Tap Into a Natural Resource - Rainwater Harvesting is Easy and the Water is Free

In the wet winter months its easy to forget that come the summer we are faced with huge water shortages across the country and the demand for water is growing by 1% every year. With this in mind one simple and ancient method of improving the situation is rainwater harvesting and the guttering chosen for this is very important. Copper gutters and down pipes can form an integral part of the rainwater harvesting strategy. Copper does not rust and turn the water orange and has a mild disinfecting affect on the water - particularly relevant for storage of untreated rainwater.

Copper is a wholly natural material present in and essential to plants, animals and humans. For a nation of garden lovers this is particularly relevant as plants grow better using rainwater, which has a balanced pH and is free of chemicals such as chlorine. Also, besides its high corrosion resistance and attractive appearance, copper acts as an algaecide and fungicide, keeping growths such as moss and lichens to a minimum with obvious benefits when it comes to guttering and water harvesting.

With the proportion of water used in the UK for gardening alone approaching 50% during the driest months of the year, water harvesting must be a consideration. Also in a recent Save the Rain survey in association with British Water and Hydro International, it was revealed that 9 out of 10 householders believe rainwater harvesting is a good idea and one in three would be more likely to buy a house with rainwater harvesting already installed. So it could improve the value of your property while saving money and valuable resources.

But this is not a new concept; copper can be traced back for use in roofing and guttering to 27BC. Archaeologists have even recovered a portion of a water plumbing system from the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt. The copper piping was found to be in a serviceable condition after more than five thousand years, proof that the basic copper properties have been appreciated and put to use since ancient times.

Article by Mrs Rosalie Hoare - Marketing Director of Coppa Gutta Ltd. For more information or help choosing your guttering please visit our website: http://www.coppagutta.co.uk/faqs.htm

Coppa Gutta Ltd is the only UK manufacturer of copper guttering and has over 15 years of experience selling copper rainwater systems. Manufactured at our factory in Hampshire in 2.4m lengths our gutters can be delivered anywhere in the UK or exported worldwide. All necessary components are ex stock and we aim to despatch goods within 5 working days from receipt of order.

Toilet Paper Under The Bathroom

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Prevention of the Credit Repair Process

As one finds oneself in a dilemma due to financial implications that are brought about due to one losing their job, or losing an amount of income due to reduced hours of working, a question arises as to whether or not we may well get into trouble with our debt repayments. This in turn, if it happens, will affect our credit history and score negatively, which may require credit repair after the so called storm has passed.

The very well known saying of prevention is better than cure really comes to the fore in terms of the financial difficulties that we may encounter. In terms of this saying, should we find ourselves in a position of financial difficulty the best possible route to follow, in order to possibly avoid a credit repair process later on, is to be open and honest with all your creditors.

This does not involve walking into the office of your creditors with something of a could not care less attitude, but rather a process of contacting the creditor and advising of the current situation and requesting as to what your options are. This will open the channel of communication and the creditor will most likely make a note about your current position and perhaps a rescheduled payment plan or contribution holiday can be considered. This is not the case with all creditors, but it really would not hurt to at least ask and then consider your next option, if they are not helpful in this plight.

By approaching your creditors, instead of ignoring a situation where you may get into an amount of trouble in terms of repayments, might help you in not having to conduct credit repair processes which are more difficult than merely communicating with your creditors early on. The credit repair process may even include the possibility of a large amount of administration in order to try and get your credit score back to where it should be. And therefore one is urged to rather communicate than ignore the problem, thus allowing it to get out of hand.

Other options that exist, although not totally recommended are those of debt consolidation or filing for bankruptcy, if it has got to such a bad point that one does not have any other options. The bankruptcy issue will not prevent a credit repair situation but may actually amplify your credit woes, hence this should be an absolute last resort.

Debt consolidation can serve in your favor if done correctly, and in a timely fashion. You should however consult a professional or conduct a good amount of research prior to opting for the debt consolidation process, in order to avoid any potential credit repair situation, as this option can possibly cost you more money if not structured and applied correctly.

For more resources about Credit Repair or even fixing yourCredit Report about please review this web link http://creditrepairme.com

Metal Roofing Materials - A Variety of Options

When you tell people you are considering a metal roof, many people get the mental image of the farm house with an unsightly tin roof hovering over its barn. In the past years, metal roofing materials have made incredible forward progress to combine their extraordinary benefits as a building material with the eye catching appeal the standard homeowner is after. No longer just a solution for industrial buildings and barns, metal roofs can be found in a variety of styles and colors.

Believe it or not, metal roofing materials are now available that replicate many of the traditional styles we've grown familiar with. Metal roofing can be purchased that duplicates the appearance of a slate or shingle roof. Some manufacturers have even gone as far as to embed their metal "shingles" with sand and stone, lending them to the most authentic look possible.

There are metal shakes that replicate the wooden shake roofs from the olden days and even clay tile to give an authentic Mediterranean or Spanish image. There are other designs available as well that can only be achieved with a metal roof, such as a standing seam metal roof that is popular with many architects due to its contemporary design characteristics.

It's not simply about the image they produce, though. Metal roofing materials are now actually available that are energy star rated. Products in this category are in line with the Department of Energy's movement to promote energy efficient products. These products take the natural reflective properties of metal one step further to increase its reflectivity of the sun's rays. This helps lower the roof's surface temperature and, in turn, the amount of energy it requires to cool your house.

It also acts to reduce the amount of energy lost in the winter months when you are trying to keep warm, reflecting heat back inside the home where it belongs. In the end, it is better for the environment, your home, and best yet, your pocket book.

Metal roofing materials are no longer just about functionality. Over the past 20 years or so, a huge movement has skyrocketed metal roofing to new heights and made it appealing to homeowners everywhere. They are now being manufactured to duplicate the traditional looks we enjoy and bring new life to those with a more stylistic approach. From efficiency to durability, there's no better choice than a metal roof for your needs. Be sure to visit our website to learn more about metal roofing.

To learn more about metal roofing and to find a local contractor, be sure to visit the authors website at: http://www.metal--roofing.net/

Bathroom Remodeling Problems

Different Types of Roofing Materials - How Do You Choose the Right Kind?

There are so many different types of roofing materials out there, how do you choose just one? If you are thinking about the type of roof that you might like to have, then this article might just help you narrow down the selection a bit. Before you decide upon any kind of roofing, it is important to consider the overall life of the material that you will choose.

While some types of roofing might be inexpensive, these materials usually don't last very long. On the flip side, while some materials might be expensive, they will last for many years to come without a lot of maintenance - just some things to think about while looking over the options listed below.

Let's start with one of the most popular types of roofing material: composition. Composition roofing is inexpensive, it comes in various colors and types, and it is relatively easy to repair.

However, a composite roof usually only lasts for 15 to 30 years, it tends to scar when heated, it can collect lots of mildew, and it is not environmentally friendly. If this doesn't sound like a good idea to you, don't worry - there are many different types of roofing materials that haven't been covered yet.

Wood shingles are popular throughout some areas of the world, though these shingles are not fire-friendly. In addition, they tend to be very high maintenance, since they rot, split, and mold frequently. However, they do give off a natural look, they tend to blend in nicely with any surrounding, and they will last for a long time if they are properly taken care of.

