Take Pictures of Your Growing Foundation Damage Or Cracks

I champion people and try to get them to look at their house, at least once a year. One of the easiest ways to inspect your home is to use a home inspection checklist and if you really want a good home inspection checklist, there's a good chance that you are going to need to purchase one. You get what you pay for and don't ever forget that.

Foundation repairs usually start with a small crack and that's no joke. If you notice a crack, take a picture of it and save it somewhere. If you think, that the crack is actually getting a little bigger or starting to separate, you can simply take another picture and compare the two photos.

I would like to give you an example of what I'm talking about. Sometimes we look at something and we think that it's getting larger, but we don't have anything to compare it to. As time goes on, we think that the crack is still getting larger, but our mind is creating an optical illusion. This happens to a lot of people.

If you had a picture, from a few years ago, you could refresh your memory and this could be very helpful in reducing your anxiety or jumping to conclusions about foundation damage. Trust me, sometimes, I'm like a medical emergency crew, going to visit a homeowner to relieve their foundations stress. People panic over foundation cracks and I'm the doctor they call for any one of their home emergencies.

I would also advise you to take pictures of the rest of your home. How hard would it be to take about 300 pictures of your home each year and store them on your computer or on a disk, for easy access later? A picture is worth a thousand words and don't ever forget that.

Click Here for Some More Great Foundation Repair Solutions.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

Bathroom Remodeling

Proper planning and a reasonable budget can put you on a path to a brand new bathroom. Picture the tensions of the day melting away as you luxuriate in a tub of steaming, hot water, massaged by the tiny bubbles emanating from well-placed jets of air. Or being invigorated by a morning shower that delivers pulsing jets of water, awakening both your body and your mind.

There are many reasons to remodel a bathroom, the first one being, of course, for your own pleasure and comfort. But perhaps just as important when making the decision as to whether or not to direct your budget to the bath, is the fact that a new bath increases the value of your home in a very positive way. A newly remodeled bath can be said to pay for itself if you are planning to put your house on the market in the near term

Making the decision somewhat painful is the fact that remodeling a bathroom is one of most expensive things you can do in your home, when looked at on a per square foot basis. The main reason for this is the high cost of materials, like fixtures and floor and wall tile. A new bath will also involve paying skilled labor, since few homeowners have the abilities to do a job like this by themselves. Plan on hiring a designer, a plumber and a tile setter at the least.

The bathroom is a great place to express your creative side. Since it is so private, you can be as unconventional as you like with colors, styles and textures. It can be decadently expensive, or it can be sparse and functional. Most importantly, the room will be whatever you want the room to be.

If you are an individual that likes a lot of choices, you will absolutely love remodeling a bathroom. There is a seemingly endless variety of sinks, tubs, toilets and tiles. Mix and match them to your heart's content.

You can choose a conventional self-rimming sink, an undermount, or perhaps a vessel that sits on top of the countertop like an old-fashioned wash basin. The countertop itself can be as simple as a laminate, or you can choose from among more exotic materials like granite, tile or marble. Faucets come in hundreds of styles and many different finishes, and can range in price from under $30 to hundreds of dollars.

The showcase of any bathroom is usually the bath tub itself. Again, here your choices are many; do you want an old-fashioned claw-footed tub mindful of another era? Or a high-tech spa, complete with jets of water to soothe your aching bones? Or perhaps a tub and shower combination? Again, you can see that there are so many decisions that have to be made.

Use your imagination on the walls and floors, too. Tile, marble, or simply just paint? Bold colors and designs, or muted earth-tones? Let your choice reflect your personality, and your concept of what the room should be.

Remodeling a bathroom can be a difficult and daunting task without the proper research and planning. Being careful at these first, early stages is the key to the project coming together without wasting time - and without wasting money. Properly done, you are sure to feel a deep satisfaction as you gaze upon your new room. Good luck, and happy remodeling!

Frank Sarntarpia
Home Remodeling
Home Remodeling Blog

Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

By Greg Vandenberge

Fun Indoor Water Park Hotels in Michigan

If you want to take the kids to an indoor water park hotel, Michigan has the most out of any other state. For some reason, Michigan has become a hotspot for indoor water parks and is home to seven such hotels, with plans for another two. The majority are close to the border and very family-focused.

To learn more about the most popular indoor water park hotels in Michigan, read on.

Great Wolf Family Lodge (Traverse City, MI)

Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City is part of a chain of family resorts in North America that caters to local family vacations. Each of their hotels offers visitors massive indoor water parks and family suites designed to afford parents privacy. They have lots of kid activities and are very focused on safety.

Great Wolf's biggest drawback, though, is the price. For a family of four, you should expect to pay close to $300 a night for a family suite. You'll also be paying for meals on top of this, so budget accordingly. And, if you plan to travel to a Great Wolf Lodge over a holiday weekend or during the summer holidays, then book early and expect a crowd.

The Gold Rush Water Park

Just five miles from Lake Michigan and the draw of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Gold Rush and the Double JJ Ranch and Resort is the perfect launching pad for families who want to explore the dunes.

You'll pay less than what you would at other water park hotels and resorts in the area, but the rooms are definitely smaller and somewhat outdated. You'll typically pay around $150 for a room.

Avalanche Bay at the Boyne Mountain Resort

The Boyne Mountain Resort is unique in that it combines a ski resort with an incredible water park and on-site spa. So, dad can spend the day skiing, mom can hit the spa and the older kids can enjoy a day at the water park. In the summer, you'll also find hiking and biking trails along with a public golf course with reasonable green fees.

At Boyne Mountain, there are two accommodation options. These include the budget rooms at Boyne Mountain (starting at $75) and also higher-end rooms in the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa. These rooms are directly connected to the water park for easy access.

If you're looking for an indoor water park hotel, Michigan clearly has numerous options that can appeal to any family at almost any budget. From high-end to budget-friendly, these three hotels represent the best of each.

For fun information about recreation and travel ideas - please visit recreationtraveltips.com - a popular site about creative ideas for your next vacation - such as rainbow trout fishing in Alaska - outdoor saunas - and many more!

Do-It-Yourself Concrete Room Addition Foundation

This information can also be very important to do-it-yourselfers that will be building other projects, for future home improvements. How can a do-it-yourselfer learn to build a concrete room addition foundation? Let's get started.

The first thing that you're going to need is a set of plans or building blueprints and they should have been approved by your local building department and planning department. There should be specific architectural details, that you will need to examine carefully, to build your new concrete room addition foundation correctly.

Let's get started with the digging. You're building plans, should give you the width and depth and the exact location, of the building footings that will need to be dug. Grab your shovels and get started. Make sure that all of the dirt is removed properly, before you start to form the room addition foundation footings.

Next you will need to form the foundation. This can be done using 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 form boards. You can easily apply these form boards, in the exact location, that the building plans are suggesting. You can use 1 x 3 wood or metal stakes that can be purchased at any home improvement or lumber yard, to hold up your form boards in the correct position.

The sole purpose of the form boards, will be to hold the concrete in, once it is poured. Next you will need to install all of the rebar and building hardware, that will also be required on your building blueprints. Make sure that you examine these building plans to find the exact location, for all of your anchor bolts, hold down bolts and all of your structural rebar.

Once this is done, you're ready to pour your concrete, but don't pour your concrete, until you have contacted your local building inspector to examine your new room addition building foundation.

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Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors.

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Fuerteventura - Bahia Azul - Villa Information

Bahia Azul is the long awaitedprestigious walled development in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, built to very high standards. It has gated security for visitors peace of mind. The are both residential villas and those being offered for rent. The villas are detached and are of identical size and layout, allhaving high quality marble floors throughout..For anyone wishing to rent a villa,the following facilities are offered in most.

