Best Business Cards Tips and How to Design One For Your Business Success

Best business cards are able to send a powerful message to prospective customers. If you want more business you need to improve your image. Your business card is the first place to start, as it creates strong first impression about the company and can impact final decision making of your potential clients.

If you don't sell yourself as a strong, reliable and professional company, your potential customers will walk away, even if you can deliver a better product or service than your competitors.

Remember, you will never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Therefore, it's very useful to know that many of the best business cards designs are created with principles of balance and harmony or Feng shui in mind.

Feng shui business card design can provide an unfair advantage over your competitors. It can also help you to generate more sales, attract higher quality clients, loyal employees and top advisors and mentors.

No, it's not a magic. It's a simple knowledge of proper information and logo placement, powerful and balanced use of colors, shapes and type of font. All these aspects are specifically tailored to your type of business.

So, what are the best business cards secrets? Let's review 10 most common business card mistakes first. Then let's reveal the best business cards tips and their ability to improve your business.

10 most common business card mistakes:

1. Does not stand out or evoke positive feelings.
2. Does not clearly define a type of business or services you offer
3. Does not have correct order and placement of important information
4. It's too cluttered or too disorganized
5. Missing important information
6. Poor quality
7. Does not use good color or color combinations
8. Does not use proper size and type of font
9. Does not have a company slogan or unique selling proposition
10. Is not used or distributed enough

It's also important to realize that it's Ok to spend money on the best business card design and quality printing, as they will increase your profits. Your business card is very important marketing tool that can help create a strong business image as well as attract potential buyers.

You should only design your logo and business card once. Make sure to use same elements, slogan and logo continuously for the rest of your marketing tools, such as contracts, invoices, web sites, ads, company vehicles, etc.

Best Business Cards Tips:

1. Create and use your company logo

If you want to build a strong company and generate large profits, you should invest in the logo. It's highly recommended to apply feng shui 5 elements principles when you create your logo. Feng shui principles help to create well balanced, harmonious and prosperous logo, not just any logo!

Both you and your profession are represented by either, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water element. These elements are further represented by specific shapes, colors, supportive or destructive cycle. You can already see how careful you need to be when combining energy patterns of any of these elements to create successful and powerful logo or business card.

2. Choose a company name that clearly specifies your business

It's another powerful way of marketing your business and making your company stand out from the crowd. A good company name is short, sharp and makes an instant positive connection with your customers. For instance, Gargas Roofing Inc is preferable to Gargas Services Inc

3. Create a slogan or unique selling proposition

Best business cards include short tagline that makes the company unique and memorable. Good example is Nike slogan Just Do It! Or you can tell your customers why they should do the business with you. For instance: Family Operated and Owned Since 1990 or We Do and Guarantee Our Work.

4. Be careful how you arrange information on your business card

Information placement is one of the most important but very often overlooked element of successful business card design. Use Feng shui principles to avoid costly mistakes.

Each row and column have their own significance. For instance, a top row should contain only the most important information as it represents growth, trust, power, fame, results, and success. What belongs to the bottom row? Absolutely nothing important!

Did you know that if your company's name appears at the bottom of the business card, there is only 5% chance that your company will survive for more than 5 years? Business will face many difficulties, unforeseen problems, bad employees.., and it won't be strong enough to recover.

If your personal name appears at the bottom row instead, you will carry a lot of unnecessary burden.

5. Use Color

Colors are very important to us and good color combination of your business card can evoke immediate positive response and create emotional bond with your clients. If you need help, feng shui business colors and their properties can help you to select the best colors for your business goals.

There are many additional important aspects that can be applied to enhance your business card. According to your type of business, you can consider adding your photograph, map, business hours, awards and associations, website, etc.

Feng shui provides unique and invaluable guidance for all aspects of your business. If you would like to learn more about using feng shui principles to create best business card, visit www.lucky-feng-shui-for-life-and-love.com/Feng-shui-business-card.html

You can then ask your designer to incorporate feng shui principles into your business card design or even better, easily create the best business card yourself.

Marcela Gargas
Copyright http://www.lucky-feng-shui-for-life-and-love.com/index.html

All Rights Reserved.
You may use this article in its entirety with the Author Bio and all links.

About the Author:
Marcela Gargas helps small business owners and large companies to discover how to improve business and profitability through creating more balanced and harmonious working environment. By visiting her web site you can learn many valuable applications of feng shui principles for your home, relationships and business.

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Window Repair Video

Great video on how to repair a window screen.

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

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Registry Repair Software and Choosing the Right One

If you have experienced registry errors of any sort on your computer, then you know exactly how frustrating it can be to deal with these errors. In the registry, there are thousands of files called registry keys, which keep track of every program that is installed on your computer. Registry files (keys) also keep track of your Windows settings.

Trying to track down these registry files and figure out which ones are bad, wrong or need to be there can be a huge task, very time consuming, and also dangerous as these registry keys are essential to proper operation of your computer, and one wrong change or file deleted has the ability to cause your computer to crash, or even not start up at all!

For these reasons, it is imperative that a complete backup of the registry is done prior to any editing of the registry, so that a complete registry restore can be done should something go wrong.

Features to Look For

There are many different registry repair software programs available on the internet, so picking one can be a task in itself. There are certain functions and features that you should demand from your registry repair program. Knowing these features and what each program offers can make the choice an easy one.

Registry Backup

The number one feature that you should look for is a registry backup option. As stated above, it is extremely important to back up your registry prior to any editing or even running any registry software. Any program worth its weight in megabytes offers a backup function.
A simple interface and pushbutton scanning and fixing of registry errors is important. One would assume that if you were using registry repair software, you don't want to have to spend 10 hours learning how to use the software. Look for something that's easy, scan, review, repair.

Scheduling Your Scans

A scheduling option within the software is also helpful. This can be used to set the program to scan at any date and time you want, and can also be set up to be a recurring process, like daily, weekly, monthly, every Wednesday, etc.. This is a time saver as well as saving some of your personal memory space as you don't have to try to remember to scan.

Extra Features

Often there are other extra options that some registry repair programs include, but are not necessary. Some of these include junk file cleaners, in which the drive you specify is scanned for unnecessary files like cookies, temporary files, left over installation files, internet cache files etc.. You can then decide which of these files is deleted, or at least you should be given the option to choose.

One registry repair software program in particular also includes a "memory optimization" feature which looks at your total memory available and some other settings and adjusts your memory settings accordingly. I found this to actually work quite well after I had run all the other features.
Look for a registry program with at least the most important features, and anything extra is a bonus. Expect to pay anywhere from $30-$60 for a decent program, and there are several registry repair programs that offer trials of their program, although many of the features are not accessible in the trial versions, but it should still give you a good idea of how the program works and feels, as well as the features included in the full version.

For a complete review of a great piece of registry repair software, as well as a free trial download, visit: Registry Easy Review

The Benefits of Back Yard Ponds

Back yard ponds can be exotic landscape features that can improve any garden and turn it into a relaxing haven. A pond in the garden can provide hours of enjoyment for your friends and family and can be a wonderful addition to any home and can increase the value of the property. And did you know that a pond can also be beneficial to the local wildlife - even in an urban environment?

Depending on where you live, there are many species of wildlife that could benefit from your back yard pond design. Frogs and fish, birds and butterflies can all gain something from a garden pond. When you attract native fauna like this to your garden you will add to the enjoyment of your outdoor area while benefiting the environment.

Humans Benefit From Garden Ponds, Too

It's not just wildlife that will enjoy the back yard pond ... your family and friends will reap many benefits, too. There are proven health benefits associated with practicing relaxation techniques, and spending time by a pond is certainly a wonderful way to relax and achieve peace in your life. The sound of running water provided by a water feature in the garden is a sure fire way to calm jangled nerves and restore balance.

A pond in the garden can provide so much pleasure and can provide more than just a place for relaxation. Imagine being able to teach your children about nature first hand as they watch life unfold in your pond. The pond will have its own ecosystem and will respond to the changes of nature and climate in its own way.

Pets And Plants For A Pond

If you make a pond that is more than a foot deep you may be able to stock it with fish. Comets and goldfish adapt very well to pond life and they are very easy to manage and will eat mosquito larvae which is very helpful in warmer areas. Add some aquatic plants to the pond to provide shade from summer sun for your fish. Water lilies come in many colors and will provide shade for the pond and places for the fish to hide.

