Tips on the Best Way to Fix Dripping Faucet

Drip, drip, drip. Now, wait a minute. Where have we heard that one before? Doesn't take you too long to figure out that it's in your very own luxuriously styled bathroom. It's such a pity that while we don't hesitate to lend copious doses of our prodigious talent to the installation of the bathroom flooring or the kitchen backsplash, we face a complete drought of ideas while trying to fix dripping faucet.

It's Such A Tenuous Contention

It's so easy to become utterly tone-deaf to the plaintive wail of the leaking faucet. I'm also bemused at the alacrity with which homeowners fall prey to the guiles of plumbing professionals despite their hefty price.

It's important to understand that a leaky faucet is a tenuous contention that does not require the competence or the expertise of a plumber. With a few tools like a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench, you can work wonders in about $3.

What? Fix that irritating faucet in just $3? Sounds too good to be true right? But guess what; it is not as blatantly absurd as it sounds.

It's Time To Get Cracking

In all probability, the run-down state of the inner parts of the faucet may be the root cause of your consternation. So here's how you can put an end to those sleepless nights forever:

• It's very important to identify the brand of faucet fitted in your bathroom or kitchen. Each brand will have different kinds of parts, namely the spring and the rubber cap.
• Make a visit to the local hardware store and pick up new rubber parts and springs. Make sure they match the size of the old ones.
• Turn off the water at the shut-off valve housed under the sink, close to the place where the water hose comes out from the wall. Make sure both the hot and cold water valves are turned off.
• Using a flat-head screwdriver, remove the protective cap that lies on the top of the faucet handle. Next to go is the screw, and the top knob is off.
• Get hold of an adjustable wrench, and use it to unscrew the nut that lies at the base of the faucet handle. With the nut cracked, you need to replace the old and possibly worn out spring and rubber cap.
• Just hope you've paid attention to the way the faucet's been assembled or else you sure to be in a soup while putting all the parts back in place.

The moment of truth has finally arrived. Turn on the water and you are sure to feel a sudden gush of self worth.

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

Structural Engineering Books
Home Garage Books

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

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

Cardboard Box Stain In Closet

Home Improvement Tips - Types of Countertops

It used to be that laminate was pretty much your only choice for kitchen countertops. Those days are thankfully long gone but now a homeowner is faced with a variety of choices and wide range of prices available for your kitchen renovation.

Some of the popular choices include:

Ceramic Tile

This remains as a popular and economical alternative that is heat and scratch resistant. It is high maintenance though since it needs to have it's grout sealed regularly to avoid staining.

Concrete

This is a incredibly versatile surface that can be textured and detailed with patterns unlike any other surface. However it is extremely porous and needs to be regularly sealed to avoid stains.

Engineered Stone

This product is made of a quartz composite with colored pebbles or different materials giving its wide range of colors. Texture is usually even and the colors can be reproduced over larger areas. It as extremely durable product that can resist heat and stain.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone. It comes from different regions of the world and can vary widely in color and pattern. It needs to be seamed and requires period sealing to avoid stains. It cannot tolerate high heat from hot pans.

Laminate

Laminate comes in a variety of colors but is not designed to be long lasting. Although it is somewhat stain resistant it will scratch easily. It will also burn easily from hot pans.

Marble

This is another natural stone that is porous and stains easily. It must be sealed every two to five years. They are also easily scratched and cannot take high heat from hot pans.

Slate

This is a third natural stone that is less porous and doesn't require sealing but can be easily scratched

Stainless Steel

This is a very popular product because of the sleek modern look it conveys. It is very durable and resists staining. Often times the surface is brushed to hide any scratches.

Wood

Various types of hardwoods can be used for countertops. It does require regular sealing to avoid drying out and is susceptible to burns from hot pans.

These are some of the pros and cons of the more popular types of countertops. Choose your countertop carefully depending on your usage and needs.

Bob Current writes on a variety of subjects including home improvement tips. You can get a free copy of his report about Choosing The Best Contractor for your project at http://www.homeimprovementtips.info and at http://www.concretecountertops.bcurrent.info/concretecountertops

Wall Intersection With 4 X 6

Finding Something You Don't Like About Yourself - Creating Habits

Finding something you don't like about yourself is usually very easy for most people. Most of the time you don't even have to ask your family or friends because you have heard them complain about the same thing for years. How many times have you heard someone mention, I need to lose weight?

Here's a list of things people don't like about themselves. If you're one of those people that has a hard time finding something wrong with yourself, you could always ask one of your friends for some suggestions. I'm sure they would like that.

1. The need to lose weight. This of course is one of the worst problems with Americans. Most people need to lose weight and let's not forget there are some people that need to gain weight.

2. The need to stop gambling. As more Indian reservations are allowed to build gambling casinos and of course as the Internet gambling gets larger, I've noticed some people with gambling problems.

3. The need to stop drinking alcohol. The abuse of alcohol has been going on for many years. These people have an excuse for why they drink and most of the time it doesn't make sense.

4. The need to stop smoking. This could be one of the most difficult things I've ever seen my friends and family deal with.

5. The need to stop excessive behaviors. For example, gossiping, cruelty, bullying, lying, cheating, stealing, partying etc. You get the idea.

6. Don't forget the dreaded shopaholic. Most shopaholic's seem to have large credit card debt and can't seem to stop this vicious circle of buying and owing money to their creditors.

