Recycling Your Old Appliance

Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle are three words that environmentalists take seriously. But these words resonate much farther than just in the environmentalist communities. Average people are well informed about the environment and are doing more to help protect it. Going "green" can be as simple as taking refundable soda cans to the local depot or donating clothes that your kids have out-grown. Other simple ideas include re-using old craft supplies or composting table scraps. But what about when you need to get rid of some really big household items? The 3 R's seem to become more complicated when you're faced with disposal of large items like appliances. Here are some tips to help you figure out what to do with your old refrigerator or stove.

Does your old appliance still work?

Maybe you've updated your kitchen and purchased new appliances but your old ones still work great. The first thing you should do is to check out your local donation programs. Many programs offer local pick-up service and have lists of families in need that would be happy to have a working appliance. Your neighborhood Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity are great places to start or you can also check out here for more information and charitable organizations.

You can also check out your local Bounty and Municipal Programs. A quick call to your electric utility will let you know if a program is available in your area. In general, the appliances must be working and meet certain conditions to qualify but if they do you could be in line for a nice little rebate. Your municipality will let you know if they will pick up your old appliance or where you can drop it off for disposal. To get more details check out the Environmental Protection Agency's FAQ on disposing appliances or call your municipality.

Refrigerants Need Special Attention

Refrigerators, dehumidifiers and air conditioners all contain dangerous refrigerants, like Freon, which can damage the ozone if not properly disposed. If you have one of these appliances and they are no longer in working order or do not qualify for one of the above programs, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency's website for tips on proper disposal. Never attempt to remove refrigerants yourself as they can harm you as well as the environment.

Keeping our environment safe and protecting it for our children is everyone's responsibility. Make sure that you evaluate all of your options before getting rid of your old appliances. Choosing the option that helps out your community and doesn't harm the environment makes everyone a winner.

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

"Windows, Insulation and Doors, Oh My!" - Materials and Practices in High Performance Homes

In my last article I defined High Performance Homes; A High Performance Homes is one that uses sustainable materials, is energy efficient, and uses value added green building practices that causes it to be friendlier to the environment. In the next few articles we will look at some of the materials and practices used to produce the High Performance Home.

The single biggest heat sink or energy robber in a home is the windows. There are several things to consider here. First and foremost is the total square footage of windows. Ive never had someone come to me and say Ronnie build me a home thats dark and doesnt have many windows. Always it goes like this,I want a home that is light and airy. Then of course the buyer covers all of the windows with blinds, shades, shutters, drapes, curtains, or heaven forbid foil and seldom opens them due to excessive heat, cold or allergens in the air.

What should you do when designing or selecting a new home? Be realistic. The more windows, the bigger the windows, the bigger the utility bills. If you can, keep your windows down to 15% or so of the exterior wall square footage. Strategically place them to maximize views and limit the direct exposure to the sun. Keep the windows from facing the East or West this will help tremendously. If the windows can be located under a porch or patio so that it has a large overhang protecting them they will perform much better. Also, a larger Cornish overhang will help protect windows as well as shade the exterior walls.

There is an organization that evaluates windows and scores them as to how you can expect them to perform; giving the consumer a chance to be sure they are getting the best product for their money. It is The National Fenestration Rating Council. They subject windows to testing and prescribe how they must be built to obtain a certain score. The scoring speaks to the ability of the windows to block the transmission of heat and ultraviolet rays.

Look for windows that have a low U-Factor score. This score indicates the windows ability to block heat. A lower score is better. Many builders are using good windows with scores in the .50 range. I like those that are .35 or lower. The next score to look at is Solar Heat Gain. Again many windows are being installed with a score around .50. We install those with a score of .32 or lower. Lower is better here as well. Then, the window coverings mentioned before will add additional protection from heat and ultraviolet penetration.

Let me briefly mention doors. Most doors today are made of steel, fiberglass, wood or glass. Nothing insulates like insulation. Hollow doors like steel or fiberglass can be filled with insulation. Wood is not a particularly good insulator and glass is worse. Generally I prefer steel with fiberglass a close second. These doors dont rot or warp and provide the most security and energy efficiency.

Try to avoid sliding glass doors, after all, what are they but large windows and therefore a big heat sink. And double French doors are hard to keep from leaking heat in or out of your home. If you need that look think of placing a window close to a door or 2 separately cased doors close to each other.

In my next article we will continue to explore best building materials and practices and talk specifically about insulation.

Copyright 2007

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder
For more information about this article and other energy saving tips, visit our website http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

Pocket Door Problems

Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation

When building a home, insulation is one of the major aspects that can cut future heating and cooling costs. Fiberglass insulation has been the primary choice, but not anymore.

Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation

People have become much more sensitive to environmental and energy savings issues when building homes. Whereas such subjects were rarely discussed 20 years ago, they are now on the front burner for many of us. This transition has been so extensive that homebuilders now incorporate both issues in their projects and use their solutions as selling points. If these subjects have become part of the marketing, you know the transition to more environmental and energy consciousness has come full circle.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the newspapers you haul out to curb with the other recycling every week? Since I am mentioning it in this article, it is probably obvious the newspapers are being turned into insulation products. This relatively new insulation product is quickly overtaking fiberglass insulation in new home building projects, remodels and additions. Known as fiber insulation, it is more environmentally friendly than fiberglass, less expensive and just as good at sealing homes.

Fiber insulation is typically made up of recycled newspapers. Yes, those newspapers you haul out to the curb each week with the trash. Small amounts of ground up cardboard can also be included in some products. The material is shredded and then treated with acrylic binders to make the material hold together. To prevent fires, it is treated with various forms of fire retardant materials.

Fiber insulation almost always comes in a loose fill form. The loose fill is typically blown into cavities requiring insulation instead of being stapled up as seen with traditional fiberglass rolls. The material usually goes in dry, but there are wet versions that are sprayed on much like more traditional spray on insulation products.

As you may know, recycling newspaper is something everyone does these days. Just take a look down the street on garbage day. Recycle boxes of newspapers are on every driveway. This massive recycling produces tons of shredded newspaper material. Frankly, it cant be turned into usable materials fast enough. This inventory problem means the material is extremely cheap. As a result, fiber insulation can cost up to 25 percent cheaper than fiberglass insulation.

Whether you are building new, doing an improvement or just adding on, fiber insulation represents a good deal on all fronts. Just tell them you want the stuff made out of recycled newspapers.

Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on solar power and renewable energy.

Need Help Remodeling In Carlsbad

Installing a Walk in Shower

Installing a walk in Shower needn't be as big of a problem as it would first appear. With a little advanced planning and organising your self, it can be a fun and interesting project to work on. With a big sense of satisfaction in the end result. Done properly it will last for years to come and look great every single day.

The following is some helpful tips and advice to help make your project that little bit easier and more successful.

I am going to have to assume that you have already purchased a walk in shower , that you have enough space available to fit it in, that you are happy the cubicle and tray offers you enough space for your needs and that you have at least some basic diy skills.

Some forward planning and thinking about the job at hand will make the installation be a little less painful. Some of the things to consider are:

Water supply, is it easily accessible for installing and connecting the shower.

Walls, are they clear of old decoration and plaster/render in good condition.

Floor is it strong enough to take the extra weight or does it need strengthening?

Waste, Can you get to it? Is the drain able to run the water away from the shower?

Electricity, is there any electrical wiring under the shower area or in the wall where you are working? If so, consider moving it now as it will be much easier.

Is the general working area clean and clear of unnecessary clutter?

If any of the above need sorting get those done first. Taking time with the preparation stage will make a huge difference to the finished project.

Leave your new walk in shower in it's packaging so as not to loose or damage anything, of course check that everything is there in the first place.

After you have sorted all the above and that you are satisfied that the area is ready to install your walk-in shower. Get yourself a assistant as some of these cubicles can be very hard to assemble on your own.

Take your time with the whole process.

Read and understand the fitting instructions before starting and lay everything out, somewhere out of the way. You don't want to put your foot on the glass door and break it at this stage!

Things to remember with installing your walk in shower and tray.

Water, will over time destroy any porous materials it comes in to contact with.

