Professional Advice on Home Building

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deck Framing Wood Damage

Tips to Repair Your Basement Floor

If your basement is leaking then you can possibly resolve the problem by applying waterproof masonry sealer. This is available from your local hardware store, it comes in powder form and is mixed with water. When this is applied to the wall it will act as a barrier.

Before applying the solution it is very important that you thoroughly clean the area. After you have mixed the sealant follow the instructions exactly.

You can use masonry sealers to fill any cracks and holes in your walls. This is very easy to do, once it's mixed just cover the holes with the masonry mix. It is very important to fill any holes before you start painting or decorating.

There are a number of useful tools when you are doing any project around your home, including wired brushes, sponges, paint thinners, cement, sand, and trowel.

If your aim is to protect brick work and concrete walls then simply coating them in Masonry paint may be enough, this will prevent the walls from leaking. Before applying any paint you must make sure the walls are cleaned. You should use a wired brush to clean the walls, and then move onto using a drill with a wired wheel on the end. Once you have prepared the walls you should paint the walls with a primer before you paint your top coat. This will help the top coat to last much longer and also create a smooth finish.

These small projects can improve your home and help to protect it from hash weather conditions. When you are repairing your home you should plan enough time to do it so that it gets done properly. Restoring homes is an important way to make your life more comfortable.

All of these improvement projects will increase the value of your home, in the very least they will make your house much more desirable to people that take a look around.

Lots of people don't bother to look after their home correctly because they think it will be very expensive. Many home owners may take out a second loan in order to improve their home, this isn't the best idea as it can create a spiral of debt. In fact you don't actually need to spend huge sums of money, sometimes these projects are so small they will only take a little of your time and a few dollars. There are expensive projects, but these are normally limited to the kitchen and bathroom.

Expensive parts are defiantly cheaper than letting your basement leak. Almost all of these projects can be done by yourself without any expert help or guidance. Even if you wanted to install a shower you can do so for less than five hundred dollars, plus they are very easy to install. They come with user manuals which are aimed at home owners rather than professionals.

Jerry Blackburn repeatedly pens articles on areas relating with kitchen remodel and small kitchen remodeling. His abstracts on small kitchen remodeling are found on his internet pages.

Cut Electrical Wire

What To Consider When Remodeling Your Home

When you say you want to start remodeling your home sometime soon, that is a rather broad way of describing what you want done. You have to be more specific about your remodeling plans so that the contractor knows exactly what you want to achieve in this home makeover project.

The sub-project of bathroom remodeling includes new vanity, new sink, new faucet, new bath tub, new shower walls, new shower doors, new vinyl flooring at the very least, that is. You may also need to have a new toilet, new water closet, new mirror, and new medicine cabinet integrated into your bathroom layout as well. Whew! And thats just the bathroom for starters.

In kitchen remodeling, you may need new countertops (like granite countertops which stand up very well under wear and tear due to its sturdiness) or perhaps new kitchen cabinets. A new kitchen sink may also be warranted if your old one has stains that wont come out even with the toughest detergents and regular scrubbing on your behalf, or if it has rusty parts that may prove dangerous if young hands get too close.

Acoustic ceiling removal may prove necessary before you have recessed lighting installed in your living room and dining room. Recessed lighting is great for showcasing the interior details of your house, including the new carpeting you may have had installed. New dual paned windows or retrofit windows might look good here as well.

Regardless of how you want to conduct remodeling of your home, you will probably need the professional services of an experienced and knowledgeable contractor (unless you have extensive experience in home makeovers yourself and want to make the home remodeling a DIY project instead.)

The rule of thumb when hiring any contractor is: make sure everything you ask the contractor to do for you is stipulated in a written agreement that both parties have signed. This also protects the contractor so that he gets paid for everything that he does for you .

When you ask the contractor to purchase the materials for the home makeover, you should list down what sizes, colors, models and/or brands should be bought. This cuts down on any misunderstandings and assures you that you get what you asked for.

The labor aspect is another sticking point. You should come to a definite agreement with the contractor as to how many people he should have in his team, how long they should work on the project, and what happens if the team doesnt finish the project on schedule (meaning, do you wind up paying for the additional days or not?)

A good contractor will provide a warranty for the work that he and his team finished for you. This way, if evidence of shoddy work shows up later on, you can hold him to the warranty and get the mistakes redone (without you having to pay extra money to him.)

By the way, who will handle disposal of trash and any debris that is produced by the home makeover project? There are contractors who include that in the service though there may be projects where you have to find a hauler who will cart away your debris and trash for you instead. Clarify this beforehand as well.

It is also helpful if there is a stipulation in your contract permitting you a grace period before the project starts so that if you change your mind, you can always bow out gracefully without spending a cent or incurring the ire of the contractor.

Extreme Makeover Pros is your affordable contractor serving Orange County, Ca. for nearly 25 years. Specializing in Home Improvement and Renovation. For more details visit http://www.extrememakeoverpros.com

Wood Rot From Stucco

Vessel Sinks - Perfect For Your Bathroom Remodel

Vessel sinks are elegant, sophisticated, artsy, functional and versatile. If you're building a brand new home or you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom, then a round vessel sink would be the right choice. You're guest will openly envy you, plus you'll never want to leave your own bathroom.

There are hundreds of vessel sinks in all types of materials and colors. Of course, you can choose round, square,oval and odd shaped vessel sinks. It's strictly up to you. You have plenty of incredible choices: glass, ceramic, copper, marble, porcelain, stainless steel, stone, concrete, and more. Glass vessel sinks happen to be my favorite. You can easily make an incredible statement by using light underneath the sink to highlight its beauty. Jaw-dropping colors make visual statements about you and your taste. These "above counter" mounted sinks can make your bathroom distinctive.

Shopping for the perfect Vessel Sink for Your Bathroom can be fun. The only drawback to whole process...so many beautiful sinks to choose from.

Here a just a few types of vessel sinks on the market:

Glass: Happens to be my favorite and the most popular. The only drawback to glass vessel sinks is making sure you rinse the sink well after using shaving gels, toothpaste or other toiletries.

Granite, Marble or Concrete: If you're not constrained by a budget, then stone vessel sinks are another fantastic choice. They are a little pricey, but very durable and beautiful.

Ceramic: Looking for a vessel sink that's easy to clean, then a ceramic vessel sink is the way to go.

Copper: Copper is also a beautiful choice. If you're concerned about minimizing germs in your bathroom, then a copper vessel sink is a good choice. Did you know that copper is a great disinfectant for germs?

As you decide on the type of vessel sink to buy, don't forget to shop for and purchase your faucet to go along with your new beautiful sink. To find out more information about vessel sinks and purchasing the right sink and faucet for your bathroom remodel, take a look below.

The variety and choices of vessel sinks are endless. However, there's one just right for you and your budget. You'll find exactly what you're looking for when you shop at Round Vessel Sinks

Floor Baseboard Drywall Problems

Stay Current on the Latest Kitchen Trends

If you are a contractor, professional kitchen interior decorator or just someone who is interested in kitchen remodeling tools, then saving money on the variety of expenses of kitchen design and constructions is probably very important to you. In fact, this is an important element of kitchen remodeling for everyone involved, especially the homeowner. There are many ways to save money and simultaneously stay current on some of the latest kitchen remodeling tools that can make the kitchen remodeling job much easier and help ensure a smooth process.

To learn about the latest kitchen remodeling ideas and the newest tools, visit www.remodeling.hw.net where you can find useful and informative knowledge to keep you up to date on the latest kitchen decorating trends and tools that can be a big help during remodeling. You will also find that the "Hanley Wood Contractor Club" on this website that you can join that invites professionals, contractors and even kitchen enthusiasts.

The Hanley Wood Contractor Club provides its members huge savings on kitchen renovation supplies, services and even insurance. It guarantees to offer your business big savings and advantages over your competitors. Fortunately, the club offers a thirty-day risk free membership trial so they can prove to you how they can help grow, manage and protect your business. Go to www. Joinwclub.com to learn more about this club and membership where you can read for yourself about the benefits and advantages to being a member of this organization.

