Rock Garden - How to Make a Rock Garden

There is no set design on how to make a rock garden, you can let your creativity abound. As long as you incorporate the basics, you can design as large or as small of a rock garden as you desire. All good gardening techniques require good drainage for watering, so bear this in mind. Make sure that wherever you decide to place your garden, you have a level surface as a base. Use well-draining sand or gravel as the foundation. A quick trip to any of the large nurseries or home building suppliers will provide you with a variety of options for materials.

Decorative stone makes a lovely wall for rock garden terraces. It comes in a variety of colors and shapes, with straight or round edges. Brick and formed blocks will also work. Your garden can be a single tier, or several staggered terraces. If you are looking to build a rooftop garden, ensure that the trusses or roofing substructure will adequately support the weight. If this is not the case, perhaps several very small, scattered gardening spots would be a better choice.

Once you have selected your materials and decided where to locate your rock garden, level the surface. Place your stone or brick border materials around the perimeter. If you will be adding another tier, place the blocks that will support the decorative stone that will be exposed first. Then place your decorative pieces on top of the supporting bricks. Repeat for as many tiers as you will want. Ensure you have left openings for proper drainage. You can use small sections of " PVC pipe between the blocks which will allow water to flow through. Fill the tiers with a potting mixture and add your plant selections, ensuring adequate spacing between each plant. Your rock garden is now complete for everyone to enjoy.

Sturat has got experience in copywriting and article marketing and enjoys writing articles on topics like How to Make a Rock Garden and Build a Rooftop Garden. For more information you can visit us.

Extreme Temperature Building

Cutting Stair Handrailing 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 Help

House Painting Books
Home Building Books

Top 10 PC Repair Shops in Atlanta

Are you fighting with your PC? PCs have this problem where over time you have too many programs installed an running, competing for the same fixed hardware resources. It becomes a nightmare to manage. There are some software programs you can download and in fact a few that come installed with Windows that you can utilize but after a certain point, it effectively becomes the point of no return. At that point, you need to take the machine into a professional (or better yet have him or her come visit you) and have them take a close look at it. It could be a Windows problem, something related to one of the many applications you have installed, or it could actually be a hardware issue. If the latter, make sure you have available whatever warranty information you have related to your PC, whether issued by the manufacturer or the store where you bought the computer from.

Here is a Top 10 of Computer Service & Repair in the Atlanta, GA area. This list was compiled by how frequently the repair firms information is kept in people's digital address books. The service providers that are used more frequently are stored more frequently. The #1 repair store on this list has been stored the most amount of times by Atlanta residents. Generally, people only store a business information in their address books if they are satisfied with the providers service and wish to engage in repeat business.

Top 10 Computer Repair Stores in Atlanta

Printer Repair Depot
(770) 451-1022
3618 Clearview Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30340

Atlanta Technical
(770) 414-5266
2896 Greystone Cv N
Atlanta, GA 30341

Atlanta Mac Service
(770) 414-5266
Atlanta, GA 30303

Geek Squad
(404) 841-3255
3079 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305

Nanosecond Computers
(404) 874-9664
Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia Geeks
(404) 388-6553
Atlanta, GA 30303

Vertical Marketing Services
(770) 804-8884
Atlanta, GA 30338

All Services Computer Trouble Shooters
(404) 892-9030
4311 Lakeshore Xing NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

Compusa
(404) 814-7675
3400 Around Lenox Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

Sirius Computer Solutions
(404) 351-5040
Atlanta, GA 30303

Others To Consider:

--
Your Computer Guy
(404) 248-0888
2793A Clairmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Compusa
(770) 901-8475
124 Perimeter Ctr W
Atlanta, GA 30346

Fast Teks
(678) 344-0888
Atlanta, GA 30303

Friendly Computers
(770) 941-8232
Atlanta, GA 30303

Esquire Professionals
(404) 753-4600
2255 Cascade Rd SW
Atlanta, GA 30311

Adams Consulting Group Inc
(770) 441-5067
4091 Windsor Oak Dr
Atlanta, GA 30340

Martin Business Products
(770) 436-1248
Atlanta, GA 30303

A & C Computer Solutions
(404) 761-6001
1919 Metropolitan Pkwy SW
Atlanta, GA 30315

Nowadays, most people have their own Computers for their personal or official needs. But they don't know how to tame their Computers. They are struggling with installing, firewalls, upgradings and a lot more problems. They don't know what to do and where to start from. If you are one among them, this list will help you to find your best provider for your Atlanta area.

Zander Smith
Author & Analyst, AreaG2
Atlanta Computer Repair

Roof Replacement Done Right - Keep an Eye Out For These Common Issues

Having your roof replaced can be an overwhelming experience. You want to get the best roof possible, but you don't want too spend too much money; it can be hard to know if you're going to get the roofing results you want (and need!). That's why we've compiled this list of three common issues in roof replacement. We'll help you understand what to avoid when it comes to having a new roof installed so you can dodge these common roofing pitfalls.

Installing a Roof Atop Old Shingles

While some roofing contractors suggest installing your new roofing over your old shingles, this is usually a bad ideal. The price tag for an overlay installation is generally cheaper, but it decreases the life span of your shingles (and can even void the warranty on some roofing products). Although the initial outlay is less, when heat and moisture trapped by the lower layer of shingles cause your new roof to deteriorate, you'll have to spend more money to have another new roof installed. Most high-quality roofers won't recommend taking this short cut, so if your roofing company advises an overlay installation, it may be time to start shopping for different roofing contractors!

Installing New Shingles on Damaged Decking

Putting a new roof down on damaged decking is a recipe for disaster. Rotting and decaying plywood not only creates an unsafe working service for the roof installers, it will also result in an unsound roof. Moisture issues as well as structural collapse are possible-and, quite frankly, likely-when you don't have damaged decking replaced. It adds some cost to the roofing installation, but your roof will be sound and last years longer when it is installed on solid decking. If you're not sure whether your decking is in satisfactory shape, ask your roofer. They'll be able to assess the particulars of your roof and recommend whether decking replacement is needed.

Repairing a Roof With Shingles Past Their Expected Life Span

You'll also want to keep in mind that roofs have recommended life spans. Once a roof is past that age, you're almost always better off replacing the whole roof rather than repairing it. Even if you only have a major problem with one small section, other parts of the roof are likely to deteriorate soon. You will save money, hassle, and aggravation by replacing your whole roof once it has surpassed its suggested lifetime.

With these three issues in mind, you'll be able to make informed decisions about replacing or repairing your roof. As you can see, cheaper is rarely better with roof replacement-cutting cost means cutting corners. Although it may cost a little more initially, you will save money in the end doing your roof right the first time! Be sure to always using a licensed roofing contractor for the best quality installation and a superior roof.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement specialist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leader in online, local advertising

Advantages Framing With Steel

Questions to Ask During a Home Inspection

I'll start my list with questions I am never asked that I think are most important.

First question you should ask is one that I have yet to be asked by any home buyer since 1993 despite having 7,000 or so clients. You should ask to see the inspectors state issued license or ID card issued by ASHI or a reputable home inspector organization. Please ask, I have been carrying those ID's in my wallet for years just in case some one asks for them. If your inspector can't find his or hers it is time to stop the inspection and try again with another company.

Another question you should be asking the home inspector is what is your education, training and experience. A good home inspector will have years of inspection experience, a few hundred hours of class room experience and be able to tell you the last few continuing education classes attended. New Jersey law requires inspectors to have at least 40 hours of continuing education in home inspection every two years. I have taught many of those classes and found many students learned quite a bit.

Home inspectors expect questions to be asked during home inspections. If you ask a home inspector a question, hear the answer and nod your head up and down the home inspector is likely to feel your question was answered. If you do not understand the answer a home inspector gives you tell the inspector. I have no problem at all explaining things more than once and in different ways till buyers understand.

Ask the home inspector about any of your concerns. Do not bother asking the inspector if you should buy the home, if the home is right for you, if the price is right, who has to fix what and the like. Home inspectors can answer your questions about most issues however the above questions are outside of the field of expertise of most home inspectors.

Feel free to questions the home inspector about the drainage around the exterior of the home, how to help keep your basement dryer, how to prolong the useful life of the roofing and if there are problems with the roofing and or siding. Home inspectors answer those questions all the time and can provide useful tips.

While outside ask the home inspector if there are any signs of improperly abandoned oil tanks, if there are the home inspector can advise you and your attorney how to proceed.