• Bahia Azulis situatedon the edgeof Corralejo fronting on tothe Parque Natural, a protected area.
• There are 147 villas sympathetically laid out in streets mostwith10 villas per street.
• The complex boast wonderful colourful boulevards with palm trees, Yucca, Bougainvillea, all maintain by hydroponics. All this colour is in sharp contrast to the lunar like landscape of the Parque Natural.
• There are 3 bedrooms, all en-suite. A cloakroom is next to the lounge.
• The villas have amaster bedroom with access of the lounge, but still having accessdirectly on to the pool.
• A further double bedroom and a third bedroom with twin beds, these havedirect accesson to the pool area viasliding patio doors.
• Families with very young childrenmay find this a problem in terms of safety but older children would appreciate the privacy away from their parents.
• Privacy may also be a bonus for a group of adults sharing, or a family group with older members.
• The bedrooms are all tastefully furnished as is the large lounge areawith big sofas and chairs.
• There is alarge plasma screen and DVD player.
• The Kitchen has everything you could want from a home from home. Hob, oven microwave, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, iron and ironing board, and for those little accidents whichca happen a mop and bucket and cleaning products
• Alarge dining table for intimate dinners or family meals.
• The pool area has comfortably patio furniture that can be placedin the shade, sun loungers to relax onto soak up thesunshine.
• Children can play safely in the pool, viewed easily by their parents.
• The villas have a very good level of privacy,suitable for naturists.
• There is ahe rooftop terrace, a sun trap during the day, but taking advantage of thethe cool breezes.
• A hot tub (for 6 people) is located on the roof. All of the rooftop terrace area has ambient lighting for night time diningas has the poolarea.
• Barbecue (for a quick snack),within the decorative minaret.
• The on site restaurantserves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a coffee bar serving snacks during the day.
• There is a choice of dining insideor the option of a table on their rooftop terrace.
• The prices are those of a good restaurant.
• Corralejo is about 40 mins away fromFuerteventura airport, and Bahia Azul is on the outskirts of Corralejo,it is advisable to hire a car.
• Hiring a car isvery easy to do on line, there are several very reputable car hire firms that have sales desk at the airport and picking one up when you land is quick and efficient, petrol is cheap on the island.
• Having a caralso meansthat you can explore the island, which has so much to offer.
• The Las Dunas beach is only a few minutes drive away andis comparable withmanyCaribbean beaches.
• The water sports on offer are world class. There are schools where you can learn to surf, kite surf, boggie board, and scuba dive. Deep sea fishing is also very popular.

Alan Lawrie is the owner of villas on the new 5* Bahia Azul complex. If you would like to know more about renting one of these secluded villas and finding out just what Fuerteventura has to offer, visit http://www.relaxxation.co.uk

For a FREE report full of information and facts about Fuerteventura please visit http://www.fuerterelaxation.com

Avoiding Mistakes For Do-It-Yourselfers - Drain Clearing

The other day I was in a popular home improvement center picking up some irrigation parts for our house, when I was ease dropping on a conversation between an older man and one of the stores representatives. The man explained to the so-called in house plumbing expert that he had a clogged drain and was looking for a product that could be poured into the drain and solve his problems.

They were both standing in front of the liquid plumber selection of fine products(that was a joke). What product do you recommend the older man asked. The do-it-yourselfer plumbing expert answered by pointing to a product that he recommended, this seems to do a pretty good job at clearing drains. The older man, having been around the block before, a little more educated than he was a few years ago, from his previous purchases of a product that claimed to perform a task, but didn't.

If this was a young man or woman, I would have waited until the home improvement specialist left the area and then, I would've explained who I was, and my experience with a few of these products. However, I felt that this man, who looked like he was in his late 60s or early 70s, should've known better. I chose the let him help the economy with his purchase. I guess in a sense, I was doing my good deed for the day.

Their conversation soon ended as the in-house plumbing expert left to advise another customer, hopefully on something that he actually knew something about. The older gentleman selected a different product and quickly scaned the area to make sure that the person who had assisted him wasn't around as he scampered off in a hurry.

Here's a quick tip on how to avoid mistakes as a do-it-yourselfer. Don't assume that liquid drain cleaning products will solve your problem. Try not to get caught up in your home improvement advisers solution to your problem. I have watched them sell products to unsuspecting customers and even had them try to sell me something that didn't work.

I personally, have never had any luck unclogging any drain pipes with any liquid drain cleaner. I don't know if my message is loud and clear here and hope that anyone who has gotten this far, reading the article will not believe everything that they read, because the book or product says professional plumbing expert or listen to someone because they're wearing a shirt that says ask me, I'm a home improvement expert.

If you choose to ignore my advice, know this, you will be forever doomed to repeat the mistakes that others have made before you.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:
Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more information on plumbing check out our house plumbing books

Santa Fe - A Mosaic of History, Culture, Art, and Natural Beauty

Established in 1607, Santa Fe, New Mexico is oozing with history, culture, art and natural beauty like no other in the United States. A world-renowned travel destination, it boasts the best in southwest cuisine, shopping, and gallery-hopping. For the outdoor-types, the surrounding areas glisten with beauty, blue skies, and sunshine 300 days per year. Festivals abound and music, from opera to jazz, can be heard most nights of the week.

History buffs find full-time pleasure exploring Santa Fe's many significant sites. The city claims the oldest church in the country, the beautiful El San Miguel Mission Church. The city jewel is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, built in the 1800's in the French Romanesque Revival style. Visitors flock to The Loretto Chapel to see its marvelous staircase with two 360-degree turns.

Long before the Spanish arrived in the 1500's, the American Indians inhabited New Mexico and forever influenced its culture and traditions. Today you can visit 19 pueblos located around the state, including the famous Taos Pueblo known for its multi-storied adobe architecture. Pueblo artists are known for their clay pottery, jewelry and art. Many ceremonial dances are open to the public. It is not surprising that the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Santa Fe one of the organization's Dozen Distinctive Destinations in America for 2009.

One of the premier art centers of the world, Santa Fe is the home of over 200 galleries and more than a dozen museums. Spend an afternoon at Museum Hill, beginning with lunch at the Museum Hill Cafe. While there, don't miss the Wheelwright Museum, an eight-sided building inspired by a Navajo hooghan. The Case Trading Post in the museum's basement is one of the nicest museum stores anywhere. The prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market is held every August, showcasing over 1,200 artists from 100 tribes.

The natural beauty of the Santa Fe area is breathtaking. For those who love the outdoors, there is every conceivable activity available, including hiking, skiing, and river rafting. Bandelier National Monument contains beautiful trails, cliff dwellings, and artifacts from ancient pueblo times. The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a geologic marvel full of towering cone-shaped tent rock formations. Close to town and a great way to spend just a few hours, Pecos National Historical Park is a beautiful site with ruins dating from the 17th century.

Santa Fe is a year-round tourist destination, with summer and the Christmas holidays being most popular because of its special festivals. Visit anytime. You'll come back again and again.

Marilyn Price-Mitchell is the owner of Casa De Alma, a Santa Fe Vacation Rental in the heart of the Canyon Roads Arts District.

Important Home Repair Advice - Do it Yourself

There are plenty of homeowners that would like to do their own home repairs, but lack the skills necessary to accomplish the task. I would like to give them a couple of tips that can drastically improve their home repair abilities.

Let's start with the basics, you need to acquire the basic information necessary to accomplish the task. Where are you going to find this information, who's going to teach you how to do your home repairs. Most building professionals don't have the time to explain the process to you, because it takes time away from them, for making money to support their families.

