Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.
Sump Pump DamageBeing somewhat of an expert, I get a lot of questions about home water filters. Recently, this question showed up in my in-box. Carla asked, "How do water filters work?"
On the surface, it seemed like a simple question to answer, but as I began to write an explanation, I realized that it depends on "which" home water filters we were talking about. Reverse osmosis, submicron filtration, granular carbon, multi-media blocks or ion exchange are all purification methods available for the home and they all work differently.
Let's take a quick look at each of them.
How Do Reverse Osmosis Water Filters Work?
Home water filters that include a reverse osmosis step work by forcing the liquid through a semi-permeable membrane. Only things that are smaller than the pores of the membrane will pass through. Larger contaminants will be blocked. It's a kind of like a pasta strainer.
How Do Water Filters Work that Include Submicron Filtration?
Submicron filtration is similar to, but less expensive than, reverse osmosis. Again, it works like a strainer, allowing only particles smaller than the pores of the filter to pass through. If the porous structure is less than one micron and made of a tough material, anything larger than a speck of dust will be removed.
What About Granular Carbon?
Granular carbon works to remove chemicals because of a process called "absorption." Certain chemicals "stick" to certain materials. Chlorine, for example, "sticks" to granular carbon. If the granules are tightly packed, chlorine can be reduced by more than 99.99% with this method.
What's a Multi-media Block?
Typically, a multi-media block is composed of carbon and other materials that attract different chemicals. With this kind of system, chemicals that are normally difficult to remove, such as THMs, VOCs, MTBE, as well as traces of bug killer and weed killer will be trapped. It's an important step to include, because many of those chemicals increase the risk of cancer or cause other health problems.
How Do Water Filters Work that Include an Ion Exchange Step?
Home water filters that include ion exchange are some of the most technologically advanced systems on the market. They are so advanced that they are difficult to explain in simple terms. Basically, microscopic metallic particles, such as traces of the heavy metal lead, have a slight electrical charge.
They can be trapped in a polymer bed that has the opposite charge, similar to the way that positive and negative magnets stick to each other. This step will reduce the lead content of your water by more than 99%.
How Do Water Filters Work that Include a Number of These Steps?
Well, reverse osmosis is unnecessary, but anyone serviced by a public facility needs all of the other steps, in order to be safe. Home water filters that include all of those steps are reasonably priced. You just have to do a little comparative shopping to get the best deal. Hopefully, Carla, that answered your questions.
Bob Goodhand is an advocate for home and personal water purification systems to protect and promote healthy living. Visit his site at http://natural-purified-water.com/ to discover the drinking water filters that Bob recommends.
Waterproofing Basement WindowMost interior designers find it challenging to design and decorate a well-facilitated bathroom. For most people, it is the perfect place to relax and release the body and mind from the clutches of routine tensions and stress. It provides personal space to individuals and therefore necessitates pleasant dcor. There is a baffling range of bathroom accessories and furniture to appeal to people with varied tastes. From traditional to contemporary, the range is endless and come in all price brackets.
Vanity sink cabinets are a popular choice among cabinets. They come with sleek and stylish countertops made of various materials. Most people, who have smaller bathrooms, prefer to have cabinets that include a mirror and shaver sockets. Generally, cabinets are designed to include drawers for keeping undergarments and other necessary items. Many people prefer oak or maple cabinets. Rattan furniture and Wicker furniture is highly popular as it combines strength and intricate designs. Wicker furniture offers a rustic look to the furniture and is made from bamboo, reed, willow, or synthetic fibers. A large number of wicker objects can be included in the bathroom to complement the furniture. This form of furniture is inexpensive and easily available. Most common type of wicker furniture includes chest of drawers to keep linen.
Contemporary bathrooms include lavish bathtubs, which come in a variety of colors, styles, and materials. Bathtubs can come in round, rectangular or a square shape. Bathtubs can be made of stainless steel, ceramic or glass. Acrylic baths are also very popular among most individuals as they are devoid of the cold metallic feel. However, stainless steel baths score over acrylic baths as they last longer and are easier to maintain. Washbasins are also designed aesthetically to complement the dcor of the bathroom.
Bathroom furniture can be complimented by choosing matching or contrast furnishings such as curtains. Many people select furniture and accessories that complement the bedroom furniture as well.
Bathroom Furniture provides detailed information on Bathroom Furniture, Bathroom Storage Furniture, Contemporary Bathroom Furniture, Wicker Bathroom Furniture and more. Bathroom Furniture is affiliated with Bathroom Vanity Sinks.
Stepping On Ceiling PlasterGreen bathroom remodeling advantage that is most talked about is that it saves energy and water resources. It also takes advantage of recycled or refinished materials. Bathroom remodeling makes property attractive to homeowners, hotels or motels, apartments or any other person that has bathrooms that need to be updated. This is especially important in a sluggish economy where prospective property buyers are looking for properties that have energy and water efficient fixtures already installed.
Home improvement adds value to any property. And that is why realtors who know the advantages of remodeling are educating those they are helping in selling their properties that potential home or property buyers are looking for energy efficient fixtures and appliances. Realtors who understand and embrace the this knowledge are using it to sell four times more houses than their competitors.
Bathroom remodeling in combination with refinishing involves the consideration of many factors before the home renovation starts. Whether your motivation is environmental responsibility, or saving money, bathroom remodeling would make you feel satisfied. Your bathroom, is your place of solitude, health, hygiene and relaxation.
Many building materials vendors' are selling bathroom remodeling materials that are made of recycled materials like tile; vanities and flooring for example. Recycled fixtures like refinished sinks, and countertops save money and conserve natural resources. Antique claw foot tubs are becoming popular again. Newer tubs are not as good as the originals, therefore, many home owners prefer the old fashion traditional claw foot tubs.
Environmentally sound bathroom remodeling starts with a good consideration of water resources. How is water used? That means that much consideration should be given to how much water is used while flushing the toilet and also how much water your shower heads use. For instance switching from an old standard toilet to a much smaller, dual-flush toilet, alone can reduce your water consumption by 22 percent.
Refinishing, coupled with a good use of environmental assets can save apartment owners and other commercial institutions money on their energy and water bills. It takes quite a good amount of energy to pump water to a purification facility, process it, and pump it to the house. In addition, it takes energy to process the waste coming out of the house. And when you add the energy that is needed to produce hot water, you see that substantial amount of energy is involved.
According to American Water Works Association, toilets consume an average of 20.1 gallons of water per person, per day in a home that doesn't't have water-conserving fixtures. That is a lot of water in a day and close to 30 percent of the water that one person in an average home uses indoors in a day. Therefore for for good savings, consider water-saving fixtures like low-flow toilets. Dual-flush toilets are the way to go.
According to the Federal Energy Management Program, just upgrading from a 3.5 gpf (gallons per flush) toilet to a 1.6 gpf model reduces yearly water use from 27,300 gallons to 12,500 gallons. Another way to reduce water usage and save money is by using low-flow toilets and replacing your bathroom showerheads.
Home renovation offers the opportunity to go from high energy consuming incandescent lighting to lower-energy-consuming fluorescent and halogen lighting. Since saving energy is the goal here, it is a time to add insulation cover openings that loose energy, while avoiding more energy-consuming features like heated floors.
By refinishing, beauties like antique claw foot tubs can be restored to like new condition. Many ceramic tiles may not need to be thrown into the landfills. The colors can even be changed to match your bathroom decor. Remember, not replacement, but refinishing is your best remodeling alternative.
Today, there are varieties of good recycled tile products. There are also materials for your walls and even your bathroom countertop. Use nontoxic grout and caulk.
To achieve the maximum efficiency for your bathroom, make sure that your plumbing supply and waste lines are upgraded. Proper shut-off valves should be installed, while making sure that the hot-water system is running smoothly. With all other considerations, make sure you have a bathroom remodeling or refinishing budget.
Remodeling a bathroom with durability in view
Bathroom remodeling offers an opportunity to remodel with a long term view since most remodels are done to last a few years. It is estimated that 40% of waste that goes to the landfill sites is from home remodeling, that includes bathroom remodeling. Remodeling bathrooms to last just a few years, adds to the landfills and has a big impact on our environment. As you consider your home improvement, pay attention to how long you want your remodel to last.
Benefits of the green bathroom remodeling
The best environmental benefits of bathroom remodeling are achieved when building materials, lighting, ventilation, are combined with equally environmentally sustainable products. By using products that are not friendly to the environment we cross out the gains we have made in reducing VOC's. The same goes for the products that are used in cleaning.
