Selecting a Quality Roofing Contractor

Your roof is one of the most critical elements of your house. Its role is to protect you and your family from the weather and to contribute to the visual appearance and economic value of your property. Over time your roof may develop leaks, be damaged by heavy storms, or wear out after a normal life cycle, and you may be faced with the necessity of needing to have your roof inspected and either repaired or replaced. At which time you'll need to decide on a quality roofing contractor to complete the work. You'll need someone who is a roofing expert and also provides quality workmanship and good customer service. Here are some important questions to help you choose a quality roofing contractor.

1. Do they have insurance and will they give you a copy?

This is a vital question, that usually gets overlooked more times than not, that you need to ask before hiring a roofing contractor. You will be checking to see that they have both workers comp (which protects you if one of their workers is injured on the job) and general liability (which protects your property should one of their workers accidentally damage it). You will want to get a copy of each policy covering the contractor. You may even want to contact the carrier to verify the coverage. If the roofing contractor can't give you a copy, it's best to move on and choose someone who can.

2. When was their business established?

There are some questionable roofing contractors out there, so make sure to choose one who has been around longer than the last hailstorm.

3. What is their standard warranty for labor and materials?

Standard labor warranties for new roofs range from 5 to 10 years. A roofing contractor who warranties his work for less than that may have a cheaper product or may be from another state. Standard manufacturer's warranties for roofing materials ranges from 20 to 30 years (and even longer) and generally includes a split between full coverage and pro-rated coverage. You'll want to know the warranty periods for both the materials and the labor and get copies of both warranties.

4. Where is their office and do they possess a valid state contractor license?

First off, you need to make sure your roofing contractor is local to your state by locating their office. It's extremely difficult to get a roofing contractor to come back out for any maintenance or repairs from an out of state location. Additionally, you need to make sure that they have a valid state contractor license by checking with your state's licensing division.

5. Can they give you testimonials from other happy customers?

You need to obtain a list of customer testimonials from your roofing contractor. The list needs to include phone numbers and street addresses from satisfied customers in your area. Quality roofing contractors ask their customers for testimonials because they want to know what they're doing right and any areas needing improvement. You'll want to follow up with some of these prior customers to see if their expectations were met or exceeded and you may even want to take a quick drive by a couple just to get a first-hand look at the contractor's work.

Bonus Advise: You always need to get at least three estimates for the work you need done on your roof. These estimates should be free of charge and delivered to you in person. They should be itemized so that you can see exactly what you will be asked to pay.

You can also check up on the roofing contractor by searching the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. Be sure to make sure the contractor has a good track record regarding complaints. If the contractor is listed as a BBB Accredited Business, it's a plus.

Choosing the right roofing contractor is vital to you and your home. With the answers to these questions, you'll be prepared to make an informed decision about who goes to work on your roof.

Josh Brink is an Atlanta Home Inspector. You may visit his website for more information about Atlanta Home Inspections.

Advantages Framing With Steel

Post Your Ideas Here On Home Remodeling

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

Home Inspection Books
House Framing Books

Safety in the Home - DIY Done Right

While there are some home projects that are best left to professionals (solar panel installation, for example) there are plenty of projects that homeowners in the United Kingdom can do for themselves. Tackling one's own home repairs has become so popular it has acquired its own acronym: DIY. Many home owners find doing their own home repairs to be rewarding and practical as they learn new skills and save money on what would ordinarily be very expensive maintenance costs.

If you are interested in Do It Yourself home projects and repairs, you should make sure to practice proper safety at all times. Safety is not something that should be overlooked or "skimped on." Taking the proper safety precautions will ensure that you are safe from injury and, depending on the project, can even save your life!

The easiest way to protect yourself while you do your own home repairs and remodelling projects is to wear the proper clothing. This will help you make sure that your body is protected. Always wear a dust mask and safety goggles. You should also invest in thick work gloves and durable, closed toed shoes or boots. While doing the project you should wear long sleeves (that are tucked into your gloves and long pants (that get tucked into your socks or boots). A hat is always a good idea.

Make sure that you have all of the tools you need before you begin a DIY project. Especially if you are a beginner, it is not a good idea to use a different tool than is recommended in the instructions for your project. Unless you are an expert in the type of project you are doing, you should not attempt improvisation. When attempting something new always follow the directions exactly.

Mind your power! Many do it yourself home projects call for the use of electricity powered tools. When that tool is not being used make sure it is turned off and unplugged. You wouldn't want to accidentally turn on a power saw! It is also a good idea to remember to keep any sort of "wet" work materials away from anything that uses electricity.

Be respectful of electricity! A lot of DIY projects require the use of a tool that runs on electricity. When you are not using one of y our "power tools" you should take a moment to make sure that the tool is turned off and unplugged. The last thing you want is to turn something on accidentally and hurt yourself! You also want to take care to keep the power tools separated from any "wet" materials you might be working with.

Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes articles about boilers, plumbers, central heating in Bexley, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Steel Roofing

You can find varying levels of finishing and texture on steel roofing. This happens because manufacturers have special tools and procedures to facilitate such differences. Very often, the original shine of metal is gone to make it look like another roofing material. Here is a rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of steel roofings.

The primary benefits of steel roofing

Many homeowners in the US prefer to have steel roofings installed in their homes. The main driver for this is because of the low expense involved. If a homeowner has to replace the whole roof then metal roofs win over the other roofing materials like tile, wood etc.

The other significant drawback that steel roofings have is that they are very light in weight. Compared to roofing materials such as tile or slate, the steel roofings are much lighter. For each square foot the steel materials weigh only 1.5 pounds. Compare this with tile roofing that weighs 7.5 pounds or concrete roofing that weighs 9 pounds and you will quickly see why so many people prefer steel roofing. Since the steel materials are lighter in weight, there is no need to reinforce the structure of the roof to enable it to accommodate increasing loads.

The third benefit that steel roofings have over other counterparts is that these are resistant to fire. It has the highest rating of Class A and this is applicable when the roofing is installed on top of appropriate materials underneath. Most homeowners who have steel roofing installed will have the assurance that their roofs are resistant to any sort of fire. This creates more peace of mind for the homeowner.

The other benefit that steel roofings have is that these can be installed directly over an existing roofing structure. However, usually such a method of installation is not employed. Instead, the old materials used on the roof are removed. Then the surface is cleaned properly. Only then is the steel roofing attached to the roof.

The other primary advantage of having steel roofing is that you do not need to spend much money on the maintenance aspects. The low cost of maintenance coupled with its long shelf life means that it is a low cost investment in the long run.

The long shelf life coupled with its excellent condition means that you can enjoy your steel roofings for many years down the line, without worrying about maintenance and overhead issues.

Drawbacks involved

Steel roofings have a disadvantage of being susceptible to rust and corrosion. Many manufacturers these days pre-treat their steel roofings to Kynar. Kynar is a special kind of plastic, which comes in many different colors. This helps make the steel roofing rust and corrosion resistant. You can also ask your manufacturer to treat the roofing to make it rust-proof. This way, you will have the perfect roofing material, which is light in weight, highly durable, rust-proof, corrosion-proof and lasts for many long years.

Thus, now you have a fair idea of the benefits and disadvantages of using steel roofings. Most of the drawbacks can be easily overcome with modern technological advancements.

Scott Savely is owner of Barton Roofing and an Austin Texas roofing expert. Scott has a degree chemical engineering making him uniquely qualified for all types of roofing jobs. From residential roofing to commercial roofing, from asphalt roofing to metal roofing, Scott is well versed in all types of roofing and the perfect choice for an Austin roofing contractor.

Installing Windows At A Eye Leve

Timberline Roofing Product Line - A Review

It's often an overlooked part of the house and its importance is only acknowledged when it starts leaking. That's how many homeowners treat their roofing, not realizing that it is actually more costly in the long run if roofing does not receive the attention it deserves right from the get-go.

To make sure they don't make a mistake when constructing their homes, many homeowners, on the other hand, opt to choose wisely and ensure that their roofing will withstand the weather and the test of time. One of the available choices is Timberline roofing.

Timberline roofing is one of the more popular roofing products in use today. It is a series of dimensional shingles made to be tough, durable and beautiful, meeting common consumer expectations that roofing should be protective and decorative at the same time.

