Drain Leaks Drain leaks most often occur around toilet drains, tub or shower drains, and under cabinets. They often show up as a spot on the ceiling below. If you see a water spot on your ceiling, check directly above for a leak. If you find nothing there check under all the fixtures and in every vanity. Often water will run across a ceiling and show up in a seam or low spot. It's a good idea to check under all your cabinets periodically for leaks. If you find a problem you can often corrct a small leak by just tightening the slip joint connections in the piping. If you have leaking metal p-traps you can probably change them to PVC for less than the price of a happy meal.

Leaks From Fixtures Another common plumbing problem is leaks from individual fixtures. These vary from refrigerator water filter leaks to leaking kitchen faucets. Most of the time there are individual fixture stops, or valves, which turn the water off to that fixture only. If so, this allows you to stop the water leak and still have water to the rest of the house. When you are checking under your cabinets pay careful attention to the stops and to the supply lines going to your faucets. These are prime places for leaks. Use your hands to feel for water on these since it is often hard to see a very small leak.

The Most Urgent Leaks The most urgent kind of leak is a leak on the main water supply piping in your home. That's why it is very important to know where your main water shut off is located and how to turn it off. If you have a supply pipe leak, getting the water turned off quickly can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Galvanized Pipe Is Especially Tricky Once the water is off you can begin to try to determine what the problem is. If you have an older house you may have galvanized pipe leaks. These are especially tricky because when you fix one you may cause another by disturbing the old pipe.

Nails Don't Always Leak Right Away A fairly common cause of leaks in copper piping is a nail in the pipe. Many times these leaks will not show up for quite some time, however long it takes the nail to rust away. Always be very careful when installing baseboard or other trim.

Working With Plastic Pipe While leaks in galvanized or even copper pipes require special skills and tools, plastic piping is fairly easily repaired. You need to be sure what kind of pipe you have because different types of pipe use different glues and cements. Pay close attention to the curing times for the cement so your fresh repair doesn't blow apart when you turn the water back on. Some plastic pipe, like PEX, can't be glued and must be joined using special fittings. The pros usually use barbed fittings with crimp rings and special crimpimg tools but there is a fairly new product that you can use called a shark bite fitting. Unlike its namesake, a plumbing shark bite type fitting is a good thing.

Shark Bite Fittings These plumbing shark bite fittings just push on to the pipe. No tools or special skills required! The only time you need a tool is to remove them. What's so really good about these plumbing shark bite fittings is that they actually work very well and are used by many professional plumbers every day. So...we've learned that all plumbing leaks are not a reason for alarm. Many are simple to fix with easily learned skills. Copyright 2008 Bryan Stevens

It is true that wood is affected by climate change: wood fibers expand and contract with fluctuations in relative humidity. However, this movement and the resulting moisture problems can be controlled with proper installation techniques and the use of high quality wood products.

If you’re going to be installing over concrete, it becomes even more critical that you understand what part of the tree the boards are cut from and the manner in which the boards were processed; both of these factors are vital to your overall satisfaction with the floor. Wood cut from the center of a tree contains a higher percentage of vertical grain which makes it less susceptible to movement and thus a higher quality material.

Before you embark on this installation process, there are certain rules of thumb to manage moisture and ensure the stability of the wood:

1. Be sure the wood supplier has properly dried the wood. 2. Let the wood acclimate in the home or business for 7-10 days. 3. During acclimation in your home or business, keep relative humidity at 45 percent. 4. Make sure the wood flooring has proper stress reliefs (These ridges on the underside of the wood relieve tension in wood, reduces board movement, and provides a greater glue surface).

There are two options for installation of wide plank wood floors. Both options are driven by the height allowance between the slab and door. To determine height, measure the distance from the top of slab to the bottom of the exterior door or measure the transition to other flooring surfaces. Check accuracy by swinging door completely in both directions.

Here are some step-by-step installation guidelines once you know the height allowance:

Option One: Gluing directly to concrete -- 1/2 to 3/4 inch height allowance Using an adhesive product, spread one layer of adhesive onto the concrete per manufacturer’s instructions and place your planks, milled to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness directly onto the adhesive. Allow 12 hours drying time before finishing your floors.

Option Two-A: Concrete slab with plywood sub-floor -- 1 inch height allowance Place a layer of 6mm polyethylene onto the concrete as your moisture barrier. Using a fastening tool, shoot concrete nails into 1/2 inch plywood to apply directly onto concrete. Install Wide Plank Floors, milled to 1/2 inch thickness by blind nailing and gluing.

Option Two-B: Concrete slab with plywood sub-floor -- 1 1/2 inches or more height allowance Lay down 3/4 inch plywood and then follow the directions above.

The cost associated with both options for installing wood over concrete is similar. However, due to the cost of the adhesives, it can be slightly cheaper to use the plywood method.

