Black Stain Problem From Moss and Mold on Shingles Can Be Resolved

If the black stains are only on a few shingles, the simple fix would be to replace the discolored ones with new shingles that match. If you roof is newer, then it is possible that the company that installed the roof left you a few extra shingles. This would be ideal since replacing the damaged shingles would result in a perfect match.

The next best thing would be if you have a receipt or record of the brand and color of the shingles. You could then go to the supplier and purchase the matching shingles. Keep in mind that even buying the exact matching shingles can look slightly different then what's on the roof because of the age of your current shingles and the die lot of the new shingles.
Still, the match should be pretty close.

Over time, as with all manufacturers, products are discontinued and if this is the case with your roofing shingles, then there are a few other things you can try to still make the repair look good.

Your options then would be to try to find the closest match available, and they may look just fine, or take shingles from another area of the home where the shingles are less visible and use the old shingles in the spots where you need to replace the bad ones and then install the new shingles that don't match as well in the spots where you took the old shingles from.

Depending on large of an area is affected by the problem; you may have to at least replace and entire section of shingles on the roof to get it to look right.

Now that you have a good idea on what it takes to solve the problem with removing and replacing the bad shingles, there are also some methods of cleaning that might just do the trick.

One of the suggestions out there that have been used for years is to get a garden sprayer and mix a 50/50 solution of water and bleach and spray wash the roof to get rid of the algae. Keep in mind that a garden sprayer is not a pressure washer. Do not use a pressure washer because you can blow the surface of the shingles right off the roof and thus damage the shingles.

Of course we want to keep the environment in mind especially if you have a lot of plant life growing around the home. If this is the case with your home then you would want to use one of the deck cleaners that are safe for the environment and ones that won't cause damage to foliage. Products containing oxygen bleach clean well and will not harm the plants. Anytime you can use a product that is good for the environment, the better off you are.

Today there are some great products available, now there is a great new roof cleaning product called Roof OX 3000 that uses the Oxygen Cleaners and you can get a complete cleaning system that includes the roof cleaner and stain prevention product along with a hose and garden sprayer.

In 2007, Rick Maselli founded RTM Directories Inc. and as president of this company his goal is to help the do-it-yourself people out there to have a one stop home improvement resource and that resulted in his new website, http://www.showroom411.com

Showroo411.com is Your Ultimate Home Improvement Resource which is free to the public and reflects all the hard work that Rick has put into to being a building Pro.

You can also read his reviews on many new and innovative building and high tech products in his blog, http://www.leveladvice.com

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Metal Roof Colors - Expanding Your Options

With the choices and advancements in metal roofing, companies are now able to offer consumers a vast array of metal roof colors to complement their homes exterior paint choice. Colors are usually offered from the factory and can be selected at the same time you are picking out your roofing material. Most colors come directly from the factory as such. At the factory level, there are many different ways that paint can be applied so be sure to inquire about what methods they use.

The most beneficial is when the paint is treated with something called a clear fluoropolymer resin. This is a resin that's original purpose was to stop corrosion inside of steel pipes utilized in chemical plants. Eventually, someone determined that it also helped to block the detrimental effects of ultraviolet light on a surface's paint, resulting in paint fade. Because of this, the primer will help your roof's paint maintain its original beauty for many years to come. It has been reported that metal roofing covered in the fluoropolymer resin will still be 85 percent of its original color after 20 years of being exposed to the elements. If you're looking for a solution that you won't have to repaint for decades, this is a clear standout. Also, some companies even offer warranties on their metal roof colors so be sure to see if one is offered with yours.

When selecting a color for your roof, make sure it's one that is neutral enough that you will enjoy it for many years to come. Take into account the color of your home and make sure that the house and metal roof colors are harmonious with one another. Most metal roofing supplies can also help you make this decision so don't be afraid to seek their input. Often, a roof's color is something that gets overlooked when someone is painting their house, or in this case, installing a new color roof so it's best to make sure they last. Also, request samples of metal roof colors from the manufacturer instead of relying on your computer monitor. Some colors come out displayed differently on computers so it's a way to be sure you are getting the color you want.

If you live in a covenant controlled neighborhood, check with your home owner's association or governing body about the particulars of metal roof colors as well. Some may have stipulations pertaining to what colors are allowed and banned or you may just have to go through a process of getting your choice approved. If you do have to get it approved, make sure you understand the process necessary. Be sure to visit our website to find local contractors and to learn more about metal roofing.

Visit the authors website to learn more about metal roofing. You will even find local contractors.
Visit: http://www.metal--roofing.net/

Building Safe Stairs

GAF Roof Shingles

GAF Materials, creators of GAF roof shingles, was founded in 1886 and has grown to be North Americas largest commercial and residential roofing manufacturer after approaching $2 billion in sales. Among the many recognitions that GAF roof shingles have received include three straight years as being selected for Life Magazines Dream House. Among the recognitions given by Home Builders include #1 in shingle and ridge vent quality, #1 for innovation for shingles and ridge ventilation and #1 shingle brand used. There are many brands of GAF roof shingles to choose from.

Grand Timberline GAF Roof Shingles

Grand Timberline GAF roof shingles are offered at a fraction of the cost of regular wood shakes. They are 33% thicker and up to 50% larger, feature highly contrasted color blends, which results in a dimensional look. Their super heavyweight construction provides for ultimate durability while the custom specified, Micro Weave core provides excellent protection. These shingles feature a Class A fire and wind rating from Underwriters Laboratories. Algae protection combined with a lifetime limited transferable warranty round out the features of these shingles.

Camelot GAF Roof Shingles

These shingles are sold at a more affordable price than slate or wood shakes. They feature super heavyweight PLUS construction, which features up to a 60% increase in thickness compared with many other premium asphalt shingles. They also feature the Micro Weave core for added protection, Class A fire and wind ratings from Underwriters Laboratories and Algae protection. A special double row of Dura Grip adhesive secures each shingle and it warranted to withstand winds up to 110mph.

Sentinel GAF Roof Shingles

These are the basic GAF shingles, which currently protect over one million homes throughout the nation. They feature a strong Micro Weave core for durability and Dura Grip adhesive to secure each shingle. The Sentinel shingles offer a 20 year limited transferable warranty.

Royal Sovereign GAF Roof Shingles

These shingles are among the most preferred fiberglass strip shingle in their class. Features include an extra-strong Micro Weave core for durability and a 25 year limited transferable warranty. These shingles can be installed over an existing roof and they feature Dura Grip adhesive seals for each shingle.

Marquis WeatherMax GAF Roof Shingles

These popular 3-tab shingles provide all-weather performance. Their super heavyweight design and Micro Weave core assist the shingles to resist tearing while protecting against harsh winter weather temperatures. These shingles are said to withstand winds up to 80mph and feature a Class A fire and wind rating.

Jumbo Royal Sovereign GAF Roof Shingles

These shingles combine 3-tab design with an extra large design. A special row of Dura Grip adhesive seals will help the shingles to withstand winds up to a warranted 110 mph. They feature a Class A fire and wind rating and a 25 year limited transferable warranty.

Grand Slate GAF Roof Shingles

These shingles combine the authentic look of slate with a lifetime limited warranty. They feature extra thick tabs at a fraction of the cost of expensive slate. Their super heavyweight PLUS construction allows for ultimate durability while their high performance Micro Weave core provides protection. A Class A fire rating and algae protection are among the benefits of the GrandSlate shingles, which also feature a double row of Dura Grip adhesive seals and the ability to withstand warranted 110 mph winds.

Slateline GAF Roof Shingles

These extra large shingles feature a 110 mph limited wind warranty and have the appearance of slate. Their Class A fire and wind rating combined with their heavyweight design round out the specs on these affordable alternatives to authentic slate shingles. In addition, double rows of Dura Grip adhesive seals are present on each shingle, along with algae protection and a 40 year limited transferable warranty.

Timberline 30 GAF Roof Shingles

These fiberglass asphalt shingles feature a Shadow Accent effect with Dura Grip adhesive seals. A 30 year limited transferable warranty is also available.

