The times when one was instinctively afraid to step on the ceramic floor of the bathroom or to are long gone. Electric floor heat is a revolutionary invention in terms of making our houses and apartments warmer, cosier and homelier. This technology is especially important for those living in areas with a cool or cold climate. A biting frost makes everything outside produce a typical cracking sound, or an ice-cold rain is a poring down all day long, or piercing wind is about to freeze you to the core. But you do not care, because the floors in your house are nicely warm, making you feel safe and protected. Floor heating products vary greatly, but all of them give you a definite advantage against others if you decide to sell your house your apartment. electric heating mats, for example, fit your room like gloves – and really warm ones! If one takes care to calculate the exact dimensions and to make a simple sketch of the room and then mail it to specialists requesting cost calculation, when can get a very precise reply within twenty four hours and proceed with adding cosiness to one’s home with the help of heated radiant flooring or some other quality product.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
More Home Improvement Tips
Building a new deck or replacing an older one will prove to be and excellent investment, however there are certain pitfalls that a person should be aware of. Be sure to spend some time checking these before beginning construction.
Spend a little extra time in planning the layout of the deck so it will be large enough for all your planned activities. It is important that the layout blends or goes well with the surrounding area, consider the angles of the sun and shading.
Take your sketches and ideas of what you want to your local lumber dealer or favorite supplier and be sure to consider their suggestions and ideas. They can probably draw up a plan for you and give you a pretty close estimate of the materials needed and the cost. As decks become more popular, suppliers and contractors are more familiar with the construction methods and will make sure that you choose the right type and makeup of materials.
Most decks are still being constructed with treated lumber, however there is a new player on the scene. A new composite board that requires no sealers or painting is being used by some builders, however it will increase the cost of materials about 80 to 100 percent. If your pocketbook allows it you might want to opt to use this new material.
Before the year 2003 the pressure treated wood was treated with chromate copper arsenate (CCA), however the EPA forced manufacturers to stop using this process, still allowing lumber companies and dealers to sell out their inventory of CCA products. The problem that popped up after several years of these treated timbers being in the ground caused a leaching of arsenic into the surrounding soil. There was concern that this would present a danger and health risk to children and persons who came in contact with the contaminated soil.
Today most manufacturers have changed the treatment process and are using a compound called alkaline copper quat (ACQ). Other treatment compounds are being considered for approval by the EPA, one of them being acid copper chromate (ACC). These new products are considered to be safe for such use as decks and mailbox posts.
Just because the manufacture of treated lumber using CCA was halted it doesn't mean that you need to destroy your deck if you used that material. A good coating of a name brand oil based sealer or paint will seal the wood and make it safe. This should be done every couple of years to be safe.
New methods of fastening the ACQ treated wood is necessary. No longer will regular metal nails of screws hold up since the copper in the material will corrode the unprotected steel fasteners. The recommended screws are poly-coated and any nails should be at least the hot-dipped nails not the hot galvanized nails or screws. Joist hangers and connectors should be of the (TZ) type which means they are triple zinc coated with a thicker galvanized coating.
The type of flashing between the concrete pillars or foundation should be of copper or a copper coated material. Do not use aluminum flashing as it will corrode due to the copper used in the treatment of the lumber.
Because wood is a porous material and can be damaged by the UV rays of the sun it is important that you protect your deck by cleaning it with a power washer and giving it a good protective coating every two years or so. You made a large investment when you had your deck built and a little care will afford you many years of pleasure.
Railings are important on decks and can be constructed of the same treated material. There are other choices for railings such as metal and vinyl. Pre-fab spindles are now available at most material suppliers and are easy to install.
Special lighting in the area of the steps are an important factor not only to enhance the beauty of the deck but also ad security. Any steps should be well lighted for safety sake. Safe low voltage lighting systems are popular and the cost is well worth the benefits.
Most communities have ordnances or regulations covering decks and swimming pools and it is very important that you check with the code official in you town or community before starting construction. There are financial penalties if you do not have an official permit before any construction begins.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Home Improvement Tips - Bathroom Renovations
One of the most popular areas of a house to renovate is the bathroom. There are many different ways to renovate a bathroom, from small surface changes to completely gutting the room. With some forethought and elbow grease, there are renovating techniques the do-it-yourselfer can accomplish, while saving money at the same time.
The first rule in any renovation is to start with a budget, and stick to it. After a budget is set, one must decide on how serious of a project the renovation will be. Surface alterations can be done fairly quickly and cheaply, while rearranging the layout of the bathroom, such as moving the toilet to a new location, will be more labor intensive, and require a contractor to move plumbing lines. A complete tear out is the most difficult, as well as money and time consuming, but is sometimes necessary if several years of moisture has begun to rot the bathroom's wooden framework.
Hopefully moisture hasn't penetrated the bathroom's joists and studs, but it's quite possible that drywall will have to be replaced. Today there is moisture resistant drywall called greenboard. If a wall is being replaced inside of the shower, a cement backerboard must be used that moisture cannot penetrate.