One great option is metal roofing. Metal roofs tend to come in various colors, they last a long time, and they are low maintenance. However, metal roofs are more expensive that most other kinds. Out of all the different types of roofing materials, metal roofs are often a favorite choice for many homeowners.

Clearly, there are lots of different types of roofing materials, and some of those sorts have not even been discussed in this article. Thus, the best thing for you to do is to contact a contractor, ask about the different types of materials that you might want to consider, and decide upon the right one for your home or business.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option might not always be the best choice. Instead, look for a roofing material that will last for many years.

Find out more by reading the full article which explains what you need to know about the many different types of roofing materials.

Trying to decide which roofing material to use? Be sure to visit the authors website where you will find lots of FREE Information as well as local contractors. Visit: http://www.metal--roofing.net

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Outdoor Patio Furniture - Patios For Less

The patio has always been one of the few places in the house designed solely for comfort. Whether for entertaining guests or simply for a quiet place of reflection, designing for the patio considers Zen, the outdoors, relaxation, and other happy thoughts. Happy thoughts, then, should definitely not break the bank and here are a few tips on how to find discount outdoor patio furniture without the money stress.

The most important step is to decide on what you're looking for. Patios can consist of many items, such as umbrellas, benches, tables, and chairs. Survey your available space and plan the layout ahead of time -- the last thing you want is a crammed patio (or an empty-looking one). Knowing your limits would help you budget not only for space, but also for spending money. Define what you need to avoid overspending.

Afterward, know what kind of patio furniture you'd like. The most common types available are wood, aluminum and wicker, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Wood furniture is never goes out of style and is easy to match with almost anything, but are relatively expensive. Aluminum furniture can withstand the elements and are very durable -- though their design is restricted to metallic stiffness and discomfort. Wicker furniture is cheaper, more comfortable, and a great compliment to gardens or woodwork, though are subject to mildew and deteriorated quality in humid climates.

The best time to find discount outdoor patio furniture is towards or at the end of the summer season. Department stores usually hold discount promos to attract more customers and make up for the off-season low demand. You can save hundreds of dollars just by waiting for a few months for prices to go down. Buying wholesale is always a good idea, especially when getting items in bulk.

The Internet is also a great place to look for affordable furniture. Because there are so many online retailers to choose from, dealers at pushed to sell at the lowest prices in order to remain competitive. Though shopping online is very convenient to look for bargains, it's also a breeding ground for scam artists. One should be careful to only purchase from credible sources.

Another place to look for the best deals is in garage sales - moving sales in particular, when households can't bring large furniture with them to other states. The items available are usually still in good shape and are sold at their cheapest price since they'll be second-hand.

Finally, keep in mind that outdoor patio furniture sometimes comes at a price. Always ensure the quality of the furniture that you're purchasing. There's no sense in investing in a cheap table that would fall apart in a matter of months.

Want to learn more about discount patio furniture? Just Click Here.

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Mortar Repair - 4 Common Crack Problems on Your Home

It's a sunny morning and you're up early. You decide to grab your coffee and take a quick stroll around your homes' exterior to look for signs of wear. You find nothing and are pleased until you turn the last corner of your home and stop abruptly in disbelief!

There before you in the beautiful brick masonry of your home is a huge crack! How did it get there? What do you do? You wonder. Whom do you call?

Well take a deep breath and relax. You're not alone. Millions of homeowners have experienced this gut wrenching feeling as well. So don't grab the For Sale sign just yet! Read these handy tips to understand what may be happening to your home.

1.) Settlement Cracks - These common cracks usually manifest as a 'stair step crack' or a crack that steps up as it moves horizontally across the wall. Found at or close to the corners of the home, wing walls and quoin corners they are common and easily repaired. Just watch and expect additional movement if the settlement has not stopped.

Solution: Contact your local masonry crack repair pro to have these cracks repaired to keep water, bugs and reptiles from entering the home.

2.) Thermal Expansion Cracks - A vertical or stair step crack usually located in the upper portions of the masonry can be caused by thermal expansion. Bricks walls expand when heated by the sun and if expansion joints are not present, can cause cracks. These cracks appear anywhere within the surface of the sunny wall or in close proximity to abutting walls

Solution: Contact your local masonry repair pro and/or a structural engineer for an evaluation. Some cracks are simple for a repair pro to evaluate and others may require an engineers analysis and testing to determine the cause and recommend the type of repair needed.

3.) Steel Expansion Cracks - Another common crack occurs at the upper corners of doorways, garage doors, windows or any opening. The usual culprit is the steel that supports the masonry above these openings. This is due to the daily and seasonal differential movement between the steel and the brick materials which expand at different rates.

Solution: Contact your local masonry repair pro to have these cracks repaired or caulked. Caulking will move with the materials and help minimize future cracking.

4.) Bulging or Bowed Wall Cracks - Cracks can appear throughout an entire wall or the wall is bulged, bowed in or out or has sunken. This is a serious issue and is usually the symptom of age related failure or structural failure due to improper reinforcement of the masonry.

Solution: Contact a structural engineer immediately for an evaluation and recommended repairs.

It is a good idea to check your home annually for signs of cracking or structural damage in the bricks on your home.

Michael Olding is tradesman and consultant in the field of restorations and repairs and currently operates a restoration and repair business in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also a Master in the field of masonry construction, restorations and repairs.

In addition he is a writer and speaker as well as a marketing, training and business consultant for the contracting industry. If you interested in his services he may be contacted by visiting http://www.cincihomepro.com

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The Natural Beauty Of Board And Batten Siding

This article deals with basic information on Board and Batten Siding. It talks about all the Do's and Don'ts of Board and Batten Siding. It is an installation cum maintenance Guide.

The most basic way of siding is the board and batten siding. In this way of siding, vertical cedar boards are vertically placed and the gap between two successive boards is filled with battons, which are strips of wood. Many Americans make their barns with this kind of siding, hence at times, the boards and batten siding is also referred to as the barn siding.

In case the board is six inch in width, fasten it on the horizontal blocking lines with a nail in the centre. In case it is eight inch wide, fasten it with two nails which are placed at a distance of three inches from one another. The batton is place between two boards such that a part of it is overlapping on both the boards. Make sure that the batton is not nailed onto the board. It must be nailed in the centre onto the horizontal blocking line behind it.

Board and Batten Siding - Are you Up For It?

There must be annual inspections to check the condition of the board and batten siding. In case it is found that some part is splitting or some part of the board and batten siding is rotting prematurely, that part must be repaired or replaced immediately to check the spread of the pests. In case this is not done, the pests may infest adjacent boards too and in the process will spread the rot.
Thicker boards are preferable as these will last longer and will provide added protection to the house. In case there are cracks on the edges, one need to caulk them. One must also make sure that all the treatments are done on the wood to ensure its longevity.

An Informative Bulletin on Board and Batten Siding

Good quality wood and experienced contractors will work wonders for you in the long run. Good quality wood will last longer. An experienced contractor will use the right techniques to install the board and batten siding. This will make sure that the siding remains intact for a longer time. An inexperienced contractor may be cheaper to hire, but the overheads will be high since you will need to replace the board and batten siding after a while.