Which Timberline?

These days, there are so many brands of Timberline from too many manufacturers that it's almost difficult to tell which is the real Timberline series. The name Timberline has become a general term referring to shingles but it is actually a brand name of one of GAF Materials' roofing products. Founded in 1886, GAF became one of the forerunners of quality roofing and has become the largest residential and commercial manufacturers of roofing in North America. Timberline is just one of their many brands.

Because of its popularity, Timberline has had its share of copycats and clones and has actually become a generic term used to refer to dimensional singles. However, the product name itself is trademarked to GAF. If you want to be sure about the manufacturer of your Timberline roofing, simply take a look at the back of a piece of shingle. Most manufacturers print their names on their products and that should give you a good reference in order to determine from which manufacturer your shingle came from.

What Makes Timberline Special?

Timberline has become a favorite among many consumers because of its strength and durability. It has the patented Micro Weave Core which makes the material tougher and the Dura Grip adhesive seal to ensure better hold. The weight of the material is also a factor in keeping it stable. Once it's installed properly, Timberline roofing are specified to stand bad weather, even when winds are pummeling your home at 80-110 miles per hour.

Types of Timberline Roofing

Timberline is just one of the brands in the GAF Materials product list but there are several choices under this series, so you have several options for your roofing needs. They include:

Timberline 30. Made with tough fiberglass asphalt, these shingles are affordable and stylish. This series features the Shadow Accent and Dura Grip adhesive seal. Shadow Accent produces a gradation in the shingles' color, so you can see the gradual shift from dark to light.

This creates a beautiful effect when seen from afar. Depending on your area, algae protection may even be offered. Thanks to Dura Grip, Timberline 30 comes with the 70 miles per hour wind warranty. The product's limited warranty itself is 30 years.

Timberline Select 40. Also made from fiberglass asphalt, this series features the classic wood shake look. The shingles are also thicker and heavier and boast some of the best features in the Timberline series, including Dura Grip, Shadow Accent and a Micro Weave core. They are also rated Class A in fire and wind protection. Limited warranty is set at 40 years.

Grand Timberline Roof Shingles. The shingles in this series are about 50% larger than other products and also at least 30% thicker. If you prefer a stronger contrast in color blends, this is the roofing choice for you. This series has a Class A rating for fire and wind and also features the tough Micro Weave core.

Timberline Ultra. This is the premier set of shingles in this series and shingles are at least 25% thicker than other products. Because these are heavier, these are also the roofing of choice for areas where storms are common - Timberline Ultra has a limited warranty for winds up to 110 miles per hour. This series is also the most durable and longest lasting.

Where to Find Information

Probably the best source of Timberline roofing is GAF Materials, which has product and installation information on its website. However, you also have other choices, although not all of them carry the Timberline series from GAF itself.

When purchasing your Timberline roofing, make sure to ask for the warranty because this will serve as your protection. They may be tough and durable but like most roofing, Timberline will not last forever. A day will come that they will need to be replaced although that's likely to take a really long time.

Ernest Jarquio is a dedicated family man hopelessly addicted to do-it-yourself projects. For more information, visit his website, where he discusses various subjects such as Timberline Roofing, GAF Roofing and ABC Roofing.

Exterior Wood Beams

Building Custom Steam Showers - How To Design and Build Your Own Custom Steam Shower

Steam showers have become all the rage in bathrooms today. A good steam shower allows people to experience the relaxation and the detoxification that they used to only experience when they go to a spa. However, there are people who wish to go beyond the standard steam shower that a spa offers. They don't only want to have a steam shower of their own, but they want it customized to their needs. It's no wonder therefore that custom steam showers are now being ordered by a lot of people for varied reasons.

Some people have custom steam showers made in order to meet their specific needs. As we all know, each individual is unique. It follows therefore that we all have unique needs, whether it concerns food or a steam shower. A custom steam shower can help a person address his or her specific needs whether it involves something that will help them relax better or something which will render the steam shower more effective.

There are also those people who buy custom steam showers simply to proclaim their individuality. By having a custom steams shower built, they are able to look into the mirror and proclaim to themselves and to the world that they have a unique steam shower. Customization today is seen by a lot of people as a status symbol. If you have something customized, then you must be really cool.

Here are some factors to consider if you want to have your steam shower customized:

1) Function: Some steam showers can be customized by changing the way that they work. The steam outlets can be adjusted in order to fit the person's specifications. By building custom steam showers in this manner, a person can make sure that he or she can enjoy the benefits of the steam shower at its best. A steam shower can be customized in order to help a person detoxify, get rid of a pound or two and it can even be customized in order to help a person relax.

There are also those who try to improve the way their steam shower functions by playing around with the construction materials. They manage to make their steam showers cost less or retain more heat. They are able to make sure that they can improve the steam shower simply by looking around at available materials and analyzing how these materials work.

The function of the custom steam shower is vital since it determines the specific benefits the person gets when building it.

2) Design: A lot of steam shower kits available today have a typical finished product look. A lot of people misinterpret this information as to how the steam shower should be assembled. The more creative ones, however, tend to take the small picture or caricature merely as a suggestion and proceed to give their steam shower the look that they desire.

A lot of people like to add a touch of history to their custom steam shower. Some design their custom steam showers to partially resemble a Venetian bath house. Others like to build custom steam showers with an Asian twist. Whatever you choose, you can make your steam shower reflect your personality.

Actually, designing a custom steam shower is not that hard at all. However, you have to be very careful as it is often the case that design is inexorably tied to function. You need to make sure that the design of your custom steam shower does not affect or hinder in any way the enjoyment you expect from it.

Did you know that home steam showers can improve your health significantly and at the same time add value to your home? Find out the best way to get your own steam shower and how it will improve your health at http://www.the-home-sauna-center.com

Materials For Stair Treads

Why You Need to Invest Money in Your Home

Together with the long-running housing crunch that New York has been facing, homeowners are yet again challenged with one of the greatest financial crisis that hit not only the U.S.A., but the entire world as well. Now more than ever is the time to be analytical about how you spend every hard-earned dollar. The tough times make smart investment crucial. The soundest investment that you could ever make that would eventually bring a good deal of return plus a lot of other benefits is home improvement.

So you have saved enough to get the time of enjoy your life lounging at some costly beach resort. Sure, a vacation trip would sound a bit more fabulous and enjoyable, but think about having to lavish at luxury and comfort everyday of your hectic and busy New York life. Home remodeling, no matter if minor or major, can offer just this. Here are several benefits and reasons why you need to invest in your home:

Boost in the home's value. There are several areas in your home that when enhanced, could bring in a good ROI, which enables the project to pay for itself and sometimes even more. Some of these projects involve the kitchen, the bathroom, exterior painting and siding, interior painting, and finishing the basement. This would serve very beneficial especially to those who already have plans to resell the house in the near future.

Maximized beauty and functionality. When planned accordingly your home remodeling project could bring out the most attractive as well functional result. To achieve both, you have to make sure that the key essentials to project success are implemented and these are craftsmanship and product selection. Thus, if you are not up to the job and does not have the required skills and experience then you and your home improvement project could use a qualified local contractor.

Enhanced quality of living for you and your loved ones. Without a doubt, the changes brought about by home remodeling would considerably make everyday life better. With the upgrades and re-do made, the look and feel would not only be changed but everything you do in your home could be made much faster and easier. Like when an additional bath is added or the master bathroom is remodeled with his and hers sections-traffic is minimized in the early morning routines.

Solution to the family's current needs. One of the reasons why home remodeling projects are staged is to answer to the changing needs of the family which the existing set-up is already not able to efficiently answer to.

Cost-efficiency. Home remodeling is also a great way to cut your monthly expenses in maintaining your home. With every product and service's price soaring, investing on projects that optimizes the beauty and comfort in your homes could also be friendly to your bank. How? By making sure that you are not wasting money on unused heat, and cooling; you can cutback on energy expenses. Home additions or even basements finished into a gym, spa, studio, home office and other necessities that could be incorporated into your home; could also help you cross out some of the unnecessary things that you spend a good deal on every month.

Eugene Makeev of Craftsmen Network 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 renovations New York by matching their needs with prescreened contractors Queens, NY.

