Pondless Waterfalls Exposed

Why are waterfalls so popular? Could it be the symphony of sound produced as the water cascades over the rocks? Or maybe it's the mesmerizing sparkling dance of the water as it splashes its way to the pond. Amazingly, the major attribute of a waterfall is not what you can see or hear. In fact, its greatest attraction does not involve the five senses at all; yet, it makes the greatest impact. What does? Negative ions!

You will find this same characteristic at the ocean shore. How do you feel as you stand on the beach - relaxed, calm, peaceful, tranquil, and yet exhilarated? Do you feel the anxiety, stress and worry melting away? Why is that? Is it a result of watching and listening to the waves crashing on the shore? Yes, this gives pleasure to the senses, but the source of well-being is derived from breathing the air at the ocean and around waterfalls.

The friction of the ocean waves slapping the shore and of water running over the rocks of a waterfall releases negative ions into the air, and your body responds positively to the negatively charged air. You may have heard of ion generators for the home or office. Another great source of negative ions is a thunderstorm. Have you noticed how fresh and exhilarating the air is just prior to, during and following a thunderstorm? This, too, is the result of the same process.

The best way to enjoy this healthy, relaxing and stress-relieving phenomenon is to own a back yard waterfall. A waterfall alone is not that expensive compared to a pond. In addition to the construction costs, there is usually a considerable amount of long-term maintenance and upkeep involved with a pond. Another factor is meeting all the city, county and state building codes that are related to ponds. Some of the issues involved here are set-back, depth, fences, special gates, engineering, door alarms, and supplemental homeowner's insurance covering the added liability.

So, is there a solution to all this? Yes, I discovered a way to solve most all of these issues back in 1984. A client wanted a waterfall in his front yard. So as to eliminate all the liability issues a pond creates, I decided to eliminate the pond, replacing it with a covered catch basin. This design would eliminate the possibility of a drowning hazard for children or pets. I called it a "child-proof waterfall."

In the early nineties, flat rubber roofing material became popular as a pond liner and, several years later, someone adapted the liner to a basin pond waterfall and called it a "pondless" waterfall. But the major drawback to using liners is that they are susceptible to leaks from many sources: sharp objects, animal claws, rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, chipmunks, tree roots or heavy rocks that eventually stretch and rip the liner. Even a pin hole will produce a leak that amounts to five gallons in 24 hours.

A properly constructed concrete waterfall will last for decades and never crack or leak. Concrete waterfall shells only cost ten to fifteen percent more, depending on the size. In many cases, when comparing smaller water features, the concrete construction was actually cheaper.

If you are interested in a temporary or short-term waterfall and need to eventually move it, a liner is the best route to go. Otherwise, I recommend concrete construction. You should make sure it is 3500 psi with stealth fiber added and reinforced with rebar 8-10" on center. The concrete shell should be sealed before placing the rocks and applying Thoroseal, which prevents lime leaching and leaking. (This product is sold nation-wide.) After following these basics, you will have a waterfall that will give you decades of pleasure.

Warning: stay away from sump pumps! They are not energy-efficient and create extra maintenance. Use an out-of-pond pump (centrifugal); they operate on sixty percent less energy and have triple the warranty. Sump pumps were never designed for extended use and only last one to two years. Plus, you need to continually lift them out of the pond to pull the leaves and debris from the intake.

The rocks of a rubber-liner waterfall are loose, resulting in a hazard for unsuspecting children (or adults) climbing on them. With a concrete liner, the rocks are securely mortared in place, keeping the shell covered up. With liners, the rocks can easily shift, exposing the unsightly liner. Last but not least, do your homework. Google "pond liners vs. concrete" and make your own decision.

To ensure the best results in creating your water garden, take your time, plan it out, do your research, ask many questions of professionals and you will increase your chances of ending up with a trouble-free, backyard vacation resort.

For a limited time I am offering my Pond and Waterfall Construction Manual ($249 in bookstores) for only $39.95 in a pdf format. Purchase now at: http://www.watergardenauthority.com/Waterfall___Pond_Constructi.html

Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of well over 1,900 waterfall and ponds in CA (26 years). Author of "Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual" and developer of the "Water Feature Digital Design Library 4.0" Free downloads, no sign in- http://www.askdoughoover.com

Bathroom Remodeling Problems

Solar Shingles - A Solar-Powered Roof

With the rapid advancement of solar power we are now seeing new products enter the market containing "integrated solar panels".

For example, solar shingles. Essentially, these are ordinary roof shingles which are made out of photovoltaic materials. They perform the same function as ordinary roof shingles, with the added capability of producing electricity.

The advantage of these thin "solar panels" is that they can now be integrated right into one's building materials - so instead of having solar panels on your roof, you would now have a solar roof.

