How To Lay Bathroom Tiles

Prepare Yourself

The first step in laying bathroom tiles is to be prepared. You want to start with a clean and smooth surface. If there are even small problems with the flooring, chances are you will not get the tiles to lie correctly. To be sure that this happens, use a sander on the floor to completely even it out. You can then sweep up, wash and dry the floor before you go any further. If the floor is not dried thoroughly, you may find that the tiling can not get a good grip on the floor for stability.

Once the floor has been prepared, the next step is to purchase the correct number of tiles for the bathroom area that you have. Do not underestimate how many you need. It is often necessary to purchase at least 15 percent more than you think you need. This provides you with safety in extras in case of problems with calculations or even if the tiles do break along the way. In addition, this gives you enough to put away in case the bathroom tiles break down the road. You can then easily replace them.

Placing Them Down

When laying bathroom tiles the adhesive step is one of the most important. Purchase the correct type of product for your need. For the bathroom, it is important to find waterproof adhesive for the area. If you use an adhesive that does not provide this protection, the adhesive will deteriorate over time leaving the tiles vulnerable to many problems later. A small crack or even a tiny space can allow water to seep in, causing a number of problems for you. Instead, purchase and use the correct adhesive.

Grouting Correctly

When laying bathroom tiles, the grouting process is just as important as the adhesive. Be sure to wait at least a full day from the time that you lay the bathroom times before you start the process of grouting. This gives the adhesive time to set. You can then apply the grout correctly. Do only a small area of a time so that you can remove excess grout before it dries and you can not remove it later. Use the correct tools to firmly position the grout into the grooves.

Adam Peters is a journalist who writes newsletters on decorating for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on removing bathroom tiles and home interiors.

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Nails versus screws who will become the winner. When drywall first came out the installers used everything from regular steel nails to galvanized roofing nails. After a short amount of time they started to develop major problems from nails popping out of the finished drywall.

Nail popping results when the nail is driven into moist lumber and as the lumber shrinks the house settles and nail can actually pop out to the walls. Hard to imagine the nail could actually pop out of the drywall as the wood was drying out.

How far the nail would actually pop out was determined by how far it was driven in to the framing studs or ceiling joists. Well pretty soon drywall installers started to use ring shank nails to eliminate this problem. This worked great but these nails were hard to drive in and would often break.

As time went on the nails improved and were made out of galvanized metal with cupped shaped heads and came in a few different sizes. The size of the nail used was determined by the thickness of the drywall. These new nails worked great and had good holding power and eliminated a lot of nail popping.

Using nails means driving them in with a hammer. If you miss the nail you damage the drywall. This seemed to be a big problem and was virtually eliminated with the screws.

Well pretty soon people started using screws which had greater holding power and pretty much nail popping. Another advantage to using screws over nails is the simple fact you need less screws than you do nails to attach the drywall to the metal or wood framing.

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

There is one problem with the screws and that is they have to be set perfectly. They can not break the paper surface on the drywall but have to be set enough into the drywall so that it can be finished properly. Most screw guns have an adjustable setting used to get just the right depth for the screws installed in the drywall. But this also was a problem when screwing into a hard piece of wood you can actually snapped the screw head off, strip the screw head or break the screw.

Nails on the other hand can bend while driving them into a hard surface.

Who wins the nails versus screws while installing drywall? I have got to give it to the screws. That doesn't mean the nails just got screwed or the screws just got nailed.

I couldn't resist. I actually preferred the screws over the nails except for when nailing the drywall corner bead on. Some drywall professionals use nails to hang the drywall and go back with a screw gun and some screws to finish the job. The nails sometimes seem handier than the screws when installing the drywall.

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

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Bathroom Fixtures Buying Guide

Bathroom fixtures are available in a broad range of styles, but selecting a fixture always relies on the following:

• Budget
• Material
• Style
• Consistency

Fixtures range from $100 to thousands of dollars depending on the quality, style, and material used. When setting aside money for a bathroom build or remodel, remember a fixture adds another level of style to any room. A simple, bare bath can become classic or modern depending on the style of fixture chosen. Setting a little extra aside for your fixtures will not only wow guests, but also raise the overall value of your house for appraisal purposes.

Bath fixtures are available out of a variety of materials such as copper, silver, platinum, and more commonly brass metal with chrome finishes. Two-tone materials can add some extra complexity to the decor and work with several shade themes. While platinum and even platinum-coated fixtures run in the $1000 range altogether, they add extra sophistication to any room. However, the more affordable fixtures (typically metal with chrome finishes) come in styles that impress any guest or can excite any homeowner.

The styles available are quite versatile. For example, there are at least three main groupings of faucets: single-hole, widespread, and vessel faucets. A single-hole structure allows for one hole where the water is released. The handle is usually part of the larger structure. A widespread is usually 8" long and sometimes longer or shorter. This grouping includes two handles, which are separate from one another and located (separately) on both sides of the spout. The final group is vessel faucets. These faucets consist of one long and lean spout with a handle that can be attached or not. Most often these vessel spouts are seen in Asian-motif bathrooms with the spout looking like a reed over a shallow and rectangular or triangular sink. Some vessel faucets also look like watering pumps over a large round thick basin.

Each of these types of faucets exhibits a certain decorating style. Some styles for your bathroom can include:

• Modern
• Art deco
• Classic
• Country
• Traditional
• Asian
• Tuscan
• Southwest

When choosing a style for your bathroom, remember that it is a place you want your guests to relax in and a space that needs to be kept clean. Clean and straight lines may help your bath area look more sanitized or encourage a guest or member of the household to clean up after him or herself. However, traditional country-themed rooms and traditional floral patterns and fixtures can also help an individual feel relaxed and refreshed while in the bathroom.

Finally, remember when it comes to fixtures, consistency is a must. While your tastes might fluctuate or fixtures may have different styles that you enjoy, plan on purchasing ones that are all the same style, color, or material and are certainly within the same price range or quality range. Without matching fixtures, no matter how attractive they might be individually, the room will look cluttered and unfocused. Instead, you want to create an environment that is consistent, calming, and refreshing.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on renewable energy, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on bathroom furniture and fixtures, please visit Bathroom Accessories, supplier of information about bathroom fixtures, and more.