Remember that high quality wood and experienced contractors may be expensive, but the project will be of high quality and will be completed in time. More importantly, you won't need to worry about replacing the boards anytime soon.

There are other siding techniques which use wood. In case Board and Batten SIding is not for you, you can go for the alternatives for instance: Wood, Log, Log Cabin Vinyl, Log Home, James Hardie or Redwood Siding.

You can also find more info on house siding types and buy vinyl siding. Homesidingreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about home siding review.

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Investor Credit Repair Coach Explains The Golden Account

The Most Essential Key to an 850 Credit Score

The most common mistake that even the most savvy investor makes is closing unused accounts. This can impair them from ever reaching an 800 or higher credit score. You should almost always leave open older accounts because they may be what we call "Golden accounts."

The Coveted Golden Revolving Account

The big difference between a 700 credit score and an 800 credit score is usually the length of time the revolving accounts (i.e. credit cards) have been open. Once you have an account that has been open for 7 years or more you should never close it. This is because that account will help you achieve an 800 credit score. One of the most effective credit raising strategies is to obtain two to four Golden Revolving Accounts in your credit report.

Too Many Open Revolving Accounts Can Hurt

This is where it can get a little confusing. If you have too many open revolving accounts (credit cards) in your credit report and you already hold four Golden Accounts, you can close those cards (revolving accounts) that have been opened the most recently. In addition, you need to always hold on to at least one bank or national credit card open with your file.

To say it in simpler terms: The only occasion that you should start closing credit cards is when you just show too many but you also have 4 or more Golden Accounts and 1 or a couple national or bank credit cards to show valuable credit once the frivolous cards are closed.

Home Buddies is a investor credit repair coach for real estate investors. Home Buddies develops and implements a customized strategy to improve credit and builds a business development strategy to help investors or homeowners overcome obstacles to financing real estate and growing their portfolio.

Roof Truss Repair

Auto Repair Yourself - Fix Your Vehicles at Home For Less

Every time something goes wrong with your car, you have to take it in to the shop. With every repair, comes that hefty repair bill. As you look at the bill, you cannot imagine why it costs so much to fix your car. You think of how much money you could save if you could do auto repair yourself. However, like most people, you do not have a clue how to repair cars. However, you should be aware that there are many ways you can learn auto repair and can end up saving yourself quite a bit of money.

Friends and Family

If you have any friends and family that are knowledgeable about auto repairs, you should consult them and ask if they can help you learn some auto repair basics. If you have friends or family that are kind enough to help you learn how to repair your car, make sure that you give them something back for helping you. Perhaps there is something you can teach them, or maybe just take them out for a dinner.

Books

You can find tons of books dedicated to auto repair. These books will cover everything from the basics to more complex issues. You can find auto repair books at the local book store, at auto repair shops, or even at the library. If you are looking to buy a repair book, but do not want to spend too much, you should check out a used book store and see what repair books they have available.

If you choose to learn auto repair from a book, you should evaluate your learning process. Some people learn better from books than others. If you have a hard time learning from books, then this may not be the option for you. Also, it is important to know that some books are written better than others. It may be worth asking around and seeing what books are recommended for a beginner.

Internet

The Internet is a great resource to learn auto repair. You can find online repair guides to help you learn how to fix what is wrong with your car. Also, there are several discussion forums where people post tips on auto repair and where you can ask questions about your specific situation.

You can also purchase repair books online. You may find the repair books to be cheaper online than in brick and mortar stores.

Classes

Another option for learning auto repair yourself is to take a class. There are several places you can take an auto repair class. You can take a class from the local college or at a community center. These classes will often be taught in the evening or on weekends to accommodate work schedules.

Get To It

Now that you are aware of some of the ways to learn about auto repair, you should see what option will work best for you. Once you learn more about auto repair and can make repairs by yourself, you can save quite a bit of money for yourself and your family.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about auto repair yourself, please visit My Auto Repair Tips Blog for current articles and discussions.

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Can You Help Us with Your Remodeling Experience

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Leaking Toilet Home Repairs

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

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 House Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

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Xbox 360 Repair - Read This Before You Look For Xbox 360 Repair!

With the creation of all the next generation consoles and as we move into new technology it is no wonder that these consoles encounter more problems.

One console that has really had quite a few problems is the Xbox 360 and it is amazing how many people are looking for Xbox 360 Repair. This is because the console is quite small and has all the equipment of a high end gaming PC put into a small space!

I have written this article to give you a few ideas of what you can do if you have a broken Xbox before you pay money for Xbox 360 Repair.

Firstly there are to many errors to list here so I will just deal with the main problems:

One of the main problems with the Xbox 360 is overheating and I would say that over 60% of Xbox 360 Repair is done because the console has burnt itself out! You can minimize the risk of your console overheating by making sure that you keep it in an are that is well ventilated!

This means if you have it right next to a heater or fireplace then it would be a good idea to move it and try keeping it cooler.

The second most common reason people look for Xbox 360 Repair is the DVD drive and there tends to be three different types. You normally know if you have this problem as when you put a disc in it starts making a loud crunching sound.

There really is no way to fix this problem and you will probably have to send in the console for Xbox 360 Repair but I have heard that if you keep your console horizontally then you can minimize the risk of this error.

Will Turner is an Xbox 360 Enthusiast and writes reviews on anything to do with the 360.

I hope this article has helped give you a few things you can try before you send in the console for Xbox 360 Repair.

For A Complete Step By Step Guide On How You Can Do Xbox 360 Repair Yourself And Be Playing Your Favorite Games By Tonight Click The Link Below:

Xbox 360 Repair

5 Tips For a Dry Basement

5 Tips To Prevent A Wet Basement

Do you have a water problem in your basement? When you go down there, do you start considering the construction of an ark? If so, you probably need to take some steps to reduce or eliminate the moisture in your basement.

Determine Where The Water Is Coming From.

The first thing to do is to determine where the water in your basement is coming from. It can come from inside sources, or it can be leaking in from outside. To determine whether the problem is internal or external, take a piece of aluminum foil and tape it to one of the walls that is prone to dampness. Make sure all 4 sides are sealed airtight. Check the foil in a couple of days. If the side facing into the basement is damp, then the problem is condensation. If the side of the foil that was against the wall is damp, then the water is seeping in from outside.

Install Rain Gutters.

Properly installed rain gutters and downspouts will prevent water from pooling against the foundation, where it can seep in through cracks and other openings. Keep your gutters clean, and free of debris. Install a wire strainer over the downspout outlet, to keep the debris from clogging the downspout. Check the area where the downspout drains. If it's too close to the house, use a splash block to disperse the water, or direct the downspout away from the foundation.

Slope the Lawn Away.

Slope your lawn away from the house, about 1 inch per foot. The slope should extend at least 10 feet from the foundation. Seed the lawn well, so that the grass prevents the soil from washing away. If you can't change the slope of your lawn, then intercept and redirect the surface drainage, by digging a shallow drainage ditch, and diret it away from the house.

Prevent Condensation.

Excess moisture in the air will cause a condensation problem in your basement. Make sure that your basement gets adequate airflow, and is properly ventilated. Keep the windows closed in rainy or humid weather, since the air inside your basement will probably be drier than the outside air. Use the AC to cool and dry the air during warm weather, and keep the basement heated in the winter, to help keep things dry.