For more information, visit home remodeling Brooklyn.

Video on Home Repair, Large Hole in Your Wall

Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .

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

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

A Life Of Spiritual Education

Dangers of Walking on a House Roof

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surviving As A Contractor

Quick Xbox 360 Error Code E74 Repair Tips

One of the most frequent problems affecting Microsoft's latest gaming console is the Xbox 360 error code e74. This problem contains a few characteristics such as white writings upon a plain black backdrop while turning on your Xbox 360 and a red ring on the front of the console in the power switch.

Xbox 360 error code E74 Information is provided below.

• Retailers report a failure of consoles that amounts to over 40%.
• Investigations confess that one in every three console is bound to fail due to few errors like the "red ring of death" or the e74 code.
• No such warning is there for this problem. All that you can see one fine day is "e74" in bold white writing on the screen when your turn on the Xbox 360.
• Since 2006, it is believed that more than 12 million consoles have been affected.

The causes of the e74 error are-

• Due to improper heat sinks and insufficient air circulation heat builds within Xbox 360's case.
• The thermal glue that holds the video scaler (HANA/ANA) gets slightly out of place due to the increase in heat.
• The e74 code is displayed as the scaler chip does not function properly and your Xbox 360 will not work.

The following procedure is followed to set the Xbox 360 error.

• To fix the red ring e74 problem, video repair instructions is required as written series of instructions are not always satisfactory. The only way to get these instructions is through a repair guide.
• Follow the step-by-step video repair instructions given in the repair guide.
• All that you need to fix back the error is a screwdriver and a metal toothpick and 90 minutes of your time.

Are you tired of your xbox not working? If you are interested in fixing your Xbox today visit:

-------------------> http://www.FixTheXbox.Info <-------------------

I have some good news for you, I bought and tested the top 10 xbox repair guides and put a review of the top 3 on the link above. You have to be very careful when purchasing a guide though. Some of the red light fixing guides don't provide enough information, any videos, or enough details in general. If you really want to have your Xbox fixed all by yourself tonight go to: http://www.FixTheXbox.Info

Wall Repairs

Paintless Dent Repair - Is it For You?

Paintless dent repair training is a difficult endeavor.

Learning paintless dent repair is difficult. Even after several weeks of training and several months of practicing you may not be capable of paintless dent removal (PDR). My own training consisted of a session of direct interaction with my trainer, then a week of practice. This cycle continued for several months. Even after this, training tends to continue for YEARS. The PDR industry allows for continual learning if you desire to do so. I have been a door-ding tech for 14 years, and last week some hail techs showed me a few techniques that improved my abilities.

Most individuals go to one of several training centers throughout the US to train. Training sessions last anywhere from 3 days to several weeks. I personally know about 2 dozen people who have been trained. None of those that succeeded did so within the first month after they finished their training. Usually it was 3-6 months later that they started seeing progress to the point they believed that PDR was for them. I know a lot of people who have quit PDR, because of it's difficult nature.

Here's a list of qualities you should possess before you start training:

1. 20/20 correctable vision.
2. Tenacity.
3. Patience.
4. Great hand-eye coordination.
5. Physically capable of bending over frequently.

Certainly there are several more you could possess, but those cover a lot of the basic needs before you train.

So what's to gain by learning PDR?

Learning PDR with accomplish many things for you, but those things depend upon the variables in place in your life.

Income can increase tremendously. I started in PDR making no more than $25,000 a year. This month, I met some hail techs who will generate at least $350,000 in income. My personal income will be above $100k this year. Not bad for a non-college grad.

Freedom from a boss. I don't have a "BOSS" in the conventional way. Yet, I do have several of them with all my dealerships and body shops I cover in my route. I also have a wife....

Less time at work. I seldom work more than fifty hours a week. I do not have to work weekends. You see the trend.

Move forward with you decision to train in PDR. There are enough reasons to start training as soon as possible. Next week I will discuss costs associated with PDR, including initial training. Have a great week!

Duane A Langenfeld

http://www.paintless-dent-repair-info.com

Rubber Paint Over Shower Backing

Any Advice Will Be Helpful

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

Kitchen Books
Walkways Books

Wall Framing 2 x 4 Spacing Tips

Remodeling and building homes over the years I have seen all sorts of stud spacing measurements in bearing and non-bearing walls.

How far should we space a framing stud in a bearing wall?

Most plans will give you this information. If you have a structural shear wall the plans will tell you what size of lumber to use at the plywood breaks. The normal spacing on a bearing wall will be 16 inches on center unless otherwise noted on the building plans. This is the most common spacing for studs in a wall.

How far can we space framing studs in a nonbearing wall?

I have seen studs spaced as far as 24 inches on center in a nonbearing wall. Over the years looking at the building code books I have found this to be acceptable for most framing applications. Do not confuse a nonbearing walls with a structural shear walls because there is no weight sitting on the shear wall.

Interior structural shear walls will require 16 inch on center spacing or less depending on the structural engineer and your local building department.

What are the disadvantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

Using half-inch drywall with 24 inch on center stud spacing can give the wall a week or spongy feel. I have been in houses that have 24 inch on center's stud spacing and can actually push the wall and see it move. Using 5/8 drywall will solve this problem in your walls.

What are the advantages of spacing the studs 24 inches on center?

The only advantage in spacing the studs farther apart is the fact you will be able to save a few dollars on the overall cost of building or remodeling your house. I personally do not recommend this process because the savings is miniscule compared to the overall cost of building the entire house.

If you look on a measuring tape between 19 and 20 inches you will usually find a little diamond. This little diamond is another measurement for laying out eight-foot walls or floors. So instead of using 16 inch on center layout you can use 19 1/4 for stud spacing. This will save you an additional stud in your wall or floor joist every 8 feet.

I have been writing more articles on home construction problems trying to help contractors and homeowners build safer stronger houses.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in San Marcos Home Building

Plaster Crack Wall Damage
Hole In Shingle Siding

Scrape Copper in Your Home

Copper is one metal that is starting to develop a strange behavior in the last few years, from an almost forgotten place among the wide used metals, copper has re emerged to become one of the most searched metals on earth, with a growing market for stolen copper and scrap copper, this is something that many do not know and fail to take advantage of.

Metal can be found in many places around the house, especially if it is an old house, if you have access to old houses, many of which use a lot of heating devices and water tanks made of copper you can be pleasantly surprised at the money you can make selling this metal.

Here are some tips on how to find scrap copper in your home and give you additional short time income that you can use on some of your miscellaneous expenses.

The Kitchen. The kitchen is one of the places where you will find lots of scrap copper, some people have copper pots, copper cooking utensils and even copper plates. Sometimes coppers turns green with time or as it ages it turns into a different color so you barely notice them.

You can check if some of discolored metal utensils are copper by scraping a bit off its outer layer when it shows of a copper color then it is copper. Anyway your buyer of scrap copper can distinguish which are true coppers and which are not. So you can just bring out your unused or old metal utensils and just have them checked on the store.

The Living Room. Most of the copper that can be found on your living room are from decorative materials like chandeliers, picture frames and even side table tops are sometimes made from copper. You can check out the top of your fireplace from some old picture frames and check if they are copper and can be sold.

Sometimes even small decorative figurines are made out of copper so try to be on the look out for it. Firewood holder is also made out of copper.

The Garage. This is where most of the scrap copper in your old home can be found. This is a haven for finding copper cause this is where much of the heavy or metallic thing is being stored out.

In your garage you can start looking for bigger object like car parts that you have already got rid of and barbecue grills. Wires from your computers are also a good source of copper. Almost every wire consists of copper strings that are bundled up. Even motors are made up of copper so try to look out for small motors from your old vacuum cleaner or small appliances that are motor driven.

One last thing, in the past few years many people have been victimized by criminals that steal copper from any possible item, you are definitely encouraged to call the police and report any such actions, re using scrap copper could be nice, but please do this only for things that you own.

Copper and metal price is soaring due to the global growth, and many markets respond with a growing and outstanding demand for copper and Scrape Copper, learn more about copper at http://copper.zupatips.com.