Here's the best advice I can give you, buy books, buying as many books as you need to gather the information to help you accomplish your home repair or home remodeling project. These books can provide you with lots of useful illustrations and the step-by-step instructions that will be necessary to understand the construction process.

I have been using great books with lots of illustrations, my entire life and have learned many things about the home repair and construction process. If you're planning on repairing your bathtub, try to find fix-it books that have some information on what you are trying to do.

There are plenty of great books out there and I would recommend any of them that apply to your needs. If you need a lot of pictures, find a book with a lot of pictures, if you have an easier time understanding step-by-step instructions, find a book that has plenty of step-by-step instructions.

I hope this has helped you, because it has helped a lot of people in the past.

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If Your Serious About Home Improvement You Should Visit Our Newest Site On Home Repairs

Bathroom Flooring Material

Bathroom Floors can be covered with wide variety of materials. Important things that one needs to consider while selecting bathroom flooring materials is affordability, water resistance and antislip qualities. Flooring bathroom with beautiful and suitable material can make it pretty. Right choice of material gives more impressive look to your bathroom.

Some Common Types of Bathroom Flooring Material

Following are some common examples of bathroom flooring materials.

• Natural Stone
• Lime Stone
• Marble
• Slate
• Granite
• Travertine

Natural Stone

It gives luxurious feel. It is expensive option. Repair cost is also high for damages such as staining and scratching. You can install it on your own but extreme care is necessary during cutting and matching of tiles.

Lime Stone

It is porous and soft in texture available in many light and neutral colors. It can vary in hardness. It retains the moisture and gets irreparable stains and scratches. It is not a good option for high transport area. Price is similar to marble. Professionals can install it properly because installation of limestone is very typical process in a sense that it can be broken easily due to improper installation.

Marble

Marble is made up of limestone treated to high temperature till recrystallization. This makes it hard. Sealing is required to make it resistant to stains. It is available in number of colors and veining. It is very smooth and gets very slippery when exposed to water. It is suggested to get it installed by professionals because improper installation can cause breaking and damage. It has to be treated with sealer on regular basis because it is highly prone to scratches and stains.

Slate

It is hard tile needs proper sealing for proper look and fitting. It is glamorous option. It is fine granular rock with textured and rustic appearance. It is non porous and best for washrooms. It is also available in good variety of hues and dark shades of black, gray, maroon, rust and green. It is one of the most durable bathrooms flooring material with more slip resistance.

Granite

It is drilled from very deep in earth. It is a kind of volcanic rock. It is beautiful flooring option. It is very hard but it is not resistant to stains. It is difficult to find similar pieces of granite due to variable veining and differences in stone color. It is very expensive. It is very durable and scratch resistant. It is also resistant to heat. It is porous and can get stains and absorbs moisture. To avoid this proper sealing is necessary after every six months. Proper installations can be done by professionals.

Travertine

This stone is commonly found in Italy. Chemically it is made up of calcium carbonate. It is available in several colors with uneven surface. These uneven surfaces can be filled. It is very durable bathroom flooring material and can resist to most cleaning products and it is also resistant to acids and basis.

If you want to know more information about bathroom remodeling options you can visit this site http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/remodeling/bathroom_remodeling/index.php it will give you useful information and tips about bathroom remodeling.

Contractors For Your Home Improvement

Good Home improvement contractors are very important for your home improvement project. Without them, you cannot alone bring into existence all your ideas that you have planned for your home improvement plan. However, there are some easy home improvements that you can handle alone. But when you talk about big home improvement projects, you are indirectly talking about home improvement contractor.

They are important because they are professionally trained for home improvement projects. Plus, they are into business and they know more than you do and think of. Whether you are planning a kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling or repairs on a big scale, you should get help from a professional home improvement contractor. On the other hand, if you plan to redecorate your home with a low budget and cost effective measures, you can do it yourself.

Big projects need bigger planning as well as understanding of the entire situation. It needs a lot of effort to complete a project with all the requirements. Home improvement contractors are licensed and also have financial assistance which they get from insurance companies. In case of a loss, mishap, thunder or any such unpredictable phenomena, good contractors have a safe side.

But do not select any home improvement contractor which does not qualify for your requirements; does not have a license and professional experience. Good contractors are those which help you save your time and money. In addition they also support your ideas just like you want them to be. One needs to think deeply before signing any contractor. Otherwise, results can be harmful.

You can find all kind of details regarding home improvement, home improvement contractors, their qualities, projects and much more on http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/index.php

Roofing Options Continued

We previously explored roofing options such as asphalt shingle and ceramic tile, weighing the pros and cons of each. Considering the importance of a well-functioning roof, we will continue the discussion of roofing options here.

Wood shingle is a relatively inexpensive option for roofing. First it might be helpful to distinguish the difference between shakes and shingles.

A shingle is cut with a saw, and has a smoother finish than a shake. Shakes are split, and the wood is more rippled. The rippling in shakes actually encourages water to run down them quickly.

Most often, cedar is the wood of choice for shakes or shingles. This is due to a naturally occurring oil in the wood that discourages rot and bugs, making it far longer lasting than other woods. Shingles and shakes can both be applied over old asphalt or cedar shingles. Shakes require an open sheathing underneath them, so that air can flow and dry any dampness in the shakes themselves. Because of their irregular surface, it is recommended that shakes be layered with a course of felt material, and on solid sheathing, which will fill in any gaps and completely weather-proof.

The only major con to shakes or shingles is that they are not fire-proof. Also, the water collected off them is undrinkable for up to 6 years because of the same volatile oil that deters bugs and rot. After six years, however, it is usable water. Cedar shakes or shingles can last up to 25 years.

Slate is another interesting, and very attractive, option for roofing. Slate's biggest downfall is its high expense. However it is extremely long lasting-a 100 year old slate roof is not uncommon. It is also fire-proof, rot-proof, and a very low maintenance roofing material in general, resistant to acid rain and fading. Also, because it is also all natural, collecting water from your slate roof is very viable.

Metal roofing is probably the most light-weight roofing option. The cost of metal roofing is moderate, about mid-range compared to the other options discussed. It can easily be installed on top of older roofing, and is known for being very low maintenance. Modern metal roofing is usually made of aluminum or a steel alloy. It is then coated with a rust-resistant coating, available in a variety of nice colors. The biggest caution is that this coating is not scraped off during the installation of your metal roof.

Written on behalf of the Orlando real estate team at OrlandoMLS.com. Visit them if you are looking for an Orlando Realtor, or want to search the Orlando MLS listings.

Building Codes - Stairway Construction

The stair building code was created for building safety. Before the building code and local city enforcement (Building Inspectors), anyone could build a house. This meant Uncle Earl who had just watched a couple of his friends build a house down the street construct some sort of a dwelling. The next step for Earl would be to help these guys for a day and now he is a professional home builder. You get the point.

Stair Building Codes create the safety needed for one of the most hazardous areas of your home. You might know someone who has fallen down a stairway?

I lived in a house I built for 15 years and I redesigned the stairs from a winder design to a T shaped set of stairs. Both sets of stairs were built using the local stair building code for my city.

Wow I could not believe how many times my family members fell down the stairs. I even fell down once. I was amazed. When I switched from the winder to the T shaped stairway there were less accidents. My point is that even using the stair building codes this is a dangerous part of your house.

Having a professional stair builder install your stairs is great advice. Take it. For example this happened to me on quite a few jobs. I get a set of plans from a architect who has been designing houses for over 40 years. I looked at the stairway to find out that he has designed a stairway that is too small for the length of this part of the home. If I build the stairs using the plans that by the way were approved from the local building department, I could have a problem.

