Checking Your Building Foundation

The most important thing when building a home is the ability to keep everything as square, plumb and level as possible. Starting with the foundation, if the foundation is not square or level, the rest of the house is going to be out of alignment.

You've probably heard the saying, start with a good foundation. This applies to the building industry as well. There are quite a few ways to build a square foundation, it all depends on what kind of tools you have, to build it with.

Some of these tools can be quite expensive but it used every day can save you a lot of time and of course time is money.

You don't need expensive tools to build a square foundation. You could actually build a square foundation with less than $100 worth of tools. It might take you a little longer but could be done.

Let's start with the 3 - 4 - 5 rule.

Okay lets see if I can explain this in layman's terms. If no West side of the foundation is 3 foot and the north side of the foundation is for foot, then the diagonal measurement from the southwest corner to the northeast corner would be 5 foot. Out of square building can create foundation problems

This can also be done using 30' x 40' should equal 50 foot. You can use this if the building is large and you need to check it for square.

By measuring the foundation diagonally from each corner, the measurement should be exactly the same. If it isn't, the building is out of square and should be adjusted before the concrete is poured. This measurement should always be checked before you get too far along in the form 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 has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your having problems in your attic, find out more at concrete contractor basics and home building ideas.

Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation

When building a home, insulation is one of the major aspects that can cut future heating and cooling costs. Fiberglass insulation has been the primary choice, but not anymore.

Alternatives to Fiberglass Insulation

People have become much more sensitive to environmental and energy savings issues when building homes. Whereas such subjects were rarely discussed 20 years ago, they are now on the front burner for many of us. This transition has been so extensive that homebuilders now incorporate both issues in their projects and use their solutions as selling points. If these subjects have become part of the marketing, you know the transition to more environmental and energy consciousness has come full circle.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the newspapers you haul out to curb with the other recycling every week? Since I am mentioning it in this article, it is probably obvious the newspapers are being turned into insulation products. This relatively new insulation product is quickly overtaking fiberglass insulation in new home building projects, remodels and additions. Known as fiber insulation, it is more environmentally friendly than fiberglass, less expensive and just as good at sealing homes.

Fiber insulation is typically made up of recycled newspapers. Yes, those newspapers you haul out to the curb each week with the trash. Small amounts of ground up cardboard can also be included in some products. The material is shredded and then treated with acrylic binders to make the material hold together. To prevent fires, it is treated with various forms of fire retardant materials.

Fiber insulation almost always comes in a loose fill form. The loose fill is typically blown into cavities requiring insulation instead of being stapled up as seen with traditional fiberglass rolls. The material usually goes in dry, but there are wet versions that are sprayed on much like more traditional spray on insulation products.

As you may know, recycling newspaper is something everyone does these days. Just take a look down the street on garbage day. Recycle boxes of newspapers are on every driveway. This massive recycling produces tons of shredded newspaper material. Frankly, it cant be turned into usable materials fast enough. This inventory problem means the material is extremely cheap. As a result, fiber insulation can cost up to 25 percent cheaper than fiberglass insulation.

Whether you are building new, doing an improvement or just adding on, fiber insulation represents a good deal on all fronts. Just tell them you want the stuff made out of recycled newspapers.

Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on solar power and renewable energy.

Ceiling Water Damage

"Windows, Insulation and Doors, Oh My!" - Materials and Practices in High Performance Homes

In my last article I defined High Performance Homes; A High Performance Homes is one that uses sustainable materials, is energy efficient, and uses value added green building practices that causes it to be friendlier to the environment. In the next few articles we will look at some of the materials and practices used to produce the High Performance Home.

The single biggest heat sink or energy robber in a home is the windows. There are several things to consider here. First and foremost is the total square footage of windows. Ive never had someone come to me and say Ronnie build me a home thats dark and doesnt have many windows. Always it goes like this,I want a home that is light and airy. Then of course the buyer covers all of the windows with blinds, shades, shutters, drapes, curtains, or heaven forbid foil and seldom opens them due to excessive heat, cold or allergens in the air.

What should you do when designing or selecting a new home? Be realistic. The more windows, the bigger the windows, the bigger the utility bills. If you can, keep your windows down to 15% or so of the exterior wall square footage. Strategically place them to maximize views and limit the direct exposure to the sun. Keep the windows from facing the East or West this will help tremendously. If the windows can be located under a porch or patio so that it has a large overhang protecting them they will perform much better. Also, a larger Cornish overhang will help protect windows as well as shade the exterior walls.

There is an organization that evaluates windows and scores them as to how you can expect them to perform; giving the consumer a chance to be sure they are getting the best product for their money. It is The National Fenestration Rating Council. They subject windows to testing and prescribe how they must be built to obtain a certain score. The scoring speaks to the ability of the windows to block the transmission of heat and ultraviolet rays.

Look for windows that have a low U-Factor score. This score indicates the windows ability to block heat. A lower score is better. Many builders are using good windows with scores in the .50 range. I like those that are .35 or lower. The next score to look at is Solar Heat Gain. Again many windows are being installed with a score around .50. We install those with a score of .32 or lower. Lower is better here as well. Then, the window coverings mentioned before will add additional protection from heat and ultraviolet penetration.

Let me briefly mention doors. Most doors today are made of steel, fiberglass, wood or glass. Nothing insulates like insulation. Hollow doors like steel or fiberglass can be filled with insulation. Wood is not a particularly good insulator and glass is worse. Generally I prefer steel with fiberglass a close second. These doors dont rot or warp and provide the most security and energy efficiency.

Try to avoid sliding glass doors, after all, what are they but large windows and therefore a big heat sink. And double French doors are hard to keep from leaking heat in or out of your home. If you need that look think of placing a window close to a door or 2 separately cased doors close to each other.

In my next article we will continue to explore best building materials and practices and talk specifically about insulation.

Copyright 2007

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder
For more information about this article and other energy saving tips, visit our website http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

Structural Framing Beams

Kitchen & Bath Remodel on a Tight Budget

If you're thinking of selling your house and it has older and outdated kitchen and bathrooms you're probably thinking thousands of dollars to remodel and upgrade.

There is a low cost alternative to replacing bathtubs, showers, counters, etc. by simply having them professionally refinished. We sold our house in 2007. It was built in the 70s I believe and each of the three bathrooms had different colored fixtures and tile. One was yellow, one was avocado, and the other was a funky brown and gold.

After some investigation I found a company called Miracle Method of Knoxville who refinishes tiles, tubs, etc., in place with very high grade paint and totally changes the look to a clean, modern finish.The entire process, depending on how much you do, takes anywhere from 1 to 3 days. If you're worried about durability they guarantee the finish for 5 years against peeling and flaking.

They have a showroom in the Middlebrook Pike area near Wright's Cafeteria so you can go by and see their work firsthand.

In each bathroom they repainted the bathtub and all the tile along the walls. I installed new vanities, mirrors, light fixtures, and a new, comfort height commode along with new vinyl flooring. My total cost per bathroom was under $2,000 and the difference was enormous.

BTW, our house sold at full price in a week. The buyers were totally blown away by the bathrooms and kitchen in a 35 year old house. So if you're thinking of selling your older house please give lots of thought to how your bathrooms and kitchen will appear to prospective buyers.