It’s also possible to install floors over concrete slabs with radiant heat. The installation process calls for using a floating plywood sub-floor.

While you are there, take a look at how you can get rid of your auto, homeowners, and health insurance deductibles!

"We each have our own, unique ideas about how our garden should look and feel - the common element is a clear identity. A garden with a clear sense of place might thus be a tranquil, simple space within which to escape from the frenetic pace of modern life, or it may be a lively, colourful area where the whole family can enjoy games and barbecues."

Dean Hickson, Tutor

As a gardener, what does the phrase, 'a sense of place' mean to you? We thought of the following meanings, but you may have thought of others:

• a clear sense of identity - even 'personality';
• a sense of belonging - whether within the landscape or in harmony with the house;
• a feeling of cohesion and completeness;
• timelessness - garden design, like any other area of design, goes through fashions and trends, but the strongest gardens are often timeless. Designers may adopt contemporary ideas and incorporate them into an existing garden, but this will probably not change the 'sense of place' greatly; instead it should enhance it.

"People like circular or curvy gardens with plenty of movement.... They don't want formal gardens - they are looking for something softer, more relaxed and easy to live with."

Carol Gallagher McCulloch, Scotland on Sunday, 2005.

A garden with a strong sense of place works in every respect - cohesion, design, colour, identity. The design is confident (although that does not necessarily mean bold) and visitors feel comfortable within it.

"You always know when you're entering a balanced, well-proportioned garden because it feels comfortable - lines lead you naturally through the space, and shapes and volumes are restful on the eye ... Most of us want our outdoor spaces to offer a peaceful sanctuary."

Diarmuid Gavin, Design your Garden.

sensory experience

We experience a garden through every one of our senses, and a true sense of place is created when there is harmony between the different sensory messages we are picking up - touch, smell, sound, vision and even taste. For this reason, when creating a garden, you need to be aware of the different ways in which your design harnesses the senses.

How do you think a garden design could engage the following senses: hearing, smell, touch, and taste? There are many possibilities here, but some that we thought of immediately include:

• Hearing - water features, wind chimes, plants that rustle or rattle in the wind.
• Smell - open patio fires, especially if burning scented wood; flowers; scented foliage. Smell is often used to create a welcoming, tranquil atmosphere in the garden.
• Touch - when it comes to experiencing a garden, touch is often of central importance. Examples range from spiky ornamental thistles to the feathery, plume-like flowers of astilbe and Cotinus Coggygria. Hard landscaping may also be important, ranging from soft, warm wood to cold granite or slate. Texture is a key feature of many successful designs.
• Taste - This is often associated with smell, so it can be a particularly important sense around the patio area. Because vision, smell and taste are closely linked, your design can engage the sense of taste indirectly. For instance, a patch of strongly scented mint will set the taste buds tingling, as will a tree laden with luscious citrus fruits. You see a citrus fruit and catch a hint of their aroma, and before you know you can almost taste them too!

vision

Of all the senses, vision is the one with most impact when we first walk into a garden.

The way we see colour evolved primarily as a survival mechanism, and today colours still gives us important messages about safety - for instance, the warning colours of a poisonous snake, or the red-orange glow of a hot ember - but more than this, colour helps us to enjoy the beauty of our environment. Scientists have argued that our ability to experience colour is far beyond that we might need simply for survival purposes and we seem to have an inbuilt ability to find pleasure in colour. Researchers Padgham and Saunders note:

"Our ability to see colour is highly elaborate for the mere necessities of reproduction and survival. Our capability is far beyond what is needed to distinguish ripe from unripe fruit or acuity for mobility. Joy in colour is a bonus of our senses."

scent

Our sense of smell is a powerful tool. Among other things, it tells us:

• if something is good to eat or has gone bad;
• how something tastes - if you nip your nose when you eat, you will not be able to taste the food properly;
• often, if there is a danger nearby - for instance, a gas leak;
• if we find someone or something attractive - smell is an important hidden component of attraction.

Smell can also evoke memories and help us to identify people or places, even when we cannot see them. As we have seen smell is central to creating a strong sense of place in the garden.

Many of us under-use our sense of smell, choosing instead to rely on our vision. Try to become more aware of the way everyday items, places and people smell. As you go through the day, close your eyes sometimes (but only when it safe to do so!) and experience your environment entirely through smell.

Think about what smells can tell you? They might, for instance, tell you that the chicken you are cooking for dinner is fresh and will taste good. On the otherhand, they might tell you that there is something old and out-of-date lurking at the back of the fridge! Some smells will evoke memories. These may be pleasant, or rather less so. Understanding more about aroma and how it affects mood can help you to make the most of scent in the garden too.

There has been much research into the powerful psychological impact of smell. For instance, researchers at Yale University in America found that the aroma of apple and cinnamon has a powerful stabilising influence on some people, especially patients suffering from nervous anxiety. The smell was even found to reduce the blood pressure and ward off panic attacks. In the garden, similarly, the right smells may have a calming and soothing effect.