7. Working long hours or the workaholic. Sometimes this is a necessity but I would suggest that you change your lifestyle if possible. Reevaluate your reasons for working so hard.

8. Religious fundamentalists. People that spend too much time at their place of worship and soon find themselves feeling guilty if they're not doing something spiritual.

9. The need to be on time. This would include people that have problems giving themselves enough time to get ready for work or school.

10. The need to stop doing drugs. I thought by now, approaching my 50s, that drugs would no longer be a problem in the United States, but it is. It's one of the most damaging things people can do to their lives.

There are plenty of things that people would like to stop doing or start doing. If you're a smoker and you seem to shop excessively near the casinos, I would advise you to start with something small and work your way up to the big stuff.

What are you going to change today about your life? Make a list of things that you're not happy with about your life and start making the changes today that you need to create the life you deserve and desire.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a personal development video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Fascia Board Fell Off Wood Rot

Bathroom Decorating Ideas - Spruce Up Your Dull Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the places where you can relax with pleasure or where you can have a quiet time for yourself alone or just simply pamper yourself. Naturally, decorating your bathroom to make it more comfy is one way to create a quick fix for your home. Here are a few, quick bathroom decorating ideas to create bathroom pleasures:

1.Simple hygiene to make your bathroom brighter and sparkle like new is to clean and sanitize clogged places and remove grime and stain. A simple application of disinfectant will instantly clear your bathroom of unpleasant stains and dirt stuck in between crevices under your toilet, tubs and sinks. Put decorative fragrant bathroom sanitizers.

2.Instant bathroom decorating ideas is usually composed of solutions which require no minimal effort or none at all. So, decorating is accessorizing. A little accessory will do. Like sleek and simple towel hangers, colorful soap dishes, water proof figurines and even framed pictures or paintings will create good vibes in your bathroom.

3.Create a clutter-free zone in your bathroom. Installing glass or wooden shelves to organize bathroom stuff is one of the highlight of great bathroom decorating ideas. The idea is to keep things simple and minimal in a small to regular cramped space. Large cabinets will only take up more space, constricting the already limited space you have. One way to add style to your shelves is to have a carved hardwood with ornate design. Aside from being attractive, the wood is durable so it will not rot if splashed with a little water.

4.The illusion of space is not really a hard trick to pull-off. Space usage and minimalist-thinking are the secrets of successful bathroom decorating ideas. The use of mirrors to reflect light positioned in a strategic way like opposite a window to create an illusion of having another window or opposite each other to make a small room much larger is a surefire trick to revitalize your dull bathroom.

5.Of course, the rainbow connection should always be remembered. A splash of color in your bathroom will instantly jazz up the small space of an otherwise insignificant part of the house. Put up a bright shower curtain and match it with your window curtains. Or to even go bolder, repaint your all the walls or just one wall with a solid color to create contrast or focus on a single part of the bathroom like the tub area.

These are just simple bathroom decorating ideas in which one can easily accomplish for an instant perk up for the bathroom. Bathroom moments will surely be more comfortable and relaxing as well as pleasing to the eye as well.

For more information on bathroom decorating ideas and bathroom lighting fixtures visit http://www.lightingbathroomfixtures.com for helpful insight.

Roofing Books
Home Garage Books

Designing a Custom Closet - House Remodeling Ideas

An increasing number of reality TV shows feature high-priced "experts" helping ordinary people transform their homes. Undoubtedly there are plenty of people who could benefit from this expertise. But when it comes to closet organization, most of us will have to take the "do it yourself" approach. Do it yourself closet organizers don't have to suffer in quality, and in fact-with today's modern products-it's simple to create your own professional-looking custom closet without breaking the bank.

Personal consultants and organizers have invaluable advice, but many retail and custom closet organizers have incorporated some of the best tidbits into their designs, making the DIY approach all the more easy.

But before beginning to put together a set of do it yourself closet organizers, be sure to ask yourself the following three essential questions:

Clothing or multi-purpose?

What are you going to use your closet for, after all?

Clothing-only closets might offer more freedom for anybody working with do-it-yourself closet organizers, but with that freedom come additional choices. Closet towers and drawer units are nice features, but it's important to consider what will make the best use of available space.

Multi-purpose closets, for example, may not be the ideal location for a revolving tie rack (although with creativity it could probably work!). On the other hand, working with less space can streamline your decision making process-and lead to some inspiring outcomes. Ensuring that clothes are accessible in a closet that also holds a vacuum cleaner and boxes of decorations can be vexing-but with the right shelving solutions, it is a problem that can be overcome.

How many users?

Style doesn't have to be sacrificed to function. Singles and couples alike can create do it yourself closet organizers that reflect their personal taste while maintaining function.

That said, it's important to make sure that his and her closets have features and accessories that cater to both. Also, remember that two closet users will likely call for two separate drawers when it comes socks, t-shirts and other clothing items.

Walk-in closet, or reach-in closet?

Making this decision will establish your fundamental approach to organizing your closet space. A walk-in closet generally allows for deeper shelves, or in some cases a three-walled approach. Reach-in closets allow for easy access of clothes and shoes, and take up less overall space in the room.

Closets come in all shapes and sizes, so thinking about how you want to visualize and utilize your room space will help you choose products and materials that can meet your precise needs.