Wilson Ukah, owns Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com.
Rusted Cabinet Door HingeMost people have all done it - opened a container of leftovers or a half-used jar of spaghetti sauce, long forgotten in the back of the refrigerator, and reeled at the sight and smell of fuzzy mold. Food that is obviously spoiled gets pitched. But what about stuff that looks and smells okay even if it has been around awhile? Do you play it safe and pitch it? Or throw it into the microwave and take your chances?
The thing is that people cannot really rely on their eyes, nose or taste buds to tell whether or not a food is safe to eat.
Disease-causing microorganisms that creep into food can surely make you sick, sometimes for as long as several weeks. Food poisoning can be more serious for the very young, the very old, the pregnant, and people with illnesses like cancer and AIDS.
In fact, people can even die from a severe cause of food poisoning. So it pays to have a little extra information on your side. The trick is for you to know which food to get rid of before it can hurt you. With the right prevention tactics, you never need to second-guess your toss-or-keep policies.
To steer clear of food poisoning, which actually happens right in your kitchen, start by following six simple, germ-savvy rules:
1. Keep cold foods cold - 34 to 40F or 1 to 4C.
Attention to food safety is crucial anywhere specially if you are dealing with perishables. In a strictly controlled environment like the refrigerator, cold itself is a valuable factor in food safety. Accuracy of holding temperature helps slow bacterial growth.
2. Keep hot foods hot - 140 to 165F or 60 to 74C
Do not guess if your goose is cooked. Cook meats until the center reaches 165F (74C). The only way to tell is with a thermometer that goes all the way into the center of the bird or roast.
Maintaining hot foods hot reduces the chances of developing dangerous bacteria to breed. This guarantees a safer product that is good for your health.
3. Keep food storage and preparation areas clean - that includes shelves and counters as well as your refrigerator.
What you don't see can certainly hurt you. What seems clean does not necessarily mean it is safe. Stay on the safe side. Always maintain cleanliness and hygiene in your kitchen.
4. Before starting food preparation, wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Your hands are the number one carrier of germs. Contamination with the food you prepare will increase the chances of developing diseases.
5. Refrigerate leftovers quickly.
When eating take-home foods, it is best to consume them within 48 hours. If you have leftovers, refrigerate it within two hours of the food being served, within an hour during the summer, then reheat it to 165F (74C) or higher within two days. For take-outs, put it in the refrigerator within one hour of leaving the restaurant.
Refrigeration is utilized for food preservation such as extending the shelf-life of foods, merchandise preservation/presentation and contributes to indoor environment.
6. When in doubt, throw it out.
The sneaky salmonella bacteria are probably the most common cause of food poisoning. Infected food usually tastes fine but you won't feel fine. Within 12 to 20 hours after eating, you may develop nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and sometimes fever.
Sounds easy enough? Think again. Even if it seems easy there are always murky areas such as food that is kept too long or raw foods that carry troublesome bacteria. Follow tips outlined here and you will prevent food-borne diseases from sneaking into your kitchen.
Jo is an author and publisher for 'Benchmark Interiors' (http://www.benchmarkinteriors.co.uk), a UK kitchen furniture company that concentrates in bespoke handmade kitchens, bedroom and home office furniture development and fabrication. If you need an expert to assist you on your kitchen planning in order to keep the area harmless and secure all the time or just want to know more about bespoke kitchens design then you should have a look at Benchmark Interiors.
Privacy, functionality and versatility play a large role in the location. The space must also afford the user design freedom to create the best working atmosphere.
This is such a personal choice as everyone works and organizes differently. Much time should be spent on the personal side of this space.
Moms; The Exception
One exception to the separation of the home office is for that of the working stay at home mom. In many instances, newborns and small children not quite ready for school have to be watched as mom works.
This type of office can also be introduced into a remodeling project. It takes a little more creativity, but it can be done.
A few popular areas are within the kitchen, bedroom or family room. This type of home office does present problems though. The obvious being that it is very difficult to separate work and home activities.
That said, the alternative to working outside the home and having children go off to day care is just not that appealing a choice for many moms.
Technology and Lighting
Lighting and technology will also play a significant role in the final design. The lighting package should consist of several different types including natural light if at all possible.
Nothing can hurt the appeal to use a home office more than improper lighting creating a dungeon affect.
The space should have general lighting as well as task specific and accent lighting. The accent lighting can be used to show off favorite works of art, educational achievements and family photos.
With continued advances in technology, every effort should be made to accommodate present day structured wiring. This will allow for the most flexibility and expansion possible in the future.
Faxes, printers, PDAs and Blackberries have all become a necessity to today's home offices. The ability to integrate and synchronize multi-devices has become a great organizing tool for many without a support staff.
Combining Maximum Organization with Beauty
Organization of the space itself should not be limited to some generic metal file drawers and boring bookcases. Custom layouts including wood front multi-functional file drawers as well as cabinetry designed to hide equipment and maybe even a refrigerator should be considered.
Faxes and copiers are easily stored on roll out shelves within the cabinets for an uncluttered look. Multiple workstations setup for computers and adequate writing surfaces are a necessity.
Design Style & You
It is easy to introduce ones personal touch and design preferences into a home office. Independent from the rest of the home, the users' personality should sing out giving more desire to use the space.
A preference to design style and colors of the user should not be driven by the overall house decor and style.
Questions to Get you Started
Consider the answers to the following questions before designing your space.
1. Who will be the main user?
2. Is the user(s)left or right handed?
Note: If this space is a multi-user office and space is limited this could dramatically affect the layout.
3. How much space does each user require?
4. What are each users privacy requirements?
5. What equipment will be required for each user?
Tammy A. Borges is the founder and author of the popular website Remodeling101.com This website is a complete beginner's guide to the home remodeling process.
She is an experienced and accomplished Senior Project Manager and has been in the construction industry for 25 years. Following the tips and strategies she uses will help lead you to a successful remodeling project.
Looking to buy or rent a green home? These days, lots of green homes are going on the market as sellers and landlords recognise they're in demand. But how is one to know which homes are truly green?
Here's a checklist of features to look out for and questions to ask to determine the green quality of your next home.
Eco Home Tip 1 - Location Location Location - pick a location that's convenient and easy to get to. Close to shops, amenities and public transport will reduce the amount of emissions that come from getting around. Inquire about the council's recycling program.
Eco Home Tip 2 - Orient yourself with the right orientation - if a house is to have good eco principles, it will designed with the right orientation. This means that the living areas will face due north, to make the most of the winter sun while allowing the hotter summer sun to pass overhead. Sleeping rooms, meanwhile, will be oriented towards to the South to capture cool summer breezes.
Eco Home tip 3 - Cosy is not a four letter word - consider how the space is used as much as the size of it. Oversized houses utilises more resources in both construction and maintenance, while smaller dwellings are cleverly conceived can feel quite spacious.
Eco Home Tip 4 - Inquire about insulation - ask about the insulation. Higher R values means the house will better protected against extreme weather elements. See if the windows are double glazed. While you're at it, ask about other green home features such as solar panels and solar hot water. Make your message loud and clear!
Eco Home Tip #11 Good green help - there are a few Australian green realtors, such as ecoproperty, who specialise in green listings. Check the Green Pages green directory for real estate agents who will help you find the perfect green home.
The important thing is to ask before you buy. Even if the real estate agent can't tell you upfront, it's important to let the market know that buyers and renters are looking for this bit of information. While no single home will have all of the sustainable features listed, at least you can get a clear picture of what the potential home has to offer.
Look for more Eco Home ideas at the Green Pages.
Green Pages green directory for eco sustainable products
Exterior Tread RepairStair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.
For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com
Architecture BooksOne of the most important things that you'll need to keep in mind if you are building a sunroom is the cost. Sure, you no doubt want a wonderful sunroom that is beautiful and energy efficient for your enjoyment, but you don't want to go broke or into debt trying to have your sunroom built. For this reason you are going to want to think about how much sunrooms are going to cost you, which can vary, depending on what you want in your sunroom. Before you decide to go with a sunroom, there are several things about the cost that you are going to want to consider.
The Cost of Your Materials
First of all, one of the main factors when it comes to the cost of sunrooms is the cost of the materials that you are going to want to use on the sunroom. It is important that you pick out materials that are quality and if you're going to use this sunroom all year long, you need materials that are energy efficient as well. However, when you begin to think about how you want the sunroom to look, it's easy to start thinking about the looks while forgetting what the materials are going to cost you. So, make sure that you always keep the cost of your materials in mind when trying to figure out how much your sunroom is going to cost you.