You are probably asking yourself how does this happen. Aren't these people experienced professionals. Of course they are. They probably have the U.B.C. (Uniform Building Code) in their office somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes here and there but this is one area of the home where safety is a big concern.

Just look at it like this. The stair building code was designed to improve the safety and reduce the number of accidents while using the stairs. Over the years I have seen stairs poorly designed and constructed. These stairs create problems for the owners of the buildings not just the people that use them. Did I mention lawsuits. This is one area where a lawyer will have a field day.

As a building professional I advise you to use the stair building code first for safety and second to avoid lawsuits. Get an idea from some of the pictures I have taken over the years on problems with stair building.

Use common sense while building or remodeling your home. It goes a long way.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Stair Building Articles

Retaining Walls Suffer From Moisture Problems

Whether you're driving down the road or through a neighborhood and you notice a retaining wall that has large cracks in it, or is severely discolored, or one that has white calcium deposits from moisture covering the entire wall, you've got problems with moisture.

The retaining wall is designed to hold the dirt back, that's it's sole purpose. It's not going to hold any moisture back unless someone has installed a waterproofing membrane to separate the soil from the concrete block wall. If the soil isn't ever going to get wet, then you probably don't need to waterproof the retaining wall.

However that's normally not going to be the case. So we need to waterproof the interior of our retaining walls to eliminate future moisture problems that could eventually, deteriorate as moisture starts to accumulate, inside of our block wall for a longer periods of time.

If you don't know anything about waterproofing, I would suggest that you hire a waterproofing expert. Waterproofing looks easier than it actually is, and might be out of your scope of work.

I'm not going to suggest that you use waterproofing paints, because I haven't seen great results with these products. However, if you're not that concerned about your retaining wall and are looking for a cheaper way to apply any waterproofing materials, these paints might not be a bad idea. Sometimes, Something is better than nothing.

If you live in a relatively dry climate, it might not be necessary to waterproof your retaining walls. But if you live in a damp or moist area, especially an area where the ground is moist all year round or more than six months out of the year, I would suggest that you waterproof the back of your retaining walls.

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

Dryer Vent In Basement Window.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Don't Let This Happen to You - Home Computer Electrical Damage

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that I am always coming up with great ideas, tips and even a couple of stories that can save homeowners lots of money. Here's another one of those stories, that involves a friend of mine who asked me if I could fix his outdoor electrical outlet.

I was over at his house one day, and told him that I could probably fix the electrical outlet and if we needed any parts, we could run down to the lumber yard and pick them up and his problem would be solved within a few hours. This two hour repair was about to cost him the hard drive on his computer, but neither one of us had any idea what was about to happen.

We each agreed to give it a shot, I told him to go over to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker that went to his outdoor shed. He proceeded to turn off the breaker and yelled out," It's off, try it." I plugged in an electric drill and it was still working, as he was walking around the corner, towards me, I showed him that the drill was still on and he hadn't turned off the right electrical breaker.

He went back and turned off a couple of more electrical breakers and the drill was still running. Now he frantically started to turn off one electrical breaker at a time, until I yelled out," It's off, the electrical power is, off you can stop."

I repaired the electrical outlet and he went back to turn every electrical breaker back on that he had turned off. We were proud of ourselves and he now had electrical power, back to his shed and he was happy.

Now for the bad news, his computer was running and when he turned the electricity off and on, it must've done something to his computer hard drive and it now needed to be replaced.

The moral to the story, isn't that you shouldn't help your friends. It's that you should, make sure that your computers are safely off, before you attempt to do any electrical work to your home.

It wouldn't be a bad idea, to have a battery backup, for your computer, if you use it often, just in case there is an electrical failure or something happens like the story above.

If your really interested in saving money on your home electrical bills - Energy Saving Books

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy

I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.

1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.

2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.

3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.

4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.

5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.

6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.

7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.

8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.

9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.

10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.

Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Click here if you're looking for additional Homeowner Contractor Advice. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.

Take Pictures of Your Growing Foundation Damage Or Cracks

I champion people and try to get them to look at their house, at least once a year. One of the easiest ways to inspect your home is to use a home inspection checklist and if you really want a good home inspection checklist, there's a good chance that you are going to need to purchase one. You get what you pay for and don't ever forget that.

Foundation repairs usually start with a small crack and that's no joke. If you notice a crack, take a picture of it and save it somewhere. If you think, that the crack is actually getting a little bigger or starting to separate, you can simply take another picture and compare the two photos.

I would like to give you an example of what I'm talking about. Sometimes we look at something and we think that it's getting larger, but we don't have anything to compare it to. As time goes on, we think that the crack is still getting larger, but our mind is creating an optical illusion. This happens to a lot of people.

If you had a picture, from a few years ago, you could refresh your memory and this could be very helpful in reducing your anxiety or jumping to conclusions about foundation damage. Trust me, sometimes, I'm like a medical emergency crew, going to visit a homeowner to relieve their foundations stress. People panic over foundation cracks and I'm the doctor they call for any one of their home emergencies.

I would also advise you to take pictures of the rest of your home. How hard would it be to take about 300 pictures of your home each year and store them on your computer or on a disk, for easy access later? A picture is worth a thousand words and don't ever forget that.

Click Here for Some More Great Foundation Repair Solutions.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

Do I Need a Home Inspection? - Real Estate Advice

Most home inspections today run between $300 to over $1000 and sometimes you don't really get your moneys worth. There are home inspection companies that guarantee, any problems that they miss will be repaired at their expense over a desired period of time, usually a year. It seems like, most home inspection companies are just inspecting the property and have no guarantees or liability from their inspection.

It's not a good idea to buy or sell a home without getting a home inspection from a licensed home inspector. This is like having a second opinion from someone who is usually skilled in the process. I would like to point something out to unsuspecting, potential home buyers and sellers. Sometimes a home inspection company will get a little behind in their work and need to hire other home inspectors if these home inspectors don't have any experience in the construction business or have never inspected a home before. In other words there fresh out of home inspector school. You might not get a good home inspection.

You can always ask the question, how long have you been in business?... How long have you been a home inspector?... have you ever worked in the construction business or have any skills in home building and remodeling. If the answers to these questions are satisfactory, it doesn't mean, that they're telling the truth and being sincere and could lead to problems later if they are lying to you.

Let me rephrase the question now, "Do I Need a Home Inspection" from an unqualified home inspector? Absolutely not. But how can you really tell the difference and is the report going to be worth the money that you paid for it.

What would you say, if I had the solution to your problem. How about a pre-home inspection, using a home buyers checklist? What if I could give you a check list with questions, that you could ask your home inspector? Some of these questions are not going to be part a regular inspection but should always be asked and make sure you get the answers to them, before purchasing the property.

Would you be interested now? What if I told you, for under $20, you could purchase a home buyers checklist, now for the tough question, this checklist could save you thousands of dollars and prevent you from purchasing a home with major construction problems or defects, and can be used on every house you look at.

Don't buy a home without purchasing a professional home inspection checklist. These lists of questions can save you some serious headaches and stress in the future.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a excellent home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find More Facts On Home Water Damage.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Check out These Amazing Home Damage Videos.

Sloping Floors in Your House

If you've ever been in a building where you feel like you are getting pushed to one side and you can't seem to stand up. You have either been drinking too much alcohol or the floor could be sloping. I was just in a store the other day that was full of antiques and glass but I could hardly stand up because the floor was sloping enough to create what I would consider a liability issue to the store owner.