Another way to keep up with the newest trends in kitchen remodeling tools and other masterly and stylish designs is to attend a convention, such as the Remodeling Show 2007 on October 9-12 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here, you will find an exhibit showing the latest kitchen remodeling tools and house interior designs. This exhibit generally starts on the second day of the convention where you where you can also connect and network with many remodeling professionals hosting the event.

So, if you desire to take your business or kitchen design hobby to the next level up, attend a convention like this and make your way to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center at Las Vegas, Nevada. If anything, it's a great way to spend a few days at the heart of this highly visited, entertainment-filled area while also picking up some new tips and design ideas. For more information or to be one of the exhibit hosts, check out the official website at www.theremodelingshow.com. It will, certainly, be a memorable time to mix with other remodeling professionals, trade ideas and check out the latest in remodeling tools, appliances and design trends.

Go ahead and join an organization such as the Hanley Wood Contractor Club or head over to a professional remodeling convention. You and your customers will be glad you did!

Linden Walhard works mainly for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com a web page with information about new kitchen issues, kitchen counters and cabinets and other problems. His publications on cabinets for kitchen are found on kitchen-cabinets-tips.com in addition to other web publications.

You Can't Afford That Garage You Need

For those of us who have a home that did not come with an attached or detached garage but could use one to house our cars or need one for storage, it is overwhelming to find out how much it costs to build a standard garage.The foundation alone is more than most of us can afford right now.

There is also the hassle of the code process with the local building departments as well as hiring a good and competent contractor who can deliver the job for the quoted amount.It seems that, in the world today, very few jobs come in at the quoted price.It just does not make since when you break it all down into dollars and cents.

Now what to do?What you need costs more than you have but you still need a garage!Believe it or not, you do have a few choices.If you need some type of covering for your vehicles, a carport may work for you or a portable garage that is more like a plastic sheet structure that can go from place to place.

Even though you may think it crazy, you will need to check with your local codes or community boards to find out if you need any type of building permit to construct these structures. It is always better to find out before you purchase and install any of these than to find out you have to tear them down because you did not get the correct permit.

Another great and cheaper way to go is to put up a plastic garage, otherwise known as a vinyl garage.These garages have a great reputation for being sturdy and come in various sizes so you can customize whatever you need.The more extra storage you need for storage, the deeper the garage you can buy.

Another great garage that is a lot more inexpensive and comes in varying colors, shapes and sizes are the metal garages that can be put up over a weekend.These are economical for residential and commercial uses and are a good choice for many areas of the country.You can determine by your region the correct structure for snow load and wind speed.

The bottom line here is if you are in need of a garage, there are a lot more choices than you may realize.Find the one that works for you and go for it!

It's easy to construct a Duramax garage. There are other great outdoor products and structures for your home and garden to choose from.

A Home Renovation Adviser Bridges the Gap Between Homeowner and Contractor And/or Designer

There's 'renovating,' and then there's 'RENOVATING.' The difference is in the size of the jobs. Redoing a powder room is one thing. There are bills for one sink, one toilet, a new mirror, a light fixture, maybe some new flooring, a plumber, a painter and an electrician. You can eyeball the project and estimate your costs. Now try doing the same for a three story addition, or maybe even a new house. Have you figured out how much it will cost to dig the hole and pour the concrete foundation? Or maybe you're using concrete blocks for the foundation instead. What about electrical wiring and plumbing the addition or new house? Do you need a new furnace or is your current one large enough to handle the additional space? How much time do you think the job will take?

Renovating or building a new house is a significant undertaking both in terms of cost and time. Unless you're in the construction trade or a natural 'Bob Vila,' the average homeowner relies completely on the trades to advise him or her as to how long a job will take and how much it will cost.
Enter the home renovation adviser. A home renovation advisor acts as a neutral third party between the contractor and the homeowner, helping both parties negotiate realistic timelines and costs. When a home renovation adviser is brought in at the beginning of a job, he or she can work harmoniously with the contractor to set realistic budgets and timelines.

Even before the design stage:
A home renovation adviser help homeowners decide when the financial timing is right for a renovation. Jay Charendoff, a Home Renovation adviser in Toronto, said that he once worked with a couple interested in building an addition for their house. Together they worked through the couple's current expenses, their savings, and how much they would have to spend on the addition given what they wanted the new space to achieve. He also showed them their estimated future operating costs once the addition was finished due to the increased size. Seeing all the costs before, during and after the renovation brought the financial reality of the addition home for the couple. In the end they decided to postpone the renovation until they felt more financially secure.

Comparing quotes:
Once a design of the new space has been developed and it's sent out to tender to various contractors, a home renovation adviser can act as an interpreter of the estimates. He or she can determine if estimates are accurate based on design specifications such as furnace sizing, amount of drywall needed, plumbing supplies etc.. Charendoff said that one time he worked with clients and their contractor and identified ways to save the clients approximately $6000 off the construction estimate just by working with the contractor and his original estimate.

Timelines:
Sometimes a homeowner will ask for an unrealistic deadline in terms of a required job completion. An adviser can intervene on the contractor's behalf letting the homeowner know that the job is impossible to do in the time frame they've requested because specific parts of the job need specific amounts of time.

Bringing in a home renovation adviser when there's difficulty during construction:
Home renovation advisers can also help sort out a job if the home owner is becoming concerned about any part of the job from timing to cost. An adviser can evaluate all your costs to date and let you know if you're on track or have paid in advance and help you negotiate with the contractor.

Cathy Rust writes a weekly column featuring information on home improvement highlighting new building, energy efficiency and green building products and services.
http://blog.homestars.com

HomeStars.com is a free website where you can read and write reviews on home improvement companies in your neighbourhood
http://homestars.com

Warped Shake Shingles

Deck Stair Building Video

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

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

Stair Building Tips

Home Organization Books
Home Remodeling Books

Boat Construction - Why Sailboats Look As They Do

The purpose of this article is to give a cursory look at boat construction, not so that you would be able to build one, but to show some of the reasons why sailboats look as they do. Although there is a huge range of designs for boats they are basically the same whether they are a racing dinghy, a fishing smack, or an ocean racer or cruiser. They are as cars are -- the design changes only with the purpose of the machine, and after that for cosmetic effect.

So boats, generally, are sharp at the end that goes through the water first, they have varying degrees of width (beam) and they are blunt at the trailing end. They will have a mast, either tall or short, and they will have sails. Because they have sails, they must have a keel. If the boat is a fishing smack it will be slow, it will have a short mast, and it will be made of enormously strong timbers because it has to survive heavy weather, it has to carry a heavy catch, and it has to have great power to drag its nets.

If the boat is a racing dinghy, it will hold two, sometimes three people. It will be light enough to carry to the beach and trail home, and it will have a dish-shaped bottom and a centreboard. This is because it usually sails in sheltered waters, the weight of the crew keeps it upright, and it wants as little wetted surface as possible so that it can travel as fast as possible. An ocean racer won't have a doghouse (the bit of the cabin that sticks up above the deck), it will have a mast that seems ridiculously light for such a powerful vessel and it will have a wide range of sails to choose from.

The ocean cruiser will have a solid mast, often with steps up the side. It will have a big cockpit, and a big doghouse. The boat will tend to have more beam than the racer, although not necessarily so, and it will have sails that furl into the mast, or around themselves, with the controls running back to the cockpit. The point I am making is that, however the special purpose of a boat affects the design, it will still be within broad controlling factors.

Materials used to make hulls

In the same way that design can change for special purposes, so has it changed in the last few decades, especially because new materials have become available. In fact materials from which hulls are made have changed dramatically. Designers have moved from wood, fibreglass, aluminium and steel to specify foam and Kevlar sandwiches, end-grain balsa held by thin wooden skins inside and out, carbon fibre and other space-age materials. Also, instead of being constructed in a style which had not changed much since Biblical times, hulls are now moulded, and are even baked in giant ovens to cook the exotic materials into a lightweight shape that is lighter than alloy and stronger than steel.

