Parts to Repair Your Electric Kilns

Many people do not have a great deal of skill when it comes to repair work. The United States has become a "throw away" society. The meaning is simple; it is cheaper to throw a DVD player away then to have a broken one repaired. There are some special people out there, though. Some of them work in their own art and pottery studios. They know how to repair the tools necessary for their trade. These special people realize they can live an artist's lifestyle of little money because they have the ability to repair the many items in their shop or studio.

A necessary tool in a pottery studio is a kiln. There are a few unique individuals who have kilns that are heated by burning wood. Most artist depend on electric kilns. Either way a wood burning kiln or electric kiln will need to have brick. The kiln brick holds and radiates the heat of a kiln around the ceramic pieces inside. Artists who are able to identify damaged bricks should be able to replace them with little difficulty.

Replacing a controller on a kiln is a little more difficult. The kiln controllers manufactured today are high tech pieces of equipment. They are made to fit and work on a kiln so the kiln is able to reach and hold exact temperatures. These controllers are computerized devices; thus, replacing a controller needs to be done with care. The artist who replaces his or her kiln's controller should have some electronic and computer skill.

The electronic skill that is useful when replacing a controlling unit of a kiln can also be helpful when elements are replaced. The kiln elements directly power the kiln. Because these are electric pieces of the kiln, and artist who works on his or her own kiln should have some someone who has experience with electric heating elements looking over his or her work after the work is completed.

The American Art Clay Company has many experienced employees. They have been working with artists and schools for over eighty-seven years. For the artist looking to do repairs and replacing parts on his or her electric kilns AMACO is the place to contact. The kiln controllers they sell are the controllers a good artist needs. AMACO knows to offer their customers controllers that will accurately fire a kiln each time. Kiln elements must be fit into a kiln with precision. AMACO is an Indiana based corporation that is the right place to look for the do-it-yourself person who is also an artist.

Damaged Composition Roof Shingle

Styling Up Your Outdoor Patio is Tiring Yet EXCITING!

Outdoor events are taking over as the in thing everyone will be up for. You can have twice the fun outside than you do indoors. The cool ambiance will turn everybody's mood into a good one and the fact that it is closer to nature makes it a blast. You need not worry about food, as they are of course within your reach. Just lie back, enjoy the sceneries with friends and family while lying down on patio furniture and the warmth of patio heaters that will surely be relaxing.

Contrary to popular opinions, setting a patio is not that difficult at all. You can have a patio makeover with half the price. All you need is to put in essential pieces of furniture in the patio. You should also remove anything that is distracting to the eye. Setting up a focal point should be for the purpose that it can grab the attention of those who are in the patio. An outdoor market umbrella is essential as it will protect you and the guests from climate changes. As for the temperature at night that can be a bit chilly, an outdoor patio will solve your problem.

Nature's theme is a popular choice because everyone loves being in nature where there is lush greeneries, clean and unpolluted environment. Nature inspired theme will be more comfortable which is one of the reasons why people build patios in the first place. Outdoor market umbrella will provide shades from the piercing rays of the sun at the middle of the day. It can be decorated to appear like giant palm trees that offer shades for lost travelers.

Plants and flowers is an added advantage to creating an ambiance of nature. Flowers can match your preference. There are certain flowers that makes people amazed and interested, on the other hand there are also flowers that can annoy people and make them feel edgy. The plants and flowers would naturally need watering and sunlight. Place them in areas where they can be exposed to sunlight and a bit further from outdoor market umbrella. However, during rainy seasons, they can be placed under the umbrella to avoid them from drowning.

A focal point can be placed in the middle of the patio where everyone could see it when they enter the patio, or at an interesting spot that makes it shine most among the other elements in the patio. The focal point is like a main attraction that catchers everyone's attention and will be well remembered by everyone who came by as the item or structure they'll look forward to the next time they come and visit. A focal point can be a fountain, a painting, a large stone with symbolic meanings, a lush flower garden, or even a stone statue with your own portrait.

The patio covers are important. They are there to help protect your furniture from the damages caused by the weather. Outdoor market umbrella can guard your outdoor furniture from the unexpected weather change and with a portable and easy to install and uninstall, consider your problems solved. The patio heaters also serves you well when you need to lay down or sleep outside even if the air is cool.

Outdoor parties need not be extravagant and filled with too much food that's impossible to totally consume. What's important is your camaraderie with your friends and family, and the bonding moments that will be created and treasured in your outdoor patio event. It's not bad to impress your friends with your patio furniture and decorations, but it's better to amaze them by your willingness to accept them into your home, sharing all you resources just to make them feel at home and at ease.

Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using outdoor patio furniture, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His articles and work is widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.

Hiring a Contractor - Vista Handyman

The first question you need to ask yourself when remodeling a bathroom is can you actually do the work yourself or do you have someone that can help you with the remodeling. If you don't know anyone and can't do the work yourself, I would suggest hiring a contractor with experience remodeling bathrooms.

If you can do the work yourself or think you could do the work yourself, why not give it a shot. Any experience you have in construction or home remodeling, is going to be beneficial to your bathroom remodeling project. There is plenty of information on the internet or in your local libraries on bathroom remodeling and these often prove to be great resources for do it yourselfers.

As an experienced contractor I have gathered a great deal of information through books, at work and watching local home improvement shows. The biggest problem with the show's and quite a few of these books, is they don't provide enough information. Most of the time they provide you with the basics of bathroom remodeling and you could soon find yourself in trouble or seeking the advice from a home improvement professional.

The largest benefit for doing the bathroom remodeling project yourself, could be the money you save, along with the satisfaction of completing the project. It makes homeowners feel good when they've completed a large home remodeling project, like a bathroom remodel.

If you don't have the time, lack the experience or a combination of both, I would suggest hiring a contractor to relieve you from the stress and frustration of your bath remodeling project. The more complex your bathroom remodeling project is, the greater the degree of difficulty, the longer it will take to complete the project. Some of these projects can take up a lot of your time.

