft the plaster was.

My first thought was to examine the carpeting a little closer to see if it was wet. Well it was damp but it wasn't as wet as I would've expected it to be with the amount of water in the walls. With a little more home inspecting I had found the culprit, it was a broken water bed. The water bed was now in the backyard looking innocent.

I couldn't believe a broken water bed could do this much damage so I looked around for broken or leaking water pipes and could not find any. The other bad news I had to inform the homeowner was that the water had damage the bathroom and closet walls also. These walls of course were on the other side of the bathroom walls that were damaged.

Well the point of this story is that water will actually wick its way up or worked its way up into a wall. I had to remove 4 feet of drywall all the way around the room. The plaster or drywall actually acts like a sponge pulling the water into the walls. Hard to imagine that gravity in this case seems to reverse. I would've never thought that water would've traveled so far up the walls creating that much damage.

To repair the rental property I had to remove the damaged drywall, remove the carpeting, dry the wood framing out and put the whole thing back together.

I'm still amazed and will remember that project for as long as I live.

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 House Water Damage

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Door Hardware Helps Pull "Home Remodeling Projects" Together

So you have decided to undertake a home remodeling project, and you think you've thought of everything. Fresh paint for the walls, perhaps some new carpeting...if you are redoing the kitchen, new cabinetry, maybe the same if you are redoing the bath. The big things like these, as well as decorative touches like window treatments, rugs, throw pillows on the sofas and chairs, and pictures for the walls, are always the things we think about first when we give a room in our home a makeover, regardless of what room that might be.

But if you have not considered also updating your door hardware in the course of your home improvements, you are missing out on a change you can make that will really give the new dcor of the room a finished, pulled together look. In that way, it will have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the room, even though it might sound like a small detail to worry over at first blush. In the home dcor business, plain and stodgy door knobs are a thing of the past - though, of course, you can still use those if they are what floats your boat - and decorative hardware has become increasingly popular. With decorative door hardware, you can dress up your door in the same way you dress up a window with a new set of drapes or add a pretty vase to an end table or mantelpiece. They are a way to add one more touch of style to the room.

Decorative door hardware is available in an amazing array of shapes, colors, styles and finishes, so you can't help but find some pieces that fit in with the room's color scheme and style perfectly. For nature lovers, you can find door knobs in the shape of flowers or made from natural materials like wood and stone. You can even find door levers shaped like small branches. For elegant and Victorian style rooms, choose glass door knobs with beveled edges that catch the light.

From ornate wrought iron to smooth antique brass to stainless steel and everything in between, choosing beautiful decorative hardware will add that perfect finishing touch to your room, and since adding new hardware to a door is an easy do it yourself project and the pieces themselves are relatively inexpensive, you can complete the project in a few hours and have a new room accent you can be proud of without breaking the bank or having to call in a professional.

Jonathan works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of door hardware to help customers pull their home remodeling projects together.
Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Monday, May 11, 2009

Design a Really Great Kitchen

If you are a bit stuck in the small kitchen design stakes, then you need to remember about strategy, so that you know what can be fitted, and where. If you are to consider something important, then consider remodeling in a fashion that affords sufficient storage space, as well as what type of appliances can be included, as well as good lighting.

If you want to know what the best solution is for your storage crisis, then it is the fitting of an island. This is going to provide you with that extra bit of space that you were looking for. But what if you ain't even got no room for that, eh? What you gonna do? Well what about a gallery style kitchen? This is where all of the cabinets are lined up either side of the kitchen aisle, as well as on the walls. This allows you to take advantage of the limited amount of space. It affords you the luxury of your cabinets not becoming some sort of obstacle every time you go in the kitchen to do something. What a good idea it is, to take advantage of the ceiling and hang pots and pans from it. Like they do in proper kitchens in restraints. Why not do this? All your friends are going to think its 'Oh so kitsch,' with your kitchen having more character than Disney.

Should you be completely serious about making the most of the room in your little kitchen, then you will want to be adding a pantry cabinet, that goes right the way up to the ceiling. Although the top part is largely inaccessible, it can still be used for storing things that you hardly use. You should use light colors, definitely. These aid in making things look bigger. As do having a couple of cabinet doors that are glass, and therefore see-through. Another option is to attach things like spike racks to the inside of doors. This makes plenty of space.

It is logical to fit cabinets that are really deep, because this is going to add storage for the cupboards, as well as more storage for the work surfaces. It is a must in any small kitchen to purchase modern appliances that are compact. It is only really the sink that you want to be thinking big with, as it will be practical for cleaning all your pots and pans.

Something else of significance is the manner in which lighting is utilized. Under-counter, as well as under-cabinet lighting is really good. It will serve to impress dinner guests, as well making the place look a little bit bigger.

