Home Safety - Is Your Home Safe? Take This Simple Quiz

Home Safety is easy to overlook. Is your home safe? I'll bet you've never looked at home safety through the eyes of an insurance adjuster. But it will benefit you to think about all of the ways you could have an insured loss at your home.

Here's a simple quiz. If you have done all of the tips after the question, you can answer "Yes!" If not, you've got some work to do.

1. Is your home secure?

-Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.

-Install outdoor lights next to all exterior doors, and make sure the bulbs are working. Connect the outdoor lights at doors to motion detectors that go off when someone approaches.

-Install a monitored security system that has sensors at every opening, including second story windows.

-Install curtains or blinds on windows so people outside cannot easily see what's inside.

2. Is your home safe?

-Install one smoke detector on each level of the home.

-Install a radon gas detector in the basement.

-Keep the areas in front of doors, and sidewalks cleared of leaves and snow.

-Make sure there is a fence around any outdoor pool.

-Place a home fire extinguisher in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one in another room.

-Clean out the lint filter on your dryer every time you use it.

-Get your fireplace chimney cleaned once a year.

-Get your furnace checked once a year.

3. Are you living safely?

-When you have guests in your home, monitor their alcohol consumption, and don't allow them to drive if they've had too much to drink.

-Be extremely careful when working outside on ladders. A fall can seriously injure or kill you.

-Insist that any workers on your property provide you with their certificate of insurance. No exceptions.

-Be extremely careful when working inside. Use a safe small ladder or solid stool, don't jump up on a chair to reach overhead.

-Keep your staircases clear. Don't stack stuff on stairs and then try walking around it.

-Don't start to cook on the stove and then walk away. Cooking fires are number one for home damage.

-Don't plug a bunch of electrical devices into a cheap extension cord.

-Don't cover extension cords with rugs or run them under carpet.

If you were able to answer "Yes" on all three questions....CONGRATULATIONS! You will likely never have to have an insurance adjuster visiting your home!

If you have experienced a property loss, whether fire, wind, flood or other, you need to know winning insurance claim strategies. The insurance company will not tell you the claims process, but I will. I will show you how to take control of your insurance claim, and add hundreds or even thousands more dollars to your claim settlement. For more information, go to the website listed below.

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check out: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com

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Finalist, USA Book News "Best Book Awards 2008"

My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com

Straw Bale Homes - Advantages of Alternate Construction Methods

Let's face it. This planet is in a crisis. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. To create the energy we needed to sustain our modern comforts, we've polluted our atmosphere with countless gasses that will eventually warm the planet. A major part of this is the energy we squander heating and cooling our homes which is produced using fuels that emit greenhouse gasses. The solution is simple. Build homes that use less energy.

Earthen homes are at the top of the list. These are also known by the name of earth ships. Problem is that a majority of the living area on an earth ship is subterranean and doesn't meet many fire codes for egress as I understand.

One other is the chord wood house. This is also an excellent choice and I don't believe there are many downsides to this method except it's walls are nothing but firewood logs cut to length and put together with mortar like a brick house. I say it's a downside because we really need to save as many trees as possible. No, I'm not a tree hugger sorta guy, I just know that trees are the one element of nature that, if left alive, will scrub many of the bad gasses out of our atmosphere.

So then we come to building homes out of bales of rice or wheat straw. The straw is something we have been actually throwing away as waste in this country for years. Yet when put together as wall units, produce a very high restivity factor of R-39 to R-52 with a wall thickness of 14 to 16 inches. Wow, the common house built in America today using standard building methods is generally R-13 to R-19. R or resistivity is a number measuring a material's resistance to heat flow. R stands for resistance. Anyway, there is over double the difference in how much heating and cooling these walls can contain. Less energy used, less greenhouse gasses spilled into the atmosphere.

Once the walls are up, then the home is wrapped with a fabric that allows moisture to exit but not enter the walls and then is covered in about one inch of cement. These structures are as beautiful as they are functional. Even better is that only 20% or so of the structure is lumber so trees are saved. The cost is probably 50% less than standard construction methods and they last for ages. There are straw bale buildings in my area of Tennessee that have withstood the elements for well over a century.

Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer who has been in drafting and design since the late 1980's. He teaches Architectural Drafting over the internet at http://houseplandrafting101.net, draws House Plans professionally at http://customhouseplans.8m.com and offers Free Strawbale House Plans at customhouseplans.8m.com/strawbale

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2007

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

Architects And Home Design

Hawaii Vacation - Hotels in Kauai

Hawaii Islands is one of the main vacation spots in the entire Pacific region, attracting a huge number of holiday makers not only from the US, but also from Australia, Japan, or European countries like the UK, Germany, Norway, and many others. All this people travel to Hawaii due to the stunning scenery, gorgeous tropical nature and pleasant climate, wide variety of outdoor activities, and extraordinary accommodation offered by a large number of hotels, most of them settled in exquisite beach resorts. Hotels in Hawaii are in the top of the best accommodation units not just in the US, but even in the world, lying in areas with breathtaking views and featuring excellent amenities, high level services and a well trained and useful staff which make tourists feeling like at home.

Hawaii is one of the states of the USA (from 1959) and is since a long time one of the preferred vacation destinations of the people from this country. In fact, it is an archipelago which comprises eight bigger islands and many islets. The main islands of the volcanic chain are Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii, better known as the Big Island. Most holiday resorts are built on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai and the Big Island and are visited annually by very many tourists who are looking to enjoy great accommodation offered by luxury 4 & 5 star hotels, excellent food in restaurants with local and international cuisine, splendid warm weather, and a multitude of vacation activities such as swimming with dolphins or even sharks, scuba diving, reef snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, hiking on tall mountains, trekking in dense rain forests on the coasts of dormant or active volcanoes, cruising, helicopter tours and the list could almost endless continue!