How Many Bathrooms Do You Really Need? Building New Homes

When my dad was a kid, they lived in a two bedroom house with one bathroom and the family consisted of him, his two brothers and his mother and father. When I grew up, we have it a little bit better. We had the same sized family as my father did, but we lived in a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms.

How many bathrooms do you really need? Think about it. Here's what I would like to suggest, if you have more money than you know what to do with and would love to help the economy, then you should put as many bathrooms as you need in your home.

If you really need to tell your friends, that you have a 250 bedroom house with 275 bathrooms, and you have the money to pay for it, do it and knock yourself out. However, if you are building a new home, I would like you to consider, this question. How many bathrooms do you really need?

If you want each one of your children to have their own bathroom, then go for it. It will require more cleaning, more money to build these bathrooms and is it really necessary.

Here's what I would suggest as a guideline for deciding, how many bathrooms you really need. One bathroom for two or less people, two bathrooms for five or less people and three bathrooms for eight or less people. You could actually add one bathroom for every three people as a general rule of thumb.

Don't get carried away and start installing bathrooms all over your house, it doesn't make sense. Bathrooms are expensive and I have been in the homes, where I was the only person that used at bathroom. Some bathrooms might not ever be used.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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

Click Here If your looking for some great Bathroom Ideas or Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

Updating The Bathroom Paint Colors

When people think of updating a bathroom, they normally begin to think of it from a remodeling standpoint, not about bathroom paint colors. This would mean gutting everything, and then replacing everything with new stuff. This cost is almost always more than $3,000. But, if you just want to change the look and give it a clean and sharp look, then a can of paint and some silicon caulk will do the job.

Bathrooms should have clean appearance. Especially if you are going to try to sell a house, this area is one the main areas of the house the wife are looking at, with the other being the kitchen. Knowing this knowledge, you need to keep the paint neutral. A white semi-gloss paint is the best choice.

This semi-gloss is necessary for an area where is will have moisture. The water will just run off the paint, and not soak into it. Also, the shininess of the paint gives it a cleaner look, and even a brighter look, as the light from the bathroom will reflect off of the paint. When painting the bathroom with this white semi-gloss paint, you should paint all of the walls and the trim work in this semi-gloss. As a side note, it is always preferred to keep all of your trim work in a bright white color. This is standard in most houses, and will not required repainting if you change other colors. Now, the bathroom walls are all updated, repainted, and looking especially clean. Next area is around the accessories.

People do not realize they need to replace their silicon caulk around their faucets and toilets periodically. Over time, this seal will break, start to come loose, and even discolor. An easy way to sharpen up the bathroom is with new white silicon caulk.

First, just remove all of the old caulk. You can do this with any sort of knife, and if it is old enough, you can just peel it off. Then clean the area you removed it from with soapy water, and maybe even bleach to make sure it is clean from mildew or mold. Once it is clean, you are ready to apply the new caulk. The caulk you will use is silicon based caulk. It is also labeled as bathroom and kitchen caulk. Make sure you use white. Apply a nice, small, and even line around each of the seals. The seals would be: toilet, faucets, drains, any valves, sink top, and the base of the tub. A nice white line of caulk in these areas will give a new clean look, and better yet, will help to prevent any water damage from leaks.

Just by spending about $20, you can completely reface your bathroom, and give it a brand new look. It will be all white, and white is a first sign of cleanliness. You have also sealed up any potential leaks. Just this simple fix can be an intermediate fix as well, and buy you some more time if you still want to completely remodel. But in the mean time, you now have nice clean and updated bathroom paint colors.

To find more free ideas, visit our Home Improvement Center

How Wide Should I Make My Carport? Planning Your Next Project

Whether you live in a home with or without a garage, you might be thinking about building a new carport. You've came to the right place and by the time you're done reading this article, you should have acquired a little more valuable information for your next home remodeling project.

Some homeowners install carports in front of their garage, on the side of their homes or even in their driveway. Car ports can be built anywhere on your property, as long as you have enough room and access to these areas for a car to be parked safely.

The most important thing to remember, when building a carports, is the width that will be required to park your vehicle underneath it. You will need to allow plenty of room, so that you will be able to access your vehicle comfortably.

There are plenty of carports, all over the country that are built right next to something, like a retaining wall, the side of your home or even another garage. I myself have parked in carports that were too small and over a period of time became an annoying inconvenience.

The minimum width that I would build any carport would be 10 foot wide, if you're going to build your carport next to a building, I would suggest that you park your car, open your door and measure the width of your car, with your door open.

This will give you a comfortable width for building your new carport. This is the best advice I could give anyone, who is planning on building a carport.

Garage Building Tips

If you're thinking about building a garage and San Diego County, we would be glad to help, for more information click on this link San Diego Garage Building

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

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Bathroom Perfection Sans Mold

Many people have a real problem going on in their bathroom; the problem is mold. People in humid climates and people who can't keep their template all over the world is able to fester and grow in the bathtub and shower which will create a horribly distinct style and will fester with fungus until you just won't be able to deal with it anymore. However there are ways for you to be able to alleviate this mold problem with a few simple steps.

Open Up Your Perfect Home

Mold grows through a similar environment so long as you're able to get some fresh air running through your bathroom area you should be fine. If you have a window in your bathroom, try to open it whenever possible. If you don't have a window but you have a ventilation fan you should use that as often as possible as well; this can really make a bad situation halfway bearable.

Another step you can take is to get a dehumidifier. This is a bigger instrument you need to plug into the wall but this will help you to remove moisture from the air and it will help you more succinctly evaluate your problem.

Phenomenal Methodology

Getting rid of any excess articles in your bathroom is a great idea as well if you believe you have a mold problem. If you have a rugged your bathroom to trap water and helps spread mold he should get rid of that. One thing to consider in lieu of a bathroom rug may be a rubber mat or something like that which won't absorb the water. You should also not have plants in your bathroom; potted plants will trap water and help mold to grow.