The area of the brain associated with smell is called the olfactory centre. It is directly connected to other parts of the brain concerned with basic drives such as sex, hunger and thirst, and also with much more sophisticated aspects of understanding, including emotion, memory, intuition and creativity.

To try a free short gardening course visit: Learning Curve Home Study.

For more gardening articles visit The Garden School.,/p>

Director of Studies at <a href="http://www.learningcurve-uk.com> Learning Curve Home Study </a>, one of the UK's leading home study providers.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/home-security/article-35180.html Fri, 25 Aug 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/home-security/article-35180.html
There is good news and bad news when it comes to seniors living at home by themselves. The good news is we - as a nation - are more healthy and active in our senior years than we ever have been. Add to that the technological advancements we've experienced in the areas of mobility, protection and communication and there's no wonder seniors are able to stay alone at home for longer than ever before.

What's the bad news? Unfortunately, there are daily reports of seniors who have been taken advantage of. Seniors routinely have accidents at home alone with no way to reach help. And there's the dangerous situation of intruders entering your senior's home. Security alarm systems are certainly a big plus, but there are also other things you can do to help ensure your senior is safe at home.

Secure the Two Most Dangerous Rooms in the House

The bathroom tops them all for slips and falls. A close second is the kitchen: ranking high in fires and injuries. Make sure both of these danger zones are senior-friendly by asking the following questions:

Bathroom

_____ Is there a home security alarm monitor in the bathroom? Is it within easy reach or can it be voice activated?

_____ Are handrails installed outside and inside the shower and tub areas?

_____ Are nonskid bath mats placed on the floor?

_____ Has the water heater been turned below 120 degrees to avoid accidental scalds?

Kitchen

____ Do you regularly watch your senior cook or reheat meals to ensure he or she is still capable of doing so safely?

____ Do you review kitchen safety techniques, including putting out grease fires, not wearing loose clothing while cooking, stopping the bleeding of cuts, etc.?

____ Are there working fire extinguishers in the kitchen?

____ Are timers loud enough so that hearing-impaired seniors can hear them?

Intruders

No one likes the thought of an intruder breaking into their homes. That thought is especially unbearable when your parents or other seniors are involved.

____ Are home security alarm monitors placed throughout the house for easy access?

____ Is there someone who lives close by that your senior can phone in case of an intruder or other emergency?

____ Have you designated a "safe room" or some place your senior can hide in the event an intruder breaks in?

Other emergencies can occur also. You'll want to be prepared for anything. Ask yourself:

____ Does your senior's home security alarm system offer a portable device that can be worn around the neck?

____ Does someone come by on a regular basis to check on your senior?

____ If needed, how quickly could someone be at your senior's house?

____ Have you checked various home security alarm systems and monitoring companies to see which offers the most beneficial features for your senior?

Many seniors live well into their 80s and 90s at home with great success and comfort. The freedom to enjoy life on their terms is one of the things that helps them stay energetic and active. Planning for life's uncertainties is one way to ensure your senior's golden years will be fun-filled and trouble-free

Jill Steele works for Monitronics International, one of the largest and fastest growing <a href="http://www.monitronics.com/home_security.html">home security alarm</a> monitoring companies in the United States. Focused on quality and customer service, Monitronics offers protection against all types of emergencies with state-of-the-art <a href="http://www.monitronics.com">home security alarm systems</a> and monitoring services. Visit them online today at <a href="http://www.monitronics.com">http://www.monitronics.com</a>. ]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Construction-And-Equipment/article-193304.html Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Construction-And-Equipment/article-193304.html
The construction material, dimension, installation, and age of your roof are all important factors in determining how your roof will wear and when repairs or replacement may be necessary. Assuming that the roof is of a residential building, it will most likely be on a relatively steep pitch in relation to the ground. Roofs that are not pitched (that are parallel to the ground) are often found on commercial and industrial buildings, and rarely found on houses due to the lack of drainage.


Construction Material


While the outer layer of roofs may be made of anything from straw to glass and concrete to aluminum, many modern residential roofs are made with asphalt shingles. While slate shingles are most often regarded as the pinnacle material in the construction of roofs, it is often so expensive that just the roof may equal the cost of the rest of the house. However, the high price of slate is warranted, as these roofs are often known to last 200 years or more on many structures.

In many modern societies, residents do not have or are not willing to double the expense of their home solely for a quality roof. Also, no residents would even experience the entire benefit of a slate roof, because the roof would outlive their installer's lives by over 100 years!

Due to these limitations of slate roofs, asphalt is the most common material in roofing projects today. Although it does not last the hundreds of years a slate roof would provide, it can provide over 50 years of solid use before requiring any major repairs or replacement. In addition, the products available to do repair and patching work are much more affordable than would be for a slate roof.