Home inspectors can tell you how many amps the service is, the service voltage, if there is room to expand within the electric panel, if amateurs have caused problems with the wiring and if the wiring appears to be safe. If the home is older make sure you ask the inspector if aluminium wiring or knob and tube wiring exists, both are potential fire hazards and may make it difficult to get home owner's insurance.

When the home inspector is inspecting the plumbing system ask if the sewer clean out cap is newer. If it is suspect problems with the sewer pipe may exist and budget for replacement. Ask the inspector how old the plumbing supply, waste and vent pipes are. If the pipes are old replacement may be necessary sooner than you would like.

Heating systems must be inspected and you are entitled to be told how the heating system works. If you do not know the parts on the boiler or furnace now is the time to find out. Ask the home inspector questions about what part does what and why they are there. Every home inspector I know is anxious to teach you everything he or she knows. If the inspector does not know the names of the parts on the equipment you should be concerned.

Many buyers have questions to ask home inspectors about the structure of the home. Keep in mind home inspectors can not see into or through walls. Home inspectors can see what they can see and make a few educated guesses. Home inspectors are likely to miss hidden damages from insects, rot, water and construction defects unless obvious symptoms exist. Home inspectors who provide an answer of "I do not know" when asked the question is there hidden damages are not being evasive they are being honest.

Michael Del Greco is President of Accurate Inspections, Inc, a home inspection business.

He has been a home inspector since 1993 and prior to that spent seven years as a construction project manager. Questions to ask during a home inspection

What To Do If Your Home Floods

How to Find Affordable House Insurance Quotes

House insurance quotes do not have to be costly. You can easily find an affordable quote that will meet your budget and give you the insurance coverage you need for your peace of mind. Even if you are not having any issues with your current insurance provider, you can save money by shopping around.

To shop around for the best quotes, you do not have to spend time calling all the insurance providers in your area to get information about rates and quotes. The technology of the Internet allows you to compare a variety of insurance quotes to find the cheapest one with the best coverage.

By searching online for affordable house insurance quotes, you have access to a wider number of insurance providers. There are many different insurance providers licensed to practice in various states and not all of them have a visible presence in every town and city.

When you visit a website of an insurance company to request a free quote, the first thing you have to do is enter your zip code. If the provider is able to offer you a policy, then you will be able to continue. If not, then the message on the screen will tell you that you cannot purchase a home insurance policy for your region from this provider.

Experts will tell you that in order to do a good comparison of rates and policies; you should request at least three house insurance quotes. You do not have to pay for any quotes nor are you under any obligation to purchase any of the policies. You can sit back at your leisure and compare the quotes and what is covered under each policy to choose the one that is most affordable for you.

When shopping around for homeowners insurance quotes, you do need to have the information that the provider needs in order to determine the cost of the policy. You need to know the age of the home, the type of material used in the construction of the foundation, walls and roof, and the square footage of the home. You also need to know the square footage of the home as well. Along with the amount of coverage you need, these are the main factors that determine how much the quote will be.

The amount of coverage you have on your home is an essential part of getting house insurance quotes. You should really sit down and figure out how much insurance you will need so that you have enough money to rebuild your home should it be completely destroyed.

In order to do this, you should check out the cost of having a house of your size built at today's rates. With the rising prices, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to rebuild the home for the same price you paid for it.

Another aspect of getting home insurance quotes is the amount of coverage you need for your personal belongings. Take an inventory of what you have in your home and attach a value to each item. The total is the amount of coverage you need to replace these items and will also come in handy if you do need to provide the insurance provider with a comprehensive list.

The coverage on your personal belongings is usually equal to half that of the coverage on the home itself, so when you do the Math, you may have to increase the coverage.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in finance, business, and different types of home insurance quotes. For free homeowners insurance quotes, please visit http://www.cheap-insurance-rates.com/.

Electrical Outlet Problems

Credit Repair and a Lost Wallet

Getting Started

If you have lost your wallet you should take defensive action as soon as possible. Make a list of everything that was in your wallet; credit and debit cards, identification, insurance cards, movie rental cards, etc. The first order of business should be to contact all credit and debit card issuers, and inform them of your loss. They will deactivate your cards and discuss your options. Most credit card companies will provide a new card immediately to minimize your inconvenience. Once you have contacted everyone it's time to consider additional precautions. If you need help, most credit repair professionals will be familiar with your choices and should be happy to provide guidance.

Fraud Alert

A fraud alert is a message on your credit report notifying potential creditors that your personal information may be used fraudulently, and requests them to contact you by phone prior to extending new credit. An initial fraud alert will remain in place for 90 days, and can be cancelled anytime. You may place a fraud alert on all three reports by calling just one of the three bureaus as they are required to contact the other two. You may also initiate your fraud alert online at the bureaus websites. Once the 90 day period is past, you may place an extended fraud alert on your report which will last for seven years, if you feel that your identity is still at risk.

Credit Freeze

A credit freeze is a more dramatic step you can take to insure that no new accounts are opened in your name. Once a credit freeze is active potential creditors will not be able to access your report. There are exceptions which allow a variety of pre-authorized parties to view your reports. This includes your current creditors who have the right to review your credit, collectors that work for current and past creditors, and companies that offer pre-screened credit. You may lift a credit freeze if you wish to apply for new credit. Unlike fraud alerts, which are available to anyone, credit freeze laws vary from state to state and may not be available in your state. In many cases there are fees associated with placing and lifting a credit freeze. Again, if you are uncertain, ask a credit repair professional for assistance.

Free Credit Report

Once you have placed initiated a fraud alert or credit freeze you may access each of your credit reports one time for free. In the case of an extended seven year fraud alert you may access your reports two times for free within the first year of placing the alert. Keep in mind that everyone has the right to access their reports one time per year for free at annualcreditreport.com. This is a federal law intended to facilitate the identification and repair of credit reporting errors. Instances related to the implementation of a fraud alert or credit freeze do not count against your right to your free annual reports.

Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring is a fantastic high-tech tool which can add an extra layer of protection and comfort for anyone whose identity may have been compromised. It is also nice for anyone in a credit repair program wishing to track changes in their reports. Credit monitoring is offered by all three credit bureaus for a small monthly fee. At the time of this writing the cost is under fifteen dollars per month. Once enrolled, you will receive an email whenever there is a credit inquiry or any material change in your credit reports. You will also get unlimited access to your reports. Each bureau has an option that provides you with monitoring from all three bureaus simultaneously.

Social Security Card Replacement

If you have lost your Social Security Card you can get a replacement at no cost. You may get up to three replacement cards per year and up to ten in your lifetime. Just go to your local Social Security Administration office with personal identification and proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or passport, and you will receive a new card in approximately two weeks. You will also get a Social Security Number Certification letter on the spot which can be used in place of a card while you wait.

The Social Security Administration does not get involved in resolving identity theft issues, but if you inform the Social Security Administration that your Social Security number may have been used by another person, they will review your earnings to make sure no one else is using your identification for work purposes.

Copyright 2007 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Jim Kemish, a nationally recognized credit repair and restoration expert, is the president and founder of Sky Blue Credit, a leading credit repair business since 1989. Jim is also the president of Power Mortgage, a Florida mortgage company based in Delray Beach, Florida.

Post Your Ideas Here On Home Remodeling

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 .

Smiles Are Free So Give Them Awa

Roofing Tools - Essential Tools For Your Roof

There's no doubt it's a wise move to hire a professional to remove, install or maintain a roof. But with a little bit of time and knowledge, and often with the help of a few friends, it is a realistic do it yourself project. If you use the right roofing tools the job can be relatively easy. Just look for these tools at a local hardware store.

A slate cutter does just what the name implies, cuts slate and shingles. It slices through most roofing materials like the proverbial hot knife through butter. Industrial versions cut 1/2" thick shingles easily. Some models have a punch to get them started, which also offers better control in the cutting process.

Instead of throwing the shingles to the ground, which requires a constant trek to the perilous edge, consider a ridge bucket. These buckets hug the roof so they won't slip even it's steep. It's safer and easier to use a ridge bucket to dispose of materials.

Use a hip runner to install ridge cap and hip ridges perfectly straight every time. Contractors use hip runners, so do it yourself roofers should take the hint.