Recovering From a Failed Home Project

Everyone has a home project haunting them from their past. The objective was to upgrade their existing home, but it just didnt turn out the way they originally envisioned. When this happens, what do you do now? I always smile and say Punt! In the real world we cant punt, but we do have choices. One solution is to make it a work of modern art or the more common decision is to fix the problem and finish as planned.

Lets assume you have all the correct tools and are skilled on how to use them. If you are having problems using your tools, you might want to find a contractor to fix your project. So what was the original problem that caused your project to fail? I can answer that in a few short words for a large majority of failed projects, lack of correct pre-planning. The really comical thought is that to discover the problem on your failed project is the same process as doing a proper pre-plan.

The purpose of this article is to explain a concept so we will use an extremely simple problem, however the process will work on all types and sizes of projects. You just installed a new sink in your master bathroom. The color and texture and size are all correct but for some reason it just doesnt line up with the existing countertop and wobbles from end to end. Along the way you must have forgotten a step or took a shortcut to have caused this. The way to fix this problem is obviously to pull the sink out and figure out how to install it correctly. Before you do this, do a work breakdown structure (WBS). This is a common pre-plan task all good managers working on high dollar projects use. This is a practice that also applies to home projects and is a useful way to find your fix. A WBS is exactly as it states, your work broken down and itemized creating a structure and path to follow.

Start at the top of your paper pad and state your objective. In our example we will use Install a new sink. Then we divide that objective into deliverables. In the sink example I write; purchase the sink, remove the old sink, prepare countertop, and prepare plumbing. Next we have to further divide these again into assignments. Assignments are action items or tasks. The following is how I would write this using our example of the new sink.

Install The New Sink

• Lay the sink in the cutout
• Anchor the sink
• Hook up plumbing

Purchase the sink

• Gather existing sink dimensions
• Window shop stores for new sinks
• Decide on new sink that fits dimensions
• Shop for best price
• Purchase sink

Remove Old Sink

• Turn off the water source
• Unhook all plumbing
• Release sink anchors attached to countertop
• Remove sink

Prepare Countertop

• Make sure the countertop will support the new sink
• If necessary install additional support
• Make sure cutout will accept new sink
• Adjust cutout if necessary
• Make a clean surface on which to rest the new sink on

Prepare Plumbing

• Measure the sink drain and faucet connections
• Record existing plumbing dimensions
• Prepare plumbing to accept new sink connections
• Proper length of pipe
• Have Teflon tape available for plumbing re-install

Now we have our tasks. Reading through our example, I see that I did not measure the proper length of the plumbing drain pipe causing the sink to wobble and not fit securely. This is a very simple example but it illustrates the concept that a proper pre-plan and diagnosis will allow you to accomplish a correct fix instead of a fix that just hides the actual problem. Applying this concept to your more difficult projects around the house will help identify the possible problems and solutions before you even start.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.homedesignfloorplans.com where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic provided by Robert Kempe.

Robert Kempe has 15+ years in industrial construction and industrial engineered manufacturing as a project manager and a part time home inspector. Through his experience he has been able to simplify and make sense of home building and designing in what looks to be a complete chaotic project and decision making process. His articles will guide you through the most difficult decisions and make it a positive uplifting experience.

Koi Pond Construction - Should You Do it Yourself?

A project to construct a Koi pond is both a big project and one of the most enjoyable parts of being a Koi owner. Your Koi pond should be your own work of art and at the same time the perfect home for your fish. Plan carefully ahead of time.

If you're good at construction projects like this, you can choose to do it yourself. If you do, you'll want think about using a pond kit. A good kit will provide all the basic components and get you started quicker. But make no mistake about it, there are several advantages and disadvantages you should think about before you jump into doing the project yourself.

Getting professional help with the project will certainly cost you more but may save you a lot of headaches in the end. Doing it yourself and using a pond kit can be cheaper but if you install it incorrectly, you will probably spend more in the end getting your mistakes corrected.

Doing it yourself will certainly let you build your Koi pond the way you want it. It will give you something to brag about and show off to your family and friends. All in all it can be quite enjoyable.

There are some other disadvantages to doing the work yourself. If you do use a pond kit, you may find some limitations that you don't like. You may want to make adjustments in the size or other design aspects that the pond kit just won't easily accommodate. Trying to make these changes fit can easily get you into trouble.

When you planned your Koi pond the design was just what you wanted and had that unique look - just perfect for your garden. Once into the project you may find the need for special tools or equipment. Since you are not a professional the end result may not have that "professional" look or worse yet may have some hidden construction problems that will haunt you over time.

Hiring a professional contractor may not be the cheapest initially but in the end may be the best way to get your dream Koi pond. Remember, you are making a long term investment in your pond, so that added cost may easily pay off in the long run. Your Koi will happy as well in their new home.

One thing to remember if you decide to use a professional contract is that the Koi pond is a dynamic ecosystem. There are many parts that have to work together properly. Make sure your contractor knows what he is doing. Be wary of seemingly low bids. Spending a little more may save you much added expense in the future not to mention the disappointment. Also remember that it is a permanent structure and not easily modified. My advice is to make it as large as you can afford to start with. Put in all the design elements you can financially handle. It will pay off in added enjoyment for years.

John Stoner is a long time koi enthusiast. For more information on Koi pond construction, visit http://www.koifishenthusiast.com.

Figuring the Lumber For Interior Wall Framing - Home Remodeling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House Wood Damage or Wall Framing Tips

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

Ice Dam Problems And Solutions

Log Home Preservation Methods - Borate Wood Preservatives

Log Home BorateTreatments - the options and how and when to use!

One of the most important ways to protect your investment, your home, is to use a wood preservative on your logs. There are only two times that you can effectively use these products on your logs. When the home is built, before it is stained, or after cob blasting a finish off of your logs, before you re-stain. The wood preservative must be applied to raw wood, so it can soak in and dry underneath the stain.

All wood faces the possibility of rot and insect infestation, even in dry climates. Fungi and insects actually consume the cells of dead wood, often causing severe structural damage that often requires log replacement-a costly repair. We use Penetreat to help protect your home from costly damage of rot and insect infestation. Penetreat is a borate based wood preservative. Borates are well known across the world for their protective qualities. Penetreat provides a protective "shell" coating which helps defend your home against dry, wet, and brown rot, as well as termites, house borers, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants, (to name a few).

Borate is not toxic to people and animals. It will not harm you or your pets. Borates do not affect the natural color or strength of wood. They are completely odorless, and are not corrosive to metal fasteners, nails or screws. When a "Penetreat" home is properly sealed against moisture, the borates can provide many years of effective protective.

Impel Rods are a highly concentrated solid form, water diffusible borate rod. They are ideal for both preventative treatments of high risk areas and remedial treatments in areas with existing decay. Because Impel Rods stop decay when properly used, there is no need to replace decay damaged, yet structurally sound logs! Decay prone and rot hot spot areas at greatest risk include: base logs, corner construction, exposed rafters or overhangs, and below windows, doors, and dormers.

Impel Rods depend on moisture to work. When moisture contents of wood reach levels suitable for decay attack, i.e. (around 25 percent) Impel Rods slowly dissolve and begin to diffuse throughout the moisture saturated wood. The preservative will migrate into the areas of highest moisture, which are at the highest risk from fungal decay. The diffused Impel Rod will adequately and effectively prevent the wood from rotting and decaying because it will not allow the fungus that causes rot to grow. When moisture levels drop below 25 percent, the preservative becomes dormant and provides a reserve, ready to reactivate should decay conducive conditions reoccur. We feel that Impel Rods are an essential part of the protection of your log home, and include them as part of our prevention and restoration system.

We hope this article has been helpful and look forward to giving you much more information in future articles to help you preserve your log home dream!

Jamie Fonder

Top-Coat Log Home Restoration LLC

http://topcoatloghomerestoration.com/

Create Your Dream House

Avoid the Remodeling Nightmare - 5 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Project on Track

Why Renovate Instead Of Building?

Wheneconomic issuesare keeping you from making the move up to a larger, more accommodating home, maybe the thing to doisadd on thatextra living space you've been needing. Or perhaps a new master suitewith the huge tiled shower and spa tub is just the ticket.While you may not be willing, or able,to spend the moneyon an entirely new home to get those things, you can usually recreate the space you live in to achieve the same results with a lot less outlay of money. If you decide to take on a renovation or expansion, there are some things to keep in mind that will keep you sane through the entire project and give you what you want.

