House Remodeling 101 » Information

Chair Library

Simon — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:18:39 +0000

Know how to arrange your library room? Here how. Your Chair Library is just but perfect for book aficionados. Your photo albums and well-loved scrapbooks may also join this chair-turned-shelf those Big and bulky hardbound such as Encyclopedias and the like may all take the shelf space on the walls but the most wanted reading collectibles have the privilege to “sit” with their collector.

Safety, Always a Priority

Simon — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:04:30 +0000

Having your home renovated? Incorporate more efficient lighting fixtures and electrical appliances to save on electricity. It also eliminates the risks of old appliances and wiring catching fire. Old plumbing fixtures also need attention, making sure they are free from major rust and pipe problems, newer plumbing fixtures and pipes use the latest coating technologies leaving them virtually rust-free and maintenance free for many years. Multilayer pipes insulate and save on water heating bills, they also have slick Teflon coated insides preventing particle build-up lasting form many years but can be more expensive. Heat sensitive alloys that use special bonding technologies result in leak-proof joints, taking advantage of aircraft technology for their longevity.
The modern home is a product of technological wonders, even wood has been rendered almost indestructible to the elements and pests, for the better for a home should last and last in good shape at that.

Annual Home Inspection

Simon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:04:13 +0000

There is wisdom in getting your home inspected every year or so, which identifies and detects problems before they become worse. Life in a home is a never ending race against decay which starts from the home is constructed till before it’s occupants decide to move on, some homes lasting longer than others. There is also a very real cost to living in a home, that being maintenance is part of the home’s life-cycle where in you are most likely to have a major re-make of the home every five years or so, depending on how well the home was constructed. Old materials crumble, necessitating replacement with more energy efficient counterparts, appliances break-down and they are replaced, hopefully replaced with more efficient and environmentally friendly ones to help save the earth. A home is only as well as it is made and that makes itself known after a few years of living in a house, after it has become a home lived in, as all homes should be, becoming a part of the family (in a sense).

Going Solar, Simple and Free Energy

Simon — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:57:54 +0000

Solar power is quickly becoming one of the easiest way to retro-fit existing homes onto the green revolution of today. They can come in customized forms with panels specifically designed to maximize your roof or in kit forms that are easy enough for the DIY worker to install. The technology has advanced to the point that the cost of solar panels have gotten down to a level where they can compete with grid-supplied power, without the bill of course. They can easily be installed onto roofs with supporting hardware that comes complete with all the parts needed for an effective installation.
They can supply power in DC which can be used with the addition only of a power regulator to supply power for DC powered devices. For AC needs, an inverter is to be added to convert the battery power in DC to AC making it usable with almost any appliance that can be handled by the inverter. Another of the budding technologies are wind turbines which would be suited for areas with high winds but do not get much in terms of sunlight. There seems to be a green technology suited for most of our needs, where ever we may be, and life is indeed getting a bit greener day by day.

DIY Wisdom – Dust Masks, Eyes and Ear Protection

Simon — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:05:43 +0000

When you wish to engage in dusty jobs, dust masks are an essential to prevent your lungs from suffering the fruits of your labors, it can also save you a trip to the ER. Wood dust, plastic dust and fine particles can be harmful to your lungs as well as vapors. They also come in many types, from the cheaper disposable ones to ones specifically designed for acidic, caustic or other purposes. If you see a lot of dusty jobs in the future, better get one of those re-usable ones that you can replace the filters of depending on the type of job or particles you would be exposed to. They are quite cheap and will last almost forever for the filters can be replaced easy due to their cartridge construction.

Eye protection is also a very important area to focus on, with general purpose ones readily available at your local home depot. From eyeglass type to full-face masks that offers protection from debris, say when using a table saw or planer. They are usually made of polycarbonate plastic that is shatter-proof and is almost similar to the ones used as blast shields or bullet-proofing (think that’s too much, consider a drillbit spinning at 5,000prm and it snapping, flying off into your face).

Another good investment is a good pair of ear plugs or muffs if you prefer for power tools can generate quite a lot of noise. Planers, drills and other electrically powered tools can produce a lot of ear drum splitting sounds so do get them. What good is a nice patio if you can’t hear anything after you’re done. They come in simple foam, disposable ones to more reusable rubber plastic compounds that can be washed and used over and over again. More tips on safety for the weekend warrior in the coming posts, so you save in your home renovation and prevent accidents at the same time.