Seaming pliers aren't for sewing. They're for yanking shingles, especially stubborn shingles that seem to have a mind of their own intent on staying in place. Seaming pliers include flat teeth to grip the shingle without tearing it. Combine the pliers with a good pair of thick work gloves to save your fingers and hands from injuries such as scrapes, bruises and blisters from gripping and pulling rough shingles.

What has a hammer head on one side and an ax and blade on the other? No, not a movie hero's weapon, it's a slater's hammer. This roofing tool can be used both for removing the old and installing the new roof. Don't worry about it going to waste after the project, it's also a handy every day hammer.

Not only will most local hardware stores carry these tools, they'll rent some of the larger ones such as a slate cutter. This way a home owner can use the best quality tools rather than one that's cheaper to purchase. Keep in mind too that knowledge is a roofing tool as important as any other. Local hardware stores, as well as the Internet, are great sources of information. Between books they carry and staff on hand who can give you advice, they can prepare a person for every step of the roofing process.

Chokyi Ooi runs a Home Improvement and Family Resources site and hopes this site can help us to improve our home and family lives. To learn more about Roofing Tools and lots of other guides, feel free to drop by http://www.home-and-family.chokyi.com.

Materials For Stair Treads

Xbox 360 Repair - Do I Really Need to Buy an Xbox 360 Repair Guide?

So, your Xbox 360 has given up the ghost and you want to fix it. First things first. Is it under warranty? If it is, then send it back to Microsoft to get it repaired. If you open the case and break the seal your warranty is voided. Now if it isn't under warranty then the following information will provide you with your cheapest and best bet for your Xbox 360 repair.

The free Xbox 360 repair guide that I recommend shows how to perform the X-Clamp fix. Believe it or not there are free step by step instructions along with videos that will show you how to perform your own Xbox 360 repair. The only cost is the kit that goes with the videos. However, you can go down to your local hardware store and get the parts, but you will probably spend more than the average repair kit price of $7.99 USD. The reason you would spend more is the cost of the thermal paste. Most of the kits come with a blister pack of thermal paste which is just enough to do 2 or 3 CPUs. Whereas the thermal paste you buy in a store comes in a tube and is way more than you need. Thus the increased cost. So, you really are better off buying an Xbox 360 repair kit off of eBay. In the end it will still be way cheaper than buying a guide, which typically cost $24.95 or more and then you still have to buy the parts.

There are a couple of sites that have free step by step guides but only one that has both a step by step guide and videos. The guide and videos are very well done and extremely easy to follow. One of the nice things about the free guide and videos is you can read through the guide and watch the video and see if this is something you want to attempt, all before you buy anything. The video guides have very high ratings and get well over a thousand hits a day. The step by step instructions are in pdf format and are down loadable with links to the videos. Remember all of this is free which is really quite amazing. The website that the guide and videos are featured on even has error code information so you can confirm exactly what problem your Xbox 360 may be having.

I know it may be hard to believe but the information you need to perform your Xbox 360 repair is free and all with no strings attached. Here is the link you need to perform the Xbox 360 repair http://xbox360fixit.com

Lee Brewer

Water Heater Damage

Smoke Damage

Smoke, a harmful mixture of chemicals and toxins, is dangerous to your health and your property, and adds to the damage done to your property as the result of a fire.

Inhaling smoke is very damaging to your health, which is why fire departments help vent smoke from buildings.

Once the fire department has put out the fire and vented the building, their job is complete, and there is often a large mess left behind, including discoloration and corrosion of materials as well as pungent odors that may be difficult to eliminate from your home and belongings.

At this point, smoke restoration companies should be called for professional help. This clean-up job requires special tools and knowledge to prevent further damage and to restore the property.

The extent of smoke damage and the ease with which it is cleaned away is often based on the type of smoke in your home: wet, dry, protein and fuel-oil.

Wet smoke comes from low heat and is difficult to clean. Dry smoke results after a fast burning fire at high temperatures. Protein smoke is invisible, but discolors varnishes and has an extremely foul odor. Fuel-oil soot smoke is a result of a furnace malfunction.

Before the restoration professionals arrive, there are several things you can do to start the smoke removal process. Immediate action is important since many items in your home can be damaged by smoke, including electronics, clothing, upholstery and draperies.

First, open windows and turn on fans, if possible, to air out the home and begin to eliminate the remaining odor. This can also help dry out your carpets and other upholstered items that may have been water damaged by extinguishing the fire.

These tips will speed up the restoration process, too:

Do

• Brush off or vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Discard open food packages.
• Take clothing to a laundry specializing in smoke damage restoration.
• Wipe residue from kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
• Relocate pets to a clean environment.

Don't

• Attempt to wash walls or paintings because improper techniques could do more damage.
• Use electrical appliances until cleared to do so by the restoration professionals.
• Use ceiling fans because they could short circuit if the ceiling is wet.

ACCORD Restoration specializes in clean-up, repair, restoration and rebuilding after fires, floods, storms or natural disasters. We offer reliable, 24/7/365 emergency services carried out with expert craftsmanship.

To learn more visit http://www.accordrestoration.com/

Mold And Stucco Damage

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.

Solar House Books
Home Garage Books

Shower Pan Framing Tips

Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.

If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.

Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.

The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.

Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.

After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.

Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when framing shower pans during the house framing process.

Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.

Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.

You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at Home Inspection Help

Rusting Ceiling Sprinkler
Floor Repairs

Luggage Repair - 2 Simple Ways to Avoid Costly Luggage Repair

I'm going to talk about what you should do to avoid costly luggage repair. In fact, it's important that you do your due diligence if you're a person that travels often because it can save you a lot of time and headache during your trip. Bringing along spare luggage repair parts such as replacement wheels and buttons is always a good idea to ensure you don't waste time looking for a repair center.

Luggage Repair Tips To Follow

Here are some more useful tips to make traveling easier:

1. Purchase brand-name repair parts

You have invested quite a lot of money in your luggage set so why not buy the best replacement parts? I've always been a firm believer of "you get what you pay for". If you buy non brand-name parts at cheaper prices, then chances are you'll probably need to keep buying them since they aren't the same as the OEM versions straight from the manufacturer.

2. Replacement buttons are a must

One of the most common problems with luggage are loose and lost buttons. An annoyance it is but be rest assured that it's not a big deal. Just make sure that you bring a couple extra buttons during your trip. That way, if you do notice a loose button, you can easily fix it with minimal effort. If you're wondering where to find replacement luggage buttons, don't wonder too much... you can find them quickly at most department stores or luggage or shoe shops at your local mall.

Taking good care of your luggage will result in fewer issues while traveling and you can avoid luggage repair altogether. By following the simple tips above, you can have peace of mind during your next business trip and leisure trip with the family.

If you're tired of costly luggage repair and buying replacement luggage wheels or handles whether constantly or temporarily, you should...Discover the all luggage repair guide the manufacturers don't want you to know! Check out the best luggage repair guide for more ways to help you fix your luggage fast.

Choosing the Right Sunroom Contractor

After you have made the decision to invest in a sunroom for your home and have done the appropriate research into the cost of materials and labor involved. you will then need to find a sunroom contractor to do the work. A reliable contractor will be licensed in his or her state of practice and will also be insured and bonded. Should the unfortunate incident arise. this will allow you to seek recourse for work that is improperly or incorrectly carried out as well as protect you from being liable for accidents or damage to your property while the work is being done.

Selecting a Sunroom Contractor

There are a lot of big name contractors on TV and in radio ads but the only way to know for sure if their services are what you need is to ask questions and check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints that may have been filed against the company or the contractor. When dealing with a large company. you will want to ask if any subcontractors will be used for the construction of your sunroom. If so. you need to be sure that the subcontractor is also licensed and insured. You will need to check the subcontractors background with the Better Business Bureau as well.

Should everything check out and you are satisfied with the results of your findings. then it is time to check out an example of the contractors work. The example should be of the sunroom you are considering. If the contractor does not have a showroom. ask if there are any previous customers for you to contact as a reference.

Getting a Quote

Most companies will provide a free. no obligation in-home visit to provide you with a quote for their work. This should be a no hassle situation and is merely an attempt to gather quotes from various companies so you can get the best deal. Be sure to have each contractor break down their quote into materials. labor and other costs so that you can accurately compare quotes. Remember to ask about any warranty or guarantee for the work offered. This can be a major deciding point in who you choose to be your contractor!

