Plumbers Share Tips on Repairing Drains

It may seem like your kitchen and bathroom drains get clogged on a regular basis. Professional plumbing companies offer a complete variety of services and will repair your clogged drains at your home or office, but many recommend some green ways to keep your drains open, without using powerful industrial chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. These products may contain lye or acid, and can be dangerous to the wastewater system, your PVC pipes, as well as your health.

You may want to use a more natural approach to keep your drains from getting clogged. Some health food stores carry bacteria based enzyme cleaners. Pouring a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by about 3 cups of boiling water may also work, as long as water has not yet backed up in your drain. The chemical composition of the baking soda is changed by the boiling water, making it more alkaline.

If the water is not draining from your sink or bathtub, pour a cup of washing soda down the drain and let it set there for awhile to work its way down to where the clog is. Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda, so be careful using it if you have already used a commercial drain cleaner, which will tend to be very acidic. This will result in the two chemicals reacting with each other and causing an even bigger problem. Also, washing soda can damage the plastic in your PVC pipes if you use it too often. This is another reason it may be best to call your plumbers in the first place.

Combining baking soda and vinegar, along with boiling water, will cause bubbles and fizzing that can help to unclog your drains. This method works particularly well when it is hair that is clogging the drain. Again, use caution with any of these methods.

If your kitchen drains are clogged, natural living enzyme culture drain cleaners will work well. These enzymes break down any organic matter that is clogging up your drains. This method also keeps your garbage disposal from emitting a strong odor in your kitchen.

Enzymes do not work well on drains that are clogged by hair, so your shower, bath, and bathroom sink drains will not be cleared with this method. These types of clogs are better treated with washing soda and water.

As you can probably see, calling in a professional plumbing company as soon as you have a problem with your drains clogging up is the best way to make sure you are protecting your home and caring for your plumbing system.

And now I invite you to learn more by visiting http://www.LosAngelesPlumbingAndSewer.com to find out how to care for your residential and commercial property plumbing systems

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home

When remodeling or improving your home, you should stop and look at the future before you make any decisions. Some day, your investment will have to be sold. And you will want to get as much out of it as you have put in it.

There are things that just hurt a home when you are trying to sell it. These are items that really seem important to you, but the majority of buyers don't want.

The number one example is a swimming pool. I would love to have an in-ground swimming pool at my house. But I know that it would not be a good investment.

It is expensive to clean, maintain and buyers aren't looking for swimming pools. Buyers don't want the troubles or the energy bills that come with swimming pools. Lenders don't include pools in the mortgage appraisal, so it really has no value to your home.

Another thing that can hurt you is overexpanding your home. Yes, buyers are looking for space, but you can have too much space. If you add on a family room, you are likely to see a 83% return on your investment. It costs you when you don't get back 100%. Adding a master suite to a home will grant you a recovery of only 80% of the cost of the addition.

It gets even worse if your additions make your home much larger than those in your area. This hurts your appraisal value, as there are no other homes of your size to compare to.

You shouldn't go too crazy with your changes either. Yes, there are a lot of people that would find a basement that looks like an old-time western saloon quite charming. But would they want to buy it? What if the basement was extra storage and a family room instead?

You would think that a home office would be a good addition. So many people work from home. Yet, it probably isn't wise to totally outfit a room to be an office by installing a workstation and office storage. You will recoup an average of 73% of your investment, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Another thing to avoid is doing too much by yourself. Shoddy or handmade workmanship will not benefit you. I know a couple that painted their brand new home themselves. The job was not great, as you can see paint on the ceiling throughout the home. Plus, the colors are quite unusual. To sell their home, they may find that it would have been better to have a professional paint in a neutral color scheme.

Try to keep your decor in your personal belongings, not the home itself. Faux finishes are lovely, but if they are too unusual, they may be a sticking point. You may love unusual colors, but remember, hot pink walls are not for everyone.

When you know you will be selling your home, it helps to spend your time only on renovations that will pay you back. Do the most important projects first.

The projects that show the greatest return at resale are improvements to siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.

A midrange bathroom renovation can give you a 102% return on the investment. An upscale bathroom renovation can recoup 93% of the cost. A midrange kitchen improvement will recoup approximately 91% of the cost. Minor jobs return 99%.

Keep in mind that the most important improvements aren't those that add to your home, they are those that maintain the home. Make sure the paint is in good condition, the gutters are clean and the lawn is kept up. Keep track of annual checkups, such as the heating and air servicing, and make sure you include the info when you are trying to sell your home. A well-maintained home is always a good seller.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance Rate marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Help and you'd be surprised what we can do together.

Getting Rid Of Horrible Attic Sm

Bathtub Surround Installation DIY Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Termite Damaged Sole Plate

Understanding Wood

Understanding the grain of wood is a complex geometric puzzle. Wood comes in many different species and densities which all play heavy roles in the formation of the grain. Just like all living things there are no two exactly the same, only similar.