Kauai is one of the islands where can be spent a great vacation in Hawaii. Island of Kauai is the fourth largest in the Hawaiian archipelago and is also known as the "Garden Isle" due to the splendid tropical vegetation. Its beaches are main holiday attractions, since most vacationers are looking to spend great moments outdoors and enjoy the reinvigorating sunny weather and warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Still, on this island are a few other natural attractions, the most important ones being the canyons with scenic waterfalls. Waimea Canyon, part of the Waimea Canyon State Park, is one of the most impressive canyons in the entire world, being also named "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific".

Most of hotels in Kauai are settled on the shores of the island in beach resorts which contain, beside accommodation units, many restaurants, shops, tennis courts, golf clubs, ports and marinas, walking areas, diving and surfing schools, parks and others. Housing in any of the hotels in Kauai is great, just like the sights to inland or to the ocean, and some of the best resorts are Hotel Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, Hotel Resort Quest Islander on the Beach, Hotel Resort Quest Kauai Beach Makaiwa, Hotel Castle Kaha Lani Resort, Apartments Outrigger Lae Nani Resort, Hotel Castle Lani Kai Resort, and Hanalei Bay Resort & Hotel.

A vacation in Hawaii is a dream for many people and tourists who are enough lucky to spend there a shorter or longer holiday, once arrived back to home, don't stop to relate about their life experience for weeks or even months! This is because the gained memories during a trip to Hawaii Islands are so impressive that make emotions to flow out spontaneous and without any obstacle...

More information about accommodation in Hawaii Islands can be found on Hawaii Vacation and Hotels in Hawaii. This article belongs to Victor Tuszing.

Site Directory

Luxury Bathroom Suites - Affordable Bathroom Luxury

When it comes to looking at luxury bathroom suites, you might find it confusing wondering where to start. There are so many things you have to take into consideration, such as the layout of your bathroom and the essential bathroom components. Perhaps you don't need a full bathroom suite and just need a new sink or toilet? That's when you have to decide what the best option is; buy a new luxury bathroom suite or just update part of the old one.

Save The Cash In Order To Splash...

Many people who find their bathroom needs a bit of updating often get suitably "put off" by the assumed cost of brand new luxury bathroom suites. However, in the current climate, luxury is now extremely affordable. Many people find that it is not cost effective to simply replace one item of their bathroom, as eventually the rest of the bathroom suite will need replacing too. That's why more and more people are saving the cash in order to buy a luxury bathroom suite so that they can have a stunning new bathroom in one simple step.

Complement The Dcor

If you decide to just replace your sink or toilet in your bathroom, you may find that there is a niggling feeling whenever you walk in afterwards, because you may regret not updating the bathroom as a whole. One new item in a bathroom full of old items can look out of place and stick out like a sore thumb, so that's why it is easier to take a look at brand new luxury bathroom suites sooner rather than later to ensure you get a great looking bathroom that complements the dcor.

Choices, Choices

If you are now convinced that you want a new luxury bathroom suite, then you might be wondering which are the best brands to look at. Some of the best luxury bathroom suites are made by Duchy and Armitage Shanks. These are both reputable, well-established companies that offer a great selection for every taste. Quite often, you will find each bathroom range varies according to what style of bath you are looking for, so bear this in mind when looking at complete bathroom suites.

Update Today

If you've been saving money in order to indulge in one form of home improvement, getting the bathroom spot on is money well invested. A neat, stylish new bathroom suite will add money to your property as well as offer a welcomed, updated alternative to your old bathroom that you thought you would be stuck with forever!

Check out the latest bathroom suite ranges by clicking on Luxury Bathroom Suites.

Home Termite Repairs

Mauritius Resorts

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

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

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

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

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

Stairwell Mold To Basement

Remodeling Costs: How Do I Pay For It?

To keep remodeling costs under control, there are four key remodeling cost drivers: The design of the remodel, the materials you use, who manages the project, and how you pay for it.

Lets review common ways to pay for your remodel and the pros and cons of each.

1. Loan against retirement account (e.g. 401k)

Pros: You pay yourself the interest on a loan against your 401k.

Cons: You lose the interest you could be making if it was invested. If you lose your job, most loans require you to pay the loan back immediately, and there can be significant income tax consequences.

2. Home Equity Loan

Pros: Usually tax deductible. Lump sum is paid to you at the start so you have flexibility of what you do with the money.

Cons: A second loan to manage. Shorter term than a standard mortgage. Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home. You have to pay interest on the entire loan amount even though you may not need the money to pay for remodeling right away.

3. Home Equity Line of Credit

Pros: You only borrow the money you need at the time, so finance charges are lower at the beginning.

Cons: A second loan to manage. Shorter term than a standard mortgage. Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home.

4. Construction Loan

Pros: Good for larger remodel projects and if you don't have enough home equity to qualify for a loan to cover construction costs.

Cons: Higher interest rate than home equity loans. Not tax deductible. Usually short term until construction is complete and then is replaced with a new first mortgage, which may have processing fees or closing costs.

5. Loan from the contractor

Pros: Available to most homeowners.

Cons: High interest rates. Not the best terms. Can lock you into working with a specific contractor. Not recommended.

6. Refinance and cash out

Pros: You only have a single loan for your home. Usually tax deductible interest. A single larger loan will usually have the lowest interest rate.

Cons: Requires that you have sufficient equity in your home. You have to pay interest on the entire loan amount even though you may not need the money to pay for remodeling right away. May have significant closing costs.

7. Credit Cards

Pros: Most homeowners have this as an alternative.

Cons: High interest rate, not tax deductible.

8. Your savings

Pros: The least expensive way to pay for your remodel.

Cons: Make sure you don't use all of your savings. Always have some available for emergencies.

For free expert advice on the best way to pay for a remodel based on your specific situation simply complete the form at http://www.remodelormove.com/forms/goapply.cfm. Or you can visit http://www.remodelestimates.com to find out how much a remodel project may cost.