Water, can be the cause of mildew and mould to build up

Water, running will find the path of least resistance. If there is a small whole water will make it bigger and bigger.

Water damage is one of the most common problems in modern homes.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply walk in shower products across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Concrete Stained Sheathing

Cheap Hotels - Find Discount Hotel Deals Online

When traveling one of the most important things you will do is to book a hotel and finding the best price possible can really benefit you. To find a great hotel room at a discount price you need to use the internet to search for the best deals. There are a lot of major websites to search such as hotels.com and Expedia but it is important that you extent your search beyond these sites because hotels that do not sell out want to fill rooms and this is when you can get a bargain. It is also a good idea to check with the hotel that you are wanting to stay with and see if they have any specials through them as well.

You can also save a lot of money with discount cards such as AAA, Automobile Card, etc. These organizations allow you to save on some of the most popular hotel chains that are out there. You might want to call them and ask if they have any additional discounts that are not on there website because in some cases they will run a special of the month. There are also many discount travel websites that you can sign up for and they will alert you when there is a discount in the area that you are looking.

Remember that finding a discount on a hotel room is not hard to do but you need to do your homework so that you can get the best room possible at the best price. You also want to make sure that if you find a site you like then bookmark it for future use.

Find : Cheap Hotel Rooms

Get the: Best Discount Hotels

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Discount Airfares and Cheap Vacations

Mold Under Floor Tile

Your Bathroom Needs Glass Tile

Most people want to use mosaic tile somewhere in their home. The bathroom is the ideal place to get creative and install glass tile. There are many potential locations for your glass including the shower, sink backsplash, floor, and entire walls.

The shower is probably the most common install location for glass mosaic tile in the bathroom. Whether you choose to use just one solid color throughout or create a blend of colors that you want instead, you can cover the entire area for a reasonable price if you shop around. Another popular use in the shower is to use large 12" tiles on the wall and run a border of colorful glass tiles at the waistline. You can go one step further and tile that shower seat or shower inset with the same shiny glass tiles.

The sink backsplash is a great way to add a little bit of color to a somewhat boring room. Choose a tile blend that compliments the countertops. You can install this tile between the mirror and the countertop at a very low cost. If you want to add more zing to your room then tile all the way to the ceiling wrapping around your mirror.

The small mosaic tiles will make your room appear larger. If your bathroom is very small then you might consider installing glass tile on one entire wall. This will enlarge your space and add amazing color and texture. If you tile the wall across from your mirror then the reflection will enlarge the area even more.

Most glass tiles will work perfect on a floor. Check with your supplier to verify that the tile you like is floor friendly first. The best thing about using this tile on your bathroom floor is that it is easier to install than large ceramic tiles. These are so small that you simply cut the sheets to work around the toilet, sink, and shower areas. No need for a wet saw. Some might ask if it is really safe to put glass tile on the floor. If using mosaic tile that is 1" or smaller then you will a lot of grout joints. This in itself will give you plenty of texture and makes them slip resistant. Vitreous glass tile is somewhat textured on the surface and will add even more grip for your floor.

Once you decide what tiles you want to use and where you want to use them, you will need to install these. Whether you install them yourself or use a professional, make sure to use the appropriate adhesive and grout. The best grout to use in a bathroom is an epoxy grout. It is more difficult to work with but it will not stain or mildew. In a bathroom, this is a great perk.
Choose to keep it neutral or go wild with vivid colors but definitely express yourself in the bathroom. It is the one place that you can step out of your comfort zone and create an amazing look.

Tammy Wise has been creating mosaic art for over 9 years. She has been published in major glass magazines and has done mosaic commission work for businesses. Tammy currently owns her own mosaic business in Owasso, Oklahoma. Tile Shack Mosaic Supplies ships superior products all over the world. Find plenty of supplies plus more information on mosaics at http://www.tileshack.com

Roof Truss Repair

The Luxury Bathroom Upgrade - How to Turn Your Bathroom into an Oasis

For many homeowners, the bathroom is becoming more than just a water closet. Its becoming a place to relax and unwind after a stressful day. Creative redesigners are taking their cues from upscale spas and hotels, making their bathrooms into a luxurious oasis in the home. These are just a few ways you can bring the dayspa into your home.

Upgrade your sink. Today, redesigning a bathroom is more than just adding a Jacuzzi tub. Its about creating a consistent look and little touches of luxury. Many people looking to redesign their bathroom choose to install two sinks in the master bath. This can add a great sense of space to any bathroom. But todays redesigners are also taking cues from luxury bathrooms in hotels and spas. Marble, stone, and even sculptured glass sinks add a beautiful accent to any bathroom. When considering a creative sink area, however, make sure you allow as much counter space as youll need

Consider lighting. Most of us catch the first glimpse of ourselves in the bathroom mirror every morning. If you like what you see, the rest of your day is just a bit brighter. If you dont, it could put a damper on the day. But many of us dont give much thought to the lighting in the bathroom. It needs to be bright enough to allow you to shave or apply makeup without squintingbut soft enough to flatter your face. Using frosted or coated glass bulbs can soften white light without cutting back on brightness. Consider two sconces on either side of your mirror, at eye levelthis will even out unflattering shadows youd get from an elevated light source. Avoid exposed bulbs, as these provide harsher lighting.

Stylish fixtures. The fixtures in your bathroom make a big statement about your style. Chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel are all modern mainstays. Many homeowners choose brass for a more antique look. Whichever style you choose, make sure your style is consistent both at the tap and in the shower or bathmismatched taps can give a bathroom an unfinished look.

Steam showers. If you really want to transform your bathroom into a home luxury spa, consider a steam shower. Its a self-enclosed unit that uses a steam generator to convert the water from your tap into steam. Steam showers are watertight, can be temperature-controlled, and are approximately the same size as a traditional shower. High-end steam showers often come with an array of features, including voice activation, massage jets and foot massagers, and even outlets for an Mp3 player, a radio, or a telephone.

Beautiful tubs. The bathtub is usually the largest piece of furniture in your bathroomand the right one can really make a statement. A gorgeous clawfoot tub gives a sense of antique elegance. A Jacuzzi tub gives your bathroom an opulent, luxurious ambience. Sunken and elevated tubs give a strong sense of style. Some redesigners hang a pendant light over the bath to transform it from a utilitarian space into a place to relax and read.

Creative enclosures. You can make a statement with your shower by installing an attractive enclosure. Clear glass enclosures give even a small bathroom a spacious look. To really add to your bathrooms style, look for a shape other than the traditional sheet of glass between two walls. A round or corner shower enclosure adds a serious punch to the look of your bathroom.

Luxury touches. Opulent bathtubs, creative shower enclosures, the right lighting, and designer fixtures can make a big difference in any bathroom. But to really bring a sense of luxury into your bathroom, dont forget the little things. Heated towel rails can really make you feel pamperedtheres nothing like stepping into a warm, soft towel after a nice long soak. Bathrooms can get chilly in the winter months, so add a designer radiator that matches your dcor. To really pamper yourself, spend a little extra for the softest, fluffiest towels you can find, in a color that complements your bathroom.

Installing a luxury bathroom is the perfect way to pamper yourself. And you dont need a big budget to bring the spa into your bathroom. A Jacuzzi tub or a steam shower are wonderful additions to any bathroombut you can give your bathroom a spa feel even with a more subtle redesign. Elegant designer taps, heated towel rails, new lighting, and soft towels are all inexpensive ways to make your bathroom an oasis in the home.

R Dobson is director of WD Bathrooms UK bathroom and shower specialists. For more information on bathrooms and showers visit the online store at http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk

Fascia Damage From Metal Flashin

You Can Learn How to Tile a Shower That Won't Leak

You can learn how to tile a shower like many others have done. The shower is usually done first in a bathroom since it involves the most cuts. The real key to getting a tile shower right is the shower floor. But there are some basics that must be right on the other surfaces too.

The shower floor is more than meets the eye. That's because water seeps right through the tile and grout on the floor. That's why some kind of waterproof layer must be in the pan. Many times a tile ready shower pan is used that is designed for tile to be installed right over it. Now this isn't an acrylic pan like you see at a building supply house. It's a special pan.