Timberline Select 40 GAF Roof Shingles

The Timberline Select 40 shingles feature the Shadow Accent effect and a classic wood shake appearance. A heavyweight design with Micro Weave core and a Class A fire and wind rating round out the features.

Timberline Ultra GAF Roof Shingles

These are the premiere shingles in the Timberline Series. These are 25% thicker and heavier and feature a rich textured look. They have a Class A fire and wind rating with a super heavyweight design and Dura Grip adhesive seals, which help these shingles hold up against a warranted 110 mph wind.

Grand Sequoia GAF Roof Shingles

These patented, extra large shingles feature a Class A fire and wind rating with a super heavyweight design. A Micro Weave core and algae protection round out the features.

Country Mansion GAF Roof Shingles

A lifetime limited warranty combine with a distinctive appearance and versatile color palette in Country Mansion shingles. Their super heavyweight PLUS construction, Micro Weave core and Class A fire and wind rating are among the other benefits to this product. Algae protection and double row of Dura Grip on each shingle round out its features.

Grand Canyon GAF Roof Shingles

A subtle shadow effect compliment the sophisticated design of Grand Canyon shingles. The shingle tabs are 20% thicker and have a super heavyweight PLUS design, natural color palette and high performance. They have a Class A fire and wind rating, Dura Grip adhesive seals on each shingle and a lifetime limited warranty.

Country Estates GAF Roof Shingles

A lifetime limited warranty, strikingly bold design, subtle color palette and super heavyweight PLUS construction are just a few of the benefits to Country Estates shingles. Rounding out the features are a Micro Weave core, Class A fire and wind rating and algae protection with double rows of Dura Grip adhesive seals on each shingle.

As Long Island Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Does your website need more exposure to the search engines? Add Your Site Today to our free directory.

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Questions to Ask During a Home Inspection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Painting A French Door

Window Repair Video

Great video on how to repair a window screen.

If you're thinking about buying a home, check out this home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping. For under $15, you can save yourself a lot of frustration and money.

Question Your Religion
Going To Heaven Or Not

Sprucing Up the Exterior Home Design

There are many things that you will want to consider when you are looking to improve your exterior home design. Remember that this does not only encompass the physical building, but it will include the landscaping for the building as well. Look at all of the different possibilities that you can make and create with the exterior of your structure. Many of the different possibilities can be tied in with the inside theme of the home. Look at all of your options starting with the color and the layout and then you can continue from there.

Window Sills

The window sills can be a large part of what it is that you will be doing with the exterior of your home. You could have ones that have been weathered or else you could be dealing with window sills that seem to be out of date. Take the time to update by either replacing the window sills or touching them up with new paint or reframing them. Do your best to try and match it with the color or style that you are looking to get from the home.

Lawn

Think of the lawn as one of your main aspects to the exterior of the home. Use it to be a focal point, consider adding statuary or a small fence. Consider the use of mulch as well adding in some sort of markers or boundaries to create different areas or sections of the yard in the exterior home design. You may want to consider hiring a landscaper to aid you in completing the look that you wish to acquire. These lawn care professionals can help you to beautify your home and make it into something that you will want to come to regularly in order to achieve the king of the neighborhood status that you are looking for.

Do not forget about the adding of flower beds to your lawn to create color and beauty. This is something that will work well in your exterior home design to aid you. Think of all of the different types and styles of flowers that you could incorporate to help set your house off and make it stand out. Consider the curb appeal that you will have when you use your home's out side to the best of your ability.

The Exterior

Think of the walls and the siding. Do they need to be washed, painted or refinished? These are all things to look at and consider when working with the exterior home design that you are looking to create.

Adam Peters use to write on exterior home design and similar subjects for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com

Keep reading about japanese garden decor and garden decoration at his web.

Advantages Framing With Steel

Grants For Home Repair

How would you know if you are eligible for grants for home repair? Even more so if you want to buy the house but it need some repairs to be done before it is safe and secure to occupy. This is likely to turn into a common catch-22 situation. The bank will not lend you the money to buy the house unless the repairs are done and you can not do the repairs until you purchase and own the house.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you with this lousy situation. You need to know beforehand that lavish projects such as a garden house or a pool will not be funded. One of the main factors involved in awarding grants for home repair is the inevitability and the urgency of the repairs to be done.

The importance of applying as soon as possible for your grant for home repair can not be stressed enough. The sooner you apply the better the chances are that you will be able in receiving a grant for home repair in the same budget year.In the event where you will not be able to receive a grant for the current year due to the budget being depleted you will need to wait until the new fiscal year.In such an event you can ask to be put on the waiting list for the next financial year's budget. Remember if you retract your application you might end up waiting longer, because someone els would have taken your place in the line.

When you are not sure whether your project will qualify for a grant for home repair, you can make contact with the HUD office. There you will obtain the latest first hand information on what is possible for your specific circumstances and they will assist you through the necessary process.

While on advice and guidance, take note that with the assistance of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is very much possible that you can be awarded a grant for home repair without the help of a grant company or consultant whom you need to compensate for their service and advice.The service provided by the HUD is free. With a little time to make contact your HUD office and time to complete their application form you can go through the whole process yourself.

In the event where you will be making use of a grant company of consultant, make sure how long does their application process take and what does it all entail. It is unlikely to wait 6 months for an answer. Further be cautious for 100% guarantees. There is no way that your application can be guaranteed before the relevant authority has submitted your application.

Do you want to build or improve the house of your dreams? Check the current top grant programs, and avoid scams at: http://www.1stGrant.com

Wood Rot From Stucco

Making A Home? Must Have Electrical Fitting Components

The use of electrical devices comes on the top of the priority table, while making a home, once the brick work is over. As the new year is nearing by and you can't afford to wait entering your newly made abode.

Thus you need to be well planned because you have only few days in your hands and you want to see one of the best electrical devices being installed in your home. So to avoid any mishap which may cause unaffordable delay, you must make a trip to the electrical fitting components store nearby and come back with a bagful of following stuffs :

Bolts : While fitting some electrical devices, you need these look-like-rod-in-shape components. They come with external threads which help other components with internal threads to make a support.

Buy a set of bolts consulting the electrician. The set must include bolts of all types such as fully or partially threaded, long and short ones. Also buy a variety of bolts on the basis of their varying thickness.

Clips : When fitting certain things like cables and wires, lead-acid batteries, fuses etc, you need to give them a sufficient support system which can hold them tightly. Thus don't forget to buy clips, These are available in a wide range as per their usage.

Conduit Fittings : Your electrical wiring needs electrical pipes for a sustainable protection. And in the same way these pipes are needed to be given a support base to avoid any breakage in future.

Also these pipes need extra care so they don't fall down. Thus not buying conduit fittings seems impossible. Buy a set of all the types of conduit fittings such as; electrical boxes, expansion fittings, sealing fittings etc.

Electrical Fasteners : While your wiring goes on, you need to join a number of electrical circuits and connect various electrical objects together. For this purpose, the electrical fasteners are used.

Moreover, they help you to give a proper alignment to the objects. Have a detailed look on your needs and buy electrical fasteners as per need. A lot of varieties as per their usage, design, shape, size and the metals used are available.

Electrical holders : To fix certain things like light bulbs, batteries, lamps etc and to provide them power supply, the electrical holder is an urgent thing. These are available in various shapes and designs which may make the wiring process much exciting.

However, I must say that this list doesn't include all the electrical fitting components you may require during the wiring. But the list include all major and important ones. Some other stuffs you may need are; electrical terminals, electrical mounts and rails, wire nuts etc.

Pattrick is working as an industry analyst in the electronics and electrical industry for last fifteen years. He is working on a blog where you can get a lot of information on electronics industry, news, innovations, tradeshows, etc. http://myelectronicsblog.blogspot.com/ He is associated with one of the best electronics and electrical industry marketplaces http://www.digitivity.com/

Wave And Flood Home Damage

Decorative Ceiling Tile

Decorative ceiling tile is an item you might want to consider for your next remodeling project, or even for a new home. Many individuals do not realize that the ceiling is noticed by others when they come into your home. Think about it when you are in a new environment don't you look up as well as around to become comfortable with your surroundings. Don't you want to make sure that your ceiling matched the design and feel of the room you tried so hard to create, remember to tie in your ceiling to complete your room design and feel!