About the Author
Dan Fritschen, founder of www.remodelormove.com, a homeowner advocacy organization, speaker at Home and Garden shows Nationwide, author of the award winning, best selling book Remodel or Move? and The Complete Remodeling Workbook and Organizer (available at www.remodelingorganizer.com) has recently been interviewed on CNN, in Better Homes and Garden Magazine and in Newsweek.

Do you have remodeling or moving questions? Email Dan directly at dan@remodelormove.com.

Copyright 2005 ABCD Publishing LLC

Rusted Cabinet Door Hinge

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

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

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

Moving To The Shower

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

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

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

45 Degree Door Header

Why to Opt For Modern Showers

The foremost purpose of taking a shower is to maintain hygiene in a safe manner. It is easier done that bathing, especially for disabled and elderly people as one require very less effort to step in and out, which in turn presents a lower risk of slipping and falling.

There are many kinds of showers available these days, such as electric showers, power showers and mixer showers.

Electric showers provide instantaneous showering any time for any number of people. They take water directly from a cold water supply and heat it as it is used, so the need for storing hot water does not arise. They are also easy to install, either in traditional bathrooms or in dedicated cubicles.

Power Showers produce a much more powerful spray from the faucets than either electric or over head tank fed mixer showers, as the water pressure is enhanced by a pump that generates extraordinarily powerful flow rates.

Mixer showers do not require electrical connections. They are also are easy to install. For homes with enough supply of hot water, these mixer showers are the best option as they work by mixing together hot and cold water supplied to the desired temperature. The water flow levels are also better than electric showers.

Shower models come in all hues and types that can fit to any budget. The minimalist hand held shower to classic ones which can increase and decrease water jet force according to one needs.

As the arena of showering shifted to a bathroom from open water sources, cases of drowning and getting contagious diseases have gone to negligible levels.

If you want to know more about Showers then feel free to visit Bella Bathrooms.

Pour Girder To Post Connection

Is a Glass Sink the Right Choice For You?

Maybe the thought of a glass sink may give you doubts about its durability. If this is so, just think of all the ways you use glass every day. You have glass in the windows of your home and your car, you use glassware for drinks and you have glass table tops. So, why not a glass sink? Just think of how beautiful this will look on your new sink vanity, bathroom vanity, or in your modern bathroom. It will really enhance the decor of your bathroom.

Glass sinks are made of tempered glass. This is glass that has been heated to just below the melting point and then cooled at a very rapid pace to make it much stronger and more durable than regular glass. While it can break if something very hard is dropped into the sink, it is safe because it breaks into tiny pieces rather than large slabs of glass that can give you a severe cut. The small pebble size pieces are not sharp so there is no danger that you or a child will suffer a deep wound if the sink shatters, which highly unlikely anyway.

At the same time, you do have to treat a glass sink with care. The bottom of the sink is the thickest and the rim is quite sound. Quite often the reason that homeowners have had broken sinks or shower doors that were made of glass is that they were not installed properly.

Normal everyday items that you use in a bathroom, such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and toothpaste, etc., will not cause the glass to break if you drop them into the sink. You need to be careful when filling the sink with water, however. If the glass is really cold, then you should not run hot water into it until the glass has warmed up a bit. You can easily do this by gradually increasing the temperature of the water.

Cleaning a glass sink is actually a lot easier than cleaning one made of acrylic or stainless steel. You can use glass cleaner for cleaning the sink, just as you do for cleaning your windows. If you do have stubborn stains that will not come off easily, vinegar works well in taking these off.

You should not use any abrasive scouring pads or cleaners on a glass sink but you can still use them on bathroom vanities or regular sinks if you need to. When cleaning, you should avoid placing any extra pressure on the rim because this is the most vulnerable part of the sink. Wipe the sink out after each use to prevent any water spots from causing stains on the glass to make your cleaning chore a lot easier.

If you have any plumbing skills, you can easily install a glass sink either as an insert into the bath vanity countertop or as a freestanding vessel sink that rests on the top. Take care when you are fitting the plumbing fixtures to the drain hole in the bottom of the sink. If you tighten them too much this can cause the glass to crack. Once there is a chip or a crack in the glass, you cannot repair it. It must be replaced.

Once you see what glass sinks look like as you browse the various sites online or look at photos in magazines, you should keep in mind what styles you prefer so that when it comes times to renovate your bathroom, you will know just what your future plans for your home are!

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in home improvement and remodeling, particularly for bathroom vanities and steam shower doors. For a wide variety of bathroom vanity ideas or for the ideal swim spa, please visit http://www.mybath.biz/

Diagonal Floor Sheathing

Attic Odors and Strange Smells

If you've ever opened up your attic access hole, only to find one of the worst odors you have ever smelled in your whole life, I've been there too. What causes these horrible smells and what can you do about them?

Let's start with the cause of these smells, moisture, dirt, mold, mildew, dead animals, animals that make their home in your attic and the biggest problem of all is normally poor ventilation.

Poor ventilation is the biggest problem with musty smells in the attic. These smells are often caused from moisture accumulating in the building materials over time. If there is enough moisture in the attic, the wood will start to rot but this wouldn't be a normal situation, unless there was a roof or water leak.

Roof leaks can cause a constant supply of water to one part of the attic. This constant supply of water will eventually rot the wood and damage the ceiling. Water leaks from pipes can provide a steady supply of water and the situation can attracts termites and mold. Not a good thing.

One of the worst possible smells or odors in your attic would be a dead animal. Don't under estimate the size of some of these animals, they have found dead raccoons, cats, snakes, large birds, squirrels, rats and mice in some attics. These animals usually enter through damaged access holes or vent blocks, roof vents, large gaps, holes and even fireplace chimneys.

Once these animals die, their bodies start to decompose and produce one horrible odor. Once the body is completely decomposed, the smell usually goes away if the attic is ventilated properly. These smells can seep into the homes living area, often creating a room that no one wants to enter.

Home peststhat make their home in your attics, often create smells from urinating and defecating in the areas around their nest. Large birds like owls can become a problem over time.

Now that we've figured out some of the causes for attic odors and strange smells, what can we do to prevent this from happening and if it's already happened, how can we get rid of the smell.