Labor Costs
On the other hand, the other huge factor in the cost of a sunroom is the cost of labor. If you happen to go with a professional for construction, you'll definitely be spending quite a bit of money on labor. However, if you decide to work on the project yourself and only hire professionals when necessary, you can save a whole lot of money. You do need to remember though that when you build the sunroom yourself, there will be no guarantee on the construction if something goes wrong.
Figuring Out Your Budget
You'll want to take some time to figure out the budget for your sunroom project before you ever get started. If you don't do this, then you'll probably end up spending a whole lot more than you planned on. Figuring out a budget and then building your sunroom around the budget is the best way to make sure that you don't overspend your limits and end up in debt or with a sunroom you can't afford to complete.
Saving Some Money
Of course there are some ways that you can save money on your sunroom. The biggest way to save is to do all the work on it that you possibly can. You'll save a bundle in labor costs this way. Looking for discounts on quality materials can also help you to save money. Also, going with materials that are energy efficient are going to save you in the long run, even if they appear to be more expensive now.
For more information on sunrooms, sunroom additions and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com
Concrete Stair Riser DamageI know everyone wonders why there is black smoke coming off their candles after they light them or why the wax builds up on the sides of the jar instead of all melting and burning evenly. Well how you maintain your candles and their wicks are a big part of why those things happen.
In this article I'm going to show you how to get the best burn time out of your candles and better quality burn from them as well.
The most important thing to maintain on your candles is the wick. You will want to keep the wicks trimmed to a length of about inch and discontinue use when inch of was remains in the bottom. This maintenance is with any jar candle not just the Home Interior's candles.
Place your candle in a draft-free area and always place on a flat surface like a table. Make sure the surface of where you place your candle is non-flammable and heat resistant. Also make sure there is nothing flammable near the burning candle. Potpourri is extremely flammable and I know it's easy to decorate with but please don't put it near any flames or you'll find yourself redecorating your whole home! Be careful of wooden coffee tables (unfortunately I learned this one the hard way and left a big black circle on mine) if you feel you just must have a candle on a wooden surface try and put a doily or something down underneath it to protect the wood (again something non-flammable would be best).
Keep you candle free of debris and out of reach of not only children but any pets you may have as well. I can't tell you how many times our poor cat has tried lightening himself on fire! Burnt hair is not the scent we like to go for nor is it a scent I think they plan on releasing anytime soon.
Whenever possible your candle(s) should be burned for sufficient time to allow the pool of melted wax to reach the outer edge. This will help with the wax build up on the sides and give you better quality burn time.
And last purchase a candle topper for you candle. Not only do they look nice but they actually help the quality of burn time you get out of your candle, by maintaining the proper air supply that gets to your candle it will also help with the wax build up on the sides of the jar. You won't waste any of the wax. It also helps to eliminate that black smoke you get from the wick. I know a lot of people buy toppers because they look nice but they also help you to get more burn time out of your candles as well letting you enjoy the fragrances of your candle(s) longer.
If interested in the products mentioned in this article please visit my website at http://www.homeinteriors.com/gingerfryover or send an e-mail to gingershomeinteriors@yahoo.com I do have a FREE candle burning flyer I can e-mail to anyone that wants it.
Plastering ArticlesAs with any other member of your household, elderly residents deserve protection that caters to their needs. Making your home safe for the elderly simply requires some planning and preventative precautionary measures. If you have an elderly relative living in your home - a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle - it will be benefit everyone if you spend some time working out safety plans that take their individual needs into account.
Many seniors are, quite understandably, extremely reluctant to give up their sense of independence, which they have spent a lifetime cultivating and exercising. We all want a dignified old age, for ourselves and for our loved ones. For some families, safety may be a delicate issue, and it should be approached with respect and tact. Any sense of condescension or patronization may be taken as an unwarranted affront on independence and self-responsibility.
Objects that seem utterly benign and ordinary to us can convert into real dangers for old people. A small stoop, a loose rug, sticky door knobs, simple appliances, and slippery floors - all of these can pose difficulties to someone with arthritis, poor eyesight, or limited mobility. Most home injuries to the elderly are the result of falls, and your efforts should be concentrated on reducing the likelihood of such an occurrence. All rooms should be well-lit, and light switches easily accessible. Illuminated switches are highly recommended, as these eliminate needless and frustrating fumbling in the dark. Stairways should have adequate railings to aid in safer stair climbing. If your senior housemate has a walker or wheelchair, this obviously raises other issues that need to be dealt with. Do away with rugs and consider replacing deep carpeting with hardwood floors or with low-pile carpet that won't pose a problem to walkers and wheelchairs.
The bathroom is a maze of potential dangers, and most home injuries occur here. Your bathrooms are likely to be what requires the most work in creating a safer home for the elderly. Install grab bars in the shower and adjacent to the toilet to increase stability. Put down a slip-proof mat in the shower, and consider installing a seat if necessary. Hand-held shower heads are also useful to those with limited mobility, or for seated bathing. Even something as simple as the faucets on the sink and bath deserve your attention. Lever faucets are much easier to manipulate than turn faucets. Levers are also good because they usually combine hot and cold controls into one faucet, making it easier to adjust the water temperature.
Aside from the possibility of injury within the home, other safety measures need to be designed and implemented. It is important to have a contingency plan in case of fire, particularly if the senior in question requires a walker, wheelchair, or other assistance in order to move about. If you have a burglar alarm, it should be easy to arm and disarm. Some home security systems include remote controls or other portable devices for triggering the alarm. This can be very useful in case there is an emergency where the elderly person cannot reach a phone.
In short, home safety for the elderly depends on taking into account various infirmities and their potential impact. Focus on making your home easier to move around, thereby reducing the chance of falls. With a little planning and renovation, you can easily make your home a place that is safe for people of all ages; and improved safety for some is improved quality for all.
Don't be a victim! Help protect the people and things you care most about with an ADT monitored home security system. ADT is the nation's most trusted security company, with millions of customers. Trust ADT security to help keep you safe.
Power Washing FactsHave you been looking for a house for some time now, but you have not found the one that is just right for you?
It could be for any number of reasons that the houses that you are seeing do not meet your requirements.
The layout is all wrong; The kitchen cabinets and counters are old and warped; The baths were in style back in 1945; You would be embarrassed to bring your friends and family to the place; The windows are of the old and energy wasting single pane variety; The furnace looks like the space capsule; The hardwood floors would be nice if they were sanded and buffed; The walls need to be painted after you scrub off years worth of cigarette deposits; The basement is dark, damp, and downright spooky;... And, yes, unfortunately, the list can go on and on. Certainly, you do not want to buy someone else's problems related to their lack of maintenance or a house styled to their preferences in design. Who has the time or the money to deal with these issues?
But wait. There may be a solution. You may be able to get a house, which meets your wants, needs, and desires. You may be able to have a house that is within your budget. You may be able to overcome the problems, which were created by these neglectful homeowners.
Indeed, you may be able to meet your objectives and at the same time actually purchase one of these homes, which have just left you disappointed and wanting for more.
The solution: The FHA 203K loan. Basically, this loan will allow you to purchase one of these less than desirable homes, fix it up, and still stay within the values for homes in that particular neighborhood within which you are looking.
Here are some general statements about using this type of loan:
First, if you purchase one of these homes, then you can expect the price to be lower, than if the house were in good condition. The appraiser will definitely consider the value to be lower than the better houses. So a house that has the potential to be worth $200,000, for example, could be purchased for let's say $100,000 or a number, which reflects the amount of work, which is needed. Second, the work which needs to be done, in order to actually qualify for an FHA loan, plus the work, which you would like to have done to make the home your own is determined. Let us say for our example that the cost of this work would be $75,000. Notice that the total of the purchase price and the fix up cost are $175,000 rather than $200,000. Typically, one can expect to pay less than the nice house price, because there are very few buyers if any who will want to take on this endeavor without some profit or equity involved. However, even if there were no equity at the completion of the project, remember that your other objective was to have a house, which meets your requirements. The basic steps to purchase a home by this method are as follows:
Work with your lender to determine the amount of house that you can afford and payments, which would be in your comfort range. With this information, you can determine the price range for homes that you can afford;
Work with your Real Estate Agent to find a property. Even if you are using a FHA 203K loan, you will still want to look in the neighborhood of your choice, look for houses, which have sufficient living area for your needs, and are within the cost and value parameters, which were established with you and your lender. It is important that your Real Estate Agent have some knowledge, although they do not have to be an expert, of the cost of various home improvement projects;
When you find a house that will meet your requirements, prepare an offer to purchase. The offer must state that you will be using an FHA 203K loan. There should be a feasibility contingency which is to determine the full scope and cost of the repairs;
Once, you have a ratified contract, you will start your feasibility study. This step may require several experts. These experts will be perform the following activities:
- 203K HUD Consultant: Walk-through with a visual inspection to determine if the property has any chance of meeting the cost requirements. If the numbers do not work, then the contract should be terminated at that point.
