A Buyer's Guide to Gutter Leaf Guards

Rain gutters can't do their job if they aren't kept clean. Leaves, pine needles, seeds and other debris can clog your gutter system. Rotten wood, leaky basements, frozen walkways and annoying drips are just a few of the problems you could face when your gutters get clogged.

But cleaning your gutters is a thankless, messy job. You need to be fearless of heights, have a good ladder, hand tools to scoop out leaves, and a garden hose to flush your gutters. You may also need a plumber's snake to clear clogs in your downspouts.

At the very least, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the Fall and once in Spring. This is general guideline, though. If you live in a wet climate or have tall trees next to your house, you will need to clean more often.

Installing gutter guards is a better option. They provide a peace of mind and keep you and your loved ones from risking life and limb when climbing ladders.

Gutter guards - also known as gutter screens or leaf guards - keep leaves, pine needles, seeds, buds and other debris out of your gutters, while letting water flow in.

Gutter guards come in many different styles including screens, surface tension systems, foam gutter guards and hybrid systems.

As the name implies, gutter screens use a metal or vinyl mesh to keep leaves and large debris from entering your gutter. Screen systems are often the least expensive and easiest to install of all the gutter guards, but - depending on their mesh size - may still allow some seeds and buds to get into your gutter.

Surface tension systems look like covers or caps for your gutters. These systems typically include a slot or trough along the edge of the cover. As water flows over the cover, surface tension makes it follow the curve of the gutter guard and flow into the slot, a path that the debris cannot follow.

Foam gutter guards work on a different principle, filling your gutters with a water-permeable foam insert. Foam guards ward off small seeds and buds that might slip through other types of gutter guards. But make sure the foam is treated to resist mold and repel insects. It should also be treated with a fire retardant.

Hybrid systems combine aspects of screen and surface tension systems, often featuring a finer mesh than more screen systems. Hybrid systems work well, but can be more expensive than other systems.

In addition to the gutter guards, it's also a good idea to put guards, or leaf strainers over the openings to your downspouts. Wire strainers, as they are generally known, keep the leaves from clogging your downspouts and/or underground drainage.

Which system is right for you?

The answer depends on your specific situation. Are you comfortable on ladders? Do you have the necessary time? Can you find someone that you can rely on (and who has insurance) to keep your gutters clean?

Surface tension systems are usually more expensive than gutter screens, and hybrid systems can be the most expensive. But prices will vary and you may be able to get a good deal on a more advanced system.

Consider the types of trees around your house. Pine trees pose a bigger problem than deciduous trees, since their needles are smaller than leaves.

Also note that not all gutter guards are compatible with all types of roofs and gutters. See this chart (http://www.guttersupply.com/file_area/public/File/leafguardcompchart.jpg) to tell which brands will work for your roof.

Finally, keep in mind that gutter guards are not foolproof. Some systems, especially the less expensive ones, may still allow small debris to get into your gutters. This may not be enough to clog your gutters, but could lead to a build-up over time.

Mike Milliman is a managing partner of GutterSupply.com, the leading online seller of gutter supplies and equipment. Visit their web site to learn more about gutter guards

Pocket Door Problems

Easy Way to Repair a Large Hole in Your Wall

Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .

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 home inspection or home building ideas.

Flooring Books
Home Building Books

Xbox 360 Repair Guide - A Review

Red Ring of Death (RRoD) is a common problem to Microsoft's Xbox 360. This is an indication of a general hardware failure that can lead your machine to a total dead set. There is a fix to that, but might take days or weeks if you send your console back to the manufacturer. How about fixing it your self with an ebook as your guide? Isn't it fulfilling to fix your own machine? Plus it is time and cost effective too.

Purchasing an Xbox 360 repair guide will only cost you a few dollars rather than spending more for repair that you can do on your own. Not just that, once you are confident in repairing Xbox you can do business with it. Purchasing dead sets and repairing them or accepting repairing services is a good thing to start with. Others have prospered since they purchased ebooks about repairing Xbox 360.

There are millions of Xbox users and only few are able to do repair. Now is the chance to be one of the few who are able to fix their own machine. Sending your unit to a repair show can be an option. They will still be doing what you can do if you did try to repair that yourself using the guide.

While browsing the Internet in search for a solution for a broken Xbox 360, I stumbled on a website offering an ebook for $24. Guaranteed that you'll be able to fix your unit within minutes, I bookmarked the site and did another search. I found out that if you send your machine back to Microsoft you'll smoothly be spending about $140. That is a big difference. If you just follow the guide correctly you'll surely be able to fix your machine as what technicians from Microsoft will do. After all bringing a dead set back to life is not totally convincing until you try it yourself.

In addition to written instructions in repairing Xbox 360, there are also links to videos to assist you better in doing the repair. Not just that, with the ebook you'll be able to perform other repairs including graphic errors and the long term overheating problem. All of these with a single purchase of an ebook that can change your view about repairing your machine.

If you are in need of additional support while doing the repair there are thousands of enthusiasts willing to help you. Membership to this community will surely build your confidence in repairing your Xbox 360.

If you want to know more about xbox red ring of death then feel free to visit xbox 360 repair

How to Choose the Right Nails For Your Home Improvement Job

When it comes to selecting the right nails for your projects, you first need to know a little bit about each type of nail available. If you haven't completed many different home improvement jobs, you may be surprised at the variety and choice of nails that are available to you. While you may think that a nail is a nail, you'll be shocked how disastrous your project becomes if you purchase the wrong type. Most hardware stores sell many different types of nails, including the ones listed below.

You can purchase stainless steel nails, galvanised nails, as well as those made from brass, aluminium, and copper. Nails come in many different sizes and lengths, as well. The most common type of stick nail features a flat head and works for most tasks. They come in various lengths and are fairly cheap. They do, however, leave behind a visible nail head. Common nails work fine for most small tasks, but they may not hold together well enough for other, larger and more structurally demanding projects.

If you need something a bit more specialised, you may want to look at these different types of nails:

Box nails are similar to common nails in that they both have large, flat heads. However, box nails have a lighter gauge than common nails. You'll want box nails if you're working with wood that may split easily. However, box nails may not hold as well as other types of nails.

Finish nails, on the other hand, have much smaller heads. They're the nail of choice for projects in which you don't want visible nail heads. Once they're hammered in, you can barely see finishing nails.

A brad is a type of nail that is very similar to a finishing nail but with one exception: instead of a flat head, brads have rounded heads that are even smaller than those on finishing nails.

For roofing projects, you'll want dedicated roofing nails which are designed to tack down shingles. Their heads are larger than those found on common nails, and they're specially coated to prevent rusting. Often galvanised nails are used for this application. For most roofs, one to two inch roofing nails are used.

Coated nails are covered with a resin that works kind of like glue. These nails are great if you need some extra holding power.

Threaded, or coil nails, are the strongest types of nail out there. They have as much holding power as wood screws, but they can be easily hammered in. These nails are excellent for more structurally demanding projects such as cabinets that will hold a lot of weight.

Finally, masonry nails are made from extra-strength steel and feature grooves that give them extra holding power. However, because of these grooves, they must be driven in straight, and it generally takes a heavy duty hammer or small sledge hammer to drive them in. If they aren't driven in straight, there's a chance the nail could bend or even break.

It is very important that you use the correct fastener for your application otherwise you risk producing substandard work or even a structurally unsafe job.

Stanley Bostitch offer a full range of Fasteners for construction and home improvement work. Whether you need stainless steel nails, galvanised nails or any other type of fastener you will find the advise you are looking for at bostitch.co.uk.

Exterior Wood Beams

VA 100% Financing! Exclusive to Our Military Thanks to the GI Bill of Rights

VA 100% financing is offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of our federal government. The VA recognizes the service our men and women have contributed to this great nation and they want to help by offering home ownership benefits exclusive to our military. Many of our Veterans are not aware that they can obtain 100% home financing and no monthly mortgage insurance to purchase a home.