When choosing a decorative ceiling tile for your home, take the following into consideration.

First do you want a different color for your ceiling tile other than white, if so you want to make sure that your ceiling tile will enhance the appearance of your room by complimenting the colors of the room. You want to make sure that your tile color selection ties in well with the colors of the room and you get the desired effect for the room which you are remolding or creating. Try choosing a different shade of your room color or a different color altogether to much of the same color you will find becomes

Doing this will make sure that all of the colors that are in the room you are redecorating or remodeling will all tie together in the end. Be sure that you do not choose the same color for the ceiling tiles that you will have on the walls. When you have too much of the same color in the room, you will find that it can be domineering and takes away from the feeling and comfort of the room.

Do you want to go with ceiling tiles which has some sort of a design on the or just a plain ceiling tile? Should you decide to go with a design keep the design toned down you don't want to make the ceiling a focal point you just want to make it tie into your design thyme. Having a design or decoration that is complex may be to much and ultimately ruin your room deign that you were after. You don't want a design or decoration on your ceiling that you will regret later.

Decorative ceiling tiles can be found wherever other ceiling tiles are sold. Taking the above points under consideration when you are deciding on your ceiling tiles for your home will insure that your room design is complete and balanced. Once you have your decorative ceiling tiles installed you will be glad you made the choice to go with a decorative tiles and you will then be able to enjoy them for years to come.

You can find more information on Tile, Tile installation and Tile product. You will also find where you can purchase Tiles that are Reasonably priced on the Internet.

RR Smith

Nightmare House Guests Part One - Creepy Crawlies

October is here, and with it our minds turn to spookier subject matters. One scary topic is that of uninvited house guests. While in-laws and old college buddies can be scary house guests, there are creatures that lurk in the darkness, waiting to infiltrate your home. Spiders, bats, and rats are the stuff of nightmares, but they've also been known to come out of the shadows and into our homes.

Spiders creep into your home through tiny cracks in the walls, crawl though open windows and doors, and hide in dark corners. All eight eyes watch and wait until you're cozy in your bed. They wait...and they wait, and just as you begin to nod off, they scurry across your face.

Aside from squishing them or vacuuming them up, there are other ways to get rid of spiders. One way is to wipe kerosene on your windows, including the frame. This method is effective in repelling not only spiders, but also flies and mosquitoes too. If kerosene isn't readily available, you could use furniture polish on window frames instead. Since spider have taste buds on the legs, you can turn them off by spraying an area that they are likely to hang out in. They will quickly get sick of furniture polish, and head for tastier ground.

To prevent spiders from inhabiting your home, keep the area clean. Piles of laundry and having papers strewn about offer numerous hiding places for arachnids.

Spiders also love to eat, so keep food waste properly covered and disposed of. You can also target the bugs that spiders feed upon. If you stop their gravy train, the spiders will stop coming around.

Lights are a surprising attractant to spiders. Porch lights act like magnets to moths and other bugs, which then brings out the arachnid cavalry. Keep outdoor lights that are near your doors and windows turned off unless necessary, or switch to lower watt bulbs.

Rats and mice strike a nerve with humans. Perhaps it is because they are disease-carriers, or maybe it's the noise they make as they scurry around. Is it that they scoot along at a rapid pace, and can squeeze into exceptionally tight corners? Or maybe it's the tail. Fat or thin, long or short, rodent tails are creepy.

While most mice and rats are harmless, people generally do not want them in their homes. You can tell you have these unseemly houseguests by their smell, their sounds, and their droppings.

Rodents urinate, defecate, and shed hair everywhere they go, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. They can pass on deadly diseases, and they can also do major damage to your home.

Rats and mice love to gnaw on things, whether it be wood, plastic, or electric cables. This puts everyone in the home at risk for electrocution or fire. Your home's value can be significantly affected by the presence of a rodent population due not only to the stigma attached to having rodents in your home, but also due to the major structural damage that these animals can cause.

As with spiders, the key to both preventing infestation, as well as evicting them, is to keep your home clean. Properly store anything that could be seen as a food source by rats and mice. Be sure to clean out cupboards and behind the fridge; anywhere that crumbs and debris can build up. You don't want mice and rats to see your home as a 24-hour buffet. Take away the food, and you take away their motivation to stay.

Block up any holes in your exterior walls, and repair cracks to prevent any creatures from slipping through.

If traps or exterminators offer too much finality, consider purchasing a sensor that emits a high pitched noise that is too faint for humans to hear, but is quite unpleasant to rodents. The irritating sound will provide ample motivation for the rats to move on. You can also buy live traps that do not harm the animals. Take the trap far away from your home and release your captive.

Bats are a more rare household pest, but they still occasionally make their way inside family homes. Sometimes they come in by accident, other times they find your home to be a nice warm place to roost.

If a bat flies in by accident, open all exterior doors and windows. Leave it alone, as it will panic with you being there. Nightfall is when bats are most active, so if you leave the bat alone until then, he will likely find his way out of the house.

Roosting bats inside attics and such are not only creepy, but they also urinate and defecate in your home, which can lead to illness. Rabies is of much less concern with bats than popular thought suggests, but do be careful to not threaten the bat in any way. Bats only bite as a means of self defense, so if you leave it alone, it will do the same for you.

If you have a bat problem, observe the bats' comings and goings in the evening to find their access point to your home. Install bird netting in that area to allow bats that are still inside to get out, while preventing outdoor bats from getting in.

Joshua Keen is an Atlanta REALTOR who specializes in Intown Atlanta real estate. Contact Joshua today for results-driven service in the Atlanta real estate market.

Post Your Ideas Here On Deck Building

Do you have any ideas for building or repairing wood decks . We would love to hear from you in the comment area. Any useful comments that you can make on deck construction or deck building will help our blog readers.

Home Selling Books
Stair Building Books

Carpet Cleaning For Your Home

I have two young children and two dogs that wander our household, we are in constant need of a carpet cleaning machine. Weve tried all different paths, from spot cleaners to renting large pull machines, and each has its pros and cons.

Site cleaners are the newest trend and the easiest and most very easy to use carpet cleaning machine. These cleaners are like hand held Dirt Devils and are geared towards cleaning small places, and not an entire room. Their cleaning solution and suction reservoirs are rather tiny, so if you've got several small places to clean you may need to empty and reload the reservoirs on a small carpet cleaning machine ordinarily. Nevertheless, these compact spot cleaners are wonderful for every day use on things similar pet stains and juice spills which are quite common by using the pets and children in our residence. It seems as though every day I'm dragging out our compact carpet cleaning machine to use and it has been a lifesaver on many occasions.

Also available for purchase are full size machines. These pull along machines are not very practical for everyday use on spills and pet stains, but they do labor well for the occasional overall room cleaning that isnt targeting places and stains. The full size carpet cleaning machine tends to be bulky, but to be able to do his or her jobs they need to be. If you clean your carpets often and have storage space, paying for a full sized carpet cleaning machine may be the way to go as you will save money in the long run over renting machines or hiring services.

Another option is to rent a full sized carpet cleaning pull ago machines. These are available for rent from home improvement stores, some drug and grocery stores. Generally, you rent these carpet cleaning machines for a twenty four hour period for approximately twenty dollars. You do need to purchase the cleaning solution, as it is not included in the rental fee. These are also bulky, and are also inconvenient because you need to go to the store to rent one and then return it as well. Nevertheless, if you do not have storage space or do not clean your carpets generally, it's a great deal.

We have found the number one solution for our needs to be a fusion of a spot cleaner and renting a full sized carpet cleaning machine every six months. Examine your particular needs and make your acquire or renting decisions accordingly.