If you are interested in creating your own custom closet we invite you to visit us online at http://www.buildityourselfclosets.com

Roof Repairs

Bathroom Remodeling With a Shower Curtain

In bathroom decorating, the shower curtains tend to be the focus of the room in most cases. The great thing is that there is a wide variety of choices that you can choose from to enhance the look of your bathroom and your home. From simpler, more sedate shower curtains to unusual and unique shower curtains, you are sure to find just the right look and personality of curtain for your bathroom remodeling. This is a low cost way to undergo bathroom remodeling if you are not able or willing to redo the entire room. You can choose shower curtains that coordinate with the rest of your accessories to give the entire room a new look and feel.

How Do You Choose Shower Curtains?

There are many different choices in shower curtains for your bathroom. From unique styles to more traditional, simple styles, you will be able to find just the right style and color of shower curtain for your bathroom. After you have chosen the fabric and design of your shower curtain, then you can move on to the curtain rings and rod. Be sure that you choose wisely, because these choices can make the room look complete or it can detract from the whole look.

Shower curtains come in many different waterproof materials, including PVC coated, vinyl coated, and nylon to ensure that they are durable in the shower. Even if you find a curtain that is not made of a waterproof material and it will work great for decorating your bathroom, you can still use it with a plain vinyl shower curtain. This can give you the exact look that you are desiring and you will still have the durable, waterproof protection.

Shower Curtains Made By You

If you just cannot find the right look or style for your bathroom, then you will be happy to know that you can create your own. Whether you are a sewer or not, there are a wide variety of different instructions to enable even the most craft-challenged of us to create designer shower curtains. Use your imagination and create the perfect look for your bathroom.

Keeping Your Shower Curtains Clean

The number one problem in the bathroom is mold. Your shower curtain will be no exception to this problem, simply because mold loves the warm and damp environment of your shower. In some people, mold can trigger health problems, which is why it is very important to you're your shower curtain as clean as possible.

To clean your shower curtain you want to use a cleaner that is specially made to clean and kill the mold. Most of the time, shower curtains can't be cleaned in the washing machine, but you will have to check the tag on your particular curtain to be sure. If you can wash it in the washing machine, then wash it using hot water and bleach to kill the mold and germs. If not, then you can wash the curtain, apply lemon juice to the mold, and then place it in the sun. The sun and lemon juice together will kill the mold.

After the mold is killed, you want to keep it away. To do this, you want to keep your bathroom ventilated by opening a window or opening a vent and you can soak your clean shower curtain in salt water, as this can help inhibit mold growth.

The free-lance writer John Bakers is especially interested in themes similar to designer draperies and designer curtains. Recording his experience in detailed writings like http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com the columnist expressed his experience on ideas related to designer shower curtains.

House Window Books
Home Remodeling Books

Renovating an Attic

If you want to do remodeling on your house, you're probably aware that the space that you can work with is quite limited. When you have a small house, there are methods out there that you can use to make it seem like it's bigger. In some cases, renovating and remodeling the attic can be the answer to this problem.

If you want some extra space to live in, storage spaces like the attic are the perfect place to start from. You can turn that attic into a playroom, a bedroom, a library, an office or a gym.

Checking the amount of space that you can convert should be the first thing you do at the beginning of your project. If you want to avoid getting bruises and bumps to your head, you should make sure that all walls have a minimum height that will allow you to walk around freely.

When the wall height isn't big enough, you have the option to convert the roof into an upward slope, or to change it and make it a gable roof.

If your house is too old, you might want to consider strengthening the joists of the ceiling. These joists will take the role of supporting the extra weight that you put in the attic, like TV's, beds, couches or anything else you might want to put there.

Renovating and remodeling your attic also means that you should make sure that the ventilation, insulation and lighting are properly designed into the plan. Add extra layers to make sure that the temperature is good and the insulation appropriate. Air ducts might be another good idea if you want the temperature to be controlled. Adding windows and maybe a skylight can take care of the lighting in the room, while also decreasing your electric bill.

If you want to add a bathroom in that space, make sure you connect it to the source that is closest.

Something else that needs addressed is how easy it is to access the attic, and that is done best by installing a staircase. In the case of a staircase that is straight, its size should be 3 by 16 feet. If you choose a staircase that is in spiral, the diameter should be 5 feet. Using a ladder is not allowed if you're putting a bedroom in the attic, but if you're making a loft it's OK.

Talk with an architect or with the building inspector if you're not entirely sure if the renovation or remodeling of the attic is possible. If it can be done, start doing the plans for it and go to a contractor when it comes time to actually do it.

Finding a good contractor means that you should contact a few of them. Try comparing the rates, while also checking out their history and background. The good contractors need to have people that are licensed to do the job. If their client history is good and they have insurance, you should put them on your shortlist.

Because you're renovating or remodeling such a small part of your house, the costs shouldn't be too large. When you're done with the renovation, you will see how right you were to do it and how much better it looks.

Home Improvement Tips - Visit BestHomeImprovementProjects.Com for more articles and tips on garbage disposal maintenance

Concrete Stained Sheathing

Famous Pacific Ocean Viewing Hotels

Location is everything when it comes time to travel. If you are traveling to a city on the West Coast, then you should consider staying in a hotel that offers ocean views. This will make one's stay that much more special and entertaining. The following are just some of the most famous hotels that offer views of the Pacific Ocean.