Now the traditional shower pan is built on the job using layers of masonry and a special drain. It's a special drain because it has two levels of drain holes. The lower level catches water from a waterproof vinyl layers that's built in to the masonry pan. That's the trick to a pan that doesn't leak, the waterproof vinyl layer and the special drain.

Once the tile floor is done, working lines are marked on the back wall and the sides. Spread adhesive on the walls and then apply tile. Install tile from back to front so cut tiles are in the front and hidden in the corners.

If you want to tile the ceiling this is usually done before the walls. The ceiling tiles will usually stick without support. If not, support each course with a piece of plywood supported by 2x4's.

Building the curb is another project. The curb can be formed with wood or brick. The curb is then trimmed out as part of the finish trim out work. Grout work is done after the tile adhesive is dried. Then some careful caulking is completed. Especially important is caulking in corners and between the pan and the walls.

You can learn how to tile a shower. The shower pan construction is the most challenging part and it's often left to the pros. That's partly because the shower pan is something of a mystery. That special drain and the waterproof membrane properly installed is the key to getting it right. The best way to really learn how to do this is to watch a shower pan being built.

You can get access to video tutorials showing how to tile a shower the professional way including how to tile shower walls and put in accessories too.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.

New Wall Under Roof Rafters

Bathtub Surround Installation DIY Guide

You can install a tub surround kit over your regular walls, whether they be tile or any other hard, solid material. Typically, you want to consider bathtub surround installation if the current walls of your bath area are dated or unattractive.

Generally, you'll need a small screwdriver, pencil, pocket knife, tape measure, level, and a jig saw. You'll also want to make sure that you have an installation kit, adhesive with the proper applicator, coarse sandpaper, and caulk.

When using a tub surround installation kit, each will have their own directions specific to that product kit. You want to make sure that your read the directions carefully and thoroughly.

You'll want to following the following general directions when installing your tub surround.

First, you'll want to remove the spout, faucet handles, and all accessories from around the bath tub, and set them aside.

You'll want to go ahead and repair the damaged areas on the current walls that surround the tub, and if you will be installing over ceramic tile, you'll want to use the coarse sandpaper to enhance the grip abilities of the adhesive.

Clean the area between the tub and the wall, and re-caulk if you need to.

Next, you'll want to mark the bathtub surround installation area, including the location of the faucet, spout, and whatever else will stick out of the wall; cut out the areas on the template and use them to mark the location on the tub surround panels and use the jig saw to cut out the holes.

You'll want to next hold the panels in place according to the manufacturers instructions and mark the location of the top and sides on the wall so that you can make sure that the panels will be level.

Next, apply the adhesive according the the manufacturer's directions, paying close attention to the time you should expose the glue before affixing the panels because if you don't allow enough time, the adhesive will not bond properly.

Once you attach the panels to the wall, according to the manufacturer's instructions, you'll want to let the tub adhesive dry properly before turning on the water. Go ahead and replace the faucet, spout, and other accessories at this time.

Lastly, you'll want to seal all the joints with caulk and letting that dry before turning on the water to the tub.

Bathtub surround installation is a pretty easy do it yourself project. Just make sure that you have help with the project, and if you get lost call a professional. Source: Bathtubinstallationinc dot com, Louis Zhang

Get a free guide on bathtub installation. Find out how to install bathtub surround, drain, shower head, faucet, plumbing at http://www.bathtubinstallationinc.com

Cut Electrical Wire

How to Upgrade a Master Bath With Home Hardware

Today's busy and stressful lifestyles are causing homeowners to seek refuge in their master bathrooms. They're looking for a peaceful get-a-away after a hectic day and a master bath can often be the perfect solution. But what if your master bath isn't exactly what you want it to be? Upgrading a tired master suite to one that really stands out means going the extra mile when it comes to redecorating. One of the easiest ways to turn an average master bath upgrade into a fabulous makeover is by paying special attention to the home hardware you use.

If you replaced your old vanity with a new stock vanity from your local home hardware center, you know they usually come with some pretty basic cabinet pulls and knobs. Why not change the plain-Jane hardware out for something a little more upscale? You can buy some fairly expensive drawer pulls and knobs and still not have to worry about the impact on your wallet. Home hardware in general is one of those little things that when used properly can make a huge impact and since you won't need too many pieces for most master bathrooms, you won't spend a lot even for quality cabinet pulls and knobs.

Follow a Theme throughout Your Master Bath

When upgrading a master bath it's important to remember the word continuity. In other words you want to make certain that you maintain a theme or style throughout the bath and this is especially true in the hardware you choose. If your faucets, shower heads and towel bars are stainless steel then you'll want stainless cabinet handles and drawer pulls as well. On the other hand if your fixtures are oil rubbed bronze you'll want to continue with the darker metal throughout. Mixing metal fixtures and hardware in your bath will make it seem miss matched, but you can mix your fixtures with other materials such as glass or marble as long as it's in keeping with the same style.

Maybe you're on a tight budget or your master bath is in good shape but just needs some freshening up. You can do wonders with a coat of paint, some new fixtures and cabinet pulls and knobs. If your bath is small, use light colors to open up the space. Consider repainting or staining your vanity and replace the old hardware with something completely different. You'll like the way the new bathroom cabinet pulls and knobs catch your eye every time you walk in.

Add Finishing Touches to Complete the Look

Sometimes upgrading your bath is simply a matter of changing the things you already have in it. Accessories can go a long way when upgrading the look of your master bath. Change the shower curtain, add some matching towels and try hanging artwork on the wall. Just make sure it's water proof! Use wicker baskets to store rolled up towels and body wash. Include an extra fluffy bath mat and add stainless steel cabinet handles and drawer pulls to create the look and feel of a European spa.

While you're out shopping for your new bathroom cabinet knobs why not pick up a few extra and create a matching towel and bath robe rack? Simply take a length of board, paint it to coordinate with the colors in your bathroom and attach the knobs. You can make it as plain or as fancy as your desires and skills allow. Hang it near the tub and shower area or where ever you need a place for some extra towels.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products. Your Home Supply offer selections on lighting fixtures, and stainless cabinet handles.Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Wave And Flood Home Damage

Sloping Floors in Your House

If you've ever been in a building where you feel like you are getting pushed to one side and you can't seem to stand up. You have either been drinking too much alcohol or the floor could be sloping. I was just in a store the other day that was full of antiques and glass but I could hardly stand up because the floor was sloping enough to create what I would consider a liability issue to the store owner.

Sloping floors are not going to be that easy to fix and repair. Repairing these floors will require a little skill and it would be a good idea to hire a professional to repair the damage. This is not going to be a simple fix and this is probably the main reason most people never choose to fix their sloping floors.

Fixing these floors will require either pouring a new concrete slab, replacing the wood floor framing members or replacing the actual building foundation itself. No matter how you look at it the sloping floor is going to be a costly item to repair.

What causes a sloping floor? Termite damage or dry rot destroying the wood framing or it could be as simple as a water leak over a long period of time causing the building foundation to sink and become out of level. Poor soil conditions with either too sandy or an expansive clay soil could be the culprit also.

Sloping floors can be damaged from incorrect landscape drainage. This would involve water settling around the foundation of your home and over a period of time the weight of the house along with soil problems can create the building to start sloping to one side.

The number one contributor to a sloping floor again like most damage done to a house is going to be water. Do your best to keep the water away from the house using roof gutters and landscape drains. These items are relatively inexpensive compared to the costs involved in repairing sloping floors.

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

Find out more about Water Damage.

Wood Backing For Toilet Pipe

Reflections on the Changing Bathroom

Hopefully you're lucky enough to have avoided the era when outhouses were the only option for bathroom essentials and indoor plumbing has "always" been. Believe it or not there are still some houses that are deliberately choosing to go without a modern bathroom, preferring to maintain the traditions of their past, but fortunately those are very few and far between.