By Brian Ward author of Home Cleaning Tips .

Brick Panels to Accentuate a Home

Wood paneling is one of your best options if you plan to give your home a new look. There are many types of wood paneling. We have the common wall paneling, stone paneling, bamboo paneling and brick paneling. Brick paneling is quite easy. It gives the same effect of brick masonry but at a cheaper cost. It is also easier to install. Brick paneling serves many advantages. One of it is the idea of saving a lot of time. One brick can cover a good amount of space at once. Filling up a panel with bricks is easier compared to other materials (like thin sheets of wood).

Aside from the convenience of installing, brick panels are very versatile. It works well both in indoor and outdoor, whether for residential or commercial use. It never fails to elicit a very classy and elegant look. Not to mention also that bricks are very strong, heavy and durable. Brick panels are unwavering in the house fashion. It is always one of the favorite materials for house constructions, and it never fails to deliver the right kind of effect that a house owner is expecting.

The common size of brick panels are 16 x 48 x 1 inches. Its weight is 26 pounds per blackboard panel and 40 pounds per cement board panel. The packaging for blackboard is 91 panels per pallet, and 70 panels per pallet for cement board. The materials produced are called brickette panels usually assembled in a factory. A panel brick weighs 1/5 of the full weight of the full-size brick. Each brick panel may be applied to any structurally sound substrate. It requires no footing or any kind of support. You also do not need to worry about the load bearing walls. Whatever product involving brick siding can be handled by brick panels.

Brick panels give natural beauty to all kinds of application. They can be used for new construction or renovation. It is a very versatile material. The adhesive used for brick panels is a synthetic rubber base adhesive. This adhesive must comply with the specification of APA. It should be waterproof and produced specifically for exterior use to guarantee the durability of your structure.

In installing and assembling the brick panel, the first thing to do is to fasten the panel to the supporting construction. This can be done by driving fasteners. The backing materials per square foot should not be less than two fasteners. There should be a water-resistant barrier applied in the substrate. The panel brick fabricated in the cementation backer board should be used where the panels are being installed. The location should be below six inches above the grade.

The brick panels system requires application of channels which are 1 inch by 3 inch J or L channels. These channels provide the adequate system relief that you need for your brick panel. Fill the masonry joints with mortar after setting your panel. It should be cement and masonry sand combined. This mixture will be mixed to a consistency that will flow through a grout bag.

Always maintain the brick panel by cleaning it regularly. If you plan to detach the brickettes, clean the area of old mortar where it was attached before, before applying new bricks.

For more information on Decorative Wall Paneling and Stone Paneling please visit our website.

What If My Contractor Does Not Return My Call

This is one of the biggest problems in business today. You have some work done on your home in good faith that the contractor knows what he is doing. When all is said and done you have a problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. I really don't care how long it has been since the work was done. If you have a problem the least that your contractor can do is answer the telephone.

Some companies go out of business and others get to busy to respond to your problem. You will hear the old excuse "That's not my problem" or the ever popular " I didn't do that". I have been in business for over twenty years and had very few problems. Of course I built things to last as long as possible.

Keep in mind that some contractors are a one man operation and they might be on vacation. Some contractors do not answer their phones over the week ends or after business hours. So don't sink the ship to fast.

Do not call the Contractors Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau unless it has been at least a few working days. I would give it at least a week or so. Oh yeah don't assume that the contractor got your message. Call a few times at the least.

It has always made me mad when I have to fix someone else's problems. I get the call when the other contractors won't respond. I listen to the home owner with regret for being in a business where I am considered a crook. This is one of the reasons why contractors in my business get out of it.

If you have the contractors address and they aren't responding by phone you can always send them a letter by certified mail. Request a return receipt. That's your proof that the company received your letter. Keep a copy for your files.

The good news for a home owner when a contractor will not respond to your calling them is the Department of Consumer Affairs. Most states have a complaint department of some sort that will listen to your complaints. Does this mean it will get resolved? NO there are no guarantees here.

If your state has a licensing board for contractors, this will be your next step.

This will get your contractors attention and there is a great chance they will respond now. If there are enough complaints against the contractor and they do nothing about them the contractors board will take their license away.

If your contractor does not respond after all of this. There is very little you can do about it. Hire someone to fix the problem and look at it as a very important lesson learned.

If your state doesn't have a contractors licensing board contact the Better Business Bureau or your local government for their recommendation. Ask some of your friends if they have had any problems like this and how they handled them.

For some more tips about hiring contractors go to
http://gregvan.com/library/homeowner_checklists.htm

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.

Exterior Wood Beams

Construction Estimating Institute - An Excellent Learning Destination

If you are a foreman, estimator, superintendent, project manager, or any other worker related to the construction industry, then you can augment your skill by joining institutes such as the Construction Estimating Institute. If you want to join the construction industry, then too the institute is an excellent destination for pursuing vocational education.

The institute was founded in 1982. It offers training and continuing education seminars in project management, field supervision, blueprint reading and building and sitework estimating. The training that is imparted is of the highest quality and can immensely benefit all those working in the construction industry.

Further, amongst the different courses on offer are a variety of online courses as well. These include courses such as construction cost strategy, course in financial basics, a course in Florida construction regulations, advanced 2004 FBC building/structural summary course, as well as courses related to estimating, bidding and on-site safety.

However, if there is a requirement for private, onsite construction training, it can be very easily arranged. Those who seek such a service need to simply put in a request for an onsite personalized training course. The chosen personalized course can even include areas that you want to specifically work upon.

There are many construction training institutes in the market. Some examples of such institutes are American Society of Professional Estimators, AGC Online Institute, RedVector.com, Construction Experts, Inc., Contractors Institute, and Jade Electric, Inc. However, what sets Construction Training Institute apart from all such institutes is its non-profit motive that drives the institute's educational endeavors.

Indeed, Construction Training Institute is a non-profit organization, working to impart high-end skills in estimating and management. There is only a nominal cost of the courses involved. However, it is chiefly intended to take care of the costs incurred in the design and distribution of the courses.

Further, for those who do not intend to join any course but would still like to profit from the knowledge accumulated by the institution's minds, doors are open to its bookstore. Amongst a variety of literary resources on offer, the 2008 Construction Cost Guide with CD ROM is the most popular one.

Apart from it, the bookstore also has some titles for various state-level general contractor examinations as well. Some such titles available are Residential Contractor Complete Book Package, General Contractor Complete Book Package, Building Contractor Complete Book Package, Roofing Contractor Complete Book Package, and Underground Utility Complete Book Package. A budding contractor can read books for whichever examination he/she is taking.

Institutes like the Construction Estimating Institute can help any contractor or any other personnel related to the construction industry with improving his/her estimating and managing skills. For a small price, this learning destination gives you an excellent opportunity to learn how to improve your services.

Read more information on Construction Estimating including software and calculators at => http://www.construction--estimating.com

Making Water and Gas Line Repair Easy

The water and gas lines that provide our homes with natural gas and potable water are essential to our everyday lives, but their importance is often overlooked until they need maintenance. Gas lines allow us to cook and heat our homes, and water lines bring clean, drinkable water into our homes to wash, cook and consume. While plumbing of one kind or another has been in existence for thousands of years, modern gas and water lines make our lives easier than ever. Because of this, it's vital that these lines are maintained properly and repaired when necessary.

Water and gas line repair can be an expensive venture, but you can save significant time and money by making sure that you approach the problem in the correct manner. First of all, never try to perform any kind of gas or water line repair if you are not a trained and licensed professional. Attempting to work on gas and water lines without experience can lead to serious damage, costly repairs and even injury to you or your family. Always call a professional whenever it comes to working on gas or water lines.

Secondly, make sure that you get more than one opinion when it comes to the best option to fix your broken gas or water lines. Because this field of work is not understood well by many homeowners, it is possible for some companies to charge more than necessary to fix the problem. There is nothing wrong with calling several different companies to diagnose your gas or water line problems and give you an estimate of what it will cost to fix things. Of course, you should only contact companies that provide free estimates.