- Home Inspector: An inspector will look at things in more detail than, the 203K Consultant. For instance, the inspector will pull the electric panel and examine for any not to code, unsafe, or outdated wiring. If the inspection uncovers problems, which were beyond your original repair estimates, then you may need to recalculate to determine if the numbers can still be managed. If not, then the contract should be terminated;
- 203K HUD Consultant / General Contractor: Return to the property for a more detailed examination. At this time, he will prepare a report, which itemizes, with costs, those things, which will be done. It may be worthwhile to bring your Contractor with you for this visit. It is your Contractor who will need to agree to the pricing that goes onto the 203K HUD Consultant's report;
- FHA Appraiser: The appraiser will look at value in two ways, one the value of the property in its current condition, and two, the value of the property in its fixed up condition. Also, the appraiser will make certain that the report from the 203K HUD Consultant includes conditions related to Minimum Property Condition Standards;
- Termite Inspector: FHA will probably require a termite certification, but the termite inspection is not necessarily needed upfront. Between the FHA 203K HUD consultant and the Home Inspector, you should get a good idea as to whether this should be done upfront or not.
- Lender: The Lender will review the report from the FHA 203K HUD Consultant to assure that all of the numbers still work. If so they will process the paperwork.
If everything is still within budget after all of the inspections and appraisals, then the deal will go to settlement and the Buyer will take over ownership of the property. Notice that it is still the house, which needs work.
Per the terms of the 203K Loan, the work must be completed within 6 months and should be overseen by a General Contractor. Also, it is preferable that any work that is to be done be by licensed contractors, however, it is possible for the Buyer to perform some work such as painting, although it is under the eye of the General Contractor.
The General Contractor should understand that he does not get paid upfront. He gets paid in phases after various stages of the work are completed. As each stage is completed, The FHA 203K HUD Consultant and the Buyer examine it and then sign off if it is okay before the General Contractor gets his money.
The Buyer cannot move into the house until the house meets occupancy requirements. It is possible that, depending upon the improvements, the Buyer can move in from the start or possibly not until the project is complete.
The loan amount is based upon the purchase price plus the cost of the estimated repair costs, as prepared by the FHA 203K HUD Consultant. If the actual cost is less than estimated, then it increases the equity, but does not reduce the payment.
Since some degrees of repair will preclude the Buyer from moving in to the property right away, the FHA 203K Loan has a provision, whereby up to 6 months of payments can be financed right into the loan. With this feature, a Buyer is not paying for rent and a mortgage payment at the same time.
This is the basic procedure for a FHA 203K Loan. Of course, there are other details and the procedure could deviate on any given deal.
That's it. You can get the home of your dreams and in your price range and all from someone else's mess.
Ron Trzcinski
Great video on how to repair a window screen.
This video was made possible by Greg Vanden Berge who 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.
Mold On Oak Door JambIn order for a solution to be a worthwhile mold killer you need two important parts to stop mold growth. The first key ingredient is taking away the food source. The second important factor is changing the molds living environment. In order to be a categorized as mold killers the solution will change the DNA makeup of the mold and change it's local environment. In order to complete both, a great solution is encapsulation to develop a safe shield on the surface.
The system of developing a shield will destroy mold spores and block enzymes from growing back. while in the shielding phase the solution kills mold spores and block future reproduction. This clear surface changes the food source by not allowing the organisms to eat from that surface and killing black mold at the same time.
Many of the markets cleaners do destroy mold to a degree. An issue occurs when there is not future prevention. Thousands of Residential Mold Removal companies have been using mold killers and blockers to prevent future problems for the business and clients. A great mold killer for the famous black mold that we commonly see is about killing and preventing.
Forget about bleach. Although, bleach is a great cleaning product for the house. Bleach is harsh and full of chemicals to the point where they are more toxic than mold spores. The best mold solution to use is an organic product that is safe to use around your children and home. Not many products on the market are doing this because of the technology and possibly long term profits.
I believe if you clean mold and block it's future growth there may not be such a profit for companies. A speculation and you can come to your own conclusion. As a cmc certified microbial consultant is is always a must for my family and i to use a mold killer and block that is safe and organic to use around.e used.
If you have a bigger mold problem do research on finding a Mold Inspector and Asbestos Consultant. They will be a great resource for your family and offer sound advice. Think about a safe shield solution if you have a smaller amount of mold in the house or commercial space. Also, educate yourself on the mold symptoms so there is a better understanding of the mold spores and the effects to the system it can cause.
Markus Skupeika
Finding new solutions for mold and mildew removal. Great listing of sites and cleaning products for the fellow mold sufferers.
Mold Removal Information and Products
Mold Symptoms
Nowadays there are numerous designs of blinds suitable for almost every type of window. Here are some tips to help you select the most appropriate model for different domestic situations.
Windows with a beautiful view:
When you have a window with the view of a scenic landscape, seascape, pool, mountains, etc., you should consider a blind that pulls up as tightly as possible to minimise obstruction of the view. However, we often suggest that windows with a view are left unobstructed, perhaps only with a set of dress curtains to coordinate with the rest of the decor. Avoid bulky wooden venetian blinds.
Arched windows:
Arches can be a problem and are often treated as a rectangular aperture. To retain the arch you could consider pleated or honeycomb blinds which fan into a semi-circle.
French Windows (Doors):
French doors can be tricky because the blind or the controls can get blown around when the doors are open, or caught in the hinges as the doors are closed.
The key is to think of the door as a window, which happens to be in a door. It is usually best to use the same products as those already on windows in that room, for consistency of style. Wood Venetians work quite well because their weight flaps around less in a breeze. Roller blinds with a friction lock mechanism are good because they eliminate cords & chains.
Bay Window:
Most products will work in a bay, but care is needed in measuring and design. A bay will need between 3 and 5 individual blinds. Roman blinds need to allow space between each one to avoid contact and entanglement as they move up & down.
Skylights:
Consider using a highly efficient insulating honeycomb blind or a roller blind. These are available in different materials that can control the influx of heat and light. The honeycomb helps provide an extra degree of thermal insulation. Roller blinds fitting inside a skylight recess usually need to be compatible with the skylight; especially if it is an opening window. Blinds fitted outside the recess on a sloping ceiling need side rails or tension cords for support to prevent sagging.
All skylight blinds need a control mechanism such as a wand to activate them when you are standing below them.
Sliding Patio Doors:
Verticals are very popular for sliding doors, despite their diminishing popularity in general. They can be installed within the frame or over the glass, but don't necessarily choose a vertical if the other room products are something other than verticals. Consistency is important, too.
Very large windows:
Whenever a window covering is extremely large, its weight makes it difficult to raise and puts unnecessary tension on the strings (which may cause the strings to break). You may need to consider a special control option, or alternatively consider dividing them up into multiple blinds on a single headrail, or order multiple blinds and install them side-by-side.
Hard to reach windows:
Consider specifying extra long cords so you can open or close a product. Many blinds can be made with remote controlled motorised operation, though this is not cheap and you need to consider where to fit the mechanism.
Front of house windows:
It is common to want the front windows of your home to be as uniform as possible-just how consistent is up to you. What ever style of blinds you like, it should be possible to achieve this.
Windows with humidity:
All quality products should be water resistant. But high humidity or widely changing humidity can be a problem for wooden Venetian blinds, fabric Roman or laminated fabric roller blinds.
Harsh sun or bright outside light:
To eliminate glare on a TV or computer monitor, or to prevent a bright security light from beaming in to your bedroom, use blinds with no stitch holes. Blackout lining is also recommended. Honeycomb blinds provide superior insulation under harsh sunlight.
High activity areas:
If you have kids in your home, you should get the highest quality, sturdiest products. Also you should consider the safety aspect of pull cords and chains to avoid the risk of tripping or stangulation accidents.