Aside from being more desirable from an aesthetic standpoint, this also eliminates the need for bulky and heavy "traditional solar panels" to be installed.

How are Solar Shingles Made?

Advancements in solar power technology, such as the inventions of solar ink and other combinations of semi-conductors, have made it possible to combine or include photovoltaic materials in with a wide range of other products and materials. Solar cells no longer need to be made out of bulky heavy-weight silicon panels. They can in fact be printed on just about any type of material - such as metal, plastic, and others. Researchers have even found ways to produce organic photovoltaics, though that is at the moment still in a purely experimental phase.

Benefits of Solar Shingles

- Attractive style

- Fully integrated shingle roof

- Lower electric bill

- Free electricity

- Pollution-free power

- Increased home value

- Protects the environment

- Exceptionally durable

- Great investment

- Significant state cash rebates available

- Federal tax incentives available

Costs and Financing

To be honest, right at this moment solar shingles might still seem expensive to some, but as any new technology develops its products become cheaper with time. However it does appear that the cost will be considerably lower than installing a comparable set of conventional solar panels. In one recent example, the entire cost of a home solar shingle installation was approximately $16,000, with a $12,000 tax rebate. This brought the entire cost to only $4000. That's considerably lower than the usual cost involved in installing a home solar power system - but one has to keep in mind as well that the cost of tiling or shingling a roof is covered at the same time. These are, after all, shingles as well as solar panels.

Clean energy cash incentives and tax rebates are available at a federal level, and most states also have a clean energy or sustainable energy source rebate program. This, combined with energy savings, does make them affordable, and will in most cases pay for itself over time.

Learn more about How to Install Solar Shingles.

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Why Your House Needs Timber Roof Trusses

Timber Roof Trusses are essential for building most houses, particularly in the western world. In the early days of construction, roofs were flat (often because of dated construction methods), which were easier and cheaper to produce first and foremost. However at later dates it did lead to roofs collapsing due to natural events (rain being a big problem on flat roofs, for example), or general wear and tear.

One way to combat this is with creating slanting roofs. These can either be done by purposefully building one side of the dwelling 6-8 inches taller on one side than the other, then you will have to slide one side up a bit. This is fine in essence, as the structure will be stronger. However, it is still not incredibly strong, and there still could be a danger in the roof collapsing.

Ideally the best way is to use a reinforced structure, such as a truss. Trusses aren't part of the main construction of the building, instead they sit securely on top of the construction. Roof Trusses are a foundation on which the roofing material is laid upon, and are usually triangular in shape. Most houses have 3 or 4 of them, so to provide support as well, giving a faux prism effect.

The trusses give the roof structure, a strong structure, particularly against the elements. Reinforced strategically placed beams mean that the chances of the roof collapsing during a heavy rainfall are none. Furthermore, it reduces repair bills should they ever need replacing, as only one needs to be replaced at any one time.

So what do you need to make roof trusses? Well, roof trusses are either made out of timber or steel. Which one you use depends on the size of your building. For most houses, trusses made out of timber would suffice, as timber is strong, lasts for a long time, and a little durable under the conditions. Furthermore it's an insulator, so if it is struck by lightening, then it'd be safe. Therefore for your build, we recommend timber roof trusses to ensure that the project is affordable.

For your construction project, we recommend Aber Roof Trusses to supply your timber roof trusses. They are one of the leading roof truss manufacturers in the UK.

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

How to Profit from a Concrete Roof Tile Business

Concrete Roof Tile Business:

During the 2004 summer season, storms plagued the United States. Damages from the Hurricanes in Florida alone sent resources in the southern states scrambling. The shortage of qualified roofing professionals and supplies were felt immediately. Roofers from all over the United States began hunting down supplies and heading south. There were also many people who saw a roofing business opportunity and invested in roof tile businesses.

Concrete roof tile has gone through some evolution over the years. Initially, the tiles were large, like sheets of corrugated roofing. The composition for the size did not hold up well, and lasted only about ten years. When the tiles were made smaller, it was found that the roof tiles held up twenty plus years and were tougher than the larger sheets.

Another benefit of concrete roof tile is the ability to stain them, giving them the aesthetic flexibility that consumers want. Their durability and ease of installation are both benefits. Concrete roofing tiles provide great protection from heavy rain, hot sun, and strength. You can also be assured there is little risk of your tiles blowing off in high winds. The tile's size and composition are resistant to breakage as well.

Concrete roofing tile can be produced with a small shop and small investment. This is an industry that is being used all over the world. Typical start up costs, not including land and buildings, can cost around one thousand dollars. Equipment can be purchased from hardware and concrete shops locally, or online. Supplies and mixes can be obtained the same way.