...And Furthermore...

Scope out any leaks in your bathroom as well. Even the most minuscule spot of water at any moment can lead to a phenomenal problem down the road. If your pipes are all running dry and if your shower and bathtub are sealed effectively then you should be fine; you run into issues when water and moisture can get behind the seal in the bathroom.

Even ceramic tile can be a problem in the bathroom where mold is a problem. Tile is typically waterproof but the grout between the tile can retain moisture and be a breeding ground for mold. When the moisture gets sucked into the sealant, the mold just grows and grows. If you are able to spot it time you can use some waterproof paneling which will prevent condensation and help you to stop the mold in your otherwise perfect bathroom setting.

Sam Bettingon's detailed papers can be discovered on quite a few web publications associated with discount window blinds. You can find his work on discount window blind at http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com and many different sources for discount window blind information.

Plumbing Problems and Solutions - Repair Manuals

If you've owned a home for over 20 years, there's a very good chance, that you've had a water pipe break, a drainpipe clogged, a toilet that wouldn't flush right, or a water leak that damaged part of the home. If you don't know, what you're looking for and you have no idea what damage can be done, over time, this could mean trouble for the homeowner.

Plumbing problems like these have been around and will be around for many years. Knowing what to do about them, how to repair them and what materials will be needed, can be found in plumbing repair manuals for books. How would you like to have a professional plumber to advise you on your plumbing repairs. What if I told you that you could have a plumbing professional on hand at all times. Is this something that you might be interested in.

Well I can't guarantee that, so let's forget about what I just said and go to the next best thing. Plumbing repair manuals are full of tips and advice that when needed can sometimes be priceless. If water is leaking from the ceiling in your home and you have no idea, where the water is coming from or how to stop it from leaking, any information could be priceless and I mean priceless.

Plumbers, usually charge over $100 an hour for emergency service. I've seen plumbers come to peoples homes, turn the water off to the house, stop the water from leaking and now it is no longer an emergency. The plumber quickly pulls out an invoice for the plumbing repairs and it could be over $1000, if you decide that this is ridiculous and choose not to pay it, the plumber can hand you a bill for stopping the water leak. Some of these bills are what I would consider quite ridiculous, for just shutting the water off.

You're not paying the plumber for the amount of time it took him, you're paying him for his knowledge. If you knew where to shut the water off, you wouldn't have an emergency situation and could contact a plumber during normal hours. This could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

With a simple home repair manual or a home plumbing book, you could prepare yourself for a situation like this and other plumbing problems. Most home repair manuals have general solutions and advice and can solve most of the problems around your home. If they can't solve all of the problems, they can probably save you from major catastrophes like a water leak.

Most of the time it's not the water leak that will cost the most money, it's the damage the water will do to your furniture, carpeting, wood flooring, walls or ceilings. A little information and preparation can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Home Plumbing Books

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

Luxury Bathroom Suites - Affordable Bathroom Luxury

When it comes to looking at luxury bathroom suites, you might find it confusing wondering where to start. There are so many things you have to take into consideration, such as the layout of your bathroom and the essential bathroom components. Perhaps you don't need a full bathroom suite and just need a new sink or toilet? That's when you have to decide what the best option is; buy a new luxury bathroom suite or just update part of the old one.

Save The Cash In Order To Splash...

Many people who find their bathroom needs a bit of updating often get suitably "put off" by the assumed cost of brand new luxury bathroom suites. However, in the current climate, luxury is now extremely affordable. Many people find that it is not cost effective to simply replace one item of their bathroom, as eventually the rest of the bathroom suite will need replacing too. That's why more and more people are saving the cash in order to buy a luxury bathroom suite so that they can have a stunning new bathroom in one simple step.

Complement The Dcor

If you decide to just replace your sink or toilet in your bathroom, you may find that there is a niggling feeling whenever you walk in afterwards, because you may regret not updating the bathroom as a whole. One new item in a bathroom full of old items can look out of place and stick out like a sore thumb, so that's why it is easier to take a look at brand new luxury bathroom suites sooner rather than later to ensure you get a great looking bathroom that complements the dcor.

Choices, Choices

If you are now convinced that you want a new luxury bathroom suite, then you might be wondering which are the best brands to look at. Some of the best luxury bathroom suites are made by Duchy and Armitage Shanks. These are both reputable, well-established companies that offer a great selection for every taste. Quite often, you will find each bathroom range varies according to what style of bath you are looking for, so bear this in mind when looking at complete bathroom suites.

Update Today

If you've been saving money in order to indulge in one form of home improvement, getting the bathroom spot on is money well invested. A neat, stylish new bathroom suite will add money to your property as well as offer a welcomed, updated alternative to your old bathroom that you thought you would be stuck with forever!

Check out the latest bathroom suite ranges by clicking on Luxury Bathroom Suites.

Take Pictures of Your Growing Foundation Damage Or Cracks

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

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

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

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

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

Click Here for Some More Great Foundation Repair Solutions.

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

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

Basic Types of Bathtubs

Bath tubs are very common luxury in bathrooms. Taking warm bath in bath tub make you feel comfortable and relaxed. People all around the world install them in their bathrooms because of relaxation and other associated benefits. Due to high demands they are now available in various designs and materials that include traditional and modern designs as well. Traditional designs have antique and beautiful look. Now day's traditional designs are available with modern touch and pattern.

Types of Bath Tubs

There are seven basic types of bath tubs available in the market.

• Clawfoot Tubs
• Pedestal Tubs
• Drop-in Tubs
• Whirlpool Tubs
• Corner Tubs
• Recessed Tubs
• Hot Tub

Clawfoot Tub

Name indicates that tub has claw or ball shaped feet. It is one of the oldest design have antique look. Basic design consists of slanted back and straight front. These tubs are normally made up of cast iron, porcelain on steel or acrylic. They do not need any specific carpentry work. It is free standing tub with uncovered pipes. Wall mounted or floor mounted faucets can be used. It also has hole for over flow and drain. Some designs also have additional holes for faucets.