If you're working on galvanized water supply pipes or old cast iron waste pipes, you could find yourself hiring a plumber to install your bathtub and fixtures. These old pipes create problems for most do it yourselfers and I would suggest hiring a professional, whenever you run into a problem you don't feel comfortable with.

Choosing to tackle some of these difficult problems yourself, could lead to water leaks and more damage to the home eventually costing you even more money than the original cost of hiring an experienced plumber in the first place. When it comes to water, structural framing and electricity, think twice, especially if you're not experienced in these areas.

My advice to do it yourselfers is to hire a professional if you're not comfortable or seek the advice from a contractor or someone with considerable experience bathroom remodeling.

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.

Creating the Perfect Home Remodeling Priority List

Home remodeling is one of those projects that can be fun or a pain in the -- you know what. It is best to start your home remodeling plan with one room at a time and decide on the value of each room to prioritize where to save and where to spend. This article will look at the value of each room to help you deiced the type of home remodeling project you may consider.

The big debate on what room is the most used room in the house could go on forever. Some say it is the kitchen others say it is the living room while others say the master bedroom. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you can use some basic rules to see what the highest priority is for you.

If you have kids then you probably spend more time than you like in the kitchen cooking. If you have a smaller family maybe the kitchen is just a place where you are in and out. If you cook allot then the kitchen should get some very high consideration for your home remodeling project.

Do you like to play games and watch TV? If you find yourself or your family watching television often and you perhaps enjoy family night games then you should place the family room at the top of your list. Maybe it is time to add family room to your home remodeling ideas. Perhaps you could remodel a spare bedroom or add a new room to the house.

Do you have guest spend the night often? You may want to think about making a nice guest bathroom with all the luxuries of a five star hotel for your guest. Do not do this unless you love to have people stay awhile and come often. They are likely to really enjoy visiting you.

When planning your home remodeling ideas you will find that they become much easier with a good priority system. Once you know which rooms are the most important to you and your lifestyle then that is where the money should be spent on nicer upgrades. On rooms that are not high on the list, but still need some fixing you could use less expensive things to fix them up.

Find more helpful remodeling tips by visiting http://best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful remodeling tips, advice and resources to include Home Remodeling.

Finish The Basement to Provide More Living Space

You can add living space to your home by finishing your basement. It can actually be done rather economically. The primary structure is already there. All you have to do then is finish it.

A key factor in keeping the costs down is properly planning what the outcome will be. You want to make a list of the materials required after you have decided on the layout, and you'll want to do things sequentially to avoiding reworking something after it has already been completed.

First, our recommendation is to hire a contractor to do the work. This will ensure that things are done properly, and efficiently. Ultimately, unless you have the necessary experience yourself, then hiring the contractor can save you a great deal of money in the end. You will still be involved however even if you do hire a contractor. Please read on.

Your first priority is that you have to define the available space, and what you wish to do with it. From there, you will then define the layout. A simple drawing can give a picture of what you will end up with.

Some things that you will need to consider are:

How will you heat and cool?

Will you add in a bathroom?

If you have a bathroom, how will it be ventilated?

Where will you install the smoke alarms and CO detector?

Where will you place the receptacles?

If there is dampness in the basement, how will it be removed?

Before you actually begin construction, you will have to consider if you have any water problems in the basement. If you do, you will most certainly want to resolve those issues before you begin building.

Once the waterproofing is done, if necessary, then you will need to install the necessary drainage system if you are adding a bathroom. This is also the time to install any electrical wiring, cable TV connections, telephone wiring, etc. Also repair any damage to the concrete that may need fixing. You'll also want to run the necessary additional duct work for heating and cooling.

Next, you want to install necessary strapping for any drop ceilings you may want to install. More comprehensive guides are available if you wish to do it yourself, as this is only meant to give you an idea of the work involved. Work of this nature should always be done by a professional contractor. It can save you a lot of headaches, and the finished product will be much more enjoyable when it is completed correctly. Not to mention the amount of money that will be saved from having to buy damaged materials a second time!

There are many, many things that can be done with that extra space. Research, and then hire a professional to do the job. You'll be much happier with the end result and you will better enjoy your new space!

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

Take an Active Role In Your New Home Design

Whether you know a lot about home building or just have some ideas of how you want your new home to look and function, you are an important member of the team designing and building your home. Contributing to the layout and building plan in the design phase will ensure that you realize your dream of living in the perfect home for you and your family. Increasing numbers of new homeowners are taking this approach by actively working with their building contractor and designer.

You may already have some good ideas of what you want to manifest in your design, or you may be starting from scratch and in need of inspiration. Outlined below are some sources of ideas for you to see what is available and how it would work for you.

Visit Open Houses

This first step can be a fun way to spend an afternoon on the weekend, as well as a free source of good ideas for your project. You can check out houses in your price range, as well as those that are more expensive, just to see what an additional investment can buy. Some ideas in very high-end homes can be adapted to other price level building with little or no loss of quality. You can also see what appeals to other potential buyers who are touring the same home, and what pitfalls to avoid. This can be important in terms of preserving market value in your new home design. You may also have access to the expertise of a wide variety of realtors and agents in terms of what works for most families and what appeals to the real estate market. Don't be afraid to pick their brain!

Magazines and Stores

Think of those glossy home improvement and lifestyle magazines as compact stores for you to window shop in from the comfort of your living room. These magazines were created to give you ideas for your design and should be considered even if on the surface they seem out of reach for your lifestyle.

You can tear out and collect pages that have elements of what your are looking for in your new home, and the juxtaposition of different magazine photos can stimulate brand new ideas that have never before been seen in any magazine or in anyone else's home. Isn't this ability to be one of a kind an important reason you decided to build rather than purchase an existing home anyway?

For a "hands-on", three-dimensional feel for what different elements look like and how they work, nothing beats a visit to your local home improvement store. They have set up mock kitchens, baths, and entryways to give you a real feeling for how their products function together in a realistic setting. As they say, take what you like and leave the rest.

Rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to come up with the home of your dreams, isn't it time to get out there and participate in that once in a lifetime opportunity to create the perfect space for you and your family to live and enjoy life? With a little work and imagination, your dream home can become a reality.

Cadell Derbing's newsletters can be encountered on a large number of online sites with reference to homemade window coverings subjects. You might come across his publications on window covering idea at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com and other sources for window covering idea information.

How to Buy a Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryer

Many customers are often confused as to which kind of dryer for compressed air would work well for them. While some people prefer high-end brands, others may want to opt for more cost-effective solutions. No matter what your prerogative maybe you should consider the following aspects before purchasing any air dryer system.

Reputation of the brand

First and foremost, no matter which kind of dryer mechanism you are looking for, make sure the manufacturer enjoys a good reputation in the market. You may end up purchasing a lower end model at a cheaper rate but the downside to this is that your maintenance and repair costs may go up in the long term. Always select a brand, which is well versed with the compressed gas treatment domain. Most manufacturers of compressed air dryer mechanisms should enjoy a good level of customer service not just before the sale but also post sales as that is when it counts the most.

Feature sets

Once you have zeroed in on a particular brand, you want to explore the feature sets available in their range of air dryer mechanisms. Always opt for the latest heat transfer technology enabled systems as they deliver the best performance in the long-term. Make sure the dew point is as low as is possible and that it keeps all of the pneumatic equipment in top class condition. Look for a model, which offers maximum air drying capability. Only such a feature will help you maximize savings in terms of energy expenditures. Even if the compressed air dryer were to dry around 1000 SCFM you can expect a savings of at least 1000 USD each year, which is no small amount! Compared to a non-cyclic dryer, such models offer good cost-effectiveness. The proper cleansing of the compressed air is also crucial especially if you or any member of the family suffers from dust allergies. Always ask the retailer or the manufacturer if there are any special provisions to remove air-borne ingredients such as pollen etc. as these can trigger an asthma or respiratory attack.

Pricing

Price is almost always a major driver when considering to purchase an air drying system. However, it is also important not to go by merely price alone. You should also weigh the overall cost savings in the long term in comparison with the initial costs while purchasing the system. Most often, the more reputed the manufacturer is, the higher will be the cost of the dryer but at the same time efficiency and drying ability is much more, accounting for a large amount of electricity cost savings.

Not sure which kind of compressed air dryer you need to buy? Select from our vast array of superior, state of the art dryers manufactured by some of the best brands in the market today. In addition, our sales personnel are subject matter experts in the realm of the air dryer segment and can assist you with any query or concern you may have. So come visit us at Van Air Systems today!

Build Your Own Sauna - What You Need To Know First

It can be easier than you think to build your own sauna. With some basic carpentry skills and a little specialized understanding you can be relaxing in your own home sauna in no time at all.

There are a few important decisions to be made to be sure you end up with the sauna that best fits your situation. One consideration is how much work you want to put into the building of your sauna. There are prebuild units that are delivered to your door and literally take only a few minutes to set up. You can also get precut kits that take longer to construct but give you a more custom sauna when finished. The ultimate is to build your own sauna from scratch. Even this method is not as difficult as you might expect. The costs tend to go down considerably as you add more and more of your own elbow grease.

Another concern is the location. Should your sauna be inside or out, attached or freestanding? This may depend on whether you are in a rural or city environment. Locating near a water source is also important. If you are outside this can be a lake or pond to jump into. For indoor saunas a nearby shower can be used to rinse off. In either case before you start building think about getting water to your sauna. Along with a convenient way to rinse off it is nice to have an area to change into and out of sauna apparel. Benches for sitting on while removing clothes and hooks for hanging them are a great feature.

Deciding how you will heat your sauna is a major decision. Conventional saunas are heated with either wood, electric or gas heaters. Any of these can be used dry or wet depending on whether you sprinkle water on the heated rocks or not. Some people like it dry and some prefer wet, it comes down to personal tastes. Before deciding which kind of stove you want think about getting fuel to your heater. Wood may be difficult to acquire in the city but electric or gas hookups may be impractical in more remote areas. Costs can vary greatly depending on the brand and type of stove you get. A relatively new (compared to the 2000+ year history of saunas) type of sauna is the infrared sauna. These use infrared emitting lights to penetrate and heat your skin. It is a little like your microwave oven in that the food (you) is heated but the surrounding air is not. Infrared saunas are always dry. Because of the complexity of installing and correctly positioning the infrared wave emitters I suggest you buy a prebuilt model if you go with infrared.

There are a few special concerns that distinguish building a sauna from other conventional frame construction. Moisture is a concern. There should be a vapor barrier to keep the heat and steam from escaping. Any electrical connections need to be protected from excessive moisture. Ventilation is necessary to keep the oxygen level up and if done right it will also help to evenly distribute the heat.

All in all building a sauna is not an overwhelming task. If you can do some basic framing and simple finished woodworking you are well on your way to building your own sauna that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Mike Hirn has been a sauna enthusiast for many years and his website provides a wealth of information about building, using and enjoying home saunas.

http://www.the-home-sauna-center.com

Bird Poop On Concrete Porch

How to Give Your Bathroom a Custom Look With Knobs and Pulls

Many homes today that have been purchased brand new or have been recently built suffer from something like a case of the blahs. The home itself is, of course, beautiful, or you wouldn't have bought it, but you may also find your new surroundings a bit sterile, particularly in the bathroom.

Brand new bathrooms are often done entirely in white - white walls, white tile flooring, white tub, white shower stall, white sinks...that's a lot of white, and certainly doesn't do much to show your personality. To really start feeling at home and comfortable in your new house and bathroom, you will want to put your own personal stamp on things, you'll want to express your unique sense of style, and the good news is that all that white makes the perfect canvas to put your creativity to work on.

Many of the things you can do to dress up your bathroom fall into the do-it-yourself home remodeling category. A bath remodel does not have to involve a contractor and a plumber, particularly when you just want to decorate the room, not tear it apart and start over again. If you don't want white walls, then a coat of paint in your favorite color will go a long way towards sprucing things up. Since much of the space in your bathroom is taken up by other things - toilet, tub, sink and vanity, medicine cabinet, shower stall - you can get away with painting the walls a bright or bold color without it being overpowering.