Finally, you should always remember that it may be necessary for you to pay a substantial amount of money to fix your gas and water line problems. Once it has been established that your lines need to be repaired or replaced, you should never put it off if you have the money to fix the problem. By ignoring gas line and water line problems, you could put your home and even the health and safety of your family in jeopardy. While a fixing a clogged drain can be put off for several weeks, a broken gas or water line needs to be attended to as quickly as possible.

In the end, you will probably never experience any kind of gas or water line problem that will require you to spend your entire savings or take out a second mortgage. But being smart about how you tackle your gas or water line repair problem could save you plenty of time, money and stress when all is said and done.

Lorain County Sewer and Drain makes Gas and Water Lines repair simple and affordable. Visit our site today to learn more about basement waterproofing.

How To Replace Your Windows

Any Advice Will Be Helpful

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Home Theater Books

Room Acoustics & Home Cinema Rooms

Room acoustics play a huge role in creating a successful home cinema. The best home cinema hardware in the world will fail to perform at its best in a badly designed room.

The main issue in a home cinema tends to be excessive reverberation time - this is the time taken for a sound from a speaker to decay by 60dB below its original level - i.e. the amount of time it takes for a sound to dissipate in the room.

If you can imagine standing in a completely empty room with hard floors and ceilings and clapping your hands, the sound will echo for quite some time and therefore take a long time to decay (it reflects off the walls and floor). Now imagine standing in a carpeted bedroom and clapping your hands, the sound would not echo as much and disappear quite quickly (the bed and the carpet would absorb some of the sound). The bedroom has a lower reverberation time than the original room.

In a home cinema it is generally good to have a shorter reverberation time as if the reverberation time of one syllable overlaps the other it can be difficult to make out speech. The same thing happens with sound from the surround sound speakers - one effect overlaps another resulting in a muddle of sound.

Home Cinema Treatments

There are several ways to treat excessive reverberation time - changing the shape of the room is one. Imagine a square box, a wave comes out of the speaker hits the back wall and comes back 180 degrees on itself - muddled sound. Now imagine a complex shape like Octagon, some waves will still bounce back at 180 degrees but the majority will bounce off in different directions - the sound still exists but all the bouncing will reduce its energy quite quickly (and therefore volume) and keep the sounds distinct.

The other way to treat excessive reverberation is to absorb the wave - acoustic panels consist of acoustic substrate finished in fabric. This tends to be the most practical way to improve the sound in your room and the finishing fabric can be almost any design - improving aesthetics at the same time as the sound. Manufacturers such as Cineak and Cinematech have products available in a variety of sizes and shapes to cater for most situations.

Written by: Dave Chester

Custom Controls

http://www.CustomControls.co.uk

Custom Control & Entertainment Solutions - Home Cinema, Multi-Room Audio Video, Home Automation & Lighting Control. Premier Dealers for Crestron, Kaleidescape, Lutron and Bowers & Wilkins.

Basementconstructioninclaysoil

Steel Kit Homes

Steel kit homes look like any normal house. Expect for the main difference being that all parts are packaged together in correct quantities, so when they arrive on site, the building process is made as quick and simple as possible. Steel kit homes are light to handle and constructed with ease. All measurements are computer generated, meaning precise quantities of all materials.

Termites are a major problem in Australia. Steel framing is impervious to termite/white ant attacks so you will never experience this problem when you purchase a steel kit home. All homes can be individually designed to suit your specific requirements. Enjoy complete freedom of design! Steel frame homes are ideal for sloping blocks due to the fact that it does not crack or warp. This alone can save you thousands on site works and construction costs. Building a kit home may be a cheap way to build your dream home. Whether you choose to build your own home completely yourself or just manage the project, you will find that this is one of the most affordable options in getting into your home sooner.

The fastest way to get your dream home is to approach an agent representing a company. Usually a company offering manufactured kit homes, not only has a large range of modern designs, but also provides outstanding customer service and after sales support. While the kit home designs can be modified to suit your personal requirements, you also have the option to design your own home.

There are many reasons why people are choosing to build steel kit homes. Affordability has always been a large factor but now more than ever people are starting to realize the many other benefits. These benefits include: Strength - Steel has the highest strength to weight ratio as compared to any other framing materials and can be made to withstand cyclonic conditions.

Advantages of steel kit homes

1. Will not warp - Steel frame kit homes will not warp, bow or rot resulting in a high quality home that will last for many years.
2. Non-combustible - Steel framing will not burn and therefore will not contribute to a fire. This gives you more time to escape the fire.
3. No load bearing walls - Steel lends itself to longer spans therefore negating the need for load bearing walls. The result is the ability for more open living spaces.
4. Termite Proof - Termites don't destroy steel thus eliminating any structural damage that they might have caused.

So if you have decided to own a dream home that suits your budget & needs, visit http://www.kithomes.net.au to choose from a wide range of kit home designs.

This article is copyrighted, all rights reserved, and it may be used only if kept entirely intact with the author's name and URL.

Good Orange County Contractors

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Home Door Books

Curtains Or Draperies - Which Room and Why

I get a lot of email from people across cyberspace asking me to explain the difference between Curtains and Draperies. At the same time, these same inquisitive people ask me to direct them on what are the proper rooms of their home in which to hang curtains and what rooms should they hang draperies. I will do my best to explain what type of window treatment is best suited for the room.

Before I start, I would just like to say that what I have to say here are just suggestions. None of my suggestions are written down in stone. All I am trying to do here is give you an idea or two in order for you to get a basic understanding of where to hang curtains and where to hang draperies around your home. So let's get started...

The first room of your home I will discuss is the living room. Here you would more than likely want to display a more formal look to the room. This room would be the place to display draperies as the primary window treatment. Also, if any of these rooms has a sliding glass door to a patio or balcony, drapes around these doorways are a pleasant solution to a classic look.

Now you want to consider a drapery style to coincide with the decor or theme of the room. Depending on the degree of formality, you may want to go with Bradley Linen, Capri Batiste Drapes or Grammercy Park Deco. Without my knowledge of how you have decorated the room, I can only suggest what styles are available to you to choose from.

Other rooms in your home such as the Family Room, Bedroom, Den, Library, Study, and Loft may also be rooms in which to display draperies. It all depends on how formal you wish to present the atmosphere of each of these rooms.

There are several styles of draperies to choose from such as Balloon Shade, Deco Cascade, Deco Swag, Pinch Pleated Pair, Pinch Pleated Panel, Rod Pocket Pair and Patio.
To get a good idea of what all these styles look like, go online to view.

If you would like to take advantage of the insulating advantages that some curtains offer, then to make draw curtains a more formal presentation, you could combine a valance over the top edge of your curtains to complete the look.

When it comes to a child's bedroom, you might want to go with curtains. You have a wide variety of choices for both boys and girls.

For the girl's bedroom you might want to go with curtain styles such as Candi, In Bloom, Manchester Brights, Pizzazz or Simmi. All these curtain styles have shades of color or prints that are more in the direction of a little girl's bedroom. Take a look online.

For a boy's bedroom you would go in a different direction. Some of the choices you have for a boy's bedroom are Moon and Stars, Sailboats or Groovy Dots. These have a tendency to lean more to the styles that are more appropriate for a boy's bedroom. All you have to do is explore you boy's bedroom curtain options online.

Now we will take a look at what styles of curtains are available for your kitchen. Like every other room of your home, the kitchen has a color theme and a style theme. All you have to do, when it comes to kitchen curtains, is match both the color and style of your kitchen.

I have researched many possibilities for kitchen curtains and came up with a variety of different styles and colors such as Angela Tiers, Battenburg Tiers, Beach, Briar Rose, Butterflies, Celebrity Tier, Climbing Roses, Cottage Stripe, Countryside, Darcy, Denim Look, Dublin Stripe, Fruit Medley, Fruitopia Cottage Set and Gingham Panel.

All of the kitchen curtains are available with a choice of colors. You will find that perfect kitchen curtain match just an online search away.

