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Archive for April, 2010

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Plastering A Swimming Pool

April 30th, 2010

Swimming pools are popular in homes all over the world, but one universal problem with them is that they wear out over time. After a number of years the pool will start to look faded and worn, cracks may also start showing in the tiles and plaster. People who have that problem will need to fix the entire pool area, temporary fixing of cracks may work for a little while but the problem will continue to worsen unless it is treated correctly. The tiles may likely have to be stripped and the entire area would have to be retiled and plastered.

Pool plasterer jobs are not a simple task and it may take several days to complete depending on how many people are doing the job. Plastering a swimming pool requires skill and expertise as well as the proper equipment. Proper plastering tools are needed along with the tools for removing and adding new tiles. If the pool only needs a simple » Read more: Plastering A Swimming Pool

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Posted in Hot Tubs, Pools & Spas

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Features Available on Sectional Garage Doors

April 30th, 2010

Sectional garage doors are one of the most popular styles of doors today. They work by being split in to many sections so that they may be retracted up in to a track that goes back in to the garage. Retracting is how the door opens and it is lowered to close it. Sectional doors can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. There are many different features available for this popular style of door.

When buying a sectional overhead garage door it is a good idea to be aware of the different features available. These doors have the option of coming fully insulated. If the home garage itself is insulated it would be a good idea to get the door insulated too. Otherwise, your insulated garage will be opened to the elements and the other insulation will be for nothing. These doors can also come with window accents in them. There are many different windows available for the doors » Read more: Features Available on Sectional Garage Doors

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Posted in Garage

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A Few Things to Know About Home Alarm Systems

April 30th, 2010

Installing home alarm systems? Do it yourself. It is faster and definitely cheaper. There are some things you should know before going out and purchasing a system for your house. The first thing that you need to do is make a list of all of the egresses in your home and place a check mark next to all of the ones that you believe are going to need an alarm. Do not automatically say that all of them will need to be alarmed. If you have a room on the third floor of your home, chance are a burglar will choose to get in your home from a more accessible window or door.

Do it yourself house alarms are becoming more and more popular in today’s market. They are just as effective and do not cost nearly as much money as getting them installed by a home security company. When you are ready and have all of your information there are a few things you should consider. The first thing is that you should choose to install your touch pad that is used to arm and disarm your system on a wall that has an outlet. This will make connecting it to electricity much easier and will not require any additional holes in your walls.

Once the system is installed, you will need to have it connected to a central alarm station and in many states it will have to be registered with your local police department. These certificates usually cost in the vicinity of $100 and are good for three years or so.

Home systems are a necessity and will give your family peace of mind. If you think you are going to require additional alarm peripherals such as a glass break sensor or water sensor they are going to be additional in cost. Many do it yourself alarm kits will cost you approximately $300.

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Posted in Security

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TV Stand Corner – Choosing Wisely

April 30th, 2010

With the recent development in science and technology, there has been enormous change in the mindset and even the way people furnish their house. Having a TV in the olden days was supposed to be the style statement. Initially it would come in only black and white, but this reality has changed over time and with the emerging technologies. In the early years, TV was considered to be one of the main decor items, and was typically kept in the living room as the main focal point. But now people choose the right TV set which suits their decor. These days it’s not kept on the table but, rather, on its own piece of furniture which is known as a TV stand.

A corner TV stand is meant to be placed a corner of the room. A designated area, the TV stand corner, we might call it. These stands are best for small rooms as it saves room space. There are many varieties available in the market for these stands. They can be used for multiple purposes. For instance, it can add on to the decor of a room, and can give you the home theater feel as well.

Always remember, don’t just go for the stylish » Read more: TV Stand Corner – Choosing Wisely

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Posted in Living Room

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Uses for Plastic Storage Boxes are Almost Limitless

April 28th, 2010

No matter how large or small your home may be, you probably wish it were easier to keep it neat. Unwanted clutter makes cleaning difficult, and can result in possessions becoming damaged or lost. In addition to these problems, clutter also ruins the appearance of a home. Plastic storage boxes are the aid you need to turn a cluttered house or apartment into a showcase.

Each person has his or her own personal items. This can mean toys, hobby products, and other similar items. Plastic storage boxes are the very best way to neatly hold all of these items when they are not in use. They will be protected from loss or damage, while making the room tidy.

Most people also have seasonal clothing. This can present a problem, especially if you have a small amount of closet storage space. When you keep your seasonal clothes in a plastic box, they are not in your way during the months when you have no use for them. A box will also protect your clothes from moisture, moths, and other potentially damaging elements. When the seasons change, they will still be in excellent condition.