When planning a new project the species of wood should be given careful thought. The demands of the design will usually favor certain candidates. It is very important to do a little research before ordering any lumber. Also research unfamiliar techniques you will be using during the construction and finishing processes. Remember to test small pieces for workability, both in the machining process, and the finishing process.

You have done your research, purchased your wood, and are ready to begin. By looking at the board through the eyes of a detective you can see some of the stresses or lack of stresses within each piece. Whenever there are knots present you can count on tremendous internal stresses, trying to rip them out will surely make one or both boards go wild. Knots aren't all bad as a matter of fact they possess some of the denser beautiful grain you will find in the board. So consider leaving some of them in your project, it is a Green approach to building, after all knots are a part of wood.

Stress is held with in the board in two ways.

Statically, which tends to minimize its effects over the length of the grain.

Dynamically, which is a loaded response to the external environment the tree grew in. Some trees resist unbelievable forces throughout their lives, and that memory is in the wood, coiled and ready to screw up your project if you are not careful.

Reading grain is part science, detective, and luck. You can think you have seen it all and right in the middle of planing a board an alligator will take a bite out of your masterpiece, or worse yet leave a nasty splinter in your hand. Alligators are caused by stress, and end grain being exposed within the length of the board. Knots are usually the beginning of an alligator but spiral and erratic grain will produce them also. Always perform your work moving towards the end of the open grain and not into it.

Tear out is where parts of the surface during cutting or milling just pull out. Some species are more affected by this than others. If you believe your material to be subject to this than make sure your tools are like new before you begin. All jobs should have properly sharpened tools but some demand it. Not to worry though most of the time the tear out is shallow and can easily be sanded out. Soft woods seem to be more susceptible to than most hardwoods.

There are some species that are inherently brittle, which will add a whole new realm to understanding the wood you are working with. It may have some or all of the traits listed so far and in addition being brittle. When working with these woods special care must be taken at all times to ensure split free assemblies.

Most soft woods share the characteristic of being easily dented. Special care must be taken at all times to minimize dents, especially after sanding. There are a few hardwoods that will possess this trait as well. The best way to test your wood is to simply rub your fingernail across the grain, the result will tell you all you need to know about how to care for the piece.

This by no means is an exhaustive compendium of wood characteristics. My soul motivation in writing this was to enable you to do research, and apply your accumulated knowledge towards years of wood working pleasure. You will be your best teacher, so start the learning curve with optimism.

Wood can be the source of very beautiful creations, and an inspiration to your creative soul. Never take anything for granted when working with wood and you will achieve far better results.

http://www.dreamwoodinnovations.com

"There will never be a better day than today to follow your dreams. It is only through living your dream that you can achieve it." William Muncrief 2008

Recovering From a Failed Home Project

Everyone has a home project haunting them from their past. The objective was to upgrade their existing home, but it just didnt turn out the way they originally envisioned. When this happens, what do you do now? I always smile and say Punt! In the real world we cant punt, but we do have choices. One solution is to make it a work of modern art or the more common decision is to fix the problem and finish as planned.

Lets assume you have all the correct tools and are skilled on how to use them. If you are having problems using your tools, you might want to find a contractor to fix your project. So what was the original problem that caused your project to fail? I can answer that in a few short words for a large majority of failed projects, lack of correct pre-planning. The really comical thought is that to discover the problem on your failed project is the same process as doing a proper pre-plan.

The purpose of this article is to explain a concept so we will use an extremely simple problem, however the process will work on all types and sizes of projects. You just installed a new sink in your master bathroom. The color and texture and size are all correct but for some reason it just doesnt line up with the existing countertop and wobbles from end to end. Along the way you must have forgotten a step or took a shortcut to have caused this. The way to fix this problem is obviously to pull the sink out and figure out how to install it correctly. Before you do this, do a work breakdown structure (WBS). This is a common pre-plan task all good managers working on high dollar projects use. This is a practice that also applies to home projects and is a useful way to find your fix. A WBS is exactly as it states, your work broken down and itemized creating a structure and path to follow.

Start at the top of your paper pad and state your objective. In our example we will use Install a new sink. Then we divide that objective into deliverables. In the sink example I write; purchase the sink, remove the old sink, prepare countertop, and prepare plumbing. Next we have to further divide these again into assignments. Assignments are action items or tasks. The following is how I would write this using our example of the new sink.

Install The New Sink

• Lay the sink in the cutout
• Anchor the sink
• Hook up plumbing

Purchase the sink

• Gather existing sink dimensions
• Window shop stores for new sinks
• Decide on new sink that fits dimensions
• Shop for best price
• Purchase sink

Remove Old Sink

• Turn off the water source
• Unhook all plumbing
• Release sink anchors attached to countertop
• Remove sink

Prepare Countertop

• Make sure the countertop will support the new sink
• If necessary install additional support
• Make sure cutout will accept new sink
• Adjust cutout if necessary
• Make a clean surface on which to rest the new sink on

Prepare Plumbing

• Measure the sink drain and faucet connections
• Record existing plumbing dimensions
• Prepare plumbing to accept new sink connections
• Proper length of pipe
• Have Teflon tape available for plumbing re-install

Now we have our tasks. Reading through our example, I see that I did not measure the proper length of the plumbing drain pipe causing the sink to wobble and not fit securely. This is a very simple example but it illustrates the concept that a proper pre-plan and diagnosis will allow you to accomplish a correct fix instead of a fix that just hides the actual problem. Applying this concept to your more difficult projects around the house will help identify the possible problems and solutions before you even start.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.homedesignfloorplans.com where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic provided by Robert Kempe.