The next thing to look at is the shower curtains and window treatments. Adding in draperies for both the windows and the shower in a fabric that you love will instantly change the whole look of the room, and when you add in other matching bathroom accessories like rugs, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, and more, your bathroom is blah no more!

The last area to focus on is bathroom lighting and cabinet hardware. A beautiful new light fixture that blends in well with everything else you've done is an addition that is both functional and decorative, and to finish things off, choose knobs and pulls that complement either the room as a whole, or match the material your lighting fixture is made of. Bathroom cabinet knobs and drawer pulls come in a huge array of different styles and finishes, and while they are necessary items that you need in order to access your bathroom cupboards, your cabinet knobs can also be highly decorative.

It is easy - and if you shop carefully, also inexpensive - to put your mark on your plain bathroom and give it a custom look that lets your personality and style shine through.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of products, like cabinet hardware, to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Installing A 32 Inch Back Door

Volatile Organic Compounds - Home Advice

What are VOC's?
VOC's are harmful to everyone, not just children - and they can be extremely damaging to the environment. So, what are these VOC's? Volatile Organic Compounds are generated from cleaning fluids, paints, building materials, furnishings, carpets and tobacco smoke. It may be hard to believe, but there are up to 300 VOC's just within our indoor atmosphere. In actual fact, the air we breathe is riddled with air bourne contaminants. Most of us spend a large percentage of time indoors, and any doctor will tell you that good air quality is vital for our health.

VOC's And Paint
Paint, unfortunately, is one of the top contributors of this kind of indoor air pollution, and it's prudent to note that some paints can actually give off fumes for up to five years after their application!

In a study in the USA, the EPA found concentrations of VOC's in indoor air to be 2-5 times greater than in outdoor air. Incredibly, during certain activities, indoor levels of VOC's may reach 1,000 times that of outdoor air! The EPA also identified VOC's as carcinogenic, and highlighted the associated health risks which include lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Similarly, an Australian study into the effects on asthmatics of exposure to a conventional water-based paint and a VOC free paint, concluded that Zero VOC paint appeared to be less likely to cause a worsening of respiratory symptoms than conventional acrylic paint, and that some asthmatics would derive a useful symptomatic benefit from using Zero VOC paint. Higher exposure to VOC's from paint (for example, among artists and professional painters) has been known to lead to permanent respiratory, nervous system, liver or kidney damage.

Of real concern are the short-lived bursts of very high exposure, such as those experienced while painting or using solvents.

Ingredients and Additives in Paint
Many paint companies now designate certain paints as being "low VOC" or "low odour" (which should NOT be confused with non-toxicity!). Although low VOC paints are certainly a lot safer than conventional paints, they still contain harmful chemicals that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, skin and lungs. And it's important to note thar "Low Odour" is not the same as "Low VOC" because fumes from VOC can be masked by other chemicals! Even ZERO VOC might not necessarily be non-toxic due to other toxic ingredients being present such as Ammonia, Phthalates, Heavy Metals, Toluene and Glcol Esters! Ammonia can cause respiratory problems and eye irritation. Toluene is a common solvent in paints and it can damage the heart, kidneys & nervous system when inhaled. It's also known as Methyl Benzene. Phthalates are toxic to the eyes and skin, heavy metals like Cobalt and Cadmium can damage the kidneys an liver, as can Glycol Esters.

When you consider that many paints contain binders, pigments, fillers, extenders, thickeners and additives, it becomes clear just how many potentially damaging elements can be in your paint.

Product Recall
There have been many recent product recalls as a result of high levels of lead and chemical compounds.

VOC Labelling System
Although the impact of interior paints on atmospheric pollution is relatively small, most manufacturers are now of the mind that the amount of VOC's should be reduced and consumers given the choice of using lower VOC containing products. B&Q notably introduced a labelling system in 1996, which shows the VOC content of each paint product. Minimal -(Zero - 0.29%). Low (0.30 - 7.99%), Medium (8-24.99%), High (25-50%) and Very High (More than 50%). Between 1996 and 2005 the average VOC of paint sold in B&Q has reduced from 191g/l to 97g/l.

Zero VOC, Non-Toxic, Non-Solvent paints are often more expensive than conventional paint, but using products in your home that are safe for your children and kind to the environment is worth the additional cost.

A Breakthrough In Glow In The Dark Technology
Until recently, there was no such thing as a Zero VOC Glow In The Dark Paints. However, July 2008 saw the successful release of a ground-breaking new Glow in the Dark paint. The paint is a world-first in terms of safety and following rigorous testing has been deemed 100% safe for use by both adults and children alike. Taking more than a year to develop the new generation of glow in the dark paints are seen as a major step forward in paint technology.

The launch came just days after the department store Harrods were forced to recall hundreds of souvenir teddy bears after tests found potentially harmful levels of formaldehyde, just one of an increasing number of chemicals and lead compounds being found in products causing them to be removed from the market.

The new generation glow paints are zero VOC's and has been developed by a leading scientist whose life's work has focused on Glow in the Dark technology. Now for the first time ever a glow in the dark paint is available that is totally safe and free of any formaldehyde. Important to note is that the new paint is fully compliant to EU toy safety regulations EN71 part 3. The paint is also beneficial to asthmatics and sufferers of allergies.

Superstarz Glow In The Dark paint comes in four colours: blue, violet, green and aqua. The paint is primarily used to transform a children's bedroom ceiling to a truly amazing out-of-this-world cosmic night sky scene. The paint is charged by daylight, UV and artificial light and appears invisible with a milky white appearance in the daytime. At night time however the paints glows for up to 12 hours. Ceilings painted with Superstarz paint have been proven to help children sleep. A 60ml pot of Superstarz costs just 15.99 (including postage and packing). The company have also produced a complete DIY kit, Starz 'Cosmos in a Can'. The kit enables anyone to create their own cosmic ceiling at a fraction of the cost of having a professionally created cosmic ceiling, and includes step-by-step instructions as well as all the materials you need to create incredible effects such as 'The Black Hole', 'The Milky Way', 'Shooting Stars' and 'Constellations' in a galaxy of glittering colour. Perfect for children or a romantic gift for a loved one the kit is available at just 49.99 (including postage and packing).