Dimension


Typical asphalt roofs have three different grades, or steps up in quality. In order from highest quality to lowest, the grades are 30, 40, and 50 year dimensional. As you may have guessed, a 50 year dimensional shingle is much more expensive than is a 30 or 40 year of the same style.

The major difference between different year shingles besides for the life expectancies listed below is the aesthetic look that the shingle provides. A 50 year shingle will provide what many regard as a more prestigious and astute look than a 30 or 40 year provide.


30 Year Dimensional Shingle


If a 30 year shingle is properly installed, it is likely to last about 25 years of normal wear and tear before it requires substantial repairs. These shingles are relatively thin and are not made with as much asphalt as a 40 or 50 year shingle is.


40 Year Dimensional Shingle


Assuming the 40 year shingle is properly installed, you should experience approximately 30 years of use before replacement is necessary. 40 year shingles have approximately 2/3 more asphalt than a 30 year shingle, therefore adding to their life expectancy and per unit price.


50 Year Dimensional Shingle


Much like that of a 40 year shingle, you should expect 30 years of use from a 50 year dimensional shingle. The additional asphalt that a 50 year shingle is formed with is simply for aesthetic looks and provides little to no practical use.


Installation


The installation of your roof is very important in determining the look and practicality that the roof will provide you. If installed by an experienced and professional firm, your roof should be able to extract its maximum life expectancy with minimal repairs and part replacement costs.

Many homeowners who perform a Do It Yourself (DIY) roof installation run into issues within a few years because their knowledge or experience is lacking. However, a few homeowners are successful in their installation attempts if they purchase and successfully follow a DIY book or other instructional material.

Contact Lyons Contracting for all your <a href="http://www.lyonscontracting.com/">Virginia roofing</a> needs. Serving northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Mclean, Great Falls and Falls Church. Visit the website and get a free estimate on your Virginia roof installation or repair.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Appliances/article-222522.html Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Appliances/article-222522.html
Parts are safe regardless of where you get them from. Method is more important when come to putting parts together and setup. You should be sure that information at hand has the correct method otherwise your free energy generator may not work. Many websites are offering information about how to make free energy generators but I suggest you to do homework in where to trust. Many are scams only to make you to pay for the information but I suggest you to buy from the site with reviews. Do your online shopping wisely. Not all websites are scams.

A high quality guide book which written by expert environmentalist can show you how to build free energy generators with low budget or no cost that really work like a commercially-made device. You can also find parts in your car garage or on the internet if you prefer something new. The methods are simple and straight-forward so do not worry about the technical stuff. A newbie can learn to build a home-made free energy generator within 2 days time. The information guide is usually written with illustration which shows you with step-by-step instruction on putting parts together and setting them up.

As mentioned above, if you put your hand on the wrong information you could put your life in danger and result in defective generator. The information should be written by professional who have been through the researched and tested. Building a free energy generator is simple and fun but make sure you have the completed information at hand before you start out for your weekend project.

<b>Some Renewable Energy Site are Scams. I will show you how to get a D.I.Y. Home-made power system at a cheap deal and avoid being scammed. Do not join any site until you have read this. <a target="_new" href="http://earth4energy.ihatescammer.com/">Earth 4 Energy</a></b><p> <br> Let me show you how to successfully create a <a target="_new" href="http://earth4energy.ihatescammer.com/">free energy generator</a> for less than $200]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-71776.html Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-71776.html
Smith Chen is an author and internet marketing consultant .<br> Find more about <a href="http://kitchen.sharewebs.info">Kitchen ShareWebs</a> and <a href="http://kitchen.sharewebs.info/Kitchen-Cabinet-And-Counter.html">Kitchen Cabinet And Counter</a>]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-19085.html Sat, 15 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-19085.html
Start your search for the perfect home theater system in your small room by looking for the right television. Your television should not overwhelm everything else in the room, especially if you are choosing the components for a bedroom. High Definition and wide screen TVs are available in any size now, so it shouldn?t be too difficult to find a screen that fits nicely into your room.

You might want to consider incorporating a cubby hole for your home theater in your smaller room. This will allow you to actually lessen the floor space that your system takes up, and will not make the room appear any smaller. Another idea is to buy a piece of furniture such as a compact entertainment cabinet, although keep in mind that this will cut down on the amount of space in a room that may already appear crowded. If you want to go this route, a good option is to utilize a cabinet which has a built-in slide drawer for your television, such as the ones used in hotels.

As far as the rest of the system in small rooms, the best bet for a general purpose home theater system is one of the many home theater systems sold in boxes, with all the components included. Look for a set that includes a DVD/CD player and wireless rear speakers, as you will not want a bunch of wires taking up the valuable space in your room. Avoid small satellite speakers, and look for woofers that are over 3? and a 7? or larger subwoofer.

Advanced home theater users may want to shop for their components separately, and this option will allow for greater flexibility and may help to match up to the d飯r in your room. Remember to include all the components in your search, and that your main objective is to cut down on the floor space used as much as possible, in both wiring and surface area.