Robert Kempe has 15+ years in industrial construction and industrial engineered manufacturing as a project manager and a part time home inspector. Through his experience he has been able to simplify and make sense of home building and designing in what looks to be a complete chaotic project and decision making process. His articles will guide you through the most difficult decisions and make it a positive uplifting experience.

Soundproof Insulation - Why Live Without It?

Your home, unfortunately, is simply not up to the task of sheltering you from the noise pollution created by the continual traffic on nearby busy streets. Nor can it shut out the sounds of your overly loud neighbors. Your home, in fact, is actually contributing to the noise problems with its banging pipes and thin walls which allow sound to bleed from one room to another. What can you do?

How Soundproofing Insulation Will Benefit Your Family

Turning your noisy home into the quiet oasis of your dreams might be much less of a challenge than you expect. Adding soundproof insulation to your house will not only shut out the unwanted noise; it will make you home much more marketable should you eventually decide to sell. Most importantly, adding soundproof insulation to your home will make everyone who lives with you much happier.

As soon as you install soundproof insulation in your home, you'll put an end to the arguments over televisions and music players being too loud, and to the problem family members eavesdropping on conversations being held in other rooms. Everyone in your home will also be sleeping much better after the soundproofing insulation is installed, and if one of you has an early wakeup call, the alarm will not interrupt the slumber of everyone else who wants to sleep in. Soundproof insulation can bring a highly welcome feeling of privacy to the confined dimensions of a small home.

Soundproof Insulation and Lower Energy Bills

You may not have ever realized that when you install soundproof insulation in your home, you won't just be blocking unwanted noise. Almost all soundproofing insulation is acoustical foam which is injected through attic openings into the interiors of your home's walls. As the foam spreads down from the attic, it gradually expands and hardens, sealing each gap in your walls.

You'll no longer be experiencing drafts around your light fixtures and electrical outlets, and your home will be more protected than ever from summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Your energy bills, as a result, will drop and if you stay in your home long enough, your energy savings may even be large enough to pay for the cost of your soundproof insulation!

If you don't currently own a home, but intend to build one in the near future, you can make it the quiet retreat of your dreams from the outset by installing Soundproofing installation during its construction. Once the house's plumbing and electrical wiring are in place, your building contractor will attach fiberglass batting to the interior of its walls, and the degree of soundproofing it offers will depend on its thickness.

There are other soundproofing materials you can discuss with your contractor, so make sure you understand all your options so that your finished home provides all the peace and quiet you deserve!

You can also find more info on Soundproofing Material. Soundproofingbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about sound proofing item.

11 Tips For Hiring Landscape Contractors

This article will list the biggest mistakes homeowners make when hiring a landscape contractor and also show you how to avoid them.

These useful FREE landscaping tips can help homeowner avoid costly mistakes and will save money when hiring a landscape contractor.

Here are 11 costly pitfalls and how you can identify them, and more importantly, avoid them:

1. Hire only licensed landscape contractors. Look for the following license:
   • Landscape Contractors (C-27)
   • Swimming Pool Contractor (C-53)
   • General Building Contractor (B)
2. Check the contractor's license number by calling the Contractors State License Board (800) 321-2752 or and California Landscape Contractors Association to make sure their license and liability insurance are current. Also check out their website if they have one.
3. Get at least three references from your prospect contractor and review past work and visit several sites if possible.
4. Get at least three bids. You can do this on your own by going on-line to research contractors in your area or use our recommended contractors. (If you hired a landscape designer , you should already have a set of landscape concept design plan for biding).
5. Get a written contract from the contractor and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms. Ask questions if something is not clear.
6. Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. This is an industry standard for a contract.
7. Keep all records of payments to avoid any issues with respect to payments.
8. Don't pay cash as cash payments have a way of disappearing from the books.
9. Don't make final payment until you are satisfied with the job because it will be very hard to get the contractor to come back and fix something once they have gotten paid.
10. Keep all documents and papers relating to your project, including any project changes and amendments. Just remember, if it is not in writing then it does not exist.
11. When in doubt, hire only a licensed professional contractor who is current with landscape industry. A professional landscape contractor's primarily focus should be a client's interest first and foremost.

Do your homework before making any decisions. Not all the contractors have the same specialty and skills. Your desired style should match the contractor's ability/skills to get the most benefit.

Roxanne (Roxy) Kim-Perez is a professional landscape designer providing landscape design service in and around San Diego. Her design firm http://www.forget-me-notlandscapedesign.com is a landscape design company that specializes in modern residential landscape designs with emphasis on energy efficient, low maintenance, sustainable and comfortable designs for Southern California home owners.