Professional Advice on Home Building

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. An online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

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.

Dust Clogging Bath Fan Vent

How to Repair a Fiberglass Boat Floor

There are many benefits to using fiberglass boats due to their efficiency and stability. They are even considered a great substitute when compared to other boats. Some of these benefits using fiberglass boats includes absence of rust, termites and they do not have to be painted frequently.

Even though fiberglass boats require less maintenance they often get occasional blisters, holes at the bottom of the boat and other minor damages from the elements. By following these instructions you can have your fiberglass boat easily repaired.

1. First of all, locate the appropriate tools for the job. The tools you would basically need are saws, sandpaper, resin and hardener, Epoxy putty, paint brush, Epoxy paint, sandpaper, scissors, fiberglass cloth and fiberglass gel coating.

2. Find the damaged areas of the boat and use the saw to remove this portion of the boat.

3. The next step is to make sure that you clean all traces of wax and dirt from the area so that the resin works properly. After doing this, allow the area to dry.

4. Use the sander to grind the area where the adhesive is to be placed, stir and liberally apply the resin and hardener with a brush for good results. It is much easier to use supports while you fix the damaged area of the fiberglass floor.

5. Prepare the fiberglass to fit the hole, by cutting a portion that is suited to cover the hole. To get the best results it is highly recommended that you cut the fiberglass to match the shape of the boat floor.

6. Use sandpaper to smooth out the edges, next apply a layer of fiberglass over the resin and hardener, make sure you remove the bubbles and that the fiberglass is secured. Then use sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the fiberglass.

7. Continue with the same layering process of cutting fiberglass until finished. For a more refined look, sand the rough areas of the repaired sections of the fiberglass floor, paint the sanded areas and then add a layer of gel coat for the finishing touch.

For more information on fiberglass boats, visit http://www.fiberglassboats.com

Sump Pump Damage

Tips For Planning Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

Does your kitchen need a change? Are you ready to update the room where family and friends tend to spend the most time? Then go ahead and do it! A kitchen renovation is a great way to give your home an entirely new look and even increase your home's overall value. But, how do you get started on such a project? Although a kitchen remodeling project may seem like a major task, following a few practical tips can help ensure your project is a smooth process and the final product is exactly what you want.

First, be sure there is a strong plan in place. Although it seems quite logical, it is often disregarded which turns out to be quite a big mistake. Be sure to create an all-inclusive plan for your home renovations before starting any work. An effective ways to picture your new kitchen is to use computer software to help you create a virtual kitchen so you can view the room three-dimensionally. These software packages are marvelous ways to help you achieve the final results you want and are fairly economical when it comes to ensuring you will have all of the products and supplies you may need for a pleasing result. These programs can also help you form a realistic budget and effectively communicate to contractors exactly what your final expectations are.

Secondly, take time to consider the space you are working with. The general principle in kitchen designing is to imagine a triangle between the refrigerator, sink and stove which should be a maximum of twenty-six feet for optimal efficiency in the kitchen. Also, be you're your appliance and cabinet doors can be opened easily in the room available and that there is sufficient room to prepare food and cook. If there are two people generally cooking, be sure to take this into consideration also.

Finally, try to coordinate the various surfaces in the area, such as the cabinets, countertops and flooring. This may be easier for some than others. If you are not all that sure of your ability to picture these surfaces together, you may want to speak with an professional specializing in home designing who can help you maintain style and personality yet convenience and smooth coordination. Fortunately, you have a wide selection of colors and materials to choose from when planning your kitchen design. Another useful tip in kitchen renovations is to keep in mind the general style you want for your kitchen. This will help you in narrowing down your choices when it is time to make a decision on certain design elements.

For any homeowner, remodeling the kitchen is a major endeavor and can often be quite an overwhelming process. But, by following these tips above, you can be on your way to a smooth, successful kitchen makeover and be one stop closer to having the kitchen of your dreams. Good luck!

Leroy Calstard repeatedly publishes detailed reports on things dealing with new kitchen designs and kitchen counter and cabinet. His abstracts on kitchen counter and cabinet and best kitchen cabinets can be encountered on his web publications.

Paint Mistake On Wall Register

Claiming Your Space - A Guide to Reorganizing a Room

Whether you are planning a home office, finishing a basement, or just cleaning a cluttered room, reorganizing can be a daunting task, but quite fulfilling, if you follow a few simple steps.

1. List the activities for which you plan to use the space.

All good things start with a plan, and reorganizing is no exception. You may want to claim that extra bedroom for a sewing room, for example, but still want to use it to wrap presents, iron clothes and store luggage. You may want a home office, but the closet may be a place to store off-season clothes.

2. Visualize areas for each activity, then plan to keep everything needed for that activity as close to that spot as possible.

For sewing, you will want an area of the room for the sewing machine, but also some storage bins for extra material, buttons, and various notions you'll need. For a home office, plan to have ready access to extra paper, a file cabinet, and various supplies.

For other activities, plan for another area of the room, and, as before, store all the items related to the activity within easy reach.

List the items, so you will be sure to provide yourself the right amount of storage space. As your ideas become concrete, draw a floor plan. Figure the amount of space you have in each area, noting the position of doors, windows, electrical outlets, and telephone jacks.

3. Reduce the clutter in the area by getting rid of or storing elsewhere anything you don't love or use regularly.

Don't allow yourself to get sidetracked. People often get sucked into reminiscing during this stage. I keep myself from doing this by assigning a "memory box", and promise myself I'll go through it within a week or two. This helps me to continue to focus on the project at hand.

Some people have a hard time getting rid of things, wondering if they will need them later. One remedy is to set up an area in the basement, attic, or other storage area for things you plan to give away. I once set up a pallet in my basement, and referred to it as the "garage sale pallet." Every time I thought about getting rid of something that wasn't worn out, I stored it there. Occasionally, I did retrieve things from the pallet. But after six months I gave away everything left on it to charity. I felt great about it too, because I had had ample time to see if I needed the items. This works best if you have plenty of storage space. If not, it's best to just give the items to charity immediately.

As you go through your stuff, have plenty of boxes handy for the items you will be storing elsewhere, and label the boxes well. You'll save yourself a lot of time later.

4. After you have reduced the clutter, it's time to begin to put the area back together. Start by arranging the larger furniture.

Though you have sketched out a floor plan, it's sometimes useful to rearrange furniture to try different options. An office, for example, can work great in a U, J, or L pattern. Try different ways to see what's most comfortable for you. Consider where the windows are placed, if you want a nice view as you work.

Once you have the larger pieces in place, add anything requiring electrical outlets and telephone jacks. Next, add storage items. Resist the temptation to rush out and buy storage bins piecemeal prior to this point. It's better to have everything match and the correct size for your needs. Be sure to measure the available space before going shopping, and to consider your list of supplies for each activity. Plan to buy all matching or coordinating colors and styles for storage, taking into account the overall design of the room.

After you begin reusing the space, reevaluate your design in two weeks, and make adjustments if necessary.

Judy Camp is a writer for Paradox Home and Garden http://www.paradoxpro.com and Solutions Oriented, tips for your home and business life http://www.solutionoriented.com

Wood Window Sill Damage

Kitchen Update in Old World Style With Cabinet Knobs

If you're nostalgic at heart or just want your kitchen to feel trendy but aren't ready to take the stainless steel plunge, you should consider updating your kitchen with older, classic architectural elements. Decorating your kitchen combining your modern appliances with a rustic style will transform your kitchen overnight and create a comfortable, cozy atmosphere instantly for any home.

The Must-Have Antique Essentials

No matter what style kitchen you have, adding a few dated furniture or accent pieces will give any home a warm, old-fashioned feel. The essentials to creating an antique look revolve around attention to detail. Old world styles, whether Greek, Roman or Old English, focus on craftsmanship.

Most traditional kitchens feature elaborately designed woodwork and cabinetry with equally intricate cabinet knobs. Woodworking styles include raised panel doors, inlaid beaded panels, distressed wood, hand-hammered drawer pulls and even copper, peg and tin drawer handles.

Choose Your Style

Depending on your tastes, you may want to research the possibilities of old styles to determine which suites your home the best. Traditional Greek and Mediterranean kitchens incorporate earthy tones and materials such as clay and ceramics. To incorporate this look in your home, consider adding accent tiling or mosaic pieces to your otherwise plain walls. A perfect area to try your Greek style is the backsplash of your stovetop range.