DIY Wisdom – Gloves, What You need to know.

Simon — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:00:55 +0000

Since America and mostly the whole world is becoming a thrifty society, everybody seems to be on the DIY side of life which saves in terms of labor and other costs allowing you to decide on the quality of materials and many more aspects of the DIY life. With DIY comes well needed understanding of the many secrets known only to the tradesmen. People seldom pay attention to the nuances of house remodeling till they get deep into the process when they see for themselves what the whole process is all about. Life as we know it, evolves around certain skills that makes civilized life possible such as the work done by the many handymen out these who are all too willing to do the dirty work for us all.

The tools as we have discussed in one of our previous posts is an essential requirement for proper DIY and over emphasizing on safety gear is one of the most important to remember. No use in saving a buck when you need to spend a hundred or so in the ER due to an accident. Gloves are an essential for the home, they come in several types for all types of jobs. Light and thin ones for light jobs and even surgical type ones for painting and simple jobs. For masonry and other heavier jobs, you need either goat-skin or cow-hide (real or treated) for utmost comfort and protection from the rigors of DIY work. Thick rubber ones are needed for jobs that require handling caustic or acidic compounds such as muriatic acid(household hydrochloric acid), the household part shouldn’t be trusted for some can be industrial grade and thus very much dangerous.

Stay away from accidents

editor — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:30:16 +0000

One of the most important aspects of remodeling your home is making sure that you are following all the safety precautions as you go about your remodeling. One very important tips is to have children and pets stay away from any work area, as they may be exposed to harmful fumes from paint and the like, as well as risk sustaining injuries from work tools. It also pay to wear the appropriate safety gear like work gloves, safety goggles, dusk mask and hard hat. These protect you from cutting or injuring yourself. Make sure that all your tools are stored properly, especially the ones with the sharp and pointed edges. When using power tools, make sure that you read the manual first so you know it’s proper and safe use.

DIY Wisdom – Tools

editor — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:32:05 +0000

A DIY warrior is as good as his tools and this is true for it may not only be your work on the line but the safety of everybody within the home. Cheaper isn’t always better so strike a balance between economy and quality so you get the best value for your money.
A ladder is one of the most used tool in the house so invest in a sturdy one with proper rungs and accessories available to maximize use and safety of course. READ all safety labels and warnings on tools, equipment and materials so you don;t get injured and it would also be a very good idea to have a well stocked medicine cabinet or first aid kit within reach.

Choosing A Carpet 2

Simon — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:58:01 +0000

Image Source: carpetinfo.co.uk

One other thing you ought to think about before buying a new carpet is the amount of time you can spend cleaning it. Can you make time for cleaning it once or twice a week? Can you give it a thorough cleaning every semester? Carpets are prone to catching dirt, dust, mold, dander and other allergens. They can also house fleas from pets. Periodic cleaning keeps your carpet looking good and keeping the least level of allergens. Pick a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Types of Inspection Done During Renovations

Simon — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:15:37 +0000

Image Source: fema.gov

It is a wise move for a homeowner who is renovating to have his house inspected before letting go of his money. It is good to have an independent inspector who will review the completed remodeling per your construction specifications. He will check both the
workmanship and totality of the job done.The number of inspections to be done on your renovation job will depend on the financing scheme agreed with the lender (this is especially true with big projects). But in general, two compulsory inspections will be done to the site while renovations are being done. Local Inspection is usually done at the end of a construction phase like after completing the plumbing system. Inspectors will determine whether the job done, adheres to building codes and other local government requirements. Should the job done fails inspection, then it needs to be corrected and a follow-up inspection will be required – which also entails a re-inspection fee. It is imperative that you, as the owner will be around during these inspections and re-inspections so you can ask questions. Lender’s Inspection. If your renovations need bank financing, this lending company will require an inspection. They will come usually at the end of a construction phase to check if the money loaned was indeed used for what it was intended for at the pre approved amount per your construction contract. They do not check for quality just like the local inspectors. They only need to be assured that the money loaned was properly used in the project.