There are typically two types of concrete roofing tile, both of which will require some learned skill to produce effectively. The first type is the fiber reinforced concrete tile. As the name implies, tiles are reinforced with sisal or coir fibers. The second type of tile is made with no fibers at all. These are known as micro-concrete roofing tiles.

Quality control will be an important issue when producing roofing tiles. Micro-concrete roofing tiles will require a great deal of care and precision during the entire process of production or sub standard tiles will be produced. The standards for fiber-reinforced tiles can be produced with slightly less rigorous attention to detail, but you still want a good quality tile to make it to the roofer who buys them.

Equipment requirements are actually minimal, but should be selected carefully for quality. A tile vibrator machine, moulds, plastic sheets, batching boxes, a water curing tank, and a table to work on are about the essentials. Your supplies should include sand, water, and cement. The sand should be of the best quality, having a regular grain-size grading. Make sure that the grain size is not too silty, as this will provide sub standard tiles.

Once you learn the techniques of producing good quality tile, you will be able to market your tile to local roofers and hardware stores. Working on your sales pitch will be important, especially defining the benefits of concrete roofing tile. The benefits of concrete tile are easy to explain and should make for a great sales pitch to perspective clientele.

Concrete roof tile production can also lead to concrete roof tile repair. If you have roofing experience, you will be ahead of the game. Installing concrete roofing tile is no more difficult than most other roofing materials. Always have extra tiles on hand to be able to assist with repair jobs.

A concrete roof tile business is ideal for someone willing to make the educational investment. Most of the time involved will be in learning to produce good quality tile. Once you have established your techniques, you should have no trouble in selling your tiles on the roofing market!

Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as Mattress Cleaning Business, Selling Vitamins from Home and Medical Billing from Home.

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

What Are Aluminum Roofs? Learn the Benefits of Aluminum Roofing Here

Your roof is extremely important. Whether you plan on keeping your home or selling it, the type of roof that you choose can impact your home's overall worth. But what is the best roof?

Many homeowners choose aluminum roofs for a variety of reasons. If aluminum is on your list, it will help to know a thing or two about metal roofing material. This article aims to educate homeowners (and buyers) about the good and bad aspects of aluminum roofing.

To find out more about aluminum, steel, tin, or copper roofs, take a look at all of the information listed below - you'll find out that this material is really quite versatile.

Aluminum roofs look great on nearly every style of home. From bungalows to historic homes, metal roofing really enhances the beauty of any structure. This appearance is further enhances by the fact that aluminum roof panels come in many different styles including cedar, slate, and standing seam.

Aluminum roof shingles can also be found in numerous colors. Most metal types of roofing are light weight, durable, and then tend to have a lifespan of up to fifty years - this is excellent news if you don't want to replace your roof every year! In addition, this type of roofing is relatively low maintenance.

What about the environment? Aluminum roofs are environmentally friendly too, which means that they'll fit in with your current lifestyle. Of course, there are a few drawbacks to metal roofs as well.

These drawbacks include the fact that metal roofing is hard to install, it can be expensive, and it might need a few paint touch-ups now and again. So, there you have it - everything you ever wanted to know about metal roofing. Now, the only thing you have to do is figure out whether or not this type of roofing is the right option for your home.

Take the time to compare all types of roofing. Ask for estimates, speak with contractors, and read all you can get your hands on. When it comes to choosing a roof that will cover your home for many years, it pays to really know what you are purchasing beforehand.

Not sure about aluminum roofs? Well, take the information listed above, and compare it to different types of roofing that you are considering. You'll soon find that one type of roof will stand out above all the others....

Want to get more facts about roofing, be sure to visit the authors website at Metal Roofing Guide.

Want to learn more about roofing? Be sure to visit the authors website where you will find FREE information about metal roofing and even find local contractors- Click Here.

Exterior Wood Beams

Fixing a Hole in Your Wall Home Repair Video

Great video on how to fix a hole in your wall .

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 has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Gregs Videos
Crisis In Christianity

Emergency Roof Repair - Six Tarping Tips

If you're looking for "Emergency Roof Repair" information, you've come to the right place. Here are some pointers for tarping your own home.

1. First off, you need some good tarps. If you are in an area devastated by a hurricane, look for a FEMA assistance trailer. They may be able to get your home tarped for you. If not, they might have tarps you can use to do it yourself. Although they have been criticized in the past for various things, I WILL say this about FEMA -- they have HEAVY DUTY tarps. They probably pay $800 a piece for them and chose them after a five-year multi-million dollar study, but they are really good. Try to get those if you can.

2. The problem with most of the cheap blue tarps you get at the home improvement stores is that they just don't hold up very long in the sun and wind. It may be months before you can get a new roof. Go for the heavy-duty ones or you may find yourself doing this emergency roof repair twice.