The Roman style kitchens focus on the fireplace. Most modern homes no longer have fireplaces; instead, ovens and stovetops do all the baking and cooking. However, it's still possible to incorporate the Roman theme in even the most contemporary kitchens. Romans utilized clay bakery and cookware. Why not apply the Roman theme to your home? Choosing a few decorative clay pieces to hang above your countertop, island or stove top immediately adds an authentic touch to your otherwise ordinary kitchen style.

Another traditionally styled kitchen comes from the Old English. English cabinetry features open display racks, so you can display your china dishes. For a modern twist, install a backlight behind the cabinet to really vamp up the spotlight. Other cabinet options include wood cut outs with dark finishes such as bronzes and oils.

Finally, French country kitchens focus on the natural. It's not uncommon for French-styled kitchens to feature bare materials, especially on the walls and ceilings. So if you've got beams in your ceiling, show them off! By coating your existing materials with a dark finish, you can instantly create a rich accent to your kitchen. Be sure that your French country cabinet knobs match the finish of your ceilings or complement your wall palate. Additionally, French kitchens focus on colors. Typically, most kitchens incorporated light hues of off white, ivory, taupe and beige to complement the natural woodworking and tiles.

Match the Accessories

Once you've chosen the style of your liking, be sure to coordinate all aspects of your kitchen with this theme. For instance, a Greek influenced kitchen will not mesh with bright yellow paint. Elements to consider are your cabinet hardware, backsplashes, wood elements and even bar stools or seating areas. Match wood and cabinet finishes with complimentary drawer pulls to create a seamless style.

Light It Up

After you've completed the hard work of redesigning your kitchen into a classically adorned eatery, the proper lighting will showcase your efforts. Most commonly, track lighting is used to highlight accent pieces such as pottery, hanging cookware or ceramic tile work. Other options include tear drop or hanging light fixtures that provide dramatic shadows on your antiqued cabinetry.

Try the Cuisine

With all the hard work behind you, it's now time to host a debut for your new kitchen! Gather friends and family to show off your traditionally infused kitchen design. Whether your kitchen is Greek, Roman, English or French, to really boast your efforts, cook an authentic cuisine that matches your design.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of home hardware products to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

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 and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Why Ghana Builders Are Switching to ICFs

According to the Portland Cement Association, "ICF wall-building crews report that their costs drop sharply until they have built 4 or 5 houses. After that they continue to realize savings." In Ghana, these cost savings will be most realized in construction settings where the entire building envelope is built from start to finish. (A building envelope includes the foundation, floors, walls, windows, doors, and the roof.) Insulating concrete form (ICF) construction times are significantly quicker than masonry block construction. Because of this, Ghana builders will experience a greater profit margin when switching to ICF construction while still building a quality building.

Ghana builders are looking for ways to keep the occupants of their buildings cooler. ICFs are the building technology to meet that need. According to the laws of thermodynamics, heat always flows from hot to cold. In Ghana, in a building with a cooling unit, the heat outside will always try to warm up the building's interior air. With the EPS insulation found on ICF buildings, heat is effectively blocked from entering the building while the cooler air does not escape from inside.

Looking at this same concept from an air infiltration standpoint, according to E3 Design Group and Building Sciences, in "ICF homes with sealed attic construction...the CFM(50) infiltration rate is less than 0.25 CFM per square foot of floor area. For comparison purposes, a typical CMU block house with a vented attic has a CFM(50) of about 1.2 CFM per square foot. ...This equates to a 79% reduction in infiltration and can result in significantly lower HVAC operating costs." Basically, cooling systems in ICF homes can be smaller and operate less frequently than in any masonry home or building without insulation. This equates to lower electricity bills for occupants of ICF homes and buildings.

In the USA, one precaution to building with ICFs is the need to size mechanical equipment correctly. American mechanical contractors are often inexperienced in designing heating and air conditioning units for concrete homes. Ghana builders are accustomed to building concrete and sand-crete homes and are better able to adapt to ICF construction. An additional benefit in Ghana is that there is no need for heating units.

ICF construction also opens up new design possibilities for modern African architecture. Curved walls of any desirable radius are now possible in Ghana with the use of ICFs. Curved walls will have the same quality EPS insulation and concrete as straight walls, something unheard of in masonry block construction. Ghanaian architects can design circular rooms and curved buildings without compromising the structural integrity of the building. ICF construction opens up a whole new element in building architecture for Ghana.

Ghana builders are also looking for ways to increase the quality of their building construction. Not only will ICF construction lend itself to straighter walls, ICFs homes are much stronger and durable than traditional masonry construction. ICF construction resists mold, rot, decay, corrosion, and pest attack.

With the switch to ICF construction, Ghana builders are also making the move to sustainable building practices. There is a growing worldwide initiative to focus on sustainability. With Ghana's builders embracing this new building technology, Ghana can take her place in the global scene of the new Sustainable Revolution.

One possible set back is the cost for Ghana builders to stock up on the bracing required for ICFs. However, the alignment system is simply the equipment necessary for quality construction, much like the need for concrete mixers. An additional issue is the need for construction workers to be trained in the methods of ICF construction. The skills used for masonry construction are easily transferable to ICF construction. Laborers can find their expertise in as little as three projects. With the aid of training seminars such as the GHANA ICF Conference and Ghanaian ICF builders such as Sirius Kay, Ghana's transition to ICFs should go very smoothly.

Lakisha David is a construction manager for Light Ready Construction, LLC, specializing in ICFs. Want to know more about building with ICFs in Ghana? To find additional resources, including videos, go to http://www.lightreadyghana.com . Comments or questions can also be directed to contact@lightreadyghana.com.

Smoke Stain On Outlet Cover

Stair Building Deck Video

Stair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.

For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com

Stair Building Tips

Building Contractor Books
Deck Building Books

Commercial Construction Staking

Construction staking for commercial projects is a crucial step in the building process that can directly influence whether a project finishes on time, on budget, and free from errors. It is in the best interests of the construction company or developer to utilize the skills of a qualified registered land surveyor to perform the staking. A good surveyor will interpret the plans and layout the project to best fit the site as the designer, engineer, or architect intended. By having someone with the skills and knowledge of a professional registered land surveyor, the builder can be certain of the accuracy and reliability of the results.

Commercial construction staking is needed for a variety of different projects, including subdivisions, streets, utilities, and more complex, multi-story building sites. Construction staking is, at its most basic, the laying out of survey points on the ground to act as a guide for constructing site improvements. In many ways, construction staking can be seen as the opposite of the as-built survey. The as-built assesses a building or project after completion to ensure that is was built according to the plans. Construction staking is performed at the beginning of the project to make sure that the project is built according to plan. Good construction staking will lead to a good as-built survey.

Construction staking, especially in a commercial application, calls upon all the skills that a land surveyor possesses. They are required to complete a boundary and topographic survey to ensure that the property matched the site plan and engineering design. They must also perform field staking for mass grading, building offsets for construction, utilities (sanitary sewers, water mains and storm sewers), as well as any parking lots, streets, curbs, or gutters. These are all done before the surveyor even begins to address the proposed buildings on the property.

Once a surveyor moves on to staking the proposed structures, he provides the location and grade stakes for building foundations, walls, and column lines. This is a crucial step in the process. If the buildings foundations are not staked properly, it can be a very costly mistake for the construction crew that could have the potential to ruin the job altogether. A knowledgeable land surveyor is a builder's best tool to avoid foundation problems further on in the process. A good surveyor will establish a coordinate network with horizontal and vertical controls from the beginning of the property and use it to calculate and determine the exact corners and levels of proposed structures.

While construction staking is seen by many to be a simple step at the beginning of a project, it can have very dire ramifications for the rest of the project if not completed correctly. In commercial projects, the importance of a well-performed construction staking is magnified, given the larger structures and vast amounts of money the construction staking affects. It is money and time well spent to make sure that a qualified individual with the proper surveying knowledge and experience is conducting your construction staking survey.

We at Point to Point Land Surveyors pride ourselves on accuracy, customer service and quality work delivered on time, guaranteed. Commercial land surveys are a specialty.