Hull shapes

Hull shapes have changed, too. The fat, shallow, modern boat sails to windward far better than the traditional styles by utilising lift from the keel. And, because they are light, the modern boats run far faster. The only advantage the older, heavier boat has over the modern boat is that it is not thrown sideways as much in big, breaking seas.

But, however much shape and materials have altered, the skeleton of a boat is still much the same. To understand the structure of a hull is to understand the strain on it and to know when to take that strain off. It is outside the scope of this article to discuss design in the sense of which is the latest or which is the best. Every boat buyer decides that personal equation himself. We only want to understand enough about boat construction to see how the design and building absorb the stresses handed out by the sea.

Copyright 2008 Bevanda Pty Ltd

Learn more about sailing in The Boating Bible Manual of Seamanship, http://www.theboatingbible.com/Product.htm

There are also free articles, a blog and a weekly newsletter with tips and advice from Jim Murrant, a very experienced sailor. See you there!

Visit The Boating Bible Manual of Seamanship today -- http://www.theboatingbible.com

It's all about Sailing!

Stair Landing Support

How Will You Complete These Home Improvement Projects?

Homeowners are often faced with an overload when they try to remodel their house and property. With so many elements going into the remodel, they may begin to think they have overdone it or have gotten in over their head. Hiring the right people to help with the projects will help to alleviate the burden that many face when trying to improve their homes.

Home improvement is not everybody's forte. Many homeowners are so lacking in the handyman category that their work often leaves the job in a worse condition that they found it and will actually require even more work to fix their mistakes. Contractors can ensure that the job is done right and the home improvement is left to the experts. There is no shame in not being able to complete an entire remodel alone. If one is to go at it alone, they will be at it for weeks or even months. The time and money they spend will be significantly more, in most cases, than if they simply take on the projects they are familiar with and leave the rest for the experts.

When remodeling, try to find the right people for each project, whether that person is yourself or not. Realizing one's strengths and weaknesses before they undertake a project too difficult will help them save money and a great deal of time. Home improvement is hard work and leaving it to those who know what they are doing will help to make certain that the project is done right and the remodel comes together nicely.

More information on College Works Painting home improvement is just a click away.

Vinyl Window Terminology

Home Improvement Tips - Renovating So You Can Age at Home

When remodeling your home you should think to the future. Do you have an elderly relative that might be moving in at some point or should you be planning for your own future?

A recently released a study that found 75% of the people who currently own homes planned on retiring in them. Its even got a term. Aging in place.

Try to think with the future ahead in mind. Here is some ideas to keep in mind when you are renovating your home.

• Consider a more open more wheelchair friendly layout for your design.
• Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.
• Avoid steps on the main floor if possible.
• Widen doorways to make them wheelchair accessible.
• Try to plan the front entry as low as possible to the ground and eliminate stairs with sloping walks.
• In a bathroom remodel, install extra reinforcement for grab bars and make them handicap accessible.
• Use lever type faucet handles in bathrooms and the kitchen.
• Plan for a lot of storage within easy reach - the area from 20 to 44 inches above the floor and no more than 20 deep.
• When installing cabinets use drawers where possible.
• Make sure that drawers have pulls that are easy to grasp.
• Install lever handles on doors throughout the house.
• Consider hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.
• Place your electric outlets higher than normal and switches lower.
• Consider a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while looking for keys and bringing bags in from a car.

Not only will these upgrades to your home benefit you if you choose to retire in your home, it will also likely make it more appealing should you choose to sell it at some point later.

Bob Current writes about a variety of subjects including home renovations. You can download his free report on Choosing The Best Contractor For Your Renovation at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info.

Fencebuildingguide

Building a House Extension - An Introduction

So you've finally decided that you've had enough of that poky little house your living in and it's time to start making more space available. So what are your options? Well I guess you could just move and buy a bigger place, but they prove to be very expensive, or you could arrange to have an extension added to your current house.

How Does Building A New Extension It Work?

Well I'm afraid there is a little more to it than you may actually think. It's not just a case, as some would have you believe, of getting a small set of plans drawn up, submitting them to the local council and then a couple of weeks later you get a nod to go ahead with them.

There are many considerations to think about when planning on building a home extension. Are you plans adequately drawn? Have you applied for building regulations approval or will you be submitting a building notice? Is the ground suitable for extending on?

In fairness, when we are talking about development to an existing premises, we actually inherit whatever ground conditions actually already exist but even if this is the case, we should still not be put off conducting a thorough site investigation to ensure everything is as it should be before we even start to think about building a house extension.

You will need to know where the water main runs, the layout of existing drainage pipes or soak ways etc, and more to the point, will these pipes get into the way of your proposed building plans of building a house extension.

The last thing you want is to be pleasantly surprised just as you start to excavate your site, and find out that you can't build in the spot you want due to obstacles that could have been avoided if only you would have done your homework.

Make sure you have contingency plans in place and even go so far to plan another position or placement for your extension should you not be able to build in your first sought after position. Being prepared and ready will stop any unnecessary delays that may hold up your project.

There is much to cover on this topic that cannot be possibly covered in one short article so I will therefore continue this text in 'Building A House Extension | part 2' which can be found via the articles contents.

Kirk Smith's company 4K Construction are professional builders from Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. Please visit 4K Constructions Builders Talk for professional help and advice on construction, DIY, and all aspects of building.

Don't Rush When You Install Ceramic Wall Tile in Your Bathroom

It's not that difficult to customize and install ceramic wall tile in your bathroom. A little patience and dedication will get you a long way when installing that dream ceramic tile bathroom wall you've always wanted to have.

Before you begin to install ceramic wall tile, get your tiling tools together. You will need the following tools for this project: A tape measure, a tile cutter and a pair of tile nippers and a pair of pliers, tile spacers, sandpaper, a trowel (preferably notched) and a rubber grout float. To install ceramic wall tile on your bathroom walls properly, you will also need a strong setting material like tiling thinset mortar, or any of a wide selection of tile adhesives. You will also need tiling grout for filling in the gaps between your tiles. Make sure to match your setting material color with your grout.

A bucket, rags and sponges will also be needed for cleaning your tiles of excess grout and other debris, after you're all done. And don't start to install ceramic wall tile without these essentials: You will also need a pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes (broken shards, and other debris can cause nasty cuts, if you are not careful). Ready to start on your dream ceramic bathroom wall? Follow the tiling instructions below and make your ceramic tiled bathroom wall and start tiling!

You can begin by finding the center of your wall. Use a carpenter's level, or long pieces of plumb to mark intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. These will be your reference lines for your tiling work. Where both lines intersect is the starting point for your first row of ceramic tiles. From that point, you may then be able to working your way to both ends of your bathroom wall. Make regular checks when you install ceramic wall tile, so that your tiling work is consistent and does run up or down in a slanting direction.

There are two types of bathroom walls you may be working on. One is the common concrete wall, and the other is a special type of called a green drywall. A green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms and showers because it is designed to resist moisture intrusion. Be sure that you clean your walls of dust and debris, as well as repair cracks and fill in gaps and holes. Roughen up or scarify your wall so that your tiling mortar has some grip for bonding. That way, when you begin to install ceramic wall tile on your walls, you won't have a problem with your tiling mortar or bonding material.

You may now start installing ceramic wall tile once the walls are laid out. Start at your reference lines' intersection point. Apply a coat of tiling thinset mortar. Place your tile over it and press the tile down firmly in place. Give it a twisting motion to set it in place. Stop pressing when you feel your tile has set and is no longer wobbly. Duplicate this procedure with the rest of your ceramic tiles. To get a consistent tiling, place tile spacers on all the spaces between your ceramic bathroom tiles. Don't forget to check your work every now and then.