Sometimes there are applications for curtains that are somewhat unusual. The perfect examples of this are the two rather large side wall windows of the garage that a friend of mine has at her townhouse. She happens to be a fan of American football, so she put up the logo curtains of the NFL. There are also other choices for garage curtains such as car brand curtains or NASCAR curtains. You're probably saying, "Wow, there are curtains out there that will compliment your garage?"

So there you have it. There is a wonderful world of curtains and draperies just waiting for you to discover. Go out and explore you options. You won't be disappointed.

Draperies/Curtains: The difference between Draperies and Curtains is very simple. Draperies are pleated and are more formal, whereas Curtains are informal and generally gathered.

Barbara Tobiasz is an expert in interior/exterior decorating. Along with her husband Joe, they own and operate Wall-Decor-Concepts.com. For more information on Curtains and Draperies, go to: http://www.Wall-Decor-Concepts.com

Double Roof Rafters Over Beam

Motorized Blinds - High Tech Wonder At Home

The remote control has become a standard element in the lives of many people around the world. Most will have a remote to their TV and stereo systems, while others may have remotes to other things such as their computer or printer. But what about having remote control blinds? That's right... instead of having to use a cord to open, close or draw up your window covering, you can conveniently use a remote control. These are known specifically as motorized blinds, since a motor is used as part of their mechanism.

Top-Notch Technology

Now, if you think that motorized blinds must be flawed in some way, think again. The technology used is top-notch, meaning that both the remote control and the blind will last for a very long time. Style-wise, they come in the same type of varieties as their cordless or manual-cordless counterparts. You can get them in vinyl, fabric or even wood. They are also not limited in style, since vertical and horizontal blinds as well as shades all can be motorized.

Safety

Remote control blinds also offer a lot in terms of safety. If a person has small kids around, having the remote type eliminates the fear of worrying whether or not they're going to be playing with the cord. But they can go even further than that. If one has high windows, they can prevent the possibility that accidents could occur with the ladder. Not to mention they just make life easier. Indeed, which is better, having to climb up to adjust them, or just pressing a button on a remote?

So, why don't more people have motorized blinds in their homes? Many may not even know they exist. This is because the corded ones are so popular, many just assume that's how blinds go. It doesn't help that many stores seem to showcase their corded or manual-cordless items even more than their remote control ones.

Too Expensive?

Another reason people may not want to go for the motorized version is the fear that they might be too expensive. While remote control blinds might be priced a little bit more than other types of blinds, they still shouldn't break the budget of the average person. You definitely do not have to be wealthy to enjoy the wonder of this convenient product.

In conclusion, remote control blinds are very revolutionary in the industry. They offer a lot in terms of both convenience and safety. However, they need to be marketed more, since many people who are not into window coverings may not even know they are around. Even online stores don't showcase their motorized products as much as they could.

Indeed, a new era is blooming when it comes to window styling, and manufacturers should work to simply eliminate the corded type from their inventory. Of course even then some may still question the value of the motorized blinds, but once they get a set for themselves, they will see that they are well worth purchasing.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Blinds-n-Curtains.com. He provides more resources on topics such as American blinds and wallpaper, patio blinds and arch window blinds that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

Double Gang Electrical Box

Remodeling Your Home In Carlsbad

What you are thinking about remodeling your house and you live in Carlsbad. Let me give you some advice about some local contractors and some of the people involved. I used a company called Service Magic to find a local heating and air conditioning contractor. All I had to do was go on the internet , type in some information about my self and what I wanted to have done to my home. This didn't seem that bad of a idea at the time. But look what I found out.

I went to their web site, filled in my information and with in minutes I had received the names of at least 4 contractors. Wow this is neat. I didn't even get to start calling any of them when my phone rang. It was one of the contractors secretaries. She introduced herself and asked what would be a good time for someone to come out to look at the work I wanted done.

I was surprised at the speed things were taking place but in a way glad that I had a reputable contractor from one of the largest construction referral services on the internet. I told her 10:00 would be fine. I got a call shortly after that from one of the other companies. He wanted to meet me that mourning at 8:00 if it was Ok with me. I told him of course, let's do this. Then the next one called and I thought great you can come at 1:00. Well you guessed it the next one was coming over at 2:30.

The first contractor showed up as scheduled at 8:00. We talked about what I wanted done and he whips out his note book and starts figuring out a price. This took place around 15 minutes into the meeting. This guys good I thought. Being a General Contractor in Carlsbad myself, for a job like this I would go back to my office and figure out a price and then double check my figures for a accurate estimate. It took this guy less than 5 minutes to create a proposal of around 10,700 dollars for every thing.

Well I was thinking to myself, the job should be around 7,000 dollars but what do I know about construction. I informed him that I would think about it and that I was going to meet with a couple of other contractors that day. He ask me who the other contractors were. I proceeded to tell him that I probably shouldn't tell him who they were. Well your not going to believe this. He put on his physic hat and told me who was coming over. The only thing he didn't know was what time they where coming over.

Oh I forgot to mention before he left he told me he would knock ten percent off the job if I signed the contract right now. I pretended like I was excited just to see his reaction. He looked at me like he had won the gold metal in sales. I told him thanks but I bet your new offer with the ten percent discount will be good for the next few day. Right I asked. He wasn't looking that excited any more as he replied with a Yes it will be good for a while. I thanked him and he went on his way.

My 10:00 never showed but his secretary gave me the old, " He had to go do a emergency job and could he reschedule tomorrow at the same time. I said that would be fine. As a contractor myself I have always put the work I had to do first and foremost.

About 12:30 I get a call from my next heating and air conditioning contractor. He is running late but will be there at 1:30. I appreciate the call and I will see you then. The only problem now is that I have another contractor coming at 2:30. That give the next contractor less than one hour before the next guy shows up. I never liked going over to someone's house and running into another remodeling contractor.

The next contractor was very informative and knew his stuff. I listened and learned. He told me he was going to have to go back to his office and would have a price back in the mourning. Great I told him as I hurried him out the door.

The last contractor of the day shows up and wants to know whose been over to the house, was it these guys or those guys. I told him I wasn't going to tell him who was over. Now this guy was a salesman. He did a little more probing before he let me in on the fact that his company doesn't do complete home installations. He made up some story that his company only replaces the forced air units. I could tell he didn't want to do the job once he found out I knew what I was talking about. So I said my good byes to Mr. Salesman.

The bad part about him was latter on that week his company sent us some mailers. The kind that doesn't have your name on it and everyone in the neighborhood get's one. I couldn't believe my eyes when I started to read this letter. It said we would be glad to give you an estimate on all your heating and air conditioning needs or services. " We Do Complete Installs". I told my wife we could have used this a few weeks ago. Then I recognized the name of the company and now knew that the salesman had lied to me for sure.

That night I started to think about what was going on here it seemed like I was being set up. Everyone knew what was going on but me. It seemed clear to me that these people knew each other.

Well as time went on we ended up hiring the first guy that came over. He seemed to have the best product at the most reasonable price. His company also did a great job. Keep one thing in mind here out of five contractors that I gave the opportunity to bid the job. Only three showed up and from them I only got two bids. Why didn't I get more bids? Quite frankly I was to busy working at the time and of course the other two guys were always going to show up and that kind of strung me along. My mistake.

Here's the kicker to all of this. Service Magic calls me up one day to tell me they would like to start sending me construction leads as a General Contractor.

I listened to what they had to say and was almost ready to sign up with them again. That's right, I was signed up with them when they first started until they changed the rules on me. The salesman that originally contacted me said if I paid them the 100 dollar sign up fee they would let me pick what jobs I wanted to do. That lasted about 5 months before I noticed that they were not sending me siding referrals to pick from. I called them up only to talk to someone who didn't understand the State Of California Contractors Licensing Board.

Well I wasn't about to reinvent the wheel. I simply told them that I should a least get my money back, right. They said they would look into it further as I never heard from them again about my 100 dollars. Well things have changed at Service Magic since I was with them when they started.
As a home owner you don't think you are paying Service Magic because all you do is fill out a simple form giving some information about yourself.