VA loans are created by banks, savings and loans, and mortgage companies. They are guaranteed or insured by the Veterans Benefits Administration. The VA Home Loan Guaranty protects the lender in the unfortunate case the borrower fails in their mortgage payment. In a typical conventional mortgage, the lender gets this protection by requiring 20% down payment, or adding costly mortgage insurance to the loan.

VA loans are easier than you think. The application process is much the same as other home loan programs, but the lender will need the veteran's certificate of eligibility and a VA-assigned appraisal. Loans can be approved via automatic processing and closed without waiting for credit approval by the VA.

It is advantageous to VA borrower to get pre-approved as soon as possible. Once the borrower knows the amount they are eligible for they can start the home search in earnest. Sellers view buyer pre-approvals as serious, this is important especially if others are interested in the same home. Pre-approval tells the seller the pre-approved buyer is not going to waste their time: The buyer knows in advance what they can afford to purchase and are not looking to go outside their price range.

There are many applications to a VA home loan. Borrowers can purchase and upgrade a home at the same time, or even repair an existing one. The list of home improvements, and replacement items, range from replacing windows, roofing, appliances, and much more. One can use a VA mortgage loan to increase the energy efficiency of a home.

The VA even offers help for those looking to refinance. At little to no cost, streamline refinancing can help VA homeowners lower their monthly mortgage payments. Veterans should take full advantage of VA loan benefits and ask about interest rate reduction plans.

VA foreclosed properties are available too. They are offered in the same manner as HUD repos. If you are interested in foreclosed single-family houses, check your area on the following website: http://www.homesales.gov/homesales/mainAction.do Check with your VA Center or mortgage lender if you need more information regarding purchasing terms and conditions.

Less expensive than conventional programs VA home loans offer better rates and generally offer more money that can be borrowed at the start of the loan to pay varied costs and fees. The average state maximum guarantee is 25% or $104,250 and the maximum home loan amount is $417,000. Some states have a higher maximum guarantee and loan amount. Call your local VA center or mortgage lender for maximum benefits in your state.

Peter Boyle
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Serving the community 17 years.
http://www.peterboylehomeloans.com
pboyle@summit-mortgage.com
612-701-6816

Resolving Home Remodeling Anxiet

Where Can I Buy a Cheaper Home Insurance Policy?

Once one understands the importance of purchasing a home insurance policy, practical considerations must also be taken in to account. The most important issue in people's minds is where to go to purchase insurance for their homes. Policies can be bought either through a reliable agent or home insurance companies' websites.

After you choose who to buy from, you should research them for more information. Make it a point to collect the information regarding the policy coverage, term period of the policy, various payment modes as well as the monthly and annual premium installments.

Nevertheless, it is extremely important to be cautious when purchasing home coverage policies. For example, before contacting any agent or firm, you should make sure that the firm/agency is trustworthy and have a license from the governing or licensing body of your state. Many companies and agents on the internet are frauds that are after your money, so be wary.

Recommendations for good agents or home insurance companies can be sought from sources such as your family and friends. If you still need assistance, try looking in the Yellow Pages for more info. Websites, such as Google, can be a great help in your search for additional information.

After you have found an agent or company to get insurance from, it is vital to obtain as much information about them and their future plans as humanly possible. Do whatever you believe will be of benefit and read online reviews as well.

Home insurance policies are many and varied, including HO-1 all the way through HO-8. There are benefits and limitations to each kind of home coverage policy.

Please provide as much detail as possible when requesting quotes because there is a wide variety of policies and coverages for each insurance type. An example is to check if the policy is meant for a homeowner, a leaseholder or a co-op/condominium owner.

Once you've determined the specific type of policy that's right for you, gathering information on companies specializing in that type of policy is critical.

The Internet plays an increasingly important role in transmitting information from around the globe in just seconds. Using the internet to obtain detailed information has assuaged people's concerns about selecting the wrong company.

Thanks to countless websites you can discover reliable insurance companies as well as agents. People purchasing a home can get a great deal when these insurance brokers give them a special offer for their home coverage policies.

While the internet is an ideal way to purchase homeowners insurance, one should always be alert to fact that fraud is still alive on the world wide web. Therefore, if a company does not have a state government certification, you should avoid them. State governments often monitor insurance companies by certifying them and rating their insurance plans.

Ian Wright will only help you save money on home insurance if you visit homeowner insurance quote online or http://www.quick-online-insurance-quote.com/cheapest-online-home-insurance-quote.html.

Long Dryer Vent Problems

Xbox 360 Repair Guide - A Review

Red Ring of Death (RRoD) is a common problem to Microsoft's Xbox 360. This is an indication of a general hardware failure that can lead your machine to a total dead set. There is a fix to that, but might take days or weeks if you send your console back to the manufacturer. How about fixing it your self with an ebook as your guide? Isn't it fulfilling to fix your own machine? Plus it is time and cost effective too.

Purchasing an Xbox 360 repair guide will only cost you a few dollars rather than spending more for repair that you can do on your own. Not just that, once you are confident in repairing Xbox you can do business with it. Purchasing dead sets and repairing them or accepting repairing services is a good thing to start with. Others have prospered since they purchased ebooks about repairing Xbox 360.

There are millions of Xbox users and only few are able to do repair. Now is the chance to be one of the few who are able to fix their own machine. Sending your unit to a repair show can be an option. They will still be doing what you can do if you did try to repair that yourself using the guide.

While browsing the Internet in search for a solution for a broken Xbox 360, I stumbled on a website offering an ebook for $24. Guaranteed that you'll be able to fix your unit within minutes, I bookmarked the site and did another search. I found out that if you send your machine back to Microsoft you'll smoothly be spending about $140. That is a big difference. If you just follow the guide correctly you'll surely be able to fix your machine as what technicians from Microsoft will do. After all bringing a dead set back to life is not totally convincing until you try it yourself.

In addition to written instructions in repairing Xbox 360, there are also links to videos to assist you better in doing the repair. Not just that, with the ebook you'll be able to perform other repairs including graphic errors and the long term overheating problem. All of these with a single purchase of an ebook that can change your view about repairing your machine.

If you are in need of additional support while doing the repair there are thousands of enthusiasts willing to help you. Membership to this community will surely build your confidence in repairing your Xbox 360.

If you want to know more about xbox red ring of death then feel free to visit xbox 360 repair

Please Help Us with Your Remodeling Advice

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

Treat Others As You Would Like T

Home Renovation

Home renovation is a process of restructuring or making improvements in your old house. It involves either complete makeover or adding a few things for a better looking house. Most often than not, the homeowners design and implement the changes on their own (Do It Yourself); and sometimes defined by the complexity of the job involved and the budget, contractors are also contacted to accomplish the task. There are many warehouses that not only supply the necessary material for renovation but also help the homeowners with DIY ideas and educate them in handling the complexities of the work. DIY may appear to be palatable idea which also radically cuts down the cost of renovation however it is advisable to go for a professional help when the task requires technical expertise and task-specific artistry.

The general contractor oversees and manages the entire gamut of renovation work ranging from designing to the work of laying down the electric cables, roofing and removing the debris once the task is complete.Home renovation can include anything from mechanical work like wall makeover, that is wall papering, painting walls or installing wooden panels, floor improvement involving new flooring like wood flooring, carpeting etc., roof replacement, upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), water proofing basements, reducing utility costs with methods like energy-efficient insulation, wood burning stoves, solar panels etc, installing emergency preparedness safety measures etc to decorate the house which includes landscape construction like improvement of lawns, pools, attic etc.

Home improvement can be considered for the economy purpose, making provisions for water storage or installing gadgets that are power efficient or just work efficient like electronic chimney etc. Home remodeling can be simply for comfort reasons too like making arrangements for keeping the house warm in the winters, redesigning in a manner that allows for more sun shine, or making a swimming pool, or gym, or library, or laying gravel in the lawn, recontouring the patio or garden and so on.