Comparing Notes

When you have the quotes in front of you. now you can decide for yourself which contractor will work best with your needs. Which contractor guarantees their work or provides the best warranty? Which contractor uses the best energy efficient materials? Who uses what types of doors and windows? This can seem like a tedious mess to sort but in the long run when you have invested your thousands of dollars with the right contractor. you will know without a doubt that the time you invested in research was definitely time well spent!

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on sunroom contractors for different online magazines. He provides tips and advice about conservatories, house additions and a list of prices at his website http://www.allsunrooms.com

Introduction to Tropical Green Building

Introduction to Tropical Green Building Green building is the revolutionary development practice centered upon the mission of creating buildings which apply an increased efficiency of resources such as energy, water, and materials. In turn, green building reduces building impacts on human health and the environment by implementing improved site location, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal - encompassing the complete life cycle of building.

Natural building is a similar concept, which usually operates on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of locally available natural materials.

The related concepts of sustainable development and sustainability are integral to green building. Some of the primary outcomes of effective green building include 1) reduced operating costs promoted by increasing productivity and using less energy and water, 2) improved public and occupant health as a result of improved indoor air quality, and 3) reduced environmental impacts by means of, for example, lessening storm water runoff and the heat island effect. Practitioners of green building often seek to achieve not only ecological but aesthetic harmony between a structure and its surrounding natural and built environment, although the appearance and style of sustainable buildings is not necessarily distinguishable from their less sustainable counterparts.

A fundamental principle of sustainable development concentrates on keeping our planet in a condition which will indefinitely support future generations. This is an enormous challenge due to the state of stress and overuse our global ecosystem is experiencing. Unfortunately, finite sources of energy and materials are being depleted, and much of our environment is being polluted or spoiled. Green building aims to repair the damage that less sustainable building methods have had on our environment and promote a system of building that enables us to live in a state of equilibrium with our surroundings.

The construction industry plays a major role here as a primary consumer of materials and energy. At the building scale, sustainable construction aims to provide long-lasting, health-minded, useful buildings. This goal can be accomplished by conserving limited material and energy resources by using durable, recyclable, and renewable materials through energy-efficient design, and by using environmentally neutral energy sources such as wind, sun, geothermal, and mechanisms including shading, simple evaporation and cooling.

At the urban and regional scales, sustainable construction involves planning that preserves environmental quality, conserves energy through efficient design, reduces waste and consumption through sensible design, and reduces pollution by establishing efficient transportation networks. At all scales, sustainable construction aims to support ecosystems through design with nature by establishing and improving habitats for wildlife, supporting biodiversity, replenishing groundwater instead of channeling rainwater into storm sewers and more.

Get a FREE Energy Efficient Green Home Design and learn more about Sustainable Homes at http://www.SustainableCommunities.com

Metal Stair Tread Brackets - Stair Building Safety

Metal stair tread brackets are used instead of wood cleats and for plenty of good reasons. These often become a safety hazard over time, as the wood starts to deteriorate. Metal, will not disintegrate as fast as the wood it is normally attached to. In most cases the wood stringers and steps will suffer from wood rot or termite damage before the metal brackets become a safety problem.

Metal stair brackets, often require lag screws instead of nails or screws to attach the stair step to the stringer. These lag screws are normally an inch and a quarter for the stair treads, if they are built from 2 x materials. For example a 2 x 12 or 2 x 14 stair tread will require lag screws that will not go through the wood step. A 2 inch like screw will easily go through an inch and a half stair tread. If you're building a stairway, this will be useful information.

Some metal stair connectors have four holes on each side of the metal bracket for the lag screws, while other metal stair brackets have three holes on each side. This normally depends on the thickness of the stair tread and the use of the stairway. Public stairways will normally require the stronger stair tread connector.

During my career of building stairways, I have seen quite a few metal stair tread brackets. Some builders had custom made brackets to meet specific stair tread applications, while others used Simpson products, that are more readily available to home builders and contractors.

One of the biggest problems I have noticed, using metal stair parts is the lag screws can loosen up over time, creating a safety hazard. Warping treads, along with stair steps that split where the lag screw is located, seem to be the biggest problems associated with metal brackets. There are stair building safety codes that should be followed when building or remodeling stairways.

Staircases are normally high traffic areas and should be maintained regularly. Public stairways with high traffic areas should be maintained more often. Anyone walking up and down the stairways should notify the building owner of any problems, to prevent accidents in the future.

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 building straight stairs and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

I Have A Squeaky Floor

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.

Deck Building Books

Good Exterior Home Improvement Tips

If your home has suffered from a fire or a flood, you can do some remodeling on it. All you need to do is go to the home There are many ways to fix up your house on the outside. You can put things on your house or you can fix something to make it look better. If you have a porch on your house or not, you can build one that wraps around the whole house. All you need is the lumber, nails, and all you need to know is how the lumber needs to be. You have to make sure it is level and if your yard has hills or goes downward, you need to make the boards longer than some of them. If there is a tree close to your house, cut the wood so that it will go around the tree. You don't have to knock it down. You can fix up the roof if it is getting old or if it needs it.

You can even change the roof by putting something over it like metal that will not make your house hot and so it protects it. It will not leak, rust, or bend, and it is a very good investment to put on your home. You can put shutters on your windows to match your roof, and this will also help keep your house cool or warm. When you put on shutters, it makes your house look better. You can make them or you can buy them at a store. You can build a screen porch in front of your front or back door so you can sit outside whether it is raining or to stay cool under it when it is hot outside.

If you have someone in your house that has to use a walker or a wheelchair, you can put a flat stairway for them to get in the house so it will be easier for them. You can put a fence around your yard so you can have some privacy. You can put up a small fence or a tall fence, whichever fits your style. You can also add a sidewalk that goes up to your porch or house, or you can have flowers lined up next to it to make it better. They can be any way or shape that you want to make your house look the way you want it to look and to make it stand out.

You can get any of these things at a home improvement store, and it may cost you a lot depending on what you are doing but it will be worth the money. You can also look around other home improvement store to see which ones are cheaper in price. Another thing you can do is put up new siding around the house to replace the old ones or to cover the wood and make your house look better. This also protects your house as well so the wood will not get damaged.

Visit Adyan Corkern's
Butler Flood Damage Cleanup and Calera Flood Damage Cleanup sites for fast help.

Woodcraft Supplies

Do Your Own Real Estate Inspection Like a Pro

Real estate property, like any other good for sale, comes in all conditions. But the average home or real property costs 8-10 times or more the amount of other high ticket items. That's what makes it an investment rather than merely a purchase. Essential to ensuring it's a sound one is getting a thorough inspection. Write right into the deal that any offer is contingent on a satisfactory inspection. And what constitutes 'satisfactory'...?

Assuming the property contains wood, first and foremost is a separate termite and pest inspection. Most 'home inspectors' don't check for this, concentrating instead on mechanical and others aspects. Termites, carpenter ants, even mice can weaken walls and floors, chew through wiring, and ruin attics and shelving.

Professional inspectors check every aspect of a property and structure.

Starting with the foundation, they look for large cracks (almost all have minor ones), check for level ground, and influx of water. Evidence can show up as efflorescence ?a white powdery material which indicates penetration points, mold or mildew (black stained areas). Some will use lasers to check level and cracking and some even use meters to check for radon gas concentrations.

Houses sit on top of foundations and that flooring has to be inspected for proper joints, angles, and materials used. From those floors rise walls which are similarly subject to incorrect framing and potential water damage. Inside the walls, plumbing and electrical systems are inspected for damage, non-code compliant construction, or simple age or wear. Any leaks are noted and pipes inspected for rust, lead, or other chemical concerns. Flow rate and pressure are sometimes measured.

Electrical systems get a thorough review, checking for faulty wiring, uncovered switches or receptacles, incorrect grounding, inadequate circuit breakers, or bad GFCI trips. The latter are those little red buttons often seen in the middle of outlets. They are somewhat like miniature circuit breakers built into the receptacle itself.

Working up to the attic, framing is checked for angles and strength and the area checked for air or water leaks or damage. The underneath of the roof is examined for tears or holes in papering and proper seal where vent pipes protrude outside.

Up on the roof the inspector will check for holes, loose tile, bad flashing or any other weakness that leads to lack of protection against the elements.

Around the house outside all faucets are tested for leaks and proper flow, inside all heating and air conditioning systems will be checked for duct leaks, filter condition, and adequate capacity and flow. Thermostats get a thorough going over.

