A Guide To Whole House Water Filter Replacement Cartridges

The vendors who carry whole house water filter replacement cartridges cater to those customers who have a whole house system. This is a filter system that connects to the main water line going into a home. The typical connection comes before the point where the line splits, sending part of the line to the hot water heater.

When a homeowner has a this type of water filter system then all the residents of the home can enjoy access to clean and pure water in the kitchen, the laundry and the bathroom. Of course that access remains a benefit of residence in the same home only one overriding condition-the homeowner takes the time to get replacement cartridges.

As any homeowner thinks about investing in a filter system for the entire house, he or she might have a few questions. Frequently homeowners ask this question: Can I use this filter to get pure water for the plants in my garden and the grass on my lawn?

The homeowner must examine the blueprint for the house, in order to obtain an answer to that question. The homeowner needs to learn where the city's main water line splits into a "house" line and a "yard" line. Of course, no garden or lawn can receive filtered water if a homeowner fails to purchase the needed whole house water filter replacement cartridges.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applauds homeowners who invest in a whole house filter system and also make the effort to get the necessary filter replacement cartridges. A survey done by the EPA in 2001 showed that 82,655 city water systems in the U.S. had unsafe drinking water.

Water safety experts at in the EPA know how the drinking of unsafe water can affect the health of those who remain unaware of the dangerous substances in that water. Sometimes water contains radioactive contaminants. When the residents of a home drink water with those contaminants they increase the likelihood that they could develop cancer.

If city water contains antimony, and if that water enters a home unfiltered, then the residents of a home could have rising cholesterol levels or falling blood sugar levels. If city water contains arsenic, then it could cause the unsuspecting city residents who drink that water to have unexplained skin damage or circulatory problems.

If a city water system contains barium, then the physicians in that city might find that a number of patients have a rising blood pressure level. Were those same physicians to inquire about the use of water filters in the home, they could probably link those rising blood pressure levels to the absence of a whole house water filter.

Having emphasized the importance of a water filter for the whole house, this article needs to offer help to those who plan to purchase whole house water filter replacement cartridges. Those who go in search of such cartridges should know exactly what size they need. Cartridges have varied lengths. The most commonly used cartridges have lengths of 5 inches, 10 inches and 20 inches.

Those in search of replacement cartridges should also know that there are three basic types of filters. Some come with sediment pre-filter; some have a high flow carbon filter. Homeowners can also buy a house filter with both sediment pre-filter and a high flow carbon filter.

Any homeowner with a water filter system for their residence should become familiar with the available sources for these replacement cartridges. Only the regular replacement of such cartridges can insure the purity and the good taste of water in a home. Only necessary replacements can guarantee the functionality of carbon filters with an ion exchange and of micron filtration.

The homeowner who has purchased a whole house water filter system has made a safe choice. The homeowner who, in addition, regularly takes the time to get whole house water filter replacement cartridges has made the safest choice.

Discover why you need whole house water filter replacement cartridges in your home.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Crack In Fiberglas Bathtub

Understanding the Cost of Your Bathroom Renovation Ideas

How much is your time worth?

We've all been there... you're tire of the layout of your bathroom or the color scheme or want to add a new cabinets, or some other great ideas. We see something in the magazine and before we've even really thought it through we're on our way to Home Depot. Wait! Stop! What is the true cost of your idea. It is more than just the cost of supplies.

Have you considered these costs for any bathroom renovation ideas:

- your precious time

- any permits you need

- contractors to finish the plumbing

- contractors to finish the electrical

- handyman to come save your butt if you can't finish yourself

- time off work for a big job

How Big is your Bathroom Renovation Idea?

Your time should also considered and if you will lose more money from taking time off work to contract the job on your own than it would cost to pay a contractor, you may as well pay them to take on some of the headaches. In most cases even a minor ideas will require permits and most states require any electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician. For you own safety it is a good plan and may even be required for plumbing work beyond the fixtures. If the bathroom renovation calls for tile installation, it takes a special skill to cut and place tiles so they remain waterproof an unless you have this experience you will need to contract out the work to someone who has the knowledge.