You may not need to use the entire tile as you finish up the end of the row. Use a tile cutter to get your tile under the right size. Then, smoothen the cut edge with sandpaper. Be careful: The edge of a cut ceramic bathroom tile is very sharp. For irregular, use your tile nippers. First draw an outline of the irregular and etch a line along it. Then, use your tile nipper to break off the unuseable edges, until you have required shape. Do this a little at a time, so you can control your tile nipping. Don't forget to sand the edges over.

Once you're done tiling the bathroom wall, leave it to set, overnight, at the very least, or twenty-four hours, at the most. After this setting period, it's time to lay in your grout. There are two main kinds of grout: Sanded or unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a mixture of cement, water and fine sand. Unsanded grout is any of a wide selection of polymer-based and epoxy resin adhesive grout used to install ceramic wall tile. If your tile spaces are more than an eighth of an inch wide, use sanded grout. For smaller tile spaces, use unsanded grout. Start by map out your bathroom wall and work one section at a time. To maximize your grout application, angle your rubber grout float and press down firmly as you spread it over the tile spaces. Check for pockets of air. Dab these spaces with more grout lining by using the edges of your grout float. Use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess grout. Rinse your sponge regularly so you can get a cleaner and better finish. Let your grout dry for a day and then take a dry piece of cloth and clean and buff your tiles.

Before you know it, you're done! Follow these instruction on how install ceramic wall tile, and don't forget that ceramic tiling takes some dedication and patience. Take your time and don't rush your work. When you install ceramic wall tile, the key is consistency and patience. Ceramic tiles that have been rushed will ruin your bathroom's overall look. A bathroom wall with ceramic tiles that run in haphazard inconsistent zigzag lines is not a beautiful thing to look at. And worse, it would only mean that you lack enthusiasm for what you're doing and that you haven't given it your effort.

You don't have to be a master tilist to install ceramic wall tile in your house. All you have is the best ceramic tile installation instructions.

Flipping Houses Books

Outdoor Wood Furnace Information

I finally finished the installation of my outdoor wood furnace and I love it. I am using it to heat my hot water and saving a bundle of money. I have the furnace pretty well figured out. Every day around 3:30 I load the furnace with fifteen pieces of split firewood and that's it.

I am saving all of my large unspliled logs for the colder months when the heat is needed. I tried putting A large log in and it lasts for 2 days. I just love filling the furnace with wood. I actually look forward to it. My daughter loves helping me fill it too. The dealer says that I will probably burn around twelve cords of firewood per year. That's not bad at all considering my oil burner was burning 300 gallons per month.

I chose a furnace by Sequoyah Paradise called "Whispering Pines". They claim that it can heat a well insulated area up to 8000 sq. feet. My home is only 3000 sq. feet so I feel safe that it will be adequate during the coldest months. The total cost for the furnace was $7100. I buried 130 feet of 1 inch insulated pex pipe at a cost of $990. I rented a core drill to make a hole through my 22" stone foundation for $170.

The interior installation cost for the pumps, fittings, interior pex pipes, valves and 50 plate heat exchanger was $850. The cost for the electrical wire, switches and other misc parts was $350. To top it off I had to spend $220 for a 4 foot stove pipe and cap for the chimney.

I took some pictures of the outdoor wood furnace and the final installation.

Click-here-for-Pictures@blogspot

Two Story Wood Siding Office

3 Do's and Don'ts of Landscaping

Landscaping a home is like putting a cherry on a sundae. Dressing up the front or back yard will make your home look and feel complete while providing beautiful aesthetics. With so many appealing options to choose from, starting a landscaping project may seem like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be. Your landscaping project can be as ambitious or simple as you want it to be. However, whatever the size and scope of your project, here are a few thing to keep in mind when planning the perfect garden.

Do's
1. Look before you start
Our first instinct may be to jump right into the project, but look at the overall landscape before doing anything. Consider your garden space as a whole and try to plan for an overall landscaping look and feel. This will make your garden flow more. If you choose to tackle one area of your garden at a time, without an overall plan, it may be years before you actually complete the project.

2. Develop a focal point
For the best results, you want the eye to travel to a specific point or destination. This can be done with one or two visual elements that will capture the attention and make you pause for a second. A focal point can be achieved with a pond or a fountain, a special seating area or a beautiful gazebo.

3. Mix and match
Don't be afraid to experiment and try to avoid having the same color or the same design throughout the entire landscape. This can make your garden seem boring and monotone, when it should feel relaxing and inviting. Try mix and match to achieve a more natural and appealing environment. But be careful not to over do it. Find two or three visually creative ideas and mix and match them. It will bring the landscape to life.

Don'ts
1. Don't eliminate the yard
While you do want to consider the entire yard space when planning your landscape, you should avoid completely eliminating the yard. Adding brick or stone, can be beautiful and offer low maintenance, but having greenery will liven up the yard and give it an inviting and natural feel. Also, keeping some grass in your garden will help cool the landscape on a hot day and provide a soothing feel.

2. Don't take on multiple styles
Be careful when choosing the style of your landscape. While mi and matching, in moderation will liven up your garden, trying to mix completely opposite style may backfire. Try to avoid combining a minimalist stone courtyard with a formal English garden. The idea is to keep the landscaping flowing with an overall style and some focal points.

3. Don't skip out on unseen materials
As with building a house, the foundations of a landscaping project are very important. Don't skimp out on the materials. Make sure your drainage is done properly, that the deck sits on solid foundations, that the pond has the appropriate amount of sand and gravel underneath it, that you have enough good quality dirt for your flower beds, etc. By investing in these foundation materials and following the directions correctly, you will reap the benefits of a beautifully landscaped garden without having to worry about future problems.

Specializing in Brampton property, Harry Saggu is a professional agent with Century 21 Peoples Choice Realty Inc. and has a background in economics. If you are in search of a Brampton condo please feel free contact Harry or visit his site

Fixing Up Your Home And How To Finance It

Undertaking a home improvement project can be really expensive and thus, financing is essential. There are many financial products that can help you finance home improvements. Some are more suitable for the task than others but all of them have advantages and disadvantages.

When home improvements are necessary, the following financial solutions can provide you with the needed funds for the project depending on the amount you want: Credit cards, unsecured personal loans, mortgage loans and home equity loans. All of them (except for the credit cards) can be called home improvement loans because what defines a home improvement loan is the use that you give to the money. However, home improvement loans are usually either mortgage loans or home equity loans.

Credit Cards For Financing Home Improvements

Credit cards are undoubtedly great financial tools due to their flexibility. However, they are not particularly useful in terms of scrimping and saving. The interest rates charged by credit card issuers are significantly higher than the rates charged by lenders and thus, a $3000 home improvement project can end up costing $600 more per year. However, used in combination with other financial products like home equity loans, credit cards can provide the funds necessary for covering unexpected expenses in the project or additional improvements that may rise while the original project is on course.

Unsecured Personal Loans For Home Improvements

Unsecured personal loans are perfect for home improvements but can provide the funds for small projects only. If your home improvement plans will not be that costly, then an unsecured personal loan for home improvements may be the solution. Besides, personal loans have an advantage over secured loans: there is little to no paperwork and they are processed considerably faster due to the lack of collateral.

Mortgage Loans For Home Improvements

If your property is not securing any debt, then, you can request a home improvement mortgage loan. These loans come with the lowest rates on the market. Since you already own the property, however, the interest rate will not be as low as home loans for first time home buyers which feature subsidized rates. But the interest rate will still be significantly lower than that of any other financial product.

Home Improvement Loans Based On Equity

Last, but not means least, home equity loans are the most common form of home improvement loans. These loans are based on the equity left on your property. Thus, it does not matter if you have a mortgage balance on your property, you can still get finance for your home improvements as long as the value of the property is higher than the amount of money you owe that is secured by it.

The amount of money you can obtain will depend on your available equity. However, for home improvements, there are loan options offering up to 125% financing if you have a good credit score and history. Thus, even if you have only $10,000 left on a $100,000 property, you will be able to obtain up to $35,000 on a home improvement loan based on equity.

---

Jessica Peterson writes finance articles for Yourloanservices.com where she shares her knowledge about how to get money for a starting-up business, consolidating any kind of debt, repairing a home even with a bad credit history and more.