Indoor plumbing was a major milestone in the lives of Americans and was first only for the rich. Despite this luxury the bathroom still focused on just three items, namely the sink, toilet and a tub, but you didn't spend any more time in the bathroom than absolutely necessary. It wasn't a haven of relaxation, it was a place to get the unmentionable bodily necessities handled and then go on your way. Today the bathroom has evolved into an oasis of peace and tranquility, even for those who aren't swimming in money.

Other changes have happened, too. There are more bathrooms per house than there used to be. Having only one bathroom in a house now severely cheapens its property value, you can sometimes add $15,000 to the bottom line just by putting in a full bath. Half baths still add value, but not as much. Where bathrooms used to be closed door rooms that were displayed only when required, they are now often highlighted as a modern oasis of style and luxury. There are so many design and feature options for bathrooms today. Whether you want tubs, showers, waterfall showers, or a simple sink and toilet you can have whatever you wish. Go European and add a bidet. Fixtures are made to reflect the styles of the past and present. From Victorian to rustic, anything is possible.

For more information on the possibilities of bathroom faucets and bathroom vanities please visit our website

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Structural Framing Beams

Let's start with the beams. They can be Glulam, Parallam, Microlam or even wood beams. What are all of these and why do I need them in my house. The beams are used to hold up parts of the house and are located in your walls, roofs and floors. Beams are used to transfer a load from one point to another.

Structural framing beams allow the architect to create large openings, floors and roofs in your house. The beams are also used to support the weight over the doors, windows and other openings in your home. These beams support massive amounts of weight in some cases and are even made of steel if needed.

Another growing problem is the lack of old growth trees in the forest. If we just used wood beams with out using the new engineered beams we would have to cut down a lot more of the bigger trees. So you can add these guys to your Christmas list. The lumber or wood engineers have come up with all sorts of alternatives for new building products. These new beams are just some of them. Keep up the good work guys...

Glulam is a engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or 2 x 4s that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. If you use a Glulam beam on the buildings exterior you will have to order a exterior Glulam beam. In this case the manufacture will use special exterior rated glues for the beam.

When ordering any wood engineered beams specify to the lumber yard what you are using the beam for. Exterior or Interior of the building. If you use a interior glulam over time there is a good chance of the beam delaminating or cracking apart.

Parallam is made from almost all of the wood on the log using veneer strands that are aligned parallel for maximum strength. The end product is a rectangular beam; which is longer, thicker, and stronger than solid-sawn lumber. They are often used as beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses.

Microllam is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. It is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature. Made in a factory under controlled specifications, Microllam products allow users to reduce the onsite labor. They are typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material.

These beams come in all sorts of different lengths, widths and heights. They are engineered to hold amazing amounts of weight. They really are great engineering marvels.

Tip: I have had to replace almost all of these types of beams over the years due to some form of damage. Like anything else in your home if it is used improperly there is a good chance your are going to have some sort of failure. I have seen people add weight to these structural beams with no thought of them ever failing.

If you are planning on building a room addition, rebuilding your roof, adding a floor or any other type of construction where you are adding a addition load to your house. You might want to consult with a building contractor or structural engineer.

Thanks Greg For Another Super Article On Home Building. For more great articles visit Greg at http://gregvan.com/

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

Floor Framing Plumbing Problem

Tuscan Decor in the Guest Room

If you have a guest room in your home, then it's there for one main reason - to make your guest feel at home while they are visiting.

Of course, any visitor will be spending most of their time with you, in the living room or traveling about the local area, but they'll want a place where they can retreat during the day to rest, as well as a place to retire in the evening - a little slice of home away from home.

In order to give your guest room that Tuscan look, there are a few items to consider.

Lighting

The lighting fixtures are important. Remove those shiny, modern fixtures of aluminum, and replace them with rustic designs - wall sconces of wrought iron, for example, or other types of metal with a distressed look to simulate age, with the decoration as scrollwork simulating grape vines.

Windows

Direct sunlight, over the course of time, will fade and damage fabrics and furniture, nevertheless it's always nice to be able to spread open the draperies to allow sunlight to flow into a room. For the Tuscan look, don't use a lot frills. Use plain draperies, with plenty of fabric gathered today, in shades of beige or brown or gold, so that their hues can be enhanced by the sunlight.

The Walls

Wall color is important as it gives the overall tone of the entire room. Golds and browns are popular colors, but what particularly evokes the feel of Tuscany is to give the walls an aged patina by using faux paint to make them resemble old, crumbling brick or plaster.

The Floor

For a true Tuscan look, aged hardwood floors, marble or tiled floors are a must. However, these types of floor can be expensive, and for a guest room that is only used once or twice a year, it may be an expense you don't want to incur. However, plenty of throw rugs with Tuscan designs scattered around the floor can give the appropriate feel as well.

Tuscan designs? Where are you going to get those? Easy - surf the web for Tuscan rugs and you'll find a vast array of authentic Tuscan designs.

Furniture

The bed, of course, is the main piece of furniture in the guest-room. No modern bedsteads with gleaming metal - choose wooden bedframes, ornately carved with bunches of grapes, for example, The blankets, bedspreads and pillows on the guest bed should be of dull colors invoking the earth or sky tans, browns, golds or blues.

If possible, the bookcases, bureaus and wardrobes and other furniture in the room should be of wood as well, very light or very dark-colored woods to give a sturdy, aged look. Antique furniture will give the appropriate look.

Accessories

The look of Tuscany is the look of the land - a land with rolling hills, vineyards, a vast blue bowl-like sky, and farmhouses that have been there for centuries. Accessories should call out this atmosphere of permanence - majolica or ceramic pottery, wrought iron candle holders, and so on.

Adam Peters is the author and editor of many wooden shutters articles and newsletters published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com Find more publications about tuscan decor at his website.

4 X 4 Post Connection To 4 X 8

How to Give Your Bathroom a Custom Look With Knobs and Pulls

Many homes today that have been purchased brand new or have been recently built suffer from something like a case of the blahs. The home itself is, of course, beautiful, or you wouldn't have bought it, but you may also find your new surroundings a bit sterile, particularly in the bathroom.

Brand new bathrooms are often done entirely in white - white walls, white tile flooring, white tub, white shower stall, white sinks...that's a lot of white, and certainly doesn't do much to show your personality. To really start feeling at home and comfortable in your new house and bathroom, you will want to put your own personal stamp on things, you'll want to express your unique sense of style, and the good news is that all that white makes the perfect canvas to put your creativity to work on.

Many of the things you can do to dress up your bathroom fall into the do-it-yourself home remodeling category. A bath remodel does not have to involve a contractor and a plumber, particularly when you just want to decorate the room, not tear it apart and start over again. If you don't want white walls, then a coat of paint in your favorite color will go a long way towards sprucing things up. Since much of the space in your bathroom is taken up by other things - toilet, tub, sink and vanity, medicine cabinet, shower stall - you can get away with painting the walls a bright or bold color without it being overpowering.

The next thing to look at is the shower curtains and window treatments. Adding in draperies for both the windows and the shower in a fabric that you love will instantly change the whole look of the room, and when you add in other matching bathroom accessories like rugs, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, and more, your bathroom is blah no more!

The last area to focus on is bathroom lighting and cabinet hardware. A beautiful new light fixture that blends in well with everything else you've done is an addition that is both functional and decorative, and to finish things off, choose knobs and pulls that complement either the room as a whole, or match the material your lighting fixture is made of. Bathroom cabinet knobs and drawer pulls come in a huge array of different styles and finishes, and while they are necessary items that you need in order to access your bathroom cupboards, your cabinet knobs can also be highly decorative.

It is easy - and if you shop carefully, also inexpensive - to put your mark on your plain bathroom and give it a custom look that lets your personality and style shine through.

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

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Home Basement Books

New Home Buyers Beware

Ican't believe how many homebuyers purchase a house, with very little information and a Lotta hope. I'm a general contractor and often work on these homes, after they have been purchased and a homeowner has their money, the real estate professional is no longer involved in the transaction and the new homeowner is starting to experience the pitfalls from buying the home, that they sincerely believe was in good condition.

It's usually somebody like me that gets involved with the new homeowners after everyone else is out of the picture and chooses not to return their phone calls or explains to them quite simply, it's not our responsibility, you're the new homeowner and we really feel sorry for you, please call us again if we can help you with anything.