Sloping floors are not going to be that easy to fix and repair. Repairing these floors will require a little skill and it would be a good idea to hire a professional to repair the damage. This is not going to be a simple fix and this is probably the main reason most people never choose to fix their sloping floors.

Fixing these floors will require either pouring a new concrete slab, replacing the wood floor framing members or replacing the actual building foundation itself. No matter how you look at it the sloping floor is going to be a costly item to repair.

What causes a sloping floor? Termite damage or dry rot destroying the wood framing or it could be as simple as a water leak over a long period of time causing the building foundation to sink and become out of level. Poor soil conditions with either too sandy or an expansive clay soil could be the culprit also.

Sloping floors can be damaged from incorrect landscape drainage. This would involve water settling around the foundation of your home and over a period of time the weight of the house along with soil problems can create the building to start sloping to one side.

The number one contributor to a sloping floor again like most damage done to a house is going to be water. Do your best to keep the water away from the house using roof gutters and landscape drains. These items are relatively inexpensive compared to the costs involved in repairing sloping floors.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Find out more about Water Damage.

What To Do If Your Home Floods

Fitting a Shower Into Your Tiny Bathroom

People who live in urban apartments or old houses can face problems with installing a shower into their bathrooms. Most of these bathrooms are extremely small, and it may seem that since all the space is already taken up by existing fixtures, there's no hope of ever having a shower. However, there are options available to give you that shower you want.

The first thing you could try is taking the bathtub completely out. In most of these types of accommodations, the bathtubs are old, large, and take up way more room than they need to. By removing this old tub, you'll have the room you need to fit a fancy shower enclosure in the space instead. Unfortunately, this means no more long hot baths, but if you want to create more space, this may be your only option.

Before replacing your bathtub you need to realize that removing the tub will decrease the value of your property. Most potential buyers will expect there to be a bathtub. If you have a very large bedroom, you might consider adding a sunken bathtub to the bedroom in addition to adding the shower. You'll find that a lot of people will really like this idea.

Maybe you have one of those nifty old claw foot bathtubs that are so in demand today. If you have sufficient ceiling height, you can add a showerhead to your bathtub. If you don't have the height to work with, you can find shower heads on flexible hoses that you can attach to the faucet of your bathtub.

You might decide to forget the shower enclosure and the bathtub and just turn your entire bathroom into a shower. You will need to install walls and floors made of concrete or stone which could be rather costly, but the results will be truly amazing. Just be sure to add a floor drain. The problem with this kind of design may be where you're going to put a toilet, sink, and mirror. If there's room, you could put up a glass or Plexiglas partition and place your other fixtures behind the wall.

The more things you're able to remove from your small bathroom will mean you have that much more additional room for a fancy shower. When you get to doing remodeling of this scope, you will probably need to find a professional contractor to do the work for you.

For more bathroom decor ideas, including lladro bathroom style, check out our bathroom style guide at http://www.bathroomstyleguide.com

How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

Becoming A Handyman

Anyone who has the basic knowledge of household equipment and wants to make a career as a handyman can become a professional handyman by joining an appropriate apprenticeship program. The basic skills required to become a handyman include manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, physical fitness, and a good sense of balance. Other skills include mathematical problem solving ability and good color vision, as handymen have to regularly identify different components by color.

An individual may have special training in trades such as electrical engineering or plumbing, but needs to learn and develop other skills such as house painting or automotive repair for becoming a professional handyman. It is important to have mechanical aptitude to become a handyman as most of the jobs rendered by handymen involve mechanical components and systems.
Individuals can enroll in vocational classes at a local college or training center where many professional handyman degrees can be earned in less than two years of study. Well-trained and experienced professionals teach in these organizations and provide practical insights and guidance related to handyman services. These courses combine theoretical as well as hands on training and require the candidates to pass building codes and certification examinations.

Candidates who do not want to join a certification course can enroll for mini handyman courses offered by local community education centers. These courses aim at making the candidates aware about different tools and equipment used for rendering handyman services. These may include different types of electrical tools and other common tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, knives, scissors, bolt cutters, cable cutters, and hammers.

It is important to follow safety guidelines and wear protective goggles and hardhats. Safety guidelines and procedures form a part of handyman training and apprenticeship. Refresher courses should regularly be organized for existing as well as fresher handymen for improving quality of services rendered and minimizing the number of accidents related to handyman services.

Handyman provides detailed information on Handyman, Handyman Services, Starting A Handyman Business, Handyman Tips and more. Handyman is affiliated with Home Remodeling.

Electrical Outlet Problems

Is a House Inspection Worth It?

If you have purchased a house last year, when the market was crazy, a home inspection may not have been an option for you at the time of purchase. With multiple offers flying in on almost every property, the offers with the least conditions were sold first and this meant skipping a home inspection.

Conditions are a point or points in the Real Estate sales contract that needs to be met prior to the buyer finalizing their purchase. Common conditions are home inspections (to confirm there are no major surprises), financing conditions (to ensure the banks will finance you), and now even the condition of selling your current home. There is usually a seven to 14 day period where the buyer has to have these conditions of the sale removed and then from that point the contract is legally binding.

Without any conditions, the buyer can be in a hazardous position. If they cannot purchase the property, the seller has the legal right to sue the buyer for breach of contract. This could result in a large penalty, or even forcing the buyer to carry through with purchasing the home.

Imagine putting an offer in on a property without any home inspection conditions and then finding out from your lawyer that the home was formerly a marijuana grow operation and was never properly remediated. This is on the extreme side, but even discovering the basement was wired incorrectly and without permits could cost the new owner hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

Now with the current buyer's market occurring, where many sellers are eager to look at any offer, a home inspection should be one of the first conditions in any offer. A qualified home inspector will inspect the home from top to bottom and depending on the size of the property and scope of the inspection; this may take from a few hours to half of a day to do a thorough inspection.

Usually after the inspection it takes a couple days for the report to be finalized, although we have had some inspectors print their reports out on site. The final report will have information on the major parts of the home including, the building structure, plumbing and heating, electrical, and landscaping. Most reports even include information on the remaining life expectancy of major items such as the roof, furnace and hot water life.

Armed with this type of information you can go into the purchase of your new home with your eyes wide open. If the seller neglected to mention the furnace was on its last legs this may give you some additional bargaining power. Or if they had considered this, and priced it accordingly you can find out in advance what your costs to replace it immediately will be so you are not taken by surprise after your purchase.

Some discoveries may be so costly as to dissuade you from even removing conditions and thus saving you from purchasing the proverbial money pit. This is why the inspections are so important for a buyer.

Home inspectors can be found in the yellow pages, via referrals from friends who have recently purchased homes or if you are purchasing with a Realtor, they will have several they can usually recommend. Don't buy your next home without an inspection, it is simply too large a gamble to take with such large sums of money.

Bill Biko
http://www.investors.housez.ca
http://www.housez.ca
Helping people create wealth while they sleep through Real Estate

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

Tankless Water Heaters - Are They Worth It?

A penny saved is a penny earned. I had my buddy call me up and tell me about this article on consumer reports about it taking 20-25 yrs to recoup your initial costs on a tankless water heater. That just really gets under my skin because it is not true. First off the technology has been around for 40 yrs and is rock solid and extremely efficient. Your fuel costs will be cut significantly and your risk of a flood is virtually eliminated.

I am sure that at least 50 percent of homes in the U.S. will at some time have to use their homeowners insurance to cover the costs of damages caused by busted water heaters. Well I am sorry folks but tankless is the only way to go and you will not only benefit from the savings, your lifestyle will improve as well. I know it's worth something to dad to be able to take a shower after all of the girls get out without having to wait for an hour.