For further information on this exciting breakthrough in paint technology visit the Starz Ceilings website at http://www.starzceilings.co.uk

Poor Window Fill In Repairs

Home Renovation - Make Your New Renovation Match Your Old House

A large percentage of people who renovate their homes do so to update, add value or prepare their home for sale. All too often though, home owners plan a renovation with no thought of making the new work blend with their older home.

This can result in the new work looking like an ugly wart stuck onto the original home. This often even effects the resale value of the home.

This is because when people shop for an older home they are looking because they like the style and look of the older homes and bad renovations will turn them away.

This means that you should consider the era your home was built in to make sure that renovations and upgrades flow naturally together in your older home. This is most noticeable on new exterior walls of additions, windows, doors and door hardware, light fixtures and things like heating vents, trim and flooring.

That doesn't mean that you need to forgo any new conveniences or not make improvements to increase energy efficiency or convenience. It just means that you need to carefully consider the style of your home before you act.

Look around neighborhoods that are the same age as your home to get ideas about how other people have successfully blended upgrades in their homes.

When you choose a contractor make sure that he has done renovation work with your age of home and understands your goals. Fortunately there are several companies that offer period style hardware designs in new materials.

A good project should make it hard to recognize where the older house ends and the new work begins.

Bob Current writes about a variety of subjects including tips on home renovation. Get his free report about tips for Choosing The Best Contractor for your renovation at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info

Door Framing Between Garage And

Planning Your Bathroom Remodel Budget - Home Improvement Ideas

As a bathroom remodeling contractor, I get calls from people, that have no idea what they want or how much anything is going to cost. Here's some simple tips that can be very helpful when planning a bathroom remodel budget.

Bathroom Remodeling Investment

In 2008, the average mid-range bathroom cost around $16,000 and you could recoup around $12,000 of your original investment upon the sale of your home. According to a popular remodeling magazine, larger bathrooms using expensive fixtures, tile, bathtubs, woodworking, toilets and showers had an average of $52,000. Upon the sale of a home, you could recoup around $36,000 of your original investment.

Finding out How Much Things Cost

My first suggestion, would be to visit your local home improvement center, lumber yard or plumbing supply warehouse. Larger stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, seemed to provide you with value pricing but don't have a large selection. While doing some research on the Internet I noticed that some of their pricing is outrageously, outrageous. Some plumbing supply warehouses can provide value but beware others won't.

Create a List of Bathroom Remodeling Parts

You can get a good idea of your bathroom remodel costs for your budget by making a list of bathroom parts with pricing and then adding them up for a grand total. If you're a total bathroom remodel budget is $15,000 and you have a $6,000 bathtub with $4000 worth of tile, you could have a budget problem.

Figuring out the Labor

You will have to contact a contractor to get an actual cost for the labor. Sometimes you can double the cost of your bathroom remodeling parts to get a rough idea. If you have a list or a couple of lists and a few pictures of some sample bathrooms, this will make the contractor's job easier and often they can give you a labor price within a few days.

Give Yourself a Cushion

I would suggest leaving yourself a small financial cushion for any additional remodeling items. For example, you could see a different toilet, or instead of painting the walls, you now choose to wallpaper, you could incur additional expenses that you haven't planned for. If you know exactly what you want and stick to the original bathroom remodeling plan, you shouldn't need the cushion.

Financial problems often transfer into construction problems, so spend some time figuring out, how much money you want to spend on the bathroom remodel and try not to go overboard on the budget. I hate to see homeowners struggling with home improvement loan payments. Try to create a bathroom remodeling budget that is realistic and will not create a financial burden upon you or your family.

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 bathroom remodeling or home building ideas.

Change Can Lead To Suffering

Xbox E74 - What Causes it and Can I Repair the Problem?

Xbox e74 problems are highly frustrating for gamers all around the world who have had to put up with faulty Xbox 360 consoles that just act like big, white paperweights. However, you don't have to put up with this any longer- today you are going to learn what causes these errors, as well as the steps you need to follow to fix them.

The cause of Xbox e74 problems is actually overheating, believe it or not. What is harder to understand is why does this problem occur in the first place with such a modern, well-built piece of gaming equipment? This is simple, that heat is easily able to build up rather rapidly inside the case, due in part to a lack of sufficient cooling devices such as fans and heat sinks. This heat then disrupts your components such as the graphics processor, hard drive or DVD drive, and causes them to malfunction eventually. Your console is then forced to display the e74 code as a warning that something quite major has gone wrong with your console.

This may also be accompanied by three red flashing lights in the "power ring" of your console. These ominous looking lights are where the term "the red ring of death" comes from.

Due to the potential expensive of having a third-party repair your Xbox 360, the best Xbox e74 repair method is to fix the problem yourself.

This might sound absolutely crazy, but it really doesn't any where near as much work as you might think. It really isn't that hard to fix your Xbox 360 console yourself- thousands of other gamers worldwide have done it, so there's no reason why you can't. All you will need are basic tools such as a screwdriver, as well as an Xbox 360 repair guide.

Xbox 360 repair guides are basically collections of video files that show you how to fix the Xbox e74 error problem safely and reliably. You really do need one if you want to fix your Xbox 360 without risking damage to it or yourself. When purchasing one, to ensure you get the best deal you should look for free customer support, a money-back guarantee, free updates, step-by-step video and a price of less than $40.

Click on the link to learn what the best Xbox360 fix and repair guide is for fixing the red ring of death. Get free customer support, high quality videos, a money back guarantee, an amazing price and more. Fix e74 errors permanently and easily in under 2 hours.