Jim Lee, REALTOR, Certified Residential Specialist

Mold Behind Bathroom Wall

Booking Phuket Hotels For a Vacation

Phuket is consistently one of the most visited parts of Thailand. Some people go to Phuket because of its fantastic beaches, while others enjoy the lively nightlife scene. Whether you are looking for a quiet, romantic getaway or something with a bit more bite, Phuket is a worthy destination. As a result of Phuket's popularity, you have a diverse range of Phuket hotels and resorts to choose from.

There is a Phuket hotel for everyone. The first thing you will need to think about is your budget. Are you looking to splash out on a luxurious pad for a week or will you be backpacking on a shoestring budget? Phuket is a large island and all budgets are catered to, from 500-baht guesthouses to $5,000 luxury villas.

Once you a fair idea of your budget, it's time to choose the location of your Phuket hotel. The location you choose will go a long way to determining what impression of Phuket you leave the island with. It all comes down to preference. Some parts of the island are geared towards partying, while others are geared towards lazing around in peace.

If you're traveling with friends or you want to sample the bars and clubs of the island, the best place to book your Phuket hotel is in Patong. Patong is a simple beach destination that has been developed into a kind of tourist Mecca. It's the most popular place for travelers to stay in Phuket.

In Patong, there are rows of market stalls, lines of beer bars and a large number of clubs and discos. The beach in Patong is reasonable, although nothing to write home about. Families and some other travelers may find Phuket a little much to deal with as there are throngs of travelers all over the place, even during low season.

Phuket Town is a popular spot for backpackers looking for Phuket hotels. There are some cheap places to stay dotted around the area, while close by there are some chilled-out bars and a few points of cultural interest.

The most scenic places to book Phuket hotels are in areas such as Mai Khao or Nai Yang, where you won't be confronted with a barrage of tourists from one day to the next. The hotels and resorts in these areas are pricey, but they are worth a little splurge now and then.

There are a variety of online booking agents ready to help you book the right Phuket hotel to meet your requirements. Do a bit of research and compare the prices, and don't forget to read those customer reviews before you book.

Find out more about Phuket hotels and Phuket holidays at these links.

Shaky Garage Door Track

Better Deals on Bathrooms

Refurbishing a bathroom can be an expensive business. Although it may well add value to your home, this doesn't mean that you can't look to make savings when buying new products and accessories.

The way in which we approach changes to this room of the house can vary. For some of us, a simple lick of paint is as much of a transformation as we'd like to make.

For others, there's an urge to replace the bath or maybe the entire bathroom. Online specialist stores have appeared in order to deal with all of these requirements.

Whether you're looking for a new shower, or maybe for an entire new bathroom suite, there are plenty of options available to you. One point of interest is that online bathroom stores often seem to be able to offer much lower prices than traditional retailers.

Why should this be the case? For the answer to this question, we need to look at the fundamental differences in the way that internet stores work when compared to bricks and mortar alternatives.

The most obvious difference is that traditional stores will have a physical shop in place that you can go and visit. For internet retailer, their website is their shop front.

So what difference does this make to all of us as customers? The thought of visiting an actual shop can be more appealing, meaning that we can take a good look at products before we buy. We may also be able to get some advice from the sales assistants.

On the other hand, it's often much more comfortable to shop from our own homes. We also need to be aware that a physical store comes at a price.

Renting shop space and paying staff salaries obviously costs money, meaning that traditional stores are likely to have higher overheads. If those higher costs are passed on to customers then it means that we'll be faced with higher bills.

That's why many of the best deals on bathroom suites and accessories are to be found online.

Read more about True Shopping discounts online, as discussed by Keith Barrett. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

Upside Down Electrical Outlet

Budget Your Total Bathroom Remodel

Like any responsible homeowner or renter, you plan to budget for your upcoming bathroom remodeling project. But finding the dough to accessorize like a celebrity may prove more than challenging. Whether you're looking to install high-tech toilets, new faucets and showerheads or simply to afford new rugs, follow these penny-pinching tips; you'll be on your way to a new total bathroom makeover without cutting back on your family's food or selling your assets.

Plan in Advance

No matter what size remodeling project you plan to undertake, you can never plan too far in advance. The larger the project, the more long term you should think. But before you either sell you're car or begin purchasing new bathroom accessories or fixtures, write down your plan. Create a mock blueprint of your ideal bathroom, complete with what fixtures you need or want to replace, as well as the aspects you can repurpose and refurbish for free. Now, conduct simple market research online and estimate the average price for the new features you wish to include in your makeover project. For standard durable pieces, look for trusted brands such as Kohler, Price Pfister and American Standard.

A good rule to follow should be based upon how long you intend to stay in your home. If you're simply looking at a quick fix and sell home, then opt for simple improvements. If your family will be staying for decades, you may want to consider comfort and ease first, and then think of what will increase the value of the home over time.

Additional costs are accrued when you pay for the labor. So no matter how big or small you plan to remodel, also factor in how much - or how little - the cost of labor will be.

Evaluate the Spending

With your estimated expenses in hand, examine your current weekly and monthly spending habits. Are there any areas where you can afford to trim down? A few dollars here and there spent on gourmet coffee, fast food restaurants and even those extra cents tacked onto gasoline prices paid with debit or credit cards can really add up quickly. Budget-friendly ideas include carpooling, consolidating all errands into one day to eliminate expensive fuel costs as well as opting for stay-at-home dinners which tend to be cheaper and healthier.

Stick to the Plan

If you've decided to trade in your Chinese take-out Tuesdays and quick trips to the post office for a home cooked meal and a walk to the local stores, then stick to it. And it will be tough to stick to this plan, but be prepared. It's easy to find excuses (it's too cold outside to walk); writing down specific tasks on your calendar will help keep you focused on your goal: remodeling your new bathroom. Also, seeing tasks written in permanent ink will help guilt-trip you into behaving, especially if you've slipped once or twice.

Small Budget Makeovers

With the rocky economy and unstable job market, many families simply cannot afford a total bathroom makeover as they've dreamed. However, a few small and inexpensive changes can transform your bathroom. Often, just a simple accent wall in a dark, rich paint can change the feel of a bathroom instantly-while only a fraction of the cost of totally repainting your entire bathroom. Check out local yard sales and online listings for freebies and discount giveaways; a wicker basket or antique bedside table can double as an artistic and decorative toilet paper holder.

Total Redesign

Transforming your entire bathroom will require a hefty budget, especially if you're reinstalling valves, bath tubs and cabinetry (which will most likely require the assistance of a professional). Splurge on the luxury model toilets with heated seats, heated tile floors to keep your toes toasty or the automated sink faucets that eliminate wasted water. Over time, you'll see more money in your pocket, since these luxury upgrades will most likely replace your frequent trips to day spas.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of bathroom accessories to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Laminate Cabinet Door Damage

Mauritius Resorts

If you are looking for a vacation with your family then Mauritius is a lovely place to be in. The cool weather and lovely beaches makes it one of the most desired places to visit all across the globe. Before you land in to the exciting beaches of Mauritius, you must book your accommodation in safe hotels and resorts. Mauritius houses a large number of 5 star hotels and resorts as the place has large influx of tourists from across the globe.

The ambiance of 5 star hotels and resorts further makes the mood festive and adds freshness to your trip. But it is always advisable to stay at places that most suits your pocket. For being in demand as a tourist destination and large influx of foreign tourist generally makes tourist destination little dearer. It is wiser to book your accommodation on line and before hand. Last minute bookings are normally costlier than bookings in advance.