One of the most famous hotels in Seattle is the Edgewater Hotel. From here, one can book some of the most luxurious accommodations in the whole city of Seattle. The views from this hotel's rooms are absolutely stunning. Not only is the location one that offers a beautiful view but it is also one that is only a mile from Seattle's downtown area. Thus, one is able to have the best of both worlds: They can stay in for a peaceful stay near the water and can head down to the hustle and bustle of the downtown area when they want a bit of action. This hotel is unique in that it has floor to ceiling windows and carved totem pools that visitors won't soon forget. In fact, staying at the Edgewater Hotel is like staying in a whole new world: It truly is a way to get away from it all! With pine furniture, flannel bedding that is soft and beautiful, and working fireplaces, this Hotel is sure to give guests some much needed rest and relaxation.

If you are looking for a hotel in San Diego that offers superb ocean views, then you should consider the Ocean Beach Hotel. This San Diego hotel deal is conveniently located to everything one's beach loving heart could ever desire. The views from this hotel's rooms are out of this world, and it makes spending time at the beach easy as pie: it's literally a walk outside the hotel's doors. This hotel is located next to a beach that is well known for being beautiful as it is known for having a small town feel to it. Thus, the people out and about are friendly and the area is family friendly because it is watched by lifeguards. The water itself is divided between swimming and surfing / boogie board zones, and this makes experiencing the beach that much easier and enjoyable. For people who want to get away from it all, they will love the Ocean Beach Hotel because it is nested in between residential neighborhoods but still close to many restaurants, surf shops, and to the Pier.

If one is looking for a Pacific Ocean viewing hotel in Portland, Oregon, then the Sea Gypsy Hotel is definitely a great choice. Here, there are ocean front suites, luxurious rooms - some even with kitchens - and beautiful luxuries like an indoor pool and sauna. Here, users will be able to experience Portland while staying near the ocean's edge. This hotel provides the lowest beach access in the city. This is a great hotel to frequent if you want to experience a calm and relaxing stay near the beautiful Pacific Ocean. After all, nothing beats watching a sunset over the Ocean from the comforts of your room. Not only this, but the rooms are made to be comfortable: the dcor is beautiful and the rooms come with a WiFi, DVD players, and cable television. Thus, after a long day spent running around on the sand or swimming in the water, guests can return to their rooms for some rest and relaxation.

If someone is heading to San Francisco and wants a hotel with views of the Pacific Ocean, then they should consider the Best Western Lighthouse Hotel! Located just minutes from San Francisco and right on the beach, this hotel will seem like a resort at half the price. The beautiful hotel restaurant and cocktail lounge coupled with such amazing luxuries as the hot tub, heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and steam room, ensure that guests will feel like royalty while staying here. The ocean-view rooms are stunning, and each rooms come with free WiFi, beautiful accommodations, and daily complimentary newspapers, among other extras. This hotel is not only conveniently located to the beach but also to San Francisco's airport, amazing stores, restaurants, and galleries.

San Francisco Hotel Deals is a blog dedicated to bringing San Francisco Travelers the latest hotel deal and promotion from their favorite hotels. San Diego Hotel Deals brings latest San Diego tour info and hotel deals to blog readers.

Home Security Books
Structural Engineering Books

Solving Issues With Crawl Spaces Under Your Home

First major issue is circulation. The circulation in this case, typically because there aren't many pored floors in crawl spaces is the circulation can cause mold to grow faster in a tight, dark, moist environment. Simply installing a fan to pull air out of the space and outside can solve a few issues, but it can also create quite a few.

By pulling air through the space you can coax the moisture to, through capillary action, pull more moisture through the foundation. Or when the fan isn't running, you have a direct leak for dense humid air to gather in the craw space via the fan duct. There are systems out there that you can research to find solutions to circulation. However, there is a more permanent solution to crawl spaces' moisture issues.

Encapsulation is a process that takes a high density vapor barrier (one much less permeable than a Vapor Diffuser which most contractors use on the above grade house construction.) and actually wrapping the walls and the floor in it. Essentially locking the moisture under the barrier where it can then be directed to a Sump Basin and be ejected from the house using a sump pump and discharge line.

Encapsulation, depending on your desired outcome, can be designed as either a moisture lock out or a functional storage space. By adding sub flooring under the high density Vapor Barrier you're ensuring moisture flow to the sump as well as creating a more stable floor in which to cause less friction with the above Vapor Barrier. If it's going to be a high traffic crawl space, with much moving and storage on a regular basis, then a second sheet of Vapor Barrier can be installed on top of the encapsulation to add extra strength. If someone wanted to add yet more sub flooring on top of the vapor barrier, which could also be an option.

Jacob Lee - pioneer basement - http://www.pioneerbasement.com

Preventing Wood Window Damage

How to Sell a House Fast in a Declining Housing Market

Minor Home Improvements that will Sell your House

When the housing market is declining and you want to sell your house it is more important than ever that your home look the best it can. Though making sure your home is clean, organized and uncluttered are critical factors in successfully selling a house; making some minor home improvements can also be key. Painting, fixing crack tiled floors, gluing down curled vinyl or linoleum floors, refinishing wood floors, replacing old exterior lighting fixtures, trimming shrubs around the home exterior, eliminating old ceiling water stains from previous roof leaks are just a few of the ideas. All of these minor home improvements can transform an older home into a new home with limited costs and time.