Do You Have a "Master" Bedroom? You Shouldn't! Tips for Remodeling Your Bedroom

The word "master" is an antiquated term that suggests control, domination, and inequality, and in today's cooperative partner and/or single parent household, the label "master suite" has become obsolete. In that light, master bedrooms would more properly be called "main bedrooms" in todays society.

Far removed from the activity of family rooms and busy kitchens, the bedroom is the place where your day begins and ends. Surprisingly, however, main bedroom redecorating frequently ranks near the bottom of most people's home renovation lists. But if you want an immediate uplift of your emotional state, there are few projects that will do that more effectively than remodeling your main bedroom.

Remodeling Your Main Bedroom for Happiness

The main bedroom, with its softened textures, serene artwork, and muted patterns, intimately captures the warmth of a home. Passion colors, such as red, purple, royal blue, rose, or the gilt of gold, add drama and indulgence. Plan your main bedroom design with private times in mind, beginning with the purpose of the bedroom. Do you want a Passion Boudoir, Reading Room, or Private Sanctuary?

Passion Boudoir

French women are known to create the sexiest bedrooms in the world, and like many French women, today's homemakers often plan for sex and decorate accordingly, creating evocative, enticing bedrooms. Here are a few suggestions for creating a Passion Boudoir:

Flattering colors contribute to personal beauty and are erotically appealing. Choose seductive colors like Rouge Red, Lipstick Reds, Creamy Peaches, and Subtle Pinks. Make sure the colors enhance your natural beauty. Be daring and use bold colors on the walls.

Luscious fabrics will set the stage for sensuousness. Use silky, velvet, and chenille textures in combination with nubby textures. Use fabrics that remind you of a favorite shared memory. Exotic patterns, such as animal prints or tropical florals, conjure images of faraway journeys.

Locating mirrors in unusual places, such as the tops of dressers or side tables, reflect dancing candle light. Tropical plants and trees, uplit with special lights, also cast exciting shadows.

An intimate bistro table, set with two chairs, invites private conversations. Dressing tables, furnished with feminine accessories and intimate objects, add mystery and romance to a room.

Just the presence of a bed tray suggests the possibility of the ultimate pleasure: breakfast in bed, while soft lighting, candles, essential oils in a diffuser, and gentle oscillating fans effectively complete the dcor in a Passion Boudoir.

Reading Rooms

If you're one of the many people who love to read in their bedrooms, you might consider designing your main bedroom with lounging and reading books in mind. Since eye experts warn that it's bad for a person's eyes to read while lying down (because we tend to hold the book too close), you might begin by enabling proper reading posture by installing padded headboards.

Another consideration is lighting. Eye experts claim that readers need at least two reading lamps of at least 175-200 watts, but that type of lighting would seem quite harsh in a bedroom setting. In fact, as my friend Madi, a devoted bedroom reader, says, "My reading time is some of my most important time, intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. It's the most intimate time I give myself; it compares to what others may call meditation. Just being in a space that's warm and comfortable with a good book is the greatest thing in the world to me, and any bright light would change the ambience of that quiet time."

Madi certainly isn't alone in cherishing her reading time, or in opposing harsh lighting in the bedroom. So instead of individual lights, consider equalizing the overall lighting scheme by adding other less obtrusive lights across the room.

Good colors for Reading Rooms include Old World Ivory, Antique Amber, Sage Green, and Slate Blue. These soft colors reflect light without glare and also support peaceful feelings.

Squishy pillows, luxurious Afghans or throws, landscape paintings with distant horizons, and mirrors for private reflections add feelings of indulgence. A great lounge chair with a floor lamp and nearby tea table completes the additions to a perfect Reading Room.

Private Sanctuary

Perhaps you'd rather turn your main bedroom into a personal retreat, where you can escape and unwind from a busy day. Surround yourself with photos of friends, family, and places you love, as well as your favorite artwork and meaningful mementos. Under-furnished private sanctuaries can also give you the space to contemplate and daydream.

Good colors for private sanctuaries include dark Forest Greens, deep Chocolates, Mochas, Navy or Cobalt Blues, and Eggplant. Darker colors create a womb-like feeling and aid deep sleep.

A writing desk, accompanied by a comfortable chair, induces journal and letter writing. A small refrigerator will make you feel as if you can enjoy your time in the bedroom without interruption, and a television offers the opportunity to watch your favorite movies and shows. Room-darkening window coverings also encourage deep sleep and aid in the restoration of your soul.

Living Room Furniture in Bedrooms

Bedrooms can truly become living rooms when they're furnished luxuriously -- like a private suite. Adding furniture usually considered living room pieces automatically upscales the importance of your bedroom. Sofas, rocking chairs, or matching overstuffed chairs help create the feeling of an oasis.

The bedroom is the most personal of all the rooms in our home. In fact, as a Realtor, I've been in houses on home tours where the main bedroom was off-limits. That may seem strange, but it only served to add to the mystery of the home. I've also been in a delightful home where the living room itself had actually been turned into a fabulous main bedroom!

Only you can decide the best bedroom setting for your personal preferences and lifestyle, but if you want to make a dramatic change for the better in your life, there's no better way to accomplish that than remodeling your main bedroom!

Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author's information with live links only.)

Jeanette Fisher teaches home makers five easy steps to makeover their homes for happiness. She is the author of interior design and real estate books and teaches interior Design Psychology, Free Design Psychology ebooks. http://www.designpsych.com

Building Your Own House

Most of us only dream of building your own home and living in it for the rest of our lives, well maybe not for the rest of our lives. My grandfather built his home when my father was nine years old and lived in it until he died. As a Carpenter and general contractor, I have always wanted to build my own home but never got the chance.

For anyone interested in building the home of your dreams, I found a few books on home building that seemed to be pretty helpful. I have been remodeling, building room additions, worked on track house framing for years and have done more home repairs than you could possibly imagine. I have found some of these books to be very resourceful and helpful, when it comes to solving some of the problems I run into.

When it comes to building the foundation, it's not just about pouring a concrete slab or footings. You need to run electrical conduit, plumbing supply and waste pipes, make sure the building foundation is square and level, and if you forget one thing, just one thing, you could find yourself in a world of hurt. I have worked on homes where the builder forgot to install electrical conduit and plumbing for a kitchen island. The contractor needed to saw cut the foundation and repair at it, during the home construction. This cost the building contractor around $4600.

Sometimes a checklist makes sense but where you get a checklist for building homes. Well maybe one day, I will try to make one. These home building books have been valuable resources to me for many years and have saved me grief and agony over simple things that often get overlooked.

It's a little overwhelming to even think about building your own home, if you don't have some construction skills. Construction knowledge can be gained through on-the-job training and by reading construction manuals. The best of both worlds would be to have both of these skills.

Construction knowledge can be gained or improved, over time with experience, combined with a couple of great books.

Home Building Books

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.

Swimming Pool Books

House Extension Tips - Remodeling

Adding an extra kids' play room to your house? Or are you planning a study for yourself? Such home extensions can require a lot of planning and research. Paying heed to the legal side of the matter is also important to save you from fines and penalties. Here are some instructions to help you with your venture.

Permits And Regulations
Home extensions generally need you to obtain a permit before you can go forward with the job. Especially, for a new extension to the old plan of your house, it is mandatory to seek a permit from the local authority. Standards set out in the 'Building Regulations' need to be followed and met. This is precisely what is checked by the authority when you present them your new home extensions plan. They inspect the plan and confirm it meets the building regulation standards. Upon the receipt of the planning permission you will then need to apply for the Building Regulations. It is necessary to obtain the planning permission before proceeding with the further actions.

Consider Your Neighbours
When planning house extensions, make sure it does not cause trouble for your neighbours. Do not construct any structure that may have adverse effects on their lives, like block their driveway or sunlight. The best practice is to consult your neighbours before going for any house extensions. This will prevent any problems arising later on and also maintain a healthy relationship between your family and your neighborhood.