Cost Cutting Ideas

Even if you hire a contractor there are ways to cut costs. First would be to get a contractor referral from someone you trust. A bad hire in this area could leave you in a much worse place than when you started or they could get the project half done and disappear for a few days leaving you to use the neighbors bathroom. After you do hire a reputable contractor another area that you can save money is to do the cleanup yourself. After explaining your bathroom renovation ideas, work with your contractor and tell him your budget and what you are willing to do to keep in on track.

Lighting Can Make a Big Difference

New light fixtures are often part of it and changing them may not require a license. This is work that you may be able to do, but if wiring has to be installed or moved, a professional may need to get involved. A reliable contractor should be able to advise you on what you can and cannot legally do on your own and if you have the expertise can save some money on the cost of the bathroom renovation.

Find More Bathroom Renovation Ideas

To find more articles like this one and many other areas, visit ou website. We strive to make this a the one place on the internet that anyone will go to when they are thinking about remodeling their bathroom. Typically, homeowners will hand over the entire project to a contractor and their only responsibility is to sign the checks to pay for the job. However, tracking progress and dealing straight with the contractor can help insure the job is done on time and within budget.

Chet has been building homes for over 20 years and is now a published author of do-it-yourself type projects. You can read his website http://www.bathroomremodelonline.com specifically geared towards bathroom remodeling projects and bathroom remodeling ideas.

Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

Well I'm going to start this article with a little information on a job I did once.

I had been repairing a rental house for one particular homeowner for about three years when all of a sudden I got a phone call from him telling me the rental house was destroyed and he had never seen nothing like this. He sounded so upset over the phone I told him I would meet with him immediately.

On my way to the house I was trying to get an idea in my head what the house was going to actually look like. Since I have been repairing rental properties for over 20 years at this point of my career, nothing really shocked me. I had pretty much seen everything that could possibly be done to rental property by the tenants that lived there. There is a lot to be said about taking care of it as if it were your own.

He was waiting for me at the front door and he looked thoroughly disgusted. As I approached him he was shaking his head and yelling at the same time can you believe these people, can you believe what they did to my house. I was expecting to see the front door ripped off and all the windows broken out of the house but this wasn't the case.

As he led me through the home and I could see the usual clothing on the floor, broken cabinets, a few holes in the walls and of course that awful smell of mold and mildew. All of this stuff was nothing new to me because I'm the guy they call to fix it when a renter moves out of the property.

As I entered one of the bedrooms I got my first glimpse of something I had never seen before but heard stories about and could not believe my eyes. Looking at the walls in the bedroom about 3 feet from the floor all the way around the room, the plaster was soft. It actually looks like someone shoved popcorn into the wall somehow.

The homeowner wasn't even looking at this because of the rest of the damage in the home. I started to explain to him I'd never seen nothing like this but I could guess it was water damage somehow since the plaster was soft. I could actually stick my finger into the wall, that's how soft the plaster was.

My first thought was to examine the carpeting a little closer to see if it was wet. Well it was damp but it wasn't as wet as I would've expected it to be with the amount of water in the walls. With a little more home inspecting I had found the culprit, it was a broken water bed. The water bed was now in the backyard looking innocent.

I couldn't believe a broken water bed could do this much damage so I looked around for broken or leaking water pipes and could not find any. The other bad news I had to inform the homeowner was that the water had damage the bathroom and closet walls also. These walls of course were on the other side of the bathroom walls that were damaged.

Well the point of this story is that water will actually wick its way up or worked its way up into a wall. I had to remove 4 feet of drywall all the way around the room. The plaster or drywall actually acts like a sponge pulling the water into the walls. Hard to imagine that gravity in this case seems to reverse. I would've never thought that water would've traveled so far up the walls creating that much damage.

To repair the rental property I had to remove the damaged drywall, remove the carpeting, dry the wood framing out and put the whole thing back together.

I'm still amazed and will remember that project for as long as I live.