Fix Other Sources Of Moisture.

If there are any pipes or appliances leaking, then they should be fixed immediately. If you have clothes hanging in the basement to dry, that can cause some moisture problems as well. Instead of hanging clothes in the basement to dry, you should dry them outside, or use the dryer. If that isn't possible, then at least open the windows.

Keeping your basement dry doesn't have to be complicated. Just by doing a few simple things, you can keep your basement dry and comfortable all year.

For more basement remodeling information, go to Fix My Own Basement.

Florida Home Builders

If a home in Florida has been a dream of yours, then lets make those dreams come true. With a Florida home builder, you can design a home that will exceed all your expectations. No matter what your personal plans are, building the perfect home is possible with experienced builders.

Depending on what you are looking for, a housing development might be for you. You can have it all for less with a Florida home builder that specializes in new construction at a mass level. Some of the benefits of this type of construction are speed, price, and design.

Maybe you have a different design taste. If you are hoping for a unique home, building is a great option for you. A new home in the neighborhood of your choice doesnt have to get lost among all the others. Florida home builders will make sure your distinctive dwelling will stand out and let your neighbors know that your individuality is important to you.

Perhaps you need specific space requirements? A Florida home builder might be the right choice. If you prefer a smaller residence than those available in your preferred neighborhood, new construction is to your rescue. Maybe your existing home is just not large enough anymore. Remodeling to add on could be your solution.

Now that you are sold on building, finding a Florida home builder is the next step. A builder who specializes in residential property, will most likely suit your needs best. In order to find the right builder, take recommendations from friends, interview builders to see how you might work together and find out if they have portfolios of their past work.

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Sloping Floors in Your House

If you've ever been in a building where you feel like you are getting pushed to one side and you can't seem to stand up. You have either been drinking too much alcohol or the floor could be sloping. I was just in a store the other day that was full of antiques and glass but I could hardly stand up because the floor was sloping enough to create what I would consider a liability issue to the store owner.

Sloping floors are not going to be that easy to fix and repair. Repairing these floors will require a little skill and it would be a good idea to hire a professional to repair the damage. This is not going to be a simple fix and this is probably the main reason most people never choose to fix their sloping floors.

Fixing these floors will require either pouring a new concrete slab, replacing the wood floor framing members or replacing the actual building foundation itself. No matter how you look at it the sloping floor is going to be a costly item to repair.

What causes a sloping floor? Termite damage or dry rot destroying the wood framing or it could be as simple as a water leak over a long period of time causing the building foundation to sink and become out of level. Poor soil conditions with either too sandy or an expansive clay soil could be the culprit also.

Sloping floors can be damaged from incorrect landscape drainage. This would involve water settling around the foundation of your home and over a period of time the weight of the house along with soil problems can create the building to start sloping to one side.

The number one contributor to a sloping floor again like most damage done to a house is going to be water. Do your best to keep the water away from the house using roof gutters and landscape drains. These items are relatively inexpensive compared to the costs involved in repairing sloping floors.

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.

Find out more about Water Damage.

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Please Contribute Helpful Information to Our Blog

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.

Handyman Books

Provide Protection For Your Entrance With a Porch Enclosure

A porch enclosure is usually an enclosure built around the main entrance of the home to protect it from the elements of weather. It usually has one or two entrances and a square or curved top. Quite often such an enclosure is built between two offsets on the front of the house, but it can also be a bay extending out from the house. The size of the enclosed porch depends on how you plan to use it. You will need to have a larger porch if you want to place chairs there so you can enjoy the outdoor scenery without having to go outdoors.

Generally an enclosed porch is a fabricated unit made of glass panels. The doors are specially made to fit in the aluminum rails. There are many different designs in shapes and sizes of these on the market and you can have one custom designed to meet your needs.

Some of the benefits of using such an enclosure for a porch include:

* keeping snow and ice away from the direct entrance to your home, which will in turn keep moisture from seeping in
* preventing water from leaking in through the door in times of heavy rain
* added security for the home
* serving as a buffer that prevents heat from escaping during the winter
* offering ventilation during the summer

When you have an enclosure around the entrance, you can have a wooden door instead of having to opt for a steel door. If you do have a steel door, the protection of such a porch will ease your concerns about the warranty on the door. The addition of a porch will add a touch of class to the home and increase its resale value.

It is not hard to install such an enclosure after you have the exterior of the home complete. The glass panels are designed so that they fasten together to form a wall and the doors are mounted to this base. Some of the enclosures also have the ability to adjust to uneven walls and floors so that nothing will look out of place.

For more information on porch railings, screened porches and related topics, visit AboutPorches.com

Verandastorage

How Do You Prevent Termites? Learn How to Protect Your House by Preventing a Termite Attack

Termites can be quite good at causing damage to your home. However home owners unknowingly do a lot of things that may help the termites to cause even more damage. So how do you prevent termites? What can you do to put up defenses against them? And how do you stop inadvertently helping the pests?

The first thing you can do to prevent a termite attack is to call in a professional pest control firm to carry out regular inspections.

This should be done even if you do not notice the first signs of a termite attack, such as small mud holes in the soil, wings, holes in the wood, crumbing walls or sagging doors. You should not assume that termites are not there because those signs are not there. In fact if you wait for those signs to appear you would have already suffered significant damage.

It is only through termite inspections carried out by professionals that you can be absolutely sure that your home is free of termites and that it is likely to stay free. They can advice you using their knowledge and experience of termites, where, when, how, and if, termites got or will get in to your home, so that you can with their help put up appropriate defenses. A qualified professional will also advice you on other factors that will lure the termites to your home needlessly.

Some of these factors such as the ones that will be given below are common sense, but homeowners tend to forget to carry them out. If you implement them you will be able to reduce the chance of a termite attack considerably.

If you use firewood you should take care not to leave them on the ground outside your home as they invite termites. Always keep the firewood raised from the ground. Other wood items like sawdust or thrown away pieces of wood should also be disposed of properly instead of leaving them on the ground near your home. Also, you should not bury wood items near your house.

Wooden trellis work should not be allowed stay in contact with walls of the house.

Any infested tree or plant should be removed immediately. Even healthy mulch, shrubs, and plants, should be kept away from the foundations of the house.

Clear plant leaves so that they do not accumulate in drains.

Don't allow water to leak from pipes and faucets whether indoors or outdoors. Prepare the ground in such a way that water falling on the ground will flow away from the foundations of the house.

Allow enough ventilation inside the house for every nook and cranny so that humidity is less everywhere. And cover these small spaces inside the house with as much plastic as possible.

Any cracks or holes appearing in the foundations should be filled and covered up immediately.

In addition to getting professional advice and implementing some basic common sense defenses, you should seriously consider treating the soil around your house chemically in order to create a barrier between potential termite nests and your house.

In other words act as if your home is already infested by termites. This will be expensive but it will make it doubly sure that termites will not have any chance to cause damage to home.

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.

Tile Setting Books

Tips on Choosing Patio Window Treatments That Work Right For You

Patio window treatments are becoming a trend among individuals who want to add a touch of class to their patio. In most cases, the patio is an area where the emerging trend of "outdoor living" can be experienced. Many may have a patio near the pool, a place where a deck is placed, or even near an outdoor recreation area.

