Metal Siding Painting Advice

Painting metal and aluminum siding can become a nightmare if not done right. Over the years I have worked on and repaired many homes with metal siding. Metal siding is real common in mobile homes. Most older mobile homes use aluminum paneling for their exterior siding.

Most painted metal siding seems to last at least 20 years. The reason for this is the paint is baked on in a factory giving it a high quality and nice looking surface. This baked on method is used for painting aluminum and most metals siding that gives the product a long life.

I lived in a mobile home park for a few years and my next door neighbor's mobile home had never been painted and was over 45 years old. He would go out and washed the mobile home once a year with some TSP soap while using a brush on the end of an extension pole to clean the home.

His mobile home might not have looked brand new but it was definitely in great shape. Over the years he had developed a few scratches and some dirt that was hard to wash off but that was about the extent of the damage to the painted metal siding.

Well we painted our mobile home and used an expensive metal primer along with some expensive paint from Dunn Edwards & Co... This paint worked great. We lived there for around four years and never had any problems once the home was painted. Having been in the construction business I knew we had to use a good metal paint primer in order for the paint to stick to the baked on paint process for the metal siding to look good.

Here's my advice to you when painting metal siding.

1. Make sure the metal siding is clean. Use TSP soap along with a scrub brush and scrub that baby clean. The cleaner the metal surface the better the new paint primer will stick or adhere to the old paint.
2. Follow the instructions carefully on the paint primer can when applying the primer. Do not paint below or above the recommended paint temperatures.
3. Make sure you explain to the paint salesman at whatever store you're in that you are going to be painting metal siding. Get the right paint primer.
4. I would love to recommend a paint primer but cannot because I don't want to get a phone call from anyone a few years from now telling me the paint is peeling off of their home. Let that responsibility become the paint manufacturers.
5. Let the paint primer dry for the recommended time as per the directions on the paint primer can. I prefer letting the paint dry at least one week. The reason for this is some paint primer's stay soft for a while and if you paint over them immediately they doesn't seem to bond as good and sometimes will stay soft for a long period of time.
6. Apply your final coats of paint following the manufacturer's instructions on the paint can.

There you have it painting metal siding is all in the preparation of the surface you are painting.

Have fun painting and always read and follow the manufacturer's recommended instructions for the products you are using. These people test their products constantly and know the best way to apply them to any surface.

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 different Types Of House Siding

Cracks And Gaps Equal Damage
Furniture Restoration Books

A Simple Homemade Solar Air Heater - Home Tips

The use of solar energy from the sun is one of the ways where depletion of resources (especially that of consumable energy generators such as oil and coal) is lessened and conservation of energy is maximized. Knowing on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater to heat up a room or a house is one example of the application of solar energy for household use.

The basic principle in making a solar air heater lies in the behavior and movements of air, metals and colors. Inside the main body of the solar air heaters are pipes or tubings coated in black paint (using black paint enhances the ability of the pipes to absorb heat). These pipes are also made up of metals which have abilities to attract and absorb heat (some environmentalists use aluminum cans because this metal has a high thermal conductivity and at the same time by doing so recycling is done lessening the garbage and effect to land contamination).

Solar air heaters are usually situated in a vertical position where its body or at least a large portion of the whole apparatus is exposed to the sun's rays. As cool air enters the bottom portion of the tank, it passes through the black-coated pipes and it is in this process that transfer of heat from the pipes to the transient air happens (convection). The laws of heat transfer states that heat moves from the hotter body to a cooler one, following this law, the pipes which in this situation is the hotter object gives off its heat into the cooler body, the moving air.

Basic theories of science also states that one of the properties of air is that cooler air moves down and hotter air goes up. This is partly one of the hidden reasons why solar air heaters are suggested to be built vertically rather than horizontally, because without using any other equipments or devices cool air enters the bottom of the heater then as the temperature goes up due to the transfer of heat this air goes up into air vents or tubes which is connected to the room or house where increase in temperature is desired. No more compressor or pump is necessary for such movement.

The longer the pipings and tubings are and the more tubes the air passes through the higher the increase of temperature from the final output to the initial input are achieved. Designs such as loops and the "snake" piping configuration are sometimes suggested by literature for use as it requires slower rising of air to the outlet and having more heat transfer processes as it passes through. However by using these complex patterns it must also be taken into consideration that this also has a negative side because if insulation of heat is quite poor the longer the pipings are the more chances the initial heat acquired by the air is instead given off to the surroundings. Now you have a better idea on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater.

Want full help in making anything solar? Be eco-friendly and save on electricity.

Go now to http://www.fullearth4energyreview.com to know more on using renewable energy sources at your home, and to have the right guidance.

Building Concrete Forms, Tips and Techniques

Here you will find general information, strategies, and techniques when building concrete forms in carpentry. Concrete forms are built to hold wet concrete. Once the form is built the wet concrete gets poured in the form, this is usually done by a truck, wheel borrow, or shovel.

When the concrete dries the form is then stripped. After the form is stripped you will have your finish product. This method is used commonly when building bridges, curves, and foundation of buildings, pillar, steps, and walls. Majority of this work is done outside in extreme weather conditions.

Doing this work is very exciting. Sometimes carpenters are working in the middle of highways as cars are passing by at high speeds. Or they may be required to walk across a plank carrying a sheet of plywood on a windy day and one wrong move and they fall into a lake. Now that's exciting. Carpenters get dirty as well, having to work in the mud and rain swinging a hammer trying to put nails in wood or using a sledge hammer trying to sink a four foot steak in muddy ground. This is the hardcore part of carpentry building concrete forms.

_Before building the concrete form all material such as plywood and two by fours should be inspected for cracks and serious flaws. Using messed up material will give you weak parts in your form and result to a blow out meaning wet concrete pours or blows out the form which means you failed to do the job right. A carpenter's main objective is to not have blowouts plain and simple.

_While building remember to build accordingly to what your customer wants

_Always brace and support your forms correctly.
There are no short cuts.

_Its better to overbuild than it is to under build. Overbuilding assures you that there will not be any blow out.

_Using the right nails for the job is very important. Using the wrong size nails can result to a blow out. Also use enough nails.

_All steaks metal or wood should be nailed in the ground until they are at least 3 feet in.

_When swinging your hammer remember it's all in the wrist let your wrist do the swinging

_After you are done building the form look over your work make sure you did not forget anything.

For some additional information you can go to http://www.carpentrypages.com/concreteforms.html My name is Jereme from Plainfield NJ, Thank you

What Does a GFI Do

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

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 Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Home Design

Repairing a Leaking Toilet - Home Repairs

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

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 House 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 Some Great Plumbing Ideas

Exterior Wood Beams

Common Mistakes With Faux Finishes - House Remodeling Ideas

The elements of faux painting aren't difficult but there's always room for error here and there. Keep these important tips in mind and you're half way there.

1. Your end result is only going to be as good as your materials. That applies to paint and brush quality but above all to your surface. Think of it as your canvas. You're about as likely to achieve your aims on a surface coated with flat paint as you would be painting on tissue paper.

