Basic Home Electrical Wiring - For the Do it Yourself Home Electrician

The Green Bay Packers were one of the most successful football teams and Vince Lombardi said something to them that I will never forget," This is a football." All the football players laughed and he said that we're going to start with the basics and that's what I'm going to do, with this article.

Let's start with our electrical wire, the two most common electrical wire sizes, that will be used in most homes, will be 14 and 12 gauge electrical wire. Let's clear something up, right off the bat, the smaller the number, the larger the wire. In other words a 12 gauge electrical wire is a little bit larger and will carry more electricity, for longer distances than a 14 gauge wire.

What about electrical outlet plugs? These plugs are usually the same, except for the fact that they come in different colors. When I said that most electrical plugs are the same, I'm talking about your standard wall outlet plug. There are different electrical plugs that will be used for air conditioners and some kitchen appliances like 220 Volt electric stoves and ovens.

What about your home's light switches? Your standard two way light switch will usually turn a one light on or a group of lights on, from one location. A three way light switch will usually turn one light on or a group of lights on from two different locations. A four way light switch, will usually turn one light or a group of lights on from three different locations.

It doesn't get any more basic than that. I hope this gives you a better understanding about your home's electrical system.

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.

Greg Vandenberge 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.

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Tile Grouting Tips For Your Bathrooms, Kitchens and Floors

Isn't tile grouting supposed to be simple, if you read the directions and watch a couple of videos? What could make tile grouting so difficult? Grouting your tile isn't that difficult, by the time you're done reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea how to grout your floors, bathrooms, kitchens and anything else that requires tile.

I used to have problems grouting tile, but after I read the directions, I became a grouting wizard. This sounds hard to believe, but after reading the directions on the tile grout bag, I became a grout master. I know, you the type of person who never read the directions, you simply add water, mix and start grouting.

It's time to change your thinking about, whether or not the directions will be helpful. Whether it's about grouting your bathroom floor or putting together your home barbecued. I read one thing on the grout bag and it changed my entire grouting career.

The grout should slake. After you're done mixing the grout, you should wait between five and 10 minutes to let the moisture soak into the grout mix. Do this once, and you will never go back to mixing your grout and applying it, as quickly as possible after it has been mixed.

For more information on grouting, remodeling or home repairs, I would recommend reading books on home improvement and home repairs. Some of these books can make a big difference in your home improvement abilities as a handyman. I would also recommend reading more articles, there's plenty of information about tile and grouting, all over the Internet.

Click here if you are looking for some more Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Tips. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Greg Vandenberge 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.

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How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?

If you install any underground plumbing pipes, in your concrete building foundation, you will need to protect them, from the concrete. You can use a variety of products and the most common of them will be a Styrofoam wrapping that can be purchased at most plumbing supply stores.

Let's start with the waste pipes, that are made out of plastic. The concrete could actually start to put pressure on the plastic pipes as the concrete starts to expand and this pressure could actually damage your new waste pipes.

You don't need to wrap all of the plastic waste pipes, only the parts of the waste pipes that will be exposed or in direct contact any concrete, but you do need to protect every copper water supply line that will be buried under the ground or exposed to the concrete, with a plastic sleeve. These products can be purchased again at most building supply or plumbing supply stores.

If these pipes aren't protected properly, you could find yourself within a short time, repairing the pipes that are either inside of your concrete foundation or buried underneath your concrete foundation. Either way, this isn't going to be a good thing.

You definitely need to wrap a plastic sleeve around the water supply pipes that are going to be buried or in direct contact with the concrete. This is a must and most building departments will require your plumbing pipes to be wrapped, before it they will sign off on your rough foundation plumbing inspection.

However, for the waste pipes, you can actually use cardboard to protect them. If you're short on funds, why not grab some cardboard boxes, dismantle them and start using cardboard to wrap the pipes, with a little duct tape.

There are plenty of ways to save money in the construction business, buy a few books, read a couple of articles, with a lot of pictures in this can provide you with lots of construction information, from experience building contractors.

Check out some of the best selling Home Building Plumbing Books all on one website

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repairs. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Greg Vandenberge 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.

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10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy

I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.

1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.

2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.

3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.

4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.

5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.

6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.

7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.

8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.

9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.

10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.

Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Home Remodeling Contractor

Greg Vandenberge 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.

Click here if you're looking for additional Homeowner Contractor Advice. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.

Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice

Often I'm asked by homeowners, if they think that they can build something on their own. Often I end up explaining the process to them and it's pretty confusing. I would like to give some homeowners and construction handyman some do-it-yourself home remodeling advice, about projects that I think they should avoid and the reason why.

1. Working on Electrical Service Boxes

I really don't recommend, anyone who lacks experience working with electrical, to be working on it at all. When it comes to the electrical service box repairs, if you don't have any experience working in this specific area, I am suggesting this to all homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, stay away from electrical service power boxes. Electricity can be extremely hazardous to your health, so take my advice, this is coming from an expert on the subject.

2. Plumbing Water Supply Lines

I don't recommend, anyone who doesn't have any experience working with plumbing water supply lines, because if they break, or if your repair, doesn't hold properly, you could destroy a large portion of your home. Picture this, you just got through putting a new faucet in, everything looks great, but it's time for you to go to your baseball game. You come home about four hours later and the entire house is flooded with water.

This kind of stuff does happen and you need to take the advice of an expert here. It has even happened to me and I understand the process, pretty good. If you plan on fixing any plumbing water supply lines, make sure that you can spend the time, keeping an eye on your new home repair. If you're going to have any problems with them, they will usually happen within the first few hours of use.

I hope this helps, sometimes it's better to pay a professional, but I can understand, every intelligent person, is interested in saving a few dollars and learning new skills.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Pictures and Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Vista Home Repair Contractors

Greg Vandenberge 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.

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Building Codes - Stairway Construction

The stair building code was created for building safety. Before the building code and local city enforcement (Building Inspectors), anyone could build a house. This meant Uncle Earl who had just watched a couple of his friends build a house down the street construct some sort of a dwelling. The next step for Earl would be to help these guys for a day and now he is a professional home builder. You get the point.

Stair Building Codes create the safety needed for one of the most hazardous areas of your home. You might know someone who has fallen down a stairway?

I lived in a house I built for 15 years and I redesigned the stairs from a winder design to a T shaped set of stairs. Both sets of stairs were built using the local stair building code for my city.

Wow I could not believe how many times my family members fell down the stairs. I even fell down once. I was amazed. When I switched from the winder to the T shaped stairway there were less accidents. My point is that even using the stair building codes this is a dangerous part of your house.

Having a professional stair builder install your stairs is great advice. Take it. For example this happened to me on quite a few jobs. I get a set of plans from a architect who has been designing houses for over 40 years. I looked at the stairway to find out that he has designed a stairway that is too small for the length of this part of the home. If I build the stairs using the plans that by the way were approved from the local building department, I could have a problem.

You are probably asking yourself how does this happen. Aren't these people experienced professionals. Of course they are. They probably have the U.B.C. (Uniform Building Code) in their office somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes here and there but this is one area of the home where safety is a big concern.

Just look at it like this. The stair building code was designed to improve the safety and reduce the number of accidents while using the stairs. Over the years I have seen stairs poorly designed and constructed. These stairs create problems for the owners of the buildings not just the people that use them. Did I mention lawsuits. This is one area where a lawyer will have a field day.

As a building professional I advise you to use the stair building code first for safety and second to avoid lawsuits. Get an idea from some of the pictures I have taken over the years on problems with stair building.

Use common sense while building or remodeling your home. It goes a long way.

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

How to Repair the Washing Machine Drain Hose

Having problems with your washing machine because the drain hose does not drain? This is one of the most common washing machine problems one can encounter whenever the washer breaks down. Many factors can cause this breakage and age is one of them.

If your washing machine continues to fill itself with water and you can hear the sound of the motor, then it indicates that the washer belt is still functioning properly.

Whenever a drain hose stopped working, there are only two reasons - either the drain hose is faulty or the pump in the washing machine has gone something wrong. In this article, we will share with you what you can do to fix this problem.

First Step

You need to inspect the washing machine lid to find out whether is broken. You can make use of a pencil or a long pointed object to poke against the lid button.

Second Step

Check whether the hose is attached to the pipe hole. If that is the case, unattached it.

Third Step

Choose a replacement hose. Two main types of hose are available. You can either choose the reinforced rubber or the sturdier and newer type - stainless-steel reinforced.

Fourth Step

Turn off the source of the water supply. Remember to unplug the electrical plug for safety reason. There are 3 hoses and you need to disconnect them to do the replacement. You need a monkey wrench tool, pipe wrench and a normal plier to help do the job here. Be careful of the water dripping from these hoses.

Final Step

After you have removed the hose from the washing machine, it's time to replace the old with the new hose. This is a much easier step. Apply a little grease on the faucet and connector and make sure the rubber fits in directly into the hose connector. Complete the job with the hose connector. Take note to not avoid twisting the hose when you setup for new hose. Try to leave some gap behind the washer and wall for the hose.

Visit http://www.washingmachineadvisor.com for more washing machine repair tips, Asko washing machine reviews and other washing machine related advice.

Lowest Construction Bids

Are Your Sliding Glass Doors All Glass and No Slide?

Have you noticed that the sliding glass doors in your home are becoming harder and harder to slide open? Are they more than 10 years old? Do they happen to be aluminum frame dual pane doors? Those doors are heavier due to the dual pane glass, but most of the aluminum units did not use stainless steel rollers. The rollers get rusty after a while, and start to bind.