You couldn't even help me with that, why would I want to call you again if I had a problem. I never could understand this thinking but have ran into it often. It sounds like an oxymoron when someone refuses to help you but offers you help in the future. What ever!!!.

If homebuyers had something else to rely on besides their real estate salesperson, home inspection service, mortgage or insurance professional, I believe they can eliminate some of these problems. Where do you start and how do you get the information. You can gather information from reputable people, books, the Internet and so on.

The problem is how do you know these people are reputable and the books on the Internet have good information. This brings us to another problem, but I've got the solution that will help eliminate some of the grief. I'm not going to remove all of the grief from your life but have a suggestion for you that will eliminate some of the pain when buying a home.

Arm yourself with a good home inspection checklist. You can search the Internet and they have quite a few good home inspection checklist to work with. These checklist can provide you with things you might not have thought of, and this is where you can eliminate some of the problems.

If you took one of these checklists with you while you were shopping for a home, you would be aware of some of the problems with the home. You might not find all of the problems but these checklist will help you with some of the problems.

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

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

Temporary Ceiling Repair

Want to Know How to Makeover Your Home For Less? Canvas Wall Art Prints

They say a picture paints a thousand words? We agree, and if your talking modern wall pictures for your contemporary home you cant go far wrong than considering a canvas artwork for your living space or office. There are a plethora of canvas art online galleries small and large out there - all of them offering different services at different prices. This article is aimed at providing a balanced view of what's hot and what's not in the world of canvases. We hope these somewhat abstract words of wisdom will help you in your quest to choose a great canvas art print for yourself.

A canvas print, also known as a stretched canvas or canvas art, is the result of an image printed onto a canvas which is stretched, or gallery wrapped onto a frame and displayed. Many sellers offer canvas art either stretched or unstretched. Stretched canvas takes the hassle out of the process for the buyer. Generally the canvas will be 'wall ready' straight out of the shipping box. However often you can save a little bit of cash buy asking for your canvas print to be shipped unframed, your print will probably arrive in a tube and you will then need to hand build a frame before hanging. I would always recommend spending a little extra of your hard earned cash on getting your canvas print framed. This way your leaving it to the experts to do what they do best.

Historically reproductions of original artwork have been printed onto canvas for many decades using what's commonly known as offset printing in the trade. In recent years the industry has exploded with the ever growing popularity of inkjet printers and digital photographic devices. Modern large format printers can print up to huge sizes up to 60 inches in width. This size and scale of canvas printing has meant an almost endless scope for design and decoration of photographic images and artwork. Walk into any contemporary restaurant these days and you can almost guarantee that you will find a huge macro focused image of the chef's latest culinary delight.

The growth of the internet in the digital age has had huge ramifications for the services that canvas art retailers can offer to their customers. Web 2.0 has meant development of many user generated software packages that allow anyone to load up photos, do basic effects to those pictures and reproduce them as canvas art prints. Some online canvas art sellers do nothing else other than produce artwork generated by users of their websites. Others have huge artwork catalogues that can be reproduced 'on demand' for customers rather than having to be pre made. We always recommend when considering which company to buy your canvas art from to check their delivery schedules before purchase. Some offer services within 48 hours others 2 weeks! Go for the 48hour option as weeks can often run unto months as the work builds up over busy periods.

The process of framing a modern canvas print takes skill and experience to achieve a professional quality finish. Make sure the print is tightly stretched over around the sides of a box stretcher frame when you receive it. Good stretcher frames will be professionally, accurately cut with a sloping profile that minimises contact with the front face of the canvas, preventing the impression marks. Without this slope you may find that over years rather than months the impression marks become so bad as to ruin the actual canvas picture. They should also be adjustable, supplied with tensioning wedges in each inside corner that can be tapped in slightly to allow occasional re-tightening of the canvas. To take the perceived risk out of the 'buying canvas art' equation look for sellers that offer no quibble money back guarantees for a period of time after receipt. Not only can you check out the quality against what we recommend in this article but you can also 'live with' the canvas wall artwork for a few days to check it matches your wall dcor and contemporary furnishings.

So what type of canvas art seller is best I hear you cry? Unfortunately we don't have a finite answer for that question but we have a few thoughts on things to look out for. Most wall canvas sellers come from a printing background... great you might think, what could go wrong? Well have a think, and look at the actual artwork they have on offer and compare it to other canvas sellers. You will see some similarities as they will probably buy images from stock photography sellers. As a piece of 'art' these canvas prints will be worthless over the long term. They lack a little integrity as they wont be limited editions signed by the artist, as there is no artist! Look out for information on artists, limited edition numbers and so forth, this is usually a good sign for the longevity of value for your canvas wall artwork. Make sure your canvas art retailer has one foot in the printing industry and the other dipped into the art world galaxy!

Luke Hollingworth is an artist and business person from a rural area in the United Kingdom. He works for a canvas wall art company called Art By People - http://www.artbypeople.co.uk

Hip Roof Soffit Corner

How New Taps Can Refresh Your Bathroom

Even if your bathroom is clean, spacious and modern, it may lack that extra zing to make it perfect. You can enhance your old or new bathroom by adding the smallest of items: new taps! But what type of tap do you choose? Can you fit them yourself? The range of tap styles is huge. From minimalist to luxury, modern to traditional, classical to contemporary there are taps to suit your bathroom style. Don't take your taps for granted; there's a lot about them you probably aren't aware of.

History at Your Fingertips

The humble tap has evolved a lot over the last few thousand years. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks were the first to invent simple valves. They diverted water from streams and rivers which was then used for drinking and farming. Water was now under control! The Romans took this idea further and piped water from wells and tanks into homes and public buildings. It wasn't until the late 1800s that the tap we are familiar with today was invented. The modern tap is a simple and very effective device. Inside the tap there is a valve or stopcock which stops of allows water to flow. Most taps have this design. The rest of the tap is just a means of directing water from your pipe. This means that designers have had a lot of fun creating ornate styles without affecting how the tap works.

Types of Taps

Taps are made from a range of materials, some more practical than others. For a bathroom, it's best to choose a hard-wearing tap made from brass rather than plastic. They will stand up to more knocks and have a longer lifespan. The most recognisable tap to most of us is the traditional Victorian tap. It's elegant design fits in with most types and styles of bathroom. Lever taps are very popular with people who like a modern look. They are easier for small children and the elderly to use as turning them on places less stress on the joints. You can opt for traditional sink taps or mixer taps. The advantages of mixer taps is that they save energy and water and allow a constant flow of cold, warm and hot water.

Washer or Ceramic Disc?

There are two ways the inside of a tap works, and both have pros and cons. Washer taps are the more traditional design and have a spindle, valve and washer. They are for use with both high and low pressure water systems, but washers will need replacing. The alternative is a tap that uses ceramic discs instead of a valve and washer. Upon pulling the lever two ceramic discs move apart and allow the water to flow. You'll never have to change a washer, they don't drip, are easy for the less able to turn on and off, and have a very long lifespan.

Fitting and Changing Your Taps

Someone with basic plumbing skills can fit or change a tap. Ease of fitting depends on your type of connector: a flexible hose or a rigid pipe. A flexible hose is easier to work with as it bends into any shape or space but is not as hard-wearing as a pipe. You need to make sure your water supply is turned off before you start! Loosen the nut that connects the pipe or hose to the tap with a spanner or wrench. If the nuts won't budge and space allows, try cutting them with a hacksaw then prising them apart with a screwdriver. Remove the taps. Give the area around the taps a good clean. Check the connectors on the end of the hose or pipe for any damage and replace if need be. Give them a good clean with an old toothbrush. Replace the rubber or fibre washer in the pipe or hose connector. Connect the taps to the pipe or hose using a spanner or wrench. Turn the taps on full to flush out any debris. Turn off the water if you get any leaks and recheck the connectors and replace if any flaws are found. As always, if you are in any doubt about what to do, contact your local plumber.

If you want to bring your bathroom up to date or just fancy a change, shiny new taps are a quick, easy and cheap way to bring new life to your bathroom.