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 House Water Damage

Stepping On Ceiling Plaster

The Home Builder Species and Its Three Main Sub Groups - Which One Fits the Prospective Home Buyer?

There are three types of home builders building homes in America today. There is the "high end custom home builder", the "production builder", and the "small, hands-on builder". While there are variations and hybrids within these three categories, these are the basic types at work today. The trick for the prospective buyer is to identify which one is the best match for their pocketbook and home style demands.

The High End Custom Home Builders normally work out of expensive offices and drive new vehicles and maintain all the trappings of success and professionalism that the upper class feels comfortable with. They tend to be very good at what they do, but their overhead and expertise come at a high price.

A custom home's plan is often drawn by an architect who spends a lot of time interviewing the customer, drawing rough drafts, and making revisions before coming up with a final draft. Normally, a professional designer will be part of the decision-making process involving colors and finishes. The customer usually secures the construction loan and land. The building process is always lengthy and requires a lot of focus on the builder's part to assure quality and coordination. In other words, it is not something most new home buyers can afford.

What they can afford is some variation of a Production Home Builder's model homes. This is the way it is now and always has been in modern America. In the old days Sears and Roebucks sold thousands of homes by way of mail order catalogs. There is nothing wrong with the system, it enables the masses to afford the American Dream. Customer dissatisfaction normally occurs because buyers often want and may even deserve more attention paid to their individual home.

The problem is not that Production Home Builders are not good at building homes that follow normal building procedures within their system. That is what they have become proficient at and chances are that a new home buyer will end up reasonably satisfied if they stick to the builder's stock plans and options. The problem with most builders that build more than 15 or 20 houses a year is that they are not good at making changes outside their box.

Many Production Home Builders are aware of their limitations in customization as well as their strengths in production home building. The popular term "pre-sold home" is commonly used to get the notion of "custom" out of the buyers mind. The buyer is allowed to buy the builder's product any time before completion and select from a list of options when possible, but it is the builder's home until the customer pays for it with their final mortgage loan. It is a fair way of doing business.

Trouble often arises when Production Home Builders ignore their limitations and attempt to customize a home outside their comfort zone. Most Production Home Builders started their careers building just a few houses a year and were able to build anything that came along and so they reason they should still be able to even though they are no longer "hands on" and have to work through their staff. They also want to give their customer what they want and so they bend their rules to make the customer happy and get the sale.

The customer wanting special features or techniques in their new home are often frustrated with the Production Home Builder's parameters. They would be better served to look outside the big new sub-divisions where Production Home Builders have all the lots tied up and search for the Small, Hands-on Home Builder. Some of these builders are new and may be on their way to becoming production builders, but the majority are seasoned builders who prefer to build as few as 3 or 4 houses a year. They are not interested in running a big business, but instead just want to make a good living doing something they are good at and enjoy doing.

They are not as easy to find, but every city has many of them and they have been building the American Dream far longer than Sears and Roebucks and their modern day counterparts. They are the craftsmen builders who are often proficient at several trades and have a firm grasp on all the rest involved in home building. Many began as laborers on a framing crew and spent years learning the carpentry trade before gaining the experience and where-with-all needed to build their first spec home.

While the High End Custom Home Builder takes care of the upper class and the Production Home Builders take care of the masses, the Small,Hands-on Home Builders are the ones taking care of the new home buyers looking for something in between. It is often a perfect fit because they need each other. The Small, Hands-on Home Builder needs the work these customers provide and they have more time to pay attention to each project because they are usually physically working on it and not running a large home building operation. The customer with special demands and desires needs the small builder who welcomes their requests for individuality and sees them as challenges to be carried out with pride and proficiency, resulting in profit for the them and satisfaction for the home owner.

Craig Swanson is a second generation home builder in Spokane, Washington. to learn more about him or his company, Craig's Building Services, go to http://spokanevalleyscoop.com

Bath Lift Features and Benefits - A Consumers' Guide to Bath Lifts

Bath lifts are specially designed seats that fit into a standard bathtub with no remodeling or drilling necessary. The seat lowers the user into the bath, and then raises them when they are ready to get out. Of course, some bath lifts are better than others. For example, a reclining bath lift is more comfortable - who wants to sit up perfectly straight while taking a relaxing bath?