To replace the rollers, you must remove the sliding panel from the opening. The fixed panel must be removed in order for the sliding panel to come out, in most cases. FIgure out whether or not your fixed panel has to come out as well. If the slider is on the inside track and the fixed panel is on the outside track, you will have to take out both panels, because the slider will only come out from the outside. There is a lip on the bottom of the track inside your house, that keeps water from coming in. However, that lip is also too high to lift the sliding panel up and over. Therefore, you will have to remove the fixed panel first, then lift and swing out the slider from outside. If you are one of the few who have a slider on the outside track, then you can lift your slider out without having to remove the fixed panel.

For now, let us assume that you need to remove the fixed panel first. To do this:

1) Remove your screen door if you have one.

2) Look for a metal piece on the bottom track that runs from the bottom corner of the fixed panel all the way across to the bottom of the side jamb that has the door lock hardware. If your door is really old, that piece might be missing. If there is one, pry it up from the track. Once that piece is removed...

3) Look inside the house where the fixed panel is against the wall jam -- look for screws holding the frame to the jam. Remove these screws, and place them where you won't lose them.

4) Pull the fixed panel out of the side jam.

5) Lift the slider up and out, just like you did with the fixed panel.

6) Once you get the slider out, nearly all rollers are held in place by the same screw that holds the frame corners together. So set the panel on one side, remove the screw in the corner, then flip the panel over, remove the screw on the other bottom corner. Now, using a rubber mallet or the wood handle of a hammer, tap the bottom frame off the glass. Now you have access to your rollers. Examine how they are inserted into the door frame. Remove only one roller to take with you to match when you shop for new ones. Then, you can use the roller that you left in place as a guide to installing the new ones.

7) Buy new rollers at someplace like Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Orchard Supply Hardware. They should carry what you need. If they don't...

8) Have new rollers ordered. Bring the roller to your local glass shop. If they don't have them in stock, they can order them, which could take about a week. In that case, don't worry. Go home and tap the bottom frame back on the door panel, but leave the corner screws out. It's fine to leave out the roller that you removed. Just lift the door back in place, install the fixed panel, but don't snap the bottom piece back in, and don't install the inside screws. Then, from inside the house, just lift the slider and pull it closed. Don't drag it if you left the roller out. That will scrape the bottom track. Lift it just enough to take the pressure off, and close and lock it.

9) When your new rollers arrive, take everything back out. Install the new rollers. Before putting the door back in, adjust the new rollers all the way up. This way, the new rollers won't interfere with you lifting it back in place. Adjust the new rollers down until the door slides well and locks. There should be an equal gap at the top and bottom when the door is about an inch from closing into the side jam. The rollers can be adjusted to make this dimension even.

You may think this sounds expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Sliding glass door repair can be done by a professional for $50 or $60 including parts, so it may be worth hiring someone to do it. However, in high population areas, it may be typical to be charged $100 in labor only. They may also mark up the cost of the rollers, and you could end up paying $130 for a job that would only cost you about $20 to do yourself. Glass door repair does not have to be intimidating, or expensive. Good luck!

Kathy Hildebrand is a professional writer who is easily bored with her "day job" assignments. So, she researches anything and everything of interest and starts writing. Writing about an extremely wide variety of subjects keeps her skills sharp, and gives her food for thought on future paid writing assignments.

More of her research and articles can be found at http://www.lasertargeted.com/glassrepair and other sites around the internet.

Problems With Black Mold

Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail

Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.

What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.

This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.

I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.

He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.

Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.

The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about stair handrail safety and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.

Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.

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 interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest stair building tools, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional

Ice Dam Problems And Solutions

Country Kitchen Designs

Kitchens figure amongst the important rooms of the entire house. Recently, a lot of attention is being paid to their presentation and decoration. This is because the concept of a kitchen being just an interior-cooking place has undergone transformation. Today, kitchens attract architects to provide them with the challenge of designing and decorating each kitchen uniquely. The designs of a kitchen can be done in numerous ways depending upon the desired style, preferable location, available area, and specific budget. The basic elements of the kitchen are to attribute the right kind of items to their appropriate places.

A country kitchen differs from a regular kitchen on the grounds of its plumbing fixtures, ventilations, dishwashers, flooring, and refrigeration. The peculiarity of country kitchens is that all its cabinets and counters are made of wood to give an authentic atmosphere. Two types of wood are used to make the furniture, namely Cedar wood and Oak wood. Another specialty about these kitchens is their in-house plant life and window dressing styles. Flowers such as daises and posies provide freshness to the kitchen. The window-dressing, if done in bright colors such as in red, yellow, or blue, illuminates the entire surrounding.

The country kitchen tables are traditionally round or oval, having matching wooden chairs that can be cushioned with pillows to complement the window dressings. The color combination of the furniture, window dressing, and other modern appliances should be harmonious. To give the kitchen a touch of inimitable charm, accessories such as old model car candleholders, old aluminum serving trays, wooden clocks, and variety of mug collections can be used. To make the bona fide atmosphere complete, country kitchen floors can be made of hardwood floor paneling for the required rustic look.

Country Kitchens can be designed according to the needs of the family members and their tastes. Sometimes professionals are hired to provide expertise on the designing and setting of the entire kitchen.

Kitchen Designs provides detailed information on Kitchen Design, Kitchen Cabinet Design, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Design Software and more. Kitchen Designs is affiliated with Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas.

Getting Rid Of Horrible Attic Sm

Become a Conscientious Contractor

If you have an older home there's a good chance you have one by six diagonal floor sheeting and some of the knots have fallen out by now. Some of these large knots can create safety hazards for your home. Performing major remodels or whole house renovations on older homes you can run into quite a few problems with these kinds of wood floors.

One of the first things I do is remove the carpeting and padding. This exposes the floor sheeting for further examination. By the time I am done with all the plumbing and electrical repairs underneath the subfloor it seems that some of the 1 x 6 has been damaged. Your first thought of course is just to replace the 1 x 6 that is damaged and be done with it.

This is one way to approach the problem, another is to repair the 1 x 6 that was damaged and install half inch plywood over the existing floor sheeting. Please make sure the floor is level and has no humps or dips in it before you start installing the new plywood over the existing floor sheeting.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. The bad part about this is when the homeowner chose to go with expensive wood flooring throughout his home. When you walked in to the front of his house you felt like you were going out to a small wheelchair ramp for about 10 feet and then of course it felt like you were going down for another 6 feet.

In order to repair this properly it would've taken the other contractor about 24 hours to repair the floor. In this case the homeowner would have been glad to pay for the repair after the fact. Sometimes when contractors mention a potential problem down the road and how much it will cost to repair that problem, most homeowners cannot see the value in the contractor's opinion at that time.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

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

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in Home Remodeling

Horizontal Or Vertical Drywall

What Qualities Should a Good Handyman Have

Handymen are hired to perform occasional domestic repairs or minor renovations. From caulking tubs to fixing fences, and from hanging blinds to putting up wallpaper, good handymen should be able to perform any small job, repair, or maintenance you require. What else makes a good handyman?

When you first begin to look for a handyman, you need to consider the services that you want performed. Do you need yard work or carpentry? Repairs or painting? Whoever you hire depends a lot what you need him to do. Good handymen offer many different services and can perform all the services advertised. Not all handymen are created equal, and some have more expertise or experience in certain areas than others. If you need someone for a plumbing repair project, it's not a good idea to hire someone who is more experienced in yard work. So from the beginning, ask prospective hires what kind of background they have.

Second, the person you hire should have all the necessary tools to complete the job. Remember that if he has to rent tools, that will be reflected in the final price. When this happens, not only are you paying him to complete a project, but you are also paying for equipment that he should already have. Of course, handymen come across the occasional special project for which they have to rent a specific tool. But they should have every tool necessary to complete jobs they do on a regular basis, especially the jobs they advertise. For example, a handyman who advertises roof repair should have a ladder--otherwise, you would have to wonder about his ability to complete the job correctly if he doesn't even have the right tools in the first place.

A third and final consideration is experience, and with that, age. Exercise caution when hiring young workers. Even people who have been in the home construction business for twenty or more years profess to not know everything. Make sure that as you hire someone with the advertised skills to complete your job, you check out his credentials and past work experience. If possible, find out how he has dealt with unforeseen problems in the past. Not every project is the same, but it does pay to do your homework before committing to someone you are unsure of.
In summary, a good handyman has a winning combination of the right tools, expert knowledge, and necessary experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Jason Locke Construction (http://jasonlockeconstruction.com) provides experienced and honest handyman service in Livermore. Visit the website today to discuss renovation ideas and to get a free consultation. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

Exterior Wood Beams

Are Resistance Piers Right For Your Home?

The resistance pier belongs to a family of foundation repair products that are sometimes referred to as micro piles, push piers, or steel piers. These foundation repair products are driven hydraulically into the soil using the structural weight of the building as a reaction force.

A friction reduction collar is attached to the lead section of pier pipe. The purpose of the collar is to create an opening in the soil that has a larger diameter than the pier pipe. This dramatically reduces the skin friction on the pier pipe as it is driven into the soil and allows the installer to load test and verify that the pier encountered firm bearing stratum or rock that is suitable to support the design load.

Resistance piers like other steel piers are an end-bearing pier that does not rely upon nor requires skin friction to produce support. Each pier is field load tested after it is installed. The piers are able to develop a factor of safety because the piers are installed and load tested individually using the maximum weight of the structure as the reaction force. The ability of the system to develop significant factors of safety comes from the different methods used between pier installation and load transfer during restoration.

The piers are driven individually and the entire structure works as the reaction; but during load transfer hydraulic cylinders are placed at multiple locations thus reducing the load on each pier to only the design working load. A building with substantial construction and rigidity can develop greater pier factors of safety than a weaker structure. A quality resistance pier system, incorporating a synchronized lifting system, is the first step towards fixing your structures failing foundation.