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

If your having problems in your attic, find out more at pest control books and home building ideas.

Broken Fire Hydrant Home Damage

Stair Tread Brackets - Remodeling Tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Under Side Of Entry Roof Framing

Laminate Flooring For the Bathroom

The flooring that you choose not only makes an impact upon the dcor of your room, but it can also affect the budget and your maintenance needs. Laminate flooring is one flooring choice that is wonderful for bathroom renovations. It comes in many different colors and styles, to allow you to find just the right look for your bathroom to turn it from boring and dull to extravagant and inviting. It is not just beautiful, however. It is also easy to clean and take care of, which is why many homeowners turn to laminate flooring for their homes. There are other benefits to adding laminate flooring, too.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you will be happy to know that laminate flooring can easily be installed by you. Laminate can be installed over most existing flooring or over a concrete subfloor, which will save you time and energy in the installation process as well. It is a floating floor, which means that no glue or nail is needed because the pieces "float" on top of the existing flooring. The pieces lock together to create a cohesive and strong floor that will withstand wear and tear, giving you a durable and beautiful floor that you will enjoy and be satisfied with for many years. All you need to do is click and lock the pieces together and you will have a beautiful, inexpensive floor for your bathroom renovation or other room's renovation.

You want to take the health needs of your family into consideration when choosing your flooring, too. If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, you will be happy to know that laminate is one of the easiest floorings to keep clean and healthy for you. It only needs to be vacuumed and/or damp mopped to help keep it dust and dirt free. It stays shiny without time consuming waxing and if you happen to scratch it, you can easily repair it. Most laminate flooring manufacturers include directions for caring for your laminate floors to keep it looking as beautiful as possible. Laminate is dust resistant and does not harbor any bugs that could cause an allergic reaction as well.

You can use laminate flooring in any room in your home. This is what makes it such a great choice. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are excellent choices for laminate flooring, simply because laminate holds up well to the activity that takes place in these much loved rooms. It stays looking beautiful and shiny with very little effort, too, which makes it great for any home. Laminate flooring will also work well in the living or family room. Adding the warmth of a wood grained laminate flooring can help to add just the right touch of welcomeness and warmness that you have been looking for.

No matter what color or type of flooring that you have been considering, you will want to check out laminate flooring. It comes in many different styles and designs from casual to extravagant to allow you to create the perfect look and feel for your room and your home.

Leroy Calstard very often creates publications on ideas corresponding to husky compressor and husky compressors. You can have a look at his publications on husky tools and husky compressor at http://www.insidewoodworking.com

Home Selling Books
Home Stucco Books

Window Header Framing Problems

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

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

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

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

Do not change the sizes of any headers or beams.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wood Post In Dirt

Home Handyman - House Remodeling Ideas

Home handymen are professionals who do varied kinds of jobs in domestic households related to electrical installations, plumbing, house renovation, house cleaning, and small construction works. Many home handymen are self-employed and are paid on an hourly basis whereas others work for a contractor or organization that pays fixed monthly salaries.

Home handyman provide assistance in carrying out small to medium level household repair and maintenance jobs such as remodeling the kitchen or bathroom, finishing the attic or basement, installing drywall or ceramic tile, hanging shelves, and building a deck or fence. These jobs are too small for hiring a full time contractor and are normally completed with the assistance of a handyman.

Home handyman use different types of tools and equipment for carrying out their activities. These tools may include insulated tools for carrying out electrical works that can withstand voltage in the range of 1000 volts to 1500 volts. Other tools may include pliers, screwdrivers, knives, scissors, bolt cutters, cable cutters, and hammers. Bags that carry these accessories are made from a combination of cotton cloth, leather, and other strong material to make it long lasting.

People wanting to avail of the services of home handymen can either contact a handyman contractor or find an experienced self-employed handyman who can perform the required job. Contractors usually charge a fixed rate whereas self-employed handyman quote their own hourly rates after assessing the type of work and the labor involved. It is better to hire self-employed handyman as their payment terms can be negotiated.

It is important to assess the work skills and experience of handymen before hiring them. An unskilled handyman can ruin the proposed construction or maintenance work and adversely affect the budget of the homeowner. People can take help from friends and associates in hiring a handyman who has all the required skills and experience for completing the required job.

Handyman provides detailed information on Handyman, Handyman Services, Starting A Handyman Business, Handyman Tips and more. Handyman is affiliated with Home Remodeling.

Plumbing Waste Pipes In Wall

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas

How easy is it to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas? The thing is that you don't need to spend a fortune planning a Las Vegas vacation. Over 35 million travellers visit Las Vegas every year. Around 7 million of those people are visiting Las Vegas for the first time. I hate to think how many millions of people are paying way too much for their Las Vegas vacation. Once you know where to look it is not difficult to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas.

Here are a few best kept travel secrets for finding a cheap hotel in Las Vegas.

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas Tip Number 1

Plan your Las Vegas trip during the week rather than weekends - this could halve your accommodation costs. Decide how long you want to stay in Las Vegas for. Many of the Las Vegas Downtown casinos and hotels are cheaper than accommodation on the Strip. So be sure to check them out but make sure they are in a safe area. Look into hotels that are not on Las Vegas Boulevard. They have bargain room rates and are keen for your business. It is very easy to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas once you know where to look.

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas Tip Number 2

If you are staying for a week in Las Vegas then ask what the weekly room rate is. Chances are the weekly room rate divided by seven will ensure you get a cheap hotel in Las Vegas. Plan your Las Vegas trip well ahead to get the best rates for a cheap hotel in Las Vegas. An amazing 63 percent of Las Vegas visitors book at least two weeks in advance. For this reason it is advisable that you pre-plan your Las Vegas vacation to ensure you get a cheap hotel in Las Vegas. Any delays and your hip pocket could well and truly be sorry. Be sure to look out for Las Vegas hotels offering a free night if you stay for 2 or 3 nights. Book your hotel on an airline website but be sure to read all the conditions that apply.