Corner Ceiling Water Damage

Child Custody Laws For Grandparents - Society's Safety Net

Child custody laws for grandparents are an important safety net in today's complex society. It wasn't that long ago, one hundred to two hundred years, over the millions of years of evolution, that families lived and died within a fifty-mile radius of where they were born. The only means of transportation for much of human history was walking.

When humans could only walk there was a much tighter extended family unit. Today, a car or jet can spread a family far and wide in a matter of hours. With physical separation of families comes emotional separation as well. Because of the transient nature of our residence, the extended family unit suffers as a consequence: Divorce is at an all time high.

One of the most important human relationships that are at risk is the grandparent grandchild relationship. Courts have realized that child custody laws for grandparents are an important stabilizing factor for this very reason. When grandkids can have visitation with their loving grandparents they have a better perspective on where they came from and where they are going.

Grandparents usually love their grandkids deeply. It is a different type of love than the love they have for their own children. Since they are usually removed from the task of having to raise the grandchildren they get to have "the most fun" with the grandkids. The term "spoiling them rotten" is used a lot. As grandparents age their grandchildren often become their greatest joys in life. They see the life cycle continue, one which they started.

To learn more about the history of child custody issues from a grandparent's perspective visit Child Custody Laws for Grandparents or GrandparentsCustodyRights.com

Repair Kits For Transmissions Versus Remanufactured Transmission Specialists

Many at-home mechanics consider purchasing a transmissions repair kit instead of visiting a remanufactured transmission specialist. While this may initially sound like a good idea, at-home mechanics should consider the aspects of the repair before starting to prevent making the job twice as expensive. This article takes a look at the benefits of seeking the services of a remanufactured transmission specialist over using a do-it-yourself kit.

Remanufactured Transmission Specialists

A remanufactured transmission specialist employs individuals with years of experience and knowledge in working with these drive parts. He or she knows exactly how to examine and work with these parts to identify problems and make the proper repairs. Any good expert will customize their work to meet the demands of particular transmissions and their problems. Some experts focus solely on a particular part or brand, making them even more adept at their job. This experience is unparalleled by any other method.

The success of a kit depends on the quality of the parts in conjunction with the experience and knowledge of the mechanic. At-home mechanics rarely have the expertise and knowledge of a specialist who works directly in this industry. In a shop setting, the mechanic also has the opportunity to converse with other experts.

Technology And Techniques Needed For Transmissions

A good specialized repair shop will have the latest in technology and information to repair transmissions of a certain shape, size, and kind. This ensures you get the most accurate repair possible. In many instances, the remanufactured transmission can be as good, if not better, than the original manufacture. These shops maintain and adjust their equipment on a regular basis to ensure they work as accurately as possible.

At-home mechanics who don't work on these drive parts on a regular basis simply can't afford all of the job specific tools, testers, and machines needed to complete the job with the same ease and accuracy. It is extremely difficult to achieve results of the same caliber. Even detecting the damage becomes difficult without the proper equipment -- the slightest bend or missing sliver of material can make a significant difference on the performance of the drive part.

Financial Benefits

Whether you need a remanufactured Allison transmission, Caterpillar, or John Deere transmissions, shops specializing in the repair of these parts guarantee their work in addition to subjecting the parts to thorough testing before they ever release them. This assurance doesn't come with a do-it-yourself kit.

Companies that sell do-it-yourself repair kits can only guarantee the quality of the parts -- not the labor or anything that sustains damage during the installation. Kits do not guarantee you will end up with a working vehicle.

A shop that specializes in these types of jobs will provide far better results than any do-it-yourself kit. These professionals perform their work with the utmost care and they provide a guarantee. When needing to repair or replace your next transmission, consult a transmission specialist so you get the results you require.

Christine O'Kelly is an author for the Allison transmissions specialists at Dealers Transmission Exchange. They have specialized in the remanufactured Allison transmission along with various other types and brands for more than 30 years.

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Shingle Repair - The Early Bird Trick

If you have a shingle repair to make, this little trick will make it a lot easier.

You have probably heard the saying: "the early bird gets the worm". But you may not know that being an "early bird" will make a shingle repair much easier. Let me explain...

Asphalt shingles have a temperature-sensitive tar strip that seals them together. It helps to keep them from blowing off in high winds.

In the afternoon, when they are warm or hot, the tar strip is stuck fast. That makes them nearly impossible to get apart without tearing. But first thing in the morning, when the roof is still cool, the tar strip is somewhat brittle. At that time, you can separate them with a flat pry bar, or paint scraper.

If you ever have to do a shingle repair on a hot afternoon, you can throw a towel soaked with ice water over the area for a few minutes. That usually lowers the temperature of the roofing enough to do the trick.

Once they are popped loose, it's a simple matter of pulling out the roofing nails. Keep in mind that you also need to remove the nails from the course directly above the shingles you want to remove.

When finishing the repair, be aware that the tar strip may not reseal effectively. That's not a big deal though, just spread some flashing cement over the old tar strip. That can be done with either a trowel or with a caulking gun. It's also a good idea to seal the old nail holes.

There is one caveat about doing a shingle repair first thing in the morning: The roof may still be wet and slippery from dew or an overnight rain, so be careful up there!

For more shingle repair information, check out a new roofing guide called "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. Chapter Four explains how to fix almost any roof leak for under $20. For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Broken Fire Hydrant Home Damage

Homemade Wind Power Generators 101

A homemade wind power generator is able to capture and convert wind into energy that can be used to fuel one's home or place of business. When people think of such a device, they usually think of a mill or turbine, which takes wind energy and converts it into electricity. As the prices of oil continue to rise and become unaffordable, alternative energies are beginning to garner a lot of attention and with good reason. Because the United States does not have a lot of oil on our soil, we are at the mercy of other countries and we are not able to control oil prices or supply.

Therefore by researching, developing and adopting alternative energies we are able to take some of our power back even if it is home by home. Individuals using homemade wind power generators will be able to save money on electricity and also are better able to do their part in taking care of the environment.