Staying in 5 star resort during vacation will actually make your stay more pleasurable. This is because resorts will have all the facilities that you may require during your stay. If you have not gone before to Mauritius than it's better to surf Internet and know all about Mauritius. The list of holidays, the climate, the hotels, the entertainment zone, sites to visit and most important the Do's and Dont's while being in Mauritius. This can help you in falling form unnecessary hassles.

If you are planing to stay for some days then hiring a conveyance would make your trip comfortable. Go for trusted car hiring agencies. Booking in advance will help you to plan itinerary as well as budget. Make a list of beaches and sites to be visited during your stay. Where to go and how to go, if you plan your trip with focus on these aspects, you can have wonderful tour. Make a list of holiday or 5 star resorts in Mauritius and spend some time in understanding their tariff plans and amenities offered. A smart traveler always compare before buying one. Act smartly to make your vacation better and cheaper.

For detailed information on Mauritius Hotels and Resorts, check out Tourism in Mauritius. The article has been written by Divya, an expert author at tourisminmauritius.com, the complete guide to Mauritius Travel.

Bow In Basement Wall

The Space Age - Living Well in Small Spaces

Welcome to the small space age

Compact living spaces are a boon for the environment - lower carbon footprint and all that. But, let's face it, small spaces are a hassle for those who like their clutter and a feeling of freedom. Modest luxury is all about doing the most with the space you have - so try these ideas on for size.

Think on high.

The window is the key to looking out at the world from a small space, and most of us neglect the dead space beneath a window - it could be used for a bookshelf or built-in cupboard.

Most bookshelves, storage units and wardrobes are only 1.8 metres or so tall - leaving at least a gaping great storage possibility above them. The best long term solution to living well in smaller space is to build everything in - maximise every centimetre of space by taking cabinetry to the ceiling and utilising the full width of the walls.

Open shelving is the cheapest way to build in extra storage - and an artful eye can make it look wondrous with vignettes of lovely collections or books shelved in certain colour schemes and styles - but the fact is that closed storage works better for most of us. Shoving the less attractive necessities of life behind a closed door is way easier.

Less really is more - so make furniture do double duty.

The fact is that small spaces require greater restraint - you need to think twice before you bring more guff, stuff and clutter inside your front door. The best small spaces whittle their furnishing needs down to the bare, functional necessities. Maybe you only need one sofa and a special chair rather than an entire lounge suite? And only four compact dining chairs around a small table rather than the grand antique formal dining suite?

Raised sofas on small legs make the floor space seem larger than a sofa that's upholstered all the way to the floor. And super-low sofas help a small room feel bigger - but could be harder to haul yourself up out of after a long TV-watching session.

Coffee tables in front of a sofa can take up precious circulation space - stick to side tables or stools that can multi-function as extra seating and side tables.Other great furniture options for small spaces are ottomans that double as storage boxes, coffee tables that transform into dining tables, folding tables that can be expanded when needed and coffee tables with storage underneath.

Mirror Mirror, make it big

Adding more light and reflecting it around a room really does open up a space. Frosted glass doors work to add a greater sense of space - and then using feature mirrors to bounce that light around even more can be a help. Glossy floor tiles or shiny cabinetry are other mirror-like tricks to resort to if you don't like mirrors.

Light right

Small white living rooms with lots of natural light can be made to feel like a clinical waiting room if the artificial lighting doesn't complement it. Warm table lamps are an inviting lighting trick to make you feel like cocooning yourself.

Customising lighting for a small space is a great way to keep the floor area clear - think wall lights by the beds to save space on bedside tables or even lighting the strip of wall behind a sofa in a living area.

Clutter Contol

We all like our bits and pieces around us, but instead of trying to personalise your space with loads of photos, vases and ornaments - just have one large, gorgeous collection in a well thought out display area. It will add visual impact and keep the room looking less cluttered.

As for space-saving, don't forget to use the backs of doors for hooks or small baskets. And inside wardrobe doors is another great place to add hooks for belts and bags. And make like Carrie Bradshaw in the kitchen, and use your oven as extra storage space. You might not want to put jumpers in it (like she did) but you can store your baking trays and dishes in the oven.

And then read more on http://www.renovationplanning.com.au to implement true clutter busting solutions that will change your life. See! You really can have grand design, no matter how small the space.
Alex Brooks
http://www.renovationplanning.com.au
Author of Planning Your Perfect Home Renovation

Mold Growing On Cement Wall

Top 10 Small Electrics You Need in Your Home

There are essential small electrics you need in your home to make your living more efficient. These items will all save time and effort so you have more time to do things you want. Plus none of them are that expensive so it will not only make your life easier but not break the bank in the hard times.

1. Cordless telephone - Only because I always walk around on the phone

2.Electric mixer - If Jamie Oliver uses one, why can't we.

3. Battery charger - Where would we be without our mobiles etc...

4. Small portable heater - Ssaves you money on central heating and can take the nip away

5. George Foreman grill - If you dont have one you must live in the IOM where no one will deliver any thing

6. Electric toothbrush - Also pretty fun

7. Electric can opener -I'm lazy I know

8. Small desk lamp - Make sure it can take energy efficient bulbs

9. Kettle - Get a cordless one

10. Hoover - Get an bagless one

All of these items will help simplify your life. You will be able to cook faster and more efficiently, brush your teeth in half the time, keep your house cleaner, and much more.

Of course if you go in to any retailer, Walmart, Tesco, Argos, your heads will always be turned by all the amazing electricals, but you have to think do you really need these things. Hopefully this list will give you an insight as to the basics I believe everyone needs.

Goods2clear is a one stop shop for discount deals http://www.goods2clear.com

Shear Panel Next To Window

The Benefits to Walk in Shower Enclosures

Regular shower/tub combos are a bathroom hazard waiting to happen. If you have ever had water logging or mildew grow on your walls, then you know what I am talking about. Toxic or non toxic mold growing on the walls of your bathroom can be hazardous to you and your family's health. With walk in shower enclosures, you are sure to avoid this problem all together. The benefits to shower enclosures is that all the water, including vapors and mist, are trapped within the shower and cannot escape attaching themselves to your walls creating the type of environment that is perfect for rotting wood and causing mold to build up. With a walk in shower design, you can keep the water from going anywhere but the drain. You will also have the benefit of exiting your shower and being able to see yourself in your bathroom mirror without having to dry it off and air out the entire room. You also reap the rewards of keeping all that mist around your body, helping you to clear your pores and detoxify your skin.

There are other benefits to walk in shower enclosures, benefits that are more personal and relaxing. With an enclosure you can add a shower column for extra luxury. With a shower column you will be able to massage your entire body with aqua jets. These jets will massage you from head to toe with water that is the exact temperature you desire. As if that is not enough, you can then opt for the waterproof radio, the foot massager, the personal steam kit. Yes, a shower enclosure is capable of becoming your very own personal steam room, helping you to lose weight, relax your muscles, and cleanse your body.

These are just some of the benefits to having a shower enclosure. With a walk in shower enclosure, the showering world is truly your oyster. You can add endless upgrades creating a showering pod that is perfect for you! With safety and health in the foreground, and relaxation and healthier looking skin in the background, your shower enclosure is truly a win-win situation!