3. Wood battens will help to secure the tarps in place. The size to get is 1" x 2" and they come with or without pressure treating. Either one is fine. Get enough so you can run them VERTICALLY about every four feet apart from the eave to the ridge. Don't run the battens horizontally if you can help it, as that tends to trap water that can get in at the nail holes.

4. You will also need nails to hold the battens on. Although a framing nail gun makes short work of this emergency roof repair, a hammer and eight-penny common nails will do just fine. Drive the nails about two feet apart and keep them at least a foot away from the valleys.

5. Don't tarp any more than you need to. Areas that have been tarped usually need to be re-roofed because of all the nail holes through the roofing. If only the back of your home is torn up, just tarp the back. But you do need to make sure the tarp is "counter-flashed" to make sure water can't run under it. That means tucking it under the roofing or running the tarp all the way to the ridge.

6. A word to the wise... Some tarps are slippery to walk on and especially treacherous when wet. Plan your work so you can avoid walking on them as much as possible. You should also be tied off to the roof with a rope and harness. If you can't do it is safely, don't do it. It's better to wait for FEMA or a roofing contractor than risk life or limb.

For more emergency roof repair information, check out "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. It can make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes.

For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

How to Not Pay a King's Ransom to Heat Your Home This Winter

It's no secret that the stock market and government bailouts are top news stories. The housing market is a mess, just read my latest posts of "The Home-Improvement News". Have you even looked at the price of home heating oil lately?

Unfortunately, fall is here once again and it's time for everyone to figure out just how they are going to afford the high cost of fuel this winter. If you don't like paying for gas at the gas pump, you had better sit down before you take a look at your home heating bill.

Needless to say, heat is expensive and it doesn't matter if you're using natural gas, oil, electric or propane, it is still very expensive. Fuel oil is the highest priced way to heat your home, but the other options are not cheap either.

So to ease the burden we have compiled for you a list of several things that you can do to help keep the cost under control. Listen, you have a choice, come spring you can either be in over your head or laughing all the way to the bank - the choice is yours. Here's the list,

1. Keep your furnace in good running condition: Newer heating systems are built to be much more energy efficient than older ones and you can save up to one third on the price of heat by installing a new one. If you don't want to replace your furnace or simply can't afford to right now, at least make sure that it is firing on all cylinders by having it cleaned and serviced, doing so will make it much more efficient. You can also check into a service agreement from your fuel provider to keep your equipment in good shape.

2. Seal any cracks or gaps: Check for any drafts that might be in your home. Use caulking and expanding foam to save up to fifteen percent on the cost of heat this winter.

3. Install a self programmable thermostat: This way you can lower the temperature when you are away from home or asleep. By having a self programmable thermostat you will not have to remember to set it yourself. This will save you money also.

4. Make sure windows and doors are sealed well: You can lose as much as twenty percent of your heat through old windows and doors. Storm windows or insulation kits which you can purchase at your local home center will help reduce heat loss.

And don't forget to make sure that your door's weather stripping is also in good shape. And, are your floor sweeps worn and letting in air? If so, replace them. Remember to seal up any cracks or spaces around the windows and doors as well.

5. Use ceiling fans: Ceiling fans help to circulate the air in your home, but did you know that they can also be used to blow hot air down from the ceiling in the winter? Most ceiling fans even have a switch that will reverse the direction the blades spin to help in moving the warm air downwards.

6. Change filters: If you have a forced hot air system, always make sure that you have clean filters.

7. Insulate, insulate, insulate: Install quality insulation in the walls and ceiling with a high "R" rating. It may be expensive but the savings on energy will more than pay for itself in the years to come. You can lose up to twenty percent of your home's heat through poor insulation.

It's no secret that the cost of energy will probably go through the roof again this winter. Don't wait to jump on the band wagon, make sure that you are well prepared.

Scott Becker has been a handyman since 1993 and has been involved with a vast array of home repair and improvement projects. For more articles like this and lots of other free information you can visit his blog at http://youronlinehandyman.com.

Stucco Stain From Roof Leak

Home Loan Credit Repair

Repairing your credit before you get a home loan can be a very good idea. The reason is due to the fact that lenders will use your credit score to determine the interest rate for your loan, which will ultimately determine your monthly payment.

They will use the middle score of your three scores with the leading credit agencies, Equifax, Transunion and Experian. The first step to begin your credit repair efforts for a loan is to see exactly what is bringing your scores down.

It is different for each person and the main reason that you want to take a good hard look at each item on your credit report. Some examples of negatives that cause low scores would be collection accounts, recent late-payments, judgments and repossessions to name a few.