A small room does not mean that you can?t enjoy a wide range of experiences that come with a home theater system. A home theater system can be the perfect addition to a bedroom for watching a movie or listening to some music before you go to bed or when you are feeling under the weather. Shopping small will help save some money without taking away from the enjoyment of the overall experience- in fact, smaller rooms can be ideal for complete home theater systems as the sound is used more effectively. The key is not to overwhelm, but to make your audio/visual experience as realistic as possible.

Dexter Stoakley is a home theater enthusiast and maintains a site about <a href="http://hometheaterdisplay.com">home theater solutions</a>.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Appliances/article-41631.html Mon, 23 Oct 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Appliances/article-41631.html
Allison Thompson a work from home mum who runs a small real estate company in the Andalucian Region of Spain. She has set up several sites on matters relating to all aspects of property, home improvements and home appliances. This site has been specifically set up and dedicated to all things relating to Aga's. If you would like to learn more about this ultimate item for your kitchen please visit www.aga.kitchens101.info. ]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-64338.html Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-64338.html
For more information on this article or <a href="http://www.hickorydickorydecks.com/">Maine decks</a>, visit HickoryDickoryDecks.com]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Furniture/article-49200.html Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Furniture/article-49200.html
Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey offering <a href=”http://www.missiondelrey.com/native-american-drums.html”>Native American drums</a>, rawhide lampshades and southwest or western home decorating accessories from the Tarahumara Indians. ]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-22010.html Wed, 10 May 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-22010.html
Visit us online http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-37529.html Sun, 17 Sep 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-37529.html
Osmundo Bernabe invites you to http://www.beautifulwindowblinds.com. Here we provide tips on window blinds and window coverings. To compliment your outdoor window covering check http://www.beautifulwindowblinds.com/Decorating-With-Window-Coverings.html and discover on how to decorate your window coverings from the inside.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-266545.html Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/improvement/article-266545.html Carpet cleaning is really important to keep them look new. As we wash our clothes regularly to keep them fresh and hygienic, so we should do to our carpets. Giving periodic professional treatments will help in removing accumulated soil and grit from them. We all know that rugs are prone to dirt, dust, fungi, and bacteria. Hence, it becomes really necessary to keep them safe from destructive and harmful mites to increase their life. Their cleaning costs are minimal as compared to their replacement. Thus, your decision of regular cleaning would make an economic choice. Use Your Discretion Well, there are two ways to get them cleaned, either by professionals or do it yourself. They both have their own pros and cons, so you must use your own discretion which way to go. Getting the cleaning done professionally can really cost you a lot, especially if you hire a less than reputable cleaning service for your rugs. This may ruin the padding and floors and can stain your rugs permanently. Now, if you hire a good professional, though it may be quite expensive for you, yet it will definitely leave your rugs healthy and fresh. On the other hand, if you choose to do it yourself, you will no doubt save a lot of money. But, if you are not sure of how to clean them on your own, you are likely to damage your rugs. Thus, if you choose to do it yourself, you must conduct a good search on the internet not only to find out smart tips to clean them on your own, but also to check different methods that are used in professional cleaning. Also, you have to be extremely careful about the chemicals as they can be really harmful for your children. Additionally, there are some commercial products that contain chemicals which may harm your kid's lungs and can develop mold as well. So, it becomes very necessary to keep them out of reach of your children. You may even consider the following points as precautionary measures when cleaning them on your own: � Use fans to speed drying or open the windows. � Switch the central heating on. � Generally, professionals use big industrial fans, but they are not affordable for an ordinary home owner as they are really expensive. � You may rent them from a local hardware store, if you really want. � Make sure to follow the right methods as you may end up spreading it permanently. To conclude, as you may go both ways, either by hiring professional cleaning service or by cleaning them on your own, just make sure to gather relevant information on the cleaning methods and services to get best treatment for your rugs as per your expectations and satisfaction. It is really important to get the right carpet cleaner method or service for your rugs; else it may completely damage your lifetime investment. So, it's entirely your decision what you want. Know your needs and act accordingly.

Carpet cleaning gives best treatment to your rugs. If you want your carpets to look clean and smell fresh, consider carpet cleaner at textilecleaning.com.au to get perfect solutions for dirt and grit removal.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/repair/article-1594.html Fri, 26 Aug 2005 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/repair/article-1594.html Despite the pervasiveness of the problem, few homeowners are aware of the causes of water leakage.

Common Causes

One common cause of basement leakage is improper surface drainage, such as a yard sloped toward the home. In many cases, the problem can be greatly alleviated by re-grading the yard to slope away from the homes foundation or diverting surface water around the house.

Other common culprits include poorly positioned rain gutter downspouts, missing, leaking or clogged rain gutters. A downspout that is improperly positioned to drain against the side of the house, allows water to build up along the foundation wall, until the backed-up "reservoir" finds a weak spot in the foundation wall.