Paint Interior Walls
If your interior walls are looking shabby with marks and dents, and old nail holes then fill in the holes and repaint the walls. However, make sure you do a quality job by taping all trim first and cutting carefully around the ceiling. Nothing can hurt the appearance of a room more than a poor paint job.

Fix Cracked Tile Floors
If you have tile floors in your homes entrance way and kitchen, make sure that you have fixed any broken tiles prior to attempting to sell your house. These are two highly visible and important areas of your home and poor flooring in these areas can make or break the selling of your home.

Glue Down Curled Edges on your Vinyl or Linoleum Floors
If your vinyl or linoleum flooring was put in after your kitchen or bath cabinets and appliances were installed, chances are there has been some curling at the edges of the Vinyl or Linoleum flooring. Apply some glue underneath the curling edges and press the vinyl or linoleum flooring back into place. You will need something heavy to hold down the edges while the glue dries.

Re-sand and Refinish your Wood Floors
If you wood floors are in rough shape then re-sand and refinish them. Quality wood floors can be a real selling point in a home. Scratched up wood floors, however, can be a real turn off to potential homebuyers.

Re-Paint the Ceiling to Eliminate Water Stains
If you roof at one time had a leak, make sure there are no ceiling stains. If there are, then repaint the ceiling. Ceiling paint is very inexpensive and can be easily applied with a roller and a couple hours of work. Leaving ceiling stains visible to potential homebuyers invites questions about your roofs integrity. No future homeowner is interested in having to replace the shingles on the home as soon as they move in.

Update your Exterior Home Lighting
If your home is at least 5 years old and your exterior home lighting is made out of brass, or brass plating, chances are that it is dingy and faded and quite frankly an eye sore. Again, outdoor entrance way lighting is one of the first things a potential homebuyer sees. Installing two or three exterior lights is relatively inexpensive compared to delaying the selling of your home in a declining housing market.

Trimming Exterior Shrub
If your homes front exterior shrubs are overgrown and swallowing up your homes front exterior then pull out the trimmers and aggressively remove the overgrowth so that the homes front exterior can be seen again.

Power Wash the Exterior Siding
Make sure there is no mold and dirt visible on your homes siding. Use a power washer and a proper detergent to remove any mold and mildew on the exterior of the home. Nothing looks worse to a potential homebuyer than to see a green sheen running up the homes exterior.

With these minor home improvements, and pricing your home right to begin with, you can dramatically increase the chances of selling your home quickly. It is important to note that a potential homebuyer usually makes an impression of your home in the first 8 seconds of seeing it. Thus, it is critical that the homes exterior, entranceway, and key rooms look as good as new before they show up at your door.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes and is a licensed real estate agent. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Home Organization Books
Home Plumbing Books

Finding Mold Killers

In order for a solution to be a worthwhile mold killer you need two important parts to stop mold growth. The first key ingredient is taking away the food source. The second important factor is changing the molds living environment. In order to be a categorized as mold killers the solution will change the DNA makeup of the mold and change it's local environment. In order to complete both, a great solution is encapsulation to develop a safe shield on the surface.

The system of developing a shield will destroy mold spores and block enzymes from growing back. while in the shielding phase the solution kills mold spores and block future reproduction. This clear surface changes the food source by not allowing the organisms to eat from that surface and killing black mold at the same time.

Many of the markets cleaners do destroy mold to a degree. An issue occurs when there is not future prevention. Thousands of Residential Mold Removal companies have been using mold killers and blockers to prevent future problems for the business and clients. A great mold killer for the famous black mold that we commonly see is about killing and preventing.

Forget about bleach. Although, bleach is a great cleaning product for the house. Bleach is harsh and full of chemicals to the point where they are more toxic than mold spores. The best mold solution to use is an organic product that is safe to use around your children and home. Not many products on the market are doing this because of the technology and possibly long term profits.

I believe if you clean mold and block it's future growth there may not be such a profit for companies. A speculation and you can come to your own conclusion. As a cmc certified microbial consultant is is always a must for my family and i to use a mold killer and block that is safe and organic to use around.e used.

If you have a bigger mold problem do research on finding a Mold Inspector and Asbestos Consultant. They will be a great resource for your family and offer sound advice. Think about a safe shield solution if you have a smaller amount of mold in the house or commercial space. Also, educate yourself on the mold symptoms so there is a better understanding of the mold spores and the effects to the system it can cause.

Markus Skupeika

Finding new solutions for mold and mildew removal. Great listing of sites and cleaning products for the fellow mold sufferers.

Mold Removal Information and Products
Mold Symptoms

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

Smoke Damage - Home Repair Advice

Smoke, a harmful mixture of chemicals and toxins, is dangerous to your health and your property, and adds to the damage done to your property as the result of a fire.

Inhaling smoke is very damaging to your health, which is why fire departments help vent smoke from buildings.

Once the fire department has put out the fire and vented the building, their job is complete, and there is often a large mess left behind, including discoloration and corrosion of materials as well as pungent odors that may be difficult to eliminate from your home and belongings.