For over 21 years, I've been involved in the residential building and remodeling business. Throughout the time that I've worked, building houses and performing renovation work, I've been witness to a lot of poor workmanship and delayed projects. Often what has happened is that a homeowner will attempt to undertake a fairly large remodeling effort, only to find they have gotten themselves into a real mess. Every project has setbacks, challenges and deficiencies, however there are steps you can take to prevent getting in over your head. Follow some simple guidelines and youwill achieve a result you can be proud of. Let me share some of my experience with you and give you 5 steps to achieving what you want in your next renovation effort.

I - Set Your Objective

Determining your objective is crucial. Weigh the merits of what you want versus what you need. All of us can imagine living in a mansion with the finest of amenities and furnishings,and unless you have determined what you need, you can easily get off track and spend much more than you should. It is important to get the job done without going broke otherwise you might end up with a half-completed project and no money. I've seen this before, so determine your objectives, weigh the costs and stick with them through the planning process. The time to decide the scope of work is at the beginning of the project, not in the middle.

Determine what you can't live without. Do you really need theexpensive light fixtures right now, or can you wait? Plan for future upgrades. One way you can do this is to pre-wire for an audio/visual system and leave thecomponents for a later date. By thinking through this process, you can save yourself money up front, and keep from having an unfinished, or over budget project, or worse yet, both.

Something important to note here is that any item not easily replaced, like a shower valve in a tiled shower wall, or the tile itself, needs to be carefully thought out for cost and appeal. Ifsomething can easily bereplaced, like a commode or the carpet, don't go overboard to start with. You can upgrade your expectations when you see how actual costs are trending.

II - Form A Plan

This may seem like a no brainer, but I've been amazed,over the years, at the number of people who attempt to undertake a fairly large project without a finalized plan. Without a plan, you cannot measure progress, cost or compliance and you certainly cannot give the sub-contractors working for you any solid information. Without a plan, you are constantly being called upon to explain things or make decisions and the project becomes a full time job with a lot of stress.

A plan does not have to be complex, it can be simple and effective. There are three elements to a simple plan and they are:

1. Drawings showing dimensions and relative look of the finished product. You don't need an architect, just a tape measure and some 11" x 17" graph paper. If you can't draw a straight line with a ruler, you might want to ask for some help, but get your idea down in black and white and make copies. Your sub-contractors need something to guide them and it can't always be you making decisions on the spur of the moment while everyone is waiting for an answer. There will always be questions, but with some decent drawings, there will be a lot less of them.
2. A cost estimate for the project. To determine the projects' cost, you will need a cost estimate for each phase. Determine the phases and get at least two quotes for each phase,from reputable sub-contractors. Use these quotes to formulate an overallproject cost estimate. It is important to have this so that you can track expenditures and see where you can cut costs if necessary. Without the cost estimate (and the Objective mentioned above) you can, and probably will, exceed costs and blow your budget. It's very easy to get talked into more expensive choices in the "heat of the moment". Stick with your objective and stay within your budget.
3. The final element to any plan is the time factor, or schedule. Although you won't be completely accurate in creating a full project schedule, with the drawings and objective completed, you should be able to get a fairly close estimate of the overall time for each phase and develop a general project timeline.The reason this is crucial is that if you are wanting tobe usingyour new facilities by Christmas, you can't leave it to chance that you will have the project done by then, you needknow when the start and finish dates will be. By developing a timeline, youat least have a targeted finish date.

III - GetQuotes Early

When you've determined what you need (your objective) and have completed a plan, it's time to start getting quotes; notice I did not say estimates. You need solid, accurate quotes and you need to hold the sub-contractor to his or her quote. There are times when costs will exceed the quote, and these should be addressed immediately before work continues, but for the most part, each sub-contractor must be made aware that the quotehe/she isproviding you is the amount of money he/she will be paid, with no variances except in circumstances which are clearly outlined. Again it's important to state, if you've developed your objective and plan, getting accurate quotes should not be a problem. Any sub-contractor that won't provide you with a fixed quote should be eliminated from consideration. There are plenty of good, reputable sub-contractors who will be glad to do the work for a set price.

One area where a variance in a quote is justifiable is when you are working on a home and find extensive moisture damage or termite damage that needs to be repaired. When this happens, stop work, get the cost for fixing that problem, makea decision and move forward. The higher costs may be justified by un-forseen situations like those above, however never allow someone to bill you more than his or her quote and try to talk you into paying the higher costs. Each sub-contractor shouldknow enough about his or her trade toprovide accurate quotesfor workhe/she usually performs.Get the quotes in writing and have potential areas of variance listed in the quote. Any sub-contractor worth dealing with is going to appreciate the details being worked out ahead of time.

Get quotes early because most reputable sub-contractors are not standing by ready to work within a day of giving youthe quote. You have toschedule the work as far in advance as possible and keep them posted on progress so they are aware of when they need to begin work.

Make certain the quotes you receivecontain the length of time to complete thework and make it clear that financial penalties will be incurred if the phase takes longer thanquoted. Keep in mind, though, the length of time cannot always be controlled. There will be unforeseen and allowable variables (like termite and moisture problems) in the length of time some things take. However I have heard horror stories where projects took a lot longer than necessary to complete. For instance, I knew of a man,building a 5,000 squarefoot house who had drywall crews, being paid hourly,hanging around for four months when it should have taken twoweeks.Don't let this happen to you.

IV - Don't Let The Sub-contractors Run The Job

One of the worst mistakes you can make during the entire process, and one that is easily avoided, is allowing sub-contractors to run the job. You are the person in charge, it's your home and you will live in it. As the homeowner,you should take the time and make the effort to researchthe processso that you are familiar with what is happening on the job. When allowed to control the flow of the job, the sub-contractors may push to do what is convenient for them and will not necessarily have your best interests at heart. This isn't true of everyone,but there are some who will tell you what they want you to hear in order to get what they want. You must always remain in the drivers seat. If a subcontractor will not listen to your requests, or tries to make excuses for why he or she cannot do what you want, hire a different subcontractor.

And finally.....

V - Bring In An Independent Consultant If Needed

When all is said and done, executing a large remodeling or renovation project is time consuming and management intensive. When you have sub-contractors who are skilled, careful and honest, it makes the job go more smoothly with less hassles. There are times, though,when you just need to have some confirmation and direction to help you through the project. This is when hiring an independent consultant/manager can be a life saver. A well experienced consultant/manager is one who has had experience in both field operations and project oversight. He, or she, will have the ability to assess the quality of work and all aspects of the project and should, for areasonable fee, give you a detailed report on the status of the project at any given moment. Havinganother pair of experienced eyes on the project can also help point out potential problems beforethey aretoo late to easily correct.

An independent assessment can sometimes not only save you headaches, but time and money as well. It may even be in your best interests to sign with a consultant/project manager to oversee the project for you on an ongoing basis. Fees can range from 2% to 5% of the total project cost and can keep you from going over budget by that much or more. Considering the overhead you will pay a builder to contract the entire job (10% to 20% or even more), the 2% to 5% you pay a consultant/project manager will be a deal. Sometimes themoney a consultant/manager can save you with their experience will cover the entire cost of their fees.

When hiring a consultant/manager, check credentials and references. Is he/she licensed, insured and recommended? Does he/she have testimonials or referrals? The qualified consultant/manager can run the job for you from beginning to end leaving you time to put your feet up and daydream of your new digs, while the work gets done smoothly and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

As a final note, remember that every project is simply small pieces put together in the right order. With proper planning and preparation, you can handle any renovation effort. Contrary to popular opinion, most of the subcontractors engaged in making a living, are honest, hardworking people and will give you the work you are looking for. By planning carefully and following these simple guidelines, you can be certain you won't lose control of your renovation project. You will finish on time and on budget. So go ahead and start planning now, you could be using that new kitchen or soaking in that big spa tub sooner than you think for less money than you might believe.