The extent to which improvement is carried out defines the type of remodeling, which can be partial improvement when instead of the entire home only a certain sections like just the bedroom(s), living room, kitchen, patio, garden and bathroom are being remodeled or damaged or worn out items are replaced with a new or just repaired. Home renovation infuses new life giving a completely different and better look to the house. This kind of mans desire to combat the ravages of time and taste on the basic lifestyle of man with or without professional guidance come under home renovation.

Deepika Rohilla

What To Do If Your Home Floods

LCD TV Repair - Is Now a Good Time to Upgrade Your Repair Skills?

People currently engaged in TV repair as a major source of income should benefit from the explosive growth in the plasma and liquid crystal display television (LCD TV) industry. The technologies, which are probably very near their peak, has become so inexpensive that more and more people are discarding their usually cumbersome and bulky cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and getting their energy and space efficient flat screen counterparts.

As early as 2005 and 2006, the Plasma and LCD segment of the TV industry has been reporting double to triple digit percentage growths and has surpassed its CRT counterparts in terms of revenue. And even with the current financial crisis that stemmed from the US housing sector, higher sales are still projected for 2008 and 2009. Market research firm iSuppli sees a total worldwide shipment of 93.4 million units this year and about 112.6 million units next year. This very much indicates a very healthy demand for the technology.

What this means is that there's a very high likelihood of surge in demand for services relating to this particular niche, particularly, the demand for Plasma and LCD TV Repair services. A skilled TV repair person experiencing a decline in profits in CRT TV repair should look at this current boom in big screen TVs as an opportunity to breath new life into his/her business. The key is getting into it while its hot.

Learning the skill should be a breeze to an experienced repair person. The LCD itself is a relatively durable device that could outlast its peripheral parts. For example, one of the most common failures of the LCD is the dimming of its back-lights. Hence, learning how to replace those is a simple yet very integral part of this money-making skill.

The good news is that you can learn all this yourself! You don't have to go to a formal TV training school and pay ridiculously high fees for this knowledge as it is readily available right here and right now. The information needed to repair these contraptions, with full schematic diagrams, service manuals and step by step How-To's, fortunately, is readily available to those who know where to look.

How about the replacement parts needed for repair? One Google search of the keywords "LCD TV Parts" results in a flood of information about where one can get them. There should be ample supply of parts already in the market for those wanting to get into this.

Is it time to include Plasma and LCD TV Repair into your electronics repair services? I do believe it is.

Mold On Oak Door Jamb

The Many Uses of Tarpaulins

Tarpaulins are more commonly known as tarps and they have a wide variety of uses. Tarpaulins are large, durable, flexible sheets of fabric that are waterproof or water resistant depending on the make. These tarpaulins are very usually coated in a latex or plastic, which gives them extra strength. Tarpaulins used to be made of canvas, but now they are mostly made of other fabrics such as nylon. Tarpaulins have been in use for more than a century now, and they are still being improved on and used for new things all the time.

There are so many uses for tarpaulins that it would take quite some time to name them all. They are often used for construction sites as well as home and garden. They can even be used for protecting sports fields like baseball diamonds. They are great for protecting any outdoor property you may have. Tarpaulins are also great for camping trips and any other outdoor adventure you may have. They come in different levels of toughness depending on what job you need them to do. For everything that they are used for these days, they have only one or two specific purposes. Their main purpose is to be used for any outdoor endeavors and how they are used should be taken into account with the situation.

Tarpaulins will come in various colors. If you are looking to color coordinate anything with your outdoors, tarpaulins are an easy way to do so. You can even purchase camouflage tarpaulins. Tarpaulins will be made of different materials, depending on what they will be used for. The strongest tarpaulins will be made of a polyethylene or another synthetic fiber. Many tarpaulins will be waterproof and some will even be fire retardant. You will find that they also come in many different sizes to suit your many different needs as a consumer. Some will be smaller squares of fabric that only measure up to a few feet and some will be large enough to cover a baseball diamond or football field. Tarpaulins have a long list of practical uses. These tarpaulins should taken advantage of as they may end up saving damage to something you cherish that is located around the outdoors of your home.

Tarpaulins expert Robert Page has worked in the tarps industry for over twenty-five years. For more information, please visit http://www.tarpaflex.com or call 239 919 2923

Toilet Seat Damage

Post Your Ideas Here On Deck Building

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

Real Estate Books
Home Fence Books

Home Improvement Books Can Solve Problems

The other day, I was surfing the Internet and came upon an online home building bookstore that put together a website with the best-selling home building books on the market today. These books range from basic carpentry to advanced structural engineering and everything else you could possibly think of that could be related to the home building, selling, remodeling and construction process.

I couldn't believe the simple and easy to use. Here's a list of some of their books selections.

Photo Guide to Home Repair - The most up-to-date, complete, and useful guide to home repair a homeowner can have. With more than 350 projects and 2300 photos, virtually every home repair challenge.

Exterior Siding, Trim & Finishes - This first ever compilation by Fine Homebuilding on the popular subject provides builders with ideas for choosing the correct finishes for home exteriors, plus solid how-to information.

Flipping Houses - This book is designed for realty investors who want to profit from buying below market, making cosmetic improvements to add value, and then quickly reselling.

Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling a bathroom is a challenge - it's action-oriented and requires extra energy and stamina. But you, undoubtedly, realize it's a challenge you want to take on.

One $20 home building books or home repairs book, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. Our online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

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.

Carpet Damage From Cat
Stair Tread Carpet Stain

Become a Jack of All Trades

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

Don't Let a Lack of Water Hurt Your Landscaping

Ever heard of xeriscaping?

It's a term that came into vogue in the semi-arid Western United States back in the 1980s. Xeros is the Greek word for dry...and it's the botanical term for drought, as well. So you can see it's an applicable term for trying to landscape in any location where, at best, the rainfall can be termed erratic!

The trick to xeriscaping is to maximize what rainfall you do get. Sure, it's possible to have lush gardens if you're willing to pay for the vast amount of water you'll need to maintain them, but frankly landscaping that is not so lush have their own beauty as well.

It all comes down to planning.

Before you begin your landscaping, you must know the ground you're working with thoroughly. Take your climate conditions into account at every stage of the process.

The first thing you'll need to do is analyze your yard's soil and improve it to increase water retention. If you have a huge backyard, you'll probably only want to turn a small portion of it into a garden, but this can easily be integrated with the rest of the yard through proper design.

Select plants that are well adapted to the area in which you live. The more water-thrifty the plants, the better they'll thrive. Get advice from your local gardening stores to find out exactly what kind of plants these might be, and make sure you know the pH balance of your soil. Group plants together in your yard according to how much water they'll need. In this way, you can have some "water-thirsty" plants in your yard which you can water all at the same time, without having to waste time going from spot to spot.

Another thing to take into consideration is the slope of your land? Does it slope, and if so, in which way? Such rainfall as you do get will run off in that direction, so that's where you'll want to plant your garden. Or, create an artificial slope towards another area if you want to improve the view from your kitchen window, for example.

Keeping plants in movable pots is always an easy solution, grouping them together and changing that grouping whenever the spirit moves you.

But the starkness and beauty of the desert landscape itself need not be overlooked. Add a simple Japanese garden with white sand and rocks and you've got a perfect place to meditate. Build a small water-garden that recycles the water at all times and you'll enjoy the gentle sound of trickling water as you concentrate on your book, or while you're watching the birds fly by.

So, look for ideas on xeriscaping. As always, the web is your one-stop ideas shop. Try Xeriscape Colorado to begin with. You'll find a vast compendium of ideas, tips and tricks there.

Xeriscaping is not just for use in those dry portions of the country. It's time that water conservation was practiced by everyone - even in those areas where you think water will never be scarce. Take a look at Earth Easy's website for ideas on how you can implement water conservation in your garden.

Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles published at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com , with reference to lawn care and gardening . Find more publications about landscaping at his website.

Traditional Building and Architectural Restoration Meet Foam Carving Technology

The more things change, the more it seems we're drawn to places that connect us to the past. Whether it's as lofty as a church cathedral or as everyday as an office building, the architecture of days gone by has the power to remind us of where we came from.

Maintaining links with the past through architecture has always been a labor of love. Restoring a building that has seen better days or recreating the feel of an historical building has traditionally involved tedious, manual processes hampered by high costs, extensive labor and the potential for inaccuracies. But the times are changing. The development of advanced foam cutting and 3d foam carving technologies has introduced a world of new possibilities for restoring and revisiting traditional architecture.

Gaining acceptance as a lightweight, easy-to-install, cost effective replacement for traditional building materials, foam is now used to create a range of architectural features, from columns and balusters to moldings and other decorative features. These pieces can be made with foam and then coated with materials that stand up to the elements, or foam can be used to create molds for concrete, cast stone, plaster and a range of other materials. Despite this, there has been some hesitation to adopt this material for traditional building and architectural restoration. While concerns about introducing new technology into a field full of tradition may be partly to blame, the technologies available in the past simply haven't been up to the task.

The introduction and integration of a number of technologies, including 3D laser scanning, 3D foam milling and innovative mold making processes is solving these problems and making foam carving a perfect option for architectural reproduction and restoration. Dwayne Lehman, president of Streamline Automation, a company that has pioneered the use of these technologies, explains that they "essentially eliminate the problems that come with traditional methods, whether it's the amount of labor involved or the inaccuracies. They provide an automated solution that's more efficient and accurate than anything available before."

The process starts with the original architecture, whether it's the existing original, a photograph or even a memory. Where an original piece exists, the object is laser scanned to create a digital file that's accurate to within thousandths of an inch. If the original is long gone, a digital file can be created using 3D modeling software to bring the past to life. In both cases, the resulting file can be edited and adapted within the software to ensure accuracy and detail. In cases where restoration work is required, the software can be used to correct the effects of time. As Lehman explains, "this is really where history and technology come together. This system lets you bring architecture back to its original form."

Once the data file has been prepared, it's sent to a 3D foam router, which can recreate the piece in exacting detail using high density foam. Depending on the nature of the piece and how it will be used, there are a number of options at this point. For less intricate pieces, a positive version can be milled out of foam and then coated to produce a sturdy final product. In cases where the final product will be created using cast stone, concrete, plaster or a range of other materials, new mold making processes allow a detailed mold to be created from either a negative or positive version of the piece. These molds are then used to create the final product.

Lehman explains that the benefits of combining foam cutting and carving technology with innovative mold making processes "go beyond the most obvious time and labor savings. It can recreate and restore with great accuracy, but it also brings new flexibility and efficiency. Architectural designs can be stored digitally and then altered, scaled or added to as required. So it's not only about perfect restorations, but it's also about allowing new uses of traditional architecture in modern building."

The end result is accurate and authentic reproductions and restorations that are almost impossible to distinguish from original versions. The process brings improvements to traditional processes but still creates end products that capture the spirit and craftsmanship of the originals. So while this is a technology that's moving traditional building forward, it's also letting us maintain our connection to the past.

For more information about integrated foam carving systems and about Streamline Automation's FROG3D foam cutting and carving system, visit http://www.3dcutting.com

Streamline Automation's FROG3D" foam carving system helps creative businesses from around the world create stunning concrete molds, architectural features and themed environments with unmatched speed, detail and accuracy. Streamline's clients not only get automated, end-to-end production processes, but they can also increase their production capabilities, boost their creative freedom and expand their businesses. Streamline Automation also provides a range of business-building services developed specifically for the concrete and sculptural industries. These services are designed to deliver the knowledge, skills and operational processes our clients need to grow their businesses around FROG3D" - whether they are industry newcomers or seasoned veterans.

Home Selling Tips - Best Real Estate Advice Ever

One of the most important things to remember when selling your home is to keep it as clean as possible. If you need help or don't have the time to organize your stuff, you can hire a home staging professional in your area. Ask your real estate professional for more information.

1. Remove any clutter from the home and place it in storage. Do not store this stuff on the property if you don't have enough room. Storing clutter in closets or in your garage, will often make these areas look smaller. By removing clutter or even large pieces of furniture, the rooms will look larger.

2. Disconnect yourself emotionally from your home. This is a big problem for people who have lived in their house for long periods of time. If you've raised a family here, the children could have emotional ties also to the home. Some home sellers are looking for someone special to buy their home, if you've got the time and money to wait, you can be selective but be careful, because the longer you wait, the market could go up or down.

3. When your real estate professional is showing the house, it's always a good idea to leave the home until the potential homebuyers are gone. One example of this would be if you were in a bad mood or didn't have a good day and were a little upset at the world. Your mood could cause potential homebuyers to lose interest in the property. I've seen this more than once.

4. Make sure everything is operating properly. This would include doors, door knobs, windows, kitchen appliances, garage door openers, cabinet drawers, bathroom fixtures, toilets, faucets, lights, switches, electrical outlets and anything else that moves, slides, turns or rotates that is part of the home.

5. The Interior and exterior walls of the home should be in good shape. Make sure there's no termite damage, wood rot, peeling paint, broken windows or holes in the walls.

6. Make sure the flooring is in good shape. Some real estate professionals will suggest, replacing the carpeting with a neutral color. This method often works pretty good but I have seen plenty of homes that were re-carpeted and after the home was purchased the carpeting was replaced again, by the new owners. Just make sure the flooring is in good shape.

7. Here's a trick that definitely works a little magic when selling a home. Leave some cookies or a nice fruit bowl on the dining room table. There is no need to leave a sign that says "Eat Me". It gives the home a warm feeling, almost like a country atmosphere.

8. Even better than home selling tip number seven would be baking some cookies just before the perspective buyers arrive, it's not the cookies, it's the smell from the cookies that most people cannot resist.

These are just a few home selling tips but the most important is to keep the inside and outside of the home clean.

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

Don't buyers sell a home without checking how the problems with poor home repairs

Need Help Remodeling In Carlsbad

Any Advice Will Be Helpful

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

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Want to Know How to Makeover Your Home For Less? Canvas Wall Art Prints

They say a picture paints a thousand words? We agree, and if your talking modern wall pictures for your contemporary home you cant go far wrong than considering a canvas artwork for your living space or office. There are a plethora of canvas art online galleries small and large out there - all of them offering different services at different prices. This article is aimed at providing a balanced view of what's hot and what's not in the world of canvases. We hope these somewhat abstract words of wisdom will help you in your quest to choose a great canvas art print for yourself.

A canvas print, also known as a stretched canvas or canvas art, is the result of an image printed onto a canvas which is stretched, or gallery wrapped onto a frame and displayed. Many sellers offer canvas art either stretched or unstretched. Stretched canvas takes the hassle out of the process for the buyer. Generally the canvas will be 'wall ready' straight out of the shipping box. However often you can save a little bit of cash buy asking for your canvas print to be shipped unframed, your print will probably arrive in a tube and you will then need to hand build a frame before hanging. I would always recommend spending a little extra of your hard earned cash on getting your canvas print framed. This way your leaving it to the experts to do what they do best.

Historically reproductions of original artwork have been printed onto canvas for many decades using what's commonly known as offset printing in the trade. In recent years the industry has exploded with the ever growing popularity of inkjet printers and digital photographic devices. Modern large format printers can print up to huge sizes up to 60 inches in width. This size and scale of canvas printing has meant an almost endless scope for design and decoration of photographic images and artwork. Walk into any contemporary restaurant these days and you can almost guarantee that you will find a huge macro focused image of the chef's latest culinary delight.

