Why Should You Install a New Bath Tub Surround?

Many homeowners are being forced to deal with costly bathroom remodels for their aging bathrooms. The major expense is incurred with bathtubs and their surrounding tile walls which have historically been the wall coverings of choice in bathrooms across the country. Although tile was a durable choice for the time, over the years it has cracked, rusted, and lost its nice shiny look. Besides, some people are still living with the ghastly color schemes, like pink and green, that were popular back in the '50s.

Homeowners now have quick, easy, and less expensive options to removing old tile, grout, and caulking. They can now purchase bathtub surrounds and liners and just cover over the problems. Surrounds come in a number of different colors and finishes, so you're sure to find something that will add a positive look to your dcor. They are made from the durable plastics acrylic and PVC and receive rigorous testing to make sure they won't crack under impact. They are guaranteed not to stain, chip, or crack during normal use.

You'll find it easy cleaning your new bathtub surround. That old hard-to-clean grout will be history. It will have been replaced by a smooth finish that wipes clean in a jiffy. There are even automatic shower cleaners on the market that claim that a couple of sprays a day are all it takes to keep your tub looking clean and new.

Another reason people are opting for tub surrounds is that they are so easy to install. You will find that home improvement stores carry a variety of surrounds that you'll be able to install in just one day. You'll only have to remove the faucets in order to slide the surround right over the existing surface. Replace the faucets and seal the edges with caulk, then all you have to do is let the caulk cure, and your bathroom will have a whole new look.

Using these wonderful new products saves a great deal of hassle for homeowners. You no longer have to do without a bathroom or share one with others for days on end in order to do a remodel. Besides, a tub surround is a much more cost-effective way to eliminate the eyesore of old tiles, and the installation process is both quick and easy for most do-it-yourselfers.

Even if you consider yourself mechanically challenged, you can hire a professional to install a tub surround for you. A company rep will come to your house and take measurements before ordering your surround direct from the manufacturing facility. Although it will take a couple of weeks for your installer to receive your custom surround, the installation will be super quick. Whether you install a surround yourself or hire a professional to do it for you, you'll be happy at the difference the bathtub surround can make in the overall look of your bathroom.

Visit us for more information on Premier Bath Tubs and refinishing a bathtub.

Active Subterranean Termites
Cardboard Box Stain In Closet

Dangers For Basement Waterproofing - Carlsbad Construction

One of the most fundamental elements of any good drainage system for protecting your home's foundation walls from water damage are footer drains, which act as conduits to move excess groundwater away from your basement. Footer drains are not a new modern concept, and have been around for many years. Still, the materials used to construct footer drains today are superior to those used years ago, which deteriorate and become ineffective over the years. Traditionally, basement waterproofing footer drains were made using clay tile, which worked well at the time. But if your house is several decades old, these clay footer drain tiles may be losing their effectiveness.

The problem with clay tile pipes and drains is that they can deteriorate over time, and develop cracks, breaks and slips that allows sediment and tree roots into the system. When enough roots and dirt have clogged a clay footer drain, it can become completely blocked and no longer allow the conveyance of water out away from your foundation. And if this happens, it's only a matter of time until excess groundwater builds up around your basement walls and begins to cause problems like water damage, mold, mildew, cracking and leaking. Any of these can end up being much more expensive to fix than simply fixing your current clay footer drain tiles.

That's not to suggest that you will necessarily have to replace your clay footer drains with modern PVC pipe drains in order to solve your basement waterproofing problem. on the contrary, in many cases your clay footer drains can be serviced by simply tapping into one corner of the drainage system and cleaning the drain itself. This is possible with either a drain snake auger or a high-pressure water jetting system, which can blast obstructions out of the drain and allow water to flow freely through it again.