If you would like more information on safe and stylish walk in shower enclosures or steam showers, please visit the Unlimited Showers website.

Home Skylight Books
Swimming Pool Books

Putting God on Trial

I was listening to something interesting the other day when someone mentioned putting God on trial for some of the atrocities in the world. If God is the creator of the universe and all that is, or all that ever will be, how can we put him on trial, he's our creator. We can't put our spiritual master on trial can we, he'll just escape anyway if we convict him, won't he. He's got to be smart enough to break out a prison.

As a child I often thought about God and why he would allow such suffering throughout the world. It never made sense to me when I was child and it still doesn't make sense to me today. Why would the creator, want us to suffer, with even the littlest of problems. Other religions have explained it as if God was teaching us a lesson and that's why we have hardships in our lives.

Do you think God ever went through these hardships? Did God have problems finding a job or gathering some food? Does God even eat? Okay now I'm getting off the topic here,(I wonder what God does eat)... if children do something wrong, most of the time their parents will discipline or correct them. If adults to things wrong, the government will discipline and reprimand them. Sometimes these punishments can be severe. It depends on the crimes committed.

If man has to be put on trial for committing crimes like murder, genocide, and general atrocities towards mankind, should God also be put on trial or is he above man because he's God. I can't imagine the creator of the universe ever being put on trial for man's crimes against humanity or other men, but it seems like someone who is all powerful and all knowing could help his children out of this little mess that we're in today.

Couldn't God help us like we help our children. We as parents might not have all the answers, but we do not claim to have them. We are not all powerful and all knowing, like we would assume God to be. When is God going to help us solve some of our major world problems, like genocide and starvation.

Putting God on trial might not solve all of our problems today but it would be nice to have some help with our problems. If he created us to please him, do we have to go on trial one day, for all the things we did or ignored while we were alive. Something to think about isn't it.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development. Check This Out What Happened to the Wise Men's Gifts

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Lower Basement Wall Staining

How to Install Your Face Mounted Glass Tile

Glass tile can be one of the best design decisions that you make for your home or business. It allows you flexibility in the colors that are available. There is no need to be stuck with one solid color for your backsplash when you can create a custom blend of colors that will pull together your granite countertops, oak cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Glass tile is not a dated product so in 20 years it will still look classy.

A professional installer is always recommended for the installation of your glass tile. They have experience working with this thinner material and can make your finished area look perfect. However, a lot of people will install the glass tile sheets themselves. Below you will find a guide on how to complete this task without paying the professional to do it for you. The information given is for glass tiles that are face mounted on paper. The typical tile thickness is 1/8".

You will need several tools and supplies on hand before you start. Make sure to have 3 buckets: one to mix the thin set, one to hold water, and the other to mix the grout. You will also need a dusk mask on when mixing the powders with water. A putty knife, 3/16" notched trowel, 1/16" spacers, old rags for cleanup, fine sponge (not very porous), and a grout float are also recommended to have on hand.

Before you begin make sure that your surface is prepared. Don't tile directly onto your sheetrock. Instead use a thin backer board if possible. There is a lot of information on the internet about how to prepare your surface in different areas of your home or business. Read about this first. You will also need to find your starting point. This will be different for all installations. Don't start in a corner. You would rather end in a corner.

Do not use mastic with glass tiles. Instead thin set mortar is recommended. Mix the dry thin set with a latex additive not water. The additive makes the thin set sticky and creates a great bond with the glass tiles. Prepare the thin set to manufacturer's directions. Be sure to wear the dust mask.

Now you are ready to spread thin set on surface using the putty knife. You will want to work in small areas until you get used to the installation process. To start just spread enough adhesive to cover one full sheet of your glass tile. Trowel throughout thin set using long straight strokes. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle to get the proper depth of 1/16". Be sure to wipe excess thin set back into bucket.

Position first sheet PAPER SIDE OUT. Get it exactly where you want it then gently press the sheet down using a flat 2x4. This will ensure that all of the tiles touch the thin set. You don't want any of the adhesive to squish up between your tiles. If you see this is happening then you have spread your thin set too thick. You may want to remove the sheet and clean out the thin set. Now you can try it again.

Spread another section of thin set next to the first sheet. Using 1/16" spacers place the next sheet beside the first. Press flat with the 2x4.

Continue to work in this manner until the first sheet has set for about 15 to 30 minutes (the thin set will start to harden). Take an old towel or sponge and wet the paper. You know it is ready when the paper turns a darker brown. Gently pull the paper against itself from every corner until it has completely released. If you pull straight out then you will probably pull off a tile or two.

Continue to install sheets and pull off paper until your surface is covered. Be sure to clean out the grout joints as you remove the paper using a toothpick. Once the thin set has set up it will be very difficult to remove later.

Another great thing about the glass mosaic tiles is that you can easily cut the sheets to fit around sockets or any protruding areas in your space. However, if you get to the corner and realize that the tiles are not going to fit perfectly into the corner then you will have to do some cutting. A wet saw is NOT recommended. It will just shatter the glass. We recommend using a pair of wheeled cutters for cutting the tile around fixtures. You just snap the tiles in half when needed. You can also get intricate cuts as well. Always make the cuts face into your corner. Once grouted, you will not be able to see any wobbly cuts that might occur.

After tiles have set for 24 hours, you will be ready to grout. Use another bucket to mix the grout to the manufacturer's specifications. There is no need for a latex additive for the grout. Just use water. Spread grout onto the tiles with a grout float using a back and forth motion in order to fill in all grout joints. Be sure to wipe off any excess grout off of the surface of the tiles.

Wait about 10 minutes to allow the grout to set up slightly in your joints. Then take a slightly damp sponge and start wiping the rest of the grout away. If you notice that grout is starting to come out of your joints as you wipe, then you are ready to do the final clean up. Take cheap paper towels and finish wiping the tiles. This will take the rest of the grout off of the tiles but not add water and remove the grout from your joints.

Once the grout is off of the top of the tiles, then use a stiff brush to buff the grout out of any pores. After about an hour, use a clean cloth to buff off any haze that may form. If the haze persists, then mix distilled vinegar and water. Dip a clean white cloth into the mixture and wring out well. Wipe down your tiles and the grout haze should be gone.

After grout has cured for several days, be sure to seal it with a high quality grout sealant.

NOTICE: This information is offered as a guide only. There is no guarantee. Hire a professional installer who has experience working with face-mounted glass mosaic tile.

Tammy Wise has been creating mosaic art for over 8 years. She has been published in major glass magazines and has done mosaic commission work for businesses. Tammy currently owns her own mosaic business in Owasso, Oklahoma. Tile Shack Mosaic Supplies ships superior products all over the world. Find plenty of supplies plus more information on mosaics at http://www.tileshack.com .

Hip Rafter And Ridge Connection

Adelaide Hotels

Adelaide is the South Australia's seat of government and houses many government and financial institutions. The city is a beautiful laid out place on the either sides of Torrens River with extensive green cover for a refreshing stay. Adelaide is also called the festival city and is known for its splendid architecture, beautiful gardens, and the churches that make it a vibrant modern city. The city is located amongst the popular wine regions and is known for its many festivals, arts and sports.

