Do it Yourself Shower Faucet Replacement

If you are not a plumber you will be one after reading the do it yourself information on shower faucet replacements. Contrary to popular belief replacing shower faucets is not a mammoth task. It can be very simple provided you follow the correct steps.

There are many kinds of shower faucets available in the market today. Some are washer type faucets and some are washer-less. There are different reasons why you will need to replace shower faucets. The washer might have worn out, stem may be corroded or the problem may be in washer seat and cartridge. Whatever may be the reason, with the correct set of tools the job can be done in a jiffy.

To replace washer type faucets shut off the water supply of the entire house. Then remove the faucet handle by turning the screw clockwise. This can be done with the help of screw driver. After that remove the stem and examine the threads. If they are corroded or worn out then take them to a retailer. If the stem is dirty clean it. If the brass screws are corroded you can replace them too. Take a look at the washer seat. If they are worn out you can reface them using seat dress tool. As faucets are available in various shapes and sizes do remember to install the correct faucet washer. Some stems use O ring. In such cases replace the rings too.

If it is a noisy faucet then the problem may be in the loose washer. In such cases remove the faucet and tighten the washer. The faucets might be noisy due to poor design and construction also. When threading the stem back in faucet body try moving the stem up and down. If it moves then entire faucet may have to be replaced.

In washer-less faucets you will need to replace the working parts. Pre-packaged kits are available. Just follow the instructions carefully.

The diaphragm type faucets are similar to washer type faucets. Here instead of washer you will have a disc. To replace these you need to remove the handle and the stem. If the rubber diaphragm does not come out with the stem it may be still inside the faucet. In such cases, use pliers to peel it from the faucet. Then replace the diaphragm around the disc.

In ball type faucets there will be a ball inside to control hot and cold water. Due to improper ring tension the handle may be leaking. In these cases you will have to replace all the working parts of the faucet. You may need the help of spanner or hex wrench. If the ball is coated with scale you will need to clean it.

For cartridge type faucets you will need to remove the handle. Then there will be a swing spout which needs to be removed. Using a screw driver pull out the retainer clips and then cartridge can be pulled with the help of pliers. While replacing the cartridge, use silicon-grease to lubricate the cartridge.

Remember to :

• Always read the installation manual.
• While soldering copper pipes make sure you remove the cartridge. This is because the excess heat generated may damage the smaller parts in faucet body.
• Clean out the faucet body with a wet cloth after you finish soldering to remove the flux.
• Always have an access panel on the opposite wall behind the faucet. This will make it easier to install a new faucet in the future.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... F-A-S-T ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Home Improvement - Why You Should Hire An Expert To Do Your Bathroom Renovation

If you are thinking about doing your own bathroom renovation, you really should think twice about it unless of course you are an expert in that field. If you are new to DIY home projects, there are a few crucial issues to consider especially if you have absolutely no experience in doing any kind of bathroom renovation projects. There are reasons why bathroom renovation experts are very highly paid for their expertise.

If the question "How hard can it be?" is ringing in your head while you are thinking about undertaking your own bathroom renovation, you might be in for a nightmare. The toilet looks simple and easy enough to remove but are you very sure you know how to ensure that its properly sealed after it is installed? Can you imagine the mess if it leaks after installation and ever worst while using it? If you think that running a bead of caulk around the base of your toilet is the way to go, then you definitely need to hire an expert.

Moving To The Shower

As you have been warned about the difficulties one can expect by installing the toilet, let's move on now to the shower. It may look easy at first glance but if you are not familiar with plumbing and using torches for welding then you may want to stay clear of the shower. If a shower is not installed correctly, you can end up ruining not only your bathroom but also your whole house with water. The shower is the most expensive part of the bathroom to get installed due to the labor and involved. Do call and hire an expert if you do not want to encounter leaks around your house and ruining your bathroom. Though the cost might be a little steep, at least you will be able sleep at night and get to use your bathroom without any hassle.

It is so tempting to pick up your tools and start doing the bathroom renovation yourself but be smart and call in the experts to do the work for you. You will have peace of mind and the results you get will be well worth the price paid. You can plan your bathroom renovation but when it come to doing the actual work, you are advised to seriously consider calling in the experts.

Find out more about Bathroom Renovations by visiting http://allhomeideas.info a popular home improvement website for free home improvement tips, advice and resources.

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

The Right Materials with Peachtree Doors and Windows

Homeowners who are looking to redecorate or add a new touch to their home should pay special attention to the kinds of wood used on door and window frames. Doors and windows receive the most punishment from inclement weather, meaning that this wood will be the first to feel the effects of time and wear. Well known companies such as Peachtree are a sure way to find the best quality doors and windows on the market.

When choosing wood, there are many different choices for buyers to look at. Peachtree Doors and Windows is one of the best companies in the market for finding the highest-quality wood to use to protect your home against the elements. A door or window frame that corrodes over time can mean higher energy costs for homeowners. When a door frame allows in heat or cold, it takes more energy to keep a home warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

Also, choosing the right glass for your window or door is another important step in ensuring that your home is as energy efficient as possible. Double-paned glass is often the best choice for a home that is located in an area that sees huge changes in temperature throughout the year. With a double-paned glass, the heat inside the home during the summer has less chance of escaping. This type of glass used on windows and doors can also serve to keep the cold or heat outside, and allow you to enjoy your home in comfort without wasting hundreds of dollars in extra costs.

When preparing to remodel your home, take a look at your window and door frames to determine if they need to be replaced. Wood that is rotting or cracked should be removed and replaced with a new frame to maintain the windows and doors sealed from the elements. Use a sealing component to make sure that your wood is protected and will be maintained for years to come.

With energy prices at record levels, we can all benefit from upgrading our doors and windows to keep our monthly bills down. A new door and window, including the frame and glass, can drop your energy bills by hundreds of dollars per year, making this investment one of the smartest choices that homeowners can make when deciding to upgrade their home. An initial investment of a few thousand dollars can pay for itself in just a couple of years, and any savings after that will go right into your pocket.