2 X 12 Stairs

Mold Testing? Do I Need to Test My Home For Toxic Mold If I Suspect There is a Problem?

Often I am asked the question by home and building owners about the need for mold testing, when mold is either seen or suspected. This particular subject has evoked a lot of controversy in all throughout the country. Opinions on the matter can be widely varied from the perspective of regular homeowners whose health has been compromised to insurance providers who would like the world to believe that mold is harmless. Whether or not to test can be a touchy subject and the reason is simple there are costs involved.

When I am called to visit and inspect a mold property my primary function is to be a detective. The principle thing I am looking for is water. Usually a great deal of information can garnered by interviewing the homeowners, but by far my best tool for this difficult job is my eye and a powerful light. Mold can be challenging to discover because the main body of the mold plant grows beneath the surface of what it is feeding on. The fuzzy colorful growth were are familiar with our association of mold is actually the fruit-body or the seeds of the mold. When mold is flowering in one square inch there can be upwards of 5 million spores! When these are conglomerated they become visible to the naked eye. Amazingly over 10,000 spores can fit on the head of a pin!

This can make spotting the mold colonies early in the growth phases difficult. You see mold is called a colony because it starts out a single spore and then begins to multiply from around the individual spore. When the colony has less than 10,000 spores its invisible! What's worse when mold is disturbed it goes airborne sending clouds of mold aloft right into the air you breathe! Once airborne they can stay aloft on a single current of air for up to three days . This can create real problems with people who have asthma, and allergies.

When there has been a significant water event in a home or a building, I would like to believe that I am usually capable of discovering the majority of the mold problem and designing a mold removal protocol; which can be followed by a competent mold remediation contractor without taking a test. It is often possible to assume based on square footages of contamination. I have overseen thousands of projects and have a vast reservoir of experience to draw from.But like a good Doctor or a good detective the more information that is available to me, with which I may form an opinion the better informed and more reliable is the remedy I prescribe. The simple fact is that mold can be completely invisible.

Mold can even be growing.... Right behind your bedroom walls or in some other unseen hidden area! What's worse, with mold it can make you sick if its growing inside your home! Testing can help to create a picture of the hidden mold in a home. Air samples can be collected from both the ambient air and the inside of suspected wall cavities. In fact, some of my most challenging mold problems may not have been discovered at all, without the assistance of solid laboratory evidence.

This happened to one of my customers, Mr. Snyder, who started having upper respiratory issues. He worked at home from his large home office located in his den. On certain days when working in his den he would smell a funny odor. He began to investigate, but was never able to locate anything, and there were no leaks in his home. After living with this problem for some time, he began to develop health problems. His Doctor recommended that he have an Environmental Expert out to check his home and he called me. I began by performing a complete home inspection, and we went over his home from top to bottom. I found everything thing to be in great shape. Great roof tight windows and doors dry foundation good gutters, no plumbing leaks everything was fabulous. Not one colony of mold was found, in fact if I had judged by my eyeballs, I would say his home was completely mold free.

But because Mr. Snyder was sick, we decided to perform a standard IESO protocol mold testing strategy. We took one sample of air per level of his home and a wall cavity sample in his den near the source of the on-again-off-again odor. The air tests revealed a completely different story than the visual inspection did. This is due to the fact that an air sample is a snapshot in time. In the ambient air on the first floor of the home there were indeed elevated mold levels, but in the wall cavity they were off the charts! This allowed me to design a proper protocol and for the molds' eradication. Upon opening the wall cavity we discovered that the homeowner had a thriving chipmunk family that were using the insides of his homes walls as a nut storage/ garbage dump/ Latrine facility. To top it off, the water source of the mold that I discovered, was chipmunk urine! Yuck! Never the less True! Chipmunk urine actually caused a significant mold issue that was serious enough to cause the occupant to develop health issues. With out the testing, we might never have solved his health problems!

A highly trained inspector is more often than not capable of the discovery of a mold infestation when it is visible . But when it is airborne or hiding in a wall cavity it can elude even the best Environmental Professional. There is just no substitute for raw lab data. Just as a Doctor can make a better decision with more quality information, so can a mold professional. This is, in fact, the reason both collect samples to be analyzed. The better the information the better and more thorough the evaluation, and recommendations for the cure. I have personally witnessed the effects of mold that was hidden and affected the health of the homeowner severely. Some of the worst and most debilitating health issues I have ever known, were caused by mold growth that was not readily apparent to the occupant. Acute extrinsic onset asthma is common as well. I even knew one woman who developed cancer which was determined to be a direct result of myco-toxicosis, aka mold poisoning.

Finally, mold sampling can provide a baseline which allows for the evaluation of the efficacy of the mold clean-up efforts performed by the contractor. Mold testing after a project has been finished is great way to receive piece of mind so that it is known that the mold is completely eliminated. Lastly, even if you opt out of testing prior to commencing a mold clean up project, it is a good idea to take at least one surface sample of any mold that was observed. This will allow the lab to especiate the mold and to figure out what kind it is based on its unique spore print. The reason for this measure is that many molds are what are known as opportunistic pathogens, which do not always act to affect your health immediately; but which can lie dormant in your bod,y until your immune system is fighting off some other pathogen, when they will strike. It's a good idea to have the lab data to give to your physician in case someone gets sick; cause once the mold is cleaned up there will no longer be any evidence.

Remember if you have, or suspect you have a mold problem there is no substitute for the services of a Certified Environmental or Mold Professional . Please feel free to call with any questions.

Charles Boday CMI, CMRC, CMLCC
http://www.safemoldsolutions.com
http://www.superdrybasement.com
Call Direct 1-800-948-4947

Charles Boday is a Certified Mold Inspector and a Certified Mold Contractor, and he is a graduate of the Certified Mold Inspector & Contractors Institute. He is also a member of the National Association of Mold Professionals He is also a certified Environmental Inspector. He is also a Certified Crystal Meth Lab Clean Up Contractor. He has extensive experience reviewing and investigating toxic type cases for law offices prior to the attorneys taking on cases for litigation. He has worked with some of the countries top scientists seeking alternative poison-free mold remediation techniques. He is state certified to teach the realtors' continuing education course" Toxic Mold! What every realtor should know!" and is the author of the same. He is also a Certified Crystal Meth Lab Clean up contractor. He routinely works for Fanny Mae as well as many other top lenders like HSBC Household First Merit etc. repairing extreme mold damaged foreclosed properties.

He is also an experienced foundation waterproofer and structural repair analyst. He has developed multiple proprietary waterproofing techniques for both interior as well as exterior foundation systems. He has testified as an expert foundation witness and is the Author of the books: The Ultra Dry Basement: understanding and correcting foundation water problems and Ultra Bond Construction Techniques.

Staircase Designs

Home Improvement - Pick Up the Phone Or Pick Up the Hammer? Tools Reality Check

The Do-it-yourself industry continues to expand as our economy and over-all spending decreases. It makes sense when we need to tighten our belts, to consider doing things ourselves rather than outsourcing them.

On the other hand, the DIY industry is here to stay; plenty of do-it-your-selfers simply enjoy the hands on experience, gaining new skills, and knowing that they have done the work themselves. Either way, to ensure that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent, here are some things to consider in determining if this is in fact a "do-it-yourself" project.

The first step in any home improvement project is ALWAYS to research the scope of your project and exhaust your resources, learn as much as you can about what you are attempting to do. What are your options? There may be significant cost implications for tools and equipment required for your project at hand. Before you get started, a reality check is in order.

WHAT YOU NEED

You have done the research; you understand what needs to be done, now, what you are going to need? It is comical sometimes to see the lengths that a manufacturer goes to spelling out on the outside of the box EXACTLY what tools you are going to need, down to the box cutter to get to the product!

Conversely, standing at the top of a ladder, tool belt secured, gloves and hard hat in place, your reach for the clips to hold the window that you have just fitted into place only to realize that you overlooked a requirement for installation of this product. Worse, once you climb down off the ladder, bringing your window back down with you, it is determined that you need a special clip that is going to take two weeks to get. This is an exaggeration, but the reality is, it happens...even with seasoned professionals.