Today, a homemade wind power generator can be made for around $200 and thus, are very affordable. They are also a pretty easy to create as long as the individual has a good guide that provides clear instructions on how to create such a system. There are many places online that sell related books, many which are digitally downloadable, that can give you a very good and thorough plan so that you are able to create one on your own. All components can be purchased at cheap prices or sourced for free.

More and more people are looking to take advantage of free energy. One way to do that is to utilize the earth's most natural resource - wind to power one's home, farm or even business. Individuals that are interested in this may want to seriously consider building such a power system. Again, these can be built very affordably and easily nowadays. You can find all of the information that you need online to get started quickly and smoothly. Take a look at the recommended report below that will help you create your own wind power generator.

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

Warning - Homeostasis is Not a Permanent Condition!

You have worked on your health diligently: asking questions, reading, learning about your particular health issue, taking hands full of herbs, vitamins, and homeopathics, exercising, carrying your good water wherever you go.

To no avail; the vibrant health for which you've been searching continues to evade you. Although you see definite improvement, something is missing; your health issues show little sign of budging. And you wonder if even with the lifestyle changes you've made, you may still need to be concerned about the statistics that show that apparently even healthy people can be faced with life-threatening diseases. Everyday examples are easy to find: the strong and healthy beekeeper who died of liver failure (a buildup of years of poisonous bee stings); the 70 year-old pastor who was never ill, claimed by cancer in a matter of months (toxic residue from the termite "tenting" of his home 30 years before). In both of these cases accumulation of natural poisons or synthetic toxins were held at bay by strong constitution. Alas, critical mass at last triggered the surfacing of long ago health challenges hidden at "core".

We know that the human body was created with an amazing set of checks and balances with their prime duty "homeostasis", always trying to bring the body back to normal function. Sometimes it fails despite all our years of doing everything "right". For the clueless ones it's "too little, too late". An arsenal of the most potent drugs and procedures may temporarily prolong the length of a life but never the quality. For others, going natural makes more sense.

Treating "Symptoms" vs. Finding "Root Cause"

I had to make that choice myself at age 50 when a hysterectomy was recommended for hemorrhaging and huge tumors on the uterus. I chose to go natural and six months later had, I thought, licked both conditions. Twenty-two years ago I hadn't thought about root cause - why the tumors and bleeding? Intuited scanning brought to light the fact that I'd spent thirteen of the first eighteen years of my life downwind from a plastics factory in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. And although at fifty I'd cleared the symptoms by neutralizing those toxins, the of these toxins stored in my energy had never been address, mainly because we didn't understand the importance of cleansing into the energy field. The ten-part Repair Loop, often thought of as the "immune system", puts a ceiling on the level of health the human system can reach and an actual limit on the homeostatic process. Clearing root cause is necessary if radical wellness, a new way to think of homeostasis, is to be reached.

Richard at 76 had been told he needed immediate kidney dialysis. We were able to intuit the root cause as Repair Loop damage at about age nineteen. He had a strong constitution and chose to do a four-week vibrational cleanse using subtle energy medicine. Four weeks later his doctor was surprised to see his creatin level was down and gave him an appointment for two months later to re-check, no mention of dialysis. However, because he was still using his very acidic medications he started to experience acid build up with a negative effect on his homeostasis. Richard's daughter told us recently that her father was using an energy formula to daily clear the toxic residue of those meds until he could be weaned off the new harmful meds by his doctor.

John no longer needs the insulin shots he's been giving himself for four years. His Repair Loop was damaged years before by man-made toxins by inhalation affecting his pancreas. Once again energy medicine was able to get at the "root cause" and in just four weeks. John, who was one of the lucky 90% of the population with a strong constitution, had a fast turn around.

Keeping Tabs on Your Homeostasis

Is homeostasis a permanent condition? Unfortunately not. The same factors that damage the Repair Loop are part and parcel of our daily lives: from the body trauma of surgery and dental procedures, sports injuries and accidents to the subtleties of emotional trauma. Synthetic toxins including medications and the chaotic electric of a technological environment also take a frightening toll on the function of the human body.

The rub is the fact that the human system was designed to "read" and respond to the natural poisoning of, for instance, the bite of a rattlesnake or spider, yet fails to read (understand) toxins of synthetic plastics inhaled over the years. Unable to deal with the unknown, these toxins are stored in organs and systems to cause havoc at a later time.

Energy medicine has made significant headway in the detoxification of both man-made toxins and "chaotic" electric. It now has the capability of neutralizing the extreme negative frequencies that herbs and homeopathics have failed to reach. In a modern world these are the issues we face that can prevent even an intact Repair Loop from its role in bringing the body back to normal function.

Once homeostasis is gained it must be protected through constant vigilance. Being aware of your environment, monitoring what goes in your body and listening when your body "talks" to you are an absolute necessity! and on a daily bases.

Of prime importance is keeping the cells on a daily detox schedule with a comprehensive cellular cleanse that deals with Repair Loop concerns. Purified systems react to toxic input with astonishing rapidity; the two situations that can quickly re-toxify the cells and often with disastrous consequences are 1.overdosing on medications after cleansing when organs and systems are just beginning to function normally and 2.dealing with new health issues by returning to the use of harsh and toxic medications (ie. antibiotics) when safer and more natural means are readily available.

Life comes at us in subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, ways. And even though we may have a strong constitution with corresponding good health, there will be times that the body may seem to fail us, forcing us to succumb to disease care, put into place in the absence of real answers.

Looking beyond symptoms, the health care field continues to search for "root cause" - levels of man-made toxins and electric, with which we've never before had to deal. And let's not forget toxic emotions. There are answers, ways of dealing with ill health that are faster, easier and far less traumatic than western medicine ever believed possible. The answers for maintaining homeostasis are here; the hardest part for us is discovering the "root cause" of a health issue rather than settling for a quick fix by treating symptoms.

And now that we know that when health is compromised in any way, the energy body surrounding us leaches its abberant energies into the material body, we have an added challenge. Fortunately energy medicine is one of the few modalities, allopathic or natural that can deal with not just the physical body but with the subtleties of the Energy Field so homeostasis can always be restored.