If, however, your clay footer drain tiles are severely cracked, broken or slipped out of place, it may be necessary to replace some or all of your foundation drainage system. This can involve an extensive amount of work, since a complete excavation of your foundation is necessary to reach the footer drains themselves. And if your basement walls have been significantly damaged by hydrostatic pressure already, it may be necessary to also replace the blocks themselves, as well. As you can tell, it's better to service your existing clay footer drains to work properly before the damage becomes irreversible.

The advantage of having modern, perforated PVC pipe footer drains is that the materials are vastly more durable than clay and last longer without the need to clean them out as often. While newly constructed homes are now built using modern drainage materials, older homes that were built before PVC pipe may have to be serviced more often to ensure that there is no flooding or water damage in your basement. By having your clay footer drain tiles serviced regularly by professional drain cleaners, you can ensure that costly water damage and flooding issues won't be in your future.

Lorain County Sewer and Drain makes Olmstead Falls basement waterproofing easy and affordable. Visit our site today to learn more about basement waterproofing.

Notch In Top Plate Framing

Remodel Your Home With Cellular PVC - Versatex, AZEK, Certainteed, and TREX

As many of our homes age, maintenance, rot, and replacement become the three principles we live by. Our siding gets replaced, our windows rot out, and our trimboards deteriorate in front of our very eyes. Many times it takes 15-20 years for these effects, but replacing them can be a financial nightmare and can cost us a lot of time and grief. It's often much more economical to take the cheap route and go with the cheapest materials to replace these problems. However, you should consider a few factors to help you make your decision.

First off, homes appreciate in value, so using more expensive materials will often increase the value of your home. If you plan to live there for a while as well and enjoy your new siding, windows, deck, etc. then you may wish to spend a little bit more money for a more permanent solution that lasts and also puts value into the home. No rot composites and other revolutionary materials like cellular PVCs are breaking into the market as newfound alternatives boasting to last a lifetime. Many of these materials have the look and feel of wood too and offer paintable options that other materials like vinyl seem to lack.

The problem is wood is that inevitably it can result in problems. Usually within 10 years signs of rotting, cracking, and peeling have begun to set in. Without repainting over these exposed areas, sunlight and rain will expedite the rot process and lead to other problems such as mold and moisture in the house. It can also lead to higher energy repairs as well. Having good materials almost always save you more money in the long run. They're also selling points if you're trying to sell your house during a housing recession.

Common cellular PVC materials are Versatex, AZEK, and Certainteed. They are commonly used for trim replacement, rotting windows, and even window flower boxes, where wooden flower boxes are notorious for causing problems. Composites like TREX offer composite decking options allowing the look of unpainted wood that lasts much longer. Sidings such as Hardiplank are nice alternatives which last much longer than your traditional wood siding and can pay dividends in the long run. No matter what your budget is, make sure that you don't choose a material just based on cost alone. You should consider all the factors that are important!

Matt Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, a window box company that specializes in affordable no rot window boxes. They manufacture and sell direct pvc window boxes which are 100% rot free and impervious to moisture. These no rot window boxes have been featured on The Today Show as "the last window boxes you will ever buy." Please visit their website for more information on affordable no rot solutions.

Treated Plywood Column Framing

FBI and FCC Seek Control of Software Industry

With government agencies, one often has to try to guess what they are hiding. A close look at a FCC policy document released at 9 p.m. on a Friday may shock you.

Controlling Software

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a policy paper that sets free speech back a few thousand years. Yep, the FCC is taking the position that computer software companies must first get approval from the FBI before they will be allowed to put software products on the market. Think about that for a minute and cringe.

The ostensible reason for Big Brothers power grab is, once again, the pursuit of terrorist and bad, bad people. You see, Brother wants to make every software company put a backdoor in their systems that lets Big Brother access your computer on the sly to keep an eye on you. No doubt, many evil people use Adobe and Microsoft products!

Big Brother Out of Control?

Obviously, everyone is interested in catching terrorists and bad guys. The idea of giving the FBI carte blanche power over the software industry, however, goes way beyond such concerns. Let us consider a practical example.