Frankly, sometimes you do really need the manufacturer's suggested tool or "clip" of choice. Make sure you are making an "informed" decision and know that there is room for interpretation. Do you actually have something in your tool box that would work just as well as a box cutter? Probably, and realize this is a simplification of what you might need to consider, understand the essence of what I am saying here. Utilize your resources if you are not sure. Talk to someone in the project appropriate store, website, or manufacturer's customer service department.

WHAT YOU HAVE

Once you know what you are going to need, make an assessment of what you have. The tools required may actually trump any considerations you may have about the feasibility of considering this a do-it-yourself project.

Hold on, there may be some additional options. Can you rent what is needed? Your answer is as close as a couple of phone calls. Cost may not be the biggest consideration, do you have space for an electric floor sander and do you anticipate that you will EVER have another use for it? There may be other reasons why you might opt to rent rather than buy.

Perhaps the numbers don't work for this particular project to rent or buy. Is this a capital investment that will be realized over time? What is the possibility that you might need this for another project and the cost/value will be realized over time?

After the fourth project that required the use of a mini-excavator and thousands of dollars in rental fees we took a look at our forecast of projects and the probability of need. The prudent choice was, in this case, buying an expensive piece of equipment that given the scope of one project certainly didn't make sense.

You might want to consider utilizing a sub-contractor for certain portions of a project. Beyond realizing you need a mini-excavator, you may or may not have any interest in operating one or finding a palace to store it!

It cannot be over emphasized that the time spent doing the research, utilizing your resources and understanding the various facets required to make a truly informed decision pays for itself over and over again.

Whether you need to pick up the phone and put down the hammer or vice versa, you have what it takes here to make an informed decision ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. You can't afford not to take the time for a reality check.

http://www.onthelevelbuilder.com

Please visit On The Level Builder for photos, design ideas and implementation options for all of your home improvement needs including concrete resurfacing. Stay tuned for a reality check in a continuing series of how to and unique solutions for all of your home improvement projects. Know what you need to know before you start any project.

(c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter. All rights reserved worldwide.

Unsafe Decks

How to Get Benefits of Architectural Engineering Services

Architectural engineers are expert engineers inside the architectural work in which other regulations of engineering overlap. Architect engineers contain to work as team to give a design that provides only one of its kind images and identity. A healthy imagined design is a customizable approach, contains rich visuals, and generates positive response. Instance site evaluation and accuracy in designs, customer safety, and effectual time schedule to whole project are necessary features of an architectural or engineering firm.

Architectural Engineering services can no longer be limited in their variety of what they offer. Builders can no longer recommend the similar types of cookie cutter buildings as in the long-ago. People would like a broad variety of details and types of homes, structures or buildings. They wish for a little more than the typical "home after that door."

Engineering Services in Toronto, Ontario, Canada provides architectural designs and structural designs for new offices, building, showrooms, stores and many other small to medium size structures. They work closely with the owner to make sure the design & architecture project is well-designed and cost effective.

Architects must stay possible customers coming in and maintain their client base cheerful. Happy clientele mean additional referrals and higher earnings limits for their architectural firm.

If you are looking at trade a home, or at building a residence, then you require looking at all of the architectural Engineering services being offered. They can build an enormous dissimilarity in which architectural firm you decide.

Architectural design house at Engineering Services in Canada; which has provides its services to the public, private and commercial sectors. Its highly trained engineers and architect are experienced in a wide variety of projects utilizing the latest CAD systems and design software.

Architectural drawings form the backbone of the design industry and play an important role in architecture connected projects today. Paper drawings are a huge challenge to manage and store. Therefore, to obtain a whole picture of the paper based drawings is not easy. The advantages of architectural renderings are many as well as that for the architects to in attendance themselves better and for the potential customer to better vision his work and services/effort.

This is provides spectrum of architectural engineering services for both the residential and commercial sectors. Their strong process and systems helps us to have adaptability to handle projects from any location and flexibility in handling any kind and size of projects.

Anyone who is expertise in preparation, planning, construction and process of building may have the aptitude to find a victorious career in architectural engineering. Architectural engineers with specialization in structures may appreciate and accommodate not only structural necessities for a building, but also architectural, electrical, transportation, plumbing and acoustic requirements.

Surian provides design solutions in the all of the building engineering services like Civil/Structural engineering, Architecture engineering, design and detailing HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing design and detailing.

If you would like to know about more services of SurianTech - http://www.suriantech.com then please contact us at info@Suriantech.com OR call us at 1-416-417-6524

Some Tips for Taking Advantage of a Buyer's Market

Presently we are experiencing what many in both the media and industry circles term a buyer's market. Very simply, it is the first lesson from Marketing 101; when demand is high and supply is low, prices will increase, but when demand is low and supply is high, prices decrease. If you want to increase your price, you need to either increase demand or reduce supply. The challenge we face today revolves around the high number of people forced to sell for various reasons, and the perceived fall-out from loose lending practices.

As a potential buyer in this market, you are afforded a number of advantages over the seller that typically are unavailable. Before we go any further, I want to address a common mis-conception the buying public learns from mass-media outlets and certain market gurus... A buyer's market does not mean you will receive any concession from a seller at all regarding price, and you may still end up paying top retail price for your next home. Nice homes in great locations will always command top prices, and if you think otherwise, you may be easily outbid by another, more aggressive buyer. We'll return to price in a moment.

In this buyer's market there are other significant ways in which you can save money and increase your purchasing power, and that is the focus of this article. First, let's look at some options from a seller's perspective. The seller's goal is to make the maximum amount of money in the shortest time with the least investment into the property they intend to sell. To make any sort of investment in the property, the seller will need access to capital resources to fund the updates or repairs. A seller can avoid spending the cash or tapping a credit line for this venture and offer you the buyer a credit on price or in the form of a decorating allowance if they choose.

What typically happens, though, is the seller will not make the repairs or updates and leave it up to the buyer to either accept the home as-is, or to ask for some concessions in the purchase contract. My first tip for you in this buyer's market is to therefore ask the seller to give you a credit for a decorating allowance, or to make the necessary repairs before closing. Now you may think I just wasted your time and gave you a useless piece of advice, but you would be amazed how many buyers are too timid or afraid to be aggressive with these types of concessions. If you do not ask, you will never receive. The worst that can happen is the sellers will say no.

Another way to save money in a buyer's market is to include a provision in the purchase contract that requires the seller to pay all or part of the buyer's closing costs and/or prepaids. This can have a tremendous impact on your buying power because these costs associated with buying a home are what makes the first few years of homeownership unprofitable. If you save this money, you will more quickly realize the benefits of appreciation and the reduction in your debt obligation to the lender. It is very important to coordinate with your lender, your real estate agent, and your financial adviser to determine exactly what to ask for so you receive maximum benefit. It is also critical that the contract be written precisely correct to ensure the seller cannot avoid paying certain costs on a technicality.

Let's revisit price and look at why the buyer's market hype will not affect an educated seller. Most sellers who have elected to list their home with an agent will have access to very detailed market data. It will be obvious to even the most novice seller what the market indicates their home is worth. If the sellers take the time and make the effort to prep their home to sell properly, and they heed the market data, they will most likely settle in on a price that a competent buyer will fairly pay. This means you will probably not be receiving any break in pricing from this type of seller.

But you are a savvy buyer fully informed on the market and fearless in your negotiations. You will realize that the asking price is fair for the market and attempt to save money in the other ways mentioned above. Sellers are funny... They will settle in on a price, but will turn right around and give concessions worth thousands of dollars when confronted with a strong, motivated buyer and a signed purchase contract.

While I have remained general in my suggestions, you can easily tailor these ideas into your specific situation and confidently save money, ask for and receive repairs or updates, and increase the value of your purchase. Never forget that quality and location bring a certain value to the sellers, so don't make the mistake of low-balling your dream home and then losing it because you offended the sellers. Be fair with the price, but get your concessions and savings in other, more creative ways. This is how I believe you can best take advantage of this buyer's market.

Joe Hayden is a real estate Realtor based in Louisville, KY. He loves helping people achieve their dreams and goals, and especially loves tackling the complexity of real estate transactions. He can be contacted through his website at http://www.joehaydenrealtor.com.

Window Repair Video

Great video on how to repair a window screen.

If you're thinking about buying a home, check out this home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping. For under $15, you can save yourself a lot of frustration and money.