Decoration and the overall style of this type of location are very important when it comes to setting the mood for the activities or even the relaxation that is accomplished with the patio. Here, you will be introduced to some basic considerations on how to select patio window treatments.

All too often the windows in and around the patio are neglected. Many find that either they do not want to be burdened with the expense of purchasing these types of treatments, or that they are unsure of the type of curtains and/or blinds that should be purchased for the patio.

The first thing that you should do when considering the purchase of these types of window treatments is take measurements of the space that you would like covered by the products. You should measure the height, as well as the width to ensure that you are purchasing a product that will easily fit over the windows that you are trying to cover.

Once you have established the size of window coverings that you need, it is time to take a look around and decide what your decoration and/or color scheme is in the room that you plan to place the window treatments. You will want to purchase treatments that can be easily adapted to the type of decorations and the colors that you are using in the room.

By taking the time to consider this, you can easily adapt a wide range of items in the home that can prove to be quite an accessory when it comes to enhancing the overall look and feel of the room.

The next thing that you will want to consider is the type of patio window treatments that you want to use in the room. You can purchase standard curtains, or even blinds. Many elect to purchase blinds that slide or roll up for the patio area.

However, just about anything can be chosen to go in this particular area. Once again, it all boils down to your personal style and taste. How to select patio window treatments is not a difficult task, it is just one that takes a little thought.

Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to WindowCoveringResource.com a website with information and resources for all your patio furniture and window treatment needs

3 X 6 Mudsill For Shear Wall

Deck Construction Building Help

Working in the construction business for over 30 years and listening to homeowners, tell me how fortunate I am to have the ability to work on my own home. It kind of makes me feel good to hear them praise me and when I have completed their project, they usually are extremely happy with how it turned out. I've been listening to this for years and came to one conclusion, anyone can do what I do, with the correct information.

I was building a deck and a homeowner and his son were there constantly, watching me work on the project. They would ask if they can help and if there was anything they could do, they would like to learn the deck building process, so one day they could build their own decks. Most of the time, they were in my way and slowed me down. I finally got to a point where I had to asked them if they could watch from a distance, because I was starting to run behind on the project. It was starting to cost me money to educate them. I just didn't have time for this and there was no way, that I wanted to hurt their feelings or make them mad at me.

They agreed and at the end of the day, would have a couple of questions for me. I told the father, that I would bring him a few books on deck building and he could keep them as long as he needed. Him and his son were more than happy to accept my offer and the next day, they were nowhere in sight. At the end of the day as I was putting my tools away, a homeowner and his son approached me and thanked me for loaning them the books, but they were done with them. The son explained to me, that they were going to purchase some of their own books on deck building, because mine were a little out of date.

To make a long story short, I finished the deck, got paid and went on my way. A few months later they contacted me and asked if I had time, can I come over the house and look at the new deck, that they built next to mine. I said I would be glad to, and would be there tomorrow evening. When I arrived at the job site, I couldn't even get out of my truck, the father and his son were waiting for me in the driveway and directed me to drive to the back of the home.

There new deck was about 10' x 10' and matched the one that I built pretty good. They did a great job and after I told them, what a wonderful job they did building the deck, they were like two kids in a candy store. It seemed like, I had just made their day and it made me feel good, and that they felt good.

Sometimes building a deck or home repairs can be performed like a professional, with a little bit of help, from the book.

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.

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet.

House Lighting Books

Go Green in the City Part 1 - Eco-Friendly Remodeling For Residential and Commercial Real Estate

As gas prices increase more homebuyers are moving closer to the city, their jobs and hubs of activity to decrease travel costs for themselves and the whole family. As more people embrace urban environments green building and eco-friendly renovations that work for existing houses, town homes, condos and apartments are in higher demand. Whether you have a large budget or almost no budget, there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs. Green home remodeling can benefit you, the environment and the future of our entire world.

The Truth About Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

There is a lot of controversy these days about the green value of compact fluorescent light bulbs, better known as those spiral light bulbs that only use a small percentage of the wattage traditional light bulbs. As a positive, these light bulbs do not use nearly as much electricity as traditional bulbs and often last for years at a time. Then it was reported that if these bulbs are broken a small amount of mercury is released. Despite the harmful impact mercury has on the environment the positives of these bulbs outweigh the negatives. Although these bulbs contain a small amount of mercury the amount of electricity they save greatly reduces the amount of mercury released by electrical plants. When using compact fluorescent bulbs take extra care not to break them and dispose of them carefully. Recycling of compact fluorescents has started in various parts of the US. If possible find a recycling center near you

Make the Most Out of Your Surge Protectors and Power Strips

Many appliances, including computer equipment, stereos, TVs and cell phone chargers all draw electrical energy even when turned off. If they sit plugged in all the time electricity is wasted. In order to avoid this waste purchase surge protector power strips for various areas and plug multiple items into the strips. Make sure the power strips are easy to reach and when printers, speakers, computers, radios, cell phone chargers, toasters, coffee makers, etc are not in use unplug the power strip and electricity will be conserved. This may seem like a simple tactic, but imagine if everyone became aware of this small electrical drain and took action. Our carbon footprint as a country would decrease dramatically. When it comes to energy conservation every lit bit counts.

The Best Ways to Heat Your Water

If you own your condo, apartment or home in the city one of the best ways to save energy and money is to purchase a tankless water heater. Energy efficient water heaters save thousands of dollars during the first three to five years. This kind of feature will also work as an excellent incentive for buyers if you sell in the future. If a new water heater isn't in the budget consider turning off your water heater when you are out of town or purchase and install a timer. Most often even older water heaters maintain hot water for approximately 24-48 hours after they have been turned off. Why pay for hot water when you are not using it? Another simple idea is to lower the temperature on your existing water heater. Many older water heaters are set at a scalding 140 degrees. Lowering the thermostat will conserve energy and its totally free.

Low Flow Toilets and Tricks to Conserve Water

Leaky toilets and the water waste caused by older toilets is common in existing homes and commercial properties. Older toilets often use between 3 and 5 gallons per flush. To check and see if your toilet is leaking place food coloring in the back of the tank, after an hour without flushing if the bowl turns color you have found a leak. If you have the money a low flow toilet is your best bet. Made specifically for energy efficiency, low flow toilets are another excellent selling point. If you have a small budget or no budget consider this well-known trick. Take any weighted, solid object, like a glass jar, and place it in your toilet tank. This object will take up space so your tank fills with less water than usual. Instead of 3 to 5 gallons each flush you will now use less.

Stay tuned for Green in the City Part 2 for more great green tips on how to conserve energy and save money.

Elaine VonCannon is an award winning REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia. She specializes in retirement and relocation in the Williamsburg, South Eastern Virginia area and in Virginia Estate properties. To learn more visit http://www.voncannonrealestate.com or http://www.estatesinvirginia.com

Stucco Stain From Roof Leak

Home Contractor Problems and Solutions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Right Door Closers For Your Doors

At our present time, our world has developed technologies to make us live comfortably and easier. We have been innovative and creative to keep up with the fast pace of our world. Everything we do demands us to be time efficient. And doors are not an exemption to that innovation.