What if construction companies had to seek approval from the FBI before building homes? The ostensible reason would be to make sure the FBI could place cameras and wire taps in every home to monitor and stop terrorist activities. Surely, nobody could disagree with such a noteworthy goal. On the other hand, how would you feel about having cameras in each room of your home?

For a counter argument, government apologists claim that the FBI would watch the computer activity of only a small number of people because the FBI doesnt have the manpower to do anything else. This argument is so much nonsense. Watching computer activity doesnt require manpower. It is a technical function carried out by a software program. The FBI already has such programs, including the controversial green lantern program. If it didnt, why would it want this power?

FBI monitoring programs run automatically. They continually accumulate data, which can be accessed when needed. This data collection can be used in thousands of different ways by hundreds of different agencies. For instance, what if the IRS audits you? What is to stop it from accessing your computer data and looking at all of the sessions you performed online banking? Nothing. The IRS and FBI work hand-in-hand on numerous prosecutions.

The United States is supposed to be the land of the free. Just dont assume as much when using your computer.

Richard A. Chapo is a San Diego business lawyer with http://www.sandiegobusinesslawfirm.com - a San Diego business law firm in San Diego, California.

Kitchen Backsplash Tile Designs - Home Tips

Creating breathtaking kitchen backsplash tile designs is not something that can raise one's hackles. Right? Quite the opposite, actually. With the staggering array of designs in glass, metal, ceramic and stone to choose from, your rather cavalier approach to this very serious task could prove to be the harbinger of gloom. To add to your consternation is the deluge of fabulous colors and spectacular finishes that demand their pound of flesh, a la Shylock.

Discard That Antiquated View

Most homeowners don't really care a fig for the kitchen backsplash, and treat it with an air of disdain. You may like to dismiss it rather nonchalantly as just another too-generic-to-be-effective, functional feature of the kitchen, but the fact remains that this small but supremely significant space can actually transform your kitchen from dull and dreary to dazzling and delightful.

Today's tile designs are more than just the protection that your inanimate wall deserves. They can become the supreme inspiration behind the most artistic of all creations.

Challenge The Natural Order

The best part about tile designs is the simply mind-blowing choice that's available to homeowners. Thankfully, you are liberated from the constraints of the ceramic tile designs. Here's how you can bring about a Renaissance of sorts in your vapid space:

• Metal tiles: Copper, tin or stainless steel, you are treated to the dual benefits of style and substance. And the fusion of a metal backsplash with other metallic features of the kitchen like the faucets and cabinet handles is a marriage that leaves a sterling impact. Retro, modern or country, kitchens will never be the same again.
• Glass tiles: It's their sheer brilliance that causes a flutter. These tiles are ideal for those that are keen to look beyond their inherent advantages of ease of installation and low-maintenance, and want their kitchen to shine and sizzle.
• Stone tiles: Your research on tile designs for the backsplash is incomplete without their redoubtable presence. They leave no stone unturned in sweeping you off your feet.
• Ceramics: The numero uno choice that seems to have carved a niche for itself in the world of tile designs. With a gargantuan range of colors, sizes and prices to choose from, they have made unimaginable leaps to the frontline.

These tile designs certainly have what it takes to gladden the hearts of many.

See exactly how you can easily generate 100's of BRILLIANT Kitchen Backsplash Design Ideas ... F-A-S-T ! See http://www.TrulyLovelyHome.com

Plaster Wall Moisture Problem

How to Replace an Old Window in Your Home

A Guide to Installing a New Window in Your Home

If your old wooden window is drafty, does not open or close well, or is showing signs of water damage and decay, it is probably time to think about replacing it with a new state-of-the-art Low-E glass, vinyl clad window.

Also, if the glass pane associated with your existing old wooden window is foggy or you can feel cold drafts during the winter months emanating out from around it, or you need to hold it open during the summer months with a prop of some sort then it is definitely time to replace it.