Any inbuilt appliances, such as stove and water heater are checked for compliance with standards. Installed propane or wood stoves and piping are checked for physical integrity and proper function.

Carpets are checked for inappropriate levels of wear or damage and tested for mold or water damage. Any paint damage, particularly due to water infiltration, get noted.

All these items, and many more, are noted on a report available to whomever ordered and paid for the inspection. To the potential buyer, defective items can be used as bargaining chips when negotiating price and other terms of sale. But the inspection can also benefit the seller by allowing for the opportunity to repair or improve items before putting the property on the market.

To either party, an inspection for a few hundred dollars can save thousands during the process. Information isn't just power, it's money, too.

Brian Walker is a freelance Internet writer. You can find more articles on real estates on http://www.erealestatepro.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.

Architecture Books

Complete Your Balcony With Balcony Railings

When looking for the perfect things to install in your home, it is crucial that a homeowner should prioritize everyone's safety. Different building codes are given that would serve as guides to homeowners in planning and designing their homes. These building codes must be properly followed in order to ensure the safety of the people living in the house. One of the safety measures that homeowners must abide is the installation of balcony railings. This is also included in the building code and is classified as Guards. Aside from providing utmost safety, balcony railings can also serve as a tool for making your home a lot more attractive and pleasing to the eyes.

To guarantee that the balcony railings provide you with its primary functions, you have to make sure that is sturdy enough and properly secured to your home. Balconies are actually found in your home's upper floor in order to deliver an additional outdoor space into your home. However, balconies can be a little dangerous if balcony railings are not present. If a balcony is not equipped with a railing, then expect that accidental falls to be prevalent. So, if you are really concerned with the safety of your loved ones especially your children's, you need to install your balcony with the right railings that would prevent untoward accidents from happening. Make sure that these railings are securely placed into the structure and have the ability to sustain your weight to prevent breaking.

Balconies are actually grouped into three types and these are the faux balconies, false balconies and the true balconies. Though these balconies may differ in types, they still share a common factor and all these balconies have railings.

The faux balcony is primarily used by homeowners who want to upgrade the look of their home. To make it even more attractive, a railing is placed outside the home's windows. The false balcony on the other hand, forms a short projection just outside the windows located in your home's upper storey. It has a deck of only 4 to 6 inches so walking around is not recommended if your home has this type of balcony. And lastly, the true balcony projects from the French window in the exterior wall your room's upper floor and it is composed of a deck that projects up to 36". It also has a support bracket that helps the balcony to stay firm and sturdy. Of course, to provide extra protection, the balcony deck is enclosed with a railing. Unlike the false balcony, this type is designed so that homeowners can walk on them.

And since a railing is a crucial part of the balcony, you need to make sure that it is made from the best materials in the market. And yes, metal is considered as the ideal material to use for balcony railings. Having this kind of material for your railing would ensure overall protection to the balcony hence giving you the peace of mind that you are properly protected.

Adam Peters is the editor of some internet magazines on similar subjects. Read more about outdoor staircases at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/OutdoorStaircases.html

Stair Stringer Connection

Walking on Your Roof Safely

Here's some things to think about before walking on the roof of a house. If you slip and fall off the roof you could get hurt seriously. For your own safety if you have no experience walking on a roof use extreme caution. I would even suggest using a ladder and moving the latter around the perimeter of the house if you are inspecting the roof for damage.

Here's some things to keep in mind before walking on a house roof.

1. If the building is above two stories hire a contractor especially if you think the roof has building damage.

2. If the roof is too steep stay off. This could be extremely hazardous to your health.

3. If the roof is severely damaged and has loose shingles or tiles, this could create a safety hazard as you slip on one of these loose shingles and possibly fall off the roof.

4. You should stay off the roof at all costs if there is snow or ice. Ice obviously is extremely slippery and would be difficult to walk on. The difficulty would be increased if the roof has a steep slope.

5. Now last but not least if the roof is wet you should avoid walking on it until it is dry. I have been on wet roofs before and personally slipped myself losing my balance but not falling off of the roof.

Climbing up on a roof and walking around is not child's play and should be left to an experienced professional . If you feel comfortable walking around on any roof please use caution. If you slip in the middle of the roof there is a good chance you will be able to regain your balance or have time to stop yourself before falling off.

I would suggest using caution near the edges of the roof. If the roof is too steep or you don't feel comfortable, why risk serious injury. Use common sense along with the proper ladders to ensure your safety and "Think before walking on a house roof."

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

House Attic Books

Function and Form in Kitchen Design

Homeowners looking to improve their residence will often look to remodeling the kitchen. The kitchen offers a wide range of possible improvements. The most popular renovation for the kitchen is the countertops. Newly installed granite or Corian countertops add both distinctive taste and great utility.

Appliance selection is second only to cabinets as a cost component of the kitchen remodel. It is important to consider the usefulness of each appliance. The professional range is unnecessary if the homeowner rarely cooks and the LCD monitor built in to the refrigerator may be impractical. The location of appliances should be well thought out and a proper ventilation system should be considered.

Numerous options are available to the homeowner for installation of cabinetry. The least expensive alternative is the RTA (ready to assemble). RTA offer easy assembly and installation but usually have limited colors and styles. Stock cabinets are constructed in standard sizes and offer a variety of colors and styles. Semi-custom, or built to order, cabinets are available in a greater range of sizes, finishes, and styles. Each kitchen is built to order within standard specifications and may include optional modifications. Finally, custom cabinets are completely built to order. Custom cabinets usually require extended production time.

Another important feature of the kitchen is the faucet and sinks. Selecting the right faucet is like choosing the perfect piece of jewelry to accent an outfit. As with any accessory, the faucet can be functionally simple or extravagantly decorative. Like jewelry faucets can be very expensive, therefore homeowners should be very careful in selecting the perfect faucet.

Like any project the kitchen should be well thought out. Kitchen design is the ultimate in combining function and form. Homeowners should carefully evaluate all materials including cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and fixtures. Whether you're looking for details on incorporating historical architecture, adding a luxurious texture to the wall or you just want to fresh change remember to use a licensed contractor for any remodeling requiring a permit, Sovereign Homes will meticulously design and implement a program tailored to your specific needs. From the inception of architectural and interior design to the completed project, we offer a full gamut of renovation services, undertaking projects as small as a kitchen remodel to a full scale renovation.

Drew Macdonald is an experienced Realtor(R) and rental agent from Marco Island Florida and manager of Direct Home Rentals.

Broken Electrical Outlet Cover

New Versus Old Lumber - Structural Failure

During my 30 years of remodeling and building new homes. I have ran across quite a bit of structural framing failures. I find myself answering this question a lot when explaining to a homeowner about the structural failure I am repairing on their home, "Why Didn't They Use Better Lumber" or " Why Didn't They Use Larger Lumber." I really have a hard time answering these questions because I honestly don't know the answer.

However I can try to use some logic and reason to give these people an answer that seems to make sense to both of us. Why didn't they use better lumber, quite simply because, with most older homes that were built before the 1970s they actually do have better lumber. Now you're probably thinking how can these homes have better lumber when the lumber is old versus the new lumber used in a brand new house.

Most of the structural repairs I have made over the years has nothing to do with the lumber and whether it was new or old. A large number of these repairs were caused by neglect and poor maintenance.

The lumber in most older houses are from older growth trees. Some of these trees were extremely large and only the premium parts of the trees were used. The premium lumber is cut farthest away from the center of the tree. Now the larger the tree it makes sense that there will be more premium lumber.

A large majority of the newer lumber used in home construction comes from trees about 6 inches in diameter. Now you're probably wondering how can they cut a 2 x 8 piece of lumber out of a 6 inch tree. Of course they cannot, the larger lumber comes from larger trees.

Most 2 x 4's that are less than 8 foot long can be cut from these trees. This scrap or waste that comes from cutting these two by fours will now go into engineered building materials like particleboard, oriented strand board and engineered beams. Another name for an engineered been would be a paralam.

I hope you're starting to get the picture now when it comes to using new or old lumber. There are companies that are going into old logging rivers and retrieving old growth lumber. These were logs that sank to the bottom of the river's and were never retrieved because it was too costly.

The old growth lumber is quite expensive. Who's to say what problems we will happen in the future from the newer products created with modern day technology. When it comes to building houses it is not an exact science and as contractors we have been repairing the damage from poor engineering for years.