About the Author:

Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here

This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Difficulties with Building Contractors - Building Contractors

Sometimes as contractors we get in a hurry and we just want to finish the job. We told the homeowner we would be done in three months, at the same time the homeowner keeps adding new work to the list.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. He told the homeowner he didn't have time to repair that section of the floor. He was installing half-inch plywood over 1 x 6 diagonal floor sheeting to strengthen up the floor.

This floor was going to require quite a bit of attention from the contractor and his crew. The homeowner should have hired another contractor to repair the floor while the original contractor finished the house remodel. When your contractor gives you that much grief about any work, you need to start thinking about hiring another contractor or at least finding one to complete the task your original contractor has no interest in.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

I wrote this article for contractors to have a little more sympathy for the homeowners you are working for because sometimes they can't see the whole picture like you can. I also wrote this article for homeowners to listen to your contractor carefully when he is explaining a potential problem that you can't visualize further down the road. Any contractor with over 15 years experience remodeling homes has a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.

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.

Solar Panels For Farms

Solar panels for farms are great ways to generate renewable energy to power those farms. The energy generated from the solar panels can be used in several ways depending upon the nature of the work. Normally there are two types of solar panels available in the market that are solar hot water panels and solar electricity panels. But generally farm owners use solar electricity panels to power their farms.

Solar panels for farms are very effective and produce ample amount of energy to power farm appliances like pumps and mills. The energy produced from the solar panels is clean and also keeps the pollution level at zero level. They are great help to the farm owners in the rural areas. We know that rural areas face tremendous energy problem and this problem can be only solved if proper renewable sources to produce energy are installed.

These days the demand for energy has increased too many folds. Solar panels for farms have proved as a boon to the farm owners. The solar panels are designed in such a way that it gives the maximum output in the form of energy. It helps farm owners to cut more than eighty percent of the total energy bill. They directly use sunlight to produce energy thus curbing the dependence to generate energy from the non renewable sources of energy. In this way we also save our non renewable sources of energy for future and help to keep our environment green and clean.

Give yourself a day or two off, and go green! Learn how to build your own solar panels to save the environment as well as your electricity bill. You may be thinking it's too much work, its not worth it. Just think of what you would be thinking after you actually did build your own and started saving hundreds on your electricity bill.

Earth4Energy is a great way to learn how to make your own solar panels to use on a farm and save big time money.

Supercharge Your Water Heater

Have you ever had to stand shivering in the cold morning air waiting for hot water with your arm outstretched, fingers extended into the cold stream of water. It seems to take forever for the water to get hot. Speed up your hot water with a hot water circulating system.

Traditionally, if you had a hot water circulating system, it meant that you had a hot water pipe that ran in a big loop from the outlet of the water heater to each fixture one after the other, and then back to the inlet of the water heater through a small pump. By continuously pumping water through the loop you have instant hot water at every fixture.

This is very convenient. Hotels and motels have hot water circulating systems; otherwise it could take hours to get hot water with such long pipes as they have.

However, instant hot water is also very expensive. Not only do you have to pay for the energy to run the pump continuously for long periods of time or even full time, but you also have to pay for the heat energy being radiated into the environment from that big loop of hot water piping. The cost of heating the water is considerably more than the cost to run the pump.

There are a number of manufacturers producing hot water circulating systems that utilize the cold water line as the hot water return line.

Some of these pumping systems use small pumps that pump water very slowly, and are temperature controlled. The pump turns on when the water temperature drops below a set point, and then shuts off when the water temperature in the pipe reaches another set point. This keeps the water your entire piping system full of luke-warm water. The water is warmer near the water heater and colder the further you get from the water heater, but it is tepid through out the piping system.

Most folks don't really want the cold water pipe full of warm or tepid water. You don't get "Instant Hot Water" as the manufacturers claim. I think they should be honest and call them "Instant Tepid Water Systems". The Lang Auto-Circ and The Grundfos Comfort System are two such systems, and the Hot Water Lobster is another. The Hot Water Lobster doesn't have a pump, but relies on the fact that hot water rises, and the Lobster valve has to be substantially higher than the water heater for the system to work.

Unfortunately these systems consume much more energy since you are heating that big loop of piping and return line and its surroundings. The cost of the energy will far outweigh any monetary savings from the water conservation aspect.

Another class of systems that use the cold water line as the return line is the "Hot Water Demand Systems". These systems only pump the water to the fixture when hot water is "demanded" by the user. The pumping costs are small; typically demand systems use less than $2.00 per year in electricity costs. This is because they run for such a brief time, typically less than 1 minute per use.

When the user turns on the pump it runs until hot water reaches the fixture and then the pump automatically shuts off. The cold water line does not end up full of warm water.

With the demand system the energy consumed is no more than if the user just ran the tap as normal. Hot water is not being circulated. And since the hot water is not being circulated it does not affect the life of your tankless water heater or the warranty.

The water is pumped more quickly than if you ran the faucet full throttle. You save time, water, energy, and money!

There are at least three manufacturers of demand systems, Metlund, RedyTemp, and Chilipepper. The Chilipepper will run any tankless water heater. Some models of the Metlund system will run tankless water heaters, and some won't, so be sure to inquire before you make a purchase. The RedyTemp will not work with a tankless water heater.

Choose the type of system that best suits your needs and enjoy the added convenience of quick hot water while being kind to the planet.

For free information about water heaters and hot water circulating systems, visit Mr. Lund's website: All About Water Heaters Mr. Lund also has a website for information about making money online: Lund One - Make Money Online

Freedom From the Grid

Now is the time to start lowering our reliance on the power grid. Power shortages, non-renewable energy resources being consumed rapidly, increasing demand for energy, and environmental concerns are all reasons that are screaming at us to make a change. What kind of a change can we make?

Here's a change that you can do: Live off the grid!

Why? Actually, why live ON the grid? Not only does it cost you more money on electrical bills, but it also harms the environment. Living OFF the grid saves you money on your electrical bills, AND helps the environment. Those are real benefits that help both you and the environment. It's a win-win situation.

Here are some of the specific advantages of living off the grid:

• Relying less on the natural resources that are being exhausted: Does it make any sense to be constantly depending on public utilities? By living off the grid, you can take control of your own resources, instead of the resources provided by governments or corporations. Don't you hate it when you have to wait for the power company to restore your power during a power outage? If you take advantage of alternative power solutions, you can be in control of your own power.


• Being able to use resources freely: Think about how you would use your power if you didn't have to pay for it. What if you didn't have to worry about the electricity meter? There is an natural abundance of power that is available for you to use to do things like light up your home, and all the things you use power to do. Solar and wind power solutions can do this for you.


• Lower electricity bills:Imagine what it would be like if you didn't get electricity bills in your mailbox anymore. Using alternate power solutions allows you to make a return on your investment quickly. After a while, your power supply is free!


• Improving the environment:Planting trees is one thing you can do to help the environment. Living off the grid is another. By using less of the non-renewable energy sources, you allow the environment to become healthier.

If you would like to be able to live off the grid, but think it is too hard or complicated, then you should be glad to learn that it is actually pretty easy, with the right guide.

Here is a guide that will teach you how to make your own alternative energy at home, so that you can live off the grid...it can help you eliminate your electricity bill completely. Try this guide to making your own energy and stop paying for electricity.

Kitchen Redesign Mistakes to Avoid

A new kitchen is one of the most rewarding projects you can begin on your home. After all, your kitchen acts as the heart of your home. It is where family meeting occur; homework sessions are held; and holiday celebrations happen. More memories are made in your kitchen than any other room.

Unfortunately far too many people begin this project without seriously thinking of everything involved. First of all, redesigning your kitchen is an expensive venture. Any changes or mistakes can end up costing you a lot of money. It isn't a simple and cheap fix to switch from a run-of-the-mill stove to a soapstone stove. You better have a plan of action.

Here are some of the more common mistakes people make when remodeling their kitchen:

Mistake: Over-customizing and No Flexibility

Difficult and over specialized items can be a nightmare for both you and the contractor. Not only are some items expensive, but they are also difficult and time consuming to replace. Replacing a granite counterop to soapstone slabs or soapstone blocks costs money. Unless money isn't an issue, it is wise to remain flexible regarding materials and the design for your new kitchen.

Mistake: Changing Plans

Changing the kitchen design plans once the work has started is never a good thing. Most of the materials have already been ordered and the measurements calculated. If you are unsure of going with a soapstone stove, don't order it until you are certain you love the look of soapstone stoves. It will make things much easier for you and your contractor.

Mistake: Allowing A Designer to build Your Kitchen with No Input

It isn't uncommon for a designer's taste to vary from your own ideas on what you want your kitchen to look like. By not expressing what you want, you probably won't be very happy with the finished results. If you love the look of soapstone or want a soapstone counter, tell the designer so in the beginning. Work with your designer and stay involved throughout the entire process.

Mistake: Spending Too Much Money on a Project

The average kitchen makeover adds only 8% to the market value of your home. Never invest more than 20% of its current market value. While you may love the idea of adding soapstone slabs or soapstone blocks, if you don't have the extra money for it, I would try another idea or make cuts in the projects somewhere else.

Mistake: Spending It All In One Place

One of the most common mistakes is not planning the budget well enough to cover unforeseen expenses. Circumstances pop up during your project from time to time. While you love soapstone and have your heart set on a soapstone counter, the manufacturer may be out. You now need to come up with a Plan B. The general rule for a remodeling project is to plan for 80% of budget should go to the remodeling itself and rest for unforeseen circumstances.

Anne has worked on many home improvement projects with a soapstone counter. Her specialties are redesigning ordinary kitchens into the extraordinary using soapstone slabs and soapstone blocks.