Replacing an old window is something a Do It Yourself homeowner can tackle with some basic carpenters knowledge and a few basic carpentry tools that you probably already have in your home.

Purchasing the Proper New Window

Prior to installing a new window you first need to figure out what size window to purchase. The key parameter required when ordering a new window is its rough opening. This is specified by the window manufacturer and tells you how large of an opening you need for installing a specific window. Typically the rough opening is 1 to 2 inches taller and wider than the actual window itself.

You may need to remove the interior trim from around the old window to obtain the rough opening dimensions for your new window.

Make sure you purchase a new window that has rough opening requirements that are equal to or smaller than your measurements.

Removal of the Old Window

Once you have purchased your new window it is time to remove the old one. Using a hammer and a claw remove the old exterior trim and any nails that may be securing the window to the home. There may be a nailing flange around the perimeter of the old window. Simply use your hammer and claw to remove these nails.

With the nails removed the window should be able to be pulled out of the window frame opening.

Installation of the New Window

With the old window out, it is now time to install the new window. Before, installing the new window, make sure the rough window opening is clear of any debris and any old nails.

Place the new window into the window opening and center it within the window frame.

Use a level and a measuring tape to make sure the window is plumb and square, otherwise the window will not work properly. You may need to add some shims to plumb and square up the new window.

Once the window is plumb and square within the window frame, fasten it with a couple of nails. With most new windows they come with a nailing flange that makes nailing the window to the outside home exterior straightforward.

When nailing the window, start on the upper right hand side and work your way down with just a couple of nails. Check again with the level to make sure the window is level and plumb. Also take one more look on the inside of the window to make sure the window is square and centered.

If the window has remained square and plumb, go ahead and install a couple of additional nails on the other side of the window. Again, one at the top, and the other about halfway down the window.

Then go into the home and remove/cut away the retention bands that held the window square during the window installation. Slide the windows up a down and see if they operate smoothly.

If the window operates smoothly go ahead and add additional nails every 4-6 inches around the nailing flange of the window. If it does not, you may need to remove one or more of the initial nails installed and readjust the window to make sure it is plumb and square.

With the window now installed, add new trimboards around the window perimeter on both the inside and outside of the window and enjoy your new view.

For more information on installing a new window, see the Installing a New Window Ebook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Having a Healthy Contractor Business

Budgeting is one of the biggest pains in the neck in any business including the contractor business. But, any good successful long term contractor knows it is absolutely necessary for success. The mentioning of budgeting can make just about anyone's teeth hurt. This is especially the case with any contractor who loves his or her business because it is all about making something from your skills. Who wants to be sitting with a pencil, paper and calculator figuring out numbers? You want to be out there constructing something. Well, you can get to it right after you figure out your budget!

There are really two budgets you need to have as a contractor. Well, there are more than two but let's use the two major ones as an example. There is the yearly budget where you figure out how much it will cost to stay in business, how much you can generate in sales and how much you want to make in profit. Then there is the project by project budget which has to fit into their yearly budget at certain intervals. Each one has to be done with care with the numbers being as accurate as possible. This is important because too many times people fudge their budgets and then wonder later on why their business failed. Don't fall into that trap.

Anyone in the contractor business needs to be realistic in figuring out there yearly and project by project budgets. There is no sense in lying to yourself, be honest about what you feel you can and cannot do. A reasonable and conservative budget can always be adjusted later on if things go right. But, a sloppy and over optimistic budget can cause some serious financial damage to your company. Every contractor wants to succeed but it is the ones with an obtainable really budget that get ahead. And, in this economy that it is ever more important to have a budget and live by it.

So, yeah it stinks to have to come up with a budget but it is one of the single most important things you can do for your contractor business and you will be happy you did at the end of the year and at the end of each project. Being on budget or ahead of budget feels great! Going the other way can really bring you down, literally. So do your homework and make a budget that works.

Josh Macmichael

http://www.contractorblab.com
http://www.contractorblabblog.com

Mold On Sub Floor Block