Pedestal Tubs

It is a kind of freestanding oval shaped tub without feet. Material used to make base of the tub is different from exterior surface but it is treated and processed to match with material of exterior surface. Some types do not have holes for faucets. Due to this tubs will have deeper water level. Some models also have hand showers for comfortable rinsing. Towel rail can also install on one or both ends of tub. These tubs are available in porcelain, cast iron and acrylic. It is necessary to check that material used is rust free.

Drop-in Tubs

They are designed to overcome the problems related to floor mounted bathtubs such as there is always a risk to get slipped when you are taking high step to come out from the tub. Drop-in bathtubs are mounted on deck in separate frame. This type is expensive to install. Material used to make tub are light weight fiber glass, acrylic and plastic. Some designs also have faucets but designs with out faucets are also available. In such design faucets can be mounted on walls. Commonly they are installed at the corner. They are perfect for sitting and soaking feet.

Whirlpool Tubs

These tubs offer relaxing hydro massage with controlled water circulation. They are also available in different installation design such as drop in or free standing tubs. Installation requires special framing, water heaters, electrical circuits and electronically controlled speed pumps with variable speed. These tubs are available in different materials that include cast iron, fiber glass and acrylic. They are available in broad range of colors, sizes and designs.

Corner Tubs

These tubs are normally triangular in shape have one finished and two unfinished sides. They are designed to save space. They can be of any shape but two sides are backed against wall. They don't have integrated showers. Drains are present in the middle or in one corner of tub. These tubs are also available in acrylic, cast iron, porcelain and fiber glass.

Recessed tubs

These tubs are very popular because of affordability and space efficiency. They have walls on three sides and only one side has decorative finish. They are available in number of different shapes such as square, round, rectangular, diamond and heart shape. Material used to make these tubs include cast iron, porcelain, fiber glass and acrylic. Some designs have integrated faucets and some do not. Hand held shower can installed for comfortable rinsing.

Hot Tub

These are huge tubs include water heater offers relaxing hydrotherapy. Tubs have jets present on both sides i.e. inside and out side. Electric or gas heater is used to heat the water. They also have pumps, pillows and grab rails. They are available in two configurations lounger and non -lounger. Electrical work must be performed with qualified electrician. Hot tub is expensive bathroom fixture and needs more maintenance as compared to other types. Cleaning and disinfection is very necessary to avoid microbial growth in bathtub.

If you further wants to know about the different issues related to bathtubs you can visit this site http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/home_improvement_tips/bathroom/index.php it will provide you useful information about important issues of Bathtubs.

Carlsbad Home Repairs - Upgrade Your Older Home

With housing prices being as low as they are, it's a great time to buy a home, but not to sell one. If you are living in an older home, there are ways to make it feel like new again, so that you can keep on enjoying your home without moving to an upgraded house. Here are a few ideas for you that will make your home nicer but not cost you a small fortune.

The two most popular rooms for remodeling are the kitchen and bathroom, and rightfully so because we all spend a lot of time in these rooms. If you would like to upgrade your kitchen, there are a few things you can do that don't cost a lot but will make a big impact. Why not try adding a kitchen island or butcher block to your culinary area? You will love the extra counter space and food preparation area, which can also double as a handy snack table if you add a couple counter stools to it. Kitchen islands are a great way to upgrade your kitchen without spending a lot of money, and you can get a tile or stone countertop that matches what you currently have on your other fixtures, or you can go for a natural butcher block top that matches any dcor. Another way to spruce up your kitchen without spending a lot is to replace your old kitchen faucet with a newer one, perhaps one that does more than your old faucet head.

Now to tackle that old bathroom! You may have the bathroom that time forgot, or maybe you just don't like what was installed, but the quickest way to change the whole appearance of your bathroom is to get a new bathroom vanity. The vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom, and if you don't like the current one or it's a looking a little run down, then it can bring the whole bathroom down. If you shop for discount bathroom vanities then you can save money and give yourself a whole new space. You can shop the sales at local home improvement stores, or you can shop online, which is where the best deals are really found. Make sure to measure your space accurately, so that you can find just the right size vanity for your needs, and not find yourself with a vanity that's too big or too small for your bathroom.

No matter what you decide works when upgrading your older home, we hope that you will find these tips helpful and love your old home like it's new again.

If you would like more information on the variety of discount bathroom vanities available or where to find a great price on a bathroom vanity, please visit the Premiere Vanities website.

Basic Home Electrical Wiring - For the Do it Yourself Home Electrician

The Green Bay Packers were one of the most successful football teams and Vince Lombardi said something to them that I will never forget," This is a football." All the football players laughed and he said that we're going to start with the basics and that's what I'm going to do, with this article.

Let's start with our electrical wire, the two most common electrical wire sizes, that will be used in most homes, will be 14 and 12 gauge electrical wire. Let's clear something up, right off the bat, the smaller the number, the larger the wire. In other words a 12 gauge electrical wire is a little bit larger and will carry more electricity, for longer distances than a 14 gauge wire.

What about electrical outlet plugs? These plugs are usually the same, except for the fact that they come in different colors. When I said that most electrical plugs are the same, I'm talking about your standard wall outlet plug. There are different electrical plugs that will be used for air conditioners and some kitchen appliances like 220 Volt electric stoves and ovens.

What about your home's light switches? Your standard two way light switch will usually turn a one light on or a group of lights on, from one location. A three way light switch will usually turn one light on or a group of lights on from two different locations. A four way light switch, will usually turn one light or a group of lights on from three different locations.

It doesn't get any more basic than that. I hope this gives you a better understanding about your home's electrical system.

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

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

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

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Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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

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

Thanks for reading the article

How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?

If you install any underground plumbing pipes, in your concrete building foundation, you will need to protect them, from the concrete. You can use a variety of products and the most common of them will be a Styrofoam wrapping that can be purchased at most plumbing supply stores.

Let's start with the waste pipes, that are made out of plastic. The concrete could actually start to put pressure on the plastic pipes as the concrete starts to expand and this pressure could actually damage your new waste pipes.