I found out that Service Magic sent all four of these contractors my original information. Each contractor then had to pay 55 dollars each to Service Magic for a total of 220 dollars. All I have to say is how are they getting away with charging this much money for sending a out a simple referral to these contractors.

The contractor unfortunately passes this expense on to his customers. You as the home owners end up paying these fees as a cost of doing business with them. Some contractors think this is a great way of doing business but you might think differently in the future if you start paying over 100 dollars for a simple construction referral.

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

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

Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips

Home Building Books

Is Your Real Estate Agent in a Hurry? Real Estate Advice

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

Have You Ever Heard the Words:

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

Come on That Roof Will Last for Another 30 Years.

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

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

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

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

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

The Floor Squeaks, That Gives the House Character.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Installing A 32 Inch Back Door

Latest Shower Designs

The new age human being seeks convenience and luxury at the same time. He has brought out a multitude of products and services to achieve this end. Showers are also a part of that stream of innovations. As days passed, showers also changed for the better. Electric showers are the present day kings in the field of bathrooms and showers.

Electric showers are very convenient to use and easy to install. It is the ultimate answer to the showering needs of the entire family. They can be attached to any existing domestic electric circuit and plumbing systems without making much modifications. Main bathrooms or en-suite ones or the ultra modern shower cubicles - all sport an electric shower system these days.

A refreshing shower after a hectic and tiresome day can do wonders to pulling up the morale of a person. What if it is done in a perfect ambience with water warm enough running over you pampering your body and spirits? It can be a heavenly feeling. That is exactly what electric showers provide.
Thousands of different brands and models with different capabilities are available for you to pick. Always exercise discretion while choosing one. The one you buy should be compatible with the existing systems of your house and also your budget. However, this is an easy task due to the huge choices available.

Triton electric showers and Mira electric showers are two leading brands providing quality products. Triton showers have some novel models that heat up water as soon it enters the heating system.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply Electric Shower products across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Crack In Fiberglas Bathtub

Give Your Bathroom Mirror a Makeover!

Are you ready to update to your bathroom? Does the cost of a remodel have your project on hold? Start with the basics. Your plain bathroom mirror is begging for a facelift and this inexpensive update can breathe new life into your aging space.

For years, contractors and homeowners have cut costs by installing lifeless sheet mirrors into their bathrooms. But as the focal point of this space your mirror should offer more than just a reflection. Adding a custom mirror frame can compliment and even set the tone of your bathroom decor. Combine a bathroom mirror makeover with a coat of fresh paint and new plumbing and electrical fixtures and you can update your bathroom for a fraction of the cost of a remodel.

Several suppliers offer easy to install custom mirror frames that are cut to your mirror dimensions. Simply measure your mirror, choose your look, and order your new frame. With hundreds of combinations of materials, colors, and styles, it's easy to choose the look that's right for your bathroom. Does your mirror sit on the backsplash or run right into the corner wall? Does it have ugly clips or a strip holding it up? No problem. The frames have been designed to cover clips and hide the mirror's edges.

Within a few days you will receive your custom cut mirror frame including all the accessories you need to install it in minutes. Most manufacturers use a simple installation method that attaches to the surface of your mirror using a heavy duty tape, and corner connectors. This makes it easy for anyone to install the frame using no special tools or skills. Once complete, the frame is securely adhered to the glass for a worry-free install.

Turn your bathroom into an enjoyable space that captures your unique style and compliments your home's decor. Add a custom mirror frame to your bathroom mirror to unlock its true potential as an enhancement to your living space. It's easier and much more affordable than you might think.

Cari Delille is a bathroom mirror frame expert with MirrorMate. MirrorMate sells easy to apply, custom mirror frames to makeover your existing bathroom mirror in just 20 minutes. Why settle for a bare mirror? Fully dress your decor with MirrorMate frames.

Floor Joist With Mold

Flip That House With Cheap Fixes

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

1. Mailbox

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

2. Front Yard Landscaping

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

3. Clean The House Outside

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

4. Stage The House

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

5. Use A House Inspection Checklist

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

6. Make High-Return Improvements

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

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

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

Exterior House Painting - Homeowner Tips

Fixing up your house can be a fun and exciting time, as you decide on a new look for your home. Designing and planning home projects is both complicated and time consuming, but if done right the results are very rewarding for you and your family.

Exterior house painting is one of the quickest and most surefire ways you can change the look of your home. Painting it a different color or just mixing up the color schemes can give your house a fresh new look. Be sure to consult experts, or do your own research, when deciding on color schemes, as certain colors do not mesh well.

It is better to do this research prior to painting, so time and money is not wasted learning the hard way that certain colors clash too hard for your home. Exterior house painting is not Chinese algebra, but doing your homework never hurts.

Contractors' opinions are useful as well, as they have probably been in the business for some time and have experience with color schemes. Consulting a skilled contractor is a good idea before making a final decision on your exterior house painting choices.

Hiring a contractor is wise as well because of the time and headaches you will save while getting a professional job at the same time. Many people take home projects lightly and end up paying the price later, whether it is a monetary price or just the hassle that comes from disappointment in your decision. Taking some time for planning and design will probably help you to avoid these messes.

More information on College Works Painting exterior house painting for your home is just a click away

Ice Dams - House Remodeling Ideas

There is nothing like winter in Michigan when 12 or 14 inches of snow pile up overnight and its Saturday morning with nowhere to go. But soon there looks like an ice flow from an Antarctic glacier hanging over the edge of your house. Now you start to worry about the gutters you didn't clean last fall because the freezing temperatures came even before the leaves fell. Well good news: Full gutters do not cause ice dams!

Ice dams are caused for two reasons: Heavy snowfall and poor design, insulation and ventilation of the roof and attic of the home. When snow stacks up on the roof and temperatures remain well below freezing, the snow melts from the bottom next to your roof. The heat lost from the house through the roof causes the snow to melt and run down under the snow pack to the eves where it refreezes and starts to stack up and hang over the edge. Water will pool behind this wall of ice and eventually work its way under the shingles and leak into your attic, through your ceilings and even down the walls into the basement! During the winter your gutters are filled with snow and ice and do not drain at all. Many people experience water in the basement when we have a sudden rain in the winter before their gutters have a chance to thaw. The water runs right off the roof, over the gutters and drains down the basement walls.

Many houses were built over the years with short eves, or that portion of the roof that overhangs the wall. Some houses have no eves at all! This type of design does not allow for much soffit ventilation. Look under the eves to see if you have grates or vents installed. Generally the more you have the better. These vents let cold air get sucked into the attic by the warm air heated because of poor insulation in your attic. This air is then vented through roof can or ridge vents. Now look at the roof of your house. How many can vents do you see? A ridge vent instead looks like very thick shingles along the peak of the roof. "Can" style vents are now being thought as better than ridge vents that have been popular recently.

So here are two things you can do to lessen the impact of ice dams: First, check your attic insulation. This is not complex work but very demanding physically. You'll have to be able to crawl and scoot your way around the attic without putting your foot through the ceiling. Lay the rolled, bat or loose insulation carefully but do not block the soffit vents from the inside! Go into the attic and turn off the lights and you should be able to locate the vents by the light coming up through the grates. Wear protective clothing and a breathing mask. Second, increase the number of soffit vents under the eves. This may be a job for a contractor and is not that expensive considering the utility costs you'll save.

So OK, you'll get to that insulation and venting thing ASAP but you have water dripping trough the ceilings now. You need to act right away: First, drill or push a sharp tool through the ceiling where ever you see water stains. This will drain water into a bucket and decrease the amount of damage to the ceiling. The small hole can be patched latter and touched up with paint. Next get some calcium chloride to put on the roof. (Calcium chloride is a salt that will not damage your shingles and be easier on the plants below) Spread the calcium along the top of the ice dam concentrating it in several places to melt a "trough" to drain the water away. You can also pack panty hose with the calcium chloride and lay them across the ice dam (and no, this is not the time to make jokes about your wife's skinny legs! She's mad enough about the ceilings already)

Never go on the roof or allow anyone else to go up there; this is lunacy! Roofs are dangerous, even deadly on a warm dry day, don't take the risk! It will be a mess but throw the salt up from the ground or step ladder if necessary. Never use an ax, hammer or hatchet; this will damage the roof for sure. And never, ever use a torch! (Beyond lunacy!)