If your pond is three feet deep or more you could consider stocking it with koi. Koi are popular and long-living fish that come in a wide range of colors and they are often quite expensive to buy.

Any fish in your pond will add to its charm and watching the fish swim amongst the plants and interact with each other will increase your enjoyment of your back yard fish pond.

Getting Started With Garden Pond Design

Back yard ponds are becoming very popular and you can now find do-it-yourself pond kits in any garden center or superstore. This is an easy way to get started with your pond design. There are landscaping and pond building firms that can install a pond for you if you'd prefer to have professional help

The sooner you get started on your design and construction of your pond, the sooner you will be able to begin enjoying the many benefits that back yard ponds have to offer the homeowner.

Did you find these tips on back yard ponds helpful? Learn more about how to build a back yard pond and stock a pond with fish at D-I-Y Ponds.

Electrical Outlet Problems

Water Damage Restoration

One never knows when disaster will hit. The only way one can be prepared is to have insurance on water damage to your house or business. If you've recently suffered water damage you need to get help fast from a company that specializes in water damage restoration.

Steps to find someone quick to help you:

1) Check the phone book or search on the Internet for a few companies to consider.

2) After choosing a couple of companies to consider hiring, check their website. Look to see what their company offers to customers. Does it work with your insurance company? Do they hire quality trained professionals? Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau? These are just a few questions you should be researching.

3) Now check the Better Business Bureau to make sure the companies chosen do not have any bad reports on them. If a company has bad reports, move onto the next company for possible hire.

4) If you find at least two companies make phone calls to the company and compare prices. Make sure you include in your price the exact same items you are looking for in the service needed to get your place back into tip top shape before water damage occurred.

5) Once you find the company that is Better Business Bureau approved, the company offers trained professional water damage employees, will work with your insurance company if applicable, and quality work, give them a call and make an appointment immediately for water damage restoration.

You need to get your items saved as quickly as possible from water damage. You do not want mold and mildew to set into your carpet. Make sure the company will be using high quality products to get any smells and kill all mold, mildew, and bacteria in your home. Mold, mildew, and bacteria can be hiding in water damaged areas such as your walls, items that are wet, floors, and even your ceiling if affected.

Once the company you have hired for water restoration is finished you can get back to the normal routine of your life.

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about basement flood and water restoration, visit RestorationSOS.com.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Measure your Roof for Shingles

While installing the roof it is very important that you buy all that you are going to need in appropriate quantity and in advance. You definitely would not want to rush to the market in the middle of the installation to buy additional stuff. If you are not adequately prepared it may affect the quality and the time taken to install the roof. Thus it is important that you plan properly and properly measure your roof for shingles before hand, when you are about to lay your roof shingles. This should save you from any trouble of having to go in the middle of the installation to buy more shingles.

However you must measure your roof for shingles properly because whereas you wouldnt want to rush to the market in the middle of the installation and at the same time you wouldnt want to be saddled with extra shingles.

It is actually quite simple to measure a roof for shingles for determining how many shingles you are going to need. A shingle of one square will cover an area of 100 sq feet of the roof. A contractor always measures a roof for shingles like this when he has to determine the number of shingles he will need. You should also place your order accordingly. A square of regular asphalt shingles has three shingle bundles in it. Each of these bundles carry twenty seven shingles.

Just measuring the perimeter of your roof will not be sufficient for determining the number of shingles you are going to need. There is something more to it that you should know about measuring the roof for shingles.

There are many types of shingles and buying only one type of shingle is not enough. For a complete installation of shingles you need different types of shingles. Without it the installation of the roof cannot be complete. How much you want to cover your roof means the number of layers of protection you are looking for. For instance, asphalt roofs which are laid on sloping roofs usually have only one layer.
How to measure a Roof for Shingles

The incline (slope) of the roof is called a ratio. The slope is determined by measuring the vertical rise inches, per inches of the flat (horizontal) run. For instance, a roof having 3:12 slope means that at every flat space of 12 inches the roof is rising by 3 inches. The slope/angle of the roof will tell you how many shingles you should buy and what types of shingles you shall need and should order. Of course, it also depends on how you decide to measure the roof.

The best and the easiest way to measure your roofs for shingles is that you go to the roof with a measuring tape. In case you dont want to take the trouble or the risk of climbing the roof then you can measure the floor area of the house. You add to this area, the overhanging areas, and then multiply it by the conversion factor which is determined according to the slope of the roof.
Another point you must keep in mind when you measure a roof for shingles is that you need shingles for the ridge/hip area of the roof too. You will need at least 4 complete shingles for each ridge measuring 5 linear feet.

Thus if you keep all these tips in mind when you proceed to measure your roof for shingles, you will not make any mistake in buying them and will save yourself a lot of trouble too!

As Long Island, LI Roofing Contractors, and Northern Virginia Roofing contractors we take great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts.

Horizontal Or Vertical Drywall

Make Your House A Home

When thinking about polished floors, cushions in place, an exquisite flower arrangement, crisp and folded napkins on the table, take time to think about comfort, family time and kids activities also when decorating or designing your house. A lively place full of warmth and chatter is what makes a 'House' a 'Home'. There are times when we overlook some important details to give that 'Designer Touch' to our houses. Household accidents, unhealthy personal conditions and lack of family activities are the result.

To avoid such a situation, take care to make your house a comfortable and healthy place to live in. Look around you and observe carefully if any difficulty and threats are being posed due to faulty placement and wrong choice of objects. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Rubber Mats: Though not much decorative, rubber mats are the best things to have outside your bathroom or near the kitchen sink. They will help avoid slipping and add safety to your home. Never use any kind of rugs at the top or bottom of stairs.

2. Work Delegation Diary: Keep a diary in a conspicuous place and write down in it, the daily chores of all members. Make sure everyone takes turn feeding the pet, mowing the lawn, dusting the furniture and setting the dinner table.

3. Sitting Space: Keep some extra, light-weight chairs or stools that can be carried to any place to make immediate sitting space. Garden sitting space, preferably under a tree or any other shade, is a lovely idea for spending family time. Get cane chairs or a bench placed in your garden. Chairs and a table in the porch is another great idea.

4. Door Knobs: Round door knobs give your room a nice appeal, but are down on the Comfort-level. Children and Elders suffering with Arthritis etc. find if difficult to grip them. They are also difficult to grasp with wet hands. They can be replaced with Lever Handles both on the inside as well as the outside for ease and comfort.

5. Showers: Though showers are top on Elegance list and Hand Showers are blamed for 'spoiling the look' with their long hose, there cannot be anything better than an adjustable hand shower with a hose for bathing big dogs and kids.

6. Lighting: Make sure that all your rooms have ample light. Reserve subtle lighting and other lighting effects for special occasions and parties. Good, clear light helps maintain everyone's health care easier and is especially good for school-going children and elderly people.

7. Artifacts: The next time you see your little kid hardly daring to breath when passing by your favorite antique lamp for the fear of breaking it, you know its the time for a revamp. Place glass objects and other breakable treasures in safer areas so your family members can move freely without worrying about spoiling your decor.

8. Comfort Level: At all times, keep in mind that your home needs to be comfortable and not rigid. Things get monotonous when they are 'too perfect'. A cozy nook by the window with a small coffee table, extra pillows thrown in for a comfortable tte--tte, a sparkling fireplace with a warm rug sprawled across are some examples.

9. Family Space: A 'Home' is all about a family! Include in your design/decor, special 'Family' places like a sufficiently large dinner table, a card table for indoor games etc. Like I said above in 'Sitting space', a mini dining table or wicker table-chair set in your garden or under a tree in the backyard is a lovely idea. If you have a spare room for your crafts, make a separate shelf for Family crafts like Scrapbooking. A Wall Gallery of photos is a great way to bind family members - past and present.

You know what works best for your family. So develop this list further according on the needs of your family and watch your pretty house take the shape of a 'Pretty Home'.

Lata Tokhi is the Founder and Editor of Dot Com Women - a popular women's website, Celebrating Christmas - a resource for celebrating Christmas in style and I Love to Craft - a website full of free craft projects and ideas. Visit her websites for lots of homemaking and business ideas, free downloads, free Ezines and message boards for women to network and share.