You don't need to wrap all of the plastic waste pipes, only the parts of the waste pipes that will be exposed or in direct contact any concrete, but you do need to protect every copper water supply line that will be buried under the ground or exposed to the concrete, with a plastic sleeve. These products can be purchased again at most building supply or plumbing supply stores.

If these pipes aren't protected properly, you could find yourself within a short time, repairing the pipes that are either inside of your concrete foundation or buried underneath your concrete foundation. Either way, this isn't going to be a good thing.

You definitely need to wrap a plastic sleeve around the water supply pipes that are going to be buried or in direct contact with the concrete. This is a must and most building departments will require your plumbing pipes to be wrapped, before it they will sign off on your rough foundation plumbing inspection.

However, for the waste pipes, you can actually use cardboard to protect them. If you're short on funds, why not grab some cardboard boxes, dismantle them and start using cardboard to wrap the pipes, with a little duct tape.

There are plenty of ways to save money in the construction business, buy a few books, read a couple of articles, with a lot of pictures in this can provide you with lots of construction information, from experience building contractors.

Check out some of the best selling Home Building Plumbing Books all on one website

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

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

Thanks for reading our articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice

Often I'm asked by homeowners, if they think that they can build something on their own. Often I end up explaining the process to them and it's pretty confusing. I would like to give some homeowners and construction handyman some do-it-yourself home remodeling advice, about projects that I think they should avoid and the reason why.

1. Working on Electrical Service Boxes

I really don't recommend, anyone who lacks experience working with electrical, to be working on it at all. When it comes to the electrical service box repairs, if you don't have any experience working in this specific area, I am suggesting this to all homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, stay away from electrical service power boxes. Electricity can be extremely hazardous to your health, so take my advice, this is coming from an expert on the subject.

2. Plumbing Water Supply Lines

I don't recommend, anyone who doesn't have any experience working with plumbing water supply lines, because if they break, or if your repair, doesn't hold properly, you could destroy a large portion of your home. Picture this, you just got through putting a new faucet in, everything looks great, but it's time for you to go to your baseball game. You come home about four hours later and the entire house is flooded with water.

This kind of stuff does happen and you need to take the advice of an expert here. It has even happened to me and I understand the process, pretty good. If you plan on fixing any plumbing water supply lines, make sure that you can spend the time, keeping an eye on your new home repair. If you're going to have any problems with them, they will usually happen within the first few hours of use.

I hope this helps, sometimes it's better to pay a professional, but I can understand, every intelligent person, is interested in saving a few dollars and learning new skills.

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Greg Vandenberge

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Plywood Roof Sheeting - Roof Framing Trade Secrets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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

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

Thanks for reading the article

Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice

Often I'm asked by homeowners, if they think that they can build something on their own. Often I end up explaining the process to them and it's pretty confusing. I would like to give some homeowners and construction handyman some do-it-yourself home remodeling advice, about projects that I think they should avoid and the reason why.

1. Working on Electrical Service Boxes

I really don't recommend, anyone who lacks experience working with electrical, to be working on it at all. When it comes to the electrical service box repairs, if you don't have any experience working in this specific area, I am suggesting this to all homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, stay away from electrical service power boxes. Electricity can be extremely hazardous to your health, so take my advice, this is coming from an expert on the subject.

2. Plumbing Water Supply Lines

I don't recommend, anyone who doesn't have any experience working with plumbing water supply lines, because if they break, or if your repair, doesn't hold properly, you could destroy a large portion of your home. Picture this, you just got through putting a new faucet in, everything looks great, but it's time for you to go to your baseball game. You come home about four hours later and the entire house is flooded with water.

This kind of stuff does happen and you need to take the advice of an expert here. It has even happened to me and I understand the process, pretty good. If you plan on fixing any plumbing water supply lines, make sure that you can spend the time, keeping an eye on your new home repair. If you're going to have any problems with them, they will usually happen within the first few hours of use.

I hope this helps, sometimes it's better to pay a professional, but I can understand, every intelligent person, is interested in saving a few dollars and learning new skills.

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Five Things That a Termite Inspection Company Might Not Ever Say

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Home Improvement Tips - Types of Countertops

It used to be that laminate was pretty much your only choice for kitchen countertops. Those days are thankfully long gone but now a homeowner is faced with a variety of choices and wide range of prices available for your kitchen renovation.

Some of the popular choices include:

Ceramic Tile

This remains as a popular and economical alternative that is heat and scratch resistant. It is high maintenance though since it needs to have it's grout sealed regularly to avoid staining.

Concrete

This is a incredibly versatile surface that can be textured and detailed with patterns unlike any other surface. However it is extremely porous and needs to be regularly sealed to avoid stains.

Engineered Stone

This product is made of a quartz composite with colored pebbles or different materials giving its wide range of colors. Texture is usually even and the colors can be reproduced over larger areas. It as extremely durable product that can resist heat and stain.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone. It comes from different regions of the world and can vary widely in color and pattern. It needs to be seamed and requires period sealing to avoid stains. It cannot tolerate high heat from hot pans.

Laminate

Laminate comes in a variety of colors but is not designed to be long lasting. Although it is somewhat stain resistant it will scratch easily. It will also burn easily from hot pans.

Marble

This is another natural stone that is porous and stains easily. It must be sealed every two to five years. They are also easily scratched and cannot take high heat from hot pans.

Slate

This is a third natural stone that is less porous and doesn't require sealing but can be easily scratched

Stainless Steel

This is a very popular product because of the sleek modern look it conveys. It is very durable and resists staining. Often times the surface is brushed to hide any scratches.

Wood

Various types of hardwoods can be used for countertops. It does require regular sealing to avoid drying out and is susceptible to burns from hot pans.

These are some of the pros and cons of the more popular types of countertops. Choose your countertop carefully depending on your usage and needs.

Bob Current writes on a variety of subjects including home improvement tips. You can get a free copy of his report about Choosing The Best Contractor for your project at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info and at http://www.concretecountertops.bcurrent.info/concretecountertops

Pocket Door Problems

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.