At this point, smoke restoration companies should be called for professional help. This clean-up job requires special tools and knowledge to prevent further damage and to restore the property.

The extent of smoke damage and the ease with which it is cleaned away is often based on the type of smoke in your home: wet, dry, protein and fuel-oil.

Wet smoke comes from low heat and is difficult to clean. Dry smoke results after a fast burning fire at high temperatures. Protein smoke is invisible, but discolors varnishes and has an extremely foul odor. Fuel-oil soot smoke is a result of a furnace malfunction.

Before the restoration professionals arrive, there are several things you can do to start the smoke removal process. Immediate action is important since many items in your home can be damaged by smoke, including electronics, clothing, upholstery and draperies.

First, open windows and turn on fans, if possible, to air out the home and begin to eliminate the remaining odor. This can also help dry out your carpets and other upholstered items that may have been water damaged by extinguishing the fire.

These tips will speed up the restoration process, too:

Do

• Brush off or vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Discard open food packages.
• Take clothing to a laundry specializing in smoke damage restoration.
• Wipe residue from kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
• Relocate pets to a clean environment.

Don't

• Attempt to wash walls or paintings because improper techniques could do more damage.
• Use electrical appliances until cleared to do so by the restoration professionals.
• Use ceiling fans because they could short circuit if the ceiling is wet.

ACCORD Restoration specializes in clean-up, repair, restoration and rebuilding after fires, floods, storms or natural disasters. We offer reliable, 24/7/365 emergency services carried out with expert craftsmanship.

To learn more visit http://www.accordrestoration.com/

Electric Dryer Gas Conversion Ki

Remodeling Off a Cliff

Recently people have been spending big money for remodeling and using "resale" as an excuse to spend outrageous amounts of money. But if you have to sell your house in today's market it could be a loser's game.

Many people are actually refinancing their homes to do the remodels and going into serious debt to pay for the work. They are essentially financing the remodel for significantly longer than most trendy improvements, i.e. granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

This leads us to our first rule.

1. If you have to refinance to pay for the work, you can't afford it.
2. Clean up. It's a lot of work, but worth the time. Clean, orderly homes always resale better.
3. Get rid of junk. When I have my houses for sale there is nothing sitting on the floor or impeding traffic flow even in the closets.
4. Remove wallpaper and put up soft neutral paint inside and out. Modern buyers do not like wallpaper.
5. Pay more attention to street appeal than interior decorating. Cute houses resell better and faster than other houses.

This last point...the one about street appeal...is the biggest one you need to have on your side if you need to resale fast. How your house looks from the street matters more than your interior. If buyers don't like the outside they won't even come in to see what you have done inside.

If you own a house that has no street appeal in a good neighborhood you might have a great chance to make money even in a slowing real estate market.

But how do you get street appeal?

It is tough. Just ask all the builders who are stuck with inventories of unsold homes. Street appeal is a moving target. Here are some strategies and recommendations.

1. Try to improve the landscaping pushing it out enough to frame the house rather than hiding it.
2. Make a nice wide path to the door.
3. Paint and use more than one color.
4. Make sure all colors work together including the roof.
5. Add some rock.
6. Frame out windows.
7. Stay true to the architecture of the house both inside and out.

You can no longer just throw a house up for sale and expect it to be easy. You have to work at it. Those first days the property is on the market can never be done over. Do your homework and don't put your house on the market until it is ready.

Clean it up, price it competitively and make it the cutest house on the block. Don't follow all the remodeling gurus along with the crowd right off a cliff.

Paula G Stone and George R (Ron) Stone have a note buying business. Their company buys mortgage notes as well as helps home sellers offer owner financing to sell their home fast and for top dollar while selling the private mortgage note at a simultaneous closing. Learn more about note buying and selling at Selling Mortgage

Buying A Functional House

Motorized Shades - Primary Benefits

1. Convenience. Raising and lowering a manual shade is easy enough if it is not too big. But if the shade is very large or there are 2, 3, 4 or more shades then it becomes more difficult and more time consuming. The convenience factors of motorized shades are important for several other reasons listed below.

a. Maximizing Views. Having motorized shades mean the difference between seeing a beautiful sunrise/sunset or missing it. Stunning vistas are rarely missed when opening or closing shades is as simple as pressing a button.

b. Security. Motorized shades can easily be set on a timer so that when guests are away from home for an extended period of time, shades are raised and lowered at various preset times. This gives the impression that someone is living in the house which deters would be thieves.

c. Conserving Energy. The heat gain from sunlight through windows during summer months is a major burden on air conditioning. The convenience of motorized shades makes saving energy much simpler. Preset timers obviate the need to remember to raise or lower shades for energy saving purposes.

d. Protecting Furniture, artwork and flooring. The sun's rays can do damage to interior furnishings, causing fading, cracking or warping. The convenience of motorized shades makes protecting furniture, artwork and flooring much simpler. Preset timers are also useful in this regard.

e. Many Windows and/or Large Windows. As the number and size of windows increases, the case for motorization becomes increasingly compelling. Some walls of windows are 20, 30 or even 60 feet in length which makes motorization a practical necessity.

f. Hard to reach windows. These skylight windows, second story openings or windows blocked by furniture or other obstructions are why motorized shades were first conceived. Obviously, these factors are still relevant today.