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

Let God Handle It

How to Start Your Metal Building Project

You need to consider a number of issues before beginning any metal building project. Here are six essential aspects that need to be decided on before starting.

The first consideration is your budget and how much money you have available to fund your project. Many people make the mistake of having funding for the initial phase of their project but then not having the monetary resources for the completion. If your budget is limited you may want to consider a smaller building initially that can expand to a larger facility as additional funds become available.

The purchase of a cheap metal "economy" building is not advised. These buildings can quickly become money nightmares on maintenance issues. Purchase the highest quality metal building you can afford to minimize your maintenance expenses.

Most metal buildings do not come with components as a complete building package. If you will be needing doors, windows, vents, insulation, or any other components you should know that these are purchased separately from the base building package.
Do remember in many cases, the foundation base cost is usually extra and carried out by a separate contractor.

Figure the amount and pricing of the components you need to complete your building first before purchasing the building to see if your budget is in line.

Make sure you know the exact height of the metal building that you require. Add 3 or 4 feet in height more than your tallest door or entrance clearance requirement. You should check your local building regulation before deciding the height clearance required by law.
The erector for your metal building project will rarely offer preparation of your site. You have that responsibility and to make sure you budget accordingly for these improvements.

The site needs to be cleared of all foliage and in some cases leveled. Contact a local landscaping company that has done this type of work before if you do not have the time or manpower to do clear the land yourself.

You want to be sure that your new metal building has the space required for its use. Even though metal buildings are expandable do not cut size requirements initially and complicate your space requirements by growing "out of your building" quicker than expected. Budget for as much space as required by your design requirements.

The use of your metal building is important. You will probably need to go with clear-span metal frame construction if your needs are for a column-free interior environment such as a metal warehouses, metal office complex buildings or aircraft hangers.Clear-span accommodates up to 300 feet in width but is a more expensive system.

You can save money if the application of interior columns is not an issue in a manufacturing facility, for example. This is called a multi-span metal frame system.

Written by Jim 'G' Davidson - freelance writer for http://www.metal-building-sales.com

Long Dryer Vent Problems

Home Appliances and Healthy Living

Kitchen appliances have become the true friend of the housekeeper in today's fast paced life. There is a gadget for every requirement, and any kitchen operation can be undertaken by the pressing of a switch. Appliances are definitely blessings in our age. The nuclear family of our times does not have the ability or the inclination to put all its time in household chores.

Home appliances like air-conditioners aid in comfortable living. Laundry machines and dishwashers eliminate physical strain and cooking appliances help easy and hassle-free cooking. Gone are the days when cooking used to take up most part of the day leaving the housekeeper physically drained and unable to enjoy life.

The advent of home appliances and kitchen appliances has bettered the life of most of us that we may like to admit. They have become part and parcel of our lives. A day without electricity can actually put you into untold misery as you would not be able to operate these user friendly gadgets.

Refrigerators are the most required appliance for any home or restaurant. It saves unnecessary trips to the supermarket and also helps cut down the frequency of cooking activities. They are available in different sizes to suit any budget and requirement.

Buying different appliances can be a big hassle to you. But there are large scale showrooms which stock the entire imaginable appliance range under one roof to help you out. Here you need not run around to different shops, but can buy kitchen and home appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, cooking appliances, food disposal products, laundry machines, air conditioners, sinks, faucets and appliances suited for outdoor living.

If you are looking for more information about kitchen appliances then feel free to visit home appliances

Damaged Wood Window

Repair of Hernia - Part One

When a hernia occurs a part of the bowel or abdominal fat, normally within the abdomen, protrudes out through a weakened part. An inguinal hernia is the commonest type and occurs in the groin. There is a small gap deep in the wall of muscle in the abdomen, just above the ligament in the groin, through which the veins and arteries course to reach the testicle. If the gap or the tissues around it stretch or weaken then part of the peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) can protrude through. This protrusion can occur, with fat or bowel bulging out, on vigorous activity, coughing or standing.

Aching and discomfort can be caused by the bulge of the hernia but the protrusion generally returns back into the abdominal area when the person lies down, with the necessity to manually press it back into place at times. Aching can occur without any visible bulging and then a doctor's examination is needed to find the hernia. A very longstanding hernia may develop into a very large protrusion, even going so far as to fill up a man's scrotum. A very large hernia like this will likely remain protruded most of the time and be very difficult to relocate.

Inguinal hernias occur less frequently in females than males but femoral hernias, a different type, occur more frequently in females and can mostly be found on examination by a specialist. Femoral hernias are more likely to need to be repaired.

Most hernias are just a nuisance due to causing a bulge and the tendency to ache, symptoms which are annoying but not medically important. Strangulation is the most serious complication where the bowel fills the hernia sac and becomes trapped there, potentially cutting of its blood supply. It needs to be operated on immediately, with a likely removal of a damaged area of bowel. It is not common for bowel to become strangulated and hernias can exist for years without this happening. Bowel obstruction can develop as the bowel becomes trapped and this needs operating on even if the blood supply is still working.

An operation is the only permanent cure for a hernia and can prevent the long term presence or increase in size of the hernia. Hernias can cause discomfort and strangulation can occur but is not common. An operation is not mandatory if the hernia is not causing any trouble and patients should discuss this with their surgeons. A symptomatic hernia can be held in place by a truss which needs to be put on before the patient gets up and makes the hernia bulge. A symptomatic hernia is mostly much better treated by an operation. Having medical problems or being older should not stop hernia repair due to the safe use of local and general anaesthetics.

A groin incision about 12 centimetres in length is used for the repair of a hernia, with an opening of a layer of muscle and then the careful separation of the bulging hernia sac from the veins, arteries and tube to the testicle. The protruding fat or bowel from the abdomen is compressed back in and the sac is then stitched back into the abdominal cavity or tied off at its narrow neck area.

The weakened area is then repaired and strengthened and the hole for the veins and arteries to the testicle is recreated back to its usual size. The hernia will be likely to return if it is not repaired, with surgeons typically using a plastic mesh which they stitch over the herniated area. Stitches can also be used without employing the mesh and this is more likely in femoral hernias. Good long term results have been shown with both techniques and the typical chance of hernia reoccurrence is 2%.

A hernia can be performed as an open operation or by using a laparoscope, using a general anaesthetic. The surgeon inserts the scope into the abdomen just under the tummy button and then pumps gas into the abdomen to separate the muscle layers in the lower groin and abdomen. The surgeon makes two very small (5mm) incisions in the low abdomen so that instruments can be inserted, by which the mesh of plastic is introduced and the hernia repaired.

Jonathan Blood Smyth, editor of the Physiotherapy Site, writes articles about Physiotherapists, physiotherapy, physiotherapists in London, back pain, orthopaedic conditions, neck pain and injury management. Jonathan is a superintendant physiotherapist at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK.

Waterproofing Basement Window

Your Home Remodeling Advice Will Be Helpful

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below.

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Pest Problems in Your Attic

Sometimes I wonder how these large animals can get through such small holes in our homes and into our attics and crawlspace's. A few years ago, I was working on a home that had water damage to the siding that needed to be fixed. The homeowner of course didn't want anymore water damage and this required repairing roof, the original cause for the siding damage.

When I bid the job, I had no idea what I was about to run into. The first day on the job, went smoothly as I repaired some damage fascia board, but the next day I was in for a surprise, as I removed the damaged siding, I found what looked like dog poop in the attic.

I was looking around in the attic and trying to figure out how a dog could of got up there. I know that I shouldn't have, but I walked around the home inspecting it for a large hole, any holes, something that a small dog could have wiggled his way into. I got my latter off of the truck and then went on the roof, trying to find a place where a dog could have got into the attic.

I couldn't find any holes and after wasting about an hour, I decided it was time to get back to work and since the homeowner wasn't there, I couldn't show him my new findings or ask him any questions. I cleaned up the mess and repaired the water damaged siding, but in the back of my head I kept thinking about how in the heck a dog got up in the attic.

To make a short story even shorter, when the homeowner arrived home that day, I showed him my findings and he informed me that he didn't have a dog. He did however inform me that he has been hearing something walking around in his attic for about a year now. He had a pretty good idea that they were raccoons.

I told him, that I had inspected his home and only found one small hole on top of his roof underneath the roof eave, but there's no way that a small raccoon could fit through that hole. He told me that you would be surprised, what these animals were capable of squeezing into and out of.