Need more on windows and doors? Cal Windows and Doors specializes in windows and doors in Irvine, CA and anywhere else in California. Learn how to prepare your home for sale with upgraded windows and doors and other great tips on how to get beautiful windows for your home.

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.

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

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:

Click Here For Some Great Ideas About Room Addition Foundations

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.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Victorian Bathroom Design

With most Americans, a typical bathroom is all about having a shower booth, a mirror and sink, and a toilet, nothing else. It may seem bland at first, but Americans have stemmed from the European way when it comes to design that gives off a regal flair once stepping in to do their business. Victorian bathroom design is a union between the Old and New World.

With sinks, most designers have a way to make use of the available floor space, while allowing the full usage of small shelves made of lacquered wood and drawers carved in intricate designs and patterns. The countertop space is used mainly for both man and women, to place various objects such as a shaving kit, perfumes and powders for the ladies, not to mention a large mirror to make sure they're doing it properly. The same thing is applied today, now with an ergonomically designed way with most cabinets and shelves to create a modern look.

Although the usage of tiles were unheard of back then, they make use of marbles and floor mats to prevent anyone from slipping, upon discovering that marble and water just don't mix well for that person's health. This also applies for the wall coverings, and that time they use wallpaper. In order to create a more regal look, tiles with intricate patterns and wood trimming to create a more Victorian wall, though loosely termed.

Tubs can be of varied shapes, designs and materials depending on the location. But most of the tubs found can be of carved marble and brass. Most of the tubs have a showerhead, providing the user access to a shower area inside the tub with a curtain to keep things private. And before plastics, brass curtain rings and velvet were used, and always with ambient light from a small window overhead. And with the introduction of electricity, sconce and wall lighting with various designs of both metal and glass has helped inspire designers to newer heights.

The styles from toilets have a history, depending on the maker. For most Victorian homes, the toilet will have some intricate patterns and designs either etches or painted, and with the introduction of an overhead water tank with a chain to flush the toilet, it was a start of modern convenience for most American homes. At least it beats having an outhouse. Most of the construction is mostly from marble that has transcended to the ceramics that is known today.

For more bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.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

Volcano House

Easily one of the most unique one-of a-kind national park lodges you will find anywhere in the world. Not only is Volcano House the only hotel in Volcanoes National Park it is the oldest continuously operated hotel in Hawaii.

The present Volcano House was opened in 1941, but this historic site has been host to some form of lodging as far back as the early 1800's.

Uniquely constructed on the edge of Kilauea Crater one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Volcano House offers guests an overlook view of the active volcanic crater along with panoramic views of the beautiful Volcanoes National Park with Mauna Loa Mountain the largest volcano on earth in the background.

This small exclusive national park lodge offers an experience unlike any other you will find anywhere else on earth. The main house features a fireplace with a historic flame that has burned unending for over 125 years as an invitation of hospitality for guests.

Rare Koa Wood furnishings are featured throughout the Volcano House. Is it any wonder guests such as Queen Liliuokalani, Mark Twain, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and others have sought out this exclusive location over the years to relax and enjoy the unique features and beautiful surroundings.

A bank of large picture windows in the Ka Ohelo Dining Room offer guests the opportunity to view magnificent Kilauea Crater and its steaming fire pits, while dining on a mix of continental, American, and Pacific Rim cuisine.

The Ka Ohelo Dining Room also features a fine breakfast and lunch buffet. If you just want something light. A convenient snack bar is available for guests to pick up a sandwich, chili, hot-dog, fruit or salad dish.

Uncle George's Lounge is an intimate spot to relax and enjoy a fully stocked bar, along with signature cocktails such as Pele's Fire, Kahlua Smoothies, and Mai Tia's while enjoying spectacular views of Kilauea Crater and Mauna Loa Mountain.

The Volcano House offers quests 42 rooms to choose from: In the main house, and two additional wings, along with 10-near by Namakani Paio Cabins.

Crater View Deluxe Rooms: 6

Crater View Rooms: 14

Non Crater View Rooms: 12

Garden View Rooms: 8

Standard Ohia Rooms: 2

Namakani Paio Cabins:10

"Reservations" should be made well in advance for best room selection...for reservations call "Ken Direction Corporation #808-967-7321

Sandra Stacey is not a travel agent, just a simple traveler who has enjoyed repeat visits to many of this nations great national park lodges over the years, and trekked untold miles exploring the beautiful backcountry of the parks they are located within. If you would like to learn more about any of the lodges mentioned, please visit her website listed below or any of her many related articles found at: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Stacey

Take a tour of America's historic national park lodges at: http://www.national-park-lodge-guide.com Within this guide you will find information, guides and photos for some of this nation's most enduring national treasures, its beautiful National Park Lodges. Feel free to link to her website if you think its contents will provide helpful information for your visitors.

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

Four Secret Tips That Only the Bathroom Remodeling Pros Knew Until Now

If you had a secret guidebook to remodeling your bathroom, things would be easier, wouldn't they? Instead, it can seem like all the bathroom remodeling secrets are reserved for the professionals, but not anymore. With these four bathroom remodeling secrets, you can get professional results without having to pay for their services.

Secret #1: Sometimes simple is best

Too often, we think that bathroom remodeling needs to be extensive and detailed in order to get stylish results. So, we rip out the vanity we have and we try to install something new in order to do something dramatic. Instead, take a tip from the professionals and do LESS. Here are some ways you can take the advice of "Less is more":

Try repainting your vanity instead of replacing it

Replace your vanity countertop

Replace your sink

Try replacing your fixtures instead of getting a new vanity

Strip down your wallpaper

Just replace the toilet and nothing else

Change to all neutral colors

Remove anything with patterns

Replace an old shower door with a new one or a new shower curtain

Secret #2: Color does matter

Another thing that professionals know that you may not is that colors of paint do matter. When you're selecting the paints for your bathroom, you need to recognize that you need to choose more than one shade. There's a common rule of having one color that is in most of the room, while there's another color that should coordinate with that first color and then a small part of your room that has an accent color. So, you might want to use a basic color for most of the room, and then something that's a little different than that shade, but in the same color family, plus one bright color on the ceiling or on the trim.