Eggshell or satin base paint is the best undercoat. Faux finishes don't work as well on flat paint surfaces. Paint also needs to dry slowly and flat finishes tend to dry quickly and the scope for fixing mistakes is limited. Finally, underlying flat paint just seems to dull finishes.

2. A few cents of commonsense is worth dollars of equipment. Don't bother with unnecessary gimmicks. Spend your money on quality paints and brushes instead. You don't need a special sponge applicator - almost any soft sponge will do. You don't need an artist's palette. Ice cube trays are cheap and actually hold more paint.

Don't waste that paint! You can always stick it in the freezer rather than letting it harden. Another money-saving tip is to use dishwashing liquid for cleaning brushes. You can buy fancy cleaners but a grease-cutting dishwashing liquid works just fine with water-based paints and with stencil creams, which are partially oil-based.

3. If your surface is pitted or cracked, it will need filling, and sanding when dry. A common error is to assume that that once your faux finish is completed your job is done. Wrong! You MUST seal with water-based sealer before painting, or your wall will look blotchy and diseased. Seal with a color that blends in with the rest of the wall or patches will show through. If you don't have that original paint, mix the sealer with suitably colored acrylic paint to minimize the contrast.

4. You know the saying: oil and water don't mix. Remember that when painting or suffer the consequences. The resulting curdled slush is not pretty. In short, know your paints and read your labels. Latex paint may sound like it's oil-based but it's part-water.

5. Not only is it true that mess is stress, but lack of cleanliness will foul up your finish. You need to clean brushes really well if you don't want previously used colors contaminating your handiwork. Running water and finger massage won't clean properly. That doesn't mean you need expensive professional cleaning pads. Check the kids' department: you can find cleaning pads there at a fraction of the price.

You need to maintain a clean working environment, especially when working for others. Small splashes on carpets can be handled without chemicals. Try nail scissors. Wait until the paint is dry. Adding water just spreads it. Then snip the soiled ends, strand by strand. This won't work on larger patches, so make sure you use drop cloths as a preventative measure. For disasters that can't be trimmed out, try product called Goof Off.

6. When using glazes, wet is the watchword! You need to finish in one seamless session. That means no bathroom breaks (so go before you start!) or refreshment interludes. Wet and dry edges won't mix, the dry glaze won't spread and it will show. Work fast, especially in hot dry climates.

7. You may not recognize your painting style, but everyone has their own unique technique. That's why collaborative efforts don't work. People can work together as long as they work on different layers or walls, not different sections of the same layer/wall. Your style can even change during a day: pre- and post-lunch. Plan your sessions and breaks to maximize uniformity in technique.

Ready to start your faux finish painting project? Get the designer walls that would make even "Martha" jealous! Claim your free "Insider's Guide to Faux Painting" and avoid all the common mistakes, get success tips, find the right products for the job and more.

Common Mistakes With Faux Finishes - House Remodeling Ideas

The elements of faux painting aren't difficult but there's always room for error here and there. Keep these important tips in mind and you're half way there.

1. Your end result is only going to be as good as your materials. That applies to paint and brush quality but above all to your surface. Think of it as your canvas. You're about as likely to achieve your aims on a surface coated with flat paint as you would be painting on tissue paper.

Eggshell or satin base paint is the best undercoat. Faux finishes don't work as well on flat paint surfaces. Paint also needs to dry slowly and flat finishes tend to dry quickly and the scope for fixing mistakes is limited. Finally, underlying flat paint just seems to dull finishes.

2. A few cents of commonsense is worth dollars of equipment. Don't bother with unnecessary gimmicks. Spend your money on quality paints and brushes instead. You don't need a special sponge applicator - almost any soft sponge will do. You don't need an artist's palette. Ice cube trays are cheap and actually hold more paint.

Don't waste that paint! You can always stick it in the freezer rather than letting it harden. Another money-saving tip is to use dishwashing liquid for cleaning brushes. You can buy fancy cleaners but a grease-cutting dishwashing liquid works just fine with water-based paints and with stencil creams, which are partially oil-based.

3. If your surface is pitted or cracked, it will need filling, and sanding when dry. A common error is to assume that that once your faux finish is completed your job is done. Wrong! You MUST seal with water-based sealer before painting, or your wall will look blotchy and diseased. Seal with a color that blends in with the rest of the wall or patches will show through. If you don't have that original paint, mix the sealer with suitably colored acrylic paint to minimize the contrast.

4. You know the saying: oil and water don't mix. Remember that when painting or suffer the consequences. The resulting curdled slush is not pretty. In short, know your paints and read your labels. Latex paint may sound like it's oil-based but it's part-water.

5. Not only is it true that mess is stress, but lack of cleanliness will foul up your finish. You need to clean brushes really well if you don't want previously used colors contaminating your handiwork. Running water and finger massage won't clean properly. That doesn't mean you need expensive professional cleaning pads. Check the kids' department: you can find cleaning pads there at a fraction of the price.

You need to maintain a clean working environment, especially when working for others. Small splashes on carpets can be handled without chemicals. Try nail scissors. Wait until the paint is dry. Adding water just spreads it. Then snip the soiled ends, strand by strand. This won't work on larger patches, so make sure you use drop cloths as a preventative measure. For disasters that can't be trimmed out, try product called Goof Off.

6. When using glazes, wet is the watchword! You need to finish in one seamless session. That means no bathroom breaks (so go before you start!) or refreshment interludes. Wet and dry edges won't mix, the dry glaze won't spread and it will show. Work fast, especially in hot dry climates.

7. You may not recognize your painting style, but everyone has their own unique technique. That's why collaborative efforts don't work. People can work together as long as they work on different layers or walls, not different sections of the same layer/wall. Your style can even change during a day: pre- and post-lunch. Plan your sessions and breaks to maximize uniformity in technique.

Ready to start your faux finish painting project? Get the designer walls that would make even "Martha" jealous! Claim your free "Insider's Guide to Faux Painting" and avoid all the common mistakes, get success tips, find the right products for the job and more.

Taking Advantage of the Extra Space in Your Home - Home Tips

If you intend to remodel your home, instead of just improving the decor and fixtures of your home, you could consider taking advantage of any extra space you have in your home.

This means that if you need an extra room, you could convert your basement and attic into additional rooms or game rooms that your family will really like and enjoy spending time in. many a times, this is a much better alternative than keeping these areas as dark and gloomy storage areas.

If you intend to remodel your basement, you have to first repair any water problems you have. This may take some time to get into operation; this is why it is better to get the help of a home inspector in solving water proofing problems. This way, you are sure that your new room will not have any water problems on completion.

Use the help of a professional designer

You have to decide what you intend to use your basement for depending on the conditions of the basement. Poor lighting suggests a dark room or home theater and an isolated atmosphere suggests a cushion for noisy stuff like a game room or hangout.

It is up to you to decide and make the right choice with the help of a professional designer. This way you will be able to make maximum use of the basements natural light with perhaps using large windows and glass bricks for added safety from thieves.