It may reduce your expenses in case the neighbour is looking to do something similar, e.g. building a wall around the property. Such a consultation with your neighbours can sometimes prove beneficial to you. Special permits and agreements are required for building walls and constructions for semi detached or terraced houses or flats.

Contracting The Trades
Different tradesmen are required for your home extensions. You may have to employ an electrician, a plumber, a gas fitter, to name a few. How do you find them? Some people believe the best way to look for a tradesman is to ask friends and family for proper recommendations. These generally prove to be the safest avenues to get hold of a good choice. However it is recommended to only go for a licensed builders company. This ensures the trade is qualified to the required standards to do the job. However it is recommended to employ one company only to undertake the whole project. This would help to take the stress off you organising different trades.

You should also prepare a legal contract between you and the people on the job. This is to prevent any unpleasant situation that may arise just in case there is any disagreement or problem later on.

Some More Planning
Some more planning before you finally start your home extensions project are as follows. You need to understand if you are looking at an extension or a major conversion and plan accordingly. This will save you a lot of space and money. E.g., instead of building a new room, try and convert the garage you never use. The other thing to consider is the time frame within which you want to complete the project. And obviously, budget is a very important factor. So, for the best results, plan your home extensions carefully considering all that has been discussed above.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of London house extension - web site offering all aspects of builders services. Visit our site for more helpful information about London house extensions and other similar topics.

Plywood Beam Repair

Resolving Home Remodeling Problems - Remodeling Contractors

Your thinking about remodeling your home. You have asked everyone you know if they have a good contractor they trust or do they know anyone who does. You might have read a few articles like this or visited a couple of web sites to get as much information as you can about dealing with contractors during a house remodel.

Now the time has come for you to take the first step and call one of the contractors. You have spent some time looking through books and magazines to find just what you want done to your house. You have a idea of how much money you are going to spend if the job can be done exactly how you envision it.

You have called the city or county building department in your area to find out what is required from them in the way of building permits. If you have done some of these things you are ahead of most homeowners. There are a few of you that do know what can be done with a rough idea of how much the project will cost. A ball park figure lets say.

Most of the home remodeling Anxiety is caused from the miscommunication or no communication. The biggest problems I have had are from some sort of communication misunderstanding. I have been very lucky with having less than a handful of what I would consider a major home remodeling problem.

Do your best to explain what it is that you want done to your home. This also means understanding what it is exactly in writing what you are going to have done to your house. If you or the contractor do not understand this could lead to a possible anxiety attack and a problem.

Once you hire a home remodeling contractor the next step is to let them do their job. This doesn't mean. If you are watching them tear into a wall and the picture on the other side is about to fall off. Don't bother them. Of course stop them and remove the picture. We all make mistakes. If you see something isn't working out, talk to your contractor about it.

Don't be afraid of your contractor. If you see that what you had in mind isn't working out to your satisfaction. Explain the problem calmly and be to the point. I don't like it when someone beats around the bush and I never get to the problem. I would rather have them yelling at me, telling me what a jerk I am than taking two hours to make a point I have to drag out of them anyway.

If you do come to a problem that neither one of you can solve or you think the other one is at fault for whatever reason. You can contact the Department of Consumer Affairs and explain your situation to them. There is a good chance if you need a arbitrator they will set up a time and day for you and your contractor to meet. The arbitrator will come to a final decision for the both of you and that will be final. Of course their is always the Supreme Court... Well we don't want to go that far do we.

Most of the time if you have everything in writing in the form of a contract you shouldn't have any problems. If you do there is a great chance they will be able to be resolved quickly.
Doing major remodeling to your home can be extremely stressful at some points. Listen to your contractor when he is giving you advice on how to deal with the stress. He is a good source of wisdom especially if he had been doing it for years.

Resolving home remodeling anxiety will be a little more difficult during the construction process. It is very important to think the remodeling project through all the way to the end if you can. Try to think about worst case scenarios and figure out the best possible solutions before they happen.

Flying off the handle sometimes causes hammers and humans to lose their heads, as well as their effectiveness. William Arthur Ward

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

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.

Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips

Tips For Caring For Your Hardwood Floor

In the home it is becoming popular to use natural materials. Woods, laminates and veneers are being used more often for furniture and flooring because of their ease of use and care. You can find many different varieties of woods available for home use, from the simple and cost efficient pines to the more exotic and expensive mesquite. If you were raised on vinyl you may be worried that caring for natural wood is too difficult or time consuming. However, there are many cleaning supplies for cleaning hardwood floors, which makes the task an easy and quick process.

To care for your hardwood floor on a daily basis you should use a good dust mop or vacuum to remove the dust and dirt. If the area is in an area without much traffic this may be all you have to do. You should also occasionally carefully wash and wax the area to keep it completely clean. The method you will use for cleaning your floor will depend on the sealant that is used on the floor. You should check with the manufacturer to see what kind of sealant your floor has and the recommended cleaning supplies you should use. This will avoid any problems with your floor's warranty and avoid damaging the floor. You will also make your work much easier. It is important to note that you should never use a cleaner with an ammonia base on your wood floor.

A hardwood floor that is properly cleaned and cared for creates a warm and beautiful environment in your home. It is an elegant and stylish look. The care of your beautiful hardwood floor is pretty simple. To keep your floor looking as good as new you will need to exercise some preventative maintenance and buy the correct cleaning supplies that are specifically made for hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are damaged the most by the use of water and dirt that is gritty and able to scratch the finish. Water will warp the wood if it is allowed to set on the floor for any length of time. You should make sure to mop up any water that is spilled on your hardwood floor immediately. If it becomes necessary to wipe up a sticky mess on the floor make sure you use a damp only cloth. You should also quickly dry the area and buff out the area completely. You can use area rugs in any areas that have the risk of having water spilt on them.

Use a mat in front of your door to keep the dirt outside and away from your hardwood floors. Shake these rugs out often. Once a week vacuum the floor with a brush attachment on your vacuum. A dust mop and dustpan can also be used for weekly cleaning. Attach felt pads to the bottom of your furniture to avoid scratching and remember that furniture should be picked up and not pushed across the floor. Watch your shoes and make sure that they cannot damage your floor. And keep your pets toenails clipped to prevent more scratching.

You should clean or re wax and buff your floor once a year. You should make sure that you use a cleaner that is made for cleaning wood floors. The type of treatment and product you use will depend on the type of floor and the manufacturers recommendations. If your floor has a surface finish it is acceptable to use the wood cleaner with a damp towel. But if your floor has a wax finish you will have to use a paste wax that is made specifically for hardwood floors. If you care for your floor on a regular basis you should only need to perform the cleaning once a year.

The Fuller Brush Company has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com or Call # 1-800-992-1089

Framed Plywood Shower Seat

How To Clean Marble - Home Repair Tips

Marble differs from most other stones because it is extremely porous. In other words, it allows dirt and stains to set in and be retained far more easily than denser stone. Also for this reason, it cannot withstand most conventional cleaning mediums especially harsh detergents and acids.

Remember that marble has a slightly unstable chemistry and is quite delicate. Calcium carbonate (which is what marble basically consists of) will immediately and dramatically react with any kind of acid, resulting in pitting and scarring.

The best way of maintaining marbles overall cleanliness is with lukewarm water, a soft cloth and an occasional wipe down with a mild, non-abrasive detergent. The marble should be thoroughly wiped dry after such cleaning. If you like, a light coat of wax can be applied for further protection, but this is entirely optional, since marble will not gain additional luster from wax the way wood does.

The only safe way of tackling stains (blood, tea, coffee etc.) on marble is by gently soaking them off. To do this, any kind of absorbent material such as blotting paper or facial tissue can be lightly soaked in water and 20% hydrogen peroxide, placed over the stain and left there for several hours. The stain should wipe off easily after this treatment. Rust stains are best removed with regular rust removers; however, marble should not be exposed to them longer than strictly necessary.