Finally
There is a wide choice of blinds available, so much so that you might feel you are spoilt for choice. In that situation it is always prudent to seek advice from an interior designer. If you speak to a designer they will have the design freedom to suggest window dressings other than blinds, whereas if you speak to a specialist blind company be aware that they are out to sell blinds - indeed as many as possible!
Bronia Suszczenia is co-founder and Creative Director of Art from the Start Ltd a firm of interior designers in Yorkshire England. She has also recently established Fabric Gallery and Interiors a retailer of quality curtain fabric and designer wallpaper in York England
If you are seeking for a quick and easy way that'll cut down your expensive electricity-bills, no doubt that Portable Solar Panel Kit can help you get there. Quite amazingly, this technique can successfully operate almost any home-appliance. Need more information? start reading this article and learn more about how this technology can help you to significantly cut your expenses.
Short background
The idea is quite simple yet a clever one - Portable Solar Panel Kit is based on a downloadable instructional guide that explains in simple words how to assemble Solar-Cells at ridiculous cost. It may sound obvious, but be sure to choose the right guide; make sure it provides 'proofs' to be working for others. This way or another, here are few key-benefits and & quick advices that may help you to know more about this subject.
Main advantages
This innovative solution provides several important benefits:
- Enables us to make a 220V-240V elec. sys.
- Knowing that we are doing our part to conserve the planet.
- Requires no more than a weekend to be installed.
- Made of simple parts/tools found at any local hardware store.
- Helps on reducing the amounts of carbon dioxide in the air.
Quick tip
If you live abroad make sure that your guidebook enables you to build a 220V-240V unit.
Bottom line
There is no question - Portable Solar Panel Kit truly provides an outstanding opportunity for any household to 'cut' their elec. expenses to almost zero. It would be quite easy to find other great benefits provided by this one-of-a-kind invention, simply because it brings a real change to this industry. It is highly recommended to evaluate it so you could truly see how it can save your monthly budget.
Learn how Portable Solar Panel Kit easily enables you to produce free and unlimited electricity in just few days.
Visit: http://www.EasyFreeEnergy.com
Three Foot Stucco Fence CornerWhen dealing with home painting, it is often best to consider all options before choosing the best way to go about accomplishing the goals the homeowner has set for him or herself. The homeowner can either hire a professional to handle the work, hire some buddies to help out or can do the entire project alone, without any help from anybody. The last option is often where homeowners get into trouble, but realizing when to hire a contractor can save a good deal of time and money for the homeowner.
Being honest about how complicated a project may be and hiring a home painting contractor to help with the work is often the first step in ensuring a beautifully painted home. Unfortunately, not all homeowners are wise enough to make this decision and instead make poor decisions that end up hurting the quality of the project. Knowing when to hire a contractor and avoid any mishaps that may come about as the result of amateur work will not only save time and money, but can save the homeowners sanity as well.
With less mishaps or mistakes, homeowners will feel less stressed out by the entire project. A home painting contractor will be trained in how to deal with many of these mishaps and can act accordingly when they present themselves. Being able to effectively manage a project and deal with unforeseen problems that may arise may be the best thing for the project. Only a professional contractor has been properly trained in this manner and can offer this skill to his or her clients. A good home painting contractor will truly care about the project as well, putting in the extra effort to ensure that the client is satisfied with the work being done.
Hiring friends to help out with a project is an option that many homeowners choose when deciding to get work done on the house. While this may save money in labor fees, as many homeowners do not pay their buddies to help them out, they will often pay for it by sacrificing quality. Bonding with their friends should be done at a barbecue, and not on ladders when dealing with a complicated home improvement project. If nobody knows what they are doing, then the project will not get done in a way that is satisfying to the homeowner. This can cause even greater frustration and annoyances and can make the experience a negative one.
A home painting contractor will also be able to offer helpful advice when the homeowner is planning the project. Deciding what type of paint to use and what colors complement each other nicely can be a great help to homeowners that may not have had any experience in this aspect of home improvement. Their experience often comes in handy when dealing with the planning phase and can be a great help to the homeowner as he or she develops their ideas. Deciding where they want the project to go is important and involving the contractor will help the two parties get on the same page.
More information on College Works Painting home repair for your home is just a click away.
Astonishingly, Americans generally spend $1600 or more a year on their utility bills. Not only is much of this wasted energy, but more carbon dioxide is emitted into the air from one home than two average cars. The following tips will help you save energy costs both at home and in the car.
*Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
* Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
* Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
* Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
* Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
* Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Take short showers instead of baths.
* Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
* Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
* Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy.
Energy Auditing Tips:
* Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
* Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
* Check for open fireplace dampers.
* Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner's manual for the recommended maintenance.
* Study your family's lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls - like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers - to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.
Insulation Tips
* Consider factors such as your climate, building design, and budget when selecting insulation R-values for your home.
* Use higher density insulation, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls.
* Ventilation plays a large role in providing moisture control and reducing summer cooling bills. Attic vents can be installed along the entire ceiling cavity to help ensure proper airflow.
* Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss, but you need to be careful how close you place insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked IC.
These tips, and more, are provided to you in a larger PDF file by the US Department of Energy.
David Tanguay is dedicated to providing research, reviews & helpful information to consumers and businesses. For more information related to Green Energy and Alternative Energy please visit http://greenenergyonline.org
Since its one of the places people spend the most time, one of the most satisfying home makeovers is the main bedroom. Here are three ideas for creating a dynamic new main bedroom space:
The Passion Boudoir
The French have always led the world in designing sexy bedrooms, and now homemakers all over the world have followed their lead and begun decorating their bedrooms for sex and sensuality.
Use emotionally appealing colors that will enhance your beauty and sensuousness. Be daring; use bold colors. Examples of seductive colors are rouge or lipstick reds, creamy peaches, and subtle pink tones.
Prints such as animals or florals can suggest exotic locales, and mirrors placed in unusual places can reflect seductive candlelight. Tropic plants add mystery, and dressing tables filled with feminine accessories and intimate objects create a romantic mood.
The Reading Room
For many people, the bedroom is a place to lounge and read a good book. If you're one of those people, you'll want to create a space that will enhance your reading pleasure. For instance, adding padded headboards will make it easy to maintain proper posture while reading.
When painting your reading room, choose soft colors that reflect light without glare and also support peaceful feelings. Good colors choices would be old world ivory, antique amber, sage green, or slate blue.
Soft, pliable pillows, luxurious Afghans or throws, paintings featuring wide-ranging vistas, and mirrors will promote private reflection and add feelings of indulgence. A comfortable lounge chair with a floor lamp and tea table also work great in a reading room.
Be sure to provide enough light for reading, which can be done without having to flood the room with harsh reading lights. You can enhance the overall light by placing softer lighting throughout the room.
The Private Sanctuary
This type of bedroom, designed to create a place where you retreat from the world and unwind, provides total privacy. Display photos of friends, family, and places you love. Also display meaningful mementos and souvenirs to remind you of happy times, but don't go overboard and clutter your calming serenity. Exchanging these personal keepsakes often with ones in storage helps counter the clutter and gives added significance when next viewed.
Colors that work well in private sanctuaries include navy or cobalt blues, deep chocolates, and forest greens. Darker colors create a womb or cave like feeling and aid deep sleep.
A writing desk, small refrigerator, and television all contribute to the feeling of being able to shut out the world and luxuriate in your own private space, without interruption.
You spend a great deal of time in your bedroom, so no matter what type of feeling you're trying to create, remodeling your main bedroom to reflect your lifestyle is one of the best projects to undertake.
Copyright c. 2004 by Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
If you live in a moist climate in the winter and a dry climate in the summer and you have exterior wood beams exposed to these elements. You could develop wood beam problems over time. If wood beams are properly maintained and painted often they could last for a long time. Wood beams can last many years if properly taken care of.
Exterior wood beams that are used to hold up roofs, patios and decking can suffer from wood rot if not taken care of. Let's take for example a wooden beam located in a patio holding up a section of a large roof. The span of the roof being is only 10 feet long. As we look at the exterior wood beam. We noticed the upper corner of the beam is soft and rotted.
The beam damage is roughly the size of a baseball. The wood beam itself is a 6 x 10. Do we need to replace this beam even though the damage is not real big. The answer to this question is yes, any amount of damage to a wood beam takes away from its structural strength.
If you have a wood beam holding up the roof and the beam fails you could end up replacing a large section of your roof as well as the damaged beam. Replacing the damaged beam is usually a difficult task. The beam is usually sandwiched between two walls and will have siding or stucco around it.
If you're lucky enough to have the wood beam sitting in a saddle or on top of a wood post this will make your job easier and will require less skill. If however the beam is located between two walls this will require shoring up the roof and removing the beam.