Remember that the basement may have few vents in it; so when remodeling, remember the need of good air circulation and place openings where needed. You could also install a carbon monoxide detector for safety reasons in picking up warnings of problems with venting.

Decide what you want to use your attic for

Besides remodeling the basement, you can remodel the attic for extra space. In doing so, once again, you have to consider what you intend to remodel the attic into. You can get ideas for this by thinking what you are in deficit of in the house; perhaps a bedroom, study room or a bathroom.

You can then get the help of a designer to design the place, and to give an estimate of remodeling costs; this way you will be able to decide if it is worth remodeling or not. Like if you intend to make a bathroom, consider if the costs incurred in building it like reinforcement in walls is worth the remodeling.

Also find out if local building codes and zoning laws permit an addition, your type of addition, the materials you intend to use, how you intend to provide access to the new structure and if reinforcement of walls and floor is required to hold any heavy equipment you intend to place in the additional space.

With all this covered, you should have no problems in remodeling your home, to use that extra spots in your home wisely.

James Tyler is the owner of Ace Builders, a residential remodeling company serving the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Tyler writes about issues relating to all types of remodeling and home improvement projects.

For more information, tips and advice visit http://www.acebuilders.net

Bathroom Remodel Investment If Selling

When you're planning any bathroom remodel, consider the costs of the bathroom remodeling versus the return on the actual investment. According to one of the popular remodeling magazines, the average bathroom remodel throughout the country cost around $16,000.

If you were to sell your house within a few years, you could recoup around $12,000 of your original investment. This would translate into a $4000 loss to your pocketbook eventually.

Using these numbers for your bathroom remodel investment, you would recoup around 75% of your original investment. If you know anything about investing money, this will not be a good rate of return and if you keep investing your money like this, you won't have any to invest, eventually.

Keep this in mind, if you're going to be selling the home within a few years. If the bathroom isn't in good shape and you're not planning on selling soon, you could remodel the bathroom and enjoy it for quite a few years. You wouldn't be looking at this as an investment but as maintenance costs.

If you need to remodel the bathroom, because it's getting a little run down and will create a problem when selling a home, I would suggest minor remodeling, if the toilet, fixtures and bathtub is in good condition, I would suggest changing the sink, cabinet, bathtub surround, flooring and some new paint.

If you're remodeling cost is now at $8,000, you would recoup at least $6,000 and would only lose $2000 on your original investment. Now this still doesn't make any sense, if you're still losing money, why would you even want to remodel the bathroom. Why not sell the home as it is and not lose any money? This is a tough decision to make and keep in mind, these are average costs.

You could recoup less or more than 75% of your bathroom investment costs.

Most real estate professionals will advise you to remodel the bathroom for two reasons, for one the house will sell for a few more dollars, and this will increase their sales commission. The second one is probably the most important for any one selling a home, the home could sell faster.

If you have the time and are in no hurry to sell the home, I would suggest trying to sell the home as is first and then sprucing it up, if you can't sell it within three months.

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

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

Wide Crack In Brick Wall

Is Your Real Estate Agent in a Hurry?

If any of these statements sound familiar to you, it could mean that your real estate agent is either in hurry or doesn't have an answer to your question. Either way, this could lead to an unpleasant relationship.

Have You Ever Heard the Words:

Don't Worry about a Thing, Will Take Care of You.

Come on That Roof Will Last for Another 30 Years.

I Wouldn't Worry about That, That's Easy to Fix.

How Many Times Do I Have To Tell You, It's Not a Problem.

I'm on Your Side, There Won't Be Any Problems.

With a Little Bit of Caulking, You Won't Even Notice It.

Just Plant Some Bushes in Front of It and You'll Never See It.

The Floor Squeaks, That Gives the House Character.

Or What about the Ever Famous, Are You Going to Buy the House or Not.

Are any one of these experiences familiar to you? Don't be afraid to ask your questions again. Be firm when asking, but please don't be rude and if the answers don't sound right ask someone else to verify or ask your real estate professional if they are positive and know for a fact their answer is correct. It's always good to get a second opinion anyway.

You don't need to do business with anyone that will not answer your questions and is always trying to hurry you along. If you sign a purchasing agreement with a real estate professional you're not getting along with, ask them to let you out of the contract.

With no fees of course, there are other ways to purchase a home if your now old real estate agent doesn't want to play fair.

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

If you're having problems with your real estate professional, you might give some thought to look in at some home foreclosures, and then contacting someone to help you, after you have found the home that you are looking for. Some real estate agents can be extremely unhelpful

Back Of House With Siding

Renovate With EIFS - Home Tips

Ontario's Home Energy Audit provides rebates to home owners who improve their home in some way to reduce energy consumption and waste. The program provides rebates from $60.00 per energy-star qualified window, to $1,000.00 for a high efficiency furnace, to $3,000.00 for insulating the exterior of your home. Why is the largest grant (by category) given to Exterior Wall Insulation? One of the reasons is it can have the largest impact on keeping the heat inside your home as home owners typically see a 20-30% reduction in their heating and cooling bills after renovating the exterior of their walls with EIFS (synthetic stucco).

First Thing is First

In order to qualify for the rebates, you need to first have someone do the Ontario Home Energy Audit. This involves contacting the Government's ecoENERGY program to have an inspector come to your house and evaluate your eligibility. You will fall into various categories ranging from not eligible (because there is nothing that needs to be done), to partial benefits to improve certain aspects, to the full grant for adding something that is not currently there. The majority of homes do not have insulation on the exterior of their homes (from the sheating substrate and outward), which makes most home owners eligible for the full $3,000.00 rebate. From the day of the inspection, you have exactly 18 months to complete all your retrofits and get the auditor back.

Get Quotes For an EIFS Retrofit

It may even be a good idea to do this first so you don't waste time trying to find contractors and prices. It is important to get multiple quotes, from different contractors to get a feel for what the price should be. They can be found via the internet, yellowpages, referrals, or preferably by the EIFS manufacturer who will recommend you to a few contractors they know that do quality work. Speaking with different contractors will open your eyes to aspects others may not mention, such as decorative items or things you need to consider like temporarily removing your soffit. Things that may affect your quotes include:

• Time of year will affect price, which is higher during the winter and busy season
• Not requiring a weather barrier (only if going over brick, concrete or CMU) will save money
• Small portions (such as dormers) often cost extra
• Decorative elements such as mouldings and cornices cost extra

Let's say you understand what your options and prices are after getting 5 quotes, which do you choose? To start, if one is far below the others, toss it immediately. Any money you will save will come back to bite you down the road, and the repair can be more expensive than your synthetic stucco retrofit in the first place. Most of the time you want to go with quote #3 or #4 in terms of price. Don't forget that you can add decorative elements (like window sills, quoins, trim) at a later date -- one of the great benefits of EIFS.