Secret #3: Take back your space

Your bathroom can look completely different when you start removing things from it to clear out the space as much as possible. For example, instead of having a bulky bathroom vanity, you could have a simply pedestal sink that leaves you with plenty of room. You might also want to downsize your toilet or remove some of the shelving from the walls. Try to find things that you can leave out of your bathroom and then remove them to make the most of the remaining space. Sometimes just opening up the space can help things feel more modern and stylish.

Secret #4: Remodeling doesn't have to be expensive

Even with all of these professional remodeling secrets, you don't have to spend a lot of money to redo things in your bathroom. Many of the fixtures and accessories can be found at discounted prices via online retailers as well as through secondhand sources. Try shopping at places like discount retailers, garage sales and estate sales to see what you might be able to find for your project.

When you're ready for a professional looking bathroom remodeling project, you will want to head to http://www.discountbathroomvanities.com for ideas and products that will suit your needs.

Dave Robert is a VP at Discount Bathroom Vanities Publishing, and an avid fixer-upper who's been restoring old houses for more than twenty years. Readers can tap into Dave's knowledge about home remodeling, and kitchen and bathroom design, at: http://www.DiscountBathroomVanities.com

Five Things That a Termite Inspection Company Might Not Ever Say

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Cheap Hotels in Milan to Serve People on a Budget

Milan is the place in Italy, which should be visited and not to be missed, while on the trip to Italy. The most beautiful and dazzling city leave the ever lasting imprints on the screen of a mind. Its architectural beauty, shopping malls, sleek skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, historic monuments and parks have all collectively made it a top tourists' destination. Apart form it, several amusements parks, gardens and tourists' attractions have added their charismatic influence to the city. Milan hotels are also not lagging behind in catering to their accommodation needs.

The extensive network of hotels, ranging from star luxury hotels to cheap hotels in Milan, caters to the taste and need of every traveler. From the bedding to the recreation and cuisines, their service is superb. Milan is known all over the world for the perfection, it stretches in all fields. Here, the cuisines contain the distinct flavor. The most popular dish, Risotto, a popular dish, is made of rich meat stocks, which is prominent with all the menus. Beside, it there are many of Milan dishes that are popular among people on budget. Some of the cheap hotels Milan can be easily found in proximity to these tourists attractions:-

Duomo cathedral- one of the most fantastic and imposing structures in the world. This incredible structure has become the symbol of Milan. The golden statue inside it, known as La Madonnina, is one of the main attractions for the visitors to the city.
Castello Sforzesco- it is the main site for the historians and for those interested in knowing the history of the city. Situated in the Parco Sempione, the central tower of the building, it offers magnificent views over the city. It not only give it a beautiful picturesque to Milan but also give it a grand appearance.
Arco Della Pace- it lies opposite to the central tower, mentioned above. It is made up of granite, brought from the Lake Maggiore area. It remains as an impressive feature.
Teatro alla Scala- it is a large opera house built on the central site of the old church, Santa Maria della Scala. It includes the theater museum, a home to fine collection of painting, ceramics and sculpture. Generally the traditional opening night of the opera season takes place on the feast day of the patron saint of Milan.

Beside these, there are many tourists' attractions, to be explored by the tourists, which add fun and excitement to the trip of its visitors. Have a memorable trip to Mailn, Italy!

Nancy Eben is an associate editor of http://www.a1milanhotels.com/ The website offers exclusive information of Milan and Milan hotels. We also provide online hotel reservation of cheap hotels Milan. We appreciate your feedback and queries at megharyan@gmail.com

Small Basement Remodeling

Space is a common housing issue especially in big city living. As the song popularized by Frank Sinatra goes, I want to be a part of it... New York, New York. Most everybody still wants to experience and live through the action of the never-sleeping city. So if you do live in New York, there is still another option to consider other than just learning to live with how things are. The answer to your space crunch lies through looking into the possibilities unused areas has to offer. This makes small basement remodeling one of the best home improvement projects to undertake.

Why small basement remodeling?

- When thinking of adding square footage to your home's living area, this is a more cost-effective alternative than having a home addition where you would need to extend. This would cost you only a fraction of what you will be spending on the later with most or all of the same features. One of the reasons for the great savings is that the structural necessities are already there like the ceiling, flooring, and walls.

- Another benefit for undertaking a small basement remodeling is the ideal location of the area that promotes fewer hassles posed by home improvement works to the family's daily living.

- Since the nature of the space is underground; it is typically warm during colder months and cooler on summer. This factor helps you enjoy the small basement remodeling project results with less energy costs.

There are many ways that you could come up with a finish your small basement remodeling and this depends on your personal needs and preferences. The isolation and originally compact masonry of the place makes it ideal to be turned into a home office, playroom for the younger children, game or recreational room, home theatre or an exercise area. Because plumbing is readily available and easily accessible, the area can also excellently make up for a sauna, additional bathroom, or large custom shower. Other popular small basement remodeling ideas include: a wet bar, kitchenette, and additional room for guests.

When we think about our small basements, the most natural thing to come into out minds is their dungeon-like features. To bring out the most in our remodeling project, you can play with certain elements to make the space as inviting, comfortable and more spacious to look at.

- This area would naturally require heavy lighting compared to most areas in the house. You can provide fixtures promoting intense light as well as maximize the use of windows to let in more natural light.

- Carpets have been a popular choice but are you aware that tiles could do better as flooring? Aside from the durability that it offers, it is also low maintenance. As your small basement is prone to moisture and water problems, this would serve as the better alternative. To make up for the hardness and help with the over-all room design, you can also put beautiful area rugs.

- Light paint colors, horizontal designs and diagonal patterns are great in making the small basement remodeling finish seem much wider.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Basement Contractor New York. For more, visit New York Contractors

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.