Another little known factor that can hold down your credit scores that can be fixed if you would be the balances on any open revolving credit you may have. Revolving credit is the same as credit cards and if you are to close to your spending limit, it hurts your credit scores.

Carrying a balance that is close to your limit is one the factors that is taken into consideration when calculating your credit scores and lowering your balance to below half of your available can quickly boost your credit scores.

In reference to the other negatives on your credit report, the best place to start is to challenge them with the credit bureaus, the burden of proof is on them when it comes to verifying that the accounts are accurate and correct. If they cannot verify this information they must remove it from your reports.

Visit do-it-yourself-credit repair or credit repair services to learn more on raising your credit score 200+ points to get approved for car, home and credit card loans.

Upside Down Electrical Outlet

How To Tile - 5 Top Tips For Preparing A Wall Surface For Tiling

For anyone who is learning how to tile, here are five easy tips on surface preparation that will help you achieve a professional finish.

Tip 1: Tiling Over Tile

Use a tile scriber to score tiles in both vertical and horizontal lines. This will help the new tile to stick to the old one. Also use an adhesive specifically designed for use when tiling over existing tiles.

Note: it's usually best to remove existing tiles. If you tile over tile then the wall thickness is affected; consider the impact if you are tiling right up to door edge. Finished result is so much better if you remove old tiles. It really is worth that extra time and effort.

Tip 2: Tiling Over New Plaster

Ensure wall is completely dry. This can take ten to fourteen days. Always check manufacturer's instructions.

Tip 3: Cement Backer Board

For a strong, highly water resistant base cement backer board is an ideal choice. Ensure any exterior wall is insulated first. Fill all seams with wall adhesive or silicone caulk and tape with fiberglass mesh tape. Use backer board screws if you want to secure to metal or wall studs ensuring screws are flush.

Tip 4: Ensure Surface Is Smooth

Remove any residue such as glue, putty, paint or any other material that could affect the correct laying of the tiles. Repair any cracks with appropriate filler. Allow to dry completely before laying tile.

Tip 5: Ensure Surface Is Clean And Free From Dust

Thoroughly clean the wall surface that is going to be tiled. If necessary, use a suitable detergent. Allow to dry completely before you begin tile laying.

Make no mistake about it, learning how to tile will be a lot easier if you get your surface preparation right.

Get it right first time, learn how to lay tile with this set of instructional videos from a tiling pro.

Discover how to achieve a professional finish when grouting tiles.

Save hundreds of dollars by learning how to tile using the top tricks of the tiling trade.

Moisture Barrier On Crawlspace

Pur Water Filter Characteristics

There is no alternative for pure drinking water. Its life, its essential. Where pure water means life, intake of polluted and dirty water can bring about death. This has given rise to the emergence of so many water purifiers in the market.

The necessity of pure drinking water is obvious. Recently specialists have found out in many ways that the even water we use should be pure enough to protect us from various skin diseases and skin cancers. Keeping this in mind PUR has initiated a number of products- each of them designed uniquely for their designated purpose. The PUR products can be classified as below:

1. PUR faucet mounted filters: these 3 stage water purifiers are very easy to set up with the sink. They are available in 12 attractive designs and can purify up to 100 gallons of water, straight from the tap.

2. PUR pitchers and dispensers: these are specially made for drinking water, and available in 4 pitcher like design. These filter water in 2 stages making it 99.9% safe to drink.

3. PUR replacement filters: for every type of filters PUR provides replacement filters, available in affordable packages.

4. PUR counter top and under counter filters: under sink and counter top filters available in 4 different easy-to-use designs and useful features.

5. Portable PUR filters: these filters are very handy to carry to any journey or camping. PUR call these the hikers collection. They are cheap and designed differently according to the purposes theyll serve.

The most important thing that is available with every PUR filter is an automatic monitor gauge which tells the user the time for replacing filters. In fine, PUR has checked all the possibilities to ensure pure and safe water for our drinking and also for our daily use, which makes it undoubtedly the trusted name in safety.

Rezwanus Samad is enthusiastic about innovative health care products. He has his own pur water filter website where he writes and discusses about the characteristics pur water filters, the effectiveness of pur water purifiers and Benefits of Pur Water Filters

Drywall Repair - How to Make an Extra $300, $600 and More Per Week Specializing in Drywall Repair

If you have been a house painter for very long you have undoubtedly come into some form of drywall repair on every interior painting job. As a matter of fact, if you don't get good at mastering drywall repair, your painting jobs will not be as professional as they could be.

In this article I want to reveal how small drywall repair jobs can mean big profits for you. I am talking about making $350 to $500 on average for just 7 - 10 hours of work. Each job is different of course and may turn out to be just a $200 repair or maybe a $1,500 repair.