Beam replacement should be left to professionals. This is not often as easy as it looks and could create a safety hazard if not done properly. I have seen beams replaced by homeowners or handyman and the damage that was done after the repairs, was worse than just leaving the beam alone in the first place.
The biggest problem with exterior wood beams is that they are usually holding up large amounts of weight. If the beam is removed without the proper bracing and shoring of the roof or floor area you could have a larger problem than you started with.
Exterior beams over time seemed to develop large cracks or splits in dry weather. These large cracks and splits weaken the structural strength of the beam adding more stress to the beam itself leading to structural failure eventually.
Extreme climates where temperatures very over 40 in one day seem to suffer the most damage to exterior wood beams that are not properly maintained. Beam maintenance will require painting and keeping moisture away from them.
Be aware of structural beams in or around your house. A little painting now and then can save you thousands of dollars over the life time of your house.
Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information
His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book
Visit us now for Vista Home Improvement
Structural Engineering BooksIf you live in a moist climate in the winter and a dry climate in the summer and you have exterior wood beams exposed to these elements. You could develop wood beam problems over time. If wood beams are properly maintained and painted often they could last for a long time. Wood beams can last many years if properly taken care of.
Exterior wood beams that are used to hold up roofs, patios and decking can suffer from wood rot if not taken care of. Let's take for example a wooden beam located in a patio holding up a section of a large roof. The span of the roof being is only 10 feet long. As we look at the exterior wood beam. We noticed the upper corner of the beam is soft and rotted.
The beam damage is roughly the size of a baseball. The wood beam itself is a 6 x 10. Do we need to replace this beam even though the damage is not real big. The answer to this question is yes, any amount of damage to a wood beam takes away from its structural strength.
If you have a wood beam holding up the roof and the beam fails you could end up replacing a large section of your roof as well as the damaged beam. Replacing the damaged beam is usually a difficult task. The beam is usually sandwiched between two walls and will have siding or stucco around it.
If you're lucky enough to have the wood beam sitting in a saddle or on top of a wood post this will make your job easier and will require less skill. If however the beam is located between two walls this will require shoring up the roof and removing the beam.
Beam replacement should be left to professionals. This is not often as easy as it looks and could create a safety hazard if not done properly. I have seen beams replaced by homeowners or handyman and the damage that was done after the repairs, was worse than just leaving the beam alone in the first place.
The biggest problem with exterior wood beams is that they are usually holding up large amounts of weight. If the beam is removed without the proper bracing and shoring of the roof or floor area you could have a larger problem than you started with.
Exterior beams over time seemed to develop large cracks or splits in dry weather. These large cracks and splits weaken the structural strength of the beam adding more stress to the beam itself leading to structural failure eventually.
Extreme climates where temperatures very over 40 in one day seem to suffer the most damage to exterior wood beams that are not properly maintained. Beam maintenance will require painting and keeping moisture away from them.
Be aware of structural beams in or around your house. A little painting now and then can save you thousands of dollars over the life time of your house.
Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information
His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book
Visit us now for Vista Home Improvement
House Attic BooksDrywall texture is a compound that is rolled, sprayed, or troweled onto the sheetrock after the taping and floating of joints is complete. It is the same material as the joint compound, but thinned down with water and applied to the wall surface. There is a lot of variation in styles of texture, and some are more appropriate for certain styles of homes. Here are seven basic types:
Skip Trowel - For this style, texture is applied to the walls with a trowel. Trowel marks may be left on the surface to give a rustic, hand crafted look. It is often seen on Tuscan or old world style homes.
Stamped - The texture may be troweled on first, and then stamped with a tool. The result can be anything - leaves, bird's feet, windmills, etc. Or, a flat brush may be dipped in the texture and stomped on the walls, creating a texture with swirl patterns.
Knock down - Texture is first sprayed on, and allowed to partly dry. Then, a variety of tools may be used to scrape the texture and flatten it down. It is possible to use trowels, sponges, brooms or other tools to scrape or smooth down the texture and create patterns. Monterrey Drag is a type of knock down that imitates an exterior plaster look. In this approach, a thick coating of texture is dragged over with a trowel. This style may be a dust catcher due to the high relief of the mud.
Orange Peel - This is a sprayed texture that leaves a light to heavy splatter on the walls. It resembles the peel of an orange. If done with a fine spray, it can be one of the lightest, least noticeable of the texture styles.
Sand - Sand can added to the texture for a grainy, sandy look. The sandy texture may be sprayed or rolled on. Sand may also be added to paint.
Acoustic - In the 1970's it was common to save the labor cost of floating the ceiling by spraying a heavy texture over the area. This is sometimes referred to as a popcorn ceiling. This style is not in favor today, and frequently homeowners grapple with removal of this heavy texture. This should be done carefully, since some acoustic textures may contain lead or asbestos. Certainly, if these toxic chemical are found, the job should be turned over to professionals. After the texture is removed, the ceiling will need to be re-textured to match the walls.
Smooth - This is a smooth application of texture over the sheetrock wall. It feathers out the sheetrock joints, and creates an even, non-textured wall. This is one of the most expensive and exacting styles. Minor variations will show up as defects, so several stages of sanding and application are needed to create a good job.
Regardless of the wall finish you use, keep in mind that flat paint tends to hide defects and minimize patterns. It gives a matt finish with less emphasis on the wall texture. Reflective paint enhances textures because the light catches the raised surfaces.
Before having wall texture done by professionals, ask to see a sample. The workman's idea of light texture may not be what you had in mind. This is an area where miscommunication often happens. Texture covers a lot of area, and is difficult to remove if you are not happy with the job. Treat it as a long term investment.
Roselind Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in Austin, Texas. Her website - Austin Texas Real Estate - http://www.weloveaustin.com - offers homes for sale, market trends, buyer and seller guides. Let Roselind help you make your move to Austin, Texas. Austin Real Estate Guide
GregvanHandymen are hired to perform occasional domestic repairs or minor renovations. From caulking tubs to fixing fences, and from hanging blinds to putting up wallpaper, good handymen should be able to perform any small job, repair, or maintenance you require. What else makes a good handyman?
When you first begin to look for a handyman, you need to consider the services that you want performed. Do you need yard work or carpentry? Repairs or painting? Whoever you hire depends a lot what you need him to do. Good handymen offer many different services and can perform all the services advertised. Not all handymen are created equal, and some have more expertise or experience in certain areas than others. If you need someone for a plumbing repair project, it's not a good idea to hire someone who is more experienced in yard work. So from the beginning, ask prospective hires what kind of background they have.
Second, the person you hire should have all the necessary tools to complete the job. Remember that if he has to rent tools, that will be reflected in the final price. When this happens, not only are you paying him to complete a project, but you are also paying for equipment that he should already have. Of course, handymen come across the occasional special project for which they have to rent a specific tool. But they should have every tool necessary to complete jobs they do on a regular basis, especially the jobs they advertise. For example, a handyman who advertises roof repair should have a ladder--otherwise, you would have to wonder about his ability to complete the job correctly if he doesn't even have the right tools in the first place.
A third and final consideration is experience, and with that, age. Exercise caution when hiring young workers. Even people who have been in the home construction business for twenty or more years profess to not know everything. Make sure that as you hire someone with the advertised skills to complete your job, you check out his credentials and past work experience. If possible, find out how he has dealt with unforeseen problems in the past. Not every project is the same, but it does pay to do your homework before committing to someone you are unsure of.
In summary, a good handyman has a winning combination of the right tools, expert knowledge, and necessary experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Jason Locke Construction (http://jasonlockeconstruction.com) provides experienced and honest handyman service in Livermore. Visit the website today to discuss renovation ideas and to get a free consultation. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.
GregvanThe first question you need to ask yourself when remodeling a bathroom is can you actually do the work yourself or do you have someone that can help you with the remodeling. If you don't know anyone and can't do the work yourself, I would suggest hiring a contractor with experience remodeling bathrooms.
If you can do the work yourself or think you could do the work yourself, why not give it a shot. Any experience you have in construction or home remodeling, is going to be beneficial to your bathroom remodeling project. There is plenty of information on the internet or in your local libraries on bathroom remodeling and these often prove to be great resources for do it yourselfers.
As an experienced contractor I have gathered a great deal of information through books, at work and watching local home improvement shows. The biggest problem with the show's and quite a few of these books, is they don't provide enough information. Most of the time they provide you with the basics of bathroom remodeling and you could soon find yourself in trouble or seeking the advice from a home improvement professional.