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas Tip Number 3

Download Travel Axe where you can search around 20 websites at once to help you find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas. It is free for download and highly recommened to help you find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas.

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas Tip Number 4

If you call the Las Vegas hotel with your Travel Axe deal they will usually try and beat the Travel Axe offer and you will get a very cheap hotel in Las Vegas as a result.

How To Find A Cheap Hotel In Las Vegas Tip Number 5

It's difficult if not impossible to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas when there's a huge convention coming into town. If a Las Vegas convention is on at the same time it could be impossible to find a room in Las Vegas, let alone a cheap hotel in Las Vegas. Some conventions have attendees of more than 50,000. It's a good idea to contact the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to find out who or what will be in town at the time you're planning to visit. Otherwise you can guarantee you will not find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas when you are competing with 50,000 other Las Vegas visitors.

A vacation in Las Vegas does not have to cost a fortune. In fact, it is very easy to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas that will cost you next to nothing once you know where to look. I believe that Las Vegas is truly the bargain capital of the world with everything from cheap hotels, cheap airfares, cheap car rental. By spending a little time improving your knowledge about your Las Vegas vacation destination you can end up saving hundreds on your trip and having more money to burn.

Now that you have learnt how easy it is to find a cheap hotel in Las Vegas what are you waiting for...Sin City is calling you

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Kitchen Books
Home Selling Books

What Does a GFI Do? - Electrical Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Diego Termite Damage

Attic Repairs

DIY Bathroom Remodeling - Home Remodels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Framing Around Bathtub Valve

Adventures in Bathroom Tiling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Real Estate Books
House Renovation Books

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

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

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

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

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

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

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

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

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

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

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

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

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Carlsbad Home Improvement

Checking The Level Floor Framing

Become a Jack of All Trades - Vista Handyman

Leaky faucets, old shingles, fallen fence boards... For the manually minded individual it is possible to save literally thousands of dollars on repairs and maintenance every year. Jumping into a project can be intimidating for those who have thought about tackling those nagging home repair projects but aren't quite sure how to begin. With a little effort, gaining the tools and skills to fix things can not only save money but can bring a satisfaction that little else can.

The first thing that any handyman needs is a basic toolbox that includes things like screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, level and measuring tape. For the amateur builder it may make sense to collect these tools individually as they are needed. Once acquired keep that toolkit in a good tool box to keep everything handy and in good shape. One never knows what will be needed again and gradually building a set of useful tools will make each subsequent job easier.

In their simplest form most repair jobs come down to two things: cutting and fastening. If you can't cut something on your own, the time that a job will take multiplies greatly. A saw is one of the most basic pieces of the handyman's toolkit but which type of saw for which job? A chop saw for short accurate cuts, a table saw for long accurate cuts or a skill saw for more general use? Each of these has distinct advantages but unless heavy duty work is anticipated a handheld skill saw or jigsaw can accomplish most small tasks. If you're willing and able to fork over a small chunk of change, many hardware stores carry bundles of power tools that can include skill saws, reciprocating saws, drills etc. While the combo can be a little pricey it is one of the most efficient ways to acquire not only a saw but a set of all the basic power tools necessary for most jobs.

Whether you buy a bundle of power tools or look for deals separately, a reliable cordless drill with an extra battery is another essential tool that will make chores quicker and easier. Because a good drill is so versatile, it is the center of the handyman's world. Fasten any type of hardware and swiftly drill through anything from drywall to concrete. With a cordless battery backup it's always ready to get the job done.

Once the toolkit is assembled don't be afraid to take on new projects; with a little skill and the right research, most basic repairs are not outside of the reach of any amateur fixer. Many large hardware stores even offer free weekend clinics on a wide variety of topics. Sure, they are trying to sell their supplies but learning to do a job without the cost of a contractor usually saves hundreds of dollars in labor. Another great source of information is the growing number of periodicals dedicated to the part-time jack-of-all trades. By Taking advantage of these informative sources and gathering the tools for the job any would-be handyman is off to a great start.

For more information on being a handyman, visit http://handymanmagazines.com

Strap On 2 X 4 Plate Forty Five

How to Design a Timeless Bathroom

Designing a timeless bathroom is all about making subtle choices. From the right use of colors, to the type of furniture or the actual finishes and materials you use. Here are seven tips for designing a bathroom that will stand the test of time.

Choose neutral colours. Those electric blues, avocado greens, and bright pinks might have been all the rage at some point-but today, they date a bathroom pretty quickly.

Choose simple furniture. Stay away from richly embellished vanities, cabinets, and other bathroom furniture if you're going for a timeless look.

Choose natural finishes. Even the trendiest artificial countertop and tile materials may look worn and outdated in a decade.

Stay away from excessive embellishment. Today's opulent luxury is a trend that will fade-so choose simple elegance instead.

Choose subtlety. A subtle touch can look good for decades, while a more heavy-handed dcor might look outdated next year.

Choose metals that blend well. When choosing fixtures, look for sleek, simple designs that will blend in with your dcor-not something dramatic that will stand out.

Make a statement with accessories. Instead of redoing your tile in bright pink, add a few accents such as a vase of pink flowers or fluffy towels in the bold colours you love.

Today's perfect bathroom can easily become tomorrow's eyesore. But you can stop this from happening to your bathroom if you follow these principles. If you do, your bathroom will be beautiful no matter what decade you're in.

Ok that's it for now. Hope you enjoyed the article. If you have any ideas or suggestions for content you'd like us to present on this topic please feel free to contact us via email or via the website listed below.

R Dobson is a blogger and bathroom retail specialist for Bathroom Talk. For more information and articles on bathroom related news and views visit http://www.bathroomtalk.co.uk/

Stair Building Books
Deck Building Books

The Bible's Power Over One Child

I mentioned Sean in another one of my articles, the story of a young foster boy that we were taking care of. Sean's father was my ex-wife's uncle, and they were going through some tough times for a while and their three children ended up as wards of the state. We eventually ended up taking the oldest child because he was the hardest one to place and another home. His brother and sister ended up with a family that wanted to adopt them and eventually Sean went to live with them and I believe all three of them were adopted by this family. I don't know this for a fact though.