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Are You Having Foundation Problems - Home Contractor Advice

Foundation settling or shifting can be caused by many variables. Before any repairs can be made these variables need to be identified and understood. In medical communities the saying is "cure the disease, and then treat the symptoms". This applies to foundation repair also, we need to find out what is causing the problem, why is it causing a problem and then finding a solution to the problem.

The most common cause of foundation problems is moisture. Sometimes it is a lack of moisture and sometimes it is too much moisture. Problems with gutters, downspouts or drain tile are very common. Clogging is usually caused by leaves, debris, or collapsing. In some cases the clog causes the sump pump to recycle water that erodes and saturates soils along the foundation. Rain water needs to be diverted away from the foundation to prevent hydrostatic pressure on the foundation and floors. In times of drought water may need to be applied near the foundation to maintain more consistent soil moisture content.

Many times foundation problems manifest themselves in the form of severe cracking of slabs or basement floors. Basement floor slab cracking can occur for several reasons. They can be significantly thinner than the blueprint called for or the sub base of stone may be significantly thinner than originally called for. Heaving often results in cracking as well.

Binding or inoperable doors and windows, distorted glass panes and wedge shaped gaps at the top and bottom of doors and windows is a common complaint of homeowners, especially settling homes. Sticking doors and windows are symptoms of foundation problems. As the structure settles differentially, sticking doors and windows become a nuisance.

Most drywall cracks appear in the corner of doorframes or windows and result from differential movement between framing and the drywall. Some wood frame movement can be caused by normal processes such as shrinkage or temperature expansion.

Houses with crawl spaces generally show recurring damage patterns. Often a few vertical cracks in the crawl space open and close seasonally. Due to their shallow foundation nature these cracks grow significantly during extreme periods of drought or rain. Among several potential factors , these shallow footings may rest on expansive soil that experiences more acute cycles of shrink and swell, which is often aggravated by landscaping.

Damage to exterior flatwork is also a common sign of foundation problems. Cracking of concrete can have a variety of causes including swelling soils, grade, concrete shrinkage, settling, frost heave, tree roots and poor quality of concrete or installation. Concrete that slopes toward the foundation and cracks channel water against foundation walls and footings causing cracks.

Repairing damaged foundations represents the greatest engineering challenge for a known problem. Improperly supported pilasters, concrete piers , random crack filling, misapplication of carbon fiber strips and the engineering conviction that wider footings prevent settlement are ? examples of potential ill-conceived foundation repair methods.

The art of foundation repair begins with a complete foundation investigation by a competent foundation engineer. This engineer will visit the symptoms and measure the settlement of the structure while reading the signs of damaged foundations. Upon completing his investigation he will then give a written description of the issues along with recommendations for a cure.

Potential cures can be steel resistance piers, helical anchors, tie-backs, plate anchors or waterproofing. Along with proper drainage, when these underpinning products are installed, per manufacturer's specifications and under the guidance of the foundation engineer you can be assured that your problem will be solved.

So, if you are having foundation problems, don't panic. There are solutions to help you, there are qualified engineers to help you and there are competent foundation repair contractors available to enact these solutions.

About the Author:

Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here.

This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site.

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Cost Plan For a Sunroom

According to National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) price of sunroom ranges from $12,000 - $70,000. NARI estimates that the sunrooms can save up to 70% of the investment cost. The cost that is incurred in the construction of a sunroom includes the material cost and the labor cost. It has been projected that on average the material of a sunroom may cost up to $10,400. Constructing the deck, may require approximately $1500 of material. For the construction of the stairs the estimate material cost can be near to $270 figure. Construction of roofing system, floor improvements and all other material costs for the construction of an average sunroom can be very near to $13,500 - $14,000.

The second main aspect that should be considered while chalking out the cost of sunroom is the labor cost. For the construction of an average sunroom the labor charges can exceed $11,000 figure. For the construction of the deck, the labor cost is estimated to be around $1650. Likewise, construction of the stairs may cost from $200 to $250.

If we merge these costs with the flooring, roofing system and the total labor cost which is not less than $12,000 we can get a big figure of around $25,000. So it is obvious that only the construction of an entire sunroom can cost up to $25000. It is commonly seen that the sunroom prices can vary because of the material used in the construction work.

Many people like the aluminum work for their sunrooms and it is also widely accepted material for sunrooms construction because it makes the sunroom very beautiful. But on the other side many people also use wooden material in the construction of the sunrooms which may reduce the beauty of the sunroom as compared to the aluminum work. An aluminum sunroom can be constructed with energy proficient exterior and interior with panes that are thermally broken. A sunroom with wooden panels can also be constructed with beams that can give your sunroom a classic touch. Sunrooms that are covered with vinyl shell are commonly used in the building of the Victorian and Georgian Art schools.

The type of fixture that is used in the sunroom can increase its total cost. The types of windows and doors that are planned to be fitted are the main factors that may increase the costs. Sliding doors with dual locking system can also be fitted that are widely used because of childproof handles. The style of the sunroom also plays an important role in increasing the cost or reducing it. There are various roof designs that are introduced for sunrooms; include cathedral, straight, curved and conservatory. The roofs of sunrooms are normally made-up of aluminum with a coating that helps in restricting the injurious ultra violet rays of the sun from entering in the room. Aluminum costs are surely more than vinyl but vinyl provides more insulation that does the aluminum. If you are building a wooden sunroom then keep in mind that it can cost very much to you because it requires the proper maintenance and care. Make sure to build a budget for this project before you select designs for your sunroom.

Andrew Caxton is a freelance writer. Learn more about sunroom addition and patio enclosures at http://www.allsunrooms.com/enclosures.html

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Install Kitchen Cabinets - House Remodeling Ideas

One of the best ways to economize on your kitchen project cabinets, thank about installing on your own.

If you have the correct hardware with some strategic planning, the procedure is really quite simple.

You will need to make up a plan to successfully attack the installation of you your kitchen cabinet with a friend or partner, though, because it's very difficult to position those cabinets alone.

Continue to study this to learn the information about how to easily install kitchen cabinets by yourself!

* Before anything else, assemble the cabinets employing the instructions that accompanied them.