The growth of the internet in the digital age has had huge ramifications for the services that canvas art retailers can offer to their customers. Web 2.0 has meant development of many user generated software packages that allow anyone to load up photos, do basic effects to those pictures and reproduce them as canvas art prints. Some online canvas art sellers do nothing else other than produce artwork generated by users of their websites. Others have huge artwork catalogues that can be reproduced 'on demand' for customers rather than having to be pre made. We always recommend when considering which company to buy your canvas art from to check their delivery schedules before purchase. Some offer services within 48 hours others 2 weeks! Go for the 48hour option as weeks can often run unto months as the work builds up over busy periods.

The process of framing a modern canvas print takes skill and experience to achieve a professional quality finish. Make sure the print is tightly stretched over around the sides of a box stretcher frame when you receive it. Good stretcher frames will be professionally, accurately cut with a sloping profile that minimises contact with the front face of the canvas, preventing the impression marks. Without this slope you may find that over years rather than months the impression marks become so bad as to ruin the actual canvas picture. They should also be adjustable, supplied with tensioning wedges in each inside corner that can be tapped in slightly to allow occasional re-tightening of the canvas. To take the perceived risk out of the 'buying canvas art' equation look for sellers that offer no quibble money back guarantees for a period of time after receipt. Not only can you check out the quality against what we recommend in this article but you can also 'live with' the canvas wall artwork for a few days to check it matches your wall dcor and contemporary furnishings.

So what type of canvas art seller is best I hear you cry? Unfortunately we don't have a finite answer for that question but we have a few thoughts on things to look out for. Most wall canvas sellers come from a printing background... great you might think, what could go wrong? Well have a think, and look at the actual artwork they have on offer and compare it to other canvas sellers. You will see some similarities as they will probably buy images from stock photography sellers. As a piece of 'art' these canvas prints will be worthless over the long term. They lack a little integrity as they wont be limited editions signed by the artist, as there is no artist! Look out for information on artists, limited edition numbers and so forth, this is usually a good sign for the longevity of value for your canvas wall artwork. Make sure your canvas art retailer has one foot in the printing industry and the other dipped into the art world galaxy!

Luke Hollingworth is an artist and business person from a rural area in the United Kingdom. He works for a canvas wall art company called Art By People - http://www.artbypeople.co.uk

Invisible Causes Of Water Damage

What Do Termites Look Like? Termite Prevention Works Best When You Know Your Termite Species

There over thousands termite species around the world. The vast majority of termite species live in tropical climates while a few live in other climates. In United States there are about 45 species. Subterranean termites live in soil or in wood that is in contact with the earth. In nature, they perform a vital function by eating wood and breaking down the cellulose, so that the soil gets enriched again. However when they try to do the same thing with wood used in human construction they become pests.

Termites like other social insects like bees or ants tend to live in huge groups centered on their nests. Like bees and ants, termites in the same nest are divided into various groups according to the functions they perform on behalf of the nest, such as soldiers, workers, nymphs, etc. These functional groups differ quite significantly from each other.

Termite eggs look like jelly beans and are quite small. Once the queen lays them it is the duty of the workers to look after them. Larvae are the next stage. They are colorless and have soft heads. They too are dependent on the workers to care for them. Termite workers have a soft creamy white body and a darker head with hardened mouth. They are the most numerous group of termites and perform various functions. These include finding and eating wood so that they can feed the others, and they also build and maintain the tunnels to prevent the nest from drying out. The termite workers will molt several times during their lives renewing their mouth pieces. Some of them can also start reproducing if separated from the nest.

Termite soldiers are large compared to others and guard the nest. They have huge heads and long mouths to attack any invaders. They have to depend on the workers to feed them. Comparatively few soldiers are found in a termite nest. Nymphs are a special group that can molt into winged termites that can fly away to find new nests. They too can start reproducing if separated from the nest.

Reproductive termites produce eggs. There can be several reproductive termites in a nest but there will always be at least one male and one female. There are several types of reproductive termites. Main brownish black colored reproductive termites only emerge when the nest mature and will try to fly way to create a new nest after pairing with another one.

Termites workers locate wood on the surface of the soil and starts feeding on them after constructing tubes or tunnels to the wood from the nest so that termites can get protected access to it. However, feeding will progress at a very slow rate. It will usually take months for anyone to see any noteworthy damage to the wood. Termites prefer the soft grained part of the wood so that after they have infested a piece of wood to the full, only the hard grained part and an outer shell will remain. This makes it hard to tell whether the wood is infested or not.

Don't let your house become a victim to a termite attack! Learn how to prevent termites now so that you can avoid becoming another termite invasion statistic by visiting http://www.howtopreventtermites.com - a website that provides information, tips and advice on termite prevention, termite treatments and how to detect termites.

Looking for a Good Contractor's Story

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

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Wood Conversation Sets

With summer being in full swing, it is time to pull out the attractive wood conversation sets. If you do not have your own wood conversation set, there are number of attractive options available. You can purchase a patio set to go with your choice in patio umbrellas, and enjoy a summer day without fear of being sunburned. You can decorate your patio in any way you wish in a variety of wood including teak. You can even install porch swings on your porch, add outdoor rocking chairs, place tables outdoors, or even add outdoor umbrellas.

When a person decorates outside by adding conversation pieces, it is not just about functionality but also about an expression of that individual's personal tastes. When any individual is choosing a conversation piece for his or her garden or patio, he or she selects it based on individual style and taste. Decorating with wood or using it for furniture can make a lasting impression for your home, adding an air of taste and quality with family and friends.

As you are a unique individual, you want every aspect of your house to match. This includes your garden and all of the outdoor surroundings of your home. You want both you and your guests to be comfortable when you are in the outdoors, and wood meets your needs and expectations perfectly. It is one of the cheapest materials to buy and yet can add elegance and a flair to your wood conversation sets.

Caring for your wood sets is very important, as chips and water damage are possible. The sun can also damage your wood, making it brittle and possibly even cracking the wood. If you protect your outdoor furniture with furniture covers whenever they are not used, this can help to prevent the various types of damage, which can occur to your wood conversation sets. You can also oil or stain your wood annually to increase the life and retain the original look.

For some individuals, their home is an expression of their creativity. Each individual has a style that is his or her own. Colors, shapes, and sizes are selected based on personal style and tastes. Individuality and the ability to meet the desires of individuality is perhaps one of the most treasured gifts every individual is given. It allows each individual to say what he or she wants, or what he or she does not want. It also allows for saying if we like, or do not like something. Individuality should be expressed and is highly sought after in this world.

The interest in wood has been rekindled of late. It is soft, yet strong, and completely natural. You even have the option of choosing recycled wood to better protect our green earth. With the world changing yearly and concerns about the environment are at an all time high, it is important to make every effort to reduce carbon footprints and make our homes green.

Wood conversation sets are unique and timeless, as they have been offered for thousands of years. If you examine any ancient culture, you will find that wood sets were the simplest and best choice for all homes. They could be simple and plain or stylish and carved. Multiple types of wood could be used and offered to the public. Whenever you see the effort and skill put into shaping and working wood, you know you will be making a quality purchase, which will remain in the family for years.

Wood conversation sets can grace any home with their unique and natural look. In addition, unlike cast or wrought iron, you can quickly clean your wooden conversation sets and bring them inside for your guests if you wish. You can rest easy knowing you have made a wise choice for your home. Take advantage of wood conversation sets and buy yours today.

Wood Conversation Sets offer a timeless natural beauty that other sets can't match. Our wood pieces are built to withstand the elements as well. Choose from a variety of wood types, including cedar, pine, teak, and more.

See our large selection of furniture for your outdoor areas at best outdoor life.com.

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Bathroom Remodeling - Choosing Your New Bathtub

Are you a homeowner? If so, if you are given the option to change one thing about your bathroom, what would you choose? If you are similar to many other homeowners, there is a high possibility that the bathtub was your answer. In the United States, there are a rather large number of homeowners who wish that they had a new bathtub. If you are among those individuals, the good news is you don't have to wish any longer? If you want a new bathtub, you should get one. Making a new bathtub part of your bathroom remodeling project isn't as hard as it may appear.