Well that's about it, the mystery was solved, I repaired the small hole in the attic and have never heard from the homeowner again. Hopefully that meant I did my job well and not that he was embarrassed about the poop in the attic.

Pest Control Ideas, House Pest Pictures

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.

Drywall Joint Water Damage
Fireplace Drywall Ceiling Damage

Basic Repair - Refrigerator Parts

If you're having problems with your refrigerator, you may not need an expensive repair. The problem could be small and simple, and a minimum of work or a few refrigerator parts you install yourself could do the job. Let's take a look at some of the most common issues that people have with their refrigerators and how to solve them.

1. The refrigerator is not running, and the light is not working
This problem means power isn't getting to the unit, and may be caused by a plug that's not in the outlet securely, a damaged electrical cord, or an outlet that's not providing power. Blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers are a common cause of problems, but the outlet itself could be damaged, too. Check the voltage if all other systems are functioning. If you're using an extension cord, try removing it to see if the cord is damaged. Sometimes, the only refrigerator parts you need are a new plug or cord.

2. The refrigerator isn't running, but light is functional
This is a little more difficult than a simple lack of power. Check the temperature setting to see if it's been turned off or to zero, and be sure there is a space of at least three inches between the sides and back of the unit and the walls and furniture around it. A one inch gap above the refrigerator is also required for proper air flow.

If these are all correct, you'll next need to clean the condenser coils carefully. If this doesn't help, unplug the refrigerator and wait two hours, then plug the machine back in. If it starts, there's a compressor problem causing overheating. It may also be necessary to test the temperature control, evaporator fan, defrost timer, compressor relay, overload protector and compressor motor to find out what's wrong.

3. The refrigerator is working but the light isn't
In this case, you should try replacing the bulb and testing the switch to make sure both are working.

4. The refrigerator runs, but isn't cold enough
First, check the temperature setting and make sure there's enough space for airflow inside and outside the refrigerator. Look for objects blocking the vents, test temperature control, and clean condenser coils. Door seals or a faulty door switch may also be a problem. Look for functional defrost heaters and timers, as well as testing the evaporator fan. A clogged drain tube or a refrigerant leak may also be the source of your problems.

5. Refrigerator is too cold
This should be a simple fix for most units. First, check the temperature setting. Then, try the temperature control if that doesn't work.

6. The refrigerator makes a lot of noise
If you hear hissing and popping from a frost free unit, this is normal. The defrost heater causes this noise. If other noises occur, make sure the unit is level, then check the drain pan and the fans for the condenser and evaporator. The compressor mounts should also be inspected.

7. The refrigerator won't stop running
This common problem could have a number of causes. If you just adjusted the temperature control, live in a humid area, or recently loaded the unit, the machine may run for over twenty-four hours before becoming entirely cool. If this time has passed or none of those circumstances have occurred, defrost the freezer. Cleaning the condenser coils, checking the door seals and testing the door switch may also be necessary. A new switch or other refrigerator parts can be a real help.

Eric Stein is the eCommerce manager for Midwest Appliance Parts, which specializes in helping people find the appliance parts they need to cost effectively repair their appliances by themselves. MAP has a huge inventory of new appliance parts for all the latest models and also obsolete appliance parts. So next time your machine has a problem, save time and money by starting your search for appliance parts at Midwest Appliance Parts! http://MidwestApplianceParts.com

Marketing Tips for Building Contractors

Being a building contractor is a great job because you really get to make a difference in the buildings that are going up. However, it can be hard to sell yourself because building contractor marketing tips aren't exactly growing on trees. There are plenty of big companies that are operating now, so I've got plenty of competition for my building contractor business. However, I need to focus on my own building contractor tips so that I know that I can bring in customers and do my work.

The first thing that I focused on when it came to building contractor marketing was my website. Everyone wants to be online nowadays and I knew that if I didn't have a great site people would simply pass me by. In fact, lots of people make their decisions based only on what a website looks like. So, I made sure that mine was clean and easy to read, and that it looks neat and spiffy. I also make sure that I keep it regularly updated with photos of new projects I've done, and new information about my work. I know that people want to see updated information, so I am always sure to keep doing that. I also knew that one of the biggest building contractor marketing tips I could ever give was to simply get my name out there into the public eye so that they 'd think of me when they needed my services.

It was hard to do at first, but I realized that the first thing I had to do was narrow down my customer base. No use targeting little kids, or people who weren't going to need my services. I figured out who I was looking for, and who my potential customers were. Then, I was able to find advertising ventures that I knew would get my name and website into the hands of the people who would really become my customers. I think one of the most important building contractor marketing tips is to spend your time and money focusing on the individuals who will be your actual customers. There's no use in spending lots of money on ads for people who won't use me, that's what I always think.

Something else that I always try to remember when I'm focusing on my building contractor marketing tips is that if I can offer anything that my competitors can't, I should be advertising that. I did a quick look into what my competitors were doing, and then I realized that there were a couple of things that I offered that they didn't, or at least things that I offered in a slightly different way. What you have to do is make this into a positive thing, and proclaim it. I knew that I gave out free estimates, while most of my competitors charged a fee for theirs, so in my advertisements I made a big deal out of the fact that you could get a free estimate with me. Let me tell you, doing something different from the competition, and proclaiming that fact proudly, was one of the best building contractor marketing tips I ever found.

David Ledoux is an author, speaker, trainer and mentor to entrepreneurs. His newest report The Small Business Death Sentence can be downloaded for free at http://bigmoneyfreetime.com

Here is a Great Step by Step Play Book to Help You in Your Home Buying Process

Las Vegas is located in the southern part of Nevada close to the border of Arizona and California. Las Vegas is typically known for its tourism and night life however there is more to this city than just that. Las Vegas has wonderful communities with great homes at great prices.

There are lots of new homes for sale in Nevada and these homes are in an affordable price range giving the current market making purchasing an investment property a great option. If you are considering buying a home in Nevada, you will need to look at several factors before finalizing your purchase.

First you are going to want to decide on the type of property such as single-family home or condominium before you begin your search. This helps to narrow down your property search.

Once you've decided on the property type you want you can start to compares prices between the different builders and locations before you choose any particular property. Be sure that you are checking to make sure you are dealing with a reputable home builder.

When you go in for a mortgage be sure that you know what kind of rate you are getting with you mortgage. This is one of the most important things you can do because this is one of the biggest reasons our real estate market bottomed out in the first place. Check out the state's first-time home buyer programs, right now the government is giving $8,000 to first time home buyers and some states offer even more than that in first time home buyer credits.

I cannot stress this enough but make sure that you have a home inspection done on your home even if it is a brand new home from a reputable builder. Mistakes happen and sometimes things are over looked, so be sure that have everything checked twice since this will be probably the biggest investment you of your life.

Search Nevada home builders and Nevada homes for sale today.

Books on Home Building - Professional Advice

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.

Extreme Temperature Building

Can You Help Us with Your Remodeling Experience

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below.

Energy Saving Books

How Essential is Fire Safety Awareness

Thousands of fire incidents happen every year, especially in the workplace. Lives, money and businesses are lost; with lack of knowledge about preventive measures, it's the same thing as letting a thief inside. People always assume it can't happen to them, but there's a saying that it's better to be safe than sorry right? Why risk everything when you can prevent it to happen.

Here are few important safety and prevention tips everyone needs to know:

1. Proper training- Before we can use an extinguisher, we must have a proper training on how to distinguish and operate a fire extinguisher. First aid training is also a must.

2. Proper storage- Some chemicals are flammable, we must place it in a proper storage away from areas vulnerable to fire.

3. Proper garbage disposal- We never thought garbage can start a fire, but yes it can. We should be very cautious in throwing anything in our garbage can, such as used batteries or cigarettes, because it can start a fire. Garbage must be cleaned and disposed regularly and properly.

4. Malfunctioned electrical wiring- Instead of buying a substandard wiring, we must buy those that are highly recommended. We always think of buying the things where we can save money. This is very understandable. However, we shouldn't take the risk when it comes to things like this because if fire occurs due to faulty wirings then you will lose everything and all you could do is regret.

5. Fire exit- Every workplace must have a fire exit that every employee should know.

6. Fire alarm and fire hose must be properly installed.

7. Fire department's telephone numbers must always be posted near the telephone to easily contact them while the fire is just starting. This will help them respond on time before the fire gets bigger.