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

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.

They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.

Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.

Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.

As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.

Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

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.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

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.

How to Start Your Metal Building Project

You need to consider a number of issues before beginning any metal building project. Here are six essential aspects that need to be decided on before starting.

The first consideration is your budget and how much money you have available to fund your project. Many people make the mistake of having funding for the initial phase of their project but then not having the monetary resources for the completion. If your budget is limited you may want to consider a smaller building initially that can expand to a larger facility as additional funds become available.

The purchase of a cheap metal "economy" building is not advised. These buildings can quickly become money nightmares on maintenance issues. Purchase the highest quality metal building you can afford to minimize your maintenance expenses.

Most metal buildings do not come with components as a complete building package. If you will be needing doors, windows, vents, insulation, or any other components you should know that these are purchased separately from the base building package.
Do remember in many cases, the foundation base cost is usually extra and carried out by a separate contractor.

Figure the amount and pricing of the components you need to complete your building first before purchasing the building to see if your budget is in line.

Make sure you know the exact height of the metal building that you require. Add 3 or 4 feet in height more than your tallest door or entrance clearance requirement. You should check your local building regulation before deciding the height clearance required by law.
The erector for your metal building project will rarely offer preparation of your site. You have that responsibility and to make sure you budget accordingly for these improvements.

The site needs to be cleared of all foliage and in some cases leveled. Contact a local landscaping company that has done this type of work before if you do not have the time or manpower to do clear the land yourself.

You want to be sure that your new metal building has the space required for its use. Even though metal buildings are expandable do not cut size requirements initially and complicate your space requirements by growing "out of your building" quicker than expected. Budget for as much space as required by your design requirements.

The use of your metal building is important. You will probably need to go with clear-span metal frame construction if your needs are for a column-free interior environment such as a metal warehouses, metal office complex buildings or aircraft hangers.Clear-span accommodates up to 300 feet in width but is a more expensive system.

You can save money if the application of interior columns is not an issue in a manufacturing facility, for example. This is called a multi-span metal frame system.

Written by Jim 'G' Davidson - freelance writer for http://www.metal-building-sales.com

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Salt Water Pool Treatment Facts

While they were once only used sporadically, today, salt water pools are becoming more and more popular for homeowners. However, although many salt water pool manufacturers promote the ease of converting your pool to a salt water system, the pool treatment methods are not any easier than those of a typical pool. Before your convert your system, it is important to understand how it works and why you should (and should not) consider converting.

Salt treatment begins with understanding exactly how salt water pools' chlorination systems work. The basis behind this system is that you do not have to add chlorination for this treatment. However, that does not mean that there is no chlorine. That's actually a common misconception. There are chemicals in a saltwater pool. Treatment is still necessary, and although you do not have to manually add chlorine (in most cases), there is still chlorine in the system. The chlorine, however, comes from the salt itself.

A salt system is not the same as swimming in the ocean. In fact, the water in a pool system is actually still considered fresh water because there is only a very low level of salt in it (there's more salt in your eyes). However, this amount of salt, when put through a control box, can create enough chlorination to keep your pool clean, blue and safe for swimmers.

The control box on a salt water pool treatment system is a device that actually sends electricity through the sale. The longer the electricity runs through the salt, the more chlorinated the water will be. The pool treatment system should automatically control this, but you'll still need to use test strips to test for chemicals often. You can control how chlorinated the water is using the salt control knob. In addition, with the control box, you can tell when you need to add more salt to the system.

Although you will not have to add chlorine as part of your salt water pool treatment program, you will have to continuously check for alkalinity and pH level. It is a good idea to check your water once a week if you use it moderately and even more often if you use it often or get a lot of rain, which can affect the acidity levels. As part of your pool treatment plan, you also need to check the calcium levels in your pool. With too much calcium, your pool water will be "hard" and may leave unsightly build up along the steps and tiles. In addition, excess calcium in your salt water can clog the pump and control box system.

Salt water pool treatment is, for some, a better option than a typical chlorinated pool system. Keep in mind, however, that there are other options as well, and that natural pools are also becoming more popular. Pool treatment is an issue no matter what kind of pool you have, so don't make the mistake of thinking there is no work involved with having a pool.

Please visit us to see the problems with salt water swimming pools and having a chlorine generator

Exterior Wood Beams

Remodel Your Home For Ease of Use - Universal Design and Aging in Place

As aging baby boomers consider staying in their homes, Universal Design and Aging in Place will be gaining more momentum in the years to come. Here are some practical home modification tips to promote safety, comfort and independence in everyday living.

What Is Universal Design and Aging in Place?
Universal Design is a concept that focuses on comfort, ease of access, and maneuverability within homes for all people, while aging in place is a popular lifestyle option for older homeowners preferring to safely and independently live in their homes.

Did You Know?
89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely, while National Association of Home Builders cites 75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work.

Suggested Universal Design and Aging in Place home modifications include:
- Installing lights strategically to maintain a well-lit hallway

- Having non-slip interior and exterior flooring

- Replacing knobs with levers handles

- Setting up pantries and cabinetry with rollout cabinets and lazy Susans

- Mounting adequate handrails for stairways and ramps

- Building or installing a roll-in shower with multiple showerheads

- Installing a no-curb shower

Local Certified Remodeling Professionals
To address the growing number of consumers looking for local specialized professionals, the Remodelers Council of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) resource directory for homeowners. You can visit their website for a list of local specialists in your area.

When remodeling for ease of use, look for simple and practical products which are safe to use and easy to maintain. With these simple and practical home modifications, you can design your home for how you would like to live now and for the future.

You are welcome to publish or reprint this article, free of charge, as long as the article remain unchanged, all hyperlinks are active, and the "About the Author" section is included in the reprint. The author is not liable for any loss profits, expenses, or any other damages resulting from the use or misuse of articles published on this website.