Get a fantastically designed kitchen

Black Kitchen Cabinets

If you want your kitchen cabinet to stand out over the rest, you can try repainting them to the color of your choice. You can even paint your kitchen cabinet black to create a sophisticated look.

Prior to painting cabinets, they should be properly prepared. Some mild sanding techniques are necessary when the wood finish or old paint is glossy and smooth. The surface should be rough so that the new paint will easily adhere to it. After sanding the cabinet surface, clean them with soap and water. After drying, painting tape should be applied to the edges of the cabinets, on the floor, counter tops, walls and other surfaces to prevent paint from getting into places where you don't want it to go.

Next, brush on the bonding primer a single brush. Two coats of primer are recommended, and allow at least four hours for the primer to dry.

After the primer has dried on both sides of the cabinet doors, you can start painting Paint using easy and steady strokes. You may apply two to three coats of paint with four hours drying time in between.

If you have lots of windows and your kitchen is large, black cabinets should work very well and will not darken the room at all. The look will be even more enhancing if your appliances and counter tops are a lighter color, and your floors are a light colored oak. Many cabinet manufacturers offer dozens of specialty finishes in black for maple cabinets. Some have websites where you can design your cabinets online to see what they will look like.

Kitchen Cabinets provides detailed information on Custom Kitchen Cabinets, Discount Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Cabinet Doors, Kitchen Cabinet Hardware and more. Kitchen Cabinets is affiliated with Copper Kitchen Sinks .

Including the Outdoors in Home Remodeling

A backyard isnt the same as it used to be a place to grill, where kids play ball, or just an extra spot to mow. Now the trend is to make the backyard an outdoor retreat or an extension to the house.

As reported in the May 2006 Consumer Reports, designing and furnishing an outdoor room is the second most likely home-remodeling project to do. Specifically, approximately 1.2 million U.S. households will install a fully functional outdoor kitchen, according to a study by the industry research company inquiry.
In 2004, Better Homes and Gardens magazine received survey responses from nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Better Homes and Gardens found that people want indoor/outdoor livability, technological innovations, flexibility for family needs and a kitchen-centric focus. (REMODELING Magazine, September 1, 2005)

Homeowners are seeking ways to make the outdoors a functional part of the living area. To accomplish that, the barriers between outdoors and indoors, such as walls and solid doors, are going away. As cited in A Simple Way to Increase Outdoor Living Space at HGPgal.com, for homeowners looking to add to their living space, improve their lifestyle and increase the resale value of their home, the perfect solution is to extend living areas outdoors through the addition of decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.

"The line between the house and the outdoor space continues to disintegrate," says Julie D. Taylor, author of Outdoor Rooms. "Many designers are using the same, or similar, materials both on the interior and exterior to extend the house to the outdoors. It breaks down the barrier and gives a feeling of a larger house."

Alternatively, instead of thinking of the barriers disintegrating, another solution is effective indoor-outdoor connections. These connections can include French doors opening up onto a porch, or the addition of a window to expose a lovely view. Indoor-outdoor connections can be as simple as adding a mudroom between the garage and the home, or more complex, such as an outdoor entertainment area placed just outside the doors of a home's main gathering space. Adding visual connections to the outdoors, such as through the addition of glass doors or enlarging a window, adds value to your home by making its interior space appear larger than it actually is. (Connect Inside of Your House with the Beauty Outdoors, Ann Robinson, Deseret News, April 2005)

To create the outdoor living space that you want, start by determining your budget and your desires.
Consumer Reports provides some tips about what to consider for building room extensions or outdoor entertainment areas:

* Determine how you will use your space
* Consider location
* Be sure to weatherproof
* Incorporate lighting and heat
* Consider safety

No matter what extension you decide to make, it will undoubtedly add value to your home. As cited by Ann Robinson in Deseret News, Exterior living space adds usable square footage to your home without costing you the $120-plus per square foot you'd spend for the construction of an addition.

For more information visit:http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/"> http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/

Plywood Floor Repair

Friday, May 8, 2009

Kitchen Decorating Trends - Home Tips

The kitchen is the heart of the home and who hasn't spent hours in there sipping coffee with friends and family? So it should come as no surprise that one of the hot kitchen decorating trends of today is using coffee kitchen dcor to perk up the look of this much used room.

When decorating with this theme you will find that your kitchen takes on a trendy but also comfortable appeal. Giving your kitchen the look of a popular caf is one twist on this decorating method but you could also go with a vintage appeal and give it more of a diner look. Either way, this style of dcor is sure to please.

The great thing about this style is that you can use basically any color scheme. This allows the homeowner to easily give their kitchen the aura of a coffee house without having to spend a lot of time and money on painting and refitting it with new appliances. However, if you do want to give your kitchen a fresh coat of paint, you might consider the color of caf au lait - it's very popular and will go with any dcor if you should tire of the coffee theme.