And you can rest assured that a wife who is able to use her garden tub to take a bath in instead of a dust collection bowl will gladly pitch in a little. So if you are going to write an article about tankless water heaters at least know something about them or keep your mouth shut. I have personally installed over 100 units and have received zero complaints. I have a tankless on my house and it has paid for itself with peace of mind and reduction in our fuel costs. Clean consistent hot water is priceless to modern man.

Log onto http://www.atlantaplumbingdirectory.com to find the Atlanta Plumber you need now.

What Kind Of Wood Rot

Tub and Tile Reglazing Advice

With the current strain on the economy and the housing market , it is becoming more and more common to "make do with what we have" which means instead of remodeling we are restoring.

The question lies here, is it cost effective? Is it going to last? What is the maintenance involved? Why are you going to charge me $450 to re-glaze my tub when I can buy a new one for $200? These are all quality questions which deserve quality answers.

Let's start with cost. First of all, the average cost of a tub install is anywhere between $1,400 and $2,500 and that does not factor in the tub surround. When your old tub is removed the tile at the base of the tub must be demolished. It is possible that a "good" installer can demo in such a way that you only have to repair the first row or two of tile. The reality is if it is older than 10 years finding a match for the tile will probably be impossible and will lead to a complete re-tile. Now, you are looking at about $4,000 to $8,000 just to replace the tub and is this cost effective for you? Be prepared from the moment you decide to dress up that tub to make this decision.

Now, a good re-glaze can last better than 10 years if done properly and there is a process which will ensure this. Preparation, product and technique are the key to a long lasting finish. If this technique is not followed your re-glaze will last anywhere from 1 day to 2 years. Two years may sound like a lot but when another company has to go in and strip the old finish off add another $500 to the re-glaze for a total of $950 to have it re-glazed again. This is not cost effective. If you're going to do it, do it right the first time and you will pat yourself on the back 5 years later when your tub still has a shine and is not peeling. Now let's get down to process.

The re-glazing process can be six to seven steps.

1. Removal of any caulking materials. Silicone is a contaminant and will cause the finish to fish eye. It is important to remove all traces of this by means of a silicone digester
2. Next, the old porcelain needs to be etched by means of an acid paste. This process will prepare the surface for the primer
3. When the acid etch is complete the surface must be wiped down with a solvent de-greaser to ensure that there are no more contaminants left behind
4. Primer - The surface must be primed with an epoxy primer to ensure proper cross hatching of compounds (i.e.-porcelain to primer, primer to finish, finish to clear coat)
5. Finish - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic-urethane resin which can be tinted to any color you desire. It comes in two types, 24hr cure and 72hr cure. The 72hr cure is best if you don't mind waiting the extra time but the 24hr cure is good too.
6. Clear coat - The surface is then sprayed with an acrylic urethane clear coat which will kick up the gloss a bit and provide protection from common household chemicals
7. If you are refinishing from a previous re-glaze, the finish must be stripped. If this is the case, add this step before the first.

When these steps are followed, you can be sure your re-glaze is going to last for years. A good refinisher will give you at least a 10 year warranty "in writing", now that is cost effective! You will be happy and have just saved at least 70% of the cost of replacement.

MAINTENANCE

With the process you have just done, maintenance will be a breeze. You may also use rubber mats which many re-glazers will not recommend simply because they know it will peel. You will be able to use soft scrub and a white 3M cleaning pad without harming the surface. You will also be able to safely dye your hair without the fear of staining your finish providing the clear coat was used. With this in mind, re-glazing is not only practical but a very cost effective solution to replacement.

Your project when complete will look as though it was installed yesterday saving you $1000s on an install.

My name is George Piccot and I am the owner of Southern California based AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems (http://www.regroutpros.com). I have been in the restoration industry since 1989 and have seen every possible scenario and I hope this article serves you well in your endeavor.

AB Ceramic Tile Regrout and Reglaze Systems

Painting A French Door

California Seasonal Maintenance

Buying a home is a good investment opportunity and in the years to come you can see the value of your home rise. Many people buy a home with the intention to sell it in a couple of years for a profit. However, some people who put their property out for sale complain that they are not getting the price that's suitable to their property. Why does this happen? Reason buyers are complaining is the bad housing conditions and this makes them want to lower the price.

Such situations won't happen to your home if you have taken steps to maintain it all through the year. Every season entails its own home maintenance requirements and as a California homeowner you need to keep tabs on such things, to have a home that's in top condition, at all time. Here is a look at some useful seasonal home maintenance tips:

Fall and Winter

Clean all your windows and use weather-strips to seal air leaks as this will enable you to make less use of your heater and furnace

Check the motor between bricks of your fences and chimney.

Clean up your gutter and down spouts. Use a gutter filter to prevent debris from falling into it.

Check all your GFCI outlets. These outlets must be present in all wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms as they help to protect against shocks.

Make sure that all your home electrical appliances are working properly as you will need heating devices to function as winter time proceeds.

Spring and Summer

Check your home's exterior paint and foundation for any cracks and signs of deterioration.

Look around your house. Do you notice water settling around the house rather than draining away? If so, fill up the soil area in such a way that it slopes away from the home.

Check the homes attic and crawlspaces for water leaks, mildew, fungus growth and pest. Clean these areas thoroughly.

Check out on all concrete areas of your home for cracking. If you notice any, fill them up with a concrete-patch to prevent any further deterioration.

Paul is a principal of NewHomesSection.com. Search Northern California builders, California condos and active adult California today!

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Heat Your Home With Solar Energy

Providing heat in your home is extremely important, especially during the colder seasons experienced in the United States. The human body is only able to take so much of the cold before it begins to show signs of incapacitation. It is for this reason that each and every household and business establishment in the country is equipped with its own heating system. Most of these heating systems are currently being powered by electricity. With the price of electricity constantly on the rise, many people are looking for alternative methods to provide heat to their homes. People also are constantly looking to cut back on their monthly electricity bill.

Using Solar Energy

The sun is a viable source that allows life to continue to thrive on our planet. It is for this reason that organizations looking for alternative sources of energy to provide heat and electricity have begun tapping into the sun's energy. Since it is a natural source of heat and energy, using solar energy to heat up your home will not cause any damage to the environment. By using solar energy, you are able to make a small contribution to conserving the environment. Using solar energy as an alternative means to provide heat to your home can also greatly reduce your monthly electric bills, allowing you to eventually save up and use these funds on other personal needs.

How to Heat Your Home with Solar Power

There are a number of ways that you can tap into the sun's energy to heat up your home. Here are a few ways on how to do this.

Installation of Solar Panels

One way for you to tap into the sun's energy to heat your home is to install solar panels. These solar panels provide an alternative source of electricity that you can direct to certain electrical appliances in your home. If you have an electrical heating system in your home, you can use the electricity generated by the solar panels to provide heat throughout the area.

Have More Windows

If you are currently in the process of looking for a new home, choose one that has a lot of glass windows and doors. This will allow the heat and warmth coming from the sun to enter your home, providing natural heat in your living space. If you are prone to getting headaches from the glare of light, you can easily have a tint placed on the glass windows and doors. This tint will still allow the heat and warmth from the sun to pass through while minimizing the glare at the same time.

Opt for Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar water heating systems tap into the heat generated by the sun and heat up the water that you use in your house. Instead of using electricity, solar water heating systems use a series of pipes that transfer the heat they absorb from the sun to the water that passes through these pipes. This water is then collected and stored in an insulated water tank in order to prevent the heated water from cooling down.