Rust Stains On Concrete Floor
Wood Repairs

Log Cabin Vinyl Siding

This article talks in grat depths about the advantages of vinyl over normal wood. It talks about the fact that it looks just as good, but is cheap, has low maintenance and is eco-fiendly.If thought of building a log cabin siding but never took it seriously because of heavy work load and cost then you no longer have any excuses.

Making a log cabin from actual wood will not only prove to be very costly, but it will also have an adverse effect on the environment. Today the world has reached an advanced stage of deforestation. Therefore, we must do our bit to save the planet. Understandably, log wood houses have a very rustic look. With the advent of log cabin vinyl siding, this rustic look can be maintained while the installation and maintenance of the log cabin vinyl siding is cheap and it is artificially made out of vinyl (a chemical), therefore it is eco-friendly since it doesnt involve cutting down tree.

Advantage Log Cabin Vinyl Siding

Besides simply looking authentic, there are a lot benefits that come with log cabin vinyl siding. It also provides many saving opportunities, both fiscally and physically. Vinyl siding is practically maintenance free and does not require insect preventing, staining, and sealing as well as any type of refinishing.

Vinyl log siding is one of the best methods of weatherproofing your structure as it provides complete protection from all types of climates.

Vinyl log siding is 100% man-made but still retains the look of natural wood. Log cabin vinyl siding is certainly cheaper than using full-logs because it's mass-produced. AS it can be easily installed Cost of labor is cheaper.

Parkers Midwest Distributing at www.vinyllogsiding.com offers a wide variety of log cabin vinyl sidings. They come in many different shades, and look almost natural. Whats more is that it doesnt need much maintenance. There will be no holes caused by pests. There will be no termite infestations or beds of fungi on this artificial replica of the real world wood.

An Eco-Friendly Way of Siding

Resource Materials Corp at www.resourcematerialscorp.com offers yet another wide range of log cabin vinyl siding products. They specialize in heat treatment technologies. Once you install their log cabin vinyl siding, you will realize that the amount of heat dissipated into the atmosphere reduces in winter and increases in summer. In short, winters will be warm and summers will be cool

Sisson Log Homes at www.sissonloghomes.com

Sisson Log Homes is renowned for bringing excellently crafted log cabin vinyl sidings complete with the accompanying accessories and fitting should you choose.

In summary, log cabin vinyl sidings are cheaper than their wooden counterparts, are more resistant to moth attacks, are available in all shades, fit perfectly into one another, are eco friendly and require way less maintenance.

You can also find more info on harsh weather conditions and siding products. Homesidingreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about home siding review.

Building Handrails Books

Solar Flood Lights - Provides Much-Needed Illumination

Solar outdoor lights are becoming more popular among home and property owners. Such gadgets that are considered standouts are the solar flood lights. A home owner usually utilizes lighting in order to provide more illumination to the landscape, especially during nighttime. Likewise, another concern when employing lights is to enhance security and safety around your property.

As conventional lighting that uses electricity can become a cause for you to pay higher utility bills, a good alternative are solar outdoor lighting. Sun powered products such as solar powered flood lights are quite easy for anyone to install given the simple and few parts that they have. Albeit, the latest in the solar technology as made the solar flood lights brighter and more efficient.

Flood lights can effectively provide better and more enhancing lighting. It is meant to highlight any garden feature or structure. Likewise, such lights can be depended on in providing sufficient illumination on the dart spots in your home exterior or garden.

For those who are skeptical when it comes to the quality as well as performance of the solar powered flood lights, it is known that the improvements in bulbs as well as solar lighting technologies have made great strides.

The fact is that many commercial and production firms who require lights on their surroundings especially during the nighttime are now using solar flood lighting. Many of these firms not only want to save on utility expenses, and more so, they are concerned about the environment. Evidently the alternative form of energy that is solar is every environmentally friendly and does not produce and release harmful products such as carbon in the air.

Solar flood lights, indeed, can be provider of lights for aesthetic purposes. It can effectively accent any feature of the outside areas of a home property. But for many, the security that it gives is good enough reason for a home owner to install these outdoor solar lighting.

For more solar flood lights, solar powered shed lights and other articles on outdoor solar lighting, do visit us at Solar Lights and Gizmos blog

Home Built Wind Generator Power - Save Money With DIY Wind Power

A lot of people today are saving a ton of money on their electric bill by creating their own electricity. There is volumes of information available online to help you create your own home wind power. You can do a Google search for diy wind power, or a similar term that describes creating your own electricity from wind power.

You will find dozens of websites that offer you a downloadable instruction kit, with resources for parts and supplies included. Make sure which ever one you choose offers at least a full 60 day money back guarantee. Also know that you should not have to spend more than fifty or sixty bucks to get a good instruction kit, with online video tutorials as well as pdf instructions.

Two things that are very important to know before you get to far into a home built wind generator power system for your residence.

Very important: You may need a permit from your city or county. In some areas, this may require submitting plans, including drawings and details about the wind turbine system you are planning to install. Check with Department of Building Inspection and the Department of Planning for your city or county.

This is an important step, especially if you are planning on connecting to the grid. You absolutely cannot connect any type of power generating system directly into the wiring of your home without the proper permits. It is a matter of safety for you and for the utility company employees that service your area.

Connecting to the public power grid. Connecting your wind power to the public power grid allows you to qualify for net metering in many areas. Net metering measures the excess power you create, directs it into the local power grid and...the power company pays you!

You really can save hundreds of dollars annually by creating your own home built wind generator power For help in determining where to find good sound advice, for an easy to follow, do-it-yourself instruction kit, go to http://www.windsolarhouse.com/blog

Lower Stair Landing

Six Steps to a Dry Basement - Homeowner Tips

A dry basement might be its own reward. If your basement is free of leaks, condensation and cracks, it'll be more amenable to a major basement remodeling effort (and you know you've always wanted a foosball table down there). It's a safer place to store old records and clothes (your kids need something to make fun of during your old age, right?). And a dry basement is inhospitable to toxic black mold, which can eat away at porous surfaces like wood and concrete, and cause serious health problems for you and your family.

While most of us might think of the underground sections of our homes as dark, dank places suitable for the third-act climax of a bad horror movie, avoiding a wet basement is probably easier than you think. Here are a few relatively simple steps to keeping your basement dry.

Make sure your rain gutters are completely free of debris. Rain gutters that can't carry rain away from the house tend to spill rain right out near the foundation, creating puddles that can eat away at the porous concrete over time. And if gutters empty themselves from a great distance in one spot, the falling water can create a depression in the ground that speeds wear and tear on the foundation. A good basement waterproofing contractor can install a French drain - a type of drainage system that draws water away from the house. A good French drain can't guarantee a dry basement, but it'll help eliminate one of the primary causes of leaks.

Keep the ground around your foundation sloped away from it. Obviously, this isn't the simplest thing to do; if you live on a hill, you're going to have to deal with water rolling downhill toward your home. But it's easy to find depressions near the foundation and fill them, so they don't fill with water when it rains.

Keep an eye on window and door seals. If these are caulked, go around at least once every six months with a caulk gun to reinforce them. Ideally, however, they should have a more secure sealant.

Keep a dehumidifier handy. If you hang clothes to dry in the basement, humidity might be a problem - and humidity in such an enclosed space can cause condensation. Keeping a dehumidifier isn't a magic bullet, but it can help if your basement moisture is coming from condensation and not seepage. But how can you tell the difference? It's fairly easy: If you have wet basement walls, find a spot that's particularly wet. Tape a section of aluminum foil to the wall, with tape around all the edges so it's airtight. Check in on it after a day or two: If the side on the inside is dry, you've got seepage. If the outside is dry, condensation is the more likely culprit.

If your house has an outdoor spigot, make sure it doesn't leak. A dripping spigot can create a concrete-eroding puddle with hardly any effort at all. If necessary, call a plumber to fix the leak - it'll be less expensive than repairing your foundation if the problem goes on too long.

Fix leaks the minute you discover them. You'll never have a dry basement if there's a constant leak. Basement moisture can come from a variety of sources; a leak has the benefit of being relatively easy to spot. A good basement waterproofing company can examine your basement to determine the type of leak you have, and recommend the best way to fix it. Look for a basement waterproofing contractor who gives a free estimate, and don't fall for any hard-sell tactics; a quality contractor will be completely honest, and give you time to make the best decision.