Avoid Contractor Scams - Home Remodeling Tips

You might think you have to live in Florida, California or a state where natural weather disasters or wildfires create a cycle of home rebuilding to be targeted by contractor scams. But in fact, anyone who owns a home is at risk for falling victim to unscrupulous contractors. It only takes one bad experience to sour a homeowner, and this is unfortunate for the majority of contractors who take pride in their work and do a good job. To avoid experiencing what can end up being a home repair nightmare, all you need to do is be aware of some common scams and don't be afraid to ask questions, require references, make the effort to check those references, never sign anything that looks suspicious or without reading thoroughly and never agree to anything in haste.

In the springtime everything starts to gear up again. Many potential buyers are shopping for a new home and there are real estate agents hosting open houses. There is new grass, leaves, flower buds, families barbequing and shady contractors cruising the neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. Unfortunately, a sad fact is that older home owners are often targeted the most, but really anyone can be duped by a convincing pitch.

One of the most frequently used lines is that the contractor was in the neighborhood doing work and just happened to drive by and see something wrong with your home. Being the kind-hearted person that he is, he took time off from his busy schedule and wanted to stop and alert you to the problem you have. And even more convenient for you, he and his crew can work you in while they are in the area. Most legitimate builders and contractors do not go door to door like salesmen. Be wary of anyone showing up unscheduled and offering to do work right away with the pitch that they'll cut you a deal because they are already doing a project close by.

The most often used pitch for this scenario is roof repair. Dishonest contractors may tell a homeowner that their roof is in bad shape, not visible to the naked or untrained eye, and by hiring them to replace it now you'll save money in the long run by avoiding water damage from leakage. This is often perpetrated on older residents who cannot keep a watchful on the repair work actually being done. The homeowner will usually end up with substandard roofing materials or shingles that are a lower grade than the ones you originally had on the roof.

Getting your driveway repaved is another common scam. Even if someone two houses down from you just had it done and it looks fantastic, don't assume the guy who shows up at your door offering to do yours is the one who did the other. Most of the time it isn't the same contractor, but another one shadowing the reputable one. This other guy will do a sub par job and you'll be left with cracks in both your bank account and driveway.

Any contractor who approaches you suggesting that with your help they can do repairs for you for free by turning it into your insurance company isn't doing you any favors. What they are doing is making you a partner in crime by having you commit insurance fraud if there isn't any real basis for the claim. And don't think the insurance company won't prosecute, because they will.

Never, ever agree to pay cash, especially up front. You may be tempted by a big discount offered for a cash payment or advance, but those savings and your money will be as gone as the contractor who just left to go get supplies and will supposedly be back tomorrow.

Never sign the deed to your home over to finance repairs. Chances are if you do this, you won't have to worry about repairs because you won't have a home to repair.

Be suspicious of a contractor who claims he has extra or leftover lumber or supplies and can give you a great quote on a project. You should wonder and ask where those materials came from and realize that somebody, even if it wasn't you, paid for those supplies.

Always ask to see identification, especially if a so-called inspector shows up claiming you need work done to meet a code and tries to fine you or make you sign an agreement to have it done. This is not standard procedure and always check with authorities to see if the person actually is who he or she claims to be. You should always ask to see a contractor's license and ask for references, then check those references. Unhappy previous customers or a complete lack of customers is a sure warning sign. And speaking of signs, never sign anything without reading it or having your lawyer check it over. There are a lot of helpful sites out there where you can find more tips, such as About Chicago Real Estate.

If you do find yourself in hot tar, shoddy shingles or crummy carpentry, contact your Better Business Bureau or State's Attorney office to file a complaint and seek help. An old builder's rule is measure twice, cut once. Remember to double check everything and always get more than one quote.

Paula Cherrist writes articles about Chicago condos for sale, home trends and new homes for About Chicago Real Estate.

Free Alternative Power

Would you like to learn how you can build systems to generate free alternative power to run your house? Free energy systems can be easily made at home today to generate free green power. Examples of such alternative power systems are wind mills and solar panels. Building them is very easy and can be done for a very low cost by following step by step guides and videos online. They do not emit any harmful chemicals into the environment and thus are great for environmental conservation purposes.

1. How to Generate your Own Free Alternative Power at Home?

The best solution in my opinion would be to construct homemade energy systems like the wind turbine or solar panels on the roof. They can generate electricity as well as the components bought commercially and from my experience, are very reliable and can work for many years with proper maintenance.

2. How Many Windmills Do You Need to Build?

This would depend on several factors like the total energy consumption in your home, the amount of wind around your house as well as the space that have around your house. If your systems generate more electrical power than what is required for your home, you can sell back the excess electricity to the grid company for a profit.

3. Why Don't More People Use Wind Energy to Run Their Homes?

Windmills were very commonly used during the 1930s to 1950 time when people were generally very conscious about the costs of energy. As time passed, people became less concerned about costs as times got better and did not mind paying their power company every month to supply them with electricity. However, with the economy in its current state, it would be wise for people to start making their own free electrical power again.

Want to learn how to create Free Alternative Power? Download the Best Step-By-Step Home Energy Guides at http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com first!

The author has managed to reduce his energy bill by more than 80% by building his own renewable home energy system. Check out his website above to find out how to do it!

The Essential Guide to Hallways

The essential guide to entrance halls

From the lighting to the flooring to the where to put your shoes, here's our comprehensive guide for achieving a smooth-working, stylish-looking hallway

As everyone knows, first impressions count, and one place where making an entrance is essential is your front hall. 'Your hallway is like your handshake - it sets people up for the rest of their visit,' says feng shui expert Gary Hawkes, who counts Donna Karan and Madonna as past clients. 'So if it's light, warm and welcoming, then visitors will instantly feel relaxed and at home.' And yet, despite the fact it sees more traffic than anywhere else in the house, the hallway is often left as an afterthought - a dumping ground for brollies, wellies and ancient anoraks.

During the festive period in particular, there's more than the average footfall over the threshold, so before you begin to think about decking your hall, it's essential to ensure it really is holly worthy. While some homes may be blessed with grand dimensions and an abundance of architectural features, others may need a more studied approach to maximising space, optimising storage and letting the light in. We've consulted the experts for all their tips and tricks, so you can stun the carol singers, amaze the in-laws and impress first footers with a bright, well-thought-out space that really wows as it welcomes.

Hallway storage

'Keep your hallway as clutter-free as possible,' advises Gary Hawkes. 'Avoid sharp edges, intrusive plants or anything that interferes with its flow.' Carefully planned storage is a must, particularly in period homes, where space is often at a premium.

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

If you have an understairs cupboard, be ruthless. Chuck out those broken bits and bobs that you'll never get round to mending, and don't let it become a dumping ground for homeless items.
If yours is a footwear-free house, make sure there's plenty of storage next to the front door. A sturdy trunk is a great place to stash shoes and boots, and can provide a place to perch for easy boot removal. A bench with built-in storage is also a clever idea.
Create a wealth of storage without sacrificing too much floor space with a bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards. A bespoke design means you can plan for everything from sports stuff to pet paraphernalia.
A piece of furniture, such as a bureau or console, will make a hall feel 'inhabited', and a room in its own right. It also means that there is a proper home for keys, phone chargers etc so they don't go astray.

Hallway decoration and display

'I strongly believe you only have one chance to make a good impression, so it pays to be bold,' says interior designer Tara Bernerd. 'It's essential, even in a hallway, to create some sort of focal point.'

HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT

Even if space is an issue, you can add the wow factor with a bold piece of art. Alternatively, create your own gallery with several smaller pieces or photos.
'A dark hall won't be made brighter simply by painting it a light colour,' says interior designer and BIDA member Mary Leslie. 'Much better to have dark red, teal, pewter or bronze.' Choosing a darker shade will give the illusion that the rooms beyond are brighter and airier.
Painting woodwork the same colour as the rest of the walls will visually blur edges and give the impression of more space. And you can make a narrow space appear squarer by painting one of the shorter walls in a darker shade.
Think about how the hall connects to the next area. If space allows, double or sliding doors can create a dramatic flow through to the rest of the house.
Why not go wild with an opulent wallpaper? If you have a picture rail or dado, paper underneath only, as this will stop the design feeling oppressive.
Add a mirror. Not only will it enable you to check your hair before you leave the house, it can help a small space seem bigger and bounce light around.

Hallway flooring

Hall floors must stand up to a vast amount of wear and tear, but durable doesn't have to mean dull. 'The hall is often a smaller area to cover,' observes Tara Bernerd, 'so you can consider bolder or more dynamic flooring.'

HOW TO CHOOSE A SURFACE

Introduce colour with a stylish runner. For stairs, buy an extra metre, which can be tucked under and the runner moved up periodically to even out wear.
If sealed correctly, wood flooring, whether solid or engineered, is a hardwearing option. Go traditional with warm oaks, or choose paler or extra-wide boards for a more modern feel. Reclaimed boards or parquet add real character. Visit salvo.co.uk for a dealer.
Moroccan tiles will add a splash of colour and pattern. Try Dar Interiors for a good selection.
From slate to limestone to travertine, stone is an elegant choice. When laying new tiles, consult a structural engineer to check the floor is strong enough to take the weight, as it may need extra joists.
A decent-sized doormat is a must. 'If possible, sink your mat into a shallow well,' suggests Mark Dyson. 'This prevents it slipping and catches any extra dirt.

Hallway lighting

'The perfect lighting will create the illusion of a bright and voluminous area, even if it lacks natural daylight,' says Rebecca Weir, design director at Light IQ. It's a delicate balance, however, as too much illumination can make the space feel stark, whereas too little may make for a rather gloomy greeting.