Here in Adelaide the traveler can enjoy the festivals and feast on the variety of cuisines and visit shopping centers, the nightlife areas where always something is going on. One might go to the sporting venues like the Oval or to the seaside suburbs of Glenelg and Brighton. The North Terrace has many attractions to explore like the museums and the libraries. In other words the city has got something for everyone to make the vacation memorable.

The Adelaide Hotels offers the travelers a host of choices for a comfortable stay. The hotels in Adelaide are located in the popular areas and near to the tourist attractions of the city. The hotels are found in areas like Adelaide City, Central City, Glenelg, North Adelaide, North Terrace, South Terrace, Victoria Square and others.

The Adelaide Hotels cater to the needs of the guests according to their requirements to suit their style and budget. Some of the popular hotel groups include Hilton, Hyatt, Holiday Inn, All Seasons, Mercure, Quality Inns, etc. that range from the 5 star to discount or budget hotels.

The Adelaide Hotels caters to the needs of the business, leisure and back packer travelers. The 5 star hotels offer the state of the art facilities and strategic location for a memorable vacation. On the other hand the budget hotel offers good value for money for the travelers. The hotels cater to the needs of the guests and offer warm services for a unique vacation.

The Adelaide has got to offer the adventure lovers, the leisure travelers, the food lovers, the business travelers, the cultural searchers with what they are looking for. The hotels offer accommodation according to their needs and offers warm services to make their stay memorable.

The Adelaide Hotels suite the style and budget of the travelers. The hotels offer modern amenities and services to make the stay comfortable. But on the other hand the services and facilities would range according to the budget of the travelers. All this would make the vacation a unique experience along with the many attractions to explore.

To get more information on Hotels in Adelaide and secure online reservation facility visit AsiaRooms.

Real Estate Books
Deck Building Books

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

Odd Drywall Damage

Choosing Types Of House Windows

A very important part of every house is the fenestration, which means the selection, size, and arrangement of the types of house windows. Windows do much for the exterior appearance of a house and can make a room livable or intolerable, depending on where they are placed and how they operate.

There are three general types of windows: those that slide up and down, those that slide sidewise, and those, called casements, that are hinged at the side and swing out or in.

The ancient and honorable double-hung windows that slide up and down have many things in their favor. They are weather tight, if properly installed, they operate easily, and they are not expensive. The ones that are fitted with weights and cords that run over ball-bearing pulleys are the most satisfactory.

So-called sash balances of various kinds are on the market, which seem to work rather well, especially when they are new; these work on the principle of winding and unwinding a spring. Be sure the windows are sufficiently counterbalanced in some way so that they operate freely and easily.

The types of house windows that slide horizontally are at the moment more in favor, perhaps because these new aluminum windows lend themselves particularly well to the modern house. If they move on nylon rollers they seem to be rather satisfactory; but they are not as windproof or dustproof as the double-hung wood windows.

The fact that the aluminum does not require painting partially offsets the slight additional cost. If you consider the repeated paintings that wood windows will require, the aluminum will be cheaper in the long run.

Many people feel that the metal windows go particularly well with modern type houses and fear that the wood looks out-of-date. This is largely a matter of opinion.

In a very cold country the wood is less liable to collect frost on the inside, as the metal is a very good conductor of heat, and will conduct heat rapidly to the outdoors on a cold night and may collect considerable frost on the inside from moisture condensed from the warmer air of the room,

Much depends on the taste of the home owner, either of these two types of house windows will last as long as other parts of the building. If you like one kind, use it. The size and placement of the windows is more important than the material of the frame.

Glass blocks can be used to let in light and for decorative purposes, but they do not help with the ventilation of a room, which must be provided in some way for every room.

If the bathroom window can be fitted with a piece of glass that is translucent, but has a surface texture that does not transmit an image, it will save a lot of curtaining, which is often in the way in a bathroom. This glass is known as rolled glass, hammered glass, or obscure glass, and is not too expensive in the simpler patterns.

Casement Windows

Windows that swing in or out have a few advantages, but they tend to be in the way. Those that swing out are easier to make weatherproof, and are usually less in the way than those that swing in. When you hinge a window at the side or at the top and can open it wide, you getthe full size of the opening for fresh air, but when you open a sliding window you get only half the opening for air circulation.

If a window is mostly for ventilation, then the casement (hinged) type will be more effective. But casement windows are not noted for their tight fit and ability to exclude dust, water, or cold. Although weather stripping often is helpful in making them tighter, it can also make them more difficult to operate.

Well-chosen types of house windows will greatly enhance the beauty of your home.

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Door Framing Between Garage And

Bathroom Vanity - Why You Need Bath Vanity in Your Bathroom

Bathroom vanity fixtures have come a long way since their old counterparts. While these used to be staid old structures in the earlier days, today bath vanity cases are stand alone pieces that deserve their own recognition.

Things to look for
If you plan to purchase a bathroom vanity then you need to ensure certain things. You need to assess your own personal design style for your bathroom. The kind of vanity you purchase will largely depend on this aspect. In addition to this, the overall bathroom size will also have a large impact. The bigger the bathroom the larger the vanity can be! The kind of vanity you purchase will also depend on the amount of storage space required by you. You should also decide if you will be using the vanity space for self grooming on a daily basis. If so, then more attention to detail and comfort is needed. Other aspects that require attention include if the vanity will be the main focus in the bathroom as well as if you want double or single glass sink installed inside the vanity.

Remodeling choices
There are plenty of choices in terms of designs, available in bathroom vanity selections. You can browse online to see some of the common design choices that are available. Many people like to decorate the bathroom as lavishly and expensively as other parts of the home. After all, people do spend quite a bit of time here!

Works of art
Bathroom vanity selections are varied and unique in nature. You can find hand painted versions, which offer a unique style statement inside any bathroom. In addition, you can also opt for comprehensive kits, which include mirror as well as countertop. However, most of the time, accessories will need to be bought separately.

Space measurement
Before purchasing a bathroom vanity you need to measure available space in the bathroom. This will determine the size of the vanity that you can accommodate in the bathroom. Commercial versions of vanities range in size from 18 to 50 inches. You should also consider the height of the vanity as this is often neglected. You need to invest in a vanity, which is the right height to ensure optimal comfort.

Customized vanities
Bathroom vanity can also be ordered as per customized design choices. There are many materials used in such vanities ranging from stone, MDF as well as wood. You can get these vanities made as per the designs, colors and shapes that you want for your own bathroom.

For the finest range of bathroom vanity and fittings visit us at http://www.vigoindustries.com. Our expertise in this segment, coupled with the high quality of our vanities and exclusive designs will complement your bathroom perfectly.

Swimming Pool Books
Energy Saving Books

Removing Interior Walls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mold Growing On Cement Wall

Which Towel Warmer is Right for You?

If you are like me you have recently found out about towel warmers and couldnt wait to get your hands on one! However once you started looking into them, you found there are a few different types of towel warmers and werent sure which towel warmer is right for you. This article will look at the difference between Electric Towel Warmers and Hydronic Towel Warmers.

Hydronic Towel Warmers

The difference between hydronic and electric towel warmers or drying units is the source of heat. Hydronic towel warmers need a hot water supply and generally utilize hot water circulating from the central heating system. Many hydronic towel warmers are floor or wall mounted so they can be connected to your home plumbing. However, because they are used in conjunction with the central heating, their operation is limited to when that central heating is running. It is possible to use a special pump and separate heating tube system so that hydronic towel warmers can be used during the summer months. Hydronic towel warmers tend to be more expensive and typically require a plumber to install. There are no electrical restrictions on the placement of a hydronic towel warmer. This makes them ideal for putting on the pool deck or at the end of a walk in shower.