The dimensions of the seat itself should also be a consideration. The width of the seat is pretty standard within an inch or so (because it must fit into a standard bathtub), but the depth of the seat varies. Would the user prefer a "deeper" seat, or not? Also, different bath lifts have different weight capacities: if the user is 300 lbs. or more, they will probably need one of the more robust bath lifts. Should the bath seat be portable, to make it easier to transport or store? Most of the better bath lifts can be broken down into two or three pieces, making storage or transportation much easier.

The optional features that are offered with bath seats can make all the difference in the world. For example, some bath lifts offer an optional swivel seat which makes getting into and out of the seat much easier. Also, soft seat covers are usually considered optional and would be more comfortable than the hard plastic surface, but would require cleaning more regularly. For those with greater mobility needs, some bath lifts offer chest harnesses or lap harnesses, which can make it much easier for a caretaker to use.

Bath lifts can be large, expensive, fixed installations; but this guide primarily deals with the more affordable types that are mounted to the bathtub by suction cups and are battery-operated. All battery-operated bath lifts are designed to use the charge intelligently. That is, they will not lower the seat into the bath unless the remaining battery charge is sufficient to raise the chair back up. This means the user doesn't have to worry about being stuck in the bathtub because of a dead battery in the bath lift. These types of bath lifts are very dependable, safe, sturdy, and they don't require professional installation. These models are also much more affordable and have become much more popular than fixed installations.

If you are thinking of purchasing a bath lift for yourself or a loved one, you should take all of these factors into consideration. Bath lifts are now as inexpensive as $500, reclining models are as low as $600, and they offer all the same benefits as the heavy installations that cost several thousand dollars.

Sean Lutger is an experienced writer on products offered by the medical industry. Bath lifts are very convenient, safe, and comfortable. Recently, they have become much more affordable because they can now be installed without remodeling or drilling. Learn more by visiting AmeriGlide.

Driveway Raised Creating Problem

Boxing in Lally Colulmns

When finishing a basement one of the issues that inevitably comes up is what to do with the lally columns that pepper the basement area. Boxing in a lally column is sometimes the only choice.

Lally columns are steel posts filled with cement and provide an important constructional component to your home. They are normally found in the basement, sit on a cement footing or pad, and support large heavy structural overhead beams. Removing them is not an option, unless you want to involve a costly and complex engineering project.

Ideally when finishing a basement architects try to "bury" lally columns in walls. However, due to certain desired floor plans, this is not always possible. In these situations, the best alternative is to box in the lally column to dress it up.

Boxing in a lally column is a pretty straight forward project to do. I typically install them after the basement ceiling has been installed and before the flooring has been installed.

Tools Required

• Table Saw
• Caulking Gun
• Hammer
• Nail Punch
• Router (Optional)
• Putty Knife
• Measuring Tape
• Square
• Level
• Sandpaper

Material Required

• 1"x5" Select Pine or Hardwood boards
• Wood Glue
• Liquid Nails
• Putty
• Primer and Paint
• Baseboard Trim

To begin with you will need four lengths of 1"x5" select pine, or hardwood if you prefer. The length of the boards should be cut to the length of the exposed lally column. Two of the boards should be cut wider than the other two, such that the two narrower boards sit flush in-between the two wider ones. Assuming you want to make as small of a box as possible, the width of the two narrower boards should be the diameter length of the lally column. The two wider pieces will then butt over the ends of the two narrower pieces. Note: You can use a square to determine the diameter of the lally column.

With the boards cut to length and width. Using 6 penny finish nails and glue, nail together one half of the box. More specifically, nail together one of the wider boards with one of the narrower boards. It is best to nail them together on the basement floor.

Note: Before nailing them together, run a bead of glue along the length of the edges that are to be nailed.

Repeat the process with the other two boards.