The fact is that when it comes to drywall repair people always call someone to do the work. As a house painter I know that most people think they know how to paint and the keyword here is "think". But when it comes to things like drywall repair they go running home to momma.

And this is why you can make good money doing small repair jobs like plumbers and electricians do. The things that most people are unskilled to do themselves are simple and easy for us that decide to specialize in them.

Some people have the money but lack the time and would rather have someone else do the work anyway. 99% of the time though, people just don't know the trade. Drywall repair is a secret art. As for the ones that attempt to repair their own drywall themselves, the job always turns out lousy.

Where is the target market for getting business? The answer is residential, light commercial, rental properties, etc. As a house painter you can be limited to a higher end market if you wish to earn professional painters wages. But no so with drywall repair. Your market can be low end to high end simply because of the tremendous profits in smaller jobs that most people can afford.

Most of the time you get calls from people when they have water damage. Sometimes it is from reckless teens roughhousing. I had one job where bees ate a hole in the ceiling. I would say that 95% of drywall repair is from water damage and half of that can be from bad plumbing, a leaky shower that needs to be re-grouted, etc. A leaky roof is usually the other reason.

Sometimes you can get jobs hanging and taping small projects like a garage or part of a basement. You don't have to take on these bigger projects though. Many times people want to sell their house so they are motivated to fix their walls or ceilings finally.

You may ask yourself, if drywall repairs are so simple how can I get good at doing them? First, You need to learn how to duplicate a few common textures, which is easy once you figure out which tool was used to make it. You will also get repairs for common drywall holes of all sizes, which includes plaster (thin set and lathe). And you will need to know how to repair loose tape seams.

And believe it or not, that's about all there is to successful drywall repair. These techniques are hidden to the public but easy for you and I. If you ever have seen what homeowners try to do to repair their own drywall you will know instantly that this is an easy profitable business.

Here is the amazing part. Most drywall repairs that I see look awful. Yet the homeowner seems happy with it. The job looks like someone came in and slopped a little mud on the ceiling and left. Yet the repair guy ran off with something like $200 and the homeowner for some odd reason usually thinks the job was done O.K. I have seen this too often.

On a serious note though, doing good professional looking work at affordable prices will give you tons of referrals and repeat business. If you can learn the basics of proper drywall repair and even do a little touch up painting afterward you will do just fine. You can indeed earn $30 - $70 per hour due to the nature of the work.

How can I get business? Shopper guides, classified ads in places like Craig's List, local online ads, small Yellow Pages ads, word-of-mouth, etc. Why should I start a small drywall repair business? Is there a big future in it? Yes for two reasons. First, self-employment is becoming the new work force and secondly, home repair will always be with us.

Who can do this type of work? Anyone who loves to restore things can do well. People who are gifted at home repairs, house painters, drywall, etc. Anyone who learns a few secrets to successful drywall repair.

Lee Cusano has owned his own painting and drywall repair business since 1991. He has also helped many others to start their own business with his "Paint Like a Pro Estimating and Advertising System". Lee's system also includes a bonus drywall repair manual. Lee offers a free report called "How To Quit Your Day Job This Week and Double or Triple Your Income". To get it please go to http://www.Painting-Business.com

Can You Help Us with Your Remodeling Experience

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below.

Home Theater Books
Building Handrails Books

Be Master of Your Own Domain!

Owning a domain is necessary when marketing on the net. Being master of that domain, lending it one's personality in terms of a website, is critical.

Bottom line...Google does not like replicated websites!

Shocking, but true!

Most people join some MLM program, and are either given...or buy...the splash page. Now the time comes for making money! Right?

Wrong!

What distinguishes that website from every other website in that MLM?

Nothing!

Most self replicated websites do not even have a proper meta tag, nor keywords...one of the most essential ingredients in successfully marketing a site to the search engine spider.

Is there a way around this?

Of course! Simply purchase a domain...being very keyword specific in that domain...and build a website about the program desired...then it is ready to be promoted.

A very simple procedure, but most never consider that option.

Buying a domain is simple, inexpensive, and makes the entire marketing procedure much more likely to be successful. It is absolutely essential from a marketing prospective to go through this process. If one is to be successful at promoting a website on the search engines, the essential ingredients must be in place.

Thought for the day..."Be Master of Your Own Domain!"

http://butchhamiltonsbestdomains.com

Butch Hamilton is an SEO|SEM Specialist. Living on the internet has become a way of life...a succesful way of life. His talents for obtaining top positions on the search engines have led him to the point in his life where he has always wanted to be.

"Life-What a Ride!"

Says Mr. Hamilton, "Writing has always been my passion. Gone are the days when I placed blatant ads on the internet for exposure. I have found my life's work in writing articles.