A plastic box is a great way to store items in your office. Whether you have small office supplies, or supplies in quantity, you do not have to drop them into a desk drawer or loosely in a closet. They can stay neatly contained, and easy to find whenever you want them.

Storing paperwork can be troublesome, if you do not have a proper container. Whether the paperwork consists of work-related material, tax receipts, or schoolwork, a cardboard box is not useful. It does not keep moisture away from your papers the way plastic will. Storing a large » Read more: Uses for Plastic Storage Boxes are Almost Limitless

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Posted in General

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How to Prevent Ipe Wood Lumber from Warping

April 27th, 2010

One of the most popular choices for decking, fences, and gates is Brazilian ipe wood. The ipe (pronounced EYE-pay) tree grows in the rainforests of South America and is prized for its durability and beauty.

However, some homeowners have raised concerns about ipe’s tendency to warp or shrink, particularly in hot, dry climates, or high-exposure applications like decks. Consumers and builders alike have weighed in on this issue in online forums, but consensus is still lacking. However, some basic precautions can prevent frustrations when the project is done.

If you have the money to spend, kiln-dried ipe boards are unlikely to warp or shrink. However, this is an expensive option. And unlike other woods, stain or sealant won’t help; in fact, because ipe’s density, treating it can actually make things worse. Ipe needs to breathe.

Builders recommend deck construction designs with plenty of ventilation underneath, which is good practice no matter what kind of wood you’re using. This allows moisture escaping from the ground to evaporate, instead of soaking into the planks and making them curl.

The cut of the planks can make a difference in how stable they are after they’re fastened down. 1 x 6s tend to “cup,” meaning they curl from side to side in a “U” shape, while thicker, narrower boards tend to remain stable. Ask your builder to bid the job with 5/4 x 6 or even 5/4 x 4 planks if you have concerns about cupping. Anchorseal or a similar sealant on the cut ends can also minimize warping as the boards dry. » Read more: How to Prevent Ipe Wood Lumber from Warping

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Posted in Carpentry, Decks & Porches

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Negotiating a Price on a Good Mattress

April 26th, 2010

When you go out mattress shopping, you don’t have to necessarily pay retail for a good mattress. All you have to do is to get a great price on a good mattress is to know how to negotiate.  Here are some steps to take to get a good price on a good mattress.

  • Do your homework – First thing that you want to do is to become familiar with the prices of mattress at the reputable dealers and online by reading reviews of mattresses.  Compare the mattresses by features and prices and remember that it’s not always reliable to go by the model names.
  • Make a short list – Narrow your selection down and start out by giving the seller an offer. The offer should be a few hundred dollars than the price on the sticker. This is where negotiations will begin.

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Posted in Bedroom

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Garage Organization Guide

April 19th, 2010

Is your Garage organized? or is it the most cluttered, stuffy, and messy room in your entire home. It’s a black hole that you throw all of your junk and stuff you no longer use in there and quickly lock the door. Nope, it’s not your bedroom or bathrooms… it’s your garage!

Yeah, got you a little flustered right. You know it’s a nightmare in there, but you keep telling yourself you’re going to go out there one weekend and clean everything out. The only thing is once you open the garage door, you immediately close it because it seems like an overwhelming task.

Well, I’m here to tell you there’s nothing to be freaked out about or to feel overwhelmed. I’m going to guide you through a process that will allow you to get your garage organized without feeling overwhelmed.

Step 1: Quadrants

My garage is probably one of the messiest that you’ll ever find. I had a car that no longer worked parked in there with a whole bunch of old computers, printers, clothes, boxes, school books, shoes, etc. piled up all around it. There was no way I was going to make any progress if I looked at it as one huge project.
» Read more: Garage Organization Guide

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Posted in Garage, Household Tips

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DIY – Tile Your Kitchen Floor

April 19th, 2010

Doing tile work is a great job for the newbie home renovator.

One of the most fun jobs of the whole affair is shopping for the materials. Go for excellent quality at good value.

Starting out, check the sub floor for loose or damaged areas and repair any loose nails by replacing them with screws. Next clean the area with a vacuum hose to clear out any debris. Then measure the space to know how much backer board is needed and multiply this number by 5% this will allow for mistakes.

Now, lay out the pattern for the board by snapping chalk lines to show where each panel will be placed. Layout the boards to plan for any panels to be cut and mark the panels. Using a scoring tool  cut along the lines that are marked. Then you can use your knee for support to snap the backer board along the scored edges.

Next follow the directions on the package of mortar to mix it correctly. Use a square notched trowel to apply the mortar on to the sub floor  in small sections and comb the mortar in straight vertical ridges. » Read more: DIY – Tile Your Kitchen Floor

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Posted in Flooring, Kitchen

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