HOW TO GET THE LIGHT RIGHT

Flexible lighting is key, so fit dimmers, as they allow for low-level lighting in the evenings, and brighter task lighting on busy mornings. Put lights on switches at both ends of the space so you're never in the dark.
Layers of light work well in a hallway. Downlighters can help widen a narrow space, uplighters are great for highlighting interesting architectural features and low-level lights will cast a warm glow across the floor.
'Fluorescent light sources are a good option as they can be hidden from view but provide a wonderful volume of light,' says Rebecca. 'They're energy efficient and come in lots of different "temperatures" of white, from warm to cool and bright.'
Decorative fittings, such as a statement chandelier, can create impact as well as adding sparkle. Team with table lamps for a welcoming glow.
Maximise natural light by adding glazing to the front door or a skylight to the stairwell. 'Many Victorian houses have a rear window at their half landing,' says architect Mark Dyson, 'and it's possible to enlarge this to full height without planning permission.'

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at Livingetc

Halogen Lighting - Saving the Environment and Your Sanity

When selecting lighting for the home or office, many consumers today face a dilemma. Should I use fluorescent (including compact fluorescent) bulbs to save energy or should I use incandescent bulbs to save my sanity?

For many, the cold, flickering light produced by fluorescent fixtures is intolerable. Fluorescent lights typically cannot be dimmed and are thus frequently too bright, causing eye strain when working. The light emitted by florescent bulbs is uneven (it's concentrated in peaks and missing in valleys) along the lighting spectrum which mutes and distorts colors. Frankly, many of us find it depressing.

Traditional incandescent bulbs produce rich, full-spectrum light and are easily dimmed. Unfortunately, traditional incandescent bulbs are terribly inefficient. They emit relatively little light per watt of power consumed and they burn out frequently necessitating replacement.

Enter halogen lighting. Halogen lighting offers an excellent compromise for those that won't settle for poor quality light but still want to be environmentally responsible.

Halogen bulbs offer several advantages:

1. Halogen bulbs produce excellent, full-spectrum, crisp, white light. The light is just as easy on the eye as traditional incandescent bulbs, but the light is whiter (less yellow than traditional bulbs) and renders colors accurately.

2. Halogen lamps have a higher efficacy than normal incandescent bulbs. This means that they convert more energy into light and less into heat producing more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. A 60 watt halogen bulb will produce as much light as a traditional 100 watt bulb. Halogen bulbs require effectively 40% less power than standard incandescent options.

3. Halogen bulbs have an average lifespan twice that of traditional incandescent bulbs. This means less hassle to replace them and less space in a landfill.

4. Halogen lights may be dimmed easily and the light they produce is precise and directional. The small filament and precise reflectors used in halogen bulbs make them ideal for confining and controlling their light to specific areas (for example, illuminating your desk but not your computer monitor). This is critical when trying to reduce eye strain in work environments.

5. Finally, halogen bulbs are relatively compact. This allows them to be used in a variety of innovating light fixtures.

Halogen bulbs do have some disadvantages:

1. Halogen bulbs do cost a little more than their established traditional competitors, but they are far less expensive than LED of CF options.

2. Although longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, the lifespan of a halogen bulb is shorter than fluorescents.

3. Halogen bulbs become very hot when operating. Care must be taken not to touch operating lamps.

For larger rooms, consider halogen track lighting as an energy efficient solution to produce abundant quality light. Track systems allow the directional heads to be aimed in any direction which is important considering the precise beam of many halogen bulbs.

Before calculating the 'return on investment' or the 'total cost of ownership' of a proposed energy-efficient lighting solution for your home of office, consider the value of quality light. What value do you place on reduced eye strain? For those that care about their eyes and their sanity, the advantages of halogen lighting will almost certainly make it the choice over other energy-effective alternatives.

John DeLaruse is a lighting expert at the web's largest resource for cable, monorail and track lighting

Glass Sunrooms - What You Need to Know

If you're building a sunroom, more than likely it is going to have a lot of glass in it. In fact, many sunrooms actually are about 75-90% made of glass. Of course all the glass is wonderful for allowing you to enjoy the sun and almost feel that you are outside without all the bugs and nasty weather. However, while these glass sunrooms have many wonderful features, there are many things that you need to consider when you are having one installed. Before you start choosing the glass for your sunroom there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Consider the Location

First of all the location of your sunroom should be taken into consideration when you are trying to choose the glass. If you are putting a sunroom in a place where you want a great view to the outdoors, then floor to ceiling glass may be something that you want to consider. Also, if you want a great view of the sky, you may even want to be able to consider going with a sunroom that has a glass roof as well, providing you with more sunlight and a great view of the night sky as well.

Use Tempered Glass for Safety

When you are choosing the glass you need for glass sunrooms, it will be important that you go with tempered glass for your safety. You must have tempered glass, since it is much safer and works in the same way the glass in your car does. Going with tempered glass is important for a couple reasons. First of all, it is much stronger so that you avoid having a problem with the glass breaking. Also, tempered glass breaks differently than other glass. It actually crumbles instead of shattering, which means that you are safer if something does happen to break the glass.

Go with Insulated Glass for a 4-Season Sunroom

If you want to have a glass sunroom that you can use all year long, then you'll want to make sure that you go with insulated glass. You should never choose single pane glass for a sunroom that you want to use all year long. It won't keep out the heat of the sun or the cold during the winter. Double pane glass is going to be a bit more expensive but it will provide you with the insulation that you will need from your windows.

Look for a Warranty

Last of all, no matter what type of glass you decide to go with when it comes to the glass for your sunroom, you should look carefully for a good warranty. You want to make sure that your glass has a warranty on the seals and on the glass for breakage as well. A warranty can save you if something happens to your glass, so make sure you only go with glass that comes with a good warranty to keep you protected if something should occur.

For more information on sunrooms and sunroom additions visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

The Technology Behind Modern Shower Heads

Many of us undoubtedly marvel at the exquisite shower heads that we find in elegant hotels and homes. These are essentially the new generation shower heads that actually control the volume of water and the temperature emanates from them. Other than the water, they actually go a step further and massage and tone the skin. Shower head technology that has recently emerged has totally revolutionized the way people take a shower or pamper themselves while in the bath or tub.

Technological innovations in shower head technology now lets you conserve water and energy without necessarily sacrificing your much-needed comfort! Take for instance the oxygen-infusing shower head which almost miraculously converts a trickle of water into a powerful jetstream that cleans and soothes the body including the relaxation of tight joints. This works by injecting air bubbles into the water stream and then jetissoning it up to a flow of water for maximum comfort. This water-saving shower head is so ideal that it uses only 1.5 gallons per minute something that many convectional showers struggle to achieve. You can imagine the savings in water and energy when you use an oxygen infusion shower head.

We are in an environmental war and there is a move by major world governments to stir their local populace into conserving energy and water. All across the US and the rest of the world, the water table is subsiding and there is a frantic need to conserve. The new shower heads to hit , the water shortages in the world are bound to get more acute. That is why it is imperative that we reevaluate the choices we make regarding water today to ensure that water supplies remain stable. The water-saving oxygen shower head is definitely a step in the right direction.

Here is how it works:

#When you turn on the tap or faucet, the water enters the shower head and is then infused with oxygen for your best shower. The shower head then increased the water pressure partly to optimize the force of the stream and also to avoid dirt from clogging the head. There is therefore a guarantee never to clog. This shower head gives you a terrific shower all while utilizing a much lesser amount of overall water than a traditional shower head. This makes it the perfect water-conservation tool.

Another added boon is that the shower head releases a much wider spray that covers a wider body surface. This is ideal for full-body shower spray which translates to a better shower experience.

This stylish shower head comes with an adjustable chrome look that adds to the interior design and look of your bathroom plus it is so easily adjustable one can adjust it with one hand even with eyes closed. The installation is pretty hassle free and devoid of any screws or plumbing experience.

Looking for shower heads? Check out complete guide to shower heads: everything about shower handsets, electric shower heads, shower heads cleaning as well as shower head reviews.

Lower Costs, Energy and Reduce Your Heating Bills

A lot of the times you'll realize you're throwing away money unsuspectingly, for instance, you'll be at home, comfortable, cozy and toasty, opening bills, only to notice your heating bills are astronomical. The perfect time to reduce your heating bills in the winter is actually the summer time because there is a lot of work that needs to be done that may expose you to the weather.

However, winter or no winter, there are still options to cut costs during the frigid season.

Why pay more money on your heat when you don't have to?

If you feel like your radiators are pumping a little bit too much oil for you to handle or your furnace is blasting at an alarming rate to the point of perspiration, it may be a good time to fix that, and updating your windows and doors may be the solution for you. Your heating systems may be overworked because they're having a hard time keeping the temperature in your apartment or home because your windows and doors may have excessive cracks, causing a draft in your place.

Replacing your doors and windows could be done utilizing a professional contractor or by yourself if you're looking to be cost-effective and have the experience to handle the project.

If you decide to do this during the winter, make sure you know what you're doing so the process doesn't have to take longer than expected, have your loved ones somewhere else while this is going on. Replacing your windows and doors provide more benefits than just reducing your heating bills.

Performance: Replacing your windows/doors will improve the efficiency of them, allowing them to work smoother and it'll also give you a chance to make them a little more accustomed to your style.

Maintenance: The new windows and doors will not need much, if any, work on them. Designs have vastly improved over the years and will only continue to do so.

The Look: Having new windows and doors will improve the overall aesthetics of your home, improving the appeal of the home itself, as well as value to the home.

Don't let the design of the windows/doors distract you from your main goal to save energy and lower your heating bills.

Learn about other tips on home improvement ideas as well as the tips on finding the right movers.