Kevin Ott writes on a variety of home improvement topics, including (but not limited to) mold removal and remediation. One of his clients is Right Way Waterproofing, one of the finest basement waterproofing contractors around.

Visit Right Way here:

http://www.rightwaywaterproofing.com

Redesign Your Home Into Your Dream Home

What could you do with $150,000? You could buy a small, modest home in some communities. You could sell your home and move to a larger home. Or you could redesign and personalize your current home so that, although it will appear average on the outside, looking undistinguished from the neighbours, there is absolutely nothing average about the interior once the work is complete.

Exactly what sort of project are we talking about? Interior renovations and redesign with minimal, if any, work being done to the exterior of the home. Most often such a project will include all the areas that make up the entertaining zones of a house kitchen, dining room, living room, entry, hallway, and a powder room or washroom basically just the areas that guests would definitely see. Sometimes these projects also include the staircase, and depending on the scope of the space planning changes and original layout of the house, some slight modifications to the bedrooms may come about as well. More often than not, these projects involve structural work, plumbing, electrical, and tons of finishing work.

Usually when such a major project is undertaken, part of the purpose is to create a more open-concept space within the existing exterior walls. Although it is easy to presume that fewer walls equates to fewer costs, this is a major misconception when it comes to renovations, because there are many more issues that have to be addressed:

Chances are that at least one wall to be removed is currently load bearing (structural). The load will have to be temporarily supported until the new permanent structural elements are properly in place. A consultant (structural engineer or similar) should be involved.

In many municipalities, a permit is not required for a simple renovation, but the minute you start touching anything structural a permit becomes a mandatory acquisition and expense not to mention a potential delay if the application was not submitted early enough. Check with your municipality for specific details concerning timing, cost, necessity, and other pertinent information.

When you demolish a wall, you are left with a damaged area of flooring which usually necessitates replacing the entire floor. On occasion you can get away with installing a coordinating or contrasting inlay of another flooring material, but this tends to cost in labour alone what a whole new installed floor would cost.

Demolishing a wall also creates the need for repair on the ceiling and on any adjoining perpendicular walls. Although not an expensive fix, it is certainly costlier than just plastering a few nail holes or other imperfections.

Electrical wiring, outlets and light switches all have to be rewired and relocated.

Pipes, plumbing stacks, ventilation conduits, ducting, and the like, all have to be relocated to be concealed within floor/ceiling constructions and within walls that will remain.

As with any renovation project, labour accounts for approximately 30% of the total budget. Consultants fees (designers, engineers, etc.) and contingencies (unforeseen circumstances) are both higher for this scope of work than for a simple renovation project.

What motivates homeowners to go to this extreme with interior redesign and renovations? There is actually no typical homeowner profile for projects of this scale. Sometimes a house has been purchased inexpensively and putting a large amount of money into renovations would still be within the purchasers budget and not bring the total too far over the market value. Other times a family has lived in the home for many years, the mortgage is either paid off or now quite low, and they just cant imagine moving, so major renovations are the best solution to meet their changing needs. Sometimes such projects come about due to physical needs; major renovations are often required to make a home fully usable to someone in a wheelchair who wants to maintain their independence. It is also common that an older parent moves in with his/her adult child and their family in this case renovations would be done to facilitate both added privacy and improved family space. The reasoning behind investing so much into a home is completely based on personal and/or family-life lifestyles and dynamics, budget and finances, changing needs, a love of the home and its location, and so much more.

The implications of such a major redesign on a home vary as much as peoples reasons for taking on such projects in the first place. Depending on both the specifics of your project, and the community in which your home is located, the value of your home may increase by about as much as the budget of the project, or as little as about 25% of the value of the renovation. Property values could be discussed with a knowledgeable and experienced local real estate agent prior to commencing the project. It is important to remember which information the real estate agent can provide that is of value to you it is not in a real estate agents field of expertise to counsel you concerning wood species for cabinetry, and his/her personal opinions should be taken exactly as such. However, you will want to listen to his/her point-of-view concerning the benefits or negative implications of things such as creating a huge washroom vs. a walk-in closet for the master bedroom, or a home theater room vs. a larger kitchen with a cozier family room. But in the end, it is your needs from your home and space that should have the final word on how the project unfolds. Possible implications extend beyond resale value. Also on those lines though, are property taxes and ease of sell-ability. Even if you are increasing your homes value by $75,000, there is a chance that it will take longer to find the right buyer should you ever decide to sell it is sometimes a bit of a challenge to sell a home priced significantly higher than others in a neighbourhood, no matter the justification for the price.

One implication of large-scale redesign projects, which has to be taken into account during the design phase, is temperature control. Especially if you are opening-up the floor plan, you will want to keep in mind that the walls you have now play a role in stopping cold air from the front door from blowing straight through to the back of your home. In summer months, the walls prevent hot sunlight from reaching areas from all sides. How sound travels through your home will also be affected with fewer walls present. Your requirements from your kitchen ventilation might also have to be reevaluated. If you have any young children, or pets, you may find it more difficult to restrict them from certain areas (such as the kitchen when the oven is hot) without walls or doorways. At the same time though, you will have better visibility of your home from almost any given area. Communication with a family member from the next room will be effortless. The sense of isolation that often comes with being in the kitchen to prepare a meal will be a thing of the past.

With little effort, you can prepare a list pages-long of the pros and cons of open concept floor plans, and major redesign projects in general. Everyone you speak to will have strong opinions about your project, its goals, and the alternatives available to you. Keep in mind that others preferences do not affect how you and your family use your home; some of us function at our best with smaller but more numerous rooms, while others thrive in open space. The only way to ensure that a project of this scale will be all that you dream of and more, is to hire the proper professionals interior designers, engineers, general contractors, or others, early enough in the planning phases. Before committing yourself to a contract with anyone whom you will have to work closely with, make sure that the right chemistry exists between you your input and questions should be welcomed by them, and their responses and reactions to you should give you a sense of confidence.

Karen S. Weiner is the owner and principal interior designer of Idealspace Design in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). http://www.idealspacedesign.com

Home Improvement Grants Benefit All

Home improvement grants are one of the most popularly applied for and commonly awarded types government funding available today, and with very good reason. With everyone in the country experiencing at very least some sort of financial setbacks, urban development far below acceptable expectations, and the housing and homelessness issues, there is no better place to direct financial aid to than home improvement grant programs.

On the surface this may seem like a frivolous way to spend the American taxpayers money, but on the contrary, there is a great deal of benefit to be gained by all with these generous and amazing programs. Government funded home improvement grants are not just for those who are looking to beautify their homes for their own personal satisfaction, although they too may acquire them, they are more often than not, awarded to individuals and realtors who are in need of detrimental repairs to meet safety codes, or financing to construct additions or expansions.

This method of free government money distribution aids greatly in the enhancement of urban development, helps prevent homelessness by providing additional housing to many communities, insures tenant safety, and increases property values that generate more tax revenue that stimulates the economy. There is a great deal that can be accomplished by continuing to execute this amazingly strategic method of tax fund recycling, that will benefit America as a whole as well as families, individuals, and communities. There is no loss and no risk in this investment, just rewards.

Frivolous? Not at all. Government home improvement grants make perfect sense.

Apply for Personal Grants.

See how much money you qualify to receive today and never pay back. Get Grants for Individuals

Problems With Building Contractors

Sometimes as contractors we get in a hurry and we just want to finish the job. We told the homeowner we would be done in three months, at the same time the homeowner keeps adding new work to the list.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. He told the homeowner he didn't have time to repair that section of the floor. He was installing half-inch plywood over 1 x 6 diagonal floor sheeting to strengthen up the floor.

This floor was going to require quite a bit of attention from the contractor and his crew. The homeowner should have hired another contractor to repair the floor while the original contractor finished the house remodel. When your contractor gives you that much grief about any work, you need to start thinking about hiring another contractor or at least finding one to complete the task your original contractor has no interest in.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

I wrote this article for contractors to have a little more sympathy for the homeowners you are working for because sometimes they can't see the whole picture like you can. I also wrote this article for homeowners to listen to your contractor carefully when he is explaining a potential problem that you can't visualize further down the road. Any contractor with over 15 years experience remodeling homes has a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.