There is no question that alternative energy IS the future and the future is right now.

You can generate you own energy for a lot less than you think! AEG features reviews on popular Do it Yourself Alternative Energy Guides

Learn to build solar panels, and wind powered generators for a fraction of the cost of an installed system.

Sauna Or Steam Bath Which Is Healthier?

A Sauna is a Finnish hot air bath. The word sauna is derived from the Finnish word for dry heat bath. The terms steam bath, steam shower and steam sauna often get confused with one another, yet they do not mean the same thing. The first difference begins with how they are heated.

The traditional sauna uses electric, wood or gas-fired heaters. The second type of sauna is the infrared sauna. The infrared sauna uses radiant heat which heats the occupants rather than the air. In the traditional sauna the air is heated but it is a dry heat. This is why the sauna is also called a dry hot-air bath.

In a steam bath it is moist heat. The steam bath uses a steam generator. The sauna has very low humidity, whereas the steam bath has high humidity. In a steam bath the steam builds up to create a humidity level of around 100%. Because of the humidity factor the heat in the sauna is far higher than that of the steam bath. The difference in temperature can be anywhere from 40C to 60C.

The health benefits of either depend upon what you want. Both steam baths and sauna are good to unwind and relax. They both help to cleanse by sweating. They are both good for blood circulation.

The dry heat of the sauna can make it uncomfortable for some people to breathe. Those with respiratory problems may prefer the moist heat of the steam bath. The inhalation of steam is often used for treating bronchitis and allergies. Therefore those who wish to treat respiratory problems will benefit more from steam baths.

A sauna detoxifies but it also refreshes and revitalizes your body. In general saunas are easier to build and require less material and labor than a steam bath. Both can be affordable and may add monetary value to your home.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of All-About-Saunas.com your guide to Saunas.

Learn more about the difference between Steam Bath or Sauna. Read more about the infrared sauna.

DIY Hydrogen Conversion Kit

A homemade Hydrogen conversion kit would work on almost all makes and model of vehicle, once installed you can expect to have an improvement on gas mileage instantly. And it can also be removed easily and instantly, without causing any damage to the unit or to the engine, so if you are planning to sell your car you could keep the generator, put it on to your new vehicle.

The most common container used for this type of hydrogen conversion kit is a plastic pipes called PVC. These PVC pipes are found on almost all the hardware stores you can see. It is cheap and very easy to work with. But the more complicated containers are made from Stainless steel that has been treated with chemicals. For the people who want to make this container for the hydrogen generator, you can use the PVC pipe to lessen your expenses and use the tool available in your home, if you have any. What you will need are as follows: PVC pipe which 3 or 4 inches in diameter; End caps, use the same size as the pipe; 1/2 an inches threaded fittings with 3/8 inch of tubing outlet; 1/2 an inch of thread tap; a drill and bits; wood saw or other tool you can use to cut the PVC pipe; any waterproof sealant; a PVC cement or glue; 3/8 inch rubber tubing.

The 1st step is to drill two holes on the cover for the inlet and outlet of the generator, and then use the thread taps to thread them in fittings. If you haven't done this before, you need to make a hole smaller than the tap. On our coiled anodes, we used a torch or solder to heat the end of the electrical connection tabs until they are hot enough to make the small holes in the plastic, and then push them through the cap. If you are using wires or bolts, you have to drill two small holes for those too. It is not suggested to make an internal connection, unless, you have a degree in chemistry, or you really know what you are doing

Once you have use the PVC cement or glue to secure the bottom end cap, it is now time to fit your anodes and top end cap together, which will greatly depend on what style of generator anodes you have in mind. You will need to seal any spots that do not have a tight fitting.

The threaded fittings would always needs Teflon tape or thread sealant make them fit tightly and to keep it from leaking. It is a good idea not to glue them, you might change your mind and would want to remove them later.

Making the bubbler tank is just the same. This one should have a fitting on it for gas in tube or water in tube from the generator, and a return line. The line in, and return lines, needs to be located near the bottom of the bubbler, it is below the fluid level. And the gas out should be at the top point of the unit.

To read more about the hydrogen conversion kits, go to Hybrid Car Freak - The Most Useful Hybrid Car Resource Website.

The Perfect Kitchen Island Lighting

When you and your husband decided to tackle a kitchen remodel, you had no idea what you were jumping into; it turned out to be much more work than you originally anticipated. The contractor, eager to be hired no doubt, promised you the changes you needed were simple and easy to accomplish. However, everyone always runs in unexpected issues once the remodel starts happening. Why the one wall you wanted to knock out had to be the main support wall for that section of the house, no one knows!

However, after several weeks of dealing with construction crews and plumbers, everything finally seems to be coming together. You have chosen your new sinks and decided on the final design for your custom kitchen island. A beautiful granite top, an extra kitchen sink, and some cabinets underneath for pots and pan storage is what you and your husband decided on after several days of analyzing the hundreds of different choices. The next step is to choose the perfect kitchen island lighting!

It would not make any sense to have a beautiful kitchen island and not be able to use it! That is why the type of lighting you choose is very important. The most common choice is pendant lighting, which means that the lights hang down from your ceiling. These light fixtures come in several different styles and sizes. You can pick a single large light design or opt for one that has several smaller lights. Popular designs have bowl shaped glass lampshades that hang down. The hardware, from which the lights hang, come in everything from brass and bronze to iron and pewter. Multiple pendant lighting helps keep your workstation well lit so that you do not have to squint while you are preparing dinner or reading the newspaper in the evening.

One thing you should consider when you are look at kitchen island lighting options is the cost. These pendant lights are priced anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars. After all the remodel costs, you might not be able to buy your dream lighting chandelier, but as long as you find something that is simple and gives you the light you need, it will work out just fine. Talk to your contractor to find the best deals on all your kitchen fixtures!

If you would like more information on kitchen island lighting or work tables, please visit the Kitchen Island Shop website.

How to Shingle Your Roof

If you want to know how to shingle, you've come to the right place. But first... a Bear Story.

It was easy to see how "The Bear" got his nickname. He was a big burly guy, covered with thick brown hair. Back when I started roofing in Cape Coral, Florida, The Bear was well known as the fastest shingler in town. He didn't tear off or run metal... all he did was shingle. Typically he would shingle an entire house by himself in one day.

I wasn't very fast back then. Occasionally my boss wondered out loud why I couldn't learn how to shingle like The Bear. At that point I didn't know how he was so fast, but one day I found out...

My Boss had hired The Bear to shingle a house and asked me to stop by to deliver some supplies. I was pretty excited to see what I could learn.

As I pulled up to the job, I could hear him shingling on the back side of the house. His roofing nailer sounded like a machine gun. I climbed the ladder and quickly discovered The Bear's Secret:

He was installing the nails way above the nail line. The nails don't go through as many shingle layers up there, so they go in fast and you never have to stop and fix a shiner.

Back then, few people paid much attention to where the nails went. But then Hurricane Andrew tore up South Florida, with billions of dollars in damages. Lawsuits flew in the aftermath and a bunch of roofing inspectors lost their jobs.

Turns out that shingles aren't very wind resistant when they're nailed in the wrong place. After that, the entire state started to sweat the details.

That's also about the time I lost track of The Bear. Perhaps he had a hard time adjusting to doing things right. Old habits die hard, you know.

Occasionally, I still come across a speed demon like The Bear. They're lightning fast alright, but I have no use for them. Speed alone is not enough.

As you're learning how to shingle, focus on getting the details right... such as proper nail placement. Speed will come in due time.

Of course there's a lot more involved in learning how to shingle. To make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

John C Bishop is the author of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!"