Villette Nolon is the President and CEO of HomeSavvi.
HomeSavvi provides free home remodeling instant inspiration. Online guide features home remodel design ideas, photos, expert advice, including bathroom and kitchen designs, budgets and costs and other helpful information.

How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

Environmentally Friendly Architecture Design

There once was a day where one someone was speaking about the word green, it was obvious they were referring to a color formed by mixing yellow and blue. That assumption is no longer true; with our society leaning toward a healthier environment and ways we can help save the earth, the term green now takes on a whole new meaning. One way to support an environmentally conscious lifestyle is with green architecture.

'Green Architecture' is a form of environmentally sensitive design and construction. Energy-saving, sustainable development and natural materials are all hallmarks of this form of construction. Green Architecture is also sensitive to the impact of the construction on the environment in the years and decades after the construction is complete. It explores a relationship between architecture and ecology.

One of the key points to green architecture is to create synchrony with the surrounding environment. Everything about a green building should easily transition from the natural landscape, including the building materials. The best material to use for green construction is materials that have been recycled or come from easily restored resources.

Advantages of Green Architecture:

1. Optimizes the use of resources, especially energy and water. At the design and construction stage, it incorporates resource recycling during construction, and later when the building is being used.

2. It causes minimal impact on the environment during the entire building life cycle of siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal.

3. Where possible, the natural topography is used to optimize energy usage.

4. It leads to reduced operating costs by optimizing resource usage. Green Architecture focuses on recycling resources - especially water. Wherever possible, it focuses on using building materials from the building site itself. Well-insulated doors, windows and walls reduce energy usage and loss.

5. Green Architecture promotes improved health of the occupants of the building, due to better natural air circulation and use of natural light.

6. Provides onsite facilities for recycling, thereby minimizing waste being sent to landfills.

Materials Commonly Used in Green Architecture

1. Recycled materials such as wood, tiles and bricks that are available at the building site or in/near the surrounding area.

2. Where new materials are used, the focus is on material that can be rapidly replenished, such as bamboo, which can be harvested for commercial use in just 6 years.

3. Insulation made from low volatile organic compounds that use materials such as recycled denim as opposed to fiberglass insulation - which has long-term adverse effects. Insulation may be treated with boric acid to retard insect damage. Organic or milk-based paints also afford protection.

4. Solar energy is an abundant resource that is used through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic techniques.

5. Packed gravel in parking lots and driveways instead of concrete reduces rainwater run-off and replenishes ground water resources.

Many countries have developed their own standards of Green Architecture for energy-efficient and sustainable building. Given below are some common standards:

1. Code for Sustainable Homes - United Kingdom

2. EnerGuide for New Houses - Canada

3. House Energy Rating - Australia

4. Green Globes - USA, Canada and UK

Practitioners of Green Architecture and sustainable development seek to achieve ecological and aesthetic harmony between structures and their surrounding natural environments.

James Heimler, Architect Los Angeles California, owns one of the leading firms in green architecture and environmental sustainable design practices.

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Using a Commercial Painting Contractor

Finding a painter, specially the one who can understand and fulfill your requirements is one of the difficult tasks you perform when it comes to the renovation of your house. You search, you bargain and then you select. However, in the end dissonance prevails because of time delays and non-standard work of the painter.

Situation remains the same even if you want to plan to refurbish your office, manufacturing plant, building, ware house or any other commercial vicinity and you think you can get the desired results by hiring a non professional painter, then you are living oblivious of the reality. If you are thinking what other you can avail to have your office/ building painted, the option you have is "commercial painting contractors in San Diego"

Commercial painting contractors have the state of the art technology which ensures the standardization in the output and because of the experience and skilled workforce; commercial painting contractors have quality brewed in their work which enhances the appearance and aesthetics of your place.

There are few advantages that a commercial painting contractor has over non professional or local painters. First of all, commercial painting contractors and slick in their field and because of immense experience they can help in deciding the color and the texture of the paint. They know about the capability of colors in constructing different moods and aesthetics. Therefore, their advice can help you in color choice, which eventually uplifts your home or work place.

Secondly, commercial painting contractors can produce better and standardized results because of the equipment they use. Equipment, acquainted with the SOP's (standard operation procedures) of the company conjure up to bring about extraordinary quality in the output, also it ensures the standardization, which means that the same output or color can be achieved anywhere else.

When ever you hire a local painter, you confront the issues of time delays. However, commercial painting contractors have a set starting and ending date which they abide by, therefore, issues of time delays are resolved. Secondly, no home owner wants the painter to create disturbance in his or her daily routine. Commercial painters resolve this issue as well. Commercial painting contractors make sure that they are not causing disruptions or impediments in your daily life.

Therefore, by hiring a commercial painting contractor your decision will reap you following benefits. First of all it reduces your time cost, which means that every day you are wasting in your office because of paint delays, could have earned you something. Commercial painting contractors save this cost of yours. Secondly, the out produced by commercial painting contractors is of standard quality, which means it has high adherence to the sample paint (which is usually shown before you make a deal). Finally, you paint defines the mood and attire of your home or office. Commercial painting contractors make sure that it is in accordance with your requirements. Their experience in the field per se gives them the capability of defining aesthetics. You can find many painting contractors over the internet, where your deal is at the distance of one click.

Bio: View my profile for more articles about Commerical Painting Contractors

David Hay is the owner of 858 GRAPHICS in San Diego, California. 858 Graphics designs, builds, prints and installs almost any type of graphics. For all your Trade Show Display, Wall Murals, Outdoor Signs, Poster Printing and Vehicle Wraps needs, please visit http://www.858graphics.com

Lowest Construction Bids

Energy-Star Appliances Can Help You Save Money

Your household appliances are responsible for a large percentage of the energy consumed in your home. As a matter of fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approximates that kitchen appliances account for almost half of the $2,000 that most average families spend on utilities each year. In addition, appliances that are over 10 years old use more energy than their newer counterparts.