8. Inspection of wirings on regular basis is also important. By doing this we would be able to identify which wirings could possibly cause fire in the future.

9. Conduct safety measures- Discuss to everyone important safety measures that should be done when a particular situation arises; this is to prevent possible injuries or death to workers. Daily safety tool box talk can be also done by the workers to discuss and share solutions to a possible problem that might happen in their workplace.

10. Putting of signboards can also be done, like the signs that indicate escape routes and exits.

11. There should be a smoke detector in every workplace. Make sure you change the battery every six months. Install one battery operated and one powered by electricity so that when battery operated fails to work properly, there wouldn't be a problem since you have installed one that is powered by electricity, and vice versa. Test each installed smoke detector every month. Remember smoke detectors have saved lives!

12. Rechargeable lights are safer to use than candles during power outages. But if you don't have one, you can use candle with precautions. Candles shouldn't be left unattended and it should be kept away from anything that can easily start a fire such as curtains, papers, gas stoves, among others.

13. Never try to repair any electrical appliances if you don't have the right training, just so to save money for the repairs. Let the service technician do the job instead.

14. Always unplug any electrical appliances that are not in use. Not only does it consume electricity, but it can also be a cause of fire. Use extensions temporarily and not permanently. Make sure it is working properly and carries its proper load.

Near-miss incidents should always be recounted to the persons involved for them to acquire fire safety awareness and also to prevent those incidents from happening again.

Jo is a writer for 'Phoenix Safety Services Ltd' (http://www.phoenixsafety.co.uk), a well-known consultant in personalized Health and Safety Training that are given to various customers throughout UK and Europe. If your company requires you to attend a Fire Safety Awareness Training or would like to train you and your co-workers with the basic useful information and skills in knowing the fundamental dangers of fire and fire deterrence measures then have a look at Phoenix Safety Services Ltd.

Restoring A Home

Pests Commonly Encountered in Hydroponics Supplies and Systems

A common misconception of hydroponic gardening is that you never have to worry about dealing with pests and bugs. Many growers wish this was true because the fact of the matter is that even in a soil less garden you have to deal with some of the same kinds of critters that can damage traditional gardens. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and quick action, you can easily prevent or minimize the damage caused by bugs to your plants and hydroponics supplies.

Here are a few of the more common pests found on plants in hydroponics systems.

Aphids - They are numerous varieties of aphids and their coloration can vary from black, brown, very light colored, or yellow. They often leave a sticky residue on your plants which causes the plants to grow in a deformed or twisted manner. They also typically carry viruses that can affect the growth or even kill your plants. A typical sign of an aphid infestation is the presence of little white exoskeletons which the aphids have molted off. After identifying that you have an aphid problem, you should remove the damage leaves, wash the remaining leaves, and spray them with an insecticidal soap.

Whitefly - Whiteflies are typically seen in larger systems that use more extensive hydroponics supplies. They often resemble very small moths but they actually more closely related to aphids. They often hide on the underside of leaves, sucking juice from them and causing serious damage. Like aphids, they are also carriers of numerous plant diseases, and can wreak havoc on your garden if unchecked. The most effective way of dealing with whiteflies is through biological control. A wasp called the Encarsia Formosa is a natural enemy of the whitefly. Introducing the encarsia to a whitefly infected garden has proven to be an effective and safe way to deal with this pest.

Fungus Gnat - The fungus gnat, also known as the sciarid fly, is a tiny black fly. The adult flies don't cause any damage to your plants directly, but can carry spores of fungi that can harm them. The real damage of the fungus gnat is in the larvae, which will feed on anything organic for a period of two weeks. The fungus gnat can be controlled with just about any general purpose insecticide. For larvae, it may be necessary to drench your medium in insecticide. When doing this it is a good idea to only start with one small section to see how it will affect your plants.

Spider Mite - Spider mites are very small, usually about 1/20th of an inch in length, so you may need a magnifying glass to identify them properly. They have eight legs, an oval shaped body, and two red dots on their backs. They can cause damage to your plants by sucking the contents of your leaves. There are several biological options for controlling spider mites. Their natural enemies include the western predatory mite, the sixspotted thrips, and the spider mite destroyer lady beetle.

If using hydroponic supplies such as an insecticidal soap to kill spider mites, make sure not to use any on water stressed plants, as this may cause further damage. You do, however, need to make sure to cover the affected areas thoroughly because spider mites need direct contact with the insecticide to die.

Michael Straumietis is co-founder of Advanced Nutrients and an expert in hydroponics, plant nutrition & soil sciences. He markets, reviews and publishes his knowledge in short original papers with a focus on soil-plant interactions. If you need more information on a hydroponic supplies, visit our website at http://www.advancednutrients.com

Homeowners with Good Contractor Stories

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Interior Decorating Books

Be Safe and Have Fun When Using Your Deck Fire Pit

If you've been thinking about putting a fire pit on your deck, with the cooler months approaching, now may be the perfect time!! Fire pits are appealing both aesthetically and emotionally. Few accessories offer warmth, light, and ambiance while simultaneously providing an inviting atmosphere.

While fire pits are a great adjunct to a home, there are a few safety concerns, and this article will cover many of them. Please don't forget, fire can be dangerous, so always be cautious. There are a myriad of safety issues, and this article cannot cover every circumstance. This article addresses many safety concerns so you, your family, and friends can safely enjoy your fire pit.

Before you purchase your fire pit, research your county and city codes regarding fire pits. Be sure you understand your local regulations - fines can be hefty and they are so easy to avoid!!

Once you know the rules and regulations, purchase your firepit. Before you use your fire pit for the first time, read the owners manual. It will instruct you on how to setup the fire pit properly and will address many safety concerns. If you have questions, contact the manufacturer. Don't guess.

FirePit Safety Concerns:

1. First and Foremost: Never leave a fire unattended for any amount of time. Always leave an adult by the fire to make sure it is safe, and be attentive while the fire is active. Ensure there are no stray sparks and that the fire is safe. Keep a fire mat around the fire pit, and keep a fire extinguisher or hose nearby in case of an emergency. Don't forget, a single spark can turn into a fire. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

2. Keep the deck clear of clutter. Fire pits will spark, and a spark can easily hide. If you keep the area around the fire pit free of clutter, you will be better able to see any stray sparks.

3. Maintain a good distance from the bottom of the fire pit to the floor of the deck. This will help minimize missing a stray ember.

4. Purchase a fire extinguisher and fire mat. Keep the fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency. Don't forget - fire extinguishers will expire, and you need to make sure that yours is in top working condition.

5. Do not get too close to the fire. Clothing can catch on fire - especially polyester materials. Keep children away from the fire and be cognizant of their proximity to your fire pit.

6. Do not place your fire pit under a roof. It is for outdoor use, and will be unsafe if used under a roof or inside a closed location.

7. Once you are finished with the fire pit, make sure the fire is completely out. A single ember can relight and this can be a very dangerous scenario.

Fire pits are wonderful and will offer years of enjoyment. Just be aware, safe, and enjoy. If you are interested in purchasing a firepit, please visit our site firepitdeals.com.

I have been selling firepits and fire places at http://www.firepitdeals.com for 2 years. I hope this article will help someone think about some of the safety concerns before purchasing a fire pit for your deck. Thank you.

Framing Rough Fireplace Opening

Home Building Books and Construction Help

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.

Home Mold Solution Books

Remodel Your Home For Ease of Use - Universal Design and Aging in Place

As aging baby boomers consider staying in their homes, Universal Design and Aging in Place will be gaining more momentum in the years to come. Here are some practical home modification tips to promote safety, comfort and independence in everyday living.

What Is Universal Design and Aging in Place?
Universal Design is a concept that focuses on comfort, ease of access, and maneuverability within homes for all people, while aging in place is a popular lifestyle option for older homeowners preferring to safely and independently live in their homes.

Did You Know?
89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely, while National Association of Home Builders cites 75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work.

Suggested Universal Design and Aging in Place home modifications include:
- Installing lights strategically to maintain a well-lit hallway

- Having non-slip interior and exterior flooring

- Replacing knobs with levers handles

- Setting up pantries and cabinetry with rollout cabinets and lazy Susans

- Mounting adequate handrails for stairways and ramps

- Building or installing a roll-in shower with multiple showerheads

- Installing a no-curb shower

Local Certified Remodeling Professionals
To address the growing number of consumers looking for local specialized professionals, the Remodelers Council of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) resource directory for homeowners. You can visit their website for a list of local specialists in your area.