Harry Young is Internet Marketing Project Manager for Tapsnbaths, the online specialists in quality affordable bathroom products. To see our full product range, including taps, baths, and bathroom suites visit TapsnBaths.

Building Contractor Books
Green Home Building Books

Removing Interior Walls

Here's a word of advice for any contractor, Carpenter, handyman or homeowner that is planning to remove an interior wall from your home or someone else's. Beware of removing interior walls, to eliminate your fears of the house collapsing. Some of the interior walls inside of the house are important structural components of the building.

Some of these walls hold up floors, roofs and other loadbearing sections that could create safety problems within the structure of the house itself. This is an area where an expert with framing skills should be consulted. What is the definition of someone with excellent framing skills? Some one with at least 10 years as a master framing carpenter.

My home building experience consists of three decades for over 30 years of assembling some of the most difficult sections of a home. During these years I have seen damage done to houses from removing structural interior walls. Most of this damage could be repaired with a little structural engineering. Some of the damage could not be repaired and caused other damage to different sections of the house. The damage caused in some cases to the floor and the roof framing had to be completely rebuilt.

I'm not telling you about every single thing I have ran into but you would be surprised if I started to make a list of all the homeowners and professionals in the building industry or home selling and buying business that contacted me to remove a structural component of a building. There have even been a few of these people that told me everything was going to be okay just go ahead and remove the structural building component.

Needless to say I would leave these people very irritated but I'm sure they found someone to do the job. The bad news is I was normally the person they would hire to go back and repair the damaged building after these people were gone and out of business. There have been cases where people have removed an interior walls against my better judgment and over the years of driving by in these homes I personally got to witness the structural damage that was occurring on the outside of the house.

I have no idea what the inside of the house looked like but could only imagine. My advice again when removing interior walls is to hire an experienced contractor or at least get some advice from an experienced framing carpenter. This does not include your basic know it all that has basic construction experience like your father in law, parents, friends, golfing associates or people you work with that tell you not to worry about it, just do it, everything will work out just fine.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and What Does A Shear Wall Do

Moss Growing On Stucco

Easy Remodeling Primer for Flipping Real Estate

If you've ever considered flipping real estate to make some extra income, only to be dissuaded at the prospect of having to self-manage a sizable remodel on a particular piece of property, you're not alone. In fact, many people, though excited at the thought of buying, renovating, and selling an old fixer-upper, think they either don't have the time, and/or the necessary knowledge to even consider such an undertaking.

The reality, however, is that anyone, even a first-timer, can manage a small-to-medium-sized renovation with some thoughtful pre-planning, and a hands-on approach to monitoring your project. I'm not suggesting that you can just step right into a general contractor's shoes and do something that he/she does on a daily basis. What I am saying, however, is that you can manage a successful remodel by simply giving some forethought as to what exactly you want to accomplish, how much it will cost (assuming you have solid estimates from reliable sub-contractors), and if you are able to make a profit once the house is sold. A solid relationship with your chosen subs is always a good thing too.

Again, if you're new to house flipping, and are considering a flip with extensive, whole-house renovation, then yes, you should probably keep looking for an easier project to do (in terms of potential remodeling) instead of taking on a larger project right out of the gate. If, however, you do decide to move forward, consider some of the more important aspects of a major rehab with the following remodeling primer to help you form a working budget, and to provide a doable timetable to execute your remodeling project.

You will be talking with people in the industry such as:

Architects and/or Draftsman
To do any necessary drawings or renderings for your particular remodeling project

Building Inspector
If you are removing and/or erecting interior walls, you will most likely have to obtain a building permit from your local community building permit/code enforcement division

Sub-Contractors/Tradesman
Trades such as demolition, mechanical contractors (HVAC, electricians, plumbing), insulation installation, drywall installers, painters, trim carpenters, cabinet/counter top installers, tile installers (if needed), flooring professionals, roofers, exterior siding, concrete specialists, and landscapers.

Determine what exactly it is you want to do with the house in terms of remodeling. See where improvements/updates can be made for the least amount of time and money. You certainly want to present a professional-looking remodeling job to prospective homeowners so that they feel they are getting their money's worth.

But first things first. If you have a simple remodel where you are freshening up the carpet and paint, along with a few odd and end type things, you're more than likely able to handle that without too many problems. But, if you're looking at a complete kitchen and bath upgrade, for example, you will need to be aware of the need to deal with an entirely new set of sub contractors and professionals that suddenly makes the project a little bigger. Certainly doable, but just broader in scope.

The time to develop a working budget, is after you have received all of the pricing back from any of the subs you want to work with. Get at least two prices per trade, if you can. You can get leads on various sub- contractor trades from the phone directory, internet, or the many local hardware, paint, or home-improvement stores around your town. Many good, honest tradesman advertise with these businesses, so you should have more than enough to choose from.

There will be some personal time involved just getting prices together, meeting subs at the job site, etc., but you want to be as efficient with your time and money as you can be. Once you have a firm budget in place, get with the sub-contractors you've chosen, and set a doable project timetable. Don't be shy about asking a lot of questions. After all, it is you're money on the line, and you want the project to be done in the best way possible.

Tell your subs that you want to keep an open line of communication going so there won't be any surprises and confusion. And lastly, always account for some sort of cost add-ons that typically occur in any remodel. Usually about 3 - 5% of total remodel cost will do for any overages.

If you're relatively new or considering entering the house flipping business for the first time, please visit http://www.House-Flipping-Helper.com for more information regarding all things house flipping and remodeling.

Framing 2 X 4 Skylight Well

Bathroom Remodeling - Steps and Considerations to Take

Bathroom remodeling, no doubt, is among the most rewarding home improvement project that you could ever take. Aside from making every waking day and just every personal minute in your bathroom more luxurious, the job would greatly add up to the value of your New York home. And the fact that an average bathroom remodeling project could yield up to 80-90% on return on investment, homeowners are not as much bothered with how much it squeezes out from their budget.

As with any other home improvement project that could be undertaken, a good plan is crucial in the success of your bathroom remodeling. And if you are not a handyman yourself, nothing beats having to work with a qualified NYC contractor as a top priority. With the expertise and skills of one, going through the steps in achieving your dream bath could be made much easier, giving the most value for your money and with the least risk of remodeling problems.

If you do not have any idea yet on the design you want to take on, you can find inspirations through scouring through bathroom design websites, magazines and even showrooms in your nearest home improvement store. With a design at hand, you can discuss with your contractor estimates on budget and time. The extent of your bathroom remodeling depends on how much you are willing to spend on the project and how long you could put up with the remodeling works.

Your bathroom remodeling can be done as a surface-level project, change in layout or a total renovation which involves both. If everything seems to be in great condition and the existing layout is fine with you, a facelift can be best. A change in layout or a total bathroom renovation should be considered carefully. This involves so much more like the underlying electrical and plumbing systems. But whichever is your choice, make sure to apply for necessary permits early.

The essential keys to the success of your bathroom remodeling project are excellent workmanship as well as product selection. When choosing for materials to integrate into your project, do not stop at the cost alone. If you really need to save up, then shop for discounts but never sacrifice the quality of the products. Your aim should be set for long-term benefits. Find products and materials that offer the style of your choice, durability and less maintenance.

Clutter can easily make a disaster zone out of your bathroom no matter how good looking it is. Depending on its total area, you can implement clever storage solutions. For bigger bathrooms, you can have as elaborate cabinetry and shelving as the space can accommodate. But if space is an issue, there are also lots of innovative products you can choose from that are designed to be compact but functional.

If you can afford it, maximize every single element to make the most stylish, functional and comfortable bathroom remodeling result. If you are doing the master bathroom, a great idea is to have a his and her sink to cutback on the early morning chaos. You can even create a personal, everyday spa.

Eugene Makeev helps New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened Bathroom Contractor NYC. Feel free to use our Bathroom Calculator.

Home Basement Books
Wood Stoves Books

Slow Market Home Pricing Advice

Homes are going to be sold in good markets and bad. When times are good, people often forget that bad times will be coming eventually. During good times, people often get caught up in the hype of the real estate boom. During tough times, houses will be sold eventually, or taken off the market and sold later. If you need to sell the home as soon as possible, for financial or other reasons, you will have to adjust your price with the current market and don't get greedy.