Thickness of Styrofoam

Though this will affect the price and is up to your discretion, a minimum of 2.5" of "Type 1 Expanded PolyStyrene" (the white styrofoam) is required to qualify for the full $3,000.00 rebate. Typical styrofoam thickness is 2", which would get you the $1,800.00 rebate, however the additional 1/2" will not (or rather, should not) run you an additional $1,200.00, which means you will actually save money.

For the technically inclined, a total of R-3.8 to R-9 will qualify you for $1,800.00, while an R-value of 9 or above qualifies for the full $3,000.00 rebate. Type 1 Expanded PolyStyrene (the type of white styrofoam EIFS manufacturers carry and specify) is rated at R-3.71(per inch). This means adding 1" of styrofoam qualifies you for no rebate (yes, they are serious about that 0.09 of R value missing), while 2.5" will qualify you for the whole $3,000.00 (2.5 x 3.71 = 9.275). The other layers of EIFS do provide some R-value (arguable enough that 1" would qualify you for the rebate), however the government stipulates that the R-value is calculated solely on what is added to the wall via styrofoam.

Plan All Your Retrofits, Then Proceed

You want to consider other renovations at the same time as your Synthetic Stucco retrofit. If you intend to add Energy Star qualified windows, they must be installed prior to adding Synthetic Stucco so that they can be properly "tied in" to the wall, that is, to prevent moisture intrusion. You will want to cover these windows while the EIFS is being installed to lessen the chances of them getting dirty. Again, soffits need to be removed during installation to avoid unsightly gaps at the top of your wall which double as a point for water to penetrate. A little bit of planning goes a long way in saving you money and head aches.

Get The Auditor Back

Once everything is finished it's time to have the inspector come back to re-evaluate your home. You will need to show him copies of the bills with the specifications (for example, the EIFS contractor would specify "2.5" insulation added" on his invoice), and pictures of the product being installed may help -- make sure to find out exactly what the auditor is looking for during the first visit. Remember also, that you only have 18 months from the first inspection to get him back, otherwise you forfeit any claim you have to rebates. You may only do this once (ever!) so make sure you do all your retrofits at one time for the rebates, or be prepared to pay for future retrofits out of your pocket.

Upon verification that a minimum of 2.5" of insulation has been applied to all wall surfaces on the exterior of your home, the auditor will check to see if you qualify for any additional rebates for retrofits which may have been undertaken, then electronically submit the result to "Natural Resource Canada" and the "Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure". From the time your auditor performs the final evaluation, you can expect to wait anywhere from 5-9 weeks for the audit to be processed another 1-2 weeks for the cheque to arrive.

Don't forget that on top of the rebate, renovating your home with Synthetic Stucco increases the value of your home (you recoup up to 88% of the renovation cost via increased home value) and can reduce your heating bill anywhere from 20%-30%, saving you over $500 per year.

Jim Schwarznoff is a Construction Project Management student with an emphasis on the building envelope and exterior design. For more information on EIFS (Synthetic Stucco) and to get quotes from Stucco Contractors visit http://www.TorontoStuccoContractor.com/. For more details on the Ontario Home Energy program, visit: http://torontostuccocontractor.com/blog/2009/01/the-ontario-home-energy-audit-provides-3000-towards-an-eifs-retrofit/

Whole House Water Filters - Home Tips

Whole house water filters have gained much attention with the increase in problems with the purity of public water systems. If you want to be assured that the water coming into your house is safe for drinking, bathing and cooking, then a whole house water filter is a critical addition to your home. There is no other way to thoroughly and effectively remove water contaminants, no matter what size home you have.

There is no question why we need to filter our water. However why do we need a whole house system? The reason is found in the fact that any water that comes into our homes can affect our health. Most homes have between 8 and 15 sources of water and whether they are used for drinking water, showering, bathing or cooking, they allow any contaminants in the water supply to enter our body. Even though most filters used at an individual outlet will remove most types of contamination, only whole house water filters can ensure pure water at every faucet in your house.

It is critical that each source of water in your house is filtered. We all know that it is important that the water we cook with and drink is pure. However, are you aware that contaminants can enter our body through our skin while bathing and showering? Our skin is designed to breath so release toxins from our body. As such it is extremely efficient at absorption also, not to mention the water vapors that enter your body through your lung. Unless you place individual filters on every faucet and shower head, only a whole house water filter can provide protection anywhere in your home.

You can find a wide selection of water systems for your home. Whole house water filters are effective at removing 99.9% of virtually every contaminant imaginable, while also balancing the ph level of your water, assuring you of its purity and healthfulness. Removing the contaminants before they come into your home has been shown to reduce risk of disease including many forms of cancer.

Because the decision to purchase a water purifying system is so critical you will need to thoroughly research the different types of systems on the market. Read the specifications on each. Some systems are far more effective than others. For the most part, you will find that a multi-stage whole house water filter provides for maximum removal of contaminants.

You will want to avoid reverse osmosis and distillation systems. These are great for industrial uses, but you don't want to be drinking the water they produce over the long run. These systems remove all the minerals; minerals that are important to the human body in order to remain healthy.

A filtering system that uses charcoal at some point in the process will provide the best tasting water. These systems are usually referred to as carbon block systems and when used with other stages of filtering, are extremely efficient at removing organic and inorganic contamination from your water while retaining essential minerals.

You can find some very effective carbon block filters that connect to individual faucets and shower heads, but a whole house system provides the best coverage at the least cost per outlet. By installing whole house water filters at the point where water enters your home, you will be protecting all the water outlets in your entire home.

Pure water is critical to maintaining health for your entire family. With today's water filtering technology, that can easily be accomplished. My website describes some of the filtering systems available in detail. By taking some time sorting through everything that is out there you will find the best system for your needs.

Kevin Proctor has studied health related issues for over 8 years. His research led him to realizing the importance of pure water as it relates to overall health. Kevin discusses what he has learned on his website, Filtered-Water-Resources.com. For more information about water purification and to see the water filter systems he personally recommends visit his website now

House Framing Books

Kitchen Bar - Home Tips

When people consider remodeling a kitchen, the vision is often of greater cabinet space, new appliances and a bright, cheery place to prepare family meals. This renovation project can be a lot of fun, and the additional space can be a great asset to the family. With a bit of careful planning and the inclusion of a useful item like a kitchen bar, this can become one of the premier rooms of the home.

But one of the best features of any quality kitchen is a design that allows for efficient movement during the preparation and serving of the meal. That is where the kitchen bar comes in. By adding this well-planned item, with a few stools of the correct height, the kitchen experience will always be a good one.

For many homes, the larger meals are prepared in the kitchen but are eaten in another area, such as the dining room. This may not be the best choice, or even the preferred method, for a quick breakfast or a lunch stop. The kitchen bar as part of a home remodeling project can be just the ticket for making the room what it should be. This kitchen bar can also provide additional seating for the larger gatherings that occur during the holiday season.

Some plan the kitchen bar to be even more than an eating space. Some homeowners decide to locate the sink and cook top in a kitchen island, where meals can be prepared. In addition, additional counter space can be included for eating or food preparation, making the kitchen bar/island the most important area of a well-planned kitchen.