Green Your Kitchen

Has going green become a mission in your life? Are you looking for ways to change your family and home for the better of the planet? If so, start with your kitchen. With a few simple choices, you can find options that make your kitchen ecologically friendly.

Make natural surface cleaners. There are several natural options for creating homemade surface cleaners to replace the over-perfumed and chemical sprays of store-bought cleaners. The simplest and most effective homemade cleaners use baking soda, lemon juice and water. This combination removes odors, offers scrubbing capabilities and leaves a fresh scent once the surface is clean. A second option is a mixture of white vinegar and water though people don't always like the scent that remains.

For stains and soap scum, make a paste. The first cleanser requires a tablespoon of baking soda, a squeeze of lemon and a teaspoon of warm water. Mix the three together to form a paste for scrubbing surfaces. Add some additional water if needed.

Use a spray for surface cleaning. Use the same ingredients to make a non-scrubbing cleaner to wipe down surfaces to clean and sanitize them. Combine a cup of warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray surfaces that need cleaning and wipe down with a clean, dry cloth.

Simplify recycling. If your family isn't joining you on the environmental bandwagon, you might need to make the process simpler for them. Consider placing three bins under the kitchen sink so that the containers are easily separated. Or designate one family member each week to sort the garbage every day. After a few weeks, everyone will be sorting ahead of time so they don't have to sort through the trash at the end of the day.

Make the switch to organic. The final step to greening your kitchen is the hardest one. Start picking up your produce from the local farmers market or from the organic aisles in your grocery store. The switch to organic foods will keep the pesticides and unnatural chemicals from invading your kitchen in the first place. Though the change can be expensive, think of it as an investment in the future of the planet.

Renata Lavlor writes clean green tips and other housekeeping tips for HowToDoThings.com.

Interior Redesign

Many of you may be considering to makeover your living room, kid's room or renovate whole home before the coming year. However if the cost or time factor is the spoke in the wheel for your grand plans, then Interior Redesign is the answer for you. It is an affordable alternative to "start from scratch" Interior Design. It is a specialized decorating service that not only gives the space an entirely new look but also saves time and money!

Although this concept is in nascent stages as yet, however looking at its advantages it sure will grow in popularity. Interior Redesign is a credible and affordable service for just about everyone. Some of the traditional designers have now been adding interior redesign to their list of services.

So if you are planning to get the interiors done for a particular room or entire home on a budget, hire an interior redesign professional who with their fresh perspective can visualize the potential of your space objectively & will use the existing furniture, lighting, art & accessories to transform the room into a more functional and stylish space. This new twist on interior decorating is called Interior Redesign.

Reasons to Redesign:
Your house has carefully chosen loved pieces but still lacks a pulled together look.
Your home looks exactly the same for the past three years or more & feels stale.
The house is rented, you are desperate for new look but knocking down of walls or major expenditure is not viable.
Clutter of all the pieces & memorabilia you cherish seems to sabotage all your creative efforts.
You would like to renovate the home but are completely overwhelmed by the prospect of complete interiors.
You would like to incorporate latest modern accessories & gadgets with your delicate antique furniture but don't know how to do it in a cohesive manner.

Process of Redesign
The interior redesign professionals will first discuss your lifestyle and the function of the proposed room during which you may go over any special needs of the family. The designer will also give you suggestions about presently required new items & optional future purchases to complement the existing pieces.

Some of the basic steps involved are
-Space planning & making efficient use of your existing space.
-Selecting a focal point of the room. Creation of overall color scheme.
-The placement of furniture that will complement the focal point
-Using lighting & light fixtures correctly.
-Choosing the right window treatments & incorporating the existing style & material.
-Addition of rugs, side tables, shopped from your own home. For example swapping side tables in your bedroom with the end tables, if it matches the style in your room redesign.
-Adding artwork and accessories by looking for pieces in your home like photographs and personal collections.
-Finally re-vitalizing the room by re-placing (not replacing) existing furniture, artwork accessories & complementing newly shopped items.

As is rightly said great interiors is not about having beautiful things but about knowing how to play with those beautiful things. So as a prelude to this New Year pamper your home, get reintroduced to your long lost possessions and get ready for dramatic results, sans the pain of time & money consuming structural alterations & shopping trips.
'Start from scratch' interiors is not de rigueur to achieve a new 'feel & look' for your home. Redesigning is all about borrowing from the past and moving into the future!

New Innovations in Solar Energy For Homes

Are you interested about the new innovations in solar energy for homes? There are many scientists and economists who are visioning the world being run by renewable energy sources like solar power and windmills. Is this really a possibility or is it just too unrealistic to use renewable electrical sources?

New Innovations in Solar Energy for Homes

Many electrical appliances companies are already researching on the possibility of building systems that can harness free sun and wind energy. These products will soon be able to create enough electricity from solar energy to power commercial buildings and houses.

Is It Really Possible to Run Homes with Solar Energy?

It is certainly possible to run homes with sun power as designs of home power systems are making it cheap to harness solar power. More and more households are adding solar panels to their homes now, and scientists are predicting it to happen even in countries like Africa, India and Australia in 5 years time or less. Hopefully, the cost of making solar power would become cheaper than other sources like gas, coal and oil.

Benefits of Using your Own Homemade Power System

The most important benefit is that it provides its owner a lot of cost savings, which is especially important in today's slowing economy and high gas prices. All homeowners should try to build their own homemade powered systems to reduce their electric bills.

Other than cost savings, it is also a good way to conserve the environment and use less non-renewable sources like coal. There will also be less gas pollution to the environment.

Want to learn how to power your home with Solar Energy? CLICK HERE to Download the Best Step-By-Step Home Energy Guides at http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com first!

The author has managed to reduce his energy bill by more than 80% by building his own renewable home energy system. Check out his website above to find out how to do it!

How to Remove Pet Stains

You can find all kinds of products that will help you to remove nearly all types of stains. The perfect solution in completely removing stains is by cleaning the spills and dirt the second they appear.

There are a number of ways to clean up stains by using products in your home which you use frequently, such as detergents, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. You just need to know how to use these regular household products.

Your first option is to use 1 teaspoon of clear, household type ammonia and a half cup of cold water. You can apply this solution to the carpet directly or use it in a spray bottle. It is crucial not to wet the carpets backing when you use the solution. Once you have applied the solution, you can use paper towels to blot; allow it to dry from top to bottom.

Your second option is to use detergent solution made of dish soap or hand soap. The ideal combination is one quart of water and one quarter of a teaspoon detergent. You need to make sure the soap does not contain lanolin or bleach.

Your third option is to use water. It will re-hydrate the stain to help with removal. The majority of pet stains can be cleaned up by using a steam cleaner. Once you are done, be sure to dry the area as completely as possible.

Ink stains

1. Buy isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

2. Apply it by pouring some onto a clean white towel or cloth. You can use paper towels if they are white.

3. Blot the stain as much as possible until it is cleaned.

4. Be careful, because if the stain is small, you should blot in one direction only so you do not spread the stain.

Beer and wine stains

1. Mix a solution with 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar.

2. Apply the mixture to the stain. You can use a spray bottle to saturate.

3. Allow the stain to sit around 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Use a sponge and clean in a rubbing motion.

5. Rinse the area with warm water.

6. Brush the carpet pile back into the natural direction it has.

7. Use layers of white paper towels; place them on top of the area; put something heavy on the paper towels. Wait until the area has dried.

Protect your carpet against paint drips, snow, mud, dirt, stains, and heavy traffic conditions. Read about plastic carpet protections as well as temporary carpet protections.