This is the hardest thing for most people to do, lower the price of their home in order to sell it in a slow real estate market. Don't get caught up in the value of your home, six months or even a year ago. Last year's prices are not going to be this year's prices and you need to get that through your thick skull. If the average homes in your neighborhood are selling for $250,000 and you have a swimming pool or done some upgrades, maybe a room addition. Your home is going to be worth more than the average selling price.

Most real estate professionals will price your home according to the length of time you have to sell it. If you're in a hurry to sell, they don't have time to test the market. The price of your home would need to be competitive or lower than homes selling in the area. Whether homes are selling fast in a good market for selling slow in a bad market, if you have time, you can ask a little bit more for your home. If the market hasn't reached the bottom, waiting could actually hurt you, because the prices of the homes in the area would still be dropping.

Listen to your real estate professionals advice when pricing your home. That's what you're hiring them for, they are in the real estate business. Your neighbors, relatives, friends and people you work with, will probably be guessing if you asked for their opinion on pricing your house.

Your house is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Finding that person is the key to selling your home, finding that person as soon as possible could give you the illusion that you sold your home to cheap. Don't worry about it, your final objective is to sell the house.

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

If you really think your home is safe, check out these pictures about home water damage.

Cut Electrical Wire

Interior Decorating Ideas

It's happening again. The styles and fashions that we thought we'd seen the last of a decade ago are re-emerging as the latest thing in chic design and people are going mad for it. In fact, one of interior furnishings mainstays throughout the eras has been the humble lamp and while bench surfaces, chairs, lounges and most other room items have gone through drastic changes, many of the retro lamps that emerged in the 1950s and 60s are still preferred today.

The great thing about decorating in retro style is that almost anything goes, as long as it is fun, combines shapes and colors and looks unique. Floor lamps such as the Arco lamp that reaches from one side of the reading chair to the other still looks appropriate, as does the square lampshade on a wooden pedestal base. From there it's up to your own discerning eye as to how funky you want to make the lamp shade with options of trimmings, tassels or prints to bring out your retro preference.

The great thing about deciding on a retro lamp is that if you don't particularly like the look of the traditional lamps from the era, you also have the more space-aged looking lamps that were inspired by the exuberance of the post-war optimism. New products such as melamine spattered with chrome and designs that were sleek and sophisticated combined to produce a very forward thinking look.

The great thing about using the vintage retro lamps that your parents loved is that the burnt orange lamp shades or the avocado ceramic lamp stand is now cool again because, well because it's retro.

An important part of putting together a retro room is adding furnishings that follow the retro style. Picking out a fun and funky retro lamp should be enjoyed. Visit Retro Lamps Galore to help put that new retro-style room together.

Strap Garage Headers

Repairing a Leaking Toilet

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Some Great Plumbing Ideas

Wood Rot At Post Base

Clawfoot Shower Curtain

Many people that are building or remodeling their bathrooms have made the decision to use the clawfoot bathtub. While many people enjoy the sit down bath, a lot of people would rather use the stand up shower. It is now possible for you to have the best of both worlds. The clawfoot shower tub allows for the transformation of any design of clawfoot bathtub to become a shower as well. The clawfoot bathtub of any design, from the antique clawfoot bathtub to the newer acrylic clawfoot bathtub can use the shower enclosure set. This is great for the times when you are in a hurry and do not have the extra time for the the relaxing, soaking bath that the clawfoot tub allows.

To turn one of the clawfoot bathtubs into a clawfoot shower tub, the shower tub enclosure set will have to be installed. The enclosure set usually will include the shower, the enclosure ring and the enclosure ring fittings that allow you to hang the enclosure ring. Many of the shower curtain enclosure manufactures offer a few simple instructions for hanging the enclosure ring so it will be the right height.. First, hold the curtain with a few of the curtain rings attached on the shower curtain to help determine where to install the clawfoot shower bathtub. This will help you to determine where to hang the shower curtain enclosure.

Most of the enclosure sets do not include the shower curtain or the shower curtain rings. But the industry has realized the need for a shower curtain to fit the enclosure ring. It was necessary before to use three or four different curtains to close up the tub. This lead to several different problems. First the unsightly seams was a bother and also unpleasant to look at. The seams would open and allow water to escape to the floor, causing the person to have to clean up the mess or have damage to the floor over a period of time. Also the gaps of the seams would allow for the drafty cold air also.

The enclosure curtains can be purchased along with a wide variety of shower curtain rings. There are many different styles and finishes to help you to match your own personal decor. Also do not forget to look for the different accessories to help finish to complete look of the bathroom. Items like a soap dish or even new clawfeet are available. Even items like the feet coasters are available.

The use of the clawfoot shower tub will allow for the complete use of the clawfoot bathtub experience. Along with the clawfoot shower curtain, now you can enjoy the best of the sit down baths when you have time but also the stand up shower when you are in a hurry.

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Four Great Home Improvement Projects - Decks, Patios, and More

Expanding your living space by adding exterior structures is not only a smart way to add value to your home, but value to the quality of your outdoor life. There are many types of structures to choose from and virtually something for every type of yard and design aesthetic. Deciding whether to build a deck, patio, sunroom, pergola, covered patio, or screenroom is the first decision the homeowner needs to consider. The benefits of each of these structures are numerous, and any one of these structures will add value to your property.

1. Decks - These relatively uncomplicated structures are one of the most popular exterior additions. Decks can be made of treated lumber or composite decking material, which comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. The addition of a deck, like any other exterior living space structure, alters the exterior of the home and should be carefully planned to incorporate the style of the home. Consideration for the site of the deck should be given to take advantage of all outdoor conditions in order for the homeowner to spend time outdoors in the conditions they prefer.

2. Sunrooms - Another great way to extend living space with year round comfort, sunrooms can include heating and cooling, lighting, ceiling fans, tile flooring, and energy efficient windows. The addition of a customized sunroom adds light, gives the home a more spacious look and adds tremendous value to the home. Sunrooms blend with any style of home while bringing added visual esthetics to both the interior and exterior of the home. Customizing a sunroom to match exterior siding such as Hardie siding is easy and affordable. If an existing sunroom needs replacement windows for more energy efficiency, consider that cost as added overall value to the home.

3. Pergolas - Also referred to as arbors or shade covers, pergolas are a beautiful addition to any home. A pergola can either stand-alone or be attached to an existing structure and can be made of wood or termite resistant metal. Pergolas provide dappled shade and can serve as a trellis for climbing vines. Pergolas can transform a yard and landscape by adding elegant style to the backyard. Freestanding arbors can also play an important part in great garden design and can lead from one garden area to another.

4. Screenrooms - Screenrooms are making a comeback from the first half of the century, when virtually every home had an attached screenroom. They are a great way to add living space to the back or side of your home. Screenrooms allow for enjoyment of the outdoors in shaded comfort while staying free of insects and pests. Screenrooms are simple, economical, and can even be built using an existing patio or deck! Patio covers are another great option for expanding outdoor living space and staying out of direct exposure to the sun.

Home improvements, whether adding a carport, replacement windows for energy efficiency, Hardie plank or siding for a long lasting exterior, or upgrading exterior paint will all add great value to your home. Whether you are adding a carport to protect an extra car or boat or adding outdoor living space by building a deck, sunroom, pergola, arbor, screen room or covered patio, these structures are sure to add to the enjoyment of your home.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Decks, Patios, and More

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DIY Bathroom Remodeling Or Hiring a Contractor

The first question you need to ask yourself when remodeling a bathroom is can you actually do the work yourself or do you have someone that can help you with the remodeling. If you don't know anyone and can't do the work yourself, I would suggest hiring a contractor with experience remodeling bathrooms.

If you can do the work yourself or think you could do the work yourself, why not give it a shot. Any experience you have in construction or home remodeling, is going to be beneficial to your bathroom remodeling project. There is plenty of information on the internet or in your local libraries on bathroom remodeling and these often prove to be great resources for do it yourselfers.