When remodeling for ease of use, look for simple and practical products which are safe to use and easy to maintain. With these simple and practical home modifications, you can design your home for how you would like to live now and for the future.

You are welcome to publish or reprint this article, free of charge, as long as the article remain unchanged, all hyperlinks are active, and the "About the Author" section is included in the reprint. The author is not liable for any loss profits, expenses, or any other damages resulting from the use or misuse of articles published on this website.

Villette Nolon is the President and CEO of HomeSavvi.
HomeSavvi provides free home remodeling instant inspiration. Online guide features home remodel design ideas, photos, expert advice, including bathroom and kitchen designs, budgets and costs and other helpful information.

Moisture Barrier On Crawlspace

Home Remodeling Contractors - Helpful Solutions

Well this is about the third time for me, going through some tough times and the bad economy, in the construction business. If you're a remodeling contractor or are currently working in the remodeling business, you're in a better position than those who are used to working in new construction, track framing or commercial tilt ups.

I got out of and will probably never go back to, track house framing. There were some pretty tough times and plenty of ups and downs, during the first recession I went through, which started in 1980. I was working one day a week and just barely making enough money to pay my bills. I would actually buy a box of doughnuts and make it last me for three days. Not the most healthy thing you could eat but financially, it did the trick.

I never wanted to go through that, ever again and decided to try my luck in the remodeling field. I've never had to go through the tough times like that ever again. I hope I never have to either, even though things are pretty bad right now, for those reading this article in the future, the date is March 3, 2009 and the economy is on the verge of going into tougher times. It seems like everyone is holding their breath, for the government to bail us out, with a stimulus package.

I don't know about the stimulus package, but I do realize, that once the interest rates drop, I would imagine, and that most remodeling contractors are going to have a free-for-all and plenty of work. People right now are waiting to buy homes, and when the interest rate drops, I would imagine the prices of some of these homes will actually increase as they start to get snatched up, remodeled and repaired to either rent down or sell at a profit.

Home owners that are waiting to remodel their bathrooms, kitchens or other home improvements, are waiting for signs that the economy is going to get a little stronger. This will provide them with a sense of job security, I know a few people who are waiting until we come out of the recession, to do any home improvements, because they're afraid of losing their jobs and not having the money in the bank to make their payments.

I live in Southern California and when I go to my local home improvement center or lumberyard, the parking lot is full. This tells me, that people are still working, buying and selling things and the economy isn't really that bad. For those remodeling contractors who aren't doing much work right now, there is hope and light at the end of this economically miserable tunnel. Things will get better and if you look back at history, things always do get better.

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

Greg 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 advice to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

Shutting Out Light and Improving Appearance

Improving the appearance of a room while blocking out unwanted sunlight or moonlight is easy with Interior Window Shutters. They are a more permanent solution to window coverings. They are also better than most window coverings because they are not nearly as delicate and are easier to clean. Interior blinds come in different styles, finishes and prices.

There are basically two types of interior window shutters, being traditional and plantation style. While you only have a couple of different types to choose from they can be configured in a number of ways depending on your window height and width.

The big choice you have is in finishes and materials. Finishes range in different color paints to different color stains, even natural wood. But if you do not go with wood you have the options of going with iron shutters, and polywood shutters. Iron shutters can add to the beauty of your home and they also are more safe because they can be removed easily from the inside, but not from the outside. Keeping outside things outside and allowing you to exit from the window if necessary. Polywood shutters are nearly maintenance free. Meaning you will not have to fork out more money after they are installed. Remember your decoration when choosing interior window shutters.

Your home can look more beautiful and different with the addition of interior window shutters, you may even believe that you are in the wrong house. They are such an amazing feature to add to a window,while you still get your views outside, you can shut them out to make it dark or more intimate.

Do some research on price and make sure you understand everything that they are offering with your new interior windows. Sometimes the price does not include installation, which is added later. Sometimes they only include clean up as an extra fee to the home owner. You may opt for them to clean up or you may be fine with cleaning it up yourself. Remember after all the dust settles you will have a beautiful new interior with the added security and safety of interior window shutters. When it is all said and done, throw a party or have a get together just to show off your new interior window shutters. Don't be shocked when people are amazed what a difference they made in your home.

This article provided courtesy of http://www.shutter-world.com/

Green Home Building Books

The Log Home Plan For a Traditional Pioneer Look

The traditional log home plan originated in north Europe during the Bronze Age (about 3500 B.C.E.). When European settlers arrived in America there was already a millennial old tradition of using logs for homes, barns and other structures in the Scandinavian countries as well as Russia and Germany. These regions had large forests of softwood trees which could easily be crafted with hand tools. Log homes were built of logs stacked horizontally and notched on the ends so the walls interlocked. When the Swedes and Finns arrived in New Sweden (the Philadelphia region) they imported their knowledge of log construction with them, as did later settlers from Germany. Settlers from the British Isles had no such tradition of log building but they soon learned the technique since log building was so convenient in eastern America. There were abundant softwood forests at hand, and other building materials including nails and spikes were unavailable, expensive, or difficult to transport. Moreover, log homes are easy to build: a man working alone could build a cabin in a few weeks. Using skids of logs leaning against the wall as inclined planes, it is possible to lift logs with ropes to construct even a two story log home.

However, usually a log home floor plan consisted of a single room, perhaps twelve to sixteen feet square. There would be one door, but in most cases no windows. When windows did exist they were covered with translucent greased animal skins rather than glass. Fireplaces were built of stone or clay and the chimneys of wattle. Because this is not a very fire-safe mode of construction, stone or brick were used where obtainable. The fireplaces furnished warmth and light as well as a cooking area. The interior walls of the log home were chinked with cloth or clay; and the floors were simple tamped earth (although some log homes had a puncheon floor, made of split logs laid flat side up). Higher designs had lofts which were used as sleeping and storage areas. Roofing depended upon what material was available, but often cedar shingle roofs made with hand split shingles were laid over two-by-four rafters.

Modern versions of log home floor plans share many of the advantages of bungalow style house plans in the sense of being an economical option for simple, country-style living. Modern log homes are built from milled logs which are manufactured usually in northern or Eastern Europe. These milled logs are squared and pre-cut for ease of assembly. Log homes are a popular option in rural areas, especially in the western states, where log homes over 3000 square feet in area are common. The style became popular during the Great Depression of the nineteen thirties when the Civilian Conservation Corps built thousands of log cabins in national parks throughout the U.S.; and many park visitors saw these buildings and adopted the style for their own homes. The largest log cabin in the world was built in 1930 in Montebello, QC Canada: the Chateau Montebello Hotel. In Europe log homes are frequently built as summerhouses in gardens, or else as home offices or guesthouse accommodations.

The log home floor plan symbolizes much of what America represents: sturdy, rough shelters designed for a simple, hardy, self-sufficient life. Like bungalow style house plans designed for simple country living, the log home plan is a great option for an economical, environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

Exterior Wood Beams

Inspecting Your New Home

So you finally got the call that you've been waiting for several months to receive. You're new home is finally complete. Over the past year, you've gone through the motions of building a custom home. You selected a floor plan, options, upgrades and made customizations. At the same time, you dealt with banks, mortgage and insurance companies, all of which collected money from you but gave you nothing in return, yet. Now, after all the chaos, you're builder is ready to hand over the keys to you so you can move and start enjoying you hard work.

Before you do, take time to thoroughly inspect the property. Building a custom home can be overwhelming experience. Take time before moving in to make sure everything is up to par. Having mistakes, flaws and forgotten options fixed after moving in is much more difficult. Here are some common things to look out for:

Options - Take a copy of your contract and walk through the house making sure that all the options, colors and styles you chose ended up being installed. This sounds like an obvious thing but these mistakes can sometimes go months without being noticed.

Electrical outlets - Test every electrical outlet and switch in the house. Go from outlet to outlet and make sure all are working correctly. Don't assume that, just because one outlet in a room is working, that all outlets are working. This will take about 30 minutes in most homes.