Perhaps, the first step in selecting your new bathtub is deciding on the amount of money set aside for your budget. In addition, if you are remodeling your entire bathroom, it is important that you not make the cost of a new bathtub your only focus, but also the cost of your other supplies. If you mistakenly overspent on a new bathtub, it could affect the rest of your bathroom remodeling plans. Furthermore, you will probably discover that setting a bathtub limit or budget is the best method to cut down on shopping time. Having in mind the amount of money that would be consider overspent will prevent you from wasting your time, by examining bathtubs that you are unable to afford.

It is also a fine idea to decide, ahead of time, how you would like to have your new bathtub installed. If you have plans to hire a professional to install your new bathtub, you will need to be aware of the extra costs. Even though you might want to avoid paying a professional contractor, you may need to. There are several bathroom contractors who specialize in replacing bathtubs. In fact, some, literally, just place a new bathtub right over the old one. It may be feasible for you to do this yourself, but, in most cases, you will discover that a professional contractor would take as little as a few hours to install your new bathtub.

Regardless of whether your choice is to install your own bathtub or hire a professional to do it for you, you will have to find a new bathtub to purchase. If you are planning to have your old bathtub completely removed, you will probably discover that you have more options. When a new bathtub replaces an old bathtub, the tubs need to be somewhat similar in size or style. Hence, if you are remodeling your bathroom with the expectations of getting a "new," bathroom, you may be searching for something different. Fortunately for you, you still have a limitless number of options.

In the United States, the most regularly installed bathtubs types consist of traditional ones, which are also known as standard tubs. These bathtubs are frequently connected directly to the wall, positioned in a corner, and sit right on the floor. One of the good points about the majority of traditional bathtubs is the comparatively affordable price. You can buy a traditional bathtub for as low as two hundred dollars. If comfort is your concern, instead of price, you may want to consider spa-like bathtubs or even massage bathtubs. These bathtubs, as you may guess, are more expensive than most others. Several massage bathtubs or spa-like bath tubs go for around one or two thousand dollars. If you are searching for a trendy, stylish bathtub, you may fancy owning a freestanding bathtub. You can get a freestanding bathtub from as low as five hundred dollars, but it can also reach into the thousands.

Once you have made the decision of purchasing a bathtub that suits your preference, you will need to settle on on a particular tub. Perhaps, shopping is the greatest way to accomplish this. You may find it simpler to decide when you are able to view the bathtub displays set up. For an extensive range of bathtubs, consisting of displays, you are recommended to checkout one of your local home improvement stores.

Did you find those tips on bathroom remodeling useful? You can learn a lot more about bathroom remodeling by visiting http://home-remodeling.homeimprovementnewbie.com/.

The author of this article is Shin who is the webmaster of the site http://www.homeimprovementnewbie.com/ where he provides tips on home improvement.

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Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

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

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

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

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

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

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

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

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

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

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

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

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

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

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

Preventing Falls on the Stairs

There are a lot of areas of the home that are dangerous or present a risk. Often this depends on your age group. For instance, a child might be at risk when playing around the stove, while an elderly individual is likely to be more at risk when using the stairs. Identifying and dealing with these issues is paramount to staying healthy and injury free.

Among seniors, a fall can be a very serious thing. It is often harder for an elderly individual to catch themselves before they fall. The recovery time for a senior is also a lot longer and the process can be quite difficult. Many times, due to osteoporosis, even a small low impact fall can result in a broken hip or fractured wrist, so it is far better to prevent them before they happen.

One of the most common places for a fall is the stairs and other areas that change elevation. Sometimes a home will have a step down into the living room or perhaps even into the kitchen, so making sure all of these types of areas are clearly marked is a good idea. Using a piece of brightly colored textured tape is a good idea. On the stairs, you should use the same color tape for all of the steps, with the exception of the first and last step. On the first and last step, you should use a color that sharply contrasts the tape on the inside steps. This way it is easy to quickly pick out the top and bottom step.

Some people also choose to install a stair lift, which is a medical lifting aid. These devices are used to help a person up the stairs and are great for those who find it painful or otherwise difficult to use the stairs. Many accidents are caused by a lack of balance, so those that are at all unsteady should consider using some sort of lifting aid.

One of the great things about a stair lift is that it can be installed to most straight staircases quickly and easily. There is rarely a need to modify the home, with the exception of securing the stair lift track to the staircase. A curved staircase is not quite as easy to outfit with a stair lift though.

It is also a good idea to remove loose carpets, especially around the stairs. A loose throw rug not only can slip, but even if the rug has a non-skid backing, the corner can become turned up, making it possible to trip over it. Instead, carpets should be tacked to the floor and remain firmly in place and otherwise removed.

Having adequate lighting can also be very important to prevent falls. For outdoor use, installing motion sensor lights can be a good idea. These lights come on if they detect motion, but they can also be turned on like regular lights, usually by turning them off and back on again in rapid succession. You can also adjust how sensitive the motion detector is, so make sure you adjust it to turn on as soon as you drive up or come outside. For inside, having good light is important in all areas of the home.

For a senior, it can be difficult to recover from a fall. It is a good idea to take steps to make your home as safe as possible.

Sean Noughtly is a writer that is familiar with many types of mobility aids, such as stair lifts. The stair lift is a very popular device that can make using the stairs possible again. Many who thought they would have to completely avoid the stairs, have found that they are able to independently and safely use the stairs with a stair lift.

AmeriGlide is one company that offers many types of lifting aids, such as stair lifts and also dumbwaiters. A dumbwaiter is like an elevator, but is not used to carry people. Instead it carries items throughout a home or other building. This can make using the stairs much safer, because it is no longer necessary to carry heavy objects up the stairs. Instead, it is possible to simply place them on the dumbwaiter and let it do all the work.

Bathroom Books

List Building - How to Take Your List Building Cash Machine to the Next Level

Have you reached a 'plateau' in your current list building efforts? Perhaps you want to grow your list by hundreds of subscribers every day but don't know where to start. This article will take you on the inside track to ultra fast list building for Internet riches.

Here are 3 secret techniques you can use to grow your list like the big players:

Secret Technique #1: Do A Product Launch

A product launch is one of the fastest ways to gain massive free advertising in a niche and create a huge buzz about you and your product. Although a product launch often involves a paid product, you can include an opt-in form or a pop-up on your site to capture leads! The massive traffic you get will allow you to grow a massive list in no time.

Secret Technique #2: Use Co-Registration Marketing

Co-registration is one of the underground methods to grow a massive list of qualified subscribers. Since co-registration has been around, many list builders have used it with devastating effects. It involves placing your offer alongside other list builders on a high-trafficked page. The real key to success is in choosing the right co-registration broker. Reputable brokers and providers that I know of include Get Subscribers, Topica and Permission Direct.

Secret Technique #3: Use Google AdWords Placement Targeting Feature

The Adwords Placement Targeting feature, while gaining more exposure recently, is still a little-used method to grow a massive mailing list on the cheap! You can get visitors for as little as $0.01 if you do it right. It involves advertising your offer on websites that have Google AdSense. Choose highly targeted sites that relate to your niche/product to include your ad in and you'll be on the right track!

Fabian Tan is a well-known Internet Marketing expert and the author of the popular 51-page Report:

"Murder Your Job: How To Build Cash Sucking Autopilot Businesses In 30 Days Or Less!"

Head over to http://www.MurderYourJob.com to get your FREE copy now before it's gone!

Buying A Functional House

Green Building - Getting The Services Of A Green Architect and Contractor

For those who are planning to build a new house or do some major home remodeling, why not do such tasks the eco-friendly way?. The concepts of green building have taken a major foothold in the home building and construction industry.