With this in mind, what else could the addition of a kitchen bar/kitchen island offer? How about a great deal of additional cabinet space. It is the rare kitchen that has too much storage space, so including extra cabinets and shelves as part of the kitchen renovation will probably be a great idea. Some good kitchen remodeling plans include space in a kitchen island for smaller appliances, occasionally used portable appliances and even for the larger bowls and pans needed by every cook.

Of course, the planning stage should include a vision of how to fit the kitchen bar/island in the overall colour scheme and design scheme. The cabinets and counter tops should match the existing items or should be finished in the same colours and finishes as new cabinets and counter tops installed elsewhere in the kitchen.

For best results, the plumbing and electrical improvements should probably be left to a professional in those fields. A general contractor who takes on the project may be able to arrange the best professionals in each area. Keep in mind that natural gas stoves and stove tops should only be installed by a person with the license and experience to accomplish this task. The extra cost will always be worth it, if only for the peace of mind that the homeowner gets from knowing the natural gas, electrical wiring and plumbing were all installed properly. Good planning in the colour and design, along with the correct installation of the electrical and plumbing will make enjoyment of the kitchen much easier.

Being particularly interested in how to refinish a kitchen cabinet and kitchen cabinets designs, Johnathan Bakers was editing various news stories in the area. You can see his writings on kitchen counters and cabinets at various other sources for kitchen counters and cabinets knowledge.

Framing Wood Shower Pans - Bathroom Remodeling

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

Home Stucco Books

Managing Labor and Material Costs of a Sunroom

There are two major factors which contribute in the prices of sunroom one is cost of materials and the other is the cost of labor. Combining these two costs might show a big figure but spending this amount is obviously worthy. Constructing a sunroom in front of your house can increase the beauty of your house and if the area of sunroom is bigger then the beauty of your house increases to a great extent. The cost of building a sunroom is much less than the cost of a building a traditional house that is what attracts more homemakers to build sunrooms. The beauty of sunroom is also more than a traditional room made of mortar and bricks. The shiny glass and windows used in construction of the sunroom helps to attract people at the first sight.

It takes months to build a house made of bricks and it is also difficult to construct and manage. The sunroom is comparatively easy to construct and is constructed in not more than 2 weeks time.

Normally, constructing a sunroom can take not more than a few weeks.

But as the sunroom is constructed you can get lured by the looks of sunroom and ignore the costs of building it. The internal environment of the sunroom gives you a natural feeling, you feel like you are somewhere at your ideal place and taking sunbath. In order to construct a sunroom you need to consider the quality and the cost of the material. If you want your sunroom to be an ideal place for you, you don't have to compromise on the quality of the material used. The first thing you need to do before constructing a sunroom is to make a budget plan according to the prices of the sunroom You should look for the material and labor costs so that you don't have difficulty or budget constraints at the mid of the construction. There isn't any fixed cost for the sunroom but a good quality sunroom with a particular size costs almost similar to everyone. The cost can be variable if the size of the sunroom varies. Material used for construction, drainage, ventilation, style and design can also vary in the cost because of its quality.

If you have budget constraints then you need not to compromise on the quality of the material but on the labor cost. There are sunrooms available which can be fixed by an individual on a do-it-yourself basis. This will cut the labor cost and is the best way to reduce the price of a sunroom There are many do-it-yourself sunroom kits available at the showrooms of leading companies. All you need to do is to choose a design for the sunroom and purchase the material. The flooring system can also contribute in the reduction of the total costs you can purchase a low quality flooring system but this is not the best way. The material used for roof and flooring should be according to the climate and the terrain of your region, otherwise you can suffer during the weather fluctuations.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many articles on subjects like patio enclosures and published at http://www.allsunrooms.com .Keep reading about sunroom enclosure kits and DIY sun enclosures at his web.

Resolving Home Remodeling Problems - Remodeling Contractors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips

Properly Cleaning Your Siding

Cleaning the siding on your home can be a tough job because of the fact that you don't want to mess it up. You most likely paid a nice chunk of change for that siding to be installed and you should keep it looking as clean and as new as possible.

The most efficient means of cleaning your clean vinyl siding is to rinse it with the hose that you use to water your garden, grass, or flower beds. Make sure to use a nozzle on the hose and to not use high pressure when beginning to clean the siding. If you use pressure that is too high it could damage the siding. The water is also able to seep into the wood sheathing of framing of your home which could in turn cause water damage to the home.

Besides using a hose you can always use something that you have right inside your home to clean the outside of your home. Using the liquid detergent that you would wash your dishes with is another means of cleaning your vinyl siding.

You can use this in the same way that you would to wash a vehicle. Just get a large bucket, pour some of the soap into the bucket and then fill it with the water from the hose or with medium temperature water from your faucet inside of your home. Make sure to rinse the mixture off of the house when you have finished so that it doesn't leave residue on your home. It is especially important to do this when the soap has been in the sun so that it doesn't dry. This means that you should only work on small portions of the house at a time so that you can make sure to clean it properly.

When rinsing your home you should use the hose, and again make sure that it doesn't spray at to high of a pressure on the siding. Point the hose towards the bottom of the house when spraying as well so that the suds and water can rinse downward.

Kathleen Whitlow is a marketing agent and copywriter of Blueridge Exteriors. The siding contractor provides James Hardie Siding and siding services throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their Siding Contractor please visit their website.

Uncover The Truth About A Hunter Air Purifier

The homes we live in now days are so air tight, that they can actually be harmful to our health. Since they are such an enclosed area, we end up breathing the same air over and over again. A hunter air purifier can help bring fresh air into the home. They can help filter the air of unwanted particles that are floating in the air. Most people don't even think about what they are breathing, especially in their own home, because after all, that's your own safe place. Why would we be thinking of it as an unsafe place to breathe in. This article will uncover the truth about a hunter air purifier and the benefits of using an air purifier in your home.

Most women like to think that they keep a pretty clean home. They may spend hours vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and scouring only to find a few hours later that the end tables are dusty again. What's up with that. A hunter air purifier can help get rid of the dust that already has begun being stirred up. An air purifier is designed to draw the dust into it's filtering system. It then releases the filtered air back into the room so you will have cleaner, fresher air to breathe. Most vacuums release a certain amount of dust as you are vacuuming because, even though you are cleaning up debris on the floor, dust is also being stirred up, and you can even see it floating in the air at times. A hunter air purifier will help trap the dust that is found floating about.

If you suffer from allergies, then you know that dust, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and tobacco smoke can very easily stir up an allergy attack. A hunter air purifier will help trap any of these things and leave them in the filtering system. The air purifier will then blow back into the room the new clean air. I'm sure you can see the benefits of using an air purifier in your home. There are many sizes and styles to choose from and a hunter air purifier can be placed in any room of the home. An air purifier for the home is usually a portable unit that just plugs in to any outlet. A little research can help you decide what you are looking for on a hunter air purifier. Don't hold your breath on this, because if you are one of the many asthma sufferers, every day of breathing bad air can be devastating to your health.