The most difficult cause of basement leakage is a high water table. A high water table problem occurs when the home is built too deeply in the ground, into the level where water remains constant throughout the year. A high water table problem can also be caused by under ground springs or sustained periods of rainfall that cause the water table to rise during the wet seasons.

Is it Leakage or Condensation?

You should try to determine if your problem is actually water "leaking" in or if it's just condensation forming on the cool surfaces. Condensation occurs when warm, humid air comes into contact with cooler basement walls, floors, water pipes etc.

As an example, just take a cold bottle of soda out of your refrigerator and set it on the counter. After several minutes, you'll notice steam forming on the outside of the bottle. After many minutes pass, you will see a small puddle of water forming at the base of the bottle, as the beads of moisture start dripping down. This is a classic example of condensation, not "leakage". If your basement is actually leaking, the water should not just "appear". You should be able to see where it's coming in as it leaks, in the form of a puddle or stream or water.

Helpful Tips

Your rain gutters should be cleaned of leaves and debris at least once per year.
Downspouts should direct water runoff from the roof to a discharge point at least several feet away from the homes foundation. Use a splash block at the end of your downspout to avoid soil erosion. Never bury your downspout lines unless you can empty them out to daylight.

Buy a good dehumidifier to lower the natural humidity level in your basement. Make sure your dehumidifier is the proper size for your basement. Ask for a drain hose attachment so you don't have to empty the water collected every day. Get a unit with a built-in de-icer. Dehumidifiers are actually refrigeration coils and can freeze up and stop working.
Keep the doors and windows to your basement closed, year round. Opened doors and windows allow extra humidity to enter your basement, causing condensation. Your dehumidifier will also run less.

Waterproofing Paints and Sealers There are several good waterproofing paints and sealers on the market today. Waterproof paints and sealers can work well for minor dampness on walls and floors. Pay special attention to the preparation instructions from the products manufacturer. Be aware though, interior waterproof paints and sealers don't do anything to alleviate the "source" of the problem.

Time For a Professional?

A professional basement waterproofing contractor can offer you a variety of solutions, depending on the source of your problem. Methods can include outside excavation, installation of drain tile, parging your walls, interior drainage systems or epoxy cove systems

Summary

Prevention is always the first and best approach. Look closely at the grading around your property and make sure your rain gutters are in good working order. Get a good quality dehumidifier to reduce humidity in your basement.
If you've done your best to correct your problem and it still leaks, it might be best to bring in a professional. Check companies for local references, ask for a certificate of insurance, check the companies warranty to see what's covered and check them out with your local Better Business Bureau.

ARTICLE REPRINT PERMISSION

You may reprint the above article in your electronic or print newsletter; however, please include my byline and bio and keep the article intact. I retain all copyrights.

Robert Clarke has owned B-Dry System NEPA, a basement waterproofing company, for the last 20 years. Visit http://www.b-drybasementswaterproofingnepennsylvania.com for more information. He has also served as President of the B-Dry Owners Association, a nationally recognized group of basement waterproofing contractors. Visit http://www.b-dry.com/ for details.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-19355.html Mon, 17 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-19355.html
While your whole home is very important, the two primary areas for sprucing up should be your kitchen and bathroom. The following tips will guide you through the inside of your home in general.

The world of real estate is becoming more sophisticated in its understanding of what sells. In this sense, there is a much better comprehension of how to spruce up our homes for sale.

There is a whole knack to being able to properly ?stage? a home these days. Fortunately, it while it is an extremely effective effort, it is not one that takes a large amount of money. It just involves improving your current surroundings.

The key is to look at your home not through your own eyes, but through the eyes of the prospective buyer. Look at your home as though you?ve never been there or seen it before.

Think of it as romancing your buyer with your house, so you?ll want to set the mood.

Clear out excess furniture and accessories from inside your home as much as possible. If a piece of furniture is too big for the room, or is crowding the room, put it in storage, have a garage sale, or give it to a deserving charity.

This also goes for decorations, oversized stuffed animals, and other items that you may have collected over the years. Anything that takes up space, if it?s not necessary, you?ll want to clear it out.

Nothing is more effective at opening up a house than getting rid of clutter. It will look immeasurably more spacious without all of your extra things in the way.

Pay special attention to keeping hallways and doorways clear. Not only will this make the prospective buyer feel that they are purchasing a larger home, it will be easier to imagine their own things inside of it.

Your home should smell good. When this comes to selling the house, it means that there should be no noticeable odors

Smell makes an enormous impact on people when they enter a home. Furthermore, while smokers and pet owners may not even notice the smells in their home ? having become quite accustomed to them ? they may be an overwhelming turn-off for potential buyers.

In this case, have a non-smoking, non-pet owning friend come over to perform a sniff test.