Pour in the Sunlight With Some Brilliant Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

One important aspect that people missed out on in the design of their bathrooms is the importance of sunlight. The tendency of some people is to place the bathroom in between rooms or corners of the house without regard whether or not it can get sunlight. The fact is sunlight can add to the beauty of a bathroom because it somehow brings nature closer to the owners. Moreover, it can help in saving up electricity during the day if the room is properly set up in such a way that it can receive sufficient daylight.

If it is too late for you to assign a specific area for your bathroom, do not worry. There might be a chance to rearrange. With the proper bathroom remodeling ideas, we can turn that bathroom a haven that you aspire. All it needs is simple rearrangement, a replacement from here and there and voila! You will surely have the sunlight smiling on you everyday.

Does remodeling a bathroom would costs a homeowner so much? As far as practicable, there is not much changes to be made. A brilliant remodeling idea should always be geared towards the cheaper way of achieving a goal. As a give away tip, mirrors can significantly help in getting in some sunlight. It is all up to you what kind of mirror and where to place it in order to make this possible. For more brilliant ideas how to remodel your bathroom, you should get an expert to do this for you.

Aikaz Run - Bathroom Design Advisor

For more information on how to design your bathroom to be amazing look, visit our Bathroom Design and Remodeling resources at http://www.bathroom-share.com

Home Made Wind Mill - Harness the Wind to Create Electricity

Wind power is not quite a mainstream energy source yet, at least in the U.S., but it is for some a viable way to power their homes. It can be expensive to buy a wind power system, so some who have made the choice to use alternative energy sources instead opt for a homemade wind mill instead. Basically, a turbine for wind power is made up of three components.

Rotor
Generator
Tower

This sounds simple enough, but keep in mind that a wind turbine should be built of strong materials which can stand up to the elements for at least five years. This periodic replacement is a great tradeoff when you compare it to the electricity savings of at least 10% over the next five or six years. You might want to talk to someone who has already built their own wind turbine before going ahead and building your own.

You can generate enough energy to power your home with a wind turbine that turns at an average speed of 10 mph. While you may not be able to generate enough power with wind alone to meet all of your electricity needs, you can store surplus electricity in batteries and even sell it back to the utility company in your area. If your home is in a very isolated area, however, wind power and other alternative energy sources may be your only options for generating the electricity you need.

Before you get started, make sure that you have all of the necessary supplies. Here's some of the most important:

Motor
Tower
Blades
Hardware and Wiring
Hub
Rotor
Battery Backup
Tail and Body Assembly

Typically, a wind turbine is built like so: the rotor blades will face into prevailing winds. The wind turns the blades and the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. All of this happens in the shaft/motor assembly.

TURBINE > MOTOR > BATTERY > INVERTER

This is the pathway that the energy will follow. There are other elements (such as wiring) that will control the current and turn your meter back when you generate more power than you are using.

1. Once you have all of your materials together, then cut your blades from a round section of pipe - PVC is typically the material of choice, but remember to cut your blades to a uniform size for balance.

2. Typically, windmills rotate on a horizontal axis. This axis will be mounted at the top of your tower. For the sake of balance, the back needs to be longer than the front. Bolting your axis to the tower will keep it from rising up as it is turned by the wind.

3. Your tower needs to be sturdy, but that's the only real requirement. You can use metal pipes, a satellite dish stand or anything else which will be sturdy and stable. Use cement to secure it to the ground.

4. You'll need to wire everything together to make the system functional. Run wires from the motor to a controller for saving energy and then to the battery to hold excess energy. From this point, the wiring continues to the household electrical system via your breaker box.

These are the basics of creating a home made wind mill. If you are a bit handy and can use the tools you probably already own, then you can easily make your own home made wind mill.

To learn more about how a Home Made Wind Mill can significantly reduce your electricity bills while supplying you with unlimited power visit http://www.solarwindenergys.com.

A List Of Patio Window Coverings

Windows which are unpainted and which are not mounted with curtains or draperies appear boring and lifeless. You could also be seen by the people who just simply happen to pass by near your place.

Hence, you lose your privacy and you become more inclined to getting harassed. Then, the more that you are to be bugged by such concern when you talk about the patio window coverings.

Generally, the basic use of the window coverings are to provide a cover for the interior and then to basically boost the impression created by the decorations used inside.

However, do not misconstrue the fact that you could purchase any patio window covering that you spot at the department stores that you visit from time to time.

You need to think about many elements such as the size of the patio window, the color, design, pattern, and texture of the patio window covering to use, and a lot others. Your taste and preference matters when you choose the patio window coverings.

The following is a list of the most sought after and bestseller kinds of patio window coverings.

1. The blinds. There are generally four kinds of the blinds that you may use as patio window coverings. They are the aluminum, fabric, vinyl, and wood. The two basic constructions of the blinds are the vertical and the horizontal blinds.

The vertical blinds are perfectly utilized for the bay windows, patio doors, and for the corner windows. On the other hand, the horizontal blinds are nonetheless mounted on standard windows.

2. The curtains. These depend on the length that you desire and the color, design, and casement that would truly fit into the patio windows that need them.

3. The swags. These may be matched with the shades, shutters, blinds, and curtains.

4. The shutters. These are the louvers or solid panels that may be available for customization.

5. The shades. These are used for the purpose of blocking or filtering the light that comes into the room.

6. The draperies. They contribute to the formal touch that is endowed to the interior of the home.

7. The valances. These are the adornments that may be added to the layers of the patio window coverings.

These are just some of the choices that you may opt for when looking for the patio window coverings.

For tips on choosing window coverings, visit http://www.windowcoverings101.com

Basement Flood

The rain is coming down hard and it is not stopping. This is day three of constant rain. Your sump pump is working double time. In the midst of the rain your sump pump decides to break. It happens to be the middle of the night while you are sleeping. Little do you know you will be waking up to a basement flood.

You go downstairs to do your laundry and discover you have six inches of water in your basement. You see your sump pump stopped working. Now what do you do?

Whether this is the scenario of your basement flood or not, it must be taken care of quickly. You need to get it cleaned up fast before any possible sewage back up occurs. This could mainly happen if you live in the city. Sewage back up is very dangerous with all of the bacteria present. It is very harmful to humans and can cause severe illness and even death. Also, with a damp basement mold will start to set in.

Your first step is to eliminate the water from your basement. There are emergency businesses that will come to your house and take the water out of your basement for you. I highly recommend going this route to make sure all of your items and house are handled in the correct manner by a professional.

You may consider doing the work yourself. In order to do it think safety first. Make sure all items are unplugged in your basement. To get the water drained from your basement you can hook a hose up to your sump pump to start draining water out of your basement immediately. When in your basement wear protective clothing on your head, body, hands and feet. Wear a hat, goggles, coveralls, gloves, and boots.

Secondly, you need to make sure you have killed all of the mold. Mold thrives on dampness. You can buy a chemical that kills mold or have a service come out to do it for you. If you decide to take this monumental chore on yourself be sure to save all of your receipts for your insurance company claim.

Companies will also make sure they leave your home smelling fresh. You don't want the smelly dampness of a basement seeping up into your main living area or any area of the house.

Get your sump pump fixed. Either call a handyman, take it back to the store, or perhaps you are able to buy the part for the sump pump and fix it yourself.

Having a basement flood can be a big hassle and mess but with the right company you can have your basement back to as good as new. Possibly even better.

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about Water Damage Cleanup New York and Water Damage Restoration New York, visit RestorationSOS.com.

8 Energy Saving Tips For Your Electric Clothes Dryer

Every consumer likes the idea of saving electricity. Not only is it good for the environment, but also for our pocket books. Some of the largest consumers of electricity in your home are your appliances. This includes your electric clothes dryer. The following is a collection of simple tips about how to save electricity when using your electrical clothes dryer.

1 Clean filter.

This idea seems so basic that everyone groans when it's suggested. but take it very seriously. Cleaning the dryer lint filter after every load is probably the simplest way to save energy. Even a small amount of lint on the filter can restrict the airflow, which causes the dryer to compensate by running longer.

2 Auto Heat.

If your dryer has an Auto Cycle learn how to use it properly. The auto cycle compensates for the size and type of fabric that is being dried. Energy is saved because the drying time will be adjusted to insure the clothes come out dry in the least amount of time.

3 Clean venting.

The dryer venting should be cleaned every year. Lower the venting and clean out any lint buildup. Also clean the venting cap that direct the airflow outside. Lint will collect in the cap, plus the outside louvers that open and close whenever the dryer operates. Any venting restriction will slow airflow, which in turn slows moisture removal from clothes, and increase the drying time.

4 Anti static sheets.

If too many are used in the dryer at one time they can block the lint filter. This restricts airflow and causes the dryer to overwork and run too long. Remove the old ones from the dryer before adding any new ones.

5 Switch to front load washer.

When its time to replace the washer consider a front loader. They spin at a high speed, which removes a lot more moisture than the top load style. This means less time required to dry the clothes. The standard drying time of 60 minutes drops to 30 minutes when a front load washer is used.

6 Door seal.

If large amounts of lint are present at the door deal after every load then consider a new door seal. Air and heat may be leaking past the seal. To test operate dryer with full load of clothes. Use hand to feel around the closed door area. If any air movement is felt suspect this as a problem.

7 Lint filter housing.

The housing that holds the lint filter can become coated with old lint. This restricts airflow and wastes energy. Remove filter (first disconnect dryer from electricity, or turn off breakers) and use a vacuum cleaner or narrow brush to remove any lint buildup at this location.

8 Variable electrical rates.

If your electricity provider charges less at certain times during the day consider changing your drying time to the less expensive periods. Most companies charge lower rates after 8:00 pm. By simply doing your household drying after this time of night the savings can be substantial. But, as a safety issue, dont operate the dryer while you are out of the house or asleep.