For more information on Air Cleaners and Purifiers for your home or business try visiting air-cleaners-and-purifiers, a website that specializes in providing helpful tips, advice and Air Cleaners and Purifiers resources to include Hunter Air Purifier and more.

High Pressure Water Drain Jetting For Clogs

For many people, the science behind new technologies that have been developed to clean sewer drains couldn't be more mundane. Not many homeowners care much about methods to unblock a badly clogged drain until it becomes necessary for them to use the technology for themselves. High pressure water drain jetting is a relatively recent development that allows drain cleaners to literally blast obstructions out of your drains, but it doesn't just consist of a hose that sprays a stream of water. Instead, high pressure water drain jet systems are sophisticated pieces of equipment that often cost tens of thousands of dollars.

That's not to say that hiring someone to use this equipment on your clogged drains will cost an arm and a leg, however. You'll likely spend less than two hundred dollars to have your sewer drains professionally cleaned with a high pressure jet system, but there is no better way to eliminate blockages. While a simple drain snake can take care of smaller clogs from simple obstructions and tree roots, the high-pressure water jet is able to blast away layers of grease, scaling, debris, dirt and even rocks that may have built up in the pipe over time.

High pressure water jetting is not meant to be utilized by anyone but trained professionals who have experience using the equipment. Because the water is forced from the jet at such a high pressure, it is easily capable of seriously injuring anyone who uses the equipment incorrectly. If you have your drains serviced with a high pressure jet, make sure that you and your family stay well away from the equipment while it is being used.

In spite of its potential danger to inexperienced users, though, high pressure water jetting is safe and quiet enough to be used inside of your home if necessary. The jetting system itself is usually a large unit towed by a hitch, but the line is often hundreds of feet long and can be taken into any building safely. As long as the specially designed tip of the jet hose is well inside of the drain pipe before the system is turned on, it is very safe to use.

High pressure water jetting isn't the right choice for every kind of clog. Simpler clogs can often be fixed by a less expensive sewer snake or other means. If your drain has significant problems from layers of heavy built up debris and grease, however, the drain jet is the best option. Although it is slightly more costly, a professionally applied high pressure drain jetting can make your blocked pipes look and operate like new again.

Lorain County Sewer and Drain makes High Pressure Drain Jetting simple and affordable. Visit our site today to learn more about Apartment Drain Cleaning.

Plate Strap On Bottom Wall

How to Build Your Own Wind Turbine For Home

If the increasing cost of electricity is one of your problems at home, you might want to consider some alternatives like build your own wind turbine or install solar panels on the roof of your home. In recent years, more people have seen the wisdom in using these alternative sources of energy to alleviate their growing electrical expenses. Through any of these options, you will surely see a significant cut in your electricity bills, allowing you to enjoy more savings.

In particular, there are three important concerns to be thought of before deciding and starting to build a wind turbine that you can use at home. First, you need to find a place where strong wind force can be experienced. For wind energy to be converted into electrical energy, minimum wind speed should be about 10 kmph. This almost always does not happen in urban areas so you would have to consider a rural place for this endeavor. Moreover, the place where you are to place your wind turbine should not be surrounded by trees and other obstructions so as not to impede wind strength.

Second, you have to carefully follow the steps in making a wind turbine. The Internet is a rich resource for comprehensive guides in building such. Also, make sure that you have all the necessary materials for making the turbine. Some of the more common materials for this type of project are blades, generator, and battery. A tower where the wind turbine is to be attached to is also required. To avoid functional problems, make sure that you complied with all prerequisites and followed the procedures enumerated in the guide carefully.

Lastly, make sure that you are not violating any local government provision before you build your own wind turbine to avoid being penalized later on.

Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade power systems to power their homes!

Concrete

Various Types of Swimming Pool Cleaners

It is very essential to keep the interior of your swimming pool debris free. It does not require intensive labor to keep the swimming pool free of debris. Cleaning the swimming pool may be done once in a week or once in a month. It varies. But if it is done once in a week, then naturally the pool remains cleaner. The best tools required for the job are the following:

Leaf skimmer: It consists of a long-handled net which is required for removing large pieces of debris.

Vacuum: It is another instrument for clearing the debris that essentially consists of arsenal. It is either connected to a pool's circulation system or consists of its own power supply. Vacuum extracts the dirt that has settled to the bottom of the pool.

Wall and floor brush: It comprises nylon-bristle brush cleaner which cleans the walls and floor of vinyl, fiberglass, and painted pools. They are available in various forms and with their design and power to eliminate the dust and dirt they are priced. Some of them are extremely costly but they are also long lasting and remove quite a lot of dirt.

Algae brush: In case of concrete pool, one may require stainless-steel bristles which can clean the plaster walls in a better way. The plaster wall often collects a lot of debris and the algae brush are the only means of removing them.

Tile brush: If the pool consists of tiled walls, a handheld tile brush is the best weapon for removing calcium scale and other deposits without causing any harm to the grout. In order to remove the stubborn spots, one can use the pumice stones. It is mainly used for cleaning the walls of the pool. The walls of the pool are important places and should be kept clean and maintained well. Otherwise debris may gather there and cause spots which cannot be removed.

One of the quickest methods of removing the debris that is floating in water is by skimming with the help of your hand. The debris can best be removed before they sink into the bottom. Thus the pool's circulation system is greatly enhanced. In this case there is no need of chlorine.

It is also very important to keep the strainer baskets cleaner. This automatically increases the circulation system of the pool. If you remove leaves once in a week and skim anything else that could obstruct the water flow, then your pool will automatically remain cleaner.

Poolproducts4less.com is a bargain-hunters paradise offering you a complete selection of automatic pool cleaners and accessories.

Siding

Flip That House With Cheap Fixes

Perhaps you have been watching those shows that tell you how to flip that house, but you don't have the tens of thousands of dollars they seem to inevitably spend. What can you do that is fast and cheap to increase the appeal and selling price of a home? Here are six cheap fixes to give you some ideas.

1. Mailbox

While you can't get a great price with major problems, buyers will excuse minor ones if they have already fallen in love with the house. That means you better make a good first impression. The first thing they'll likely see is the mailbox. Install a new one with a few flowers around it. This will cost you less than fifty dollars.

2. Front Yard Landscaping

Another fast and cheap way to a great first impression is to clean the front yard, mow the lawn, trim the trees, throw some grass seed on any bare spots if you have time, and plant a few flowers. Neat, clean and green is the idea. Do this part yourself and you'll be surprised how far a hundred dollars can go.

3. Clean The House Outside

It is amazing how often the front of a house is dirty - even when the home is for sale. If you want to flip that house fast, make it look good! Power-wash it if necessary, and make sure there are no stains on the the front wall nor leaves hanging from the gutters. Shine up any doorknobs or other metal fixtures. This step might cost you nothing but your time, but less than $100 in any case.

4. Stage The House

A house that is empty never feels or looks quite right. Now, it's true that some people can easily imagine what their furniture will look like in those rooms, but not all of us are so good at such visualization. Make it easy on those buyers by having some tables, couches, chairs, and even a few paintings on the walls. If you really want to keep this part cheap and you have nice things at home, borrow them!