* Employ a pencil to lightly mark the cabinet positioning. Insure that they will be level and will not interfere with your electrical outlets, will permit you to use your current plumbing, and things if this nature. How dreadful would it be if you found when your installation was complete you determine that your sink doesn't fit..

* It does not matter hardly at all, you can choose to install the wall or the floor units first. Included instructions direct you need to install the units of the floor first, however if you are more comfortable you can do it the other way around.

* Employ a stud locator to find the studs for each cabinet. Make certain to fasten the cabinets to the studs, and use cabinet screws instead of using drywall screws. Drywall screws just can't cope with the weight of kitchen cabinets.

* Bore guide holes. This prevents your cabinets from splitting and results in the cleanest joins.

* Fasten the cabinets to the wall studs employing a cabinet screw at the top and bottom of the cabinet unit. For sturdier cabinets, it's a very good idea additional to screws to buttress the weight.

* Examine each cabinet to make sure that it's level before securing it to anything. It could be necessary to add filler material like wood slats or tile underlayment beneath the units to insure your cabinet's level.

* Set the corner cabinets first, since it will be impossible to move the wall if you end up with less space than anticipated! Subsequently install the other units around them. If you have voids between the units or need to adjust one down to allow for the wiring or plumbing, place a wood panel in-between the units.

* When you're ready to install non-corner units, it would be a important idea to fasten them together, and then attach them to the wall. This assures that the front panels are flat and flush with each other.

* In the case of wall units, the procedure is nearly the same, however if you have really sturdy ones, you will most likely need to employ wood pieces called "shims" beneath them to help underpin the bulk.

* You may choose to employ a friend or partner to help hold up the cabinets, however if you followed the suggestion to connect your cabinets into a row before you put them up, it's going to be difficult to handle all that bulk. Experiment with stacking buckets or paint cans beneath the units to assist in keeping them up there. You should still to have your helper hold tightly; it would be really despicable if they fell over and were blemished or fractured

* Once you have got all of the screws into place, you will need to carefully remove the supports.

Complete Renovations | Home Improvement Loan | Home Decorating | Kitchen Backsplash | Public Designs

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

Aluminum Garage Doors Are Badly Damaged

Serious damage to a section or sidings of the aluminum garage doors calls for immediate replacement. This can be a dilemma for consumers if the sidings are no longer available or when the manufacturer has closed down shop. Problems arising from siding repair often happen to owners with garage door openers installed for about two to three decades at most.

Since aluminum garage doors are those that are frequently used in American households, it would be difficult for them to seek an exact replica of the damaged door. Not a very alarming matter though since there are some garage door manufacturers who still make custom-made sidings up to this day.

For those who still remain patrons of aluminum sidings, here are some of the things to do when aluminum doors get damage:

Make vertical cuts on each ends of the sidings badly damaged by using tin snips, horizontally cutting along the center;
Keep in a steady position the nailed upper section of the sidings then remove its lower half;
Carefully cut the nailing tab located at the top of the replacement piece;
Make sure to spread a generous amount of butyl gutter seal along the nailed section sidings then press to fit the lower replacement piece, sealing intensely;
Apply silicone caulking compound or a butyl gutter seal considerably to the joints of the garage sidings.

Here's a point to ponder: If the sidings of the aluminum garage doors is impossible to fix, never hesitate to call a local siding contractor if the job is too much for you to handle.

One of the disadvantages of aluminum garage doors is that they are easily dented, broken or damaged. Since replacement can be expensive, the cheaper and more practical alternative is to have someone fix it. Find out how to fix a broken or damaged garage door part safely and properly

Painting A French Door

Researching a General Contractor in New York

This may come as a shock to many; the State of New York does not require a general contractor to have a state-issued license. Other large states like Illinois and Texas also do not require the GC to have a license, but these are in the minority. To be a general contractor New York, or a remodeling contractor New York, or in New York City, one can get a Home Improvement Contractor License. This process is officiated by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The contractor New York with a satisfactory rating on the web can be your best bet. In addition to tracking down a report from the Better Business Bureau or checking with the above discussed Consumer Affairs agency, making sure that a contractor in New York has made other customers happy is a good indicator that you will be satisfied as well.

The procedure of researching a New York contractor should also include a determination on the status of their liability insurance. If something goes wrong in the building you live in as a result of the work being done in your apartment, liability insurance will become very important. The same goes for worker injuries or damaged property. Liability insurance data for a general contractor in NY can usually be found on the Buildings Information System website.

Be sure to make a checklist of places to read about a prospective contractor New York, from directory websites, to their own homepage, to government agencies to consumer agencies so that you can make the decision with all the facts.

Myself webmaster of http://www.cityhammer.com dealing in all type of Home improvement and remodeling need such as interior designer New York, interior decorator New York, electrician New York, flooring New York, carpenter carpentry New York, cleaning service New York.

I Have A Squeaky Floor

Waterproofing Contractors All Look the Same - Carlsbad Construction

If you're standing in the middle of a pile of papers, brochures and handouts, inspection sheets and business cards, you're not alone. Many people feel not only overwhelmed by the sheer number of people doing basement waterproofing all over America, but are overwhelmed by the details that go into a job like this. People get strung out on quality vs. price, marketing and internet related posts.

The question boils down to: How Do I Pick a Basement Waterproofing Company to fix my Wet Basement Problem?

1.) Do they outsource their work?
In other words, is what they're saying they're going to do something they're actually going to do themselves, or do they hand it to someone else? Outsourcing is a great way for companies to cheaply hire other workers to work on a job by job basis. This allows them to get massive amounts of work done quickly. Quickly isn't always the "best."

This can lead to other problems down the road. Such as holding the company liable for any issues you're having with the install, insurance, or payments.

If a company supports its own crews it's much easier to cover the workers, receive payments directly and swiftly deal with any issues the customer might have. Direct communication with a support staff typically leads to a higher customer satisfaction rate because of boss-employee relations. A crew you hire out randomly doesn't have to call you back or be accountable for anything. A crew that works for the company has their jobs and the company's reputation on the line. Quality of service and install are then typically better.