When I use the word poor engineering I am not pointing fingers at engineers. We now have more knowledge about home construction then we had years ago.

New versus old lumber, who wins the battle. Only time will tell.

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 Structural Repairs.

Home Improvement - Saving on Your Energy Bills

As we all know with the changes in supply and our increased focus on environmental issues heating costs continue to rise every year. The Natural disasters which seem to occur more often and other world events inflate the prices of home heating expenses, for electric, gas and oil furnaces. However all is not doom and gloom as there are steps that you can take to lower your bills and save some money for other things or just to brace for the next rise in energy costs for your home.

Think about the tips below and see what you can do to lower your bills by conserving energy in your home.

Insulate Windows. Go though your house and check your windows. Make sure theyre well sealed. A good test is to do a smoke test. Turn off all fans and stand close to a window and produce some smoke perhaps with a match taking care not to burn yourself or anything! If theres a minute leak of interior home air to the outside the smoke will move in the direction toward the window. Kits can be bought at your local hardware or home improvement store for insulation.

Buy a Ceiling Fan. Because warm air rises youll want to get the warmer air down low by buying a ceiling fan. Reversible switches come on most all models and can be used in summer time too. The relative cost of the ceiling fan and its usage costs are quickly made up in savings.

Shut Doors. If a room is not being used then shut the door and leave it closed. This is really useful if youre not using the room for any length of time. Rooms that are used some of the time will have the door fanned and cold air will escape into the others rooms. Of course this will cause your boiler to work harder, and drive your heating costs up.

Close Curtains and Mini Blinds. If a wintry day is sunny or even if there is minimal sun, make sure you open them during the daylight hours but shut them as soon as it starts to go dark. The warmth from the suns rays will help warm the house and by closing the curtains you can keep it trapped for the night time. Re-open them when the sun comes up the following morning.

Weather Proof Doors and Seal Windows. Drafts arent necessary around doors if they have been weather stripped. Look around the bottoms of doors, and if air is streaming in then weather proof it. Check windows too because wear and the age of windows can let in cold air too. Caulk and seal windows, and if interior of seal is damaged replace it with the correct seal type.

Realign Doors. Doors just like windows can over time begin to sag from their original tight fitting position. Before winter sets in go around and really look at how your door closes. Adjust them for a good fitting.

Replace the Air Filter. You can eliminate unnecessary high cost bills by conserving energy by simply changing out a clogged air filter. Not only does the clogging cause your system to run slowly, but the danger is it can get into the motor and cause a fire, or just burn up the motor itself.

Close House Vents. In autumn and winter shut up the vents that allow circulation of air during the summer time. In the winter the goal is to keep all cold air out. Cold air under the floor boards infiltrates the house and drives up heating cost.

Check Roof Top Insulation. If its been a few years since you last checked out the insulation in your attic then go up and look around. Insulation should have enough air pockets to trap the cold air and push it back from the interior of the house. Old rotten insulation is usually brittle and flat. Replace the insulation with new and youll see evidence of your energy conservation in your heating costs.

By implementing just a few of these tips you will see start to see results. There is so much more that you can do too. Go online and read other different ways to conserve energy. Talk with your local energy provider to see if there are tips for your area that will help lower your bills, and drive down costs for everyone. In the end you wont regret that youve used the tips!

Paul Duxbury offers more advice at his Home Improvement site at http://home--improvement.blogspot.com

Green Home Building Books

Muscle Building

Generally speaking, when you talk about muscle building, you're referring to building muscle mass. Building muscle mass seems to be the ultimate goal.

Muscle building to gain mass, I am told, simply cannot be accomplished strictly using exercise machines, because machines are meant to provide support and prevent injury. For maximum muscle building results, your focus should consist of free weights exercises, not machine or bodyweight exercises. According to my research, to get an effective muscle gaining workout, you must stimulate your muscle fibers as much as possible and machines simply do not do this.

Muscle building for mass requires using stabalizer and synergist muscles, which are the supporting muscles that assist the main muscle in doing it's work. The best example of this is in a bench press. To complete the lift, the main muscle requires the assistance of the stabalizer and synergestic muscle. If your stabalizer muscles are weak, then the major muscle group will never grow.

In essence, muscle building for mass requires free weight exercises, because they put a very large amount of stress on supporting muscle groups. You get tired faster and can't lift as much weight as you would on a machine, but you will gain more muscle mass and become stronger in the process.

In addition, to gain mass in muscle building, you must train with heavy weights. People truly have a misconception of heavy weights. I can recall during my high school days and even in my early corporate career in my 20s, how friends use to brag on the amount of weight they could bench press, and the ongoing debate about building muscle mass.

A weight is considered 'heavy' in muscle building when you can only do 8-12 reps before your muscle temporally fails. A weight is said to be 'light' if you can do more than 15 reps before muscle fatigue sets in.

And remember, heavy weights in muscle building, based on the above definition, stimulates more muscle fibers than lighter weights. More muscle stimulation means more muscle growth.

Jon G. Michel is a successful webmaster and advocate of a healthy lifestyle. Muscle building is an easy alternative to staying ahead of the health crisis. Learn why muscle building enhances all parts of your body old or young. For more exciting reviews visit http://www.reliablereviews.net

Extreme Temperature Building

13 Steps to Building a Deck

Building a deck is a home improvement project that the average homeowner is more than capable of doing. It generally involves a series of simple sequential steps and involves basic carpentry skills. Deck building has become much simpler with the advent of home improvement retail outlets that offer how-to-do-it clinics, a wide variety of deck related building materials, tool and equipment rentals and even free deck design consultations. Because the construction process of deck building takes place outdoors, normal family home life is not really affected as it would be for some interior renovation. All of the mess is completely outdoors and the deck building process can extend from weekend to weekend without any real problems.

Most deck construction projects have 6 building elements: concrete footings, wood or concrete posts, a ledger support board, beams, joists and decking. There are also 3 popular options: railings, benches and stair steps.

The actual deck building process involves 13 procedures:

1. Designing the deck

2. Obtaining the required building permits

3. Buying the materials

4. Preparing the site

5. Laying out the footing locations

6. Setting the footings

7. Installing the ledger board

8. Installing the support posts

9. Attaching the beams

10.Installing the joists

11.Nailing or screwing on the decking boards

12. Trimming the decking

13. Installing any options such as railings, benches and stair steps.

It's a wise decision to consult with the municipal building department so that your proposed deck conforms to local construction bylaws. The real fun starts in making choices regarding deck materials, possibilities for decking patterns, railing styles as well as the type and placement of steps. Once these decisions have been made, your design checked and your permit approved, it's simply a matter of developing a materials list and ordering the materials to be delivered.

Site preparation is the next step. Outdoor furniture, stone slabs and other items need to be removed from the site prior to construction. Using the 3,4,5 layout process the locations of the footings can be clearly marked. Then it's hole digging time. Usually it's a choice between hand digging the post holes below the frost line or having a posthole machine do the work. Once the holes are dug, they are filled with concrete and support hardware is fixed in place.

While the concrete is hardening the ledge board can be attached to the house. Next, the support posts are connected to the support post hardware. Double beams are connected to the ledger board and the support posts. Joists are then installed at either 16 or 24 inch centers. Railing support posts are added as is the framework for any skirting to be added enclosing the deck perimeter.

At this point, the decking can be installed either with nails or screws. Then it's simply a matter of trimming the outer edges of the deck boards and installing a facing board to hide the cut ends of the deck boards.

Steps whether on the outside of the deck or inset can then be constructed. The same goes for the railing system that has been chosen. Finally, the skirting can be installed to prevent small animals from creating problems in the future.

All that is left to do is apply a sealant and/or stain to the deck to complete the project. Then it's time for the family to add outdoor furniture, the good old barbecue and a couple of container plants to create a very special outdoor living area the whole family can enjoy.

All it took was a couple of weekends of work and 13 simple steps and some basic carpentry skills to create that deck of your dreams.

Richard Vande Sompel is a professional deck builder of 35 years and over 850 decks built and is the author of "How to Plan, Design and Build a Deck from Start to Finish". To Learn More About Deck Building and Claim your 2 FREE Deck Plans, Insider Report, MP3 Audio and discover everything to know about building a deck visit: http://www.DeckBuildingRevealed.com

Problems With Black Mold

Tips For Building Green With Modular Buildings - A Guide For the Average Person

As most people know, the latest trend in construction is 'GREEN' or environmentally friendly buildings. As energy prices continue to soar and global warming attracts more attention, the GREEN construction trend is likely to escalate. The goal of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the benefits of GREEN construction and illustrate how Off-Site Construction & modular buildings complement GREEN construction.