Sean was a emotionally damaged child. His parents would punish him with some strange and bizarre punishments. They weren't really physical punishments but seemed to leave the emotional scars on him and I often think about where he is and what he is doing.

We watched him for about a year and I learned quite a bit from this young man. He was in the third grade but was still at the first grade level for reading and math. I would spend a couple of hours each night during the week helping him with his schoolwork, I seem to have created some sort of allusion that I would be able to bring him up to the third grade level within a short period of time. Wrong. He must've had learning disabilities and of course I don't think I was that good teacher.

Sean was easy going, polite and extremely obedient. He would do anything to avoid getting in trouble and often blamed others for his mistakes. His punishments must have been more than he could bear before he arrived at our home. I think you're getting the picture about what kind of a child Sean was.

One day I found myself in a dilemma with Sean, I couldn't get him to tell me the truth, even though I knew he was lying. I forget what the problem was but I remember a hollow look in his face. It was almost like he wasn't really there. It was almost like he was just doing time, sitting on the bed, listening to me asking the same question over and over again, "Sean are you lying", but he wasn't even paying attention.

I normally would not punish my children for accidents, and never tolerated lying. I was trying to explain to him that he wasn't going to get in trouble, I just wanted to know the truth. He wasn't budging at all and stuck to his story. I remembered that his mother and father were Catholics and feared the church, almost as much as they loved it.

That's what I came up with my evil plan. I don't know where I come up with these ideas, but every once in a while one pops up in my head and I run with it.

I told Sean that I was going to bring the Holy Bible in, and if he could swear on the Bible that he was telling the truth, I would accept that and this would be the end of our conversation. I couldn't believe my eyes, as he started crying and screaming, frantically and excitedly as a yelled out, I did it, I did it, don't bring the Bible in, I won't do it again.

I couldn't believe that was all it took to get information from him. I have always been a pretty good interrogator and found myself gathering information from those people easily, but this was amazing. His fear of the Holy Bible got me thinking about how powerful this book actually is to some people. I remember when I looked upon this book, pretty much the same as Sean did.

It's just a book, like any other book. It's not made at a holy factory or a secret monastery in the Swiss Alps somewhere, it's made from paper and ink and can be damaged and destroyed like other books. I would be surprised if I threw the Bible into the fire, that it wouldn't burn. I would be even more surprised, if I seen three men standing in the fire, wait a minute that's another story in the Bible.

Is it possible for this book to actually control the lives of people. It seemed to control Sean, I wonder if I, could have actually been driving a nail home that his parents started. Could I have added to his belief, that the Bible is a book from God the creator of everything.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion. Simple Words Create Powerful Beliefs.

Plants Growing In Sidewalk

Bathtub Refinishing

Bathtub refinishing as the best green remodeling alternative benefits homeowners, hotels, motels by saving them money over replacement. For example, a new bathtub may cost as little as $300, but when you add the cost of tearing down that old bathtub, removing it, getting rid of the bathtub and all the fixtures, and then dumping all the mess including that heavy bathtub at the landfill. Bathtub refinishing benefits the environment.

Bathtub refinishing costs go up when you add the bathtub parts, tile work, flooring, carpentry and permits, you see the cost of replacing a bathtub can go into the thousands of dollars. So what you think was going to be a simple bathroom remodeling job, turn into an expensive job. Bathtub refinishing is done without a tear out and that alone saves a lot of money. You are dealing with one contractor, the bathtub refinishing contractor. Compare bathtub refinishing to replacement.

When a tub is refinished, it involves only one contractor, and there is no headache in scheduling. Replacing old bathtubs with new bathtubs, instead of refinishing, can impact the environment badly. Tub refinishing services, saves the landfills.

Bathtub refinishing benefits in a nutshell:

Savings of up to 80% the cost of bathtub replacement.

Savings in time since an average bathtub is refinished in about four hours and can be used 24 hours later.

Choice of many colors.

The environmental benefits of bathtub refinishing are many.

Bathtub refinishing is done in the bathroom. The tub is cleaned, primed and a special coating applied, all in the bathroom. There is no mess brought in during the process and none goes to the landfills after the bathtub is refinished.

This is very significant, since an estimated 47% of all the waste that goes to the landfills is from home remodeling or renovation. Fixtures like bathtubs, sinks, and cabinets are traditionally replaced, which means that they end up in the landfills adding to the environmental problems of replacement.

In addition, it takes a lot of energy to manufacture new fixtures that are used in home remodeling. The raw materials have to be sourced, then transported to the factory, using energy. It takes energy to manufacture the fixture and energy to transport it to the store. When fixtures are purchased, it takes energy to transport them to their final destination. Finally, energy is used in the installation of the new fixtures and the transportation of the old ones to the landfills.

Take for instance, the replacement of cabinets. It takes quite some trees and there we go again, yes, energy to transform a tree into a piece of furniture. Trees are needed for our survival. They clean our air, suck up carbon dioxide, and moderate the temperature of our environment. A lot of species, need trees for survival, and we need their survival for our survival. It is also known that old wood has more character and luster than the young trees that are snatched out of the forests for making furniture. Cutting down more and more trees, simply because one has not considered, refinishing as the best alternative to replacement is inexcusable.

Here are the fixtures that can be repaired and refinished and not replaced:

Bathtubs
Countertops
Kitchen cabinets
Bathroom marble bathtubs and sinks
Kitchen cabinets refinishing

As more and more people understand refinishing is a better alternative to replacement, the less and less fixtures go to our landfills. Equally important is the less energy we use when we refinish instead of replacing all fixtures during home improvement. To find out more information on how bathtub refinishing saves money, time and the environment, visit our website.

Wilson Ukah, owns Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com.