Now liberally apply a bead of liquid nails around the entire length and circumference of the lally column.

Once the liquid nail bead has been applied to the lally column, place the two sections of the pre-made box together around the post, and nail them together.

Using a nail punch sink the nails, and then fill with putty.

Allow the box to set up for 24 hours.

After the box has had time to set up, sand the boxed in lally column. You may also want to consider using a router to make a rounded edge on the four corners of the post.

After routing the corners sand once more.

You may also want to install baseboard trim around the base of the lally column.

Finally apply a primer and two coats of paint to the boxed in lally column.

For more help on Finishing Basements, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Basement Remodeling Bid sheet.

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

Home Automation Can Enhance Your Lifestyle

If you were a small child growing up in the 70s I am sure you remember watching the Jetsons on TV and thinking how cool it was to see Judy Jetson talk to her husband, George on a TV monitor while both of them were in different rooms of their space-aged home. Well hang on to your seat because the Jetsons way of life is no longer just a figment of someones creative imagination. That once spaced-aged technology is here and is quickly gaining popularity all over the world.

Let's face it, most of us live a fast-paced, hectic lifestyle where time is a precious commodity and anything that can save us time we welcome with open arms. Home Automation is designed to do exactly that. It gives you the ability to integrate and activate household electronic components such as interior and exterior lighting, a security system, whole house audio and video, irrigation systems, thermostats, appliances, and CCTV (just to name a few) all from a touch of a button.

Imagine waking up in the morning and from the moment your alarm goes off, lights automatically come on, the shades automatically adjust to the position of the sun outside, the coffeepot begins brewing downstairs, and your favorite jazz CD starts to play softly in your bathroom. All of this before your feet even touch the floor.

Now you are ready to leave for work, you simply push a button that has been pre-programmed as "away" and your security system arms itself, the lights and audio system turn off, the thermostat adjusts to energy-saving mode and your irrigation system is set to water the lawn at 4pm.

Welcome to the world of home automation.

For added peace of mind, most home automation systems will allow you to access, change, and monitor your system from your telephone and the Web. Through special programming, you can elect to receive alerts from your telephone or through email informing you if the alarm has gone off, or the irrigation system failed to turn on, or when your children have arrived home from school. So if you have never considered home automation options for your home before, maybe now is the time.

From a security stand point and in a world where crime, burglary, and home invasions exists and will continue to exist, to have a home look lived in even when you are not at home, is priceless to say the least if it means protecting your number one asset your home and your family from such acts of violence.

With gas prices at an all time high with little to no relief in sight, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to save money on their bills to compensate for the pain they feel at the pump. Home automation systems with motorized shading solutions that adjust automatically based upon the position of the sun outside can help to conserve energy and as a result, helps reduce the amount of time your air conditioner turns on and stays on. This feature alone can translate into significant savings on your utility bills.

As our insatiable appetite for the latest, sleekest, and greatest technologies continues to grow, so too does the demand for people who install and maintain them. With so many system and/or product options to consider when selecting a home automation system, a certified electronic systems contractor (ESC) or more commonly, an electronic systems integrator, can make the time-consuming process of product selection and system evaluation a whole lot easier for you.

So where exactly do you find an ESC in your area? The best place to start would be to consult CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association). Founded in 1989, this international trade association is made up of more than 3,500 members worldwide that specialize in the design and installation of integrated electronic systems for the home. CEDIA members are established businesses, possess credible qualifications, proven experience, and are insured.

Aside from the countless conveniences and time-saving benefits that come from a professionally installed home automation system, it's also an investment in your home and can substantially increase the value of your home as a result.

Curt Rothenberg is Founder of Accent Electronic Systems Integrators, a low voltage electronic systems contractor located in southwest Florida that offers home automation systems, custom theatres, audio, video, security, CCTV, wireless networks and lighting control solutions for both residential and commercial applications. For more information on Home Automation solutions please visit http://www.accentesi.com

This article may be copied or reprinted provided no changes are made to it's content and the complete author box is included.

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