Tim Gaunt has worked in the residential housing market in the Upstate of South Carolina for over 20 years. During that time he has worked as a project manager, sub-contractor and builder. With the recent downturn in the economy, Tim decided to begin a network of upstate sub-contractors to help facilitate the sharing of information and jobs. Recently BlogOnSC was started and very recently a forum added giving access to subcontractors as a means for them to network together.

Much of Tims time is now spent consulting, blogging and networking.

Good San Diego Contractors

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

Masonry Books

Outdoor Rocking Chairs - If It's Comfortable Seating That You Want, There is No Better Choice

Do you have some time on your hands and you are hoping to set up your front porch or your deck area with some new decor or seating options? If so, then there are definitely plenty of nice options available to you in quality furnishings as well as beautiful accent pieces with one of them being outdoor rocking chairs. They are just a lovely, comfortable selection.

You really cannot go wrong with the addition of outdoor rocking chairs to your space because of their comfortable design. You see, like a regular chair, it will provide you with a lot of support thanks to its seat, backrest, and comfy armrests, but what really takes relaxing to a whole other level is the fact that it gently rocks back and forth. It will allow you to easily let the cars of your day just slip away.

When purchasing outdoor rocking chairs, there are a number of different materials that your selections can be crafted out of. Probably the most popular is teak wood that has the uncanny ability to stand up to the elements, so you will never have to worry about leaving these rocking chairs outside. Standing up to the elements and lasting for years are just a couple of the reasons why it is a good idea to get ones made from teak because those made from it will also be extremely pleasing to the eye since teak is one beautiful wood with natural golden tones.

There are other materials that outdoor rocking chairs can be crafted from as well, including other woods like Redwood, Southern Yellow Pine, and Shorea along with synthetic materials including resin and recycled polymer. Each one of these materials is very sturdy and would create a selection that will last for years in any outdoor setting.

Of course, whenever it comes to just about any kind of outdoor living space, you simply cannot skimp on the number of seating options that you have available to all of your guests. After all, everyone needs a nice place to sit down, relax and mingle with the other guests in attendance. So, in addition to getting outdoor rocking chairs, it would also be a wise idea to go with other seating options like regular patio chairs or even chaise lounges if you wanted. Benches are also another great option too.

A fast and easy way to look into the outdoor rocking chairs that you could possibly purchase for your space along with the other outdoor furniture is by simply going on your computer for some online comparison shopping. In no time at all you can have all the selections right in front of your eyes and because it is easy to compare their prices, you'll usually end up finding what you want at a pretty reasonable price.

So, if you are in the market for some comfortable seating for your deck, porch, or patio, then purchase some outdoor rocking chairs. They are a relaxing selection that would be one solid investment.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including http://www.simplyoutdoordecor.com/ that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make those spots both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a fabulous outdoor area by using comfortable patio furniture. It would really be a fantastic investment.

Ridge Beam Strap To Wood Post

Interiors and Home Remodeling in a Credit Crunch World

Home improvement or remodelling is one of the best ways of adding value to your home as well as improving its functionality. If you cannot move home because of tough economic conditions then it is worth remembering the adage "Don't Move, Improve".

That said, you need to be prudent with your budget, and in the current economic climate perhaps doubly so. Therefore, before you splash out on the latest gee-whizz gadgetry for your home let us steer you in the right direction.

Decide your budget - and stick to it

Before you even contemplate improvement work decide your budget limit - remember you need day to day things like food, clothing, heating etc. And don't take on extra debt that you cannot realistically service from your income.

Practical jobs

Make a list of practical tasks that could reduce the cost of running your home, such as energy efficient light bulbs, repair dripping taps, reducing heat loss and draughts, putting timers or motion activated sensors on outdoor lighting. If you can change to a cheaper supplier for electricity or change to a cheaper source of heating then add this to your list.

Are there rooms that you rarely use? Make sure the radiators or other heating have zoned thermostats so you can drop the temperature in these areas in winter to around 12 degrees rather than 22 centigrade. If you do this for guest rooms you can turn the heat up before guests arrive.

Low cost improvements

There are three routes to working on a budget.

1) look for bargains or big sale discounts when you shop around for materials, price compare on the internet (but always factor in carriage costs).

2) seek out second hand items and repair/refurbish. This gives new life to old and can be particularly effective with furniture. Take advantage of other people who are not as prudent with their money as you are.

3) undertake labour yourself rather than paying a tradesman. Unless you are undertaking structural, plumbing, plastering or electrical work most work in the home can be undertaken by the moderately competent home owner. If you have doubts or if the job is too big why not team up with friends to undertake a project - then have a party to celebrate the completion! Don't forget to reciprocate when your friends need help.

Practical value-for-money improvements

Painting: perhaps the easiest way to rapidly and cheaply make-over a home. The tools are cheap. Most of the work can be undertaken by anyone with free time. It is worth noting that shopping for "budget" paint is often a false economy. If you hire a professional decorator most of the cost will be labour, not materials, so if you do it yourself the job becomes very cost effective.

Exterior painting should not be skimped even in the credit crunch since the paint is there not just to look nice; rather it should be protecting wood from the weather.

Wall decor: pictures, prints, clocks etc can be picked up cheaply and can look good without breaking the bank. Second hand pictures can be refreshed by re-framing; this is best done by a professional if you want the best result but because it is a quick job it will not be too costly.

Lighting: look for table and wall lamps in the sales from the big superstores (Home Depot, Walmart, B&Q etc) but if you are careful you do not have to sacrifice style for economy. You can even re-use and revamp existing lamps by purchasing new shades and brighter bulbs (energy efficient of course!).

Wooden furniture: if you have natural wood you can easily refresh it at low cost. Sanding, then waxing or polishing the wood will give it a new life. You can even stain/dye the wood to a new shade. All this can be done at low cost without the cost of hiring a contractor.

Floors: wooden floors are easy to revamp and often you can then give them a completely new look with a new feature rug. Carpets are trickier to do economically. New carpets are not cheap and if you are fitting awkward shapes or up staircases you will need a professional. We would suggest that you keep your existing carpet but hire a high quality carpet cleaning machine to remove ground in dirt and smell. If the carpet is damaged or thread-bare or badly stained your best credit-crunch option is to invest in a rug to disguise the problem.

Windows: once you have repainted your window frames and the walls invest in new window dressings. You can achieve great results for curtains by using lower cost fabrics made up with more exotic headings combined with lining and interlining to give a more sumptuous feel. At same time the thicker curtains will reduce draughts and heat loss. If you are able to make your own curtains so much the better. You might something good amongst ready made curtains but rarely will they be the right dimensions and rarely will they be interlined. One other option would a curtain exchange, where you could pick up a bargain that at most would require dry-cleaning and maybe hemming up to fit.

Finally

These are just a few practical tips that will help you revamp your home on a tight budget. If in doubt look at design magazines for style inspiration, then make a shopping list, watch for sales, collect discount coupons and get on first name terms with your local thrift store!

You will be amazed at what you can achieve.

Bronia Suszczenia is co-founder and Creative Director of Art from the Start Ltd a firm of interior designers in Yorkshire England. She has also recently established Fabric Gallery and Interiors a retailer of quality curtain fabrics, curtains and blinds in York England.

Damaged Ceiling Paint

Do I Need a Building Permit

When building new homes or room additions you will need a building permit. On smaller projects such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, it's not always clear if you need a building permit for the work. The IRC (International Residential Code) 2006 defines the need for a permit as follows:

R105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Here are some general guidelines to follow that will help you determine if you need a building permit.

1. Modifying any plumbing sanitary sewer lines that are not exposed (i.e. inside walls, ceilings, attics, foundations, and yards) will require a permit.

2. Modifying any plumbing water or gas lines that are not exposed (i.e. inside walls, ceilings, attics, foundations, and yards) will require a permit.

3. Any electrical work other then changing out existing light fixtures, switches, and outlets.

4. Replacing the entire H.V.A.C. system including equipment and ductwork.

5. Modifying any existing structural framing.

6. Pouring concrete slabs/foundations and patios. Some local municipalities require stamped and sealed foundation plans from a structural engineer. Engineers typically charge $300-$600 for this service.