Over the last several years, various GREEN projects have been designed and constructed, therefore customers and contractors are familiar with the concept. Many users are initially interested in obtaining the US Green Building Council's LEED Certification (usgbc.org/LEED), however there are numerous other tangible benefits which can be obtained by using GREEN construction:

• Reduction in energy/utility consumption
• Superior interior environment through noise reduction and improved air quality
• Use of reclaimed/environmentally conscious materials for sustainable construction
• Reduced/easier maintenance

Reduced Energy and Utility Consumption

Energy/utility consumption can be reduced directly and indirectly through improved energy efficiency. Direct reduction techniques include:

• Rainwater harvesting for use on landscaping
• Day lighting (large windows, tubular skylights) to decrease the need for artificial lighting
• Photovoltaic panels for supplemental electricity generation
• High R value insulation at the building envelope to decrease HVAC loads
• Operable windows to allow natural ventilation on temperate days
• Cool roof systems to reduce heat transfer and reduce HVAC loads
• Door/window HVAC interlocks which shut off HVAC system when doors/windows open for extended periods of time
• Deciduous shade trees to prevent heat gain during summer months
• Dual pane windows with low E coating to reduce infrared radiation transfer and HVAC load
• Cool operating fluorescent bulbs to reduce HVAC loads

Indirect energy consumption focuses on using energy/utilities more effectively and reducing waste. Improvements in efficiency include:

• Energy management systems (motion sensors, timers, programmable thermostats, integrated home systems)
• High efficiency appliances (Energy Star rated) & HVAC systems
• Dishwashers and clothes washers which consume less water per load
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Lighter colors to reflect more light within building
• Hanging pendent light fixtures combined with high reflectance ceiling covering

Each aspect has numerous components and can be utilized in conjunction with one another. It is important to keep in mind the prerequisites must be met if LEED certification is the goal. The time required to recover the initial cost depends on size and location of the structure and individual consumption patterns, as well as materials incorporated.

Superior Interior Environment
In addition to reducing energy costs, GREEN construction should also provide a superior interior environment. Materials such as carpet, cabinetry adhesives, paint and other wall coverings with no or low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will release less gas and improve the indoor air quality. HVAC systems with noise dampening ducting and isolation systems will reduce the interior noise. Daylighting can also improve the interior quality by boosting the occupant's mood with natural light.

Use of Sustainable Resources
The use of recycled/reused materials helps to ensure the sustainability of resources. If virgin raw materials are used for every new building project, these materials will eventually be exhausted. As raw materials become scarce, the prices will rise and/or the materials will no longer be available. This trend has already begun as some raw material such as clear heart Redwood is no longer available and must be obtained recycled from existing projects. Recycling/reusing helps ensure that materials will be available for future projects.

Reduced Building Maintenance
The final aspect of GREEN construction is reduced/easier maintenance. Reducing maintenance activities such as painting saves the materials needed but also the waste and environmental impact of the painting such as VOC gas release and water used in cleanup. New, longer lasting materials are now available which need less frequent maintenance. Such materials include cement based exterior siding which does not require painting and recycled composite decking which resembles wood. Other products facilitate repair and replacement such as carpet tiles which allow individual sections to be exchanged without having to replace the entire floor surface. Carpet tiles also reduce waste during the installation process.

Off-Site Construction is GREEN
In parallel to this greater acceptance of GREEN is the growth in the Off-Site Construction process and improved perception of modular buildings. Modular buildings and Off-Site construction are similar but Off-Site Construction commonly refers specifically to permanent buildings verses modular buildings which can be either permanent or relocatable. Green features are available in all modular buildings but are considerably more common in Off-Site Construction due to the permanent nature. In recent years, Off-Site Construction has advanced and numerous innovations are now available. Such innovations include more efficient production facilities, superior transport systems, creative architectural designs and new engineering technologies providing greater flexibility.

Off-Site Construction merges well with the concept of GREEN construction for a variety of reasons. The centralized construction location allows for much greater reuse and recycling of material as a set collection schedule and policies can be established. Material waste due to weather damage is decreased as the construction process occurs in weather protected facilities. Waste water is easier to control and collect as production facilities are paved and sloped to a collection area. Traffic and air pollution is reduced as workers drive shorter distances to the factory verses traveling to various job sites. As materials for multiple jobs can be purchased in bulk quantities and delivered to a central location, the cost of materials and number of deliveries can be minimized. Off-Site Construction uses the same materials and designs as site built construction allowing for easy incorporation of GREEN materials and designs.

Progressive builders and architects view Off-Site Construction to be an integral part of the GREEN construction movement and the interest in GREEN Off-Site Construction has grown tremendously as GREEN is integrated into more diverse buildings.

-About the author: Brandon Alexander serves as Strategic Marketing Analyst for Modtech Manufacturing & Construction which provides comprehensive Design Build Services for modular buildings and portable buildings including project financing.

Advantages Framing With Steel

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Nails versus screws who will become the winner. When drywall first came out the installers used everything from regular steel nails to galvanized roofing nails. After a short amount of time they started to develop major problems from nails popping out of the finished drywall.

Nail popping results when the nail is driven into moist lumber and as the lumber shrinks the house settles and nail can actually pop out to the walls. Hard to imagine the nail could actually pop out of the drywall as the wood was drying out.

How far the nail would actually pop out was determined by how far it was driven in to the framing studs or ceiling joists. Well pretty soon drywall installers started to use ring shank nails to eliminate this problem. This worked great but these nails were hard to drive in and would often break.

As time went on the nails improved and were made out of galvanized metal with cupped shaped heads and came in a few different sizes. The size of the nail used was determined by the thickness of the drywall. These new nails worked great and had good holding power and eliminated a lot of nail popping.

Using nails means driving them in with a hammer. If you miss the nail you damage the drywall. This seemed to be a big problem and was virtually eliminated with the screws.

Well pretty soon people started using screws which had greater holding power and pretty much nail popping. Another advantage to using screws over nails is the simple fact you need less screws than you do nails to attach the drywall to the metal or wood framing.

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

There is one problem with the screws and that is they have to be set perfectly. They can not break the paper surface on the drywall but have to be set enough into the drywall so that it can be finished properly. Most screw guns have an adjustable setting used to get just the right depth for the screws installed in the drywall. But this also was a problem when screwing into a hard piece of wood you can actually snapped the screw head off, strip the screw head or break the screw.

Nails on the other hand can bend while driving them into a hard surface.

Who wins the nails versus screws while installing drywall? I have got to give it to the screws. That doesn't mean the nails just got screwed or the screws just got nailed.

I couldn't resist. I actually preferred the screws over the nails except for when nailing the drywall corner bead on. Some drywall professionals use nails to hang the drywall and go back with a screw gun and some screws to finish the job. The nails sometimes seem handier than the screws when installing the drywall.

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 Carlsbad Home Improvement

Basement Conversions - The Constructive Side to an Economic Slope

While many of the larger house building projects have been put on hold or canceled altogether, smaller, reputable building companies are receiving an influx of inquiries from new customers. Many homeowners' assessment of the current market situation has convinced them to not participate in the current housing market. Homeowners are discovering how building and refurbishment services can add the necessary value to their private residences, enabling them to enjoy the benefits of home redecoration and development amidst the current market fluctuations.

As homeowners continue to keep a low profile during the economic crisis the need for more space seems to be on the increase. Due to the unsettled stock market, many homeowners are now investing in their own back yards, transforming gardens into state of the art homes and basements into luxurious living spaces. To many people, their lofts are nothing more than a two-way staircase, where in actual fact this unutilised space has the potential to be a fully functional and comfortable living space.

The current demand for basement conversions is not surprising. Basements can provide homeowners with a fantastic space that is acoustically superb for TV lounges or studios. Basement conversions are becoming increasingly popular amongst homeowners. What makes these conversions so desirable is the fact they can increase the value of your property while providing you with the necessary, added space, enabling you to enjoy your home to its full potential.