5. Use A House Inspection Checklist

It is not only embarrassing to be standing their with a buyer explaining why the toilet doesn't flush, but it is little things like that which can lose a sale. Have a list of things you would check if you were buying a home, and go through your house with it, testing everything, and looking at every room as objectively as possible. Better yet, have a good friend do this for you as though he was interested in the home.

6. Make High-Return Improvements

Repairs have to be done, but many changes are debatable. Should you replace the perfectly good but somewhat ugly carpeting? Maybe. Paint the rooms? Think of the over-all look of the house if you make a set of changes, and do your best to estimate how much they will add to the sale's price. They should add double or more what they cost.

There are often opportunities for improvements with much higher returns. A friend of mine once spent about $1,500 and increased the home's value by about $8,000. How? The basement had big windows, so he added two walls in a corner, along with a cheap paint job and a piece of carpeting to create a bedroom. If you want to flip that house for big profits with little investment in time and money, get creative and look hard for opportunities like this.

Copyright Steve Gillman. For more on how to Flip A House, go now and subscribe to the free 'Fix and Flip' course at: http://www.TipsForFlippingAHouse.com

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Pour in the Sunlight With Some Brilliant Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

One important aspect that people missed out on in the design of their bathrooms is the importance of sunlight. The tendency of some people is to place the bathroom in between rooms or corners of the house without regard whether or not it can get sunlight. The fact is sunlight can add to the beauty of a bathroom because it somehow brings nature closer to the owners. Moreover, it can help in saving up electricity during the day if the room is properly set up in such a way that it can receive sufficient daylight.

If it is too late for you to assign a specific area for your bathroom, do not worry. There might be a chance to rearrange. With the proper bathroom remodeling ideas, we can turn that bathroom a haven that you aspire. All it needs is simple rearrangement, a replacement from here and there and voila! You will surely have the sunlight smiling on you everyday.

Does remodeling a bathroom would costs a homeowner so much? As far as practicable, there is not much changes to be made. A brilliant remodeling idea should always be geared towards the cheaper way of achieving a goal. As a give away tip, mirrors can significantly help in getting in some sunlight. It is all up to you what kind of mirror and where to place it in order to make this possible. For more brilliant ideas how to remodel your bathroom, you should get an expert to do this for you.

Aikaz Run - Bathroom Design Advisor

For more information on how to design your bathroom to be amazing look, visit our Bathroom Design and Remodeling resources at http://www.bathroom-share.com

Buying A Functional House

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

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

Stair Building Books

Where do we go to buy stair building books? Do we go to the major retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble? I have found over the years the information in most of these books I have purchased from these stores has a lot of fluff with very little common sense stair building application.

I bought one stair building book that had information on handrails. The front cover looked great and I thought this was going to be a great book reading the reviews from Amazon. When I finally got the book in the mail, I would say about one third of it was math tables for building elaborate wooden hand railing's. These tables were not easy to understand along with the rest of the book.

Back when I bought the book on building stair handrails it dawned on me that most of the construction workers I have met during my 30 years of working in the field were not very good outside of basic math. Now I knew a lot of carpenters that could read a measuring tape and use a framing square pretty good. But when it came to advanced geometrical construction projects like a stair hand railing system this was out of our league.

Reading this book or should I say parts of it gave me an idea to write a book of my own, starting with basic stair building I took all the fluff or the hard to understand advanced stair building applications out of my book, How to Build a Straight Set of Stairs.

I put a lot of time into creating an illustration for every possible part of building a simple set of stairs. I have probably built over 2000 sets of stairs during my lifetime and have explained and taught basic and advanced stair building to other carpenters. Understanding what parts of the stair construction process they understood, I was able to improve my skills as a stair building teacher.

Most people do not need advanced stair building skills to construct a simple straight set of stairs. If you are building a straight set of stairs and would like a stair building book with lots of easy to understand illustrations along with simplified directions you have found it.

We're building more stair building books to help contractors, carpenters, handymen and homeowners understand the stair building process.

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.

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Moisture Against Gravity - Destroying Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Fireplace Design Ideas

Are you trying to find some inspiring information about fireplace design ideas? There are some basic elements to any fireplace that are generally addressed in turn, in order to come up with a complete fireplace design. There are three main components to any fireplace design.

The three primary components to fireplace design include the hearth, the firebox and the type of opening that is employed between the firebox and the room in which the fireplace is located. The hearth is the area outside of the firebox, in general. The firebox is the area in which the fire itself will be burned.

Hearths

Let's first talk about hearths. A hearth may be flush with the floor, raised above the floor, or sunk down lower than the floor. Additionally, there may be no hearth to speak of at all. In these cases the firebox should be at least two inches above the floor, as the hearth is what helps protect the floor from the heat of the fire.

Another type of hearth may include hearth seats of various kinds. The most traditional and popular type of fireplace with hearth seats are the kinds that feature simply two blocks on either side of the firebox opening.

Fireboxes

As with the hearth types, the different kinds of fireboxes generally have mainly to do with the height relative to the floor and / or hearth. There are raised fireboxes, flush fireboxes that are the same height as the floor, and there are dropped fireboxes that are somewhat lower than the hearth and / or floor in front of the fireplace.

Fireplace Openings

Of course the most widely utilized type of fireplace opening is the rectangular opening. Generally, a rectangular opening will be just that: rectangular in shape. However, even with rectangular openings, the sides typically flare outward from the firebox toward the face of the fireplace.

There are flat arch top openings where the sides are straight, yet the tope of the opening has a slight arch to the shape. As with the traditional rectangular opening, the sides typically flare outward from the firebox toward the face of the fireplace.

There are full arch fireplace openings where the opening contains no straight lines. These types of fireplace openings have one continuous curve all around the fireplace opening. This is the type of opening you are probably used to seeing in American Southwestern style fireplaces.

There are also corner fireplace openings that allow for there to be two open sides to the fireplace. As the name suggests, a corner opening fireplace is situated in such a way that an entire corner section of the firebox is exposed.

There are U-shaped fireplace openings where the firebox is exposed on three sides, the front, as well as the two side areas. These last two types of fireplace openings will generally produce better heat radiation. If you will be using your fireplace to heat your home, and not merely as decoration these are certainly worth looking into. For images of these various fireplace styles, take a look at http://www.fireplacesnow.com/FireplaceStyles.htm .

Jon worked in construction for 10 years before starting his own local fireplace installation service 8 years ago. At his website, Jon will show you how his years of experience in the industry can help change your fireplace into the focal point of your home. To learn more about fireplace design ideas visit http://www.fireplacegate.com

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Building a Porch Swing

You can easily build a porch swing as a weekend project. There are many different kinds of porch swing plans and many different places where you can find them. When you browse home improvement magazines there are often plans to help you build this kind of swing with the list of materials and detailed instructions. Home improvement retail stores also sell kits that contain everything you need for the project. However, the greatest source for plans for a porch swing can be found on the many online sites and many of these plans are free for you to download and print.