Because ice dams are caused by certain weather patterns everybody and his dog is buying snow or roof rakes after a heavy snowfall. If you are lucky enough to find one of these light-weight tools at the hardware you can rake the soft snow from the roof too. This is also a good preventive measure if it can be done soon after a snowfall.

Mother Nature will have the last word but taking action now and being prepared to deal with ice dams quickly and safely will reduce much of the damage and danger to you and your home.

Frank Kalinski is a licensed builder in the State of Michigan and has run a gutter repair service for five years. Now doing home residential rental inspection for property owners he has seen many homes and how people live in them. He sees many products and designs years after construction; some things work well and some not. Simple, basic, tried and true generally last the longest and are most economical. Please visit my new web site at http://frg-s.com/

Handyman Books

Bathroom Shower Options in New Home Plans

Just when you think you have one simple choice to make to outfit your new home, think again. Today's showers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be outfitted with amazing features to provide the most luxurious shower imaginable.

Showers can be stand-alone bathroom fixtures or be a part of a tub combo. The two main factors determining the type is you available size and budget. If space is tight, all you may be able to fit is a stand-alone shower stall. With a little extra space, and the need for somewhere to soak your stresses away, the shower/tub combo is the right choice. For those new homes equipped with plush master suites and the ranch house plans with two master bedrooms that are becoming more common, a separate stand-alone shower is ideal because there is plenty of room for a soaking tub on its own.

Showers are either found as prefabricated units or completely custom built to fit your space and style. Prefabs are best suited for standard stalls that are either square or circular units. Custom built units sometimes become necessary when those country style house plans you have been working on need something more tailored to fit any nook and cranny available in your bathroom.

No matter what style you are looking for, showers are available in a multitude of materials. The most important thing to ensure is that the material chosen is waterproof and durable. Prefabricated units are typically made of fiberglass-reinforced acrylic, plastic laminate or synthetic marble. Custom shower stalls can be created using any number of materials, including ceramic tiles, stone, marble and granite. Using these materials takes a step further in aesthetics and offers the most flexibility in size and shape. Whatever type of shower you are building, it is important to take in the entire bathroom environment to ensure a relaxing and stress-free atmosphere.

General shower stalls come equipped with grab bars and soap dishes, while upgrades can include benches and multiple showerheads. Showerheads come in a dizzying array, and can take the shower experience from standard to pure luxury. Choose from multiple pressure options, handheld (also with various pressure options), and even full body showerheads that act similar to a car wash. And, growing in popularity is the waterfall showerhead that has the feeling of a gentle rain. Additional extras that can be incorporated into your shower experience include programmable preferred temperatures, natural light, steam rooms and units and smart home technology.

It's not hard to become overwhelmed with all the decisions involved in building your new home. Do you go with a traditional ranch house plan or indulge your post modern side? But with careful consideration and proper research, your dream home - right down to every bathroom - will be a pure joy for you and your family.

Be sure to visit House Plans and More for more house plan and bathroom resources. The planning stages of that traditional ranch house plan or more updated ranch house plans with two master bedrooms can seem daunting at times. But arm yourself with information and even country style house plans will be a breeze to tackle.

Ice Dam Problems And Solutions

Building Package Tracking

What is a building package tracking and what is the use in having this system? The fast and simple answer is that most buildings need to track the route of a package to make sure that got to its destination in the shortest time, almost anyone who ever lived in an apartment building knows the feeling of having to wait for a package for a few days and starting to suspect it got lost along the way, a tracking system is set to prevent that from happening.

The idea of setting up a tracking system for packages in high rise buildings is not new, however it has been tested in many different ways and not always been proved to work well. Some of the software's required that the doorman goes through a special training to learn and understand how to work the system, something that resulted in mistakes and errors mostly because doorman's have many other tasks and can not dedicate much of their time to controlling the path of a package.

Overcoming the technical difficulties a new generation of software is simple enough to use and monitor, it does not require any particular previous knowledge and is user friendly, which means almost anyone can use it, the building package tracking is maintained at all times and does not ask for any special attention, and the tenants feel that their packages are safe and will not get lost in the mail room.

As with all the other things a property management system has to deal with multiple demands and requests at the same time and that is exactly why the modern way of managing an apartment building is by using the internet as a base for all the activity of the building, it also allows for more advanced features to be used by the residents of the building, like inter communication systems that make it possible for tenants to find out more about their neighbors and a an on line package tracking utility that they could use to spot any packages making their way to them.

The package tracking for buildings system is just one of many new things that most property management companies use today to enhance the user experience of residents, the assumption is that almost anyone living in an apartment building wants to make more of his or hers communal life, and implementing advanced tools into the layout of a building management portal means that anyone could communicate freely with the super in charge, track incoming packages, find out more about other people living in the same building and learn about how to make the most out hers or his building services.

Find out more about Building package tracking as part of a new and modern property management service, the MyBuilding systems has many more features for better property management.

Electric Dryer Gas Conversion Ki

Spray Foam Insulation - Green Building Product

Thinking about taking on a green building project? If you want to build an eco-friendly building or home, take advantage of the new technology and product advancements available, that can help you conserve energy while helping the planet. Spray foam insulation is one important innovation that has numerous practical and environmental benefits.

The initial price of applying spray foam will be more expensive when compared to the traditional fiberglass alternative. Due to the nature of the product, it can only be applied by professionals, driving up the costs; however, eventually a foam insulation system will not only pay for itself, but you can even profit from it.

Spray foam insulation is liquid polyurethane that forms into a solid, foam-like substance once it hits a solid surface. The liquid state allows it to penetrate fine cracks and holes in the surface that products like fiberglass can't protect. Since the entire surface area is sealed, it is much more energy efficient than any other material available.

It keeps more warm air in during cold months, and keeps it out when it becomes hot. Your electric bill will reduce, saving you money and helping the environment. Buildings with spray foam insulation also sell at higher prices, adding value to your property.

The thick barrier that polyurethane foam creates also helps prevent sound from travelling. You won't have to worry about noisy neighbors, or disrupting anyone if you have guests over. Since it's versatile and can be sprayed on nearly any surface, you can even use it to insulate floors and ceilings. You won't have to worry about your guitar practice in the basement upsetting anyone nearby.

Spray foam insulation also discourages pests from burrowing into your home. The insulation is difficult to tear through, and it can be sprayed along cracks and openings to ensure that no uninvited guests attempt to slip inside of your home. You'll no longer have to fumigate with dangerous pesticides. It can also help keep moisture out, and is excellent for preventing mold and water damage.

In comparison to fiberglass, polyurethane is a far safer and more eco-friendly building product. Fiberglass is less energy efficient, often comes loose, needs to be replaced much sooner, and can be physically harmful. Fiberglass can cause redness and itchiness if touches bare skin.

The small fibers can also break off (which is common). As these wiry, sharp wires float in the air, they can be accidentally and unknowingly inhaled. Their sharp ends can cut the inside of the esophagus, creating scars that are thought to be a potential cause of cancer. It is often colored bright pink and, because of its unusual texture can entice children play with it, or even put it in their mouths.

On the other hand, spray foam insulation stays put. It won't fall off or disintegrate, and it's made of safe materials. You won't have to worry about dangerous particles floating through the air. It is also made from renewable and recyclable resources. Spray foam insulation not only saves energy, is more hygienic, and health friendly, but purchasing it contributes back to the economy.

Going green in the 21st century shouldn't be a hassle. Foam insulation systems save energy, keep pests out, and are made from renewable and recyclable materials. Visit Apex Foam for ways to make your home greener. http://www.apexfoam.com.

Ceiling Plumbing Leak Repair