Electric Towel warmers

The majority of electric towel warmers are oil filled. Once the electric towel warmers or heating racks are plugged in, the oil begins heating it. Most oil filled towel warmers have a low wattage heating element, making them safe and economical. Electric warmers are selfcontained with an electrical heating unit built into the warmer that heats the fluid circulating through the unit. Electric towel warmer are available as soft wired (plugged into the electrical outlet) or hard-wired (wired into the bathrooms electrical system). It is possible to use oil filled towel warmers with timers so that you can preheat your towels based on your schedule. Oil filled towel warmers can leak especially if not maintained regularly to ensure the seals dont perish. The other problem I found with oil filled towel warmers is that if you find a good quality oil filled towel warmer they can take up to an hour to heat up and can be expensive.

Warmrails FilathermTM Towel Warmers

There is a new electric towel warmer from Warmrails that utilizes a dry element technology called FilathermTM. This element is similar to the technology used in radiant under floor heating. FilathermTM is energy efficient, costing only cents a day to operate and will reach operating temperature in only 15 minutes. It provides safe operating temperatures, consistent throughout the unit so there are no hot spots. Warmrails FilathermTM technology is guaranteed not to leak, so there is no risk of damage to wall and flooring or risk of injury.

Warmrails towel warmers are not designed to heat a room but will reduce humidity and assist to deter bathroom dampness and mildew. As such, they can be used year round without adding heat to rooms. The towel warmers can easily be self-installed and do not require upgrading the electrical circuit. The towel warmers do not come with temperature controls however you can use a timer if desired. Warmrails towel warmers are designed to run safely and efficiently 24 hrs a day and many find the comfort and convenience appealing.

Shelley Moore has spent over 15 years in the health and wellness industry. She is a certified Personal Trainer and Health and Wellness Specialist. Her website http://www.e-smartliving.com provides healthy, safe home products that help people lead a life full of energy and vitality.

Framing 2 X 4 Skylight Well

Home Improvement - Why You Should Hire An Expert To Do Your Bathroom Renovation

If you are thinking about doing your own bathroom renovation, you really should think twice about it unless of course you are an expert in that field. If you are new to DIY home projects, there are a few crucial issues to consider especially if you have absolutely no experience in doing any kind of bathroom renovation projects. There are reasons why bathroom renovation experts are very highly paid for their expertise.

If the question "How hard can it be?" is ringing in your head while you are thinking about undertaking your own bathroom renovation, you might be in for a nightmare. The toilet looks simple and easy enough to remove but are you very sure you know how to ensure that its properly sealed after it is installed? Can you imagine the mess if it leaks after installation and ever worst while using it? If you think that running a bead of caulk around the base of your toilet is the way to go, then you definitely need to hire an expert.

Moving To The Shower

As you have been warned about the difficulties one can expect by installing the toilet, let's move on now to the shower. It may look easy at first glance but if you are not familiar with plumbing and using torches for welding then you may want to stay clear of the shower. If a shower is not installed correctly, you can end up ruining not only your bathroom but also your whole house with water. The shower is the most expensive part of the bathroom to get installed due to the labor and involved. Do call and hire an expert if you do not want to encounter leaks around your house and ruining your bathroom. Though the cost might be a little steep, at least you will be able sleep at night and get to use your bathroom without any hassle.

It is so tempting to pick up your tools and start doing the bathroom renovation yourself but be smart and call in the experts to do the work for you. You will have peace of mind and the results you get will be well worth the price paid. You can plan your bathroom renovation but when it come to doing the actual work, you are advised to seriously consider calling in the experts.

Find out more about Bathroom Renovations by visiting http://allhomeideas.info a popular home improvement website for free home improvement tips, advice and resources.

House Lighting Books
Green Home Building Books

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

Floor Joist With Mold

Garage Presents A Golden Opportunity

The garage is a wonderful storage area. Even though the space is limited, it still presents great storage opportunities.

The garage is a great choice when it comes to improving on storage space. There are many ways to go about this task.

One way is to purchase a modular storage kit that has parts and components that you can switch up to assist in solving many storage issues. Another choice is to add to the garage. If you have too much stuff stored in your garage, a modular storage kit may not give you the needed solution. Reduce the clutter of seasonal items and items by placing some of them in a basement.

Some of the solutions that are available are cabinets, storage units and more shelving. . If items need to be protected from dust and moisture then cabinets are perfect. Shelves will give you more space and they are less expensive than some of the other options.
Nifty clear containers for storage can be purchased for very low prices.

Think of how great it will be the next time you are thinking about pulling out your bike and you don't have to search for it in the garage. Consider what it would be like not having to get up an extra hour early just to locate your fishing equipment in the garage. Just think about how great it will feel to walk into the garage and know exactly where things are. Imagine all of the time and stress you can eliminate by cleaning out the garage.

Put like items with like items. This is the best way to keep things in their place. By separating everything into categories you will be able to go into the garage and know that whatever you are looking for will be in a certain spot.

Use you imagination when deciding what to do with your garage. It is a great place for storage but it can be so much more. Clean out the garage and find that extra space you have been longing for. Change it into a place of relaxation or a neat storage area.

When you are cleaning out your garage, toss out those items you never use. Do not flip through every magazine or search through old bags of clothes you haven't seen in years. All of the stuff that you have not used in the past year should be thrown out. If you have not seen it in a year, you really do not need it. This can be a difficult part of the organizing process but once you do it, you will feel so much better. Months later you will have forgotten all about whatever it was you threw out.

Focusing on latest developments in woodworking benches, he works almost entirely for http://www.insidewoodworking.com . You might see his contributions on garage writings bench plans over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/workclam/workbenchplans.html and various other sources for garage contributions bench plans knowledge.

Wood Scaffolding

Some Simple Steps To Paint Your Bathtub

Your bathtub is a mess, chipping and stains all over. So, you're thinking of getting a bathtub paint job done, that's a great idea. You can do it yourself or can employ a specialist to assist you. If you're doing it yourself, here's a few steps that a bathtub paint job would consist of.

You would first have to paint the tub with a primer. This primer goes over the porcelain. This is needed so that the surface is porous and the paint will remain. While painting your bathtub, you rather use a paintbrush as against a roller. A roller may be easier for some to handle, but using a roller in the bathtub is not really convenient and it can be quite a pain at some times. It's advisable that you apply two coats of the base color. For this purpose you should use latex paint. Why use two coats? Well, it will give your bathtub a nice vibrant lool, and make it resilient.

You also have to be mindful of what type of paint your using for your bathtub. It's advisable to use EP Acrylic. This is an acrylic polymer coated paint. The thing that makes this pain ideal for your bathtub is that its high quality and is durable or long lasting. In addition, you can get this paint in an extensive range of colors, thus making it extremely easy for you. You can buy the paint that matches the color of your bathroom walls, or something that complements that color. It's best to use a glossy finish, for your bathtub paint.