Carol Keppler, B.S., Ed., has spent the last 30 years developing her proprietary systems and products. An Energy Intuitive, she reads the energy output of the cells of the organs/systems of the body through intuition confirmed by kinesiology/muscle testing. Her accuracy rate is 97% or better - one of the highest on the planet. Carol's clientele spans the globe. Her QuickScan method provides the solution for distance which is not a factor when working with intuition. Her trademarked SixStep System, AltWaters Technology, Body Chart System, QuickScan; and Energy Medicine Foundation have established her as a true pioneer in the energy medicine field. Please visit her websites http://www.altwaters.com and http://energymedicinefoundation.org You may email for more information also at info@altwaters.com

(602) 996-9753

How to Revamp Your Home

10 tips on improving not moving.

1. Seek advice on the value of your property, and specific works to increase your house price. Some projects definitely add value, while others can have the opposite effect.

2. Plan carefully. Make an accurate floor plan then search out the best style and the most competitively priced furniture for your home

3. Make the most of every inch of space. Gardens are often overlooked. For example, there may be room in your garden for a home office or study, freeing up a room in the house.

4. If you take the plunge and decide to get builders in, make sure you have a timetable drawn up. In this way you will know when all work is scheduled to take place and when everything will be completed. This will aid your stress levels considerably.

5. Get accurate quotes. Use the Internet to do your own pricing up so you don't get ripped off by trades people.

6. Make sure any trades people you do use have full insurance. Check with the relevant trade associations.

7. Improve exteriors. Start with a good wash down with a detergent solution, rinse off and allow to dry. Then follow up with a fresh link of paint.

8. Paint effectively. Begin with the ceiling, then do the walls and finish with the wood and metalwork.

9. Give your kitchen or bathroom an instant makeover just by replacing the cupboard handles.

10. Finishing touches. Rather than making huge structural changes, think about other elements that make up a room, from kitchen fittings to artwork. Use interior design magazines to inspire and guide you.

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Deck Stair Building Video

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

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

Stair Building Tips

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Kitchen Remodeling and Renovation - Popular Designs and Approaches

The kitchen is one of the most important room in the home. As the homeowner, you are likely to spend a large amount of time in it, preparing meals for yourself and your family. Perhaps that is why homeowners tend to spend a larger amount of time when it comes to kitchen modeling and renovation.

In the market today, there are a wide variety of designs to choose from. Most homeowners simple choose a thematic design. For example, you can choose to have a contemporary design, an Italian design, or a traditional design. The design that you choose depends on your existing interior design, as well as your own personal tastes and preferences. If you are special tastes, you may wish to consider having a custom design.

So where do you start, and how do you choose from the wide range of designs?

The most popular choice in today's market is the contemporary design. Within this category, there are several choices to choose from. But they share similar characteristics. For instance, contemporary designs are mostly simple and elegant looking. There is not much bells and whistles, and kitchens with such designs tend to look modern, practical and functional.

Some homeowners believe that contemporary come in largely similar designs. Therefore, the appearances of the kitchens are more or less the same. However, you may be surprised to find that contemporary designs can look very different. A skillful play with lights and colors can make all the difference in the world. It all comes down to the skills and creativity of the contractor that you hire.

Recommended approach to adopt when hiring contractors.

Besides designs, you also have to face the challenge of hiring the right contractor to complete the project for you. So what is the best approach to adopt?

Some homeowners like to request for quotations straight away. That is jumping the gun. Try not to request for quotations first. Always do some background checks on the contractors that you are hiring.

For example, ask for previous samples of projects that have been completed. Ask questions about one or two projects - i.e. how the designing process flows, and how much time it takes to complete the project, etc. From the responses, you will be able to make a quick assessment.

You can always ask for references from people you know. Those with a good reputation in the marketplace are more likely to provide quality services. In addition, keep a look out for award winning contractors. Prestigious awards usually means that a contractor has been recognized for excellent work.

Finally, never base your decisions on price alone. Many homeowners run into problems with their contractors later on because they choose the cheapest quote.

A kitchen remodeling project may appear simple, but it's actually not. There are a few components involved - kitchen cabinets, accessories, designs, lighting, and equipment. If you hire the wrong contractor, you may end up with unsatisfactory results. So make sure you spend more time on your due diligence.

Contact us on our website if you are looking for nyc kitchen remodeling or nyc kitchen renovation.

Mosaic Tile Fireplace - Read Before You Install!

Mosaic Tile Fireplace gained immense popularity in recent years by home-makers. If you look for a quick way to redecorate any surface at home, you should try these natural stone panels. Want to learn how it can help you redecorate your home? Read the following article.

Some background

Mosaic Tile Fireplace is about collecting identical natural stones that are attached onto a 12" mesh backing, thus providing that seamless desired tile. Whatever the reason is, one thing is obvious - most of these natural panels are originated from the same part of the world, and indeed most of them are originated from S.E. Asian islands. Decoration ideas provided by this easy tiling technique are countless: Flooring (including patios), bathrooms, backsplashes, kitchen walls, and much more.

Main advantages

When we examine the advantages and benefits provided by this tiling technique, we find the following:

* Easily installed over existing surfaces such as old ceramics or plain concrete.

* It can easily be adjusted to very small / narrow surfaces where other fixed size tiles such as conventional ceramic tiles can't.

* Provide unique atmosphere and contemporary look and feel to any room setting.

Important advices!

* Avoid using any ready-made grout on wet areas like showers floor or showers backsplashes - use any other standard dry powder based cement.

* Measure the designated area first, and then add 5%-7% more to your order just as a backup for future use and in case you may need to repair or cut small tile pieces in order to tile small /narrow spaces.

* Don't rush! - make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.

Summarizing this article

Mosaic Tile Fireplace installation is very simple as you simply lay the panels next to each other and they inter-lock, creating a totally seamless, hand-crafted mosaics appearance. We could easily find many other great benefits provided by this quick redecoration option, simply because most people find it extremely easy to install and maintain. It is recommended to keep the above advices before installation.

Get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home with Mosaic Tile Fireplace.

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