Finding coffee kitchen dcor can be fun and today there are many options. First of all, you can find coffee themed items in most stores and online. Today, this trend is rather popular and you can find pot holders, kitchen towels and even curtains adorned with steaming mugs of coffee.

While all these items are great, I like to add a little unique flair to my decorating projects and what better way then to scour flea markets and antique shops for vintage coffee themed items. Here are some fun items that you can keep an eye out for that will add charm to your coffee themed kitchen:

- Vintage coffee house signs
- signs from coffee houses that show the menu or types of coffee
- Vintage sings for different brands of coffee
- Vintage coffee canisters
- Old coffee mills
- Plain white utilitarian coffee mugs and saucers just like you see in the old diners

You might also want to look for old tables from diners for your kitchen table or go with a more trendy caf look by using a wrought iron table with a glass top or even one of the modern style tables at the furniture store which actually resemble the tables and chairs you see in trendy coffee houses today.

So, you see, using coffee kitchen dcor in your home can be fun and you can even add unique appeal by finding one of a kind items that are reminiscent of the great coffee house days. With a little attention to detail, you're sure to put together a kitchen that reflects one of today's modern trends as well as a little bit of yesterday.

Your house doesn't have to be boring and you don't have to spend a lot to jazz it up either! To find out how to decorate your house on a budget, please visit http://www.perfecthomedecor.com where you can learn about all different decorating styles including more on coffee kitchen decor.

Filling In Outside Bay Window

Thursday, May 7, 2009

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.

Structural Post At Window Framing

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Universal Design Checklist For Better Bathrooms

You probably only build or renovate a bathroom a couple of times in your life. Considering universal design in the planning process will lead years of easier use at worst and possibly even delay entry into an assisted retirement home at best.

The concept of Universal Design has seven base principles.

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions of the user's sensory abilities.
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.

Using these principals as guidelines we have developed this thought starting bathroom checklist.

Consider using varied height bench tops with movable base cabinets. This will allow access for people in wheel chairs or those who find it difficult to bend.

Allow 60 inch turning space. People with walking frames or wheel chairs can then maneuver through the room.

Brace walls in and around showers and baths. This will allow flexible installation of grab rails when required.

Install a power outlet next to the toilet. An electric bidet or washlet can be installed when required.

The toilet should be mounted about 2.5 inches higher than the standard. This will help frail people to get up off the pan.

Install showers with a hand held option. A six foot hose will be adequate for most bathing situations.

Consider using perimeter grate drains in the showers. This way you can put a one-way fall on the shower floor. This means a shower chair can be positioned without wobble.

Use a toilet paper holder that can be used with one hand.

Use slip resistant flooring in both the bathroom and the shower.

Consider lighting the shower cubicle.

Eliminate sills on shower screens. This will avoid tripping hazards.

Use contrasting colors on the bench top edges.

Install mixing taps (faucets) that allow one handed usage and are connected to a hot water system that is thermostatically controlled.

Putting a bit of thought into bathroom construction at the design phase will lead to years of practical service.

Alex Cochran

Making life more accessible through Universal Design.

For more piratical ideas on renovating using universal design principals visit:

Universal Design Renovations

http://www.universaldesignrenovations.com/wordpress/

A hands on account of the trials & tribulations we encounter renovating a house for disability access.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Home Tips - Stair Lighting Problems

Walking up and down the stairs in the dark could become a safety issue. If the stairs in the house are not that old, there should be a light switch at the top and a light switch at the bottom of the stairway. This is a three way switch and is designed to allow you to turn the stair lighting on as you walk up the stairs and then turn the stair lighting off, once you've safely reached the top of the stairway. And vice versa as she walked down the stairs.

If you don't have a light switch, there are motion sensor lights that are battery operated and can be installed easily in the stairway. These lights can provide you with peace of mind, while protecting your family from accidents.

Stairway accidents are nothing to joke about, I lived in a two-story house with four other people and was the last one to fall down the stairway. None of us got seriously injured and the stairway was built to meet local building codes and was inspected by a building and safety inspector. The stairs were built correctly and the stair lighting was no problem, but people still fell down the stairway and it always happens in the evening.

During the day time there were two windows that let plenty of light into the stairway and in the evening the stairway became quite dark, rarely was the stair lightning ever turned on. This could have been outright laziness but nevertheless, it was rarely used and eventually became a safety issue.

Lighting your stairway might not end all of your problems but it can and some of your problems. There are plenty of stair lighting systems available on the market today and some of the battery operated stair lighting systems can be installed by most homeowners.

Think safety always and do your best to solve your stair lighting problems as soon as possible to prevent injuries or accidents.

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 building stairs or home building ideas.

Discolored Roof Shingles