It's also good to apply about two base coats of primer and then about two or three coats of the acrylic paint, which is the topcoat. Between each coat, make sure that you leave some time, at least about 30 - 60 minutes. Actually the best way to tell is by seeing if the coat that you applied is tried. Also after you've completed your bathtub paint job, make sure that you wait a while before you take a bath. At least wait for around 24 hours minimum. Sometimes you may have to wait even longer.

Russell Clark owns and operates the popular website BathtubSpecialist.info

Home Stucco Books
Home Electrical Books

DIY Bathroom Remodeling Or Hiring a Contractor

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.

Ceiling Plaster Crack

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.

Window Shim Used For Adjustment

Home Improvement Tip - Fixing a Squeaky Floor

Question: I have a floor that every single time I step on it I get the most annoying sound. I don't know what it does to me or why it bothers me so much. My kitchen floor squeaks and actually moves up and down if you are standing on it. The whole floor moves. How do I stop it from moving and squeaking. Help Me Greg!

Answer: It sounds like you have a broken floor joist. You are going to have to go under your house. If you have a basement this will be a little easier to fix. It is my guess that you don't have a basement or you would have seen the broken floor joist by now.

Have someone stand on the floor in the spot that squeaks and have them move up and down while you are under the house. Don't have them jump up and down while you are under the house. This could cause more damage to the structural framing of the floor. Once you are in the right position under the floor you can have them start moving slowly. What you are looking for is one of the floor joist that are moving.

If you see one of them moving. Look to see where the damage is. Is it a split, crack, wood rot or a big knot in the wood that has loosened up and fell out. Once you find the damaged floor joist you can now think about repairing it.

If you don't see any floor joist moving. Have the person on top start moving a little bit more and you can even have them jump on it a few times until you see something out of place. If you still don't see any broken floor joist. Start looking at the sub-floor, this will be plywood of some form, 1 x 6 or 2 x 6 materials.

What you are looking for is movement of any kind. Is there a separation or movement between the sub-floor and the floor joist. If you still can't find the problem maybe it is time to call in a professional.

The main thing you are going to be looking for is movement of any kind.

Most squeaky floors are caused from the sub-floor rubbing up and down on a nail. If you have carpeting and you have a squeaky floor you can do your best to locate a floor joist and screw right through your carpeting into the floor joist.

For more help on fixing squeaky floors visit http://gregvan.com/wood_repair.htm

Thanks for the great question. I hope it helps.

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.

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Adventures in Bathroom Tiling

I recently took a look at my bathroom layout and decided that I needed a change. I figured that it was about time for a change of style as some of the fixtures were starting to show their age. The way I saw it was that at this moment in time it is unlikely that I would be able to sell my house even if I wanted to. By making simple changes to my bathroom layout I could make it a nicer place to bathe and increase the value of my property for the future.

Looking at my bathroom I thought there were a few different options I could go for that would not take much effort but would give the bathroom a fresh look. The first things that caught my attention were the bath, toilet and sink as they had started to look dated and past their prime. However I soon changed my mind about getting a new fitted bathroom as these were out of my price range and I could always spend time just cleaning them up. I then looked at the tiles around the shower and bath and realised that I could easily re-tile the walls. I then thought that I could probably do the same with the floor to create a stylised effect for the whole bathroom layout.

The bathroom tiles on the wall had been there for a while so I headed out to my local home improvement shop in search of inspiration. I decided on going for some ceramic floor tiles in black and white so I could create a checked effect on the floor. I then decided to combine this with black and white marble tiles for the wall. Instead of going for a checked effect I decided to go for blocks of black marble tiles amongst the white marble tiles.

The assistant at the bathroom tile section of the store was very helpful and provided me with some useful advice as how to best lay my floor tiles and bathroom wall tiles without damaging the surface underneath. He also recommended the best tile adhesive for both of these jobs and gave me a few hints and tips for using it.

Two long weekends later and my bathroom has been reinvigorated with life, giving my bathroom a lighter and more contemporary look without having to hire in tiling contractors. I've been so happy with how my bathroom now looks that I have already started looking into taking on my kitchen with my trusty trowel and some ceramic tiles.

If you are interested in purchasing kitchen, wall, floor and Bathroom Tiles then why not visit Dunkley Tiles. They will be happy to help you providing everything you need for tiling a long with some helpful advice.

If you have the money to spend on getting a completely new bathroom layout then you might be interested in visiting Jones and Co and picking out one of their fantastic Bathroom Layouts

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Searching For Your Dream Home

First things first when looking for your dream home. Make a list of all the things you're looking for. With today's computers and search engines on the Internet it makes home shopping by keywords very simple.

Most real estate websites have boxes you can check off, if you're looking for a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms and a swimming pool. You simply check these items off, select the area you would like to search for homes and and you now have a list of homes to look at.

Some of these homes have virtual tours on the Internet, which allows you to go through most of the home before you actually visit the house. Modern technology has made searching for your dream home a virtual reality.

You can now look through the list and select the most appealing homes before you start driving around. Don't let the pictures of these homes deceive you on the Internet or MLS. Some of the descriptions of these homes can also be very deceptive.

When looking for your dream home, used every possible means available to you. This would include your real estate professionals, newspapers, magazines, search engines, internet websites, and don't forget about driving around your favorite neighborhoods. This is actually how we found one of the homes we bought.

Our real estate salesman gave us a list of homes to look at, while we were driving around, we spotted a home that caught our attention and we pulled in the driveway. To our amazement, the real estate saleswoman who listed the home lived a couple of houses down the street and was right there asking if we wanted to see the inside of the house.

Your family, friends, neighbors and people you work with, can also help you with your homebuying quest. You would be surprised at how helpful some of these people can be. I knew someone who found a home they really liked, knocked on the door and told the homeowners, they would be very interested if their home was ever put on the market. Within a few weeks, he was buying the home.

I'm not telling you to knock on everyone's door whose not selling their house, but you never know how or when you're going to run into the house of your dreams.

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 buying checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Don't buy a house without visiting, one of the best websites for home inspections. This website has thousands of pictures that deal with home inspection problems. If you're buying a house, check out this section on home inspection cover ups.

Plywood Framing Around Toilet

Installing a 32 Inch Back Door

In some older houses you will find a 30 inch back door. Have you ever tried to move a refrigerator or some large furniture through a 30 inch door? Keep in mind most bedroom doors are 30 inches wide and are in 36 inch hallways. 30 inch doors and bedrooms make it tough to move some furniture in too.

Let's start with the price difference between a 30 inch door and a 32 inch door. The cost difference is usually going to be around $20. If you are building a hundred homes this could become quite an additional expense. So we can understand why the home builder installed a 30 inch door in the back of our home.

He got the extra money in his pocket, you got a headache.

Here's the big problem. If you ever want to install a larger door you will need to replace the structural door framing. Now this is where you could run into a little bit of an expense. Changing the framing for a wider door could become quite costly. It could actually cost over $1000 in some cases.

Now if the homebuilder would have originally installed a 32 inch door in your house it might have ran him as high as an additional $45. How can this be? I will give you the first clue. There is a good chance the homebuilder will not be moving into any of these houses. If for some strange instance he did move into the house, he would learn the same lesson whenever he needed to move a large item into the house.

I'm a contactor and learned this lesson in a long time ago.

If you are building a new home you might even want to consider installing a 36 inch back door. This door will give you plenty of room when it comes to moving large items in or out of your house. The cost difference between a 36 inch door and a 32 inch door is usually around $20 also.