Plumbing - First, check that each sink in the house gets both hot and cold water. Then, make sure the toilets flush correctly. You'll also want to run the showers in each bathroom to make sure that the drains operate correctly.

Flooring- Make sure the flooring in your home has been installed correctly. Here's how you do it:

• Tile - Gently tap each piece of floor tile in the house with a broom handle. If it sounds hollow, ask the builder to replace the tile. Even though the tile may not look out of place now, it will break or popup within a few months.
• Carpeting - Take off your shoes and walk around the carpet in the each room of your house. As you walk, check to make sure that the carpet runs flush up against the wall. In areas where the carpeting touches tile or other flooring, walk along the edge. If it feels like thorns are under your feel, it usually means that you're felling the small nails used to install the carpet. There's an easy fix for this that your builder can do for you.

Most homeowners don't notice many of the imperfections in their new home until moving in. This usually happens because they don't do a thorough job inspecting, or are put under pressure during the final inspection. The best way to inspect a home is to use it as you would when you move in. Here's what you do.

First, sit on the toilet in each bathroom and look around. You'll probably spend a fair amount of time in this position so make sure you like what you see. Are the counter tops in the bathroom level? Does the tile on the floor and in the shower look even? Does everything else appear to be in order?

Follow this same logic and apply it to each room in the house. Think about how you will use each room and pretend to do so. Go into the dining room and sit in a chair. Again, look around the room and make sure everything looks in place. Go to the kitchen and open every cabinet door and drawer. Make sure the refrigerator door opens all the way, etc.

The advantage to doing a thorough inspection of your new home before moving in is that you can have the builder fix everything first. Once furniture, moving boxes and kids are in the house, small repairs can become a big deal. Save the stress and get everything right before you move in.

Mason Morrison writes home improvement articles for Masonite Doors, a leading front door and interior door producer.

Fixings Squeaking Stairs

Choosing the Right Building Inspectors

Are you interested in finding professional building inspectors? Do you need someone to take care of your pest inspection needs? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then you should keep on reading and discover some very valuable tips on choosing the right inspector. Find out how you can get your hands on a genuine expert in the field and allow us to reveal to you the importance of a thorough building inspection checklist.

The Internet has developed tremendously in the past few years, reaching the point where it has become our number one source of information. Today, we know that this technology can offer access to the services we need, including when it comes to finding building inspectors. Specialized directories also present pest inspection experts. With such a directory, finding the specialist one needs becomes an easy job. One gets to save both important sums of money and time. The search process starts by selecting the state in which you find yourself in. You can also search according to your Australian postcode for building inspectors or a pest inspection specialist.

Why is so important to locate good and experienced building inspectors? Because you need to identify all the problems of the property as fast as you can. Probably just as important, the pest inspection will provide you with the help needed and additional advice on maintaining your home free-of-pests. Thanks to the Internet, you are not forced anymore to ramble from store in search of the specialized service. With just a few clicks on the mouse and several keystrokes, you are bound to locate an inspection company right in the local area. They know the area perfectly and they have deals with such situations before. Thus, you can expect a prompt response from these professional building inspectors.

The moment you decide to search for a building inspection expert, you should take into considerating three very important factors: experience, price and proximity. Knowledge of the area you reside in is also a decisive factor. Building inspectors have extensive experience in the field and they know how to inspect every part of your property properly. Pest inspection is also made available by companies in the field, as these two areas have lots in common. As a potential customer, you will enjoy the opportunity to search for various building inspectors within a single resource, enjoying the numerous choices available. There are many advantages when it comes to choose local building inspectors. First of all, they are close to you and they won't delay the inspection of the property. Secondly, they know the area that your property is located in and have plenty of knowledge whereas building inspection is concerned. Online, you can read more about the benefit of choosing a local service, including for pest inspection. You will also find a building inspection checklist, presenting all important points to be considered when evaluating a property. Without doubt, you will consider this to be very useful.

Building inspection should always be performed by experts and you can learn from their experience as well. The next time you request the services of building inspectors, be sure to take a look at what they do and what parts of the house they concentrate on. The knowledge accumulated and the checklist offered online will surely come in handy in the near future. Remember, you can also find experts in pest inspection online, ready to take care of all your demands and preferences.

No matter if you are looking for professional building inspectors or you need a pest inspection expert, you have come to the right place. We offer you the opportunity to search and find the local specialists you need. Just pay us a visit and see what we are all about.

http://www.inspectionangel.com.au

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Removing Interior Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remodeling Off a Cliff

Recently people have been spending big money for remodeling and using "resale" as an excuse to spend outrageous amounts of money. But if you have to sell your house in today's market it could be a loser's game.

Many people are actually refinancing their homes to do the remodels and going into serious debt to pay for the work. They are essentially financing the remodel for significantly longer than most trendy improvements, i.e. granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

This leads us to our first rule.

1. If you have to refinance to pay for the work, you can't afford it.
2. Clean up. It's a lot of work, but worth the time. Clean, orderly homes always resale better.
3. Get rid of junk. When I have my houses for sale there is nothing sitting on the floor or impeding traffic flow even in the closets.
4. Remove wallpaper and put up soft neutral paint inside and out. Modern buyers do not like wallpaper.
5. Pay more attention to street appeal than interior decorating. Cute houses resell better and faster than other houses.

This last point...the one about street appeal...is the biggest one you need to have on your side if you need to resale fast. How your house looks from the street matters more than your interior. If buyers don't like the outside they won't even come in to see what you have done inside.

If you own a house that has no street appeal in a good neighborhood you might have a great chance to make money even in a slowing real estate market.

But how do you get street appeal?

It is tough. Just ask all the builders who are stuck with inventories of unsold homes. Street appeal is a moving target. Here are some strategies and recommendations.

1. Try to improve the landscaping pushing it out enough to frame the house rather than hiding it.
2. Make a nice wide path to the door.
3. Paint and use more than one color.
4. Make sure all colors work together including the roof.
5. Add some rock.
6. Frame out windows.
7. Stay true to the architecture of the house both inside and out.

You can no longer just throw a house up for sale and expect it to be easy. You have to work at it. Those first days the property is on the market can never be done over. Do your homework and don't put your house on the market until it is ready.

Clean it up, price it competitively and make it the cutest house on the block. Don't follow all the remodeling gurus along with the crowd right off a cliff.

Paula G Stone and George R (Ron) Stone have a note buying business. Their company buys mortgage notes as well as helps home sellers offer owner financing to sell their home fast and for top dollar while selling the private mortgage note at a simultaneous closing. Learn more about note buying and selling at Selling Mortgage

Shower Lighting Suggestions

When choosing the interior lighting for a home, the bathroom shower lighting usually gets the least amount of attention. Most people are more concerned about the lighting for the living rooms and kitchens because guests often visit these rooms. We actually spend more time in our bathrooms than we realize especially if we have Jacuzzi tubs and large shower stalls. Many bathrooms have only one light fixture in the ceiling no matter how large the bathroom. This one light fixture in the middle of the ceiling will not provide an adequate amount light to enjoy a bath in a Jacuzzi tub or a nice long hot shower. The bathroom is the first room you see in the morning and the last room you see at before you go to bed so it is important to create a relaxing experience in this room, which starts with a great lighting arrangement.

A great bathroom lighting arrangement consists of a pattern of layers. The places in the room where you shower, shave or put on your makeup need to have plenty of light. Vanity lighting is used to highlight your face and head for shaving and putting on make up. Avoid recessed lighting fixtures for vanity lighting because they tend to create shadows on your face which will make it hard to see what you are doing. Vertical fixtures placed on the sides of a mirror will eliminate the shadows on your face and create an overall even lighting making it easier to perform your daily grooming. Vanity lighting fixtures should be a minimum of 150 watts.

The shower lighting area should be illuminated with task lighting. If an average size bathroom has a shower stall that has a glass door instead of a curtain, an additional fixture may not be needed. If the bathroom is very large or has a thick shower curtain, an additional single recessed light about the shower stall will work well. Also, when creating your bathroom lighting arrangement, another recessed light over a toilet or tub will provide optimum lighting.

When choosing light bulbs for your shower lighting, a bright white bulb is the best choice because it creates the most natural skin tones. Halogen light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs, but they will give off the most natural type of lighting and are 10 times more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. It is important to remember that there is a lot of water in a bathroom and it can be dangerous if it mixes with electricity. All lighting fixtures should be a minimum of 6 feet away from any sinks, tubs and showers.