Reliable and credible information is what the internet is all about to Butch Hamilton. His experience as a self employed building contractor...steel fabrication...has led him on an incredible journey.

He now resides in his beautiful home in Texas with his wife. Writing is the passion behind his successful promoting ability on the net.

Butch Hamilton's Quote: "What we think-is what we become."

http://butchhamiltons-search-engine-optimization-services.com
http://butchhamiltonsbestdomains.com

Green Construction Periodicals Keep Up To Date

The mere idea of green construction, much less the practical application of the philosophy is fairly new. The field is evolving quickly which means periodicals are a good way to keep up with it.

The green construction movement has become well established in the United States and Europe. One sign of this growth is the number of magazines that are devoted to the subject. One such magazine is Green Source - The Magazine of Sustainable Design. The new magazine is a product of McGraw-Hill Construction and is targeted to the over 40,000 architects, interior designers, building owners, and members of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Environmental Design + Construction is another magazine that is directed toward architects and designers and that addresses green construction issues. There are articles concerning research issues and current design trends. There are reviews of various products. You can find out about the latest environmental issues that impact green construction.

Green construction is certainly a modern concept. This is reflected in the large number of online magazines and newsletters that are devoted to it. EcoIq is one of these. It is an online journal that claims to be dedicated to a future that works. Environmental Building News is a monthly news letter that gives unbiased information on green construction. You can check them all out to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field.

There are two very popular green construction magazines published in Canada. Green Living is dedicated to the lifestyle. It is aimed more at consumers than at the builders and designers. It gives information on all of the environmental choices that we are going to be facing in the future. Healthy Living is the other magazine and it is from the same publisher and stresses the healthy aspects of green construction. In keeping with the totality concept of the green lifestyle even the pages of these magazines are made from glossy tree friendly paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

These are just some of the periodicals and online publications that are being produced to capitalize on the popularity of green construction. The issues that are raised in these periodicals are of great concern to a wide variety of readers. Builders and designers are kept informed of the newest trends and research, as well as the newest environmentally sound products. The consumer is able to follow this information also, but can take it further. They are able to learn of how these environmental concerns influence the health and well being of their families. Although none of the periodicals have made it into the very top tier of magazines, the day is coming when one of them will move into the best seller list. Green construction is still a rising star on the horizon of the American landscape, and before long a magazine will come along to catch the imagination of the public.

Zack Verde is with GreenBuildingCompanies.com - providing green building articles.

Dangers Using Wood Stair Cleats - New Stair Construction

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

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

What Causes Attic Odors And Stra

Chocolate - Once Believed to Be the Food of the Gods is a Great Gift For Any Occasion

The cacao tree (botanical name Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods") was an important part of the Myan and Aztec royal and religious cultures for centuries. Christopher Columbus is credited with introducing the cocoa bean, the main ingredient in chocolate, to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon his return in 1492. Initially, chocolate was primarily enjoyed as a drink and was so expensive to produce, it was available only to the wealthy. By the 1800's, with the invention of the cocoa press, mass production, and processing techniques, the old coarse grained cocoa was replaced with a smoother textured cocoa creating the solid chocolate similar to the chocolate we enjoy today.

Chocolate was brought to the colonies in North America in the 1700s and has grown to become a major part of American culture. Chocolate enhances the flavor of almost everything. It covers nuts, pretzels, fruit, jellied candies, cookies, donuts, we dip it, we sip it, we serve it hot, we serve it cold, we add it to coffee, tea, cereal and protein bars. The variety of chocolate items available makes it a number one choice for gift giving. A elegantly packaged box of chocolates is an appropriate gift for almost any occasion with the largest percentage of boxed chocolates being sold for Valentine's Day and during the months of November and December.

The variety of chocolate items also makes it a wonderful choice for gift baskets. Several different boxes of chocolates can be combined with a box of cocoa, fudge, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate covered pretzels to create a gift basket that will please almost anyone. You'll find chocolate in some form or other in many themed gift baskets. It may be a chocolate scented candle, chocolate covered espresso beans or chocolate covered jalapeno chips. There's a chocolate for every taste.

One great feature of chocolate is that in its semi-liquid state, it can be poured and cast into any shape. Seasonal representations, like roses for Valentine's Day, bunnies for Easter, and Santas for Christmas are common. Chocolates imprinted with company names are being used to promote businesses. The imprinted chocolate may be a simple as a candy bar or may be somewhat creative. A software development firm may choose a chocolate CD imprinted with the company name as a promotional item, while a building contractor may choose a set of chocolate tools.
An elegant box of imported chocolates makes an impressive warm call gift or a thoughtful thank you for a referral. When you think gift, think chocolate.