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.

Building Contractor Books

Quick Tips on Home Remodeling

The major areas which you need to consider when you are selling your home are as follows: the curb appeal and kitchen. But there is no hard and fast rule that you need to remodel these areas once you are intending to sell your house. It is one of the most important criteria that you need to consider once you have decided to give one of the best looks to your house. This article will help you to provide some of the best tips that will help you to realize the best value for your house. There are 2 main areas which you need to look in driving the best efforts.

Curb Appeal

As the saying goes that the first impression is the best impression, so in case any prospective buyer who is intending to purchase your house can decide whether he wants to purchase your house or not as an attractive curb area will make him to think to purchase the house or not by just driving inside the house. However if he does not like the curb area then he will immediately make up the mind that he will not be a victim for the house however good the house looks from inside. So ensure that your home gives a rejoicing feel to the visitors. When you see your curb area ensure that your curb area is providing you a welcoming look. Even ensure that the place gives you such a feel that you should tend walk in to the place.

Some of the aspects that you need to consider in your curb area are as follows: Ensure that the siding is not out of date or not in a position that it is quite visible that it needs a repair. Even ensure that the roof is in good shape. Check if in case that the walk away or the driveway are not cracked or look very weary. Is the landscape in search a position that it reveals the date of your house? Be careful as to what feeling does the front door provide you with. In case you are in a position that you have the capacity to replace only one thing at a time then ensure that you replace your door. This will also save you from the aspect of saving the money from resizing the opening, and it will also provide you with a good look for the house.

Kitchen

The next aspect which you need to take into account is the kitchen as it is the first thing that the prospective homeowners look at just for the simple reason that the kitchen is considered to be the life of the home. Kitchen is often a place that serves as a place where the people gather, it also caters for some people as the dining area. Catering to so many important functions the kitchen should thereby be the most welcoming place in the home. Consider some of the facts like are your working appliances up to date and in good working condition. Will a fresh coat of paint help you in reviving the glory of the place? All these factors will surely help you to provide the look you are looking for.

Sarah Jose is a Copywriter of Whomestudio furniture stores in Kelowna. For more information visit quality area rugs

Attic Repairs

The Ten Most Frequent House Problems That Home Inspectors Find

A recent survey of home inspectors resulted in a list of the most frequently found problems in the homes they have inspected. It is significant that within this list of ten categories, at least four are directly related to the damaging effects of water. Thus, keeping water out - is the homeowner's most important and continually challenging objective.

1. Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was by far the most frequently found problem, reported by 35.8% of the survey respondents. It is responsible for the most common of household maladies: water penetration of the basement or crawl space.

2. Improper Electrical Wiring
A significant number (19.9%) chose this item as the most common home defect, which includes such situations as insufficient electrical service to the house, inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous, wiring connections.

3. Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of the respondents as the most common problem, roof leakage, caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered by CAHPI members to be a frequent problem.

4. Heating Systems
Problems in this category include broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.

5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is usually aware of this situation, demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures or appliances.

6. Structurally Related Problems
Many houses, as a result of problems in one or more of the other categories, sustain damage to such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.

7. Plumbing
Though never ranked by the respondents as a Number One problem, plumbing defects still rank high among the house problems encountered, and include the existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.

8. Exteriors
Flaws in a home's exterior, including windows, doors, and wall surfaces, are responsible for the discomfort of water and air penetration, but rarely have structural significance. Inadequate caulking and/or weather-stripping are the most common culprits.

9. Poor Ventilation
Perhaps due to overly ambitious efforts to save energy, many home owners have "over-sealed" their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. This can cause rotting and premature failure of both structural and non-structural elements.

10. Miscellaneous
This category includes primarily interior components, often cosmetic in nature, which were not found frequently enough to rank individually in our survey.

Obviously the age of a home plays a significant role in these findings. In older, urban houses, problems such as heating system failure, inadequate electrical service, and worn plumbing can be found with much greater frequency than reflected in this survey.

The survey response percentages were given only for the first three categories because they were so high and statistically meaningful. Items 4 through 10 were ranked significantly lower than the top three, and vary regionally.

Peter Ottowitz
http://www.newworldenergyaudits.com
http://www.masshomeinspect.com

Hard Water Deposits In Toilet

The Glass Block Revolution Spreading to Home Design

Glass blocks have come a long way, even competing with regular bricks when it comes to interior and exterior design of rooms. We are living in times when visual appearances are very important and more people are insisting on having something out of the ordinary when it comes to their immediate surroundings. For many, they can simply accentuate the room with special flowers, paintings and more. Others prefer something more permanent, such as glass blocks.

Glass blocks come in very many designs, shapes, colors and even textures although all of them are made of glass. Below are some different types of glass blocks:

Standard series
Decorative
Glass flooring
Colors and finishes

Standard series
-wave satin
-wave endblock
-90% curved corner wave
-Imported from Germany
-Made in USA

Decorative (water organic, arts and crafts, geometric, lined and ribbed)
-starburst
-Mirage
-Neptune
-Bubble
-Bonzai

Colored
-Pastels
-Primaries
-Earthtones

We now see how many types of glass blocks exist. Their variety is awesome and this caters to any type of design and preference. One would be hard-pressed to find a glass block that they would regard as ideal for their own custom surroundings.

If you want to get glass blocks installed, the first place to look is the home improvement stores. Stores such as Home Depot sell and install almost all the above types of glass blocks that we have mentioned. Most people are not experts at this and that is why Home Depot maintains qualified personnel who for an extra fee, can help you choose just the ideal glass blocks for your immediate liking and also assist you with installation.

Glass blocks have several major advantages. One of them is resilience. Glass blocks are very strong because they are designed out of industrial glass that has been treated to temper it and make it able to withstand great pressure. This makes it an ideal for construction and in some quarters it is actually known as glass brick.

Glass blocks are also beautiful. In some European cities, they are used to construct entire buildings giving the building a very exotic and at the same time futuristic look especially when light bulbs are fitted inside. Glass blocks allow light without compromising on security and that is why they have become a favorite when it comes to office construction.

When it comes to energy saving and conservation, glass blocks have also become a favorite in many quarters. This is because in a glass block environment, there is little need for artificial lighting especially during the day because natural light is allowed into the room. That means that with time, the office begins to realize energy savings in form of lower energy costs. It is hard to realize these savings when all the light bulbs are on 24-7 as is the case with natural brick office buildings.

The best way to go about installing glass blocks is to contact a handyman. In many cases they will refer you to a home improvement store to choose and buy the glass block designs of your choice first.

Need information about about glass blocks? Theodor Cartman recommends the best glass blocks when buying.

Building a Deck - Home Remodeling Tips

A deck is the most important aspect of a building. It enhances the beauty of a house. A deck is a flat extension area of a building, normally a floor, able to support weights. The deck is usually an outdoor area. The deck of the house is a wooden surface above the ground through which you can access the house.

This is a flat surface that is usually roofless but some buildings have decks with roofs. Without a deck, the house will be incomplete. These decks provide an excellent playing area for children.

Building a deck consists of several steps. This process involves good planning and an equally good execution. The plan will be helpful in the construction of the deck and to obtain the necessary approval from the municipal authorities.

The person who wants to construct a deck in his house can draw a plan on his own with suitable scaling. But, usually this is not recommended. The whole construction process depends upon this plan, so it is essential to have professional help.

While considering the deck layout, the doors of the house have to be kept in mind, since the accessing of the house is through the doors. The other important aspects to keep in mind are the house layout, the existing space outside the house, the grade of the yard and the existing trees or gardens. The decks have to be planned according to the local deck building codes.

The footings and the posts are very important in supporting the deck. The bigger the deck, the more you need the posts. The other important components are joists, decking and railings.

The most popular deck board sizes are 2' x 4', 2' x 6' and 5/4' x 6'. But all these sizes need the same amount of wood and the cost is also the same. The materials that are popular for building decks are redwood, cedar, and pressure treated pine. These woods are known for their moisture resistance. The appropriate railings can be attached to the decks.

Building a deck may sound quite simple with the availability of lots of do-it-yourself materials, but professional help is inevitable in case of any deck construction.