The largest benefit for doing the bathroom remodeling project yourself, could be the money you save, along with the satisfaction of completing the project. It makes homeowners feel good when they've completed a large home remodeling project, like a bathroom remodel.
If you don't have the time, lack the experience or a combination of both, I would suggest hiring a contractor to relieve you from the stress and frustration of your bath remodeling project. The more complex your bathroom remodeling project is, the greater the degree of difficulty, the longer it will take to complete the project. Some of these projects can take up a lot of your time.
If you're working on galvanized water supply pipes or old cast iron waste pipes, you could find yourself hiring a plumber to install your bathtub and fixtures. These old pipes create problems for most do it yourselfers and I would suggest hiring a professional, whenever you run into a problem you don't feel comfortable with.
Choosing to tackle some of these difficult problems yourself, could lead to water leaks and more damage to the home eventually costing you even more money than the original cost of hiring an experienced plumber in the first place. When it comes to water, structural framing and electricity, think twice, especially if you're not experienced in these areas.
My advice to do it yourselfers is to hire a professional if you're not comfortable or seek the advice from a contractor or someone with considerable experience bathroom remodeling.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.
Marble differs from most other stones because it is extremely porous. In other words, it allows dirt and stains to set in and be retained far more easily than denser stone. Also for this reason, it cannot withstand most conventional cleaning mediums especially harsh detergents and acids.
Remember that marble has a slightly unstable chemistry and is quite delicate. Calcium carbonate (which is what marble basically consists of) will immediately and dramatically react with any kind of acid, resulting in pitting and scarring.
The best way of maintaining marbles overall cleanliness is with lukewarm water, a soft cloth and an occasional wipe down with a mild, non-abrasive detergent. The marble should be thoroughly wiped dry after such cleaning. If you like, a light coat of wax can be applied for further protection, but this is entirely optional, since marble will not gain additional luster from wax the way wood does.
The only safe way of tackling stains (blood, tea, coffee etc.) on marble is by gently soaking them off. To do this, any kind of absorbent material such as blotting paper or facial tissue can be lightly soaked in water and 20% hydrogen peroxide, placed over the stain and left there for several hours. The stain should wipe off easily after this treatment. Rust stains are best removed with regular rust removers; however, marble should not be exposed to them longer than strictly necessary.
Marble does tend to fade with the passage of time. This does not necessarily detract from its innate beauty. However, the luster of faded marble especially on domestic home floors can be effectively rejuvenated. There are specialty cleaning agents such as tin dioxide available at most leading housekeeping stores. Used as manual polish or in combination with an electric floor polisher, these work wonders in freshening up the lost shine of marble.
Keeping your marble in top condition is easy with a little care: it may be maintained with soft, conventional cleaning products; stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide and it may even be polished to keep it looking new.
Wood Flooring provides detailed information about wood flooring, laminate wood flooring, hard wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and more. Wood Flooring is the sister site of How To Clean Marble.
Living Room Rough FramingHardwood floors are beautiful, but, as everyone knows, expensive. A lovely and less expensive alternative is laminate flooring. Laminate comes in a wide variety of both colors and styles, and you can find a laminate to suit any budget. They look just like hardwood floors and are now manufactured by such reliable forums as Mohawk and Shaw, so you know you Will have good quality.
There is a wide range of choices in laminate flooring, something to suit every room in the house and every house in the neighborhood. No matter what the style of the room, there is a laminate that will suit it. There are floorings that resemble Early American plank boarding and there is flooring that is super modern in look.
Most of the laminates today are made to look like wood, but there are other options as well. Laminates are available in styles that resemble tile, stone or marble as well. Using all laminate floorings througout your home, you can have the look of ceramic tile in kitchens and bathrooms, the look of wood in living room and family room and the look of marble in the foyer.
When you begin to shop for laminates, measure the area you want to cover. Then allow 10% for waste and pattern matching. With these numbers in hand, you will be able to price your flooring project realistically.
There are many sites on the Internet where you can shop for discount flooring. These sites have excellent pictures so that you can see exactly what you are going to get. The most important thing when you order on line is that you get all the material from the same lot, so there will be no differences in the material. If all of the material is not from the same lot, you will notice variations in color and textures once the flooring is laid.
Make sure you check the flooring immediately upon arrival for any damage or faults. Make sure there is no chipping or other damage along the edges. Insist on an exchange if there is any damage that cannot be trimmed away without affecting the use of the flooring.
It is a fairly easy project to install laminate flooring, and most handy do it yourselfers can do it. The prep is easy, since laminate can be installed right over existing flooring, whether that flooring is vinyl, hardwood, wood or concretes. Laminate has been successfully installed over concrete in basements.
Laminate flooring comes in pieces that are fitted together in a tongue and groove method. It is not glued or nailed in place the way hardwood floors are, but rather "floats" with the pieces glued to each other rather than to the under flooring. If you are doing one room in laminate flooring, you can easily complete it as a weekend project.
Kurt Schefken's papers can be encountered on countless websites with reference to discount floors. From his detailed writings, the author proofed his deep knowledge on topics like discount laminate flooring.
Double Hung Window In Wall FramigWhen it comes to cleaning, commercial cleaning supplies often get the boot in cleaning books. Comparably, the difference between using commercial and natural cleaning solutions is the time and effort required to scrub, having a clean green feeling, and the safety of our health. Natural cleaning may not be preferable for everyone, but it's good to know the differences between natural and commercial cleaning products.
Going natural will often require having to apply a cleaner, waiting a period of time to let it soak in, scrubbing, and then repeating the process until the job is done. Many commercial cleaners don't always require these extended periods of time, or if they do they don't require as much scrubbing as may be required if you were to use natural cleaning solutions. Going natural often requires that you spend time making pastes and solutions to tackle your cleaning chores.
The benefit of natural cleaning products is that you can often buy large quantities of them, like Vinegar for example, at a relatively low cost that will last you for months. Most commercial cleaners may not last as long, the cost may be more expensive, and there are side-effects and potential health hazards they can create. With natural cleaning supplies you will not have to worry about health hazards or side-effects when using your cleaners. It should be acknowledged though that just because a product may be natural does not in any way mean that it is a gentle cleaning solution. By this, I mean that a natural cleaning solution may guarantee better health, but it may not guarantee the complete safety of certain household possessions. In the ways you can cause damage to your fabrics with commercial cleaning supplies, you can do the same with natural ones as well; lemon for example can fade fabric, hydrogen peroxide can cause unwanted lightening to carpet if used to remove a stain, and salt can rust metal and create permanent damp patches. So it's always advised to be careful when using any cleaning solution, period.
Now, going Green may be the most beneficial route to take if commercial cleaners cause problems for you. Many people find undesirable side effects to their health when using commercial cleaning products. Allergic reactions, headaches, and respiratory problems are all common side-effects for some people when using commercial cleaning products. Ammonia and sodium hypochlorite for example, can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Products with heavy amounts of these chemicals are not recommended for people with heart conditions or chronic respiratory problems. Some cleaning products contain parabens as preservatives, which has been linked with cancer. There are numerous problems associated with commercial cleaning products such as air pollution, water pollution, environmental and health hazards.
For Environmentalists the main concern here is the damage that chemical cleaning agents pose to our planet. Tons of different cleaning products with hazardous chemicals are being released every year and pose more of a threat to our environment. Scientists are continually finding that many chemicals have potential cancer risks. The products you may be using in your home today may indeed be posing dangers to not only your health but your families and the environments as well. This is often one of the main reasons that natural cleaning products are preferred over commercial ones.
Overall, natural and commercial cleaning products have their pros and cons. Depending on your preference, your personal situation, and the time you can dedicate to house cleaning, natural cleaning solutions may or may not be the best route for you. On the contrary, if you prefer natural over commercial and have the time to put into making your own solutions, then you will be able to enjoy the benefits that natural cleaning has to offer you and your family.
Debra Marks is a house cleaning enthusiast and author. For more great information on natural cleaning supplies you can visit http://www.simplehousecleaning.com a website dedicated to providing quality information on house cleaning.
Given all the variety in today's wood burning stove market, when you come to the point of actually buying a stove for your house, the prospect can be intimidating. The good news is that it doesn't need to be. Here are a few tips to make the buying process as simple as possible.
First, choose a wood stove that matches your home size.
Several factors are involved here. In a nutshell, you need to decide what you want your wood stove to accomplish. Are you heating a single room, a floor, or your entire house? Once you after that question, you'll be able to decide what size category you should be looking at.