The Energy Star classification system was created by the EPA and the US Dept of Energy (DOE). This system identifies home appliances that decrease energy consumption, lower your utility bills and improve the air quality in your home. Energy Star appliances are usually more expensive than traditional models but the savings in daily energy usage will help them pay for themselves in the long term. Some Energy Star appliances can even save you up to half of the energy you use each day.

Understanding Your EnergyGuide Label:

All Energy Star appliances are required to have an EnergyGuide label. This label displays the model number, features, size and capacity of the appliance. In addition, the label estimates the average energy usage and operation costs of the model per year.

Each label also displays a range of energy used per year by similar models so that you can comparison shop and determine if this particular model meets your needs.

Standard Features of Energy Star Appliances:

Refrigerators:

Use up to 40% less electricity.

Savings of up to $150 each year.

Dishwasher:

Use 50% less water.

Use over 40% less energy.

Save $90 over the lifetime of your dishwasher.

Clothes Washer:

Use 50% less water.

Reduce drying time by extracting more water in the spin cycle.

Less wear and tear on your clothing.

Use up to 40% less electricity.

Savings of up to $110 each year.

Dehumidifier:

Use between 10 - 20% less electricity.

Savings of approximately $30 each year.

Household Air Conditioner:

Use 10% less energy.

Save approximately $250 over the lifetime of your air conditioner.

Investing in Energy Star appliances will help you save on monthly utility costs and reduce emissions in your home and the environment. It's an easy way to save yourself some money plus do your part for the environment.

Gwen McIntyre is a Marketing Manager for PartSelect.com. PartSelect.com is a provider of appliance repair parts to help repair your home appliances. Partselect has a full selection of appliance parts for all major appliance manufacturers.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Eco Friendly Insulating Paint Additive

Eco friendly paint additives are the buzzwords of modern day society. Fueled by constant demands for energy saving products coupled with a psychological desire to limit the damage being caused to our environment through our actions and daily lifestyles. These products promise to be the future answer to some of these problems.

Products of text book marketing theory referred to as "social marketing" for those in the industry. These products are the result of socio-economic demands as an essential component in the complete insulation of homes, building and other premises. Combining the other buzzword of modern day society - convenience, the product ranges are on the whole efficient, effective and very simple to use. Typically applied by adding to paint and away you go, is the claim made by leading manufacturer and distributor Thermilate, based in the UK.

In using such products society will benefit with a win-win situation. Benefits to consumers of such products are the energy saving they promise, which can be as high as 25%. This in turn impacts on costs and provides users with greater control over the temperature in their homes and other buildings where used. The gains for the environment are the resultant reduction in the usage of damaging carbon fuels, one only has to imagine the millions of homes and buildings out there to visualise what the impact on the environment of the absence of such products has been thus far.

These products work by reducing the amount of heat escaping through walls, which many people have yet to realise are a major form of heat loss in their homes or buildings. Social marketing messages to inform consumers across the world about heat loss through windows proved very successful in the 1970's and 1980's backed by multi million pound marketing campaigns. However, in time it has transpired that the messages were incomplete and failed to inform consumers about the heat loss through their walls, which ironically can be far greater than that which takes place through their windows.

How do they work?

Although technologically advanced and safe to use, these paint additives are amazingly simple in their application. Leading eco-friendly additives company Thermilate stated, "they work by reducing the amount of heat escaping through walls via their insulation and reflection properties. The technology has taken years to develop and the resulting product is highly effective."

Heat loss is a fairly simple process - the walls, roofs and flooring are not impenetrable and they allow significant heat loss. These additives are featured in a multitude of journals. Products such as those mentioned above can slow down this process and inhibit this heat loss permanently.

The technology is based on simple micro-spheres, which create an invisible vacuum effect and thus reflect the heat back into the house, creating a double glazing effect for walls. The brand leader in the industry says its products have proved to reduce significant energy losses and energy consumption when these products were utilized. He is very excited about the future of this technology, particularly in its contribution to the global effort on climate change.

Off course the reverse is also true, these products also prevent heat entering a building in hot climates therefore keeping buildings much cooler, which anybody from such a climate will appreciate is a major problem and in doing so saving on air conditioning costs and creating a far more comfortable living environment.

It is recommended that as your first port of call you Google Thermilate. Its many applications are already assisting in the global effort for climate change. The success or failure of the global climate change strategy is hinged upon the cumulative success of individual efforts which will impact on our collaborative environment in the years to come.

How to Build a Solar Air Heater - Building a Homemade DIY Solar Air Heater

Why build a homemade DIY solar air heater if you could instantly go to a store and buy it? You have the choice of buying over making one for your home. If buying an air heater wouldn't be a great loss to your account, go for it. But think twice, money does not account for everything in this world. Do you know that buying an air heater contributes to the increasing loss of our environment? You may refuse what I'm saying but you can't reject the obvious and harmful effects of global warming. Climate changes due to this effect are very visible throughout the globe.

Solar energy never fails to provide the world adequate amount of solar energy which could equate our energy needs. Electricity demands continuously add up to the global issues concerning energy needs. Human as we are needs electricity to live life in motion. Life is stagnant and insensible without electricity. For us to constantly enjoy its unlimited feature we should be concern with some energy saving measures necessary for its long term effect on humanity. We must not think of pure leisure but also of responsible tips and ways to save energy, one way is knowing on how to build a solar air heater.

The following are the benefits of solar air heater:

Crop drying

Water removal(surface) for veggies and fruits

Warmth providers for animals and plants

Research constantly proves that solar energy could solely supply us energy. If humanity allows the solar energy as the main sour of our electrical needs, we could live in a world of less worry. Each one of us must work triple times to prevent the world from collapsing. Do you think it is not possible? I'm telling you right now that it's not impossible yet truly possible. If man continues to exploit every resource that he have, in no time you'll get surprised you have nothing to use. All things have its limit.

Solar air heater is advantageous especially in the field of crops. In building a homemade diy solar air heater you must used available resources within the vicinity. Improvisation of things must not cost you too much. Savings is a plus since you could use it in several valuable things and materials. Materials does not call for new equipments rather you could make use of old or used supplies provided it is still functional.