While it used to be recommended that you bake bread or steam cinnamon potpourri before a potential buyer is to come through, it?s no longer recommended. The same goes for spray air fresheners.

While no buyer will expect that your closets will be perfectly neat or empty, but they are looking for a large amount of storage space for their own things.

To help with this impression, the rule of thumb is to take everything out of your closet, and only put half of it back in. The rest of the stuff will need to find a new home; in the garbage, the clothing donation charity, or packed in your suitcases. The reason for doing this is that partially empty closets look much roomier than they may really be. And remember, it?s space and storage that sell.

The same can be done for your kitchen cabinets and other storage areas. An added bonus is that when you?re done sifting through your stuff to get half out of the closets, you?ll already have gotten rid of a lot of things that you?ll no longer have to move.

When people are looking for houses, it?s very, very rare that they?ll only see one or two houses. Therefore, if you?re going to have a number of people view your home as they look at a dozen or so other homes, you need to make sure that yours is the one that stands out in their minds.

Of course, there are good ways to stand out, and there are bad ways. The bad ways must be avoided at all costs. Think about it: if you were to see five houses today, and another five a week from now, all with very similar features, how much would you really remember about each individual home?

The odds are, you?ll remember the one that had some special little detail; maybe it?s the one with the pink roses on the kitchen table. Not only will this sort of little thing make your home more memorable, but it will also let your house rate higher among the others.

It?s like the ?hook? that marketers aim for in commercials and other advertising. It?s something different and positive that sets your home apart from other houses.

J.P. Lee published a resource site for people who want to <a href="http://www.aboutsellingyourhome.com">sell their home</a> at http://www.aboutsellingyourhome.com]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-21898.html Tue, 09 May 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-21898.html
Visit us online http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-37622.html Mon, 18 Sep 2006 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-37622.html
Jude is very well known author, who writes for saveontapestries.com ]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/repair/article-6403.html Thu, 08 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/repair/article-6403.html
Simple maintenance cleaning of your vinyl siding is fairly straightforward. Use a long-handled brush with soft bristles or a soft cloth to wipe it down with soap and water. If your vinyl siding has textured surfaces to it, you will want to use only the brush with soft bristles so as to avoid wiping stains into the grooves with a cloth. Start with the vinyl siding at the bottom of your house and work your way up. This will help to prevent streaking from the soapy water running down your house. If you have other materials, such as brick, on parts of your home, cover them so that runoff from your vinyl siding will not affect it. Lastly, always make sure you rinse the area before the cleaning solution dries.

If you want to speed the process of cleaning your vinyl siding along, you can buy or rent a power washer. First of all, however, make sure you have read the instructions on the power washer thoroughly. Second, always make sure you use the power washer at eye level. If you try to point upward, you may end up with water and cleaning solution behind the vinyl siding. These can later leak and cause streaks that can eventually lead to decay.

From time to time, you may find spots of mold or mildew on your vinyl siding. If these spots are small, then you can simply use a name brand household cleaner. Just always be sure to test it on a small portion of your vinyl siding in an inconspicuous place to make sure it will not damage it at all. If, however, the spots of mold or mildew are a little larger, you can use a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water. Another common homemade solution is mixture of powdered laundry detergent, powdered household cleaner, liquid bleach, and water. It is best to just find the one that is most convenient and effective for you.

Not all vinyl siding stains, however, are mold or mildew. You may end up with dirt, soot, or even animal stains on the outside of your home. If that is the case, there are a number of general cleaners that are approved for use on vinyl siding. Check your local store for simple household cleaners, and then read the containers carefully to find out if they are effective and safe for use on vinyl siding and specifically on whatever the stain is that you have found on your vinyl siding.

Increasingly, vinyl siding is a common home exterior. It is low maintenance, attractive, and easy to install. You may, though, from time to time need to clean your vinyl siding in order to keep it in good working condition. Before you do, make sure you understand what is necessary and what the proper procedure is so that your vinyl siding will look good and last a long time.