Please visit our website for additional information about Bathroom Light Fixtures.

Author Chris Smitts has many other bathroom light fixtures articles on his website. His website is a lighting resource guide, helping those who want to learn more about lighting styles. You can visit the website at Discount Lights. Copyright info: This article can be reproduced and duplicated only in its exact state with our website link attached.

Creating an Attic Room

For many of us, the attic qualifies as a non-room. It lies empty and dusty, or at best it is used as a place where old and forgotten boxes and furniture sit and collect mold. This does not have to be the case, however. With some thought and originality, your attic can be turned into a functional and useful room in the house with a little bit of remodeling. Turning your attic into a playroom, a guest room, or a home office can add a significant value to your home.

Because many attics are designed only as spare space, remodeling is made difficult due to the challenges posed by the beams, insulation, and piping involved. Some attics will even incorporate the water heater for the house. The first step in determining if your attic can be turned into a room is to contact a professional to have a look. A pro can tell you what items in an attic can be moved or removed, and will also be able to determine if the floors are sound enough to bare the weight that would be present in a room. If the floor is not structurally sound, a contractor will also be able to determine if reinforcing is an option.

Remember that a key area of energy loss in the home is the attic. More than 35% of hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer is lost through the attic, which is one of the reasons why they are so tightly insulated most of the time. This insulation will need to be adjusted if you are going to turn your attic into a functional room, so make sure that your contractor packs key areas in the new space tightly with insulation. Attic rooms need to have vents installed, as they will tend to get quite a bit hotter and stuffier than the rest of the house, even during the winter time (heat rises, so the attic will be a few degrees above the rest of the house when the heating is working properly).

Another problem area when it comes to remodeling an attic is the ceiling. Ceilings in attics are usually pretty low, and this will not be an adjustable option in some cases. The whole roof may need to be replaced in order to accommodate the attic room, so in some cases it will not be feasible. However, if you have to replace the beams and roof anyway, you might consider adding some extra height.

Attic rooms can be great, but there is a great deal to consider if you think this is the right move for your home.

Linden Walhard regularly writes papers on issues corresponding to cabinets and decorating. You might see his comments on kitchen remodeling at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com and different sources for kitchen remodeling knowledge.

Cloudy Pool Water - Causes & Cures

Cloudy pool water is caused by many factors. These factors may be chemical (water balance, pH, improper methods), mechanical (pool filter system) or environmental (source water, excessive rain, heavy use). Often times, pool owners attempt to treat the symptoms but not the cause of the cloudy water, so we have to look at all of the things that may contribute to the problem. Let's look at the causes of cloudy swimming pool water, then we can look at treatments and cures.

Before we dive in let's first put cloudy water to the test. Cloudy pool water is in the eyes of the beholder. Cloudy can mean: Dull - the pool water just doesn't sparkle. Hazy - it just isn't as clear as it normally is. Cloudy - you can make out the bottom of the pool if you look hard. Opaque - the term says it all!

Chemical Reasons

Many pool owners quickly blame "bad chemicals" so let's start there. Here are some of the factors and their contribution to the cloudy water problem. Water chemistry can contribute to cloudy or hazy water - if the pH is HIGH (over 7.8) and or the Total Alkalinity (TA) is HIGH (over 200 ppm) and or the Calcium Hardness (CH) is HIGH (over 400 ppm). With pH & TA being high the water will become dull or flat and the chlorine reacts more slowly loses its ability to kill and control bacteria and algae. Now you have early algae growth - another cause of cloudy pool water. High CH doesn't become a problem until the water warms up to over 85 degrees F; then you have a "cloudy" condition that won't go away. Maintain good pool water balance with these parameters: pH - 7.2 - 7.6 (all pools); Total Alkalinity - 80 - 120 ppm (concrete) or 120 - 150 ppm (vinyl liner); Calcium Hardness 200 - 300 ppm (concrete) or 175 - 250 ppm (vinyl).

Other chemical or chemistry based reasons for cloudy pool water would be lack of regular shocking, periodic chemical cleaning of the filter, poorly maintained sanitizer levels, lack of a chemical maintenance routine. Regular weekly or biweekly shocking of the pool aids in oxidizing un-filterable swimmer waste such as body oils, lotions, urine, hair gel, perspiration, etc. We find that the single biggest mistake customers make in their normal care is not shocking the pool often enough or insufficiently (not using the proper amount of pool shock). Proper shocking also helps to "rejuvenate" the chlorine level and knock out early algae growth. Whenever you have a pool party with lots of expected bathers, consider shocking the pool the day before (helps build up the chlorine level providing a buffer for an eventual chlorine demand) as well as immediately following the party (shocks & oxidizes everything that was brought into the pool during the party -- if your guests weren't using the bathroom, the beer & soda had to go somewhere). Using a calcium hypochlorite shock such as BioGuard Burn Out Extreme is preferred since the product will get in, do its work, then get out. Potassium monopersulfate shocks like Oxysheen work well to help break up chloramines (combined chlorines), but shouldn't be used exclusively.

Mechanical Reasons

If the chemistry is good and the pool is being properly shocked and algaecide added every 1 to 2 weeks, then it is necessary to look at the mechanical reasons. The mechanical components contributing to cloudy pool water would be improper filter size (too small), improper pump and motor size (too small or too large a horsepower pump), insufficient filtering time, poor circulation, improper maintenance (vacuuming & brushing). I can recount story after story when I've walked into a customer's backyard to help them troubleshoot a problem pool only to find the filter shut off or improperly connected. When simple corrections are made, the pool water is clear in as little as 24 hours. Let's examine some basics.

Your swimming pool's filtering system should be operating a minimum of 8 to 10 hours per day, every day from opening to closing. If the pool water becomes cloudy or other problems become evident, then constant running of the filter until the problem is solved is required. If the filter was properly sized (even slightly bigger is better) then 8 to 10 hours daily is good. On the other hand, too large of a pump may be "harmful" to the filtration. If the horsepower is too great, you may be blowing dirt and everything else you want filtered right through the filter (especially sand filters). When it comes to 2 speed pumps, make sure the "high" speed run time is set for a minimum of 6 hours daily PLUS and additional 12 to 18 hours at "low" speed).

Consider using an automatic pool cleaner. You'll end up with better circulation, cleaner pool surfaces and less work.

The other mechanical reasons are also important. Regular vacuuming and brushing help with the overall circulation by moving water around. Keep directional "eyeballs" pointed DOWN to force filtered water down to the bottom of the pool and therefore aid in water movement by breaking up dead spots. Too frequent backwashing of the filter doesn't give the filter media enough time to do its best cleaning -- a dirty filter filters a finer particle. One final mechanical reason for cloudy pool water, lack of use. Actively used pools are always better circulated and filtered. So even if the water is cloudy (as long as the water is in good chemical balance), use the pool!

Environmental Reasons

Remember that whatever is out in the world, will eventually get in the pool and detract from water clarity. Pollen, dust, dirt, leaves, make-up water, bird droppings (forgot about those, right?), rain, local construction sites, etc. can all affect your swimming pool. Each of these culprits needs to treated differently. Pollen, dust and other fine particulate can be treated using a water clarifier like BioGuard Polysheen Blue. Flocculants work well in severe situations by settling the particles to pool bottom and vacuuming it all out on Waste. Use a skimmer sock inside of the skimmer to remove fine pollen or dust that may be too fine for your sand filter.

Leaves, swimmers, makeup water, droppings will create a chlorine demand. Shocking the pool is necessary. Make-up water can change the water chemistry affecting the pH, TA and CH not to mention the possible addition of heavy metals, all of which can cause or add to water cloudiness.

Final Notes

As you can see there's no 1 or 2 reasons for cloudy pool water. It's usually a combination of factors. Some of them not even coming from the pool itself. The best solution to cloudy pool water is prevention utilizing a good, regular chemical and cleaning maintenance program. About 30 to 60 minutes per week is all that it takes. If or when your pool water turns cloudy, don't start adding clarifiers or flocs. Get down to the real cause. Look at all of the contributing factors.

http://www.parpools.com
http://www.parpools.com/Page/PoolCare/BioGuard_Solutions.html
http://www.parpools.com/Page/PoolCare/BioGuard_water_balance.html

Rim Joist Damage