7. Installing any structures on your property such as fences over 6 feet tall.

8. Replacing a roof based on your local municipality. Some municipalities do not require a permit for roofing.

*Note: Ordinary repairs to your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems will not require a permit as long as you are not cutting away any walls, removing structural beams/supports, or changing the any required means of egress.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your project. If you need a permit, add a budget line item for permit fees/inspections and re-inspections. The cost of permits vary from each municipality and are generally determined on the dollar valve of the project and/or the scope of the work. Permits will increase the time it takes to complete your project. Once you have your permit in hand, the municipality will typically tell you what inspections your project will need. The general rule of the thumb is to add 1 day to your project timeline per each inspection that is required. Additionally, add a few extra days, to account for any re-inspections, just in case you fail one. Municipalities will sometimes require that you make upgrades or correct previous work that is subpar or not up to code. It's a good idea to add some money in the budget for these unforeseen items.

Permits are not just another avenue for the municipality to generate revenue. Permits are in place to enforce minimum code requirements, good workmanship, public safety, and proper licensing of contractors as required. Overall permits are good for the consumer and in most cases required by the municipalities ordinances. Remember to always check with your local municipality if you're not sure if you need a permit prior to starting any work.

Watermark & Co.

http://www.watermarkandco.com

Paint Me a Picture - No - Paint Me a Hall, DIY Style

Painting is one of the easiest DIY projects around. Novice DIY weekend warriors often begin with their DIY home improvement projects by repainting fences, hallways, doors, windows and walls.

Important tools

To be able to do painting jobs around the house, you would need the following:

1. Roller brushes of different sizes- you need different sizes, depending on the job. Roller brushes that are more than six inches in length are good for walls. Smaller roller brushes can be used to paint the bottom of walls. Small roller brushes can also be used to paint tables and chairs.

2. Synthetic brushes- synthetic brushes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, as a rule of thumb, purchase those that have fine yet durable strands. Synthetic brushes should be at least two inches wide. Larger brushes should have longer handles.

In addition, large brushes are heavier, so you have the option of attaching them to poles for hard to reach areas, such as the corners of ceilings.

3. Supply of old newspapers- you can use newspapers or similar recyclable papers. Use these to protect furniture and other surfaces when you are painting. Use plenty of paper when painting large surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

4. Plastic paint pans- pans can be bought from hardware stores. These specially made pans hold the paint on one side, while uneven surfaces allow you to remove excess paint.

5. Thinners- thinners will allow you to remove excess and encrusted paint on your roller brushes. Hard, encrusted paint can damage your roller brushes in the end. Never use water, as it will take too long to remove all the paint.

How to paint a hall

It seems daunting at first- the idea of painting a hall. But in reality, some tools and a bit of patience, plus lots of fun will get the job done.

The first step is to clear out your hallway. Put all the stuff in your hallway in another room. This eliminates the need to put newspapers all around. The risk of paint spots on your stuff is reduced to zero.

Second step is to clean the walls with a wet sponge and some soap. Rinse the walls and allow it to completely dry. If there is glossy paint, use a sandpaper to make the surface a bit rougher.

With a roller brush, apply the primer. Proceed to applying two coats of paint. Let the paint dry for a day or two.

Start re-adding things to your hallway. Old, useless things like unused golf bags should not be added to your hallway again. This process will de-clutter your hallway.

To beautify this space, consider adding plant life. Potted plants are a good choice. The potted plants need not be real. You can use plastic daisies or synthetic roses. Just make sure you clean your plants regularly with a wet piece of cloth to preserve their color.

If you do not have a clock in the hallway, consider adding a wall clock. Wall clocks can be either modern or completely classical with swinging pendulums.

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

Landscaping Books

A Different Dimension For House Plans

A house plan is a construction document that guides a number of different construction efforts through every phase of building. Dimensions throughout the drawing need to be as accurate as possible to ensure every part of the home is constructed properly. Many home designers use dimension techniques that speed the design process but can cause considerable construction errors. You should avoid three dimension techniques commonly found in online plan purchases:

4" wall thickness - Most American homes are built with common 2x4 lumber. "2x4" denotes a "nominal" dimension - i.e. the name 2x4 relates to the size of the lumber (2"x4") when cut freshly from a tree. By the time the timber is dried and cut for resale, the "actual" size of a 2x4 is 1-" x 3-". To ease the design process and calculate dimensions without fractions, many designers assume walls to be 4" wide, not the actual 3-". A " may seem insignificant but those small increments can create problems at the job site. Builders always refer to the frustrating practice of "chasing fractions". Dimensions that are not accurate on the drawings force contractors to make up for the error at the job site. Even worse, if each contactor does not accommodate for these errors in the same way, critical construction issues can quickly arise. Be sure your plan uses exact thicknesses for all exterior and interior walls.

"Fractionless" dimensions - Many designers pride themselves in designing a home with even measurements - i.e. measurements without fractions. But, as mentioned above, most building materials are not evenly sized. A 2x4 does not measure 2" x 4" but rather 1-1/2" x 3-1/2". To be sure the house is built as accurately as possible, all drawing dimensions should be made as accurately as possible. Why design a space to a dimension that cannot be achieved at the job site? The only cost savings is to the designer. Moreover, many prefabricated components - bathtubs, shower stalls, fireplaces, etc. - are not manufactured on even inches. The design of the spaces accommodating these items should be dimensioned precisely. Drawings using fractionless dimensions cause contractors to "chase the fraction" at the job site (see above discussion of 4 inch wall thickness). Some contractors may even resort to "dimensioning from the drawing." This highly inaccurate practice forces a construction worker to use a ruler and calculate the dimensions of the home from a scaled drawing (usually " = 1'-0"). In this process, a measurement off by only a 1/16" can cause an inaccuracy of 3 or more inches in your home. These three inches can cause structural issues, alignment issues and may cause your home to fail final inspection. The following is an example typical of a home built with poorly dimensioned house plans. By code, the distance between the center of a toilet and a wall must be 17" or more. If this distance is less than that, you will be forced to move the toilet or the wall. In any case, you will be paying for a lot of unnecessary costs for something that could be easily avoided. Demand that your house plans are accurately dimensioned using "real" measurements of building materials.

Center line Dimensions - Many designers dimension their drawings "on-center". That means that every dimension starts and stops at the center of each wall. This tactic is done to make the designers' job much easier but can play havoc when the house is built. Understanding the practice of building homes will quickly show you why "on-center" dimensioning should be avoided as it can easily increase the cost of your home. After the subfloor is installed, framers will layout the wall positions by measuring and marking the placement of each wall. He refers to the construction documents for "on-center" measurements. The framer hooks one end of a tape measure over the exterior edge of the subfloor and places a mark at the center of the first interior wall. Since this marks the center of the wall, two more marks are required to for the inside and outside of the wall. The tape is repositioned and two marks are placed 1-3/4" to the left and 1-3/4" to the right. These represent of the wall thickness (3-1/2"). To complete this single measurement, 3 separate marks and a repositioning of the tape measure are required.

Using "edge-to-edge" dimensions - "Edge-to-edge" dimensions requires only two marks. Each distance is measured from one edge of a wall to the other edge of the wall. In fact, depending on the size of the house and the length of the tape measure, all measurements could be made without ever moving the tapes' initial position. Time is money and these seemingly minor details about a home plan dimensions can create tremendous costs during construction. For maximum cost savings, be sure your home plans use edge-to-edge dimensions that are exact and accurate - if it measures 3-1/2" it should be dimensioned at 3-1/2".

For more information about home plans, including a free 20-page publication titled "10 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Home Plan," visit http://www.avidhomestudios.com

Contact:

Craig Sherrett, Director of Sales & Marketing

AVID Home Studios, LLC

888.280.2843

http://www.avidhomestudios.com

How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

Build a Wind Turbine

First, I want to congratulate you because you found this article, you are very near from saving thousands of dollars by building a wind turbine for home electricity. This wind turbine is all you need to save electricity, save money and save the environment right today. This article will teach you why you should build your own wind turbine, how to learn building wind turbines and how to find the best resource of learning building of such systems.

I want to tell you something very important about those wind turbines, the building of wind turbines is not difficult at all. You need to know that everyone around the world can learn the building process in minutes. So, why these systems are expensive? Because it seems to be a new technology, and the market hasn't saturated yet. But after some few years, every one and every home will use wind turbines to produce free electricity.