Marble does tend to fade with the passage of time. This does not necessarily detract from its innate beauty. However, the luster of faded marble especially on domestic home floors can be effectively rejuvenated. There are specialty cleaning agents such as tin dioxide available at most leading housekeeping stores. Used as manual polish or in combination with an electric floor polisher, these work wonders in freshening up the lost shine of marble.

Keeping your marble in top condition is easy with a little care: it may be maintained with soft, conventional cleaning products; stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide and it may even be polished to keep it looking new.

Wood Flooring provides detailed information about wood flooring, laminate wood flooring, hard wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and more. Wood Flooring is the sister site of How To Clean Marble.

Sauna Heaters - The Choices are Many

When incorporating a private sauna into your home, the type of sauna heater you plan to implement will influence several other crucial decisions you'll need to make before the building process begins:

• Will your sauna be located indoors or outdoors?
• Will you need a portable sauna that can be moved to a new location if necessary, or will this be a permanent fixture?
• Do you have the necessary space for a dedicated room or separate enclosure for your sauna?
• What are your must-haves for the design of the sauna? For instance, will you need a built-in shower or changing area?

The type of heat source you choose for your home sauna will determine the options you'll have for many aspects of the unit, including location, size, materials, and layout. Sauna heaters are designed to produce heat and steam for enjoyable sauna sessions. Often, rocks are placed on the heater to retain the heat; when water is poured over these stones, it adds to the production of humidity and steam. Some of the more commonly used sauna rocks are olivine and peridotite, both of which can be purchased at your local sauna supply store or online.

In general, there are four main types of heaters that are used for a majority of today's home saunas. Among these varieties, you'll find a wide range of pricing and performance. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Wood-Burning Sauna Heaters

Inspired by the original heat sources used by the first Finnish saunas, wood-burning heaters are still preferred by many purists today. This sauna heat source can be a convenient option for outdoor saunas with a separate entrance away from the main home, since the sauna can be positioned near the wood pile. The resulting ashes are also much easier to clean up if the sauna is outdoors. One potential drawback of wood heaters is that they require quite a bit of maintenance and attention. Also, if you don't have the time or resources to cut wood to fuel the fire, you'll need to make special trips to regularly purchase kindling. One other shortcoming is that sauna wood heaters don't allow fixed control over their temperature.

Gas-Burning Sauna Heaters

A popular alternative for the budget-conscious sauna user, gas heaters are powered by either natural gas or propane. Natural gas is far more economical than standard electricity, although one potential disadvantage is that not all areas have natural gas available. Propane gas provides a more portable option, requiring no hard-wiring from the sauna to an electrical outlet. One benefit of sauna gas heaters is that they warm up very quickly. Note that you will need to enlist the services of a certified plumber to run any necessary natural gas lines to the sauna stove.

Electric Heaters

First emerging in the 1950s, electric heaters are now the most common sauna power sources in the United States today. Some of their most appealing features are their cost-efficiency and ease of operation. Most electric heaters for saunas are equipped with built-in thermostats and digital timers, making it easy to set and maintain specific temperature settings.

Infrared Sauna Heaters

Growing in popularity in recent years, the sauna infrared heater uses cutting-edge technology to directly penetrate the body with far infrared heat, rather than warming the surrounding air as other types of heaters do. As a result, infrared sauna users enjoy a more immediate and direct therapeutic benefit from infrared's radiant heat. Infrared saunas use a much lower temperature than other types of saunas, while still achieving the same levels of warmth and relaxation. Some other advantages of infrared sauna heaters are that they warm up quickly and are easy to install and operate. You will, however, need to hire a certified electrician to make sure your infrared sauna is wired according to the local building code.

About the Author:

Kevin Urban is the editor for http://www.sauna-talk.com, the web's premier informational site on home saunas. Visit the site for our recommended list of sauna books and a great selection of sauna accessories.

Copyright 2008 Sauna-Talk.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site providing all links are included and clickable

Become a Conscientious Contractor

If you have an older home there's a good chance you have one by six diagonal floor sheeting and some of the knots have fallen out by now. Some of these large knots can create safety hazards for your home. Performing major remodels or whole house renovations on older homes you can run into quite a few problems with these kinds of wood floors.

One of the first things I do is remove the carpeting and padding. This exposes the floor sheeting for further examination. By the time I am done with all the plumbing and electrical repairs underneath the subfloor it seems that some of the 1 x 6 has been damaged. Your first thought of course is just to replace the 1 x 6 that is damaged and be done with it.

This is one way to approach the problem, another is to repair the 1 x 6 that was damaged and install half inch plywood over the existing floor sheeting. Please make sure the floor is level and has no humps or dips in it before you start installing the new plywood over the existing floor sheeting.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. The bad part about this is when the homeowner chose to go with expensive wood flooring throughout his home. When you walked in to the front of his house you felt like you were going out to a small wheelchair ramp for about 10 feet and then of course it felt like you were going down for another 6 feet.

In order to repair this properly it would've taken the other contractor about 24 hours to repair the floor. In this case the homeowner would have been glad to pay for the repair after the fact. Sometimes when contractors mention a potential problem down the road and how much it will cost to repair that problem, most homeowners cannot see the value in the contractor's opinion at that time.

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

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 in Home Remodeling

How To Cut And Polish Granite?

The Greeks were the first to use stones to make homes. The procedure of acquiring natural stone has not changed much since then. In modern days too big blocks of stone are cut from the mines and then sold in thin pieces or slabs. After buying these slabs, they are polished and shaped according to usage. For the granite stone too this process is followed.

Over the years the main method has remained the same but to perform the steps the type of machineries used has changed drastically. Science has transformed the old machines into much more effective and time saving types. Three basic machines are used in granite fabrication. These are saws, polishers and routers.

Saws

Block saw or gang saw cuts the stone blocks into slabs. Nowadays diamond wire saw is used for cutting. The machine has a wire and on the wire a commercial diamond is fixed. Diamond itself is the hardest stone. So it makes the job much quicker. Then a bridge saw is used to give the slabs proper size.

Polishers

Polishers are used to make the surface of the granite smooth. Polishers make the surface of the granite mirror like. An abrasive material is attached with the rotating pads of the polisher. The surface of the material varies according to purpose. The smoothness of the polishing increases with the fineness of the abrasive material.

Routers

Routers are used to create designs on the slab surface. There are various edges that are used in the router to create different designs. Router has a spinning blade fixed with diamonds to cut and create the required designs.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visithttp://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1657.html http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1657.html

You are welcome to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL

Great Books for Home Building

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Linoleum Floor Water Damage

Home Foundation - Hidden Foundation Problems That Could Cost You Thousands in Your Next Home

Homes are built on a number of different support systems; the standard well known types on footings are slab, crawlspace, and basements. There are others that deal with particular soils conditions such as piers, grade beams, driven piles and engineered post tension slabs.

1. Your problems with a slab foundation are pretty straight forward. Slab foundations are built in one variation as one pour of concrete including the footing, walls, and floor system. The tendency of single pour solid concrete slabs is to crack because the concrete cures at different rates based on the thickness or mass. The floor system is normally 4" thick and cures at one rate, the walls and footing maybe 12" thick and 30" deep will cure at a different rate this can cause cracks in the floor system. These cracks will cause an opening to the soil below which is the big problem. The crack will cause moisture to wick into your carpet, the crack may split the hardwood floors, crack your ceramic tiles, and stain the vinyl tiles or sheet flooring.

Slab foundations are also built on footing with block or brick walls and floor system. The chance of cracking is less likely to occur with this system. The footing is poured separately cures, the foundation walls are erected and the floor system is poured and cures. The chance of cracking is lessened because of three separate stages of work. The cracks can occur but are at a minimum as compared a single pour system.

2. Crawlspace problems are cause by the poorly finished or unfinished areas below the first floor decking. The dirt floor of a crawlspace can be covered with different materials according to local and state building codes. Some required a concrete slab over a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier others require only 100% coverage of a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier. Both can cause serious moisture problems because of the unfinished walls and unconditioned area of the crawlspace. The unconditioned (no heat or air conditioning) space can cause mold, mildew in the crawlspace and moisture to wick up into the home through the wood joist and deck floor system. This is causes odors in carpet, cupping or warping hardwoods, wet ceramic tiles, and stains in vinyl floor backing.