If you are tired of opening and closing up your doors and you feel like wasting a few of your time just because of opening and closing it. Now there are close doors, we can just open our doors and it can automatically close. Through that, we do not have to be anxious if ever we have left our door open because it is the function of the door closers to mechanically close it.

It comes in various styles that will perfectly fit to your doors. Take also into consideration the amount of traffic that the door closers will control in that certain area for there are specific type door closer that can manage the amount of traffic of your door. So, before putting it up you must first calculate the quantity of traffic that the door closer will manage so that you can install the right door closer for your door.

There are those that are designed to tolerate a severe traffic jam; it is well-matched for main entrances of business offices, hotels, firms and the like. It has the competence to be used 300-400 times daily. There are also these types of closers that are for average traffic that can be used for 50-100 times daily. Make sure to use the well-suited door closers for your door for you to handily open and close the door. For outside doors, a backheck is considered necessary it is a third valve or control that is added to it so that the opening and closing of the door is not too quick.

It is in two styles, overhead and jambed mounted. These overhead door closers can be hidden or surface mounted while the jambed mounted style will fit between the door and doorframe and are completely unseen when the door is closed.

Because today people are so dependent with the internet, you can search for door closers online for you to easily purchase it at your own computer in your convenient time. The prices are within your means with the guarantee that it is made only of robust materials that can allow you to make of use it for many more years. It is useful these days for everything today should be speedy and time efficient. This is convenient not just at homes but as well as to business firms and companies because this can surely grant expediency to their clients and costumers.

Matthew Stanton writes an article about Door Closers which provides incoming and outgoing visitors of a particular building to close doors for them automatically. Simply visit this website at http://www.wholesalelocks.com/door-closers.html

Home Siding Books

The Relevance of List Building

If you own an online marketing business, odds are high that you have heard about list building. You should also be aware of how effective this particular practice can be when assembling important data about prospective future buyers. And to those who are still unsure about the best way of using it or are skeptical about its 'ostensible' effectualness, I do hope this article convinces you of both accounts.

What is list building? Or more specifically, who is building the list?

When you become a paid member of a blog/monthly newsletter scheme, many a time you are gifted with a freely downloadable e-book. This is a common promotional practice. In most cases the site operators ask for a name and an email address where they can send a link to the free e-book and keep in touch with you for future reference. This is how contact details are piled up and sorted into lists or email directories.

A truly equitable exchange! don't you think? To become a list owner you will need to sign up to some form of list building software. Within this software you will receive the option to create and manage several lists at the same time. Once you have the web form installed and working on your web page, it is time to drive traffic and gather the visitors details. Now remember the number one rule to list building is honouring the privacy of your customer, so don't be sharing these details with anyone. This is the clientele base where you will marker your newest products, building rapport is vital.

Fixing a list of customers is however not enough! If you want to make serious sales you have to persevere and be extremely patient. You will need to obtain a certain comfort level with the netsurfers. For doing this, you can forward them links to other free applications that you personally own or have discovered on the net. Follow this up with a reference to a recent product you purchased or a service you availed of. With this ongoing interaction, there is a pretty high probability that your consumers will eventually be convinced to buy at least some of your products.

Click Here to visit Explosive Reviews, the Internets dependable resource for Internet Marketing Product reviews.

We've reviewed the hottest blogging products of 2009 in great detail, Visit Explosive Reviews Today.

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Cut Heating Costs By Using Indirect Gain In Your Home Design

Heating costs are pretty high these days and only expected to get higher in the future as fossil fuels become more scarce. Incorporate indirect gain in your home design and you will save a bundle.

Indirect gain is a form of solar energy heating. Now, dont panic. When most people mention solar power, the idea of large, unattractive solar panels immediately pops into your mind. Indirect gain does not involve solar panels. Instead, it uses the natural power of the sun to create heat for your home. Yes, even in winter.

The energy in sunlight is obscenely powerful. On a clear day, there is enough energy in one square meter of sunlight to produce 1 kilowatt of power. So, why doesnt solar power take off as a renewable energy platform? We cannot yet build solar cells that are efficient enough to harness the energy. Most solar cells in panels only convert about 10 percent of the energy in the sunlight hitting them. This is why the panels have to be so big to generate enough electricity.

With indirect gain, you dont have to worry about solar panels or even efficiency. Indirect gain refers to the heating of one area of a home and then circulating that heat to the rest of the home. A classic example is a Trombe Wall, but in this case we are going to talk about a sun room.

A sun room is simply a room built on the south facing wall of your home. The outer walls and roof are glass. The floor and internal wall is made of a material that absorbs heat from the sun. The floor can be brick, for instance. The wall can be painted a dark color. It really doesnt matter so long as the sun heats it up. During the day, the sun will get your sun room roasting. This is true even in winter if you insulate well. So, how do you get all of this hot air into the rest of the home? Im glad you asked!

To move the hot air into the rest of your home, you need to install a simple, but unique vent system. A set of vents should be placed as high as possible and as low as possible on the interior wall of your sun room. The vents should lead to an interior space of your home with as short a distance being used as possible. Remember, hot air rises and we are going to use this fact to our advantage.

When you need heat in the home, you can open both sets of vents bottom and top. The hot air from the sun room will transfer into the house through the top vents. At the same time, cool air from the interior of the home will transfer into the sun room through the bottom vents where it will be heated by the energy radiating off the floor and interior wall of the sun room. The net effect is you have used the inherent energy in sunlight to heat your house!

So, how effective can indirect gain be when it comes to heating your home? It can cut your costs by about 60 percent. Over the life of your home, that is a healthy chunk of change.

Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - free solar power articles.

Ice Dam Problems And Solutions

How Will a New President Affect the Precast Concrete Building Industry?

The recent election was the buzzword for the past several months. Everyone debated about their favorite candidate, watching the news and polls to find out the latest happenings. With building projects in a state of urgency across the country, many people are wondering how a new administration will affect the building industry.

Just a week before the election, a gathering of mayors, governors and special interest groups occurred on Capitol Hill. The group presented various ideas to boost the economy and employ people through new public works projects.

Building projects played a large part in the plans presented on Capitol Hill. Both political parties showed their desire to build roads and sewer and water projects. Each concrete highway barrier and sewer built will help to employ someone who may otherwise be jobless. As people earn more money, the economy will get a healthy boost it needs.

At a hearing of the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. John Mica of Florida revealed how many people building projects can potentially employ. According to Mica, "Every billion dollars in spending on infrastructure, on highway and transportation expenditures, does result in 35,000 new jobs."

Fresno precast concrete workers will be glad to hear a large economic stimulus measure might be in the works as soon as early next year. Jon Corzine, governor of New Jersey, called for the stimulus. The measure has an emphasis on railway repairs, sewer projects, water projects and road construction.

Corzine feels strongly about building projects. He states, "This time of adversity should be translated into a time of opportunity with respect to our infrastructure projects. We should not lose the opportunity to invest in our future, our children and our grandchildren's future."

Concrete projects last up to 100 years or more because of their durability, strength and resistance to the elements. Concrete is versatile and tough enough for highway barriers, sewer systems, building structures and electrical equipment enclosures to store Sarcramento precast electrical accessory items.