Marie is the owner and chief designer at Laurel Mountain Basket Company, the New England gift basket service voted "Best In The Valley" by the Valley Advocate Readers Poll 5 years in a row and chosen amoung the Rave Reviews! Top 100 for 2007. Visit her at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com

Framing Wood Shower Pans - Bathroom Remodeling

Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.

If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.

Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.

The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.

Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.

After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.

Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when framing shower pans during the house framing process.

Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.

Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.

You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at Home Inspection Help

Patio Pavers

Any Advice Will Be Helpful

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Home Remodeling Books

Effective Goal Setting For Busy Moms

Have you ever been frustrated with goal setting? As busy moms, some days we barely get through our daily to-do list. Who has time for long term goals?

Yet amidst all the family activities, I have found a way to set goals that works.

Every August for many years, I have attended a fantastic personal growth seminar called Mastermind Summit. Although top notch speakers like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn have been highlights, it's the goal setting session that has impacted me the most. Now that I'm a busy mom with two young children, goal setting is very centering. It helps me see what's really important to accomplish and what can be abandoned if necessary.

Here's how you can create effective goals for the year ahead, no matter how busy you are:

1. Plan a goal setting time every year.

Maybe you want to set goals in December for the New Year. Or you can set them in August to correlate with the school year and get your kids to set goals with you. The important thing is to establish a regular ritual of goal setting that you won't forget. Maybe you want to plan a weekend getaway on your anniversary and make sure that one hour of that weekend is committed to goal setting. Create a fun ritual that you and your family will look forward to. Be sure to celebrate past accomplishments every year with your family.

2. Set goals in five areas of life.

The five areas are: personal, spiritual, business, financial and family. Following are a few examples to help you brainstorm:

Personal - to lose 10 pounds, to exercise at the gym twice a week, to learn how to play the guitar Spiritual - to read through the Bible in a year, to attend a spiritual retreat

Business - to increase sales by 10%, to find a freelance job for 5 hours a week

Financial - to save $2000, to make a budget for Christmas gifts

Family - to take a vacation to Hawaii, to help my child learn the 50 states

3. Make sure your goals are specific.

For instance, don't make a goal to "exercise more." Instead say "I am going to exercise twice a week." Now you have a measurable goal. You will know whether or not you accomplished it.

Even as busy moms, we can set goals that move our dreams forward. Effective goal setting starts with keeping it simple and specific. Keep growing alongside your children by setting personal goals for yourself and reaching them!

Moms, want to lose your baby weight once and for all? Get results in one breakthrough month called "Losing Weight After Baby: 31 Days to a New You" Listen for just 5 minutes a day at your convenience and enjoy positive changes like smaller dress sizes and more energy. Try it risk free at http://www.LosingWeightAfterBaby.com

Installing Skylights Tactics

Del Mar Deck Construction Building Help

Working in the construction business for over 30 years and listening to homeowners, tell me how fortunate I am to have the ability to work on my own home. It kind of makes me feel good to hear them praise me and when I have completed their project, they usually are extremely happy with how it turned out. I've been listening to this for years and came to one conclusion, anyone can do what I do, with the correct information.

I was building a deck and a homeowner and his son were there constantly, watching me work on the project. They would ask if they can help and if there was anything they could do, they would like to learn the deck building process, so one day they could build their own decks. Most of the time, they were in my way and slowed me down. I finally got to a point where I had to asked them if they could watch from a distance, because I was starting to run behind on the project. It was starting to cost me money to educate them. I just didn't have time for this and there was no way, that I wanted to hurt their feelings or make them mad at me.

They agreed and at the end of the day, would have a couple of questions for me. I told the father, that I would bring him a few books on deck building and he could keep them as long as he needed. Him and his son were more than happy to accept my offer and the next day, they were nowhere in sight. At the end of the day as I was putting my tools away, a homeowner and his son approached me and thanked me for loaning them the books, but they were done with them. The son explained to me, that they were going to purchase some of their own books on deck building, because mine were a little out of date.

To make a long story short, I finished the deck, got paid and went on my way. A few months later they contacted me and asked if I had time, can I come over the house and look at the new deck, that they built next to mine. I said I would be glad to, and would be there tomorrow evening. When I arrived at the job site, I couldn't even get out of my truck, the father and his son were waiting for me in the driveway and directed me to drive to the back of the home.

There new deck was about 10' x 10' and matched the one that I built pretty good. They did a great job and after I told them, what a wonderful job they did building the deck, they were like two kids in a candy store. It seemed like, I had just made their day and it made me feel good, and that they felt good.

Sometimes building a deck or home repairs can be performed like a professional, with a little bit of help, from the book.

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 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.