For all we know, the world have different meridians and zones wherein we experience different climates in respect to our location. In some countries, the cold climate is intolerable. Thus, warmth is a need for them. Balance of temperature within the human body is necessary for optimum function. Solar air heater is of importance to these people who have cold climates. Aside from buying air heaters they could have do it on their own. There are several sites that provide a very simple procedural guide that will allow you to build a solar air heater that won't demand you competent skills. Many of which require minimal assembly. Knowing on how to build a homemade diy solar air heater is one way of saying that you're pro life and environment friendly.

Do you know that you only need the top guide to use everything solar in your home, rv, pool, boats, and many others?

http://www.FullEarth4EnergyReview.com will show you this to you.

Exterior House Painting Projects - Remodeling Tips

Fixing up your house can be a fun and exciting time, as you decide on a new look for your home. Designing and planning home projects is both complicated and time consuming, but if done right the results are very rewarding for you and your family.

Exterior house painting is one of the quickest and most surefire ways you can change the look of your home. Painting it a different color or just mixing up the color schemes can give your house a fresh new look. Be sure to consult experts, or do your own research, when deciding on color schemes, as certain colors do not mesh well.

It is better to do this research prior to painting, so time and money is not wasted learning the hard way that certain colors clash too hard for your home. Exterior house painting is not Chinese algebra, but doing your homework never hurts.

Contractors' opinions are useful as well, as they have probably been in the business for some time and have experience with color schemes. Consulting a skilled contractor is a good idea before making a final decision on your exterior house painting choices.

Hiring a contractor is wise as well because of the time and headaches you will save while getting a professional job at the same time. Many people take home projects lightly and end up paying the price later, whether it is a monetary price or just the hassle that comes from disappointment in your decision. Taking some time for planning and design will probably help you to avoid these messes.

More information on College Works Painting exterior house painting for your home is just a click away.

Vinyl Glove Information And Sizing Recomendations

Using vinyl gloves is a common practice in any industry where bacteria and viruses can be transmitted. The food service industry is a large user of vinyl gloves because they are very affordable and extremely effective at preventing the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses. Vinyl gloves are economical and stronger than latex gloves. The vinyl used in vinyl gloves is a synthetic polymer than is more resistant to tearing and puncture than latex. Used widely in the food preparation and food handling industries vinyl gloves can give you an almost bare hand feel when grasping items. Unlike latex, vinyl is a synthetic substance that very rarely causes an allergic reaction. Vinyl gloves are also used widely in the cleaning industry as barrier against bacteria and infection in restroom and hazardous biological material cleanup.

Vinyl gloves come in a variety of sizes and come in both powdered and powder free forms. Powder is added to some types of vinyl gloves so that they are easier to put on and the powder can also help in preventing perspiration of the hands. It is an industry wide standard that there are usually 100 gloves per box and the one glove will fit both hands. Glove sizes range from small to medium. Small gloves will fit a hand size of 8 and below. Medium vinyl gloves will fit a hand size of 9. Large vinyl gloves are suited for a hand size of 10 and extra large gloves are to be used for hand sizes of 12 and above.

Vinyl gloves and latex gloves are now being used by the US Postal Service as a precaution against terrorism. Vinyl gloves act as a barrier against viruses, bacteria and germs that could potentially be sent in letters and packages. Overall vinyl gloves are an effective way to stay safe in an unsafe world.

Great cleaning tips and cleaning information by Lee Harris can be found at http://www.monsterjanitorial.com. Lee Harris is an expert in the cleaning supplies and janitorial products industry and can answer all your questions about vinyl gloves. Our information is concise and will give anyone basic information about the right cleaning tool for any job. On our cleaning site we also have a cleaning forum where our users can assist each other with their own questions. A cleaning services directory is readly available for cleaning companies to advertise their site by the state in which they are located.

Top Ten Reasons to Consider Renewable Energy

During the election, I kept hearing about renewable energy. In today's economy, people are looking for ways to cut cost out of their budget. I am too, so I started thinking - Renewable Energy - what a concept!

I have trimmed back on my telephone service to the bare minimum, saving $40 a month. I cut my trash bill by $26 a month, by taking my trash to a dumpster at the local gas station for $2 a bag. Now for the Biggie... Renewable Energy. I'm in the process of eliminating my electric bill! That alone will save me about $1800 a year. Over the next ten years, I can save $18,000! I will probably save more than that though, because that's figuring it at today's rates.

These are the reasons that I came up with. You may come up with even more.

1. The obvious one will be that I won't have to pay for electricity any longer... Instead, the power company will pay me, if I produce more than I can use, I can sell it to the electric company. That will be too Kool - getting a check, rather than sending one!

2. I found out that it won't cost me an arm and a leg, like I originally thought it would. I can actually build it myself for around $200

3. The time is right. The economy worldwide is in a heap of trouble. By making my own electric, I won't have to rely on others.

4. With the ever-growing shortage on fossil fuels, I'm not waiting around for someone to tell me 'Sorry We Ran Out', so I figure now's as good a time as any.

5. I looked into it and found out that it's not hard to do. If I create renewable energy, than anybody can!

6. This is great for our environment and our children and grand children will thank us for it. There may be some gas left when they reach driving age! Knowing that I am doing my part to conserve our planet feels great!

7. When I can make renewable power (my own electricity) for less than $200, I would be foolish not to!

8. I will be able to spend the money that I save on more important things, like food, making my mortgage payment, and other things I might need.

9. I won't have to scramble any more during 'Power Outages' - I can be warm and comfortable.

10. When I install my renewable energy system in my home I will increase the value of my home by thousands! Can you imagine telling a potential buyer - Oh by the way, you won't have an electric bill if you buy my house!

I always sit down and make a list of the pro's and con's, before I do something. I really can't find any con's in this one though. The only one I had in the beginning was the initial cost, and I found a way around that. After making my list, I decided that there is definitely a huge incentive to get started right away.