All clothes dryers begin their life as an energy efficient appliance. But, as they age their efficiency can drop off drastically. Be aware that to maintain their efficiency these machines may require some basic maintenance. Therefore if the clothes come out damp, or the machine becomes noisy, seek professional help. As a homeowner the best thing you can do save energy is follow the tips above and keep the machine as lint free as possible.

Copyright 2007 Donald Grummett. Need answers about repairs and maintenance of Household Appliances? With 35 years experience Donald Grummett can help. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn much more invaluable information.

How to Choose the Correct Loft Hatch For Your Needs

Standard Size or Custom Fit

The very first consideration you need to bare in mind is whether you'll need a custom fit loft hatch to fit your exact requirements or whether you can size your loft hatch based on a standard size measurement. Of course this very much depends on what you intend to use the loft for. If you plan to store large items in your loft it stands to reason that you'll need to install a loft hatch that can accommodate the largest item you plan to house in there. The type of ladder you use will also have an impact on the size of your loft hatch. If you favour a concertina fold-down loft ladder then you will obviously need a loft hatch that allows for the ladder to pass through at its longest and widest point. Loft ladders and loft hatches are often sold in packages which pairs loft ladders with the appropriate hatch.

Materials

Loft hatches are available in a variety of materials. The most popular material has always been wood because it's light, cheap and can be adjusted if it doesn't fit exactly. Wood is still the most popular choice of material for custom made loft hatches, for obvious reasons, with PVC the second most popular selection. Custom fit PVC loft hatches are catching up quick however, due to the quick lead times for delivery and their low prices. The situation in the standard size loft hatches market is very similar. Wood previously dominated but now metal loft hatches are catching up in the commercial arena due to their fire resistant qualities, and PVC is increasing in popularity in the domestic market. The benefit of wood, however, is that it can be refinished and repainted time and time again which makes it a much more flexible option. Your redecoration options could be limited with a PVC loft hatch because although they are available in a variety of colours, once you buy it that colour it has to stay that colour.

Location

The location of your loft entrance will have a big bearing on the type of loft hatch you need. If the entrance is located near a wall then you'll have to make sure that the loft door doesn't swing down and mark the wall. You'll also have to make sure that the presence of the wall doesn't interfere with the loft ladder, either by creating an awkward angle or by not allowing an internal ladder to extend out fully.

If your loft entrance is located above a stairwell this will have significant implications to the type of loft hatch you choose. In this situation there are limited ladder configurations available to you, so you'd be forced to choose from a small selection of loft hatches that suit this scenario.

For a loft hatch located in a very cramped space you may wish to consider a hatch that opens inwards rather than outwards. Inwards opening loft hatches are easier to open but more difficult to closer than outwards opening alternatives but they also pose fewer problems when trying to maneuver in a small area.

Loft Hatches
Loft Hatch

Renewable Energy - Did You Know This?

Renewable energy is not that easy to define. The definition has to be all-encompassing as it is the general term for a whole range of unconventional sources. Most experts mean that it is something that occurs naturally and very widely.

Several renewable power sources depends on nuclear. This meaning that the nuclear power comes from our sun. In a huge reaction, the sun produces light and heat and reaches us as a natural energy-source. The sun is the best source of renewable E among wind power, biomass and other. Fossil fuel could be categorized as biomass, but is limited and have plenty of fatal side effects.

The US federal National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a good renewable power program that researches the latest saving building techniques. Scientists have realized that efficiency is the way to go, and this body educates people in this aspect.

They work in synchronization with the big shots of the construction industry, highlight efforts towards building with renewable systems and inform producers as well as consumers about what financial gains they may make from using this form of power. NREL also cooperates with agencies to set guidelines for buildings and other consuming appliances.

Renewable power is beneficial for the environment in the polluted world of today. Wind and solar are two of the most prominent types. Bio fuels, geothermal and wave or tidal power are fast becoming popular, though some of these may potentially harm the natural world.

Can you tell the difference between renewable and alternative E?

Many people don't know the fine difference between the two. The renewable one is fundamentally natural; it's the power we get from the sun, wind or waves. Alternative E, however, includes both bio fuels and nuclear sources which are not really healthy options for us to use.

The infrastructure we have is suited for fossil fuels, even though renewable or green E is more cost effective. Our government has not been busy taking any steps to change things and go in for green energy-sources. With the present situation worsening every day, we have to get a change really soon.

If we try to find one positive thing about fossil fuels it could be that we can store the power we get from them, which is more difficult with green sources. Solar power, for instance, is less effective in cloudy weather. Calm days there is not very much use of a windmill. This and initial costs to get power from these unconventional sources are still a bit high, could be a small drawback as compared to traditional earth-killing sources.

Visit the website and find out more about renewable energy

Eliminate Shower Leaks

INSTALLING A COMPOSITE SHOWER PAN IS FAST AND EASY. Before discussing the simple steps to install a composite shower pan, I felt that some clarification and definitions are necessary because not all shower pans are alike.

WHAT IS IN A NAME? A roof is a roof, although there are many different roofing systems and roofing materials. Not true with shower pans. They are often interchangeably called a shower pan, shower pan liner, shower pan membrane liner, waterproof barrier, shower base, shower tray, or shower receptor. Yet, each has a different meaning depending on context and each are available in a variety of materials.

Bob Vilas web site defines a SHOWER PAN as The base, containing a water drain, of the shower enclosure. And a SHOWER RECEPTOR as A one-piece base (floor) unit used as a shower, for example, to catch water and direct it to a center drain.

For the sake of clarity, I offer the following definitions.

SHOWER PAN & SHOWER BASE A finished area that is capable of retaining and directing water to the drain plus it doesnt require tiling once installed. The shower pan or base has a drain hole, sloped floor to properly direct water to the drain hole, sidewalls, and a threshold (entrance to the shower that forms a curb to keep water from running out onto the bathroom floor). A shower pan is synonymous with a shower base.

SHOWER PAN LINER, MEMBRANE LINER, & WATERPROOF BARRIER A barrier, usually a plastic sheet or membrane, that is intended to trap water that penetrates the shower floor tile, grout, and mortar under the tile and force the water to flow to the drain. As long as it doesnt leak, it prevents water from reaching the sub-floor and surrounding wall enclosure. The liner is a component within a constructed shower pan. A shower pan liner is synonymous with a shower pan membrane liner and a waterproof barrier.

SHOWER TRAY & SHOWER RECEPTOR A shower tray is synonymous with a shower receptor. Both are used in place of a liner. They serve the same function as the liner, but are pre-formed to eliminate some of the installation steps necessary when using a liner.

Shower pan liners, shower trays, and shower receptors are all used in conjunction with the construction of a shower pan that has a tiled floor as well as a tiled wall enclosure.

Commercially available shower pans are complete, ready-to-install units. They eliminate the need to create a mud sloped floor, a shower liner or tray, and tiling of the shower floor.

COMPOSITE SHOWER PANS. As composite shower pans are made from a number of different materials and constructed differently. I wanted to touch on each of the most common types. Composite shower pans fall into several material groups; cultured marble, fiberglass, acrylic, and solid surface. Generally all are made by fabrication of flat sheets, thermal-formed from a single piece of material, or molded or cast to form a one piece unit. The one-piece construction eliminates seams, which in turn eliminates potential leaks. Each has their pluses and minuses. Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I will not comment on appearance. All composite shower pans install on a flat, level floor and do not require the creation of a sloped mud base. Also, the cast or molded pans generally do not require the use of a plastic membrane.

Cultured marble and dressier versions, like cultured onyx and granite, tend to be the least costly. Cultured marble is made by spraying a gel-coat onto a mold. This coating is about 1/64 or less in thickness. The gel-coat is covered with pigmentation and then backed with calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate gives the finished part its strength. Also, in the casting process it is infused with air pockets to lower its density and weight.

The cultured marble floor is cast separately from the sidewalls. Thus, the incorporation of a shower pan liner is essential to insure a watertight, leak free installation. Although widely used, the down side of cultured marble is that other than the gel-coat layer, the calcium carbonate is highly porous. Any crack or scratch through the gel-coat will allow water penetration. Other gel-coat characteristics include; yellowing, even without UV exposure; clouding from hot tap water; staining; crazing (fine hairline cracks); and it is not reparable when cracked or chipped.

Fiberglass is widely used as well. Fiberglass is strong, light weight and inexpensive. Many fiberglass manufacturers make one-piece shower pans and enclosures and one-piece combination tubs and showers with the wall enclosures. Similar to cultured marble, fiberglass is made with a gel-coat, then backed with pigment and chopped strands of fiberglass in a resin mixture. Generally the finished product is about 1/8 to 1/4 in thickness. The underside of the shower pan floor has webbing added to provide support to the floor. As the floor is not solid, the unsupported space between the webbing can flex. This flexing is especially noticeable with heavy loading or where one is standing between to the webbing. Over time, the flexing can cause material fatigue and cracking. Once a crack develops, the pan has failed.

Acrylic sheets are used to vacuum form shower pans, bathtubs, spas and many other items. The vacuum forming process begins with a 1/4 sheet of pigmented acrylic that is heated to a temperature that makes the acrylic ductile. The sheet is placed on a mold and stretched over the form to create the finished shape. The heating and stretching of the sheet causes a reduction in wall thickness. The reduction is directly proportional to the amount of stretching that occurs. With shower pans there is far less material reduction than with creating a tub or spa. The heating, stretching, and cooling of the material could also introduce stresses to the finished pan.

Like fiberglass pans, acrylic pans need support elements under the pan floor. A commonly used support element is polyurethane foam. The foam fills the void and eliminated the flexing of the pan floor. Acrylic sheet material is susceptible to crazing, minute surface cracking, and cracking when cleaned with many common cleaning chemicals. Should crazing occur, over time these cracks can lead to a pan failure.