2. Child Safety. A shocking number of injuries and deaths result each year due to cords from manual window shades. The window shade industry's "Child Safety Month" is intended to address these hazards with safety clips and consumer awareness. The best solution is no cords at all, which is possible with motorized shades.

3. Unsightly Cords. Aesthetically, cords detract from the clean look of a window opening. Multiple shades mean multiple cords, pooling on the floor when fully open. Motorized window shades means no more unsightly control cords and open, clear views through windows.

4. Less Wear and Tear. Tangling and unfamiliar 'user abuse' to shades are the most common causes of service calls. The control mechanisms on manual shades, if used frequently (see convenience factor above), will break and can be costly to repair or replace.

5. They are cool! Functionally, motorized shades make a lot of sense and aesthetically, they are definitely preferable to manual shades. Let's not forget that they also have an impressive WOW Factor!

The author, Gavin Sword, is an owner of Automated Shading - New York Motorized Shades The company offers Motorized Shades in New York, Florida, (Miami, Naples, Tampa, Orlando), New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Stepping On Ceiling Plaster

More Great Benefits of Article Marketing

Online marketing is a very competitive world. The way you have any chance of competing online is to generate as much traffic as possible to your website. Driving traffic to your site is the only way your business will ever flourish. Traffic insures a high search engine ranking and that is what your site needs.

There're a lot of methods or strategies you can utilize to get the traffic you need to your site. Traffic can be generated from paid advertising free advertising or even recruiting affiliate marketers to bring in traffic to your site The most effective methods require payment. You can also generate traffic without spending a dime. One of the best ways to generate traffic is by writing articles. How does writing articles improve your online business?

Here are a number of ways to increase your business by writing articles.

Write good articles with solid content, share them with the world. You can put your articles on your site, you can submit them to directories for publication ezines or other websites. This gives you more exposure for your articles and can build more traffic to your site. When you write an article you can include a link to your site in the resource box. You can drive a lot of traffic by publishing your articles People turn to the web for information and if you can provide it to them, they will find your site.

Having your articles on other sites gives you free exposure of your website. Avoid using your articles to make a pitch, Just make sure you include a link to your site in the resource box. By writing informative, educational and entertaining articles, you are establishing a solid reputation for your site. This is far more effective than conventional advertising in most cases. Articles give you a great opportunity to pre-sell your product or service to your potential clients.

Create a special page on your website for your articles. You should include your main keywords in your article so they will be search engine optimized. Once your new content has been uploaded, it will soon be indexed by the search engines, boosting your search engine ranking. Keep in mind that producing SEO content is the key to success in online business.

Rather buying or trying to build reciprocal links, submit your articles to other sites or article directories. One way links are more important for establishing link popularity. Make your articles are of high quality so you can to make sure it is widely published.

Making sure that your website utilizes all the right keywords will insure that your search engine ranking increases. Keyword density is very important to your search engine ranking. Make sure to work keywords into your content without spamming. Your key word density should be between 1 and 3 percent.

If you write interesting and relevant articles you will develop more exposure to your website and establish yourself as a credible source of information. Your visitors will trust your opinions based on your recommendations and you should see an increase in sales.

After you publish your articles you should receive positive feedback and testimonials. You can then use the positive feedback as a promotional tool for in your advertising campaigns and on your web site. Testimonials are great for building your reputation and will make a good impression on prospective customers. When you write useful, relevant content, you should harvest the rewards of increased traffic and increased income.

Terry Day is an Internet Marketer and Author. He is also an International Hall of Fame Photographer. He has been a Master Photographer and member of the Professional Photographers of America for 30 years. You can sign up for his free photo tips and view a portfolio of his work @ http://www.photographylessoncenter.com

Success Through Failure

Success and failure are more closely linked than most people realize, and the fear of failure is the main reason most people never achieve success. The key point here is achieving because everything worth having must be fought for. There is nowhere for the fear of failure in the heart of a successful person.

What is success? The answers would vary like the colors of the rainbow depending on whom you ask. One person will tell you money and another will say achievement you could have either one and be successful or both and not be. Success is a state of mind closely linked with happiness, satisfaction, and personal perspective. One persons success might be another persons failure.

It amazes me where I came from, and how my concept of success has changed almost one hundred and eighty degrees. My concept used to almost be entirely focused around the attainment of large sums of money as being the measure of success. Now I realize that money is just a tool that helps to further propel real and lasting success. Success my friend is the consistent action of making a positive difference in this world, for your fellow man, and giving more than you take.

Think for one minute about some of the greatest people from history, the ones you remember fondly. They weren't all rich were they? They might have been great leaders, artists, philosophers, scientists, or prophets but they all had something in common, success. The kind of success that only comes from action produced by a focused alert mind. The path a person chooses in life is entirely up to them and that path either leads one step closer towards a personal best or drifts deeper into a lonely abyss. We choose our level of success or failure, and it is never to early or to late to get started.

Follow your passion, live your dream, there is only one life. Dreams are the roots of reality in our lives, and the deeper they are the greater. Our reality can become. All things happen first in the thought world and are then acted upon to produce reality. So in reality our dreams are the fuel that our futures are propelled with. I for one would rather have rocket fuel than wood or coal. Some folks just cannot handle the g-force of a rocket as for me I want to go fast and far. With that analogy in mind, which of the two will be for the greater good of this world?