Gable Roof Framing With Flat 2 X

Finding Homes Using the Internet - Home Shopping

You can simply type the words real estate or homebuying into any search engine on the World Wide Web and you will come up with hundreds, maybe even thousands of websites that are extremely helpful and full of great information. Like the one you're on right now.

Finding homes with the internet, combined with a skilled real estate salesperson, provides you with the most effective technology available today. Most websites start out, having you select a state you would like to search in and then, select a city, with your price range.

By answering their questions, this narrows the search down to all of the homes available in the area. The internet has made home shopping very simple. Considering what you had to go through in the 1970s. You found a realtor or by looking in the yellow pages, sometimes you found a good realtor and if you are lucky, maybe you would find you a good home.

Most of the time, the first homes you would look at, were owned by the real estate professional you were working with.

There are however a couple of problems with using the internet to find your dream home. Some of the verbage used and photographs taken can create a wonderful illusion of a tropical paradise but the reality, it's a regular home in a decent neighborhood.

Some of these photos are taken by skilled photographers who take advantage of every angle and tend to give an illusion of grander. When you actually start driving around and looking at these homes, only then will you get a reality check, of what the home actually looks like. You'll get used to it.

After you've looked at a few of your future dream homes, you will get a better idea of what I'm talking about with these wonderful pictures and the extraordinary home descriptions like "Beautiful Three Bedroom House with an Ocean View." When reality it's a two-bedroom house with an extra closet for the third bedroom and the ocean is 45 miles away, but you can see it on a clear day if you actually climb to the top of the largest tree on the property.

Take your time when searching for your dream home and don't let any one push you into making a decision if you're not ready. If you find your real estate professional a little too aggressive or pushy, get out of your contract, if you've signed one and find another, more helpful real estate salesperson to help you with your home purchase.

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.

Find other real estate tips and great advice, from another one of the Internet's best website creators.

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Internet Bath Lift Dealers and Returns

If you have someone in your household who needs a bath lift, you're probably going to find that none of your local stores carry them. Therefore, you'll have to rely on Internet dealers in order to purchase what you need. A bath lift is considered specialty equipment, and local stores just don't stock these items. As with all Internet purchases, the biggest drawback is that you don't get a chance to physically check over the merchandise before you buy it.

When you start looking online you'll discover that there are a lot of differences between bath lifts. Each model is going to have its own mode of operation, because some of them operate by such varied methods as hand cranks, rechargeable batteries, or water pressure. Not all of them will have the same durability, size, and quality. You can only learn how well a certain model will fit in your bathroom and meet your needs by taking it home and trying it.

Most people are under the impression that there is a standard size for bathtubs; however, this is untrue. The depth of a regular bathtub can range anywhere from thirteen to sixteen inches, and the length of a tub will vary somewhere between four and five feet. Obviously, purchasing a large lift for a small tub won't work. The height of the individual using the lift will also make a difference when it comes to choosing the correct model. You might also find yourself getting a lift that is much too complicated to be installed and run easily.

No matter where you end up shopping for your bath lift, always check the store's return policy before you buy. All return policies are different and established at the discretion of the dealer. You'll find some dealers who refuse bath lift returns altogether. They may make a statement such as "The manufacturer will not accept returns on this product for sanitary reasons", or "Due to hygiene issues, any products which have been used in a bathroom are non-returnable." They may even tell you that federal law won't let them accept bath lift returns even though, in reality, there are no federal regulations about them at all.

Other dealers will allow you to return a lift as long as it hasn't been used in the water and provided you put it back in the original packaging. This policy allows you to take the unit home for a dry run before making the decision to buy. If you decide to return it, however, you will probably be charged a restocking fee.

If you order by phone, never take the salesperson's word about the company's return policy. Insist that they send you something in writing before ordering from that company.

When your lift arrives at your house, make sure that you test it out right away. As long as it works the way you want it to without water, it will work fine with the water, too, and if it works when you're wearing all of your clothes, it will also work when you take them off.

If you decide that you need to return the lift, give the dealer a call to request a return number. Put the lift back into the packaging it came in, and send it back to the company's address. If you're working with a quality business, the dealer will look over the item you've returned and issue you a quick refund. Hopefully, though, the lift you get will work so well that you'll want to keep and enjoy it for a long time to come.

For more tips on bathtub surrounds including a review of Japanese bath tubs, visit http://www.betterbathtub.com

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Don't Make This Mistake When Buying a Home

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

By Greg Vanden Berge

2 X 6 Nailed On To Window Header

Success Starting in Your 40s

You're going to find it hard to believe, but very seldom does an individual peak with creativity until they reach the age of 40. The average individual usually makes the most money between the age of 40 and 60. This doesn't have anything to do with retirement. Most highly creative people keep producing until they die.

If you're 55 years old and looking for a new career or can't seem to find a job in the profession you have worked at your whole life, don't be alarmed or fearful. Do you think you could start your own business? Is there something, you have always wanted to do but have put it off until retirement, or until you had enough time to do it?

Why wait, if you can't find a job in a business you never truly enjoyed, maybe you can find a new job doing something you love.

I have worked in construction for 30 years and at 44 years old started to pursue a career in writing and plan to create award winning websites and best selling books, for the rest of my life. This doesn't mean, I won't work in construction ever again, but I will become a best selling author within the next 20 years.

Most people don't take the time required to learn a new profession. If you're sincerely interested in another career, and you're 50 years old, there is plenty of people out there to give you hope and inspiration.

If you would like some proof, here's a couple successful American businessman who succeeded after the age of 40. Henry Ford is probably one of the most popular and became extremely successful after the age of 40. Andrew Carnegie, an American industrialists who transformed the steel business and did not start reaping the rewards of his efforts until he was well past the age of 40.

I gathered this information from the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. There is a section in the book where he talks about people after the age of 40 with phenomenal success. Anyone who's interested in gaining wealth through spirituality or finances should read this book.