The stimulus measure also seeks to extend jobless benefits in the meantime. For thousands of unemployed workers, the best break would be new infrastructure projects. These projects will be an ongoing source of income for many workers who can't find a job rather than depending on unemployment.

Additionally, many of American's infrastructures seriously need attention. Safe roads are essential for people to travel. Sewer and water projects keep the environment cleaner and greener by properly disposing of waste and maintaining safe water supplies. Precast concrete building structures stand the test of time and weather so they will remain functional for future generations.

For businesses ready to take advantage of the economic stimulus before it arrives, fresno precast concrete products to build a concrete highway barrier, sewer or electrical equipment enclosure to house Sacramento precast electrical accessory items can all be found at JensenPrecast.com.

Pocket Door Problems

Success Starting in Your 40s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gregory Vanden Berge

Framing Basement Walls Can Provide Warmth and Comfort

If you have any experience at carpentry working with framing basement walls can be fun and save you a lot of money. If you have no or very little experience with carpentry you can still learn with the right desire.

So you have an unfinished basement in your home and would like to create another room like a recreation room or laundry room or basement study you can do it. The first thing you need to do is know there are two areas that you will be framing, the outside walls of your basement and the inside walls to create the rooms within.

The outside walls or perimeter walls are the walls that you can either construct to provide warmth and added comfort or just construct as walls to provide added pleasantness to the basement. Framing Basement Walls to provide warmth and comfort is the best way to go if you plan to use the rooms in the basement as part of your living area.

If you want the basement room to be warm and comfortable, you will need to use 2 X 4 wooded studs for your framing around the perimeter. This will let you use insulation between the studs to provide the warmth required between the outside foundation and the inside wall.

The interior walls will also be constructed of wooden 2 X 4 studs, but normally don't require insulation between the studs. If you want added noise protection adding insulation to the inner walls can help deaden sound.

When you spend time framing basement walls correctly you will have a more functional basement area to add value and comfort to your home.

Looking for ways to have an artful and creative basement wall? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Remodeling For Beginners - 3 Tips For Working With the Pros

One of the first things you need to learn when undertaking a remodeling for beginners home project is when to bring in the professionals. While beginners can so many things themselves to save money, there are actually some projects or parts of projects that you would be better served leaving to the pros. When that time comes, here are some of the things you need to know:

1) Make sure your "professional" is really a professional.

Do not hire a friend/ co-worker/ family member unless you have seen that they can do the work you are asking for. Hiring an unqualified "professional" will usually end up costing you more money in the long run when you have to have a real professional come in to fix and re-do what the other attempted.

2) If you are planning to do some of the project yourself and have a professional do part, consult with your professional before starting ANY work.

Nothing is as much a waste of time and money than starting a project only to find out that what you have done needs to be taken apart in order for the professional to do their part. Consulting with your professional before you start to make sure you both know when things need to be done and by who, will save much future frustration.

3) Get it in writing.

Get all estimates in writing. If you are taking out a loan to finance the remodel, do not sign any contracts before your lender approves the loan. Require a contract that lists exactly what you are getting at a guaranteed price. Find out about a finished time frame and if they require a deposit before they begin work. Most will require some sort of deposit so be prepared to pay an amount upfront.

Remodeling for beginners can be exciting but know your limitations. Having a good guide like the one found at http://www.RemodelingForBeginners.com can make you more comfortable with your skill level and also help guide you about when and how to work with professionals. A small investment to make the big investment turn out the way you want.

Life Lessons - What I Learned Remodeling Our Bathroom

The first week of January my husband and I gutted our one full size bathroom. It was old and dated and needed to be remodeled. I believed the schedule was realistic and thought it would be a relatively easy job. I have never been more wrong in my life.

First rule: renovation messiness seeps and spreads into every corner of the house. It took two full days to tear out the existing fixtures and dry wall. The tear our process meant that every room in our house would be dusty and in disarray. The hallway leading from the bathroom was too narrow to allow for clutter so the clutter naturally spilled over into all adjoining rooms. Tools seemed to have no natural home; they now resided on the kitchen counter top, my foyer table, and my bedroom dresser. I felt like I was living in a junkyard and seemed to acquire some Darwinian kind of adaptation. My physical appearance deteriorated. Now I needed a makeover. Feeling this way prompted examination of minor physical details at the most inconvenient moments. Like deciding I needed to file my nails while I was prying the sub floor up.

The second rule is everything takes three times as long as you thought it would. It's an applicable rule for life. I had scheduled getting the all the debris hauled out the following week. This was critical because my daughter had planned a small wedding shower for her best friend at our house the next weekend. Day before the shower I still had a garage filled with junk and a fresh six inches of snow on the driveway and still no pickup. I was into meltdown mode. Twenty women would arrive the next day and the walkway to our front door was inaccessible due to lack of shoveling from the previous 20 inches of snow. They would all to enter through the garage amidst the pile of junk. The prospect of this sent me into overdrive and my husband into hiding. I went onto Craig's list and spent most of that Saturday emailing prospective haulers. Just when I was ready to surrender to the mess I got a repose from a man living only ten minutes away who miraculously would arrive for pick up in less than a half hour. I was so ecstatic (and my husband grateful) that we helped load every last piece of trash into his truck and gave him more than the agreed amount.

Which brings me to the third rule, which is: life goes on so enjoy it. Despite the mess, despite my exhaustion the shower was the perfect antidote for a snowy day. We all sat comfortably on the couch and cushions looking out the back windows at the beautiful snowy woods, drinking wine, eating cheese and chocolate and laughing. That Sunday I had fun and forgot about the mess and the inconvenience.

The following weekend was back to work hanging new drywall and laying the sub floor. That's when I came to respect the carpenter's rule of: measure twice and cut once. Of course this rule was first experienced rather than known. This fourth rule has a clause, which is to "slow down" or to go slow to go fast because not doing this means you will waste time and materials. Like when my husband would give me a measurement to remember and of course once downstairs ready to cut I couldn't recall it. Back upstairs.

It was now time to tile. I was looking forward to this step because it was the first where I could actually see the potential new bathroom. But then I experienced the fifth rule: to expect the unexpected. The already installed three hundred pound cast iron tub had a slight defect and had to be replaced. The entire business of exchanging it reminded of the Laurel and Hardy short about moving the piano up a mountain of stairs. In addition to the grunt work it added several weeks to our schedule.

Rule number six is you can't always get what you wanted. We had picked out a beautiful earth tone stone tile to coincide with my vision of bathing tranquility. Problem is not really a problem but on closer inspection the tiles were all a different color. We were assured that the natural color variations enhanced the overall look. To ensure a professional job we would have to select tiles individually so they reflected this difference in tone. Not what we expected and not an easy job. The only place where we had the room to do a layout was in the middle of the living room. This created an interesting new playscape for the cat and dog. As well as lots of great discussion between my husband and I, he swears I am colorblind.

The seventh rule is to seek professional help when needed. This one is my favorite because my husband admitted his lack of skill and hired a plumber to install the rest of the fixtures. It was expensive but worth the money because it was done right.