The second important thing I want to tell you today is the amount of electricity you could generate and the amount of money you'll save after building your own wind turbine. Regarding the amount of electricity, one or two small wind turbine units will easily reduce your current electricity bill by at least %80. This means saving of more than hundred dollars every single month.

The most important question now, how I can learn building my own wind turbine at home? There is only one answer of that question, you only need to get a step by step instruction guide provided by an expert in the field of home wind turbines. With this guide, it will be very easy for you to follow the simple instructions to build your own system in minutes. Then you can easily repeat the process if you want to build more units. Within my resource, I'll give you a link to the best step by step guide to learn building such systems today.

Now, it is you decision, if you want to save some particular amount of money, if you want to help our planet, you can do it today by building your own wind turbine. Wind is the greatest energy alternatives in our planet; it can be used to generate electricity in any place around the world. I hope I could give you some valuable tips to change your life for better, and I hop you could save thousands of dollars after building one or two of those wind turbines. Good luck and happy building.

Now learn how to build your wind turbine in only one hour, my recommended step by step video guide: http://www.healthylivingbooks.net/build-wind-turbine.htm

Also take a look at this article about DIY Wind Turbines

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Team Building Icebreakers

Icebreakers are a perfect activity for all those pursuing team building in their organization and companies. They create a fun-way to help new members get acquainted with the rest of members and feel comfortable interacting with different members of the team. Icebreakers also go a long way in strengthening relationships between current members. This type of activity should ideally be done before a conference/meeting or after members return from breaks. Most members of a team approach team building with hesitation and some of the following icebreakers can effectively warm them up. Interviews followed by introductions are an excellent way of getting people to know each other. Members can be paired up and given time to interview each other. After the interview each member will then be given time to introduce whoever they interviewed to the other members in the group. A game of toilet paper also helps members to be acquainted with each other. It involves members taking as much tissue as they prefer or equivalent to their daily use. Members should then mingle and share facts about themselves, with each fact representing a square paper from the toilet paper.

Most people attending a meeting or a team building session are likely to seat next to those people that they already know. An additional icebreaker involves grouping members into groups of four and giving each numbers. All the number ones sit together, and the pattern is repeated for the other numbers. The new groups should go through their careers and identify at least three events, accomplishments and activities that were greatly recognized by others. They should note these career highlights and share with their group members. Relatively new employees could share highlight moments from part-time jobs, volunteer work or even college classes. One of the icebreakers ideal as members gather up to share a meal to avoid members sitting with their friends involves labeling plates and arranging them randomly or mixing them to facilitate meetings of different co-workers. Once all the members have picked their plates and found their assigned tables depending on their plate number they can go ahead and introduce themselves.

The following icebreaker could be named "animal". The facilitator writes down various names of different animals on separate papers. These animals should be familiar and their noises should be distinct. The slips of paper should be handed to each member of the group and members should attempt to find people with similar animal names without talking. This subsequently causes people to make animal gestures and/or noises to locate each other. This is not only fun but it can also be used to group people for other icebreakers, games and activities. To make this icebreaker even more interesting, members can be blindfolded to try and locate their specific animal groups without having to use their eyes. Members can also state at intervals a false statement about themselves and two true statements. Other members will then ask a limited number of questions in their quest to figure out true statements and the statement that is a lie.

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Problems With Black Mold

Bathroom Faucet Leaks

Faucet leaks can waste more water than you think. Have you ever put a cup or bowl underneath a leaky faucet and actually seen how much water is wasted. Leaky faucets should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the waste of water in your home. Water is a precious resource and should be used wisely.

One slow drip from the faucet can waste over 5 gallons of water per day. If you think that's not a big deal, let me put it in perspective for you. 5 gallons of water per day equals 35 gallons per week, times 52 weeks in a year, that equals over 1800 gallons of water, and that's a lot of water.

The problem with a faucet leak isn't just the amount of water it waste, it will soon start to deteriorate your sinks, bathtubs and showers and could damage other sections of the home, like the wood framing. I've seen a water drip in a steel kitchen sink, in just a few years, wear a hole right through it. Keep in mind water and wind formed the Grand Canyon, water can be extremely erosive.

Faucet leaks can attract house pests, like mice, flies, ants and a wide variety of other insects.

Most faucets can usually be repaired for under $20. Most of the time the problem will be in the valves or handles that turn the water on and on. If you're not familiar with plumbing parts, you could pick up a do-it-yourself home repair manual or go online and look up the manufacturer of your faucet, for more information.

Usually the manufacturer has a diagram of the faucet, broken down into sections and you could get a pretty good idea, what parts you will need to remove, in order to replace the damaged part or parts that are creating the water leak.

Calling a plumber seems to be most homeowners last resort. They only do it if they absolutely have to. If you don't understand how a faucet works and have no desire to learn how, I would suggest you call a plumber or contact someone who can help you with your faucet leak, but get the faucet leak fixed and quit wasting water.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.
If your looking for some more bathroom remodeling or home building ideas.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas

If you're like most of us, the most difficult rooms in the house to decorate nicely seems to be the bathroom. This is especially true when you have a large family and your kids are still small. Things just seem to be messy and disorganized more often than not.

It's not too difficult to decorate this area though. You probably don't want to go all out with an ornate decorating theme and make your bathroom look like a showcase... at least not until the kids are grown... but there are several things you can do now that will really spruce things up.

1. Put in matching bathroom accessories. Technically these don't have to match completely, they just need to compliment each other somehow. And by accessories, I mean things such as a soap dish, trash container, towel holder, and toothbrush holder. You can even add mirrors and wall shelves if you'd like, but just putting in new soap dishes and towel holders often makes a drastic difference in the look of your bathroom. Don't forget the toilet paper roll holder too, having a nice looking one really adds a finished, polished look to your bathroom decorating theme.

Bonus Tip: If you buy accessories in a solid, natural material you'll have more versatility with your color scheme. Buying wood or brass accessories for instance, makes it easy to have multiple decorating themes to switch around with throughout the year, without having to change all the accessories each time.

2. Get some new towels and washcloths. These should either be a matching set, or individual ones that compliment each other too. And they need to tie in somehow with the new accessories you've put in.

If you've gone with the flexibility of wood, brass, or other universal accessories, your towels and washcloths can be virtually any color - or color combination - you'd like.

You don't have to buy tons of towels and washcloths at once either. In fact, you can start with just one or two of each to use for display on your pretty, coordinated towel rack. You're going for a decorating theme here, so making things pretty is a large part of the goal. If you're able to buy multiple towels - or even entire sets at once, this will make you feel as if your new decorating theme is more complete. But it's not required to start with, just buy enough to put on display if you're short on money.

Also: Don't forget the hand towels. These add a bit of polish and upscale elegance to any bathroom, particularly when they're on display.

3. Put some potpourri or fake flowers around. These small touches are easy and inexpensive, but they really give your bathroom a more professionally decorated look. Pile a bit of potpourri into an extra soap dish that matches or compliments your other accessories, or lay flowers and greenery on a shelf beside a fluffy stack of towels. You can even weave greenery around various bottles that are on display in your bathroom, or around containers holding cotton balls and swabs too.

4. Put in a small area or throw rug. Even a tiny bathroom can use a rug... they're almost always functional, and they can be quite pretty too. It's a good idea to make sure the rug you choose is made of absorbent materials... particularly if you plan to place it in front of the bathtub or shower. If your bathroom is large enough, consider putting down several rugs. I personally prefer to have one in front of the toilet because the floor is cold, and one in front of the tub and shower too. You can also simply put the rug in the middle of the room as an accent piece.

When choosing rugs for your bathroom, be sure they match or compliment the color scheme somehow. If you're primary color in the bathroom is sky blue but you have small amounts of midnight blue mixed into other things, it's ok to choose a midnight blue rug. It's even ok to choose a cream colored rug even if nothing else in your bathroom is cream colored - just make sure there's a small amount of the sky or midnight blue in the rug and it'll tie into the decorating theme almost automatically.

2006, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Kathy is a professional published freelance writer and commercial stock photographer living in Southeast New Mexico USA. Visit ElectronicPerceptions.com to see some of her latest photography, and to read more of her excellent content too.