As an experienced contractor I have gathered a great deal of information through books, at work and watching local home improvement shows. The biggest problem with the show's and quite a few of these books, is they don't provide enough information. Most of the time they provide you with the basics of bathroom remodeling and you could soon find yourself in trouble or seeking the advice from a home improvement professional.

The largest benefit for doing the bathroom remodeling project yourself, could be the money you save, along with the satisfaction of completing the project. It makes homeowners feel good when they've completed a large home remodeling project, like a bathroom remodel.

If you don't have the time, lack the experience or a combination of both, I would suggest hiring a contractor to relieve you from the stress and frustration of your bath remodeling project. The more complex your bathroom remodeling project is, the greater the degree of difficulty, the longer it will take to complete the project. Some of these projects can take up a lot of your time.

If you're working on galvanized water supply pipes or old cast iron waste pipes, you could find yourself hiring a plumber to install your bathtub and fixtures. These old pipes create problems for most do it yourselfers and I would suggest hiring a professional, whenever you run into a problem you don't feel comfortable with.

Choosing to tackle some of these difficult problems yourself, could lead to water leaks and more damage to the home eventually costing you even more money than the original cost of hiring an experienced plumber in the first place. When it comes to water, structural framing and electricity, think twice, especially if you're not experienced in these areas.

My advice to do it yourselfers is to hire a professional if you're not comfortable or seek the advice from a contractor or someone with considerable experience bathroom remodeling.

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

If your looking for some more House Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

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Adding Value to Your Home by Bathroom Remodeling

The bathroom is no longer a place where you simply take a bath or use the restroom. Bathroom remodeling is one of the most rewarding and popular home improvement projects to undertake. The main things to consider when planning such a renovation are improving lighting, renovating and expanding cabinet space, replacing flooring and installing new fixtures.

Bathroom remodeling is the first step towards a desired upgrading of your life style. Bathroom remodeling is easier and cheaper than you think, if you have a game plan. Instead of spending money on replacing all of your fixtures, upgrading a few key items can transform the bathroom into a relaxing environment. Bathroom remodeling is perhaps the most popular project for home improvement because it yields the highest return on your investment. Moreover, homeowners can enjoy their relaxing bathroom from the time they remodel until they decide on selling the house. It's not only fun but significant changes can be accomplished with modifications in lighting, color, surface materials, and ventilation. Introducing more natural lighting into your bathroom with skylights or glass block windows softens the character of the room.

Bathroom remodeling is also a major selling point. Learn about current trends in deluxe shower systems (replacing tubs in many newer homes), the latest in bathroom flooring and countertops (everything from natural stone to glass and stainless steel), learn the latest trends in sinks and faucets, medicine cabinets, magnifying mirrors, vanities, and layered lighting. Bathroom remodeling is a serious job and it's not only fun but very rewarding.

Bath remodeling is something many people avoid because of the stress and hassle that accompanies it. Trying to find the right vanity, picking out matching tile, can be very frustrating. Bathroom remodeling is one way that you can add to the appeal of your home and is a great way to spruce up your house if you're thinking about selling. Bathroom remodeling is strong, as most bathrooms become outdated in 15 years. With many consumers becoming dissatisfied with their current bath, and more aware of industry trends, bathroom renovation is seeing unprecedented growth.

Bathroom remodeling is one of our specialties. Bathroom remodeling is outlined and performed with a 3-4 man crew, depending on the size of the bathroom. It is one of the home renovations that can add a lot of value to your home when you list it for sale. Another key to getting potentials buyers to want to buy your home is to use simple sleek bathroom fixtures.

Now all you have to do is stop wondering if and when you can set out and complete your goal of a new and better bathroom and just make the decision to get it done.

DiCicco Building Company has been doing Bathroom Remodeling Clinton Township for over 20 years. We are also leaders in Exterior Remodeling along with being an award winning custom residential home builder. We also specialize in Finished Basements and home additions.

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The Power of the Post Cap

Most people spend a lot of time researching and looking at all kinds of fences before making up their minds.That is a very important part of making your yard an outdoor living space that is both attractive and safe.However, many of those same people forget to finish the project.They do not understand that post caps are not just decorative, but protect the top of the wooden posts from cracking and splintering.This applies to fence and gate posts, deck and staircase posts and any post that is left exposed to the elements.

Though post caps function very well to protect the top of the post, one of the greatest things about them is the fact that they are pretty.They are small decorative structures that enhance the look of any fence or deck for your yard.

Deck and fence caps come in fine outdoor cedar and redwood.You can find them in slip-over, non slip-over and even with copper tops.There are also places that can make custom post caps if you need something a little different form the norm. All wood post caps must be sealed with a stain or primer to ensure a long life in the harsh outdoor environments and are very easy to install.

The other thing that post caps do that no one things about is covering up any uneven mill cuts or other eyesores on top of the fence or deck post.With so many varieties to choose from, there is a post cap that will fit your needs.

If you want a little more pizzazz, add a finial.It just gives you that something special feel to make your yard a one of a kind.There are as many finial choices as there are post caps so you can have a great time putting those looks together to find what is perfect for you.

A non slip-over post cap is normally glued and/or nailed with finishing nails to the top of the post, depending on the finish you choose.Slip-over caps actually slip over the post and can be attached as well by glue or finishing nails.As long as you take care of the fence post caps per the manufactures requirements your post caps will last a good long while.

When it comes to something different and wonderful, you must take a look at the copper topped post caps.They also come in standard and custom sizes and you can order them with the base post cap in either cedar or redwood.These fantastic tops turn a beautiful patina out in the elements and each one has their own particular markings that are custom in their own right.

Of course, just like all of the wood post caps, copper topped caps need their own kind of maintenance in order to maintain their beauty. Any good shop will have instructions on how to best prep and care for your wood copper posts caps.

There are few things that make this kind of difference on a fence where you see how beautiful the fence is, yet not sure why.You will love what is does for your fence and deck and will wonder why you did not think about post caps or finials before.It is a great way to make a small modification that will make a huge change.

Your fence will look great with the addition of fence post caps or the beautiful copper post caps.

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Finding Something You Don't Like About Yourself - Creating Habits

Finding something you don't like about yourself is usually very easy for most people. Most of the time you don't even have to ask your family or friends because you have heard them complain about the same thing for years. How many times have you heard someone mention, I need to lose weight?

Here's a list of things people don't like about themselves. If you're one of those people that has a hard time finding something wrong with yourself, you could always ask one of your friends for some suggestions. I'm sure they would like that.

1. The need to lose weight. This of course is one of the worst problems with Americans. Most people need to lose weight and let's not forget there are some people that need to gain weight.

2. The need to stop gambling. As more Indian reservations are allowed to build gambling casinos and of course as the Internet gambling gets larger, I've noticed some people with gambling problems.

3. The need to stop drinking alcohol. The abuse of alcohol has been going on for many years. These people have an excuse for why they drink and most of the time it doesn't make sense.

4. The need to stop smoking. This could be one of the most difficult things I've ever seen my friends and family deal with.

5. The need to stop excessive behaviors. For example, gossiping, cruelty, bullying, lying, cheating, stealing, partying etc. You get the idea.

6. Don't forget the dreaded shopaholic. Most shopaholic's seem to have large credit card debt and can't seem to stop this vicious circle of buying and owing money to their creditors.

7. Working long hours or the workaholic. Sometimes this is a necessity but I would suggest that you change your lifestyle if possible. Reevaluate your reasons for working so hard.

8. Religious fundamentalists. People that spend too much time at their place of worship and soon find themselves feeling guilty if they're not doing something spiritual.

9. The need to be on time. This would include people that have problems giving themselves enough time to get ready for work or school.

10. The need to stop doing drugs. I thought by now, approaching my 50s, that drugs would no longer be a problem in the United States, but it is. It's one of the most damaging things people can do to their lives.

There are plenty of things that people would like to stop doing or start doing. If you're a smoker and you seem to shop excessively near the casinos, I would advise you to start with something small and work your way up to the big stuff.

What are you going to change today about your life? Make a list of things that you're not happy with about your life and start making the changes today that you need to create the life you deserve and desire.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a personal development video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

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