Many bathroom renovations revolve around the shower or tub. For the do-it-yourselfer, installing a prefabricated shower enclosure or tub is possible. The other option is a tiled shower or tub, which involves building a frame from scratch, and is best left to a professional carpenter. Though prefab showers were once fairly basic, today there are a variety of styles, colors and textures from which to choose. The units can come in one solid piece, to minimize assembly, and also panels if the complete unit can't fit through the bathroom door (which is the case with many older homes).
There are a wide variety of flooring options for bathrooms, but steer clear of wood floors which will warp from the humidity. Ceramic tiles are the most popular choice for bathroom flooring, as it's completely waterproof when sealed properly. There are also almost limitless combinations of shapes, sizes and colors combinations of tiles and grout that will fit all tastes. All floors must be level before laying down tile, which can be easily achieved by mixing a self leveling compound that is then spread across the floor, evening out any inconsistencies.
A new sink or vanity can spruce up a bathroom as well. There are many popular styles, such as wall mounted sinks, pedestal sinks, and vessel sinks that are fairly easy to install. It's often possible to use the current sink piping to reconnect to an updated sink which can drastically change a bathroom's appearance.
Some of the most effective updating can also be the easiest to do. Changing all the hardware, such as drawer pulls, faucet handles, and shower heads, can make a great impact, especially when they are all pulled together with the same materials, such as stainless steel, bronze, or brushed nickel. The cheapest home improvement choice of them all- paint- can also give a bathroom a new feel. Ditching a bland, frameless mirror for a new, large one with a funky frame is also an easy fix.
Sometimes the cost of new bathroom features is the priciest part of a renovation, but looking beyond big box stores can save cash. The local Craigslist may have a treasure being thrown out by another remodeler with a different taste. eBay can work the same way. Buying discontinued tiles is another good money saving technique, but remember to pick up extras to replace damaged tiles in the future.
Most remodeling techniques can be learned, but a contractor may be necessary to deal with new electrical or plumbing lines- it will be worth the money for it to be done correctly, and they will follow building codes properly. Getting referrals from trustworthy friends is always advisable when looking for a good and efficient contractor.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cleaning Wool Carpets
Cleaning Wool Carpets - A Boulder Carpet Cleaning Guide
If you have recently purchased a wool carpet please go to your pantry which holds all your carpet cleaning spotters and throw them away. Never use soaps or carpet cleaning chemicals on wool carpet unless it has a PH between 4.5 and 8.5. To be completely safe you could stay below a PH of 7 (neutral and will not cause the dyes to bleed) or look for your carpet cleaning product at fernmark.com.
Be especially careful of using bleach products near your wool carpet. Bleach will actually dissolve wool carpet and leave you with a giant hole. Bleach is a great way to test your carpet for wool content if you’re not sure if your carpet has wool in it. Another way to test your carpet for wool content is to take a small piece of the wool carpet and hold it in some tongs. In a safe place, light the carpet fiber on fire. If the fiber will hold a flame it is not 100 % wool. You may still have wool content but we know it is not a pure wool carpet since wool is non flammable and will not hold a flame, it will sizzle.
Even if your carpet is 1% wool, you must clean it as if it is 100% wool or you will probably ruin the carpet. Now that we have discussed what not to do, we can establish how to better maintain your wool carpet.
Vacuum as often as you can. This is akin to washing your hair. How many days a week do you skip washing your hair? Only use low PH cleaners. Using over the counter products on wool carpets is like using Tide on your hair! High PH cleaners will break down the cuticle or hard scaly surface that holds the fiber together. Breaking down the cuticle would leave us with a fuzzy mess.
When using a wool safe product - blot. Scrubbing will also cause the fiber to fuzz out. I also recommend that you blot up the wool safe spotter with an acidic rinse (1 part white vinegar 3 part water). This will remove any residue and leave the wool fiber slightly acidic which will help maintain the wools softness. You also want to speed dry your wool carpet. If the carpet takes too long to dry it can turn yellow or brown. Using too high a PH cleaner on your wool carpet can also turn the fibers brown or yellow. We call this PH browning.
In conclusion, vacuum as often as you can. Spot clean with wool safe products. Blot rinse with an acidic rinse and never use bleach (causes wool to dissolve) or products with a high PH. Have your carpets cleaned at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaner who uses wool safe products. For more information on carpets, carpet cleaning, carpet repair, water damage, or allergies please visit our website.
This guide is written to help you maintain your wall to wall wool carpet. It is not meant for wool Oriental rugs. These rugs may have loose dye that will bleed or crock. I recommend that you have these rugs taken to a rug plant that specializes in wool rugs. Oriental rugs should never be cleaned at your home since the dyes may bleed. If a professional carpet cleaner insists, make sure he tests every color on the Oriental rug for color fastness before he begins. Once a wool rug starts to bleed in your home, their is very little you can do to keep the rug from being ruined.