Acrylic sheets have very different physical and chemical properties than acrylic solid surface materials. In addition to the acrylic resin used in solid surface, the solid surface material receives additional physical and chemical characteristics from the addition of alumina-tri-hydrate, or ATH. The ATH causes cleaners that adversely affect acrylic to have no affect on solid surface.

Solid surface shower pans are the top-of-the-line in physical and chemical characteristics as well as performance, reparability and a myriad of other features and benefits. The primary features of solid surface are it is non-porous, will not support the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria, is available in a large variety of looks (some like natural granite) and colors, and is 100% repairable should chipping, scratching, or even cracking occur. Health departments throughout the country have approved solid surface materials for use in hospitals and food preparation areas for its resistance to bacterial growth, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and resistance to staining and contamination.

Some solid surface shower pan manufacturers fabricate their pans from sheet goods in a similar fashion as the acrylic shower pans. That is, they thermal form the pan floors by heating and stretching the material and then bond sidewalls and a threshold to the floor.

The Royal Stone brand of solid surface shower pans are the pans that I manufacture and will use to illustrate the simplicity and ease of installation that can be had when installing a composite shower pan. Unlike fabricated solid surface shower pans, the Royal Stone shower pans are a cast one-piece solid surface product. By casting the pan as a one-piece unit, there are no stresses introduced in the pan, and there are many other features engineered and designed into this pan.

The most obvious features are the large radius transition between the pan floor and its sidewalls. Secondly, the flange (also called a weep edge) is 1-1/2 tall. I have seen pans that do not incorporate an integral flange or have flanges 1/2 to 1 tall. The added height is designed to minimize, if not eliminate, any water being drawn up behind the wall surround panels that could cause water damage to the shower sub-structure.

Royal Stones pans have a minimum wall thickness of 1/2 and the webbing elements have a wide foot with large stress relieving radius corners between the pan floor and the webbing. All shower pans are engineered to support the weight of 3/4 thick (2 cm) granite slabs as well as all other commonly used wall materials like tile, fiberglass, acrylic, and solid surface panels. Finally, regardless of floor loading, the Royal Stone pan floor is so solid that it feels like one is standing on a rigid concrete floor. There is no perceptible flexing or oil-canning of the pan floor. Thus, there is no possibility of floor fatigue and cracking over time and the potential for pan failure is eliminated.

INSTALLATION IS FAST AND EASY. As I have already stated, composite pans install on a flat sub-floor. The following installation information may not apply to all types of composite shower pans. Specifically, I have direct knowledge of installing the cast one-piece solid surface shower pans that Royal Stone manufactures. Thus, the following directly applies to Royal Stones standard and custom shower pans. The same steps should also apply to other types of composite pans and other materials, however, follow the manufacturers recommended installation instructions.

As a manufacturer, I do not install pans. The photos included within this article were provided by a local installer. They were supplemented by photos of a different pan, for clarity of the installation process. Thus the different pan color and shape. Further, most of the photos were from a unique plumbing situation. The home had all of the plumbing above ground. Thus, a particleboard platform was built above the plumbing for the shower. The following installation information applies to concrete, plywood, particleboard, wood, etc. sub-floors at, above, or below grade.

Step #1 SUB-FLOOR PREPARATION: Using the template provided with the shower pan, place template on the floor and verify that the drain is in the correct location. If the drain is NOT properly located, relocate the drain. NOTE: Relocating the drain is usually far less expensive than having a custom pan cast to accommodate your existing drain location.

The hole in the sub-floor needs to be larger than the drain pipe. About a 6 round or square hole (about the size of a coffee can) is recommended. This larger opening allows room for the drain assembly that extends below the bottom of the pan. Most drain pipes are 2 PVC. The PVC pipe allows for some flexing within the 6 opening in the sub-floor. This flexing is desired and makes the pan installation easier. The PVC pipe should extend above the finished sub-floor by a minimum of 1/2 to about 3 to 4.

The sub-floor can be wood, plywood, concrete or any other rigid or well supported surface. The sub-floor must be level and free from debris. To assure a level floor, check the floor with a long level as shown in Fig. 1. The longer the level, the more likely that the sub-floor will be level at its greatest dimensions. Check front to back at the left and right sides and at the center. Do the same from side to side. Finally, check the diagonals. Fig. 2 indicates the location of the 8 readings that should be taken.

Depending on the results of the level measurements, some additional prep may be necessary. If the sub-floor is relatively flat, shims may be used to make the shower pan level. If the floor is uneven and out of level, pouring self leveling thin-set material may be necessary.

Once the sub-floor is level and the opening for the drain is correct, the setting of the shower pan is next.

Step #2 ATTACH DRAIN ASSEMBLY TO PAN: A standard 2 part Brass Drain Assembly is recommended, as shown in Fig. 3. This type of assembly should be readily available at any plumbing supply store or home improvement store. Royal Stone also sells this drain assembly. Disassemble the drain assembly. Keeping the components in order makes reassembly faster and easier.

Place the pan on saw horses or any raised platform that allows access to the top and bottom of the pan. Spray the drain opening with rubbing alcohol, Fig. 4. With a clean rag, wipe the surface and interior edge of the pre-cut drain opening, to remove any dust or other contaminants from the pans drain area. Around the drain opening apply a generous bead of 100% silicone, Fig. 5.

Insert Brass Drain Body, Part #5 of the Brass Drain Assembly into the drain hole, Fig. 6, and press firmly into place, Fig. 7.

Step #3 REMOVE EXCESS SILICONE: Remove the excess silicone from the Drain Body, Part #5. Spray an alcohol mist over the drain area and the silicone, Fig. 8. With a Dap-Cap, scoop away the excess silicone, Fig. 9. This step may have to be repeated several times to completely remove the silicone. Last, spray a mist of alcohol and wipe remaining film away from the Drain Body, Part #5, with a soft cloth.

Step #4 MOUNT DRAIN LOCKING RING: Attach the Drain Strainer, Part #1, to assure that the Drain Body, Part #5, is centered within the drain hole, Fig. 10. From the bottom side of the shower pan, attach Parts #6, 7, & 8 to Part #5. Tighten the Locking Ring, Part #8 until snug. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. Over tightening may crack the shower pan. Remove the Drain Strainer, Part #1, and set aside.

If any additional silicone has been squeezed out from between the shower pan drain and the Drain Body, Part #5, repeat Step #3 until all excess silicone has been removed.

HANDLING TIP: Using a set of glazers grips allows for easier handling and moving the pan into the proper location. If these are not available, brute force also works.

Step #5 DRY FIT THE SHOWER PAN: Lower the shower pan into place. Make sure that about 1/8 space exists between the shower pan flange and the studs. With the level, confirm that the pan is sitting flat on the floor as shown in Fig. 11 & 12. If additional shimming is required, lift pan and place shimming material where required. Lower the pan into place and check for level. Repeat until the pan is level.

CAUTION: When leaning and handling the shower pan, handle carefully to prevent damage to the shower pans flange.


A LEVEL PAN IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROPER DRAINAGE.

Step #6 SILICONE THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN: Lift pan and lean against one of the studded walls. Apply 100% silicone caulking to the webbing, Fig. 13, on the underside of the shower pan . Also, apply a thick silicone ring around the drain opening in the sub-floor, Fig. 14. If shims were used, silicone all shims into position on sub floor as required.

Step #7 SET SHOWER PAN: Lower shower pan into place. Check the pan for level. Press down as necessary to re-level the shower pan. Apply a silicone bead along the front edge of the threshold to seal the threshold of the pan to the sub-floor.

Step #8 CONNECT DRAIN PIPE TO DRAIN ASSEMBLY: Inject silicone completely around and between the drain pipe and the Brass Drain Body, Part #5, as shown in Fig. 15. Place the Rubber Gasket, Part #4 of the Drain Assembly, over the PVC pipe and slide down until the top of the Rubber Gasket, Part #4, is completely seated and is below the top of the Drain Assemble, Fig. 16. Screw the Locking Ring, Part #3 of the Drain Assembly onto the Drain Body, Part #5. Tighten the Locking Ring, Part #3, with the Tightening Tool, Part #2 until the Rubber Gasket, Part #4, is seated and tightly in place.

Step #9 TRIMMING THE PVC: The top of the PVC drain pipe MUST NOT extend above the Brass Drain Body, Part #5. If it is at the top of the Brass Drain Body, Part #5, or extends above the top, trim the PVC so that it is about 1/4 lower than the top of the Brass Drain Body, Part #5 but is taller than the top of the Rubber Gasket, Part #4. Cut the PVC pipe with a Dremel and a cut-off wheel.

If the Tightening Tool, Part #2 has not already been removed, remove it and press the Drain Strainer, Part #1, into place. The installation is complete. Excluding any sub-floor preparation, the installation should take about one hour or less.

Step #10 CURING: Let the shower pan set for 24 to 48 hours to allow the silicone to properly cure. Once cured, the wallboard and wall panels can be installed.

CAUTION: When attaching solid surface shower pans and wall panels, ONLY use 100% SILICONE. Other adhesives or caulks may harden. The loss of the elastic bond between the solid surface and other materials can cause stresses in the solid surface. In turn, these stresses may cause fractures of the part and void the manufacturers warranty.

Milton Lemberg is President and Marketing & Sales Manager of Royal Stone Industries. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is the engineer and designer of the shower pans Royal Stone offers. Any questions should be directed to Mr. Lemberg at milt@royalstoneind.com or to Royal Stone Industries, Inc., 2949 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017. For further information on Royal Stones 22 standard shower pans, custom shaped shower pans, wall surround kits and accessories, and 48 standard colors, visit Royal stones web site at http://royalstoneind.com/products_Shower.asp