You will need to have specific tools when you want to start building a swing for the porch. These include a planer, a bandsaw, hammer, a measuring tape and screwdriver or drill. Oak and pine are usually the recommended materials to use because they stand up well to the elements of the weather. There are designs available with a straight back and room to seat two or three people. You can also choose a design for two with separately curved backs that you can adjust to receive varying degrees of comfort when sitting.

In addition to the free plans you find online, some of the plans have comments written by those that have used them. By reading these comments you can get a better insight into how difficult a project it is if you do not have any carpentry experience. There may be comments about some users have modified the plans to suit themselves and this may be something that you want to do. Either way you will be able to use the plans to give you a porch swing that you will use for many years to come.

If you use a kit for such a building project, all the pieces will be cut to the specific measurements needed for the design. Otherwise, you will have to buy the lumber and cut the wood to the desired measurements. When using the plans, it is a good idea to enlarge all the drawings so that you have a template to use for measuring. Measure twice and cut once is a good rule to use to make sure that you have all the pieces in perfect proportion.

For more information on porch furniture, porch plans and related topics, visit AboutPorches.

Advantages of Framing With Steel Studs

I have heard all sorts of stories over the years of the advantages in framing with steel versus wood studs. One time I even heard you could build an entire house with the amount of recycled steel from a large automobile such as a Cadillac. I find this hard to believe unless you're building a very small home.

My personal favorite for framing with steel studs is that they are extremely straight. I have built nonbearing partition walls using 12 foot 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs and after the drywall you can lay an 8 foot level to check it for straightness on the wall with amazing results.

If you use 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs with 5/8 of an inch drywall you will get an extremely durable and sturdy wall. Framing was steel studs is common in office renovations or remodeling. Most of the steel stud framing is done via the drywall contractors.

Steel studs and termites do not mix. You'll never have to worry about these little buggers or other uninvited house pests damaging your walls.

Over the years I have heard stories that steel framed buildings are earthquake and fire proof. They might be more resistant to fire than wood but keep in mind when metal is hot enough it will bend and warp making it unusable.

When I hear people talking about a fireproof building built with metal framing components my first thought is all of the other materials used in building the house that are not fire resistant. Don't get a false illusion when buying a house framed with steel studs and think it is 100% fire proof.

As far as steel framed buildings being earthquake proof this is another story. I really can't comment too much on earthquake damage to a steel building. The problem with earthquakes is they seem to create fires. So even if you're building does survive an earthquake it could get damaged by a fire in the area.

I have framed more wood homes than steel homes over the years and my steel stud construction is limited to nonbearing partition walls usually located in office buildings. I love framing with metal because of its light weight and ease of construction.

I still love framing with wood. There is something about what framing that I have always loved and always will.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on House Framing Ideas

Power and Energy in Home Decor

Power and energy refers to a subtle, almost indefinable force, which relates closely to how much focus various parts of a room command. An arm chair with intricate brightly colored patterns has a lot of power, because it stands out and forces you to look at it, especially if it is placed in a contrasting monotone room.

Color and pattern are two of the most common ways an object gains power. Bright colors tend to stand out, as do intricate designs. Subdued colors and simple patterns will tend to fade into the background, acting as support to stronger pieces. Contrast can help give a piece greater power, especially if it is used in bold ways. A single deep red clock on an empty white wall commands the attention of an entire room.

An object can gain power and energy through its weight, or perceived weight as well. The heaviness of an item is related to how substantial it is, which gives it greater credence in our minds. Drink coasters which are made of paper will have much less weight, and therefore less of a presence in a room than coasters made from stone. Size is another aspect to energy and power. By simply taking up the most space, an object can dominate an area. In this way it holds the focus of the greater part of the room, by simply being the most noticeable thing there.

One way you can focus energy into an area or an object is to use the inherent lines which are contained in your design to point at the desired spot. These lines can consist of architectural bones such as borders, window sills, counters, or trim, or can consist of your own decorative lines such as those created by the bottoms of portraits, or the direction of various tables and couches. Generally the inherent structure of a room will point at a focal spot; however this can be altered by creating intersecting lines which point in other directions. Tampering with your lines alters the flow of a space, so be aware of how directing the energy of a space changes the way you move about it.

Power and energy are often overlooked aspects of a room. Color, patterns, and texture offer such rich options when decorating, that people often overlook the subtle effects that are achieved. Understanding their effect on your room however gives you a whole new set of eyes with which to watch the world.

This article brought to you by PebbleZ's absorbent drink coasters

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Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

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

Sunroom Budget Plan

Labor cost and material cost are two determining factors of sunroom prices. For those who are not yet familiar with sunroom, it is a part of the home that is placed in order to create a bigger floor area and at the same time increase the beauty of the home. These two factors mentioned must first be considered before splurging in building a sunroom for you home. The total amount of these factors may seem a little big but the outcome is definitely worth all the money. Also, the cost of the sunroom is a lot cheaper as compared to building a traditional home or room. Another advantage of building a sunroom is that it is easily built and you can instantly see the outcome within a span of few weeks.

So, if you want to build your very own sunroom, take into consideration the two important factors so you won't fall short of money in the middle of sunroom construction. There are cases when homeowners are easily attracted to the trendy and modern sunroom materials and they spend a huge amount of their budget on the material cost alone. But how about the labor cost? Keep in mind that labor cost must also be given equal importance. To avoid further financial problems on your sunroom construction, you need to put an equal value of importance on the two factors: the material and labor cost. And what better way to do this than making your own budget plan. However, the price of sunroom materials and labor may vary but on the average they may have similarities. Some of the things that could affect the pricing of the sunroom include size of the room, location, style and design of the sunroom, drainage facility, ventilation and the materials to be used in building the room.

Thinking about all the sunroom cost would just make you have second thoughts if you should or should not push through with this project. But since sunroom is becoming more and more popular these days, manufacturers have thought of ways on how you can trim down your sunroom costs. And the most effective way is the do-it-yourself sunroom kit. You can now choose from the huge array of DIY sunroom kits. All you need to do is carefully know the details of your sunroom design and purchase the needed materials. This will give you the chance to carry out the designs and style you want. Some of the sunroom designs available in the market today includes Conservatory, Cathedral, Straight, and Curved. The next thing you need to do is to identify the flooring system. To do this, you first need to determine the type of terrain and the climatic condition of the area on where you will build the sunroom.

Determining the type of weather is important as sunroom floors need utmost protection if you are residing in extreme climatic conditions. The floor also need to be set in deep soil in order to prevent the materials from rising and shrinking once there is a change in temperature. And lastly, you need to invest in a reliable heating and cooling system depending on the weather condition.

This only proves the DIY sunroom kits can help you cut your expenses. With this, you still have money needed for purchasing attractive furniture.

Andrew Caxton is an online entrepreneur and writes for many consumer magazines. Find at http://www.allsunrooms.com/furniture.html more articles on sunroom furniture

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