2.) Price.

Price is a huge factor for many people.

If a company immediately says that they can knock a few thousand dollars off for "X,Y,Z" that's a huge red flag. They wouldn't have been able to take off that amount of money if it wasn't "fluff" or mark-up.

The trick is applying this to the overall scheme of things. If a company comes to $2,000 for a 120 foot job, then that's a red flag: What kind of material are they using? Are they using cheep outsourced labor? Is what they're giving me something I could find at Home Depot? For the other end of the spectrum, if the company is $16,000 for that same 120 foot job: What am I getting for this? Is it worth it to me? Can I modify, upgrade the system and finish after? If you notice that the company then knocks off that "fluff" factor, then that should also be a red flag: How much is mark up? Is the product really good quality if they could come down in price that fast?

If there are no red flags ask about second options to get you moving in the same direction. Any company that's not willing to work with you around your budget isn't worth doing business with in the first place.

Jacob Lee- pioneer basement http://www.pioneerbasement.com

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Technologies of Home Improvement - Siding and Chemical Treatment

The modern homeowner has a wealth of opportunities available to them to improve and refine their homes. In the past, it was often believed that the homeowner must take responsibility for every aspect of their home through a hands-on, attentive, and time consuming process of detail adjustment, surveillance, adaptation, and analysis.

While it is true that the modern homeowner has not been completely absolved of the necessities of care and commitment, recent technological advancements, specifically in the fields of lawn care and home siding, have been able to provide unique opportunities and advantages for homeowners from the 20th century. However, with these advantages come unique problems as well. One should examine the technologies of James Hardie siding and environmentally friendly pesticides to consider their strengths and weaknesses.

James Hardie siding is a relatively new invention that claims to be fire resistant and affordable. We can defer the need to examine the affordability of this product momentarily so that we can consider the advantages of fire-proof home siding. This may be an instance of a new technological advancement that solved a problem that few, if any homeowners even knew that they had.

It is in fact the case that traditional home siding is flammable and is often the cause of serious fire damage during a home crisis. While infrequent, when a house fire spreads to the outside siding of a residence, it can exacerbate the damage and spread around the house at a moment's notice. On this point, James Hardie siding is a clear advantage as it is inflammable and will not put the homeowner at risk of exterior home damage.

The second technology to consider is environmentally friendly pesticide. Many homeowners are been keenly aware of the environmental damage that is caused by pesticides and chemical treatments. In recent years, however, new, environmentally friendly products have been released to aid in the control of your lawn's pests without damaging the environment at large.

Likewise, this technology is a clear advancement over prior treatments, but it should not be considered the solution to all chemical problems- even environmentally friendly can be harmful if used too frequently or before rainstorms.

Both technologies have been demonstrated to be improvements over past products. The remaining issue is the affordability of both products. It cannot be said with any degree of certainty that an individual should purchase these new technologies. In a time of economic crisis it is too much to presume to know the individual financial situations of homeowners. It is up to the homeowner to decide to budget and analyze their own financial circumstances to see if they can afford the new technologies of home ownership.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Preferred Siding. The siding contractor provides James Hardie and Hardiplank Siding throughout the Northern Virginia area. For more information on their cosmetic surgery Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

Fixings Squeaking Stairs

Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail

Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.

What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.

This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.

I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.

He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.

Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.

The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about stair handrail safety and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.

Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.

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

If you're interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest stair building tools, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

Waterproofing Basement Walls - House Remodeling Ideas

Are you considering waterproofing basement walls in your home? Have you decided that you are sick of having leaks and cracks in your basement walls and you are ready to do something about it? There are only two real options when it comes to waterproofing a basement. Here are your options and what you should do.

First, you can always do it yourself and some people will find this very cost efficient and productive for them. If you like to work with your hands and fix things, and you are good at it, then this might be for you.

You will need to prepare the walls by getting rid of all loose mortar, dirt, and any other contaminants. Also, make sure to use a wire brush and get rid of any old paint. These things can keep your waterproofing from working correctly and can cause leaks in the future.

Then, you will need to fill in all the cracks and scratches with a good concrete solution made for basements. After you have done this you need to find a very good quality waterproofing solution that is made for basement.

Now, do not make the mistake of only using one coat. Make sure you use at least 2 coats and you are much better off if you just go ahead and use three coats to be safe.

If you do not want to do this job yourself you can hire a licensed contractor to do it for you. They will give you an estimate, which better be free, and they will tell you what you need to protect your home. You need to make sure they have plenty of experience with waterproofing basement walls and that they have a good reputation. This will ensure that you get the quality job you want and do not have to worry about your basement anymore.

Get the Waterproofing Basement Walls you desire and stop your basement from flooding here"

Waterproofing Basement Walls

Residential Wind Turbines - Cut Your Energy Bills

Wind turbines have been in existence for a very long time now. As soon as we hear the wind turbine images of huge towers with massive blades come to mind. With rapid advances in technology though, compact residential wind turbines have become a reality. They are so compact in size that you can easily install them in your backyard. You can now cut down on your energy bills, as well as contribute towards a cleaner environment.

The working mechanism involved in residential wind turbines is quite simple. Wind turns the blades of the domestic turbine, which is in turn connected to a DC motor. The current that is induced is then stored in batteries. You can then use it to power various different home appliances such as a computer or a TV.

The internet is a good source of information, if you want to build your own wind turbine. In fact the rising popularity of residential wind turbines can be directly attributed to numerous online guides on the topic.

Proper planning holds the key to building your own wind turbine. You should first of all make a list of all the things that you will need for the project. Building your own wind turbine need not be a costly affair. You can easily shop for most of the supplies at a local hardware store.

For those living in a windy area, a short tower will do. Conversely for those living in an area where there are only low winds, they need to put up a tower that is a tall enough to catch the wind. Even a slight breeze though is enough to turn the technologically advanced blades that you find these days.

If you are someone searching for more information on residential wind turbines, the internet is your best ally. You will be in fact pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to build one. You can find detailed instructions on building your own wind turbine by visiting, W3Reviews.