Worst yet is that in some cases the heating system and the water heater are located in the damp wet crawlspace causing corrosion on the pipes, fittings, valves, and any metal parts in the crawlspace over time it will be a huge problem for any future homeowner. The better builders today are providing a completely conditioned crawlspace where the dirt floor is sealed the walls are sealed and insulated which keeps out the moisture and allows your mechanical systems to operate properly for years. What did your builder do or what are the plans for your new home?

3. Basement problems can be the same as crawlspaces with the unconditioned areas except the basement is deeper in the ground, closer to any water level or water table which can be a more serious problem. Basements have always had the reputation for being damp and smelly they still can be if the builder is not using modern waterproofing materials and designs. The possibility of floor system cracks exists in basement homes. Using proper water proofing techniques and exterior grading basements have become very desirable. The walk-out condition where the rear wall is actually open to ground level (the lot sloping down from front to rear) has offered some excellent opportunities for homeowners to add usable heated square footage to the home and become a much better alternate to the finished bonus room on the third floor.

Your choice of foundation system is governed more by the site and soil conditions. Most builders would rather build what pleases you at a profitable cost than to chance losing a sale. Some home builders you may find are stuck or set in their building techniques and may not offer you choices that are evidently available or possible.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your FREE access to 2 recent articles "9 Tips For You to Make Real Money in College Rental Properties " and "9 Steps to Save Big Dollars For Your Student With In-State Tuition" at https://www.collegetowneproperties.com/Free_Helpful_Articles.html

Bill "The College Rental Investment Guy" is a leading expert on College Rental Investment Properties and Off-Campus Housing.

Finding the Best Garage Doors

If you are one of the millions of people who are in the process of replacing their existing garage door or building a home and garage then garage doors prices are very important. However one should be aware that buying a cheap garage door may not be the bargain you think it is. In terms of garage doors pricing you do get what you pay for. A quality garage door will not only accent your house beautifully but also save you money.

Depending where you live you may need to find a garage door that has high energy efficiency. If you have or are planning to have a workshop in your garage then installing a high R-value door will mean that you can utilize it year around. Obviously if you are planning on heating or cooling your garage a high efficiency door will save you a lot of money. Insulated garage doors prices will be higher but will be amortized by the money saved with lower energy costs. The best garage doors for your home will depend on where you live and your lifestyle.

If you live along the ocean or Gulf of Mexico then more than likely you are also living in a high wind risk area. If you live on the water then you are also at high risk from salt corrosion damage as well. High wind rated doors especially those that meet the Miami-Dade wind code will have higher garage doors prices. They may not be as expensive as you may think so it is worth your while to shop around for the best door at the best prices. Installing an ordinary door could put your family or home at extreme risk in case you are hit with a tropical storm or hurricane. Engineering studies done after hurricane Andrew showed that the greatest risk to your home comes from losing your garage door. Once you lose your garage door to wind it is only minutes before you lose the roof of your home and possibly your life.

Prices range for as little as $450 to as much as $5000 for custom wooden garage doors. An 8x16 good quality steel garage door that has panels constructed of two steel panels that sandwich 2 inches of polyurethane foam with a prepainted low maintenance exterior will average about $1200 dollars installed. A high wind rated garage doors cost will be about $1300 installed in Florida. In some cases building code permits will increase the cost as much as $150. Remember these are country wide average garage door prices.

Remember it is just not smart to cut corners when it comes to garage doors. A quality garage doors pricing can be an indicator of quality. However it is wise to visit your local home improvement store and ask the staff about garage door prices and quality. If you are handy with tools you may be able to install your own garage door and save money. Home improvement stores like Home Depot will be able to assist you with your installation plans. Of course the Internet is a great place to conduct research, but a poor place to find information on prices.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Garage Doors Pricing Website located at http://www.garagedoorspricing.com Providing information on Garage Doors Prices and the purchasing, installing and operation of a garage door

Water Damaged Venetian Plaster

Preventing Damage to Septic Tanks - Home Repair Advice

Septic tanks, like all other products, need periodic maintenance to function properly. And if something goes wrong anywhere in the septic system, the costs can be huge. Apart from periodic maintenance and inspection, it is also necessary that we use our drainage lines properly. This article discusses the basics of septic tanks and some typical things that we shouldn't do if we want to increase the life of the septic system.

Let's first see how septic tanks function properly for so long without maintenance. Whenever something goes out through the drainage lines in our homes, it goes to the septic tank initially. Visualize of it as a gigantic tank that is usually made of concrete though very old ones are probably made of steel. The drainage lines enter the tank through an inlet tee near the top, while there is another outlet tee at the other end from where liquids leaves the tank and goes to the drain field into the soil.

Upon water entering via the inlet tee, the solid materials often sink to the bottom of the tank make a sludge. Some solids that don't sink inside the water gather at the surface along with grease and oily liquids forming scum. Since the outlet tee is at a certain height, solids from the sludge usually don't pass on to the drain field. Likewise, the tees keep sludge and dirt away from the out and inlet.

Bacteria within the septic tank help to liquify the solids, ensuring that they don't build up too much. This is the manner in which septic tanks continue functioning well - unless damage occurs to them, which it usually does eventually. The issues most often happen when debris reaches the out or inlet. So the only way to keep the system running smoothly is by pumping the waste out of the tank before the sludge or scum become overgrown in volume.

Nevertheless, you still need to be careful in your routine life to increase the performance of septic tanks. Firstly, the drain field should not be damp with rainwater; if it is already overloaded with water from other sources, it would not be able to efficiently absorb the water coming from the septic tank. Likewise, make sure that your internal draining lines are not putting an unnecessary amount of water into the septic tank. A common reason for this can be leaking faucets or overrunning showers. So fix these problems whenever you come across them.

Secondly, do not plant trees close to septic tanks as the roots may grow into the equipment and cause problems. And don't throw all sorts of garbage into your drainage system. Diapers, condoms, napkins aren't usually broken down into liquids by bacteria and would quickly pile up the level of sludge inside the septic tank. Additionally, ensure you do not use chemical cleaning agents in substantial volumes; these cleaners typically eliminate bacteria inside the tanks and hinder the processing of liquefying solids. And most importantly, never drain grease or other oily liquids; these would gather inside tanks as scum and may even harm the soil and drain field if they escape through the outlet.

Take all these precautionary steps and you will rarely face problems with the septic system.

Scott Rodgers is a plumbing professional who has worked with septic tanks for many years. If you want more information on septic tanks or a qualified plumber to help you repair damage to your tank, visit http://www.eLocalPlumbers.com

Rotted Wood Joint Repair

Hiring a House Painting Contractor - Home Tips

With a professional, homeowners know they are getting the very best the field has to offer. Trained in the ins and outs of the craft, these professional contractors will be able to provide a level of service unmatched by even the more savvy amateur painters. When it comes to paining, homeowners should stop at nothing to ensure their paint job is the best on the block.

A house painting contractor will help to ensure that homeowners get the most out of their painting projects. A well-painted house will turn any remodeling endeavor into a beautiful creation. The exterior painting of a house will do wonders to improve the quality of the rest of the projects in a remodel. This ensures that things come together nicely and the work that went into creating the remodel is put to good use. With a house painting contractor, homeowners know they are in good hands and are able to sit back and relax a bit.

They may also choose to focus on other projects that may not need the expertise and training of a professional. Handling these smaller tasks may help to get things moving faster and get the remodel done as quickly as possible. When things are moving forward like this, the homeowner is able to enjoy the finished product sooner. A house painting contractor will help to ensure the exterior painting, one of the most important aspects of any home improvement endeavor, is done right and in a timely fashion. After all, nobody enjoys delays to their project.

More information on a house painting contractor is just a click away.

Missing Grout In Shower

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.