When building a new home most people don't give very much thought about their interior or exterior doors. Here's a simple chart I made to help with some basic door decisions.

Bathroom Doors Should Be 28 Inches Wide Minimum.
Bedroom Doors Should Be 30 Inches Wide Minimum.
Front Doors Should Be At Least 36 Inches Wide
Back Doors and Garage Doors Should Be At Least 32 Inches Wide

If you are a professional football or basketball player don't use these numbers above.

If you have large sliding glass doors or French doors throughout your home and can use them to move large items into the house you can install whatever size doors you choose that are comfortable to walk through.

Give some thought when installing a new door on your next project and keep some of the above tips in mind..

If you are designing a home give some thought to the stairways and hallways in the home as well.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Bay Window Ideas

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Pebble Tile For the Bathroom - How to Work Around Them

Would you like to know the purposes of the pebble tiles? There are actually plenty of them. For one, you can have them in your pond or garden. They can add that Japanese Zen touch, which always denote peace and calmness. You can also utilize them into your walls, especially when you want to achieve texture. There are a lot of them that are very smooth to touch, so they will always feel good into your hands. There will also be a pebble tile for bathroom.

Here are some guidelines in choosing pebble tile for bathroom:

1. Determine what kind of look you want to achieve in your bathroom. There are countless designs of bathroom tile for bathroom that you can pick, and each of them will have a completely different effect than the others. If you want to achieve a more natural look, it would be best if you stick with natural or unpolished pebble tiles. You can also go for polished or glass pebble tiles when you want something that looks completely different. There are also multicolored ones, which are just perfect when you want to be more creative and liberal when it comes to your designs. If you do not have any idea of what to choose, you can try to skim through home magazines and online bathroom designs.

2. Identify where you are going to attach the pebble tile for bathroom. You can use the pebble tiles right into your walls or into your floor. You can place them all over the area or in a specific location. You need to have a clear idea of its placement, since the size of the pebble tile that you are going to select will be dependent on the size of the area. Normally, though, these pebble tiles are measured at 12 inches by 12 inches. You can purchase them by piece or by bulk. Of course, you can definitely save more money when you settle for the latter.

3. Know if you want a professional to work on it or not. Just like any home project, you have two choices. You can have someone work on the pebble tile for bathroom, or you can complete the project on your own. There are advantages and disadvantages for each. If you want to minimize errors or if you do not have any idea on the equipment or additional materials that you are going to need, you should hire a professional. It will cost you hundreds of dollars, but you are assured that they will be perfectly done.

You can also work on the pebble tile for bathroom without any professional help, but you have to rely on your quick learning. There are some guidelines that you can read both online and offline, such as in magazines and books. The pebble tile manufacturer may also have their own instructions on how to install them properly into your bathroom. You have to follow them to a T to avoid committing mistakes along the way.

Kyle Tyler Helps you get creative! - Learn more about how you can easily decorate any surface at home or in the office with pebble tile for the bathroom

Visit Kyle's website at: http://www.PebbleTile.Info

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Pick Up That Hammer - Contractor Advice

I often encounter people who believe that carpenters were born carpenters and plumbers were born plumbers. Regardless of my encouragement, there are many folks who don't think they have the ability to build their own home.

I always give them all the same talk. We as human beings have the ability to learn new things and expand our horizons. If this weren't true, none of us would be able to walk, talk, drive a car, or even tie our shoes.

As a parent, I have helped my children through some of the most repetitious acts of learning. As a teacher and a mentor, I have taught people how to ride horses, program computers, speak Spanish, build houses, peak satellites, hold a newborn baby, raise a garden, the list goes on and on.

My point is that I have watched every type of person learn in different ways. I have noticed that we all have different levels of intellect. Some people are sharp as a tack and others are really quite thick. The truth that I have learned about most things in life is that a person with average intelligence has everything he or she needs to get by and even succeed with flying colors. Even those with fairly low intelligence have adequate learning abilities to do just fine.

So when people tell me that they aren't smart enough to build their own house, I just have to remind them that they are probably smart enough to do much more than just build houses. Some of the most intimidating projects in building a new house can be figured out with a little concentration. Electricity and Plumbing scare some homeowners into hiring the work done, when in truth, anybody can do those things.

I see all around me, examples of able-bodied people that choose to hire contractors to do work for them. This is just fine if the people have more money than time. If however, they have more time than money, they could really benefit from doing their own labor and saving thousands of dollars. In most cases the money saved by doing ones own labor translates into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That's worth learning how to do something new. Anything in this world that will save us so much money and time over the long run is definitely something valuable to know.

Unfortunately, the majority of homeowners don't see it that way at all. To them it's acceptable to pay someone else to do all the work even if it means they will end up working almost a decade of their work life to make nothing but mortgage interest payments.

To me it's simple, work for three hours a day after work for one year to build my own house, or work for eight hours a day at a job for ten years to pay the interest on hired labor. If more of us could see the reality of hired labor, we would be more likely to make better choices.

I strongly believe that we are intelligent beings made in the likeness of fully intelligent beings. We have power to learn and overcome so that we can find happiness. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of that.

Larry Angell is the author of Sweat Equity, building a house at half cost. He runs an instructional website about how to build homes that are strong financial tools, not financial burdens. He counsels low-income families how to obtain affordable housing and reach goals of home ownership.

http://www.make-my-own-house.com

Notch In Top Plate Framing

Window Header Framing Problems

As a building contractor it is my job to assemble the house to meet the specifications from the architect and the structural engineer. I do this by looking at the building plans and installing the specified lumber sizes. I can take it upon myself to install a larger size wood beam or window header adding an additional cost to the job of course. I don't think so.

It's not uncommon for a framing contractor that has an additional 5 foot scrap piece of 4 x 8 left over that he now has no use for. He can then choose to use the 4 x 8 instead of a 4 x 6 for the window header. This type of building is common and acceptable.

If the structural engineer calls out for 4 x 6 window and door headers do not take it upon yourself to replace the 4 x 6 with a 4 x 4. I have seen too many framing contractors or carpenters make an on-the-job judgment like this.

A good example would be a single story house with 2 foot wide windows that require a 4 x 6 window header. As the carpenter builds homes over the years he can come to his own conclusion that a 4x4 will work fine for this application. Again keep this in mind as a framing contractor and a carpenter you are assembling the home not designing it.

Do not change the sizes of any headers or beams.

A long time ago carpenters used a standard rule of thumb, you could go up two sizes larger than the window opening for your header. Let me give you an example of what I'm trying to explain.

A 4 foot wide window opening would require a 4 x 6 window header. A 6 foot window opening would require a 4 x 8 window header. This should give you an idea of what I mean by going up two sizes larger than the window opening to figure out the lumber necessary to use for your window header.

This rule of thumb does not necessarily apply in today's building industry. The reason for this is structural changes from earthquake damage. The structural requirements that are required for building a home require a lot more metal bracing and strapping. Therefore some of the lumber requirements for beam sizes and window headers will be different.

This message is for general contractors, framing contractors and carpenters. When installing a window header and you take it upon yourself to change the size you also assume the responsibility if the building fails. This type of mistake is common and you guys know what I'm talking about.

It's not worth it. Keep in mind you are the assembler and not the designer of the building you are working on.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and House Framing Structural Repairs

Stucco Damage At Sidewalk