Based on US Census figures, it was estimated that more than 1.3 million new homes were built in the United States in 2002, and remodelling and home improvement spending in 1996 amounted to $119 billion. Remodeling or constructing your home gives you a chance to help transform the marketplace towards a sustainability and environment-friendly one, and create living space that's better for you and the environment.

Homes Have A Major Effect On The Environment

It's a fact that homes affect the planet,from the use and depletion of natural resource, human health, to overall ecological integrity. Aside from basic health and safety measures mentioned in the building code, there's no requirement to minimize these impacts. A new home construction or remodel would serve an opportunity in creating a symbolic and physical representation of your commitment to caring for the planet, health, and in a vital and engaged community.

Why It Pays To Find Architects Or Contractors Who Espouse Green Building Concepts

One you try looking for eco-friendly home building concepts and practices, you'll be surprised to quickly find one once you tap into the local design community, that there are a number of firms that have gained stellar reputations for going green.

Upon closer observation, you'll notice that within the general category of green, each firm or architect will have its strong points, as some focus on healthy building, while other concentrate on energy efficiency and/or renewable energy, and some apply their expertise on green materials, natural building techniques, or building modular homes. Look for a professional contractor that has extensive applied experience in building green, and will gladly apply these elements to your home project.

Choosing Green Architects And Home Contractors

- Check Out Their Previous Record For Demonstrated Experience.

First, do a thorough background check on an architect or contractor's experience with green building. Find out if he or she can point to specific projects in their portfolio, and provide references as well. Aside from ensuring that the architect or contractor is licensed and bonded, ask if he or she is a member of green design organizations or has participated in any programs, and if the contractor follows construction practices that minimize pollution and protects indoor air quality and enhance worker health and safety as well.

- Ensure That A Contractor Practices What He Or She Professes.

Aska prospective home contractor or architect how he or she operates their business; like does he recycle in the office as well as on the job site? Find out if the green design elements evident,such as environmentally responsible materials and office supplies, energy efficient lighting, fixtures.

- Check If Green Concepts Are Incorporated Into the Contract Details

Architects have standard specifications that lays out the orders for everyone involved in building the house, down to how the paint is applied and what quality of materials are chosen for the cabinets. These specifications are generally customized by each company, and further modified for each project. These specs are a powerful tool in green building, while at the same time, are a legal document, and can be tedious to review sometimes. Ask an architect or contractor to give you an overview of the specifications for your project, and ensure that they cover all these.

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How Tough Are Concrete Epoxies

Building Custom Steam Showers - How To Design and Build Your Own Custom Steam Shower

Steam showers have become all the rage in bathrooms today. A good steam shower allows people to experience the relaxation and the detoxification that they used to only experience when they go to a spa. However, there are people who wish to go beyond the standard steam shower that a spa offers. They don't only want to have a steam shower of their own, but they want it customized to their needs. It's no wonder therefore that custom steam showers are now being ordered by a lot of people for varied reasons.

Some people have custom steam showers made in order to meet their specific needs. As we all know, each individual is unique. It follows therefore that we all have unique needs, whether it concerns food or a steam shower. A custom steam shower can help a person address his or her specific needs whether it involves something that will help them relax better or something which will render the steam shower more effective.

There are also those people who buy custom steam showers simply to proclaim their individuality. By having a custom steams shower built, they are able to look into the mirror and proclaim to themselves and to the world that they have a unique steam shower. Customization today is seen by a lot of people as a status symbol. If you have something customized, then you must be really cool.

Here are some factors to consider if you want to have your steam shower customized:

1) Function: Some steam showers can be customized by changing the way that they work. The steam outlets can be adjusted in order to fit the person's specifications. By building custom steam showers in this manner, a person can make sure that he or she can enjoy the benefits of the steam shower at its best. A steam shower can be customized in order to help a person detoxify, get rid of a pound or two and it can even be customized in order to help a person relax.

There are also those who try to improve the way their steam shower functions by playing around with the construction materials. They manage to make their steam showers cost less or retain more heat. They are able to make sure that they can improve the steam shower simply by looking around at available materials and analyzing how these materials work.

The function of the custom steam shower is vital since it determines the specific benefits the person gets when building it.

2) Design: A lot of steam shower kits available today have a typical finished product look. A lot of people misinterpret this information as to how the steam shower should be assembled. The more creative ones, however, tend to take the small picture or caricature merely as a suggestion and proceed to give their steam shower the look that they desire.

A lot of people like to add a touch of history to their custom steam shower. Some design their custom steam showers to partially resemble a Venetian bath house. Others like to build custom steam showers with an Asian twist. Whatever you choose, you can make your steam shower reflect your personality.

Actually, designing a custom steam shower is not that hard at all. However, you have to be very careful as it is often the case that design is inexorably tied to function. You need to make sure that the design of your custom steam shower does not affect or hinder in any way the enjoyment you expect from it.

Did you know that home steam showers can improve your health significantly and at the same time add value to your home? Find out the best way to get your own steam shower and how it will improve your health at http://www.the-home-sauna-center.com

Buying A Functional House

Home Selling Tips - Best Real Estate Advice Ever

One of the most important things to remember when selling your home is to keep it as clean as possible. If you need help or don't have the time to organize your stuff, you can hire a home staging professional in your area. Ask your real estate professional for more information.

1. Remove any clutter from the home and place it in storage. Do not store this stuff on the property if you don't have enough room. Storing clutter in closets or in your garage, will often make these areas look smaller. By removing clutter or even large pieces of furniture, the rooms will look larger.

2. Disconnect yourself emotionally from your home. This is a big problem for people who have lived in their house for long periods of time. If you've raised a family here, the children could have emotional ties also to the home. Some home sellers are looking for someone special to buy their home, if you've got the time and money to wait, you can be selective but be careful, because the longer you wait, the market could go up or down.

3. When your real estate professional is showing the house, it's always a good idea to leave the home until the potential homebuyers are gone. One example of this would be if you were in a bad mood or didn't have a good day and were a little upset at the world. Your mood could cause potential homebuyers to lose interest in the property. I've seen this more than once.

4. Make sure everything is operating properly. This would include doors, door knobs, windows, kitchen appliances, garage door openers, cabinet drawers, bathroom fixtures, toilets, faucets, lights, switches, electrical outlets and anything else that moves, slides, turns or rotates that is part of the home.

5. The Interior and exterior walls of the home should be in good shape. Make sure there's no termite damage, wood rot, peeling paint, broken windows or holes in the walls.

6. Make sure the flooring is in good shape. Some real estate professionals will suggest, replacing the carpeting with a neutral color. This method often works pretty good but I have seen plenty of homes that were re-carpeted and after the home was purchased the carpeting was replaced again, by the new owners. Just make sure the flooring is in good shape.

7. Here's a trick that definitely works a little magic when selling a home. Leave some cookies or a nice fruit bowl on the dining room table. There is no need to leave a sign that says "Eat Me". It gives the home a warm feeling, almost like a country atmosphere.

8. Even better than home selling tip number seven would be baking some cookies just before the perspective buyers arrive, it's not the cookies, it's the smell from the cookies that most people cannot resist.

These are just a few home selling tips but the most important is to keep the inside and outside of the home clean.

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.

Don't buyers sell a home without checking how the problems with poor home repairs.

Catholic Europe in Vogue?

Are the Europeans about to restore the power and influence of their respective Royals? In Rome's mind, only an IMPERIAL RESTORATION can save mankind! That explains why the present pontiff has proclaimed that he's on a mission from God to unite Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals. How? By remodeling Europe after the grand design of the "Holy Roman Empire."

Recently, the Roman Catholic cardinal Alfons Maria Stickler from Austria, an advisor to the pope, reflected this position when interviewed by the German newspaper Schwabische Zeitung. When asked what ails our society, Stickler responded: "The principles that were once personified in the aristocracy of the past are now gone...The unconditional willingness to fight for the doctrines of the Holy Roman Church..." Will such a romantic view blind Europe? Will nostalgia for Europe's Catholic past soon sweep them off their feet?