When an economical slope prevents you from selling or buying property, a basement conversion might just as well be the best investment you can make to get the most out of your home's potential living space. By simply adding a ceiling, windows, floor tiles and installing electrical outlets, you can recreate a dormant space to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Basements conversions can greatly benefit smaller and large properties, adding that 'wow-factor' to people's homes. Home owners are realising that their vacant loft space can be converted into an excellent office, gym, cinema or even swimming pool area. There are certain things that take priority before starting with the physical conversion and building renovation to your existing basement. Many people neglect the importance of waterproofing the basement space before any further developments are made. This will be the first and most important step in the transformation process of your basement space, and you will be amazed at how a once damp and neglected space can be transformed into a fully functional and enjoyable living area. There are different ways in which basement walls and floors can be waterproofed and most methods will require some form of technical accreditation.

Certain Building Regulations applications will be required before changing or converting an existing basement into a functional new living space. Allowing your local contractor or OBC Building to assist you in this matter can make the process both pleasant and less hazardous. It is always necessary that throughout all the phases of the production process safety is first and foremost taken into account.

This is an OBC Building project: http://www.obcbuilding.co.uk.

Bathtub Splash Guard

I have always believed in the adage that familiarity paves way for unmatched comfort. But it was only when I understood the innumerable benefits of a bathtub splash guard did I realize that sometimes, a little twist to the old can make things a whole lot better. A splash guard stands as a redoubtable testimony to this indisputable fact. And going by the burgeoning popularity of this remarkably handy tool, I'm sure my claims are not absurd.

Make A Splash

A bathtub is an inalienable feature of every bathroom, and so is the inveterate tendency of splashing water all over the bathroom, making it quite a hazardous proposition. There's always the fear of old parents losing their balance on slippery floors, not to mention the colossal, often irreparable damage caused to the fabulous bathroom flooring.

Its takes a path breaking innovation to wash away all your concerns. A splash guard is a remarkable new gadget that fits like a dream on to the bathtub and keeps a tremendous volume of water from flowing around the shower curtains on to the floor. Simply put, it helps you make a splash without any spatters or the drudgery of mopping up after a luxurious, relaxing bath.

A Flood Of Benefits

There are a slew of advantages associated with this sparkling new device. Here's more:

• The splash guard is constructed from high-quality, extremely durable, long-lasting vinyl, making it virtually indestructible.
• The material used is transparent, so your vision is not restricted in any way.
• This device fits all kinds of bathtubs without any hassles. There are specially designed suction cups that ensure that the guard gets fixed inside the bathtub in virtually no time at all. The bottom of the guard extends all the way to the top of the tub, thus making it exceptionally safe and secure.
• After your bath, all you need to do is detach the guard and roll it up for future use.
• Thanks to the 100% vinyl, cleaning and maintenance are non-issues.
• For eye-candy addicts, there are some fabulous colors that set your pulses racing.

Now you know why these splash guards are making waves all over the place.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... FAST ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Remodeling Dos and Don'ts

With the current struggling housing market, many potential home-sellers are remodeling their homes either to encourage a sale or to keep. Before you bring out the hammer and nails for a little sprucing up, here are a few dos and don'ts regarding remodeling.

Do hire a contractor

Thumb through the yellow pages and make some calls. Weigh your options, and see if the contractor has any professional references they can give you. Do not be afraid to ask about the quality of work. If they have a website, go to it. See if there are any testimonials from satisfied clients. If a contractor tries to withhold this information, don't bother with them. They probably aren't telling you their positive feedback for a reason: they don't have any.

Don't do the job yourself

One of the biggest misfires people make when it comes to remodeling is planning on doing it themselves. Contractors have the skills and training to complete any remodeling job quickly and efficiently. Remodeling professionals are also more cost efficient in that they can provide the tools, labor, and required materials at a more reasonable charge. While you may think that picking up a few how-to books and making a trip to Home Depot will help you in your efforts to remodel your home, think realistically. Unless you have been professionally trained to do the work, leave the hard labor to the experts.

Do be conscious of your environment

Thinking of investing in a pool when you live in Alaska? While the novelty is there, don't overshoot your limitations. Be realistic about what you want to remodel. Think of what will give your house realistic market value improvement, or just remodel what you genuinely believe needs a little fixing up.

Don't be too creative

If you're remodeling your home with the intention to sell it, don't go overboard with improvements that only appease you as the owner. Thinking of remodeling your bathroom to look like an Amazon jungle, complete with waterfall? Think about what a potential home buyer would say who isn't a fan of warmer climates. One of the biggest mistakes people make when remodeling for home sale is not taking a buyer's feelings into consideration. You want to use a universal outline for home remodeling. While you shouldn't feel you have to keep things overwhelmingly conservative, don't let your improvements deter potential home buyers.

Sarah Reece writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Sarah Reece is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for Chesapeake Remodel

Basement Ideas - Turning Your Basement Into A Guest Room

Turning your basement into a guest room is a basement idea that few people consider. One of the main advantages of this is that it frees up another room in your house for other things.

Most of us own homes that don't have enough rooms. Each child wants their own room, many people want offices in their homes now, and bonus rooms are popular as well. Where do the guests stay if you have all the rooms earmarked for other things?

Another advantage of turning the basement into a guest room is that it gives your guests a special sense of privacy. Using this basement idea will give your guests a space to call their own. It may also get them out of your hair if they decide to stay too long!

In order to make this basement remodel idea work, however, you are going to have to make sure you do a few thing properly. The basement guest room will have to have:

- A good paint job that is neutral

- Clean rugs or carpets to help protect from the cold floors

- A good sturdy bed tells your guests they are welcome to stay

- Some seating for them to relax such as chairs and a sofa

- A bathroom is preferable so that they don't have to go upstairs in the middle of the night

These things all contribute to having the room feel like a real guest bedroom. Basement ideas like this are great if they are done with attention to detail. If done incorrectly, however, the room can turn into a nightmare.

The important thing is that you make the room feel comfortable and inviting and as much as a real room that you can. You want your guests to feel comfortable and welcome in your house. The last thing you want is for the basement guest room to look or feel like a cold dungeon.

Want more great basement ideas and options? There are lots more at my Basement Ideas websight.

Hard Water Deposits In Toilet

Roach Exterminator Tips

Roaches are one of the oldest and most primitive insects, surviving millions of years of evolutionary changes. It's no surprise that humans find their fetid odor and destructiveness offensive. Roaches are omnivorous nocturnal insects who hide during daylight hours and feed at night.

They can be found in damp, wet places such as under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, under floors and inside walls. Some have even been known to crawl into ceiling lights such is their ability to access a hiding and breeding place. Most homeowners are appalled to find roach infestation in their homes. For commercial buildings, roaches crawling into personal belongings under desks and in supply cabinets, closets and storerooms exacerbates the problem of infestation.

Generally, the "Do-It-Yourself" homeowner will attempt to exterminate roaches through the use of roach sprays, powders and pastes. The difficulty here is reaching areas with these methods that are hidden and fully infested. Also, there are several other problems that should be addressed: whether these applications are hazardous to humans and pets and long-term contamination from chemicals used for extermination. After several failed attempts, a homeowner may choose a professional exterminator.

Choose a professional exterminator with as much care as you would any residential service representative. Select a company with good business credentials. Check to insure that each exterminator is licensed by a state regulatory agency as well as a business association. This will prevent less experienced individuals from endangering your home to unnecessary exposure to extermination methods that can be harmful to your family's health.

A good exterminator will usually require a quarantine period for extreme or prolonged infestation. This will entail evacuation from the premises for a period of 24 to 48 hours, depending on the infestation problem. If infestation problems are limited, a few hours evacuation may be all that is necessary, followed by a full and complete airing of the premises, just as you would for interior painting or floor sanding.

Most exterminators will provide a complete list of follow-up actions by inhabitants to avoid unnecessary contact with contaminants. Usually, one application by a professional exterminator is all that is required for less resistant infestation. However, most exterminators will provide a second application usually at half the cost or often, free of charge.

Obviously, following the advice of your professional exterminator with regard to roach damage is critical to avoid serious structural problems. As well, your professional exterminator may make recommendations as to correcting possible future infestation such as maintaining plumbing so that moisture is reduced; thereby reducing the fertile environment for roach breeding. Roaches tend to breed egg sacs in dampness. But, certain types of roaches often breed live offspring.

Most helpful is to avoid contact with places that tend to breed these insects and maintaining a home that doesn't invite roach proliferation.

David Wilson is the man behind the Roach Exterminator guide, a site devoted to helping you learn how to kill roaches and more.

Fireplace And Hearth Framing