After making my list and checking it twice. I found a way to save a fortune and accomplish my goal of cutting $1800 a year out of my budget. That extra money will sure come in handy. You can do it too, unless you like forking out for electric bills every month - for the rest of your life! Why not start saving today.

http://www.energymoneysavings.com

How to Attach a Zinc Frame to Stained Glass

A zinc frame on stained glass panels is essential for structure and rigidity. The zinc frame is added once the design is cut, foiled and soldered. The process of adding a zinc frame is accomplished by following seven steps.

1. First, measure the length of zinc came needed for each side.
2. Then, decide if you want straight cuts or mitered cuts for the corners.
3. Using a came saw or a fine tooth hack saw, cut the zinc came to the length and angle you need. Initially, you may want to cut the pieces long then re-cut once you dry fit the came to the stained glass piece.
4. Once you have all the zinc came cut and fitted to your piece, insert the glass into the came channels and hold zinc in place using t-pins. If you are using Handy Hangers, you would insert them into the came corners during this step.
5. Now flux the corners of the came frame and all the solder seams that touch the frame
6. Then, solder each joint of the frame and the adjacent solder seams.
7. Once, the first side is done, carefully turn the piece over and repeat the process on that side.

To apply hanging rings to the zinc frame, lightly flux the ring and the area of the frame where the ring will be attached. The area in which you attach the rings should be where the zinc frame meets a solder seam. Next, solder the rings to the zinc frame. Be sure the ring extends over the edge of the frame. If you are going to add a wood frame to the stained glass piece do not attach rings to the zinc frame.

Hanging rings can be purchased or easily made by using copper or silver wire. To make your own hanging rings, wrap wire around a pencil or other object to get the diameter you need. Then simply cut it, making a small circle. If you need stronger rings, cut two or three lengths of wire and twist them together. The twisting can be done easily by placing one end of the strands in a vice and the other end into the chuck of a drill. Rotate slowly until the desired amount of twisting is completed. Then wrap the twisted wire around a pencil or other object and cut.

After zinc frame is attached, be sure to use flux remover and remove all flux residue.

Some areas of concern:

Please note that zinc frames are available in different sizes, widths. Each one, however, laps over the edge of the glass the same amount. So, the only reason for going to a larger width is looks. Additional strength may be gathered if your stained glass piece is extremely large. Any piece over 30" wide or tall should definitely be framed in the largest size zinc frame available.

Mitered cuts look better in my opinion, especially if you are not using a wood frame. Actually miter cuts are not that much harder to accomplish, so why not be professional in the first place? Small electrical frame cutters, 2" blade, are available for around $20. This is worth it in my opinion.

When mounting frame on your art work, be sure that all edges of the glass are secured into the full depth of the zinc frame. Otherwise, you will experience dissatisfaction after you solder the pieces together. As mentioned, T-pins are suggested to be sure and hold the frame tightly anchored to edge of the glass and deep into the channel of the zinc frame.

When soldering the corners or the seam lines connecting the frame, you will see a slight rise to the solder. It is common to see the actual solder at these points, but after patina is applied, these blend together and look fine. Be careful as to not build up too much solder at these locations or this may be highly visible when finished.

After soldering the first side and then turning the art work over to solder the second side, examine the frame to see that it is in the correct position before soldering. Sometimes it can get "adjusted" when you turn the piece over.

I highly suggest the using hanging rings that have been twisted together as these are much stronger and tend not to pull apart after the art work has been hanging for some time. I have experienced single wire hooks actually failing and a piece or two has dropped and broken. Save yourself grief (take it from me) and only use the twisted, therefore stronger hanging rings.

If using a wood frame, a better look is always produced by mitering the corners of the wood. Simple 45 degree cuts on the end of all frame members easily accomplish this. When mechanically attaching these pieces of frame, I strongly suggest the use of a good carpenter's glue and one screw for long term hanging safety. Additionally, wood frames come in all sizes, including width, thickness and specie of wood. Decide how you want to finish them, paint or stain. This will enable you to use the right wood for the right job and not end up painting oak wood. Oak is too expensive and beautiful to hide under paint in my opinion. Mechanical hanging fasteners that include screws into the wood should be used.

I started out as a stained glass admirer. After a class in stained glass, I became addicted. At first I made stained glass to decorate my homes, which lead to friends asking me to make stained glass for them. Now I am a full time professional making stained glass as well as instructing others on how to make stained glass. My studio is located outside of Chicago, Illinois. For more information on making stained glass or to sign up for my newsletter, go to http://www.creativity-in-glass.com

Solar Power Systems - 5 Benefits of Using Solar Power in the Home

Solar power is the heat and light we receive from the sun. Our planet is bathed in this energy every day. However, it is only fairly recently that it has become economically viable to use this freely available renewable energy source at home.

There are many benefits to be had from using a solar power system in our home.

1. Renewable sustainable energy. Solar energy is renewable. The power derived from solar energy produces both heat and light. The heat energy can be simply used to directly heat water using solarpanels. The hot water can then be used in heating systems or to provide the hot water we use in day to day life. The light energy can be converted into electricity by the use of photovoltaic cells. The use of sunlight to produce electricity has been known of for many years. We have all seen pictures of satellites and space stations with extendable arms covered with solar cells. In more recent years this technology has been used to build commercially viable power stations.

2. Reliability. Solar energy is a reliable source of power. It cannot be switched off or withheld. Solar power systems require little maintenance and therefore the running costs are low.

3. Environmentally Friendly. The power produced from solar energy has no harmful pollutants or side effects such as carbon dioxide.

4. Reduced need for fossil fuels. In the long term electricity produced from solar energy will help cut the use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. Fossil fuels used in power generation produce harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide which are polluting the atmosphere. Fossil fuels will run out. They cannot be replaced.

5. Tax incentives. More states and Governments are providing tax incentives to their citizens to encourage their use of renewable solar energy.

Find out how you could easily and cheaply install your own solar power system at home by Click Here.

ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms - Method of Building Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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