There is no greater enemy of success than becoming comfortable with life just the way it is. Life itself is ever in motion just look at the world and observe the motion. Not to paint a dark picture but a look what happens to the little fish that stays in one places to long. The same happens to our dreams when we hesitate or refuse to act on them they are swallowed up by time. I am sure you have had a great idea then sometime eventually seen your idea on the market. The person responsible for bringing the idea to market acted upon their thoughts. Opportunities come and go so taking decisive immediate actions are essential in every aspect of success.

Failure is not necessarily an enemy it is the testing ground for success itself. Our failures serve to produce the mindset that will propel us toward achieving our goals. Become comfortable with the idea that things will not always go right and even when they don't it will be easy to find value in the experience.

Fill each day with thoughts of success no matter the clouds that may loom overhead because the sun will always shine again.

William Muncrief

"The pinnacle of success is only reached by the daring souls that have the courage to climb it." William Muncrief 2009

William blogs at http://www.williammuncrief.com

How To Hire An Outdoor Kitchen Designer

With the popularity of outdoor kitchens soaring the demand for designers has also increased. A reputable contractor will help you design an outdoor kitchen, as well as provide a drawing, and free in-home consultation.

A typical project starts with the designer and homeowner sitting down and discussing the requirements of the project. The designer then suggests tips and draws a brief plan. Construction commences once the owner is satisfied with the design and the budget.

Whenever you hire a contractor to build an outdoor kitchen, either in full or a part of it, make certain the prospect is a certified building contractor with experience. A homeowner should ask for references and photographs of completed work.
The fees of designers vary and depend on their reputation and the size and scope of your project.

Most designers now also use computer remodeling to formulate a design which best describes your project. In computer remodeling a designer would sketch a brief outline of your patio and put together different components so that a image of the project is created. You can at any time ask to change dimensions or change the look or color of the outdoor kitchen on the screen. Once an image has been finalized, the outdoor kitchen can be made as per the blueprint.

Finding an outdoor kitchen designer is easy. Try browsing your local yellow pages or directory. Another popular way is to go online and try any one of the various free contractor matching services available. Most contractors also have their independent websites where you can get their contact information.

Before contacting a contractor / designer try browsing for some pictures and get an idea of different outdoor kitchen design styles available in the market. You could then incorporate these ideas into your final design.

Mike Lombardy is a freelance writer and a hopeless barbecue addict. He provides tips and advice for homeowners to build outdoor kitchens and outdoor kitchen islands. His numerous articles offer money saving tips and valuable insight.

Get Out Of The Rut And Back On the Track

Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions" of your business from day to day? Has the excitement gone out of your daily routine?

What happened? Remember way back when you began doing this? You were excited and enthusiastic about what you were going to do. What went wrong? Where did the excitement and enthusiasm go? More importantly, how do you get it back?

Of course, this may be a signal that it is time for you to make some changes or to "move on." On the other hand, maybe you just need to get back in touch with why you are doing this in the first place.

If you are in your own business, it may not be possible to move on, so you'd better learn ways to bring back the excitement. There is nothing more depressing than to see a small business owner (or employee) who has stopped enjoying their work. These are the people who sit in their stores or offices just waiting for the day when they can retire. They feel "stuck," unable to get out. They have lost their zest for living.

Are you one of these people who are just going through the motions? This is surely a "death rattle." Your life is too important to let it slip by, living a life, as Throeau said, of "quiet desperation."

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How can you put back the zest? For starters, go back to your original business plan or personal journal and re-read the reasons you embarked on this business or career in the first place. What were your goals? You must have been excited back then.

Are these reasons still valid? Do they still ring true for you today? If they do, get back in touch with the "feelings" you had before. Sit quietly and mentally "go back" to that time. Feel the feelings you had then. Get the juice going again. Relive the experiences that led you to this place. Rekindle the flames you once had.

If you have drifted from your original purpose, perhaps you need to re-think why you are doing this now. In the case of your own business, maybe you need to change or modify your original direction. This could be as simple as offering a new product or service, something that gives you passion. Perhaps you could open new markets or venture into exporting to get your juices going again. Do something that puts the joy back in your day. Paint your store! Change your tie! Perhaps all you need to do is delegate some of the tasks you dislike and concentrate on doing what you love.

Complete this simple exercise. On a sheet of paper, answer the following two questions:

1. What I really enjoy about my work/business is that I... (This could be that you have the opportunity to travel to interesting places or meet people or help others, whatever you enjoy most.)

2. The real benefit to my customer from my work is...

I know a building contractor whose attitude toward his work changed when he changed his perception from that of simply a contractor to realizing the real benefit of what he did was he helped people turn their dreams into reality. This had a major impact on his self-esteem.

Sometimes, I run across a store that still has one of the old signs that read: "Through our doors pass some of the finest people in the world. Our customers." Maybe it's corny but I can't help but feel special in a place like that.

If you are going to a job today just because you went there yesterday, you are in a danger zone. You deserve to be enthusiastic, excited and even ecstatic about your livelihood. Sometimes you have to re-create that feeling.

Remember the words of the late Norman Vincent Peale who said that what happens to us is not nearly as important as how we interpret what happens.

Live with passion!

2004 Jim Donovan PO Box 1147, Buckingham, PA 18912 (215) 794-3826

Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.JimDonovan.com

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