Fortunately, on the technology side of things, any new-model stove you buy will be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. This means, practically, that the stoves you consider will all produce clean, radiant, efficient heat--so there's no need to get too concerned about so-called spec numbers like Btu output and square footage ratings. At best, these numbers are very general estimates, because they are not standardized, and vary widely depending on factors like climate, fuel, and house type. That's why stove size is the best way to guide your decision making.
Second, pick out your favorite designs and materials.
If buying a wood stove is part art, part science (I think it is), here's where the art kicks in. After you know what size you need, you can cut loose and let your sense of style be your guide. Case in point: welded steel is cheaper than cast iron and just as durable--but if you're looking for class, it's likely that the clean, sculpted lines of iron stoves will catch your eye.
Go ahead and decide, "Am I looking for heating output only, or heating and style?" In terms of sturdiness and efficiency, there's virtually no difference between iron and welded steel stoves. Designer materials like pewter and soapstone--offered in an array of colors--give you some opportunities to make your stove a conversation piece, but no drop-off in heating ability. So relax and enjoy this part. It's your call.
Third, list any "super powers" your stove should possess.
This is kind of obvious, but what could be worse than buying your stove, only to make a painful discovery a few weeks later? "Hey, where's that built-in spit for roasting small pigs and turkeys?" More seriously, you should ask yourself, "Do I need a wood stove with a cooking surface? How about an ash pan for easy maintenance? Do I have to have a removable fire screen?"
By identifying any non-negotiable features, you'll make your search more focused and make sure you don't regret your decision down the road. With all the manufacturers in the market today, someone is sure to be making the stove you're looking for. So take your time as you compile your feature list. These options pertain to convenience and aesthetics--not vital heating ability--so don't sweat it.
Finally, purchase your wood burning stove from a trustworthy dealer.
In the past, brick and mortar stores were the default place to buy wood stoves--and there continue to be reasons to buy locally, such as the opportunity to talk with an experienced dealer and inspect floor models first hand. Of course, buying via the internet is also a viable route today, and this may be even more true if you have a clear idea of what you're looking for. If that's the case, then shopping around online may lead to discounts. A good online store will have generous return policies and reps to address any questions you have. Whether you buy local or online, by doing your research, you're setting the stage for a happy purchase.
AJ Vanderhorst writes about how to get the most out of wood stoves. A world of warm aesthetics and hot, clean, fuel economy awaits your discovery. Explore today's wood burning stoves at Modern Wood Stoves.
Do you know what dangers lie under your kitchen sink? Many of us are unaware that we have a virtual toxic waste dump in our kitchen. So many of the soaps, detergents and cleaners that we use on a day-to-day basis present a serious danger to our dogs, cats and other furry friends (not to mention yourself).
Eighty-one Thousand (81,000) chemicals have been registered with the EPA in the last 30 years, and fewer than 20% have been tested for toxicity! EPA studies indicate that elevated concentration of household chemicals persist in the air. Long-term exposure to chemicals inside our homes may be harmful to our families and our pets.
Has your dog ever tried to lick the dishes after you've rinsed them with liquid soap and water? Does your cat peak into the washing machine while your loading it or curl up on the wash fresh out of the dryer? Several years ago we had a cat that loved to jump into the tub right after we cleaned it and he would try to drink the water left in the tub (we would always shoo him out before he got the chance). The behavior of our furry friends, while often cute and endearing, can very often be dangerous to their well being. Many common household cleaning products contain chemicals which are dangerous to you, your family and your pet. Some things you can easily watch out for:
1. To protect your pet you should avoid sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye. Found in dish-washing liquids, laundry products, oven cleaner, scouring products, and tub & tile cleaners, sodium hydroxide is immediately irritating to the respiratory tract if inhaled. Contact can cause severe damage to the eyes, skin, mouth, and throat. It can cause liver and kidney damage as well.
2. Have you ever sprayed air freshener around the litter box or caught your pet drinking from the toilet bowl? Both can be dangerous to your pet. Hydrochloric acid is often found in odor eliminators and toilet bowl cleaners. Hydrochloric acid can cause severe damage to skin. It can be harmful to health, just by breathing the fumes. If swallowed hydrochloric acid can be fatal.
3. Many all-purpose cleaners, cleaning wipes, de-greasers, floor polish, rug shampoos, toilet bowl cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, and window cleaners contain butyl cellosolve. It can cause irritation and tissue damage from inhalation. Butyl cellosolve is so hazardous a person who spends just 15 minutes cleaning scale off shower walls could inhale three times the acute exposure limit. Imagine what harm it can do to your beloved pet.
According to The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care by C. J. Puotinen, accidental exposure to toxic chemicals is the leading cause of death for America's dogs, cats and other pets (pg 323).
The Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) recommends you keep pets away from cleaning products. Shut them out of the room while spraying bathroom cleansers, etc. They also suggest you close toilet lids to keep pets from drinking the water. This is very important if you choose to use automatic chemical tank or bowl treatments.
To protect your pet you may wish to start using "Green" products. Sloan Barnett, in her book Green Goes With Everything, suggests that "A green product is one that won't harm you, your children, your pets, or the environment inside the house or outside where your waste goes. And it won't hang around like an unwanted guest after you use it - on floors, carpets, counters, clothes, and so forth."
One of the most effective and well known "Green" product lines is Shaklee's Get Clean. It has been featured on the Oprah Show and on Rachel Rae. Get Clean products are nontoxic, natural and never tested on animals. According to Rachel Rae the products in the Get Clean starter kit "provide you with a combination of really great cleaning power but also they're non-toxic, they are economic, and they are safe for you, your home, and most importantly, the planet."
No matter how hard you try, it is still possible that your beloved pet comes in contact with something dangerous to her health. That is why the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends pet owners keep a "Pet First Aid Kit" that includes:
- Fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
- Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
- Saline eye solution
- Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
- Mild grease-cutting dish-washing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
- Forceps (to remove stingers)
- Muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
- Can of your pet's favorite wet food
- Pet carrier
The ASPCA recommends you always consult a veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item. We also suggest that you keep the telephone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center-(888) 426-4435-as well as that of your local veterinarian in a prominent location. More information is available on the ASPCA web site, aspca.org.
The Pet Poison Helpline handles some 100,000 cases of pet poisoning each year. They have compiled a "Poison Proof Your Home" list. It includes items like:
Identify your plants. Are they toxic to pets?
Keep medications safely locked up behind cupboard doors. Do not leave them on counter tops or tables. This includes inhalers, dietary aids, dietary supplements or neutraceuticals!
Keep home fragrance products beyond their reach.
Keep rodenticides far away from a pet's access. Keep in mind that rodents can transfer the toxins to accessible locations. Certain rodenticide products do not have treatment antidotes.
Know what a product's active ingredient is and potential toxicity for pets.
Do not spray aerosols or use any heavily fragranced products (including plug-in products) around caged birds or other caged pets.
Never medicate your pets with human products without first speaking to a veterinary professional!
Keep open dishes of potpourri (liquid or dry form) out of reach.
Do not use insecticides around your pet without knowing their toxicological profile. Read labels and use products only as recommended.
Keep garbage behind closed doors.
Do not allow batteries of any type lying around. Dogs enjoy chewing on them which can result in serious harm if ingested.
(The complete list may be found at petpoisonhelpline.com).
Finally, remember there are a number of food products that are toxic to your pet. Products such as chocolate, chewing gum, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, or garlic should never be left somewhere that your pet may be tempted to take a taste test. Often kitchens may contain many toxins to pets such as cigarette and other nicotine products, coffee grounds, alcoholic beverages, moldy dairy products, & chicken bones. Keep these items in closed cabinets, closed refrigerators or in closed trash containers, away from the reach of our curious little friends.
Have the phone number for your veterinarian easily accessible. It's also a good idea to keep the local pet poison control hot-line with your emergency phone numbers.
Our pets can provide years of affection and companionship. Take a few minutes today to make your home environment one that is safer for your pet. In the long run you will benefit in so many ways.
Wendy Re Boyd is the owner and president of Greener Living, an eco-consulting firm, located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Greener Living helps families have greener, safer and healthier homes. Wendy is also a Shaklee Independent Distributor. She and her husband, Keats, together with their children, their Golden Retriever, rabbit and two cats reside on Cape Cod. You can learn more about Get Clean by calling (508) 428-6154 or by visiting http://www.Go-ing-Green.com or http://www.ilovegreenerliving.com.