I've often heard the statement, "People Often Over Estimate What They Can Do in a Year and Often Underestimate What They Can Do in a Decade." If you want to accomplish something after the age of 40, I would advise you to start with a plan and then put that plan and the action. Your plan could take five to 15 years to achieve or longer but think about the rewards, whether spiritual or financial.

Gregory Vanden Berge is working to promote personal development ideas and spiritual reform. He has started a web site for videos and articles based on current information about subject he is very familiar with.

"Education has freed me, to pursue other ideas and release me from the bondage and fear of organized religion."

Gregory Vanden Berge

Hole In Shingle Siding

How to Organize and Declutter Your Bathroom

Trying to organize and declutter your bathroom can be one of the bigger challenges to organizing. One of the smallest rooms in the house, yet so much "stuff" to put in the bathroom. Toiletries, shower supplies and cleaning supplies where can you put it all. Thankfully there are many inexpensive organizing techniques and products that can help you keep your bathroom looking organized and decluttered.

All it takes to keep your bathroom organized and decluttered is a little creativity

Take stock of your bathroom, what do you really need and what don't you need. Come armed with a garbage bag and cleaning supplies

Clean out those drawers. Even your old make-up, if you don't use it throw it away! If it has anything growing, throw it away. You may be able to move those items you store on top into a drawer. Your bathroom will be less cluttered. Using drawer organizers helps keep your bathroom drawers in order and remember to keep those items you frequently on top.

Is your shampoo, conditioner and body wash sitting on the floor of your shower or on the handrail of the door? Has your shower floor turned into a blend of bottles? Are you tired of bending down to get what you need? There are so many different types of inexpensive and stylish shower caddies available today that will not only declutter and organize your shower, make your shower more enjoyable but are quite stylish as well.

You can literally turn your bathroom cabinets into an organized storage area, neat and decluttered. First you need to organize and purge! Throw out that old shampoo that you bought and didn't like. The same goes for anything that you haven't used. I know that many times we buy things, don't like them but hate to throw them away. Now is the time to throw it away and organize your bathroom cabinets.

There are many great new inexpensive products out there on the market that can help you turn and keep your bathroom cabinets organized and neat. Even great products that will keep your blow dryer and supplies organized and decluttered.

Find more tips and tricks to keep your bathroom organized and decluttered at Organize Your Bathroom.

You can also find great ideas on organizing and decluttering your Laundry Room, Kitchen Cabinets and more.

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How to Install Natural Stone Veneer

Natural stone veneer can be applied to retaining walls, indoor or outdoor fireplaces, wall facades, and pillars. Thin stone veneers are made from real stone so they resist warping, cracking, fading, and chipping. Additionally, if they do become chipped or cracked nobody will notice since, unlike fabricated fake stone veneers, the color and texture of the stone goes all the way through the stone. Stone veneer is also faster and easier to apply since it is lighter and easier to handle.

Natural thin stone veneers come in a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. They are quarried in Arizona, Lannon, Fond Du Lac, Chilton, and Michigan. Thin stone veneer is the ideal stone application since it is superior in terms of being very durable and flexible in matching nearly every style, color, and design. Stone veneers are thinner and lighter than manufactured fake stone veneer and fiberglass stones.

The Basics

Stone veneer installation on any surface needs the same basic methods of application. First there needs to be a moisture barrier, a frame or structure for the mortar to grip, mortar, and then the stone of your choice. The moisture barrier and backbone frame are necessary components to ensure that your thin stone veneer will last a lifetime.

When installing stone Veneer to plywood, paneling, wall sheeting, wall board, or other non stone surface:

1. Cover the wall with a moisture barrier that is weather resistant and protects the underlying wood and the back of the stone veneer from moisture damage.

2. Apply a metal lath, mesh, or sheeting with galvanized nails or staples according to your local building code. This supplies rigid support for the mortar to stick to which provides a firm backbone for your stones to grip.

3. Apply your mortar, and on top of that apply your choice of stone veneer with mortar in between the "joints."

4. After your mortar has hardened, simply use a stiff brush and some water to scrape away any mortar that has found its way onto the face of your stones.

Concrete Masonry Stucco

1. As long as the masonry contains no oils, surfactants, or other chemicals on its surface and is clean and dry then you can feel free to apply the stone veneers without any prep. Just make sure that the backside of the masonry will not be exposed to a water source such has those used for retaining walls, ponds, or garden beds.

2. If it does contain chemicals or oils simply etch the surface with muriatic acid and score with a stiff wire brush.

3. Apply your mortar and your stone as usual.

4. If your surface has been treated with paint or other chemicals, simply sand blast this surface away or follow directions above and apply a barrier material, metal lath, mesh, or sheeting and install stone as you would for a plywood wall.

Metal Buildings

1. Install paperbacked 3/8 inch expanded metal lath to metal cladding supports. Use metal cladding supports of at least 12 to 20 gage and using 1 inches -12 pancake head super tight screws. Make sure that the screws penetrate at least 3.8 inch beyond the inside of the metal surface and at least every 12 inches.

2. Apply a 1/2 inch to a 3/4 scratch coat of mortar and allow it to dry at least 48 hours.

3. Apply the mortar and install the stones.

4. After the mortar had been allowed to dry at least 24 hours simply clean any mortar stains form the face of the stones with a stiff brush and water.

Natural Thin Stone veneers

Natural stone veneers are durable and long lasting. In the long run, real stone is more economical since it requires nearly zero maintenance, should never need to be replaced under normal conditions, and resists cracking, fading, chipping, erosion, and weather conditions.

Thin stone is available in a wide variety of colors and styles because it is made from natural stone. Therefore you can choose from more colors and cuts than fabricated stone.

Halquist Stone, Wisconsin's premier supplier of thin stone veneer, offers thin stone veneer that is cut from quarries in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Looking for a supplier of Natural Stone Veneer? View the many different styles of Stone Veneer and granite countertops in Wisconsin that Halquist Stone has to offer. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 or visit HalquistStone.com to request a free brochure

Vinyl Double Hung Window

Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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