Cardinal Stickler, speaking loftily of Europe's aristocrats, praised them as "loyal and devoted to the pope, politically neither right or left, only guided to realize the will of the pope and the Catholic honor...Aggressive Catholicism...only these aristocrats can save the world from moral decay."

The Vatican's working out a deal with ten European kings, with seductive offers of restoring them to political life upon their now dormant thrones, in exchange for their allegiance to the pope. Will Archduke Karl von Habsburg claim his "divine right" to the Austro-Hungarian throne? He is the heir to the "Holy Roman Empire." Will the pope soon call upon him to serve as a figurehead, an emperor of sorts, over the United Kingdoms of Europe?

What crisis will coerce Europe to hastily accept the pope's indecent proposal to recreate the continent in his image? Yeltsin's death? An economic collapse? An Islamic threat? Surely GERMANY stands ready to defend "Western Christian civilization," even if means starting World War III!

This article was originally published in The National Messenger, November/December 1996

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. Check out the Beyond Babylon blog.

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Safety Tips and Home Remodeling

At every stage of planning, design and construction, it is important to think about safety in your remodel or home addition. There are, in fact, two aspects of safety to consider when you add on to your home or remodel: safety during the project and safety in your remodeled home. Your contractor or designer/architect will probably help you think about the safety of your family and others who are on your property or in your house, but there are some important considerations it is easy to overlook when remodeling.

Begin by thinking about who is living in your home and about who is likely to be living in the home in the next five to ten years. Are there young children in the home? What is your age? Will anyone with a disability be in the home? Will your parents/grandparents be moving in with you? Planning the safety features of your home starts with the special needs and unique challenges faced by individuals in your family and by the design of the home itself.

One of the most obvious potential dangers in any home is a staircase. How steep are the risers? Are the stairs covered with a material that makes it likely or unlikely that someone could slip and fall? Are their railings or banisters on both sides? Have you installed adequate lighting at the top and bottom, as well as over any landings? Are the rails or banisters at the correct height? Could someone fall between the vertical supports?

If there are young children in the home, you will need to plan for locks on some cabinets or drawers in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and the garage. Make sure you plan for enough locked storage to secure all medicines, cleaning chemicals, and gardening chemicals and supplies. If you store insecticides or lawn care items in your basement, you should also plan for a secure storage space for these items as well. If you are selecting new appliances for the kitchen, you might want to choose items that have the controls on the surface instead of the front. You might also want to place your furnace and water heater in an enclosed area. Don't plan for use of space heaters.

Install good smoke alarms and replace all smoke alarms that are more than ten years old. Install a smoke alarm in each child's bedroom or each bedroom used by an elderly or disabled person. If your home has a divided bedroom plan (with the master bedroom on the other end of the house or on a different level of the house) or if you have converted attic or basement space to bedrooms, you might want to opt for a interconnected smoke alarm system. This way, if an alarm goes off, the others in the house will also go off to alert everyone.

Be sure you plan for adequate space for people to get around in each room and turn a wheelchair (if necessary) or use a walker. This is especially important in bathrooms. Choose faucets and shower heads with anti-scald devices to prevent burns. Plan to use devices like doorknob covers to keep children out of bathrooms when not accompanied by adults. Plan to install non-slip surfaces in and around tubs and showers. Install grab bars in bath tubs and showers.

Choose sturdy or built-in bookcases that cannot be pulled over by children. Ensure that all office equipment in the home is out of the reach of children, especially paper cutters, shredders and sharp objects.

These basic home safety steps will help you protect your family. Your contractor will help you with other things you need to consider in light of the particular needs of your family.

Aaron O'Hanlon has been helping contractors increase profits through exclusive website marketing and search engine optimization at Footbridge Media. See his companies latest creation: Remodeling Contractors or contact him directly at Contractor Marketing.

Tile Shower - How To Tips

Tile shower how to tips can help you design and install your own ceramic tile shower. There are some mysteries about how you build a tile shower, but the answers to your questions are available. You just have to know where to get the answers. Construction of a shower is done in a step-by-step method starting from the floor up. Here are the basic steps.

Building The Tile Shower Pan

The first section of a tile shower to be built is the floor and shower pan. The floor must be waterproof. Ceramic tile and grout construction is not waterproof so there must be a liner under the tile that stops water and routes it to the shower drain.

The traditional way to build a shower pan is to build a concrete base sloped to the drain first. Then top the base with a vinyl waterproof liner. A special drain is used with drain holes below the surface to which the waterproof membrane is attached. Then the tile are laid on this second layer and grouted to finish the floor.

Tile ready shower pans can also be installed. You have several different systems to choose from including, Tile-Redi, Schluter, and Wedi. All use a basic pan, of polyurethane, and different ways of mounting the pan and installing curbs, walls, and drains. Emphasis is on "system" since every part of the shower floor is included and some systems include the backing for walls and ceilings.

Shower Ceiling

After the floor is built the ceiling is installed. Will the tile fall on you? No! The adhesive will hold it up, but you can cut pieces of plywood to prop up each row of tile if you like. It isn't necessary though. The main problem will be the mortar falling on you. So you'll need a hat!

Shower Wall

The best backing for a shower ceiling and walls is Hardibacker cement board. The tile is installed right over the cement board. The wall should be laid starting in the back and then do the sides and front. Use a level and mark lines to keep on track. Use spacers to keep grout lines even. After you finish installing the tile and grouting, caulk the joints between the floor and walls with silicone caulk. Also consider caulking in the corners of the walls and between the walls and ceiling.

Ceramic showers are a great luxury, and if built properly should be trouble free for decades. But what if it isn't built properly?

Puzzled about how to build a ceramic tile shower? Need more information? Visit our site for ceramic tile shower tips.

We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for answers to your ceramic shower questions.

Fixings Squeaking Stairs

Oh yes the common problem of squeaking stairs in an older house. This could become very frustrating and annoying as you walk up and down the stairs. There seems to be one or two stair treads that are always squeaking. That annoying sound as you walk as softly as you can on your way down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to grab a quick snack.

The number one cause of squeaking stairs is when the nails used to fasten the stair tread to the stair strainers has worked its way loose. Over time as the lumber shrinks in the stair treads and the stairs stringers. You will start to develop a separation or a gap between the stair tread and the stair strainer.

The stair stringer can shrink as much as 3/8 of an inch in just a few years. I was building a home and went to measure the stair stringer that was 11 1/2 inches wide originally. Then I measured it after two months outside in the summer sun it now measured 11 1/16". I was amazed that the lumber could shrink that much in such a short period of time.

As the stair stringer shrinks it starts to pull away from the plywood or hardwood stair tread. As it starts to separate from the stair tread the nail will stay in its original position until the stair tread starts to put pressure on the nail eventually lifting it up a little bit higher than its original position.

As you step on the stair tread the squeaking sound you hear is the nail rubbing against the stair tread. There are a few ways to fix a squeaking stair tread. If you have access to under the stairway you can apply some adhesive along with a 10 inch 2 x 4 under the stair tread and attach it to the stair stringer.

First apply adhesive to two sides of the 2 x 4. The adhesive will be used to glue the stair tread to the stair stringer. You can use screws to screw the new 2 x 4 onto the side of the stair stringer.

If you cannot access the underside of the stairs and you have carpeting you can actually locate the stair stringer and drive a 2 inch screw through the carpeting in to the stair stringer. This will pull the stair tread down and will not allow it to rub up against the nail making that awful sound of a squeaking stair case.

If you have a finished wood stair tread you will not be able to screw through it into the stair stringer without damaging the finish on tread itself. It will be easier to access the stair stringer from below somehow and apply the 2 x 4 with the adhesive to stop the stair squeak.

You can apply these methods to as many stair treads that are squeaking without taking apart the entire staircase and rebuilding it.

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

Stair Building

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Kitchen Bar - Home Tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ceiling Beam With 4 X 4 Post