It took three months but the bathroom is now completed. I feel like royalty having the luxury of a toilet and shower in the same room. I can remember vowing I'd be happier with an outhouse instead of spending every weekend working with what seemed no end in sight. Instead I'll be happy to clean and scrub my new tub and tile floor daily if need be. Which brings me to the last rule: you can't truly miss something until it's gone. Missing something leads to appreciation and gratitude for what you have. As I survey other potential projects I realize they can wait indefinitely, I'm satisfied with I have right now.

Karen Pesta provides character education for students K-12 promoting academic and social achievement and physical and emotional health. If you are looking for a program of character education that is deliberate, holistic and reaches your entire student population visit: http://www.creativeworldconnection.com

Estimating the Cost of Building a Basement

There are many things to think about before building a basement. One of the most important thing is the cost to build it. Here are a few tips to help you estimate your construction costs.

Excavation

The first thing you need to think about is the cost to excavate the soil. The harder the soil is to excavate, the more expensive it will be. Of course, the depth of the excavation also affects the cost. The deeper the digging the higher the price.

Concrete

The size and shape of your basement will greatly affect your budget for building a basement because they will determine how much concrete you will need for your project. The more complex your perimeter structure is, the more you are going to spend. You will also spend more for deep basements because they will n need higher and thicker walls. You should also include your basement foundation in calculating your building cost.

Reinforcement

Reinforcing your basement walls is very important. This will allow your basement to easily support the load on top of it. Reinforcing the walls will also strengthen it from the constant pressure it receives from the soil around it.

Backfilling

It is highly recommended that you backfill the perimeter of your basement and its bottom. Backfilling will secure your basement from absorbing water or moisture. Since concrete easily absorbs water, backfilling the exterior of your basement will prevent this.

Drain Tile

Installing a Drain Tile to the foundation of your basement should not be forgotten. The Drain Tile will keep you r basement dry by diverting ground water away from it. Other things to consider when building a basement are labor costs, equipment rentals, finishing and of course your building permit.

Considering building a basement? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Bird Poop On Concrete Porch

What You Need To Know About Patio Lighting

Patio lighting is almost as important as the patio furniture that you place there. With a little creative planning, you can create a patio with lighting that really shows it off. You should plan the lighting just as you plan the design and look into all the options available for lights on a patio. Some people like to string Christmas lights around the patio to give it a festive appearance. This method of lighting does not cost a lot because you simply use the Christmas lights that you already have.

Down lighting is a way of lighting the patio from above. It helps to create a natural light, similar to moonlight shining down on those seated there. This lighting is also a good security measure for when you are not home because a lighted patio gives the appearance of people being outside when no one answers the doorbell. With creative lighting, you can sit on the patio after dark and enjoy your favorite novel or read the newspaper.

Spotlights or floodlights can serve as down lighting. If you want all of the patio lit up, then floodlights are best. Spotlights are great for highlighting certain areas of the patio such as stairs and the doorway. If you have a particular area on the patio that you want to draw attention to, such as the fountain, then spotlights work really well. One area that you do need to have lighting is the cooking and eating areas, so that you can see what you are doing.

Patio lights can be installed along the edge of the railing and add an ambiance to the patio. Some of these lights are connected to an electrical supply, while others run by batteries. They come on at dusk and go off at dawn, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn off the lights when you go in.

For lots of information on patio design and other decks and patios related topics, visit The DIY Home Guide at http://www.thediyhomeguide.com

Stair Stringer Connection

Books on Home Building - Professional Advice

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, 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. An 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 home inspection or home building ideas

Column Framing And Roof Soffit

Top 10 Secrets to Small Bathroom Designs

It's official. Small bathroom designs are making an inexorable leap to the frontline in the contemporary interior design firmament. No longer are homeowners treating small spaces with a sense of passive resignation, and are in fact, breaking free from the shackles of convention and weaving magic in small bathrooms.

These homeowners stop at nothing to ensure that their personal space resembles a work of art. Gone are the days when the thought of decorating a small bathroom could dim one's ardor. Today, things stand at polar opposites. One finds an earnest desire to liberate oneself from the constraints of claustrophobic eyesores, even at the cost of demolishing long-standing rules in design books.

Secrets Finally Revealed

If a paucity of ideas to inject a dose of freshness into your small space is your constant gripe, it's time to unlock a few secrets. So shun that innate skepticism, and get ready to fire your imagination like never before. Here's how:

• If bathing luxury is your utmost concern, soak in a small but deep bathtub that does not occupy centre stage in the space.
• A transparent shower screen as against an opaque shower wall highlights your bathroom's intrinsic style quotient, leaving nothing much to imagination.
• Do not shelve plans of installing floating or recessed cabinets. Utilize the space on the wall to the fullest.
• Onlookers are sure to stand up and take note of space saving pedestal and wall-mounted sinks.
• Open doors to innovating space saving schemes with hinged or sliding doors.
• Windows in close proximity to the ceiling provide ample space on the walls for cabinets and shelves.
• Optical illusion is not something that only Chris Angel can perfect. Allow natural light to come gushing into the space through windows and skylights, and watch the extraordinary impact.
• The sparkle of under cabinet lighting and the shimmer of mirrors can take the space from dull and dreary to devastatingly dazzling.
• While vertical lines add inches to the space, the spectacular combination of identical wall and floor tiles creates that crackling chemistry.
• Don't remain in the dark about the colossal impact of light, pastel or neutral shades.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... FAST ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Fountains and Ponds in the Yard

While garden ponds and fountains used to be only for the very wealthy, today anyone who wants to have one in their yard can do so. All it requires is a little money, some ingenuity, and a plan. Fountains and waterfalls can be a wonderful addition to any landscape, even if it's only on a balcony or patio.

Simple solutions are shallow dishes that can be set out as birdbaths, perhaps decorated or displayed in such a way as to make them look to be more than they are. A simple pie pan can become a water-carrying work of art that attracts a myriad of birds if displayed properly.

A birdbath that is on the ground will attract much more than birds, which may be more to your liking. Cats, squirrels, even raccoons can show up if you have it set out in this way. If you prefer just birds, you can hang the bath up, suspended from something or put it on a tall pedestal to keep ground creatures off. This can attract birds even if you are a cat owner as it gives them a sanctuary away from the felines.

If you want to try growing some water plants, try a deeper container that is more firmly rooted and has an easy way to drain and refill without having to do any major moving or carrying. This not only allows the plants to be mostly undisturbed, but also makes it easier for you to do these maintenance tasks, ensuring they'll get done and not procrastinated.

Try several types of pool and pond landscaping plants and see how well they do. Not only is it more lively and colorful, but the ones that aren't suited to the environment you've created will quickly die off so you'll know which ones are hardier and made for what you're doing. Spread stones or heavy gravel on the soil before introducing the plants and water. This will keep the water from washing away the soil underneath.

If you live in a colder climate, make sure you know what you're going to do with that tub garden in the winter time. While moving it indoors is the obvious solution, be sure you know how you'll do so and how you'll get the plants the sunlight they need while they're indoors. A large window, grow light, or other means can solve this problem.

Have fun with whatever your creation is and be sure you enjoy it every chance you get!

Now is the perfect time to witness more about small pond landscaping. Today you too can take advantage of our years of experience, visit plant-care.com.

Buying A Functional House

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - 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.

Is Imagination Better Than Knowl