Decks provides detailed information on Deck Plans, Deck Builders, Pool Decks, Building A Deck and more. Decks is affiliated with Invisible Fences.

Window Corner On Exterior Wall

Bamboo Flooring - Fallbrook Home Remodeling

When it comes to choosing a new floor for your home there are many choices available to today's home owner. Bamboo flooring provides an excellent alternative to traditional hardwood flooring materials. Growing in popularity as an alternative, bamboo flooring has many attractive features that make it a viable option for modern homeowners. Although harvested primarily in China, bamboo flooring can now be found quite easily in both European and North American markets. Many of those that adopted bamboo flooring early on point out its environmental friendliness due to it being a renewable resource. The bamboo plant regrows very quickly when compared with the time it takes a forest to regrow. In fact, the bamboo plant is considered a grass, as it grows far faster than a normal forest. When done responsibly, harvesting of the bamboo plant can be accomplished in a environmentally friendly manner.

How does bamboo flooring stack up when compared to traditional flooring materials? High quality bamboo flooring is harder and more durable than even the most expensive hardwood flooring. Moisture does not affect bamboo in the way that hardwood suffers from water damage. Where traditional hardwood may buckle and crack because of water exposure, bamboo flooring will keep out water without a problem. Bamboo flooring is engineered like a laminate and treated under very high pressure with a high quality glue. This makes bamboo flooring very resistant to abrasions and scratches, where a hardwood floor would end up showing scratches. Bamboo flooring has become significantly more affordable in the past number of years as well.

Best of all, bamboo flooring can typically be installed at home without any professional assistance. Like many of the newer hardwoods, bamboo flooring is made with a groove that allows the planks to interlock, making them considerably easier to install. Before installing a bamboo floor, allow the planks to adjust to their new environment for no less than 72 hours. Although bamboo flooring is very resistant to moisture, they do need some time to adjust to their new climate before installation. Having an experienced flooring professional install the material for you can save you money and aggravation down the road. The last thing you want is to ruin your new floor due to an improper installation method.

What steps need to be taken in order to provide upkeep for a bamboo floor? Maintenance requirements are fairly simple for bamboo flooring. Make certain to sweep and mop the floor after it is laid down. Basic regular maintenance such as dusting and sweep should be done after installation. This will prevent a build up of dust that can dull the finish. A mat used at the entrance way will keep out a great deal of dust and dirt. Dirt and small rocks can easily scratch the finish, and a mat can do a great deal to prevent this problem. By following a simply and ongoing maintenance plan you can help to keep your new bamboo floors looking their best for many years to come.

Harry Saggu is a Brampton condo real estate professional with a background in economics. Visit the site to search for Condominiums for sale in Brampton and market information.

Bottom Window Moiststop

Wood Floor Repair - Carlsbad Home Construction

Wood floors can look beautiful in your home, but when they are in need of repair they can make your home look awful. Many people think that maintaining and repairing wood floors that have seen better days is an overwhelming task that is just too much to take on. Luckily, it doesn't have to be. Wood floor repair can be a fairly simple process as long as you proceed with a well thought out plan.

You might be looking at your scratched and dull floor and thinking of all the work involved with moving out all the furniture and then trying to work one of those sanders. The dust all over the house. Thinking that your inexperience with the sander could cause you to ruin the floor altogether. The stress of keeping kids and pets out of the room.

Unless your floor is too far gone, with proper care, your wood floor repair does not have to turn into a major job. In most cases, you can simply fill in the minor scratches or shallow gouges without getting into a major refinishing job. You will need a few tools and supplies to get started, however.

If your floor has a polyurethane finish, but doesnt look so great because it is all scratched up, you may be able to bring it back to its former luster with some polyurethane finish that matches (or as near as you can match) what is on your floor. Use a small paint brush and dab the polyurethane onto the areas that are scratched and any areas where the finish has worn off. Use a clean cloth to buff out the polyurethane before it dries. This can help with small, scratched areas and can make them blend in with the floor.

In your wood floor repair, if your floor has a stain on it, you need to match the color of the stain in order to repair scratches. You should probably test out the stain a bit at a time to be sure. Use a small brush and apply the stain to the scratched area. Let the stain dry overnight or as long as it says on the can which can be up to twenty-four hours. Once the stain is dry, take the brush and lightly apply some polyurethane - buff this out before it dries to match it into the existing floor..

Deeper gouges need a bit more in the wood floor repair department. You will have to fill in the gouge and we recommend you use wood putt that is latex based and stainable to do that. Youll need a putty knife to spread the putty and a rag for wiping it off other areas it might spill onto. Simply pack the putty into the gouge and smooth it over until it is level with the floor. Wipe any excess off around the area and let it dry thoroughly. Take some sandpaper and lightly buff it out. Stain the putty to match the floor using a small brush and light strokes. Let the stain dry overnight and then apply the polyurethane on top once it is dried.

These wood floor repair tips work on floors where the damage is isolated to a few spots. If you floor is covered in scratches and has hardly any finish left then you may be facing the daunting task of refinishing the floor. Sure, its hard work and inconvenient, but once its done youll have glorious wood floors that you can enjoy for years to come.

Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for Home DIY 101 where you can find more do it yourself home repair tips.

Repairing Scratches in Laminate Flooring

When I moved into my home, the floor in the living room had just been refinished with beautiful honey toned laminate flooring. It was beautiful and it fit my decor perfectly. The only problem was the fact that one of my chair had popped a cap, unbeknownst to everyone involved, and it wasn't until a few weeks later, when I went to rearrange a few pieces of furniture, that I noticed it. Much to my horror, the gleaming floor beneath the chair had become a scratched mess and I shuddered at the thought of having to fix them.

Now, I'm sure that I am not the only person who has had to deal with scratched laminate flooring. In fact, I'm almost positive that the problem is universally shared. The simple truth is, if you are going to own laminate flooring, at one time you will own scratched laminate flooring. Most people would simply sigh and shift the furniture around to cover the evidence, something that I actually did for a few months, but laminate flooring can be fixed without having to tear out pieces and replace them.

Most repairs in laminate flooring are pretty minor. A glass may have fallen and gouged a small hole or the kids may have scraped a toy car, minus wheels, across a small section. The scratches and holes are simply surface damage but they definitely detract from the once shiny beauty of your floors.

With minor damage, you will only need to do minor repairs to your laminate. Unfortunately, as with most repairs, there is nothing regularly stocked in your shelves that will fix the floors. You will need to make a run to the local home hardware or flooring store to pick up a repair kit. Some manufacturers will make repair kits for their flooring so the best place to start is the store where you purchased your flooring.

If you aren't sure of the manufacturer or the manufacturer does not have a repair product, simply purchase a generic repair kit. A repair kit usually consists of a tube of putty or wax. This is your actual filler. Some repair kits have colored putty while others have paint that you mix to create the matching floor color; this you mix with the putty before applying. Both are perfectly fine to purchase and you will usually run yourself about ten to twenty dollars.

Some repair kits come with putty knife and everything else you need but if it doesn't simply pick up a putty knife while you are at the store. Popsicle sticks work perfectly for applying the putty to the crack.

Before you start repairing your scratches and dents, make sure the area is clean of any debris and is dry. There is no sense repairing a spot if a patch of dog hair is going to be glued into the floor. Once the area is prepared, it's time to get mixing.

If you went with a colored putty that matches your floor, all you will need to do is spoon in the putty, but if you went with a mix, you will need to match and create the desired color. Once you have that, spoon in the putty and smooth with the putty knife. Remove any of the excess putty so you have a smooth surface. Lastly, wipe the area around the scratch, being careful to not touch the repaired scratch with a clean cloth to wash away any residue.

Once it dries, your laminate flooring should look as good as new.

Sometimes, you will find the occasional scratch that is too shallow for the putty to work properly. If this is the case, the best product on the market is ScratchAway. This is a spray on treatment for any small scratches on laminate and other wood flooring. All you need to do is spray the area and then buff until it is dry.

So with a few little tricks of the trade, there are very few reasons why you can't enjoy scratch free laminate flooring for years to come.

Sirena Van Schaik is a professional writer who provides information on wood flooring and laminate flooring for A1 Wood Flooring