VinylSidingEtc is a comprehensive resource on <a href="http://www.vinylsidingetc.com">vinyl siding colors</a>, information on <a href="http://www.vinylsidingetc.com">installing vinyl siding</a>, and helping you manage <a href="http://www.vinylsidingetc.com">vinyl siding cost</a> structures.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-50961.html Sat, 23 Dec 2006 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/interior_decorating/article-50961.html
visit our website at http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Furniture/article-62686.html Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Furniture/article-62686.html Bean Bags, Floor Pillows, Ottomans and other such items. In rooms that are used for recreational activities such as watching TV, playing video games or losing oneself in a good book, soft furniture can be used to create the perfect environment. Most of our college dorm rooms were tiny boxes with standard issue hardwood bunk beds, old wooden desks and drawers and cinder block walls painted a dull yellow. Don’t forget the one window looking out over the beautiful view of a parking lot. Since you spend a good amount of time in this wonderful, little room, making it as comfortable as possible is imperative. For our dorm room, we bought a few Bean Bag Chairs and some throw pillows and it made the room instantly more comfortable. With the variety of colors and fabrics available today, you can choose whatever you like and have the comfortable and affordable furniture that you want. It really makes a big difference. We used to lounge in our bean bags and watch TV, or we’d play cards with some of our floor mates. Would you rather gather around a good card game sitting on the floor, or have a floor pillow to sit on? Would you rather sit on a hard wooden chair at an undersized desk while reading the required three chapters for your upcoming Psych exam, or spread out in a comfortable Bean Bag Chair? Although dorm rooms are one obvious place to utilize bean bag furniture, you are by no means limited to this use. Bean bags are increasingly becoming more sophisticated and mainstream. People are using them as finishing touches in a variety of rooms to complete a look or add some flair. That familiar bean bag shape that you remember is still available, but there are new innovative shapes and styles on the market today. This makes the chairs much more versatile, while still being functional. The choices are endless and include tear drop, foldable styles, and other fun shapes. You can get a bean bag chair in a shape, fabric and color that perfectly fits its intended use. Many people may not regard floor pillows as furniture, but large floor pillows are perfect for many kinds of rooms. Gather around the coffee table for family game night and it’s not hard to see that floor pillows are the preferred seating by everyone. Children’s playrooms are also perfect for floor pillow furniture as they provide a safe and comfortable decorative accent. Adults can enjoy floor pillows as well. Some people like to read or watch TV while sitting on the floor and leaning against the couch. A floor pillow can make that time more comfortable and enjoyable. Any recreation room can be enhanced with soft furniture. With a multitude of fabric choices available, which vary in quality and color, you can match almost any existing d�©cor in your house. Considering the available sizes, shapes and fabrics available for bean bags and floor pillows today, they are excellent choices for affordable furniture pieces in your home. The decorative and functional uses for these pieces are endless, so use your imagination and have fun!

This article was written by Mike Piraino of My Pillow Place. <a href="http://www.my-pillow-place.com">http://www.my-pillow-place.com</a>]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Outdoor-Furnishings/article-52564.html Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Outdoor-Furnishings/article-52564.html
Author Tony Bissell is a retired electronics engineer and Vietnam veteran. He invites you to visit his website www.shopcedar.com where he sells a variety of outdoor wood furniture including cedar, teak and oak styles. ]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Relocating/article-65613.html Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/Relocating/article-65613.html
Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com - find <a href="http://www.movingcompaniesforyou.com">moving companies</a> near you.]]> http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/landscaping/article-69680.html Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.ArticlePros.com/home_care/landscaping/article-69680.html
The bonsai is not a genetically modified plant or a hybrid tree. Many different trees found in nature can be made into bonsai, and master growers are always looking for new specimens. The bonsai tree is kept miniature by pruning its roots and keeping it in a small pot. The size of the tree is just one aspect of the bonsai. It's shape and style is the real way to tell the difference between a bonsai and just a small potted tree. The bonsai's trunk and branches are shaped sometimes over many years to get the perfect style.

Although you can find lots of different types of bonsai trees, the Juniper in windswept style is probably the most popular. This is where the tree looks like its blowing in the wind. The limbs spread out from the trunk in one direction as opposed to being symmetrical. You'll also see bonsai in the cascade style, where one branch flows down below the pot. Again, the trees don't grow that way by accident. It takes years of patient training and pruning, to achieve the shape.

Many coinsures of the bonsai aren't content with a single tree. You might see a group of bonsai trees growing in a single pot. This is called the forest style of display. But it doesn't stop there. Many growers take great pride in designing intricate miniature landscapes with their trees. It could be an indoor display or even a much larger outdoor display in a garden. However a bonsai is displayed, it requires a great deal of care to keep your tree healthy and properly groomed.

If you own a bonsai, you know how hard they are to care for. They need just the right amount of water. A little too much or too little could be fatal. Your best bet is to use a moisture meter when watering. You also need to repot your tree periodically. This is a great time to inspect and prune your trees root system. One thing that kills bonsai faster than anything else is getting root bound. You need to care for your tree above ground and below.

If you don't already have a bonsai tree, but want one, my best advice is to find a nursery specializing in bonsai. This can be hard to do, but take to the Internet, and look for one around your area. There you'll be able to talk to a bonsai master who can give you plenty of advice on caring for your tree. He can also help you select the tree that's right for you and the amount of time you have to devote to caring for it. Its good to develop a relationship with a bonsai master just like you would with a car mechanic if you want your tree to last for years to come.
Copyright 2007 Fred Snow

About the author: Fred is a self proclaimed handyman fixing all types of tings around his house. He's also an avid woodworker and contributor to <a href="http://www.myartsandcrafts.com">My Arts and Crafts</a> ( http://www.myartsandcrafts.com ).]]>