Many people take advantage of home remodeling to increase their home value. They often sell their property quicker and at a higher price thanks to their home remodeling achievements. Many times you can earn $2-3 on every $1 you spend. That means remodeling your home can actually earn you money.

The problem is most people aren’t sure where to start with their home remodeling project. The two most popular areas to increase home value via remodeling are:

Kitchen Remodeling
Bathroom Remodeling

The wonderful thing about these two areas of home remodeling is they aren’t very large in nature. Unlike opening a den where you need to remove walls, a bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling project is done on a smaller scale. As a result, you don’t have to spend nearly as much money on your home remodeling project to make your house look fresh and new.

But let’s discuss some specific projects that will increase your home value in these two particular areas.

Kitchen Remodeling

If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, a good place to start is with the cabinets. That’s because they’re one of the first focal points you notice when entering any kitchen. A fresh coat of paint on any exposed walls also helps. Not only will the room smell fresher, it will look new as well. Other items on your to-do list can include:

New Appliances
Stainless Steel Sinks
New Counter Tops
New Tiles or Backsplashes
Hardwood or Laminate Flooring

Kitchen remodeling can also include new furniture such as breakfast nook tables and chairs, island carts, or barstools. You don’t need to spend a small fortune on your kitchen remodeling project. It just needs to appear visually appealing to potential buyers.

Remember, the newer your home appears, the sooner you’ll sell it at a price you want. Remodeling your kitchen is a cost-effective way of doing just that.

Bathroom Remodeling

Much like kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling also increases your home value. Better yet, the bathroom is even smaller in size than the kitchen…at least in most homes. So if you’ve considered remodeling your bathroom to earn more on a home sale, don’t forget the following areas to update:

Cabinets
Counter Tops and Vanities
Sinks
Flooring and Tile
Tubs and Showers

Home Remodeling Cuts Taxes

Another fact that many people don’t realize is there can be an additional benefit to home remodeling when tax time comes. Here’s how it works:

When you earn money on the sale of a home, you’re charged a capital gains tax. What that means is any money you make over the value of a home can be taxed. However, according to the IRS’s Publication 523, Selling Your Home, you can declare certain improvements you made to a home, like kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling. This can also include items such as:

Additions such as bedrooms, bathrooms, decks, garages, porches or patios.
New plumbing or wiring.
Any new heating and/or air conditioning units.
Interior upgrades such as built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Exterior upgrades like paving the driveway.

Any tax-acceptable improvements are those that add value to your home and prolong your home’s useful life according to the IRS, not you. So check with your accountant who knows IRS tax law to make sure any home remodeling you do will be covered. In addition, be sure you save receipts so you have proof of cost.

Where To Look For Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Products and Services

If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, it’s probably best to get quotes from home improvement contractors to help you with your remodeling project. Most of the products needed for your project can be found in various retail outlets or home improvement stores. However, you can likely save the most money by buying discount home remodeling products direct from the manufacturer.

Remember, not only will remodeling your home make it more livable and enjoyable for you, but any renovations you make to your home will increase its sale price…and maybe save you money come tax time too.

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Plumbing refers to a system of pipes that allows water into and out of a building or a structure. The term itself comes from a Latin term, plumbum, which is commonly known as lead.

Here is a piece of history on plumbing.

The first plumbing systems were installed to get rid of human wastes. In the Indus Valley, which is found in western India and Pakistan, most shelters had assembled drainage for waste disposal by the year 2500 BC. Moreover, a palace on the island of Crete had pipes to supply the dwellers with drinking water by about 2000 BC. The ancient Romans used lead metal for their pipes. In addition, their old systems still have installed iron pipes and older houses have lead pipes for their water and wastes, respectively.

However, present-day plumbing make use of copper pipes for central heating pipe-work and for water feeds. However, the use of modern plastic pipes, brass, and even steel are also slowly taking place.

Why is copper popular in modern plumbing?

Many plumbers and manufacturers have discovered some advantages of copper over lead and iron pipes and these are:

1. Copper costs low as compared to lead and iron.

2. Copper does not corrode relative to iron.

3. Copper is non toxic relative to lead.

4. Copper is easy to work with and relatively soft as compare to both lead and iron.

5. Copper pipes are manufactured in an array of sizes:

a. between 8 and 10 mm – for micro-bore heating systems

b. between 12 and 15 mm – for connections to appliances and individual taps

c. 22 mm, 28mm, and 35 mm – to overcome pressure drop

Moreover, trade outlets may keep stocks between 3 and 4 meters while those DIY or Do-it-yourself outlets may stock sizes between 1.5 and 2 meters.

Below is some information on connectors:

1. Connectors are typically fitted to the size of pipe. The main styles, which cater for needs for pipe-runs are:

a. straight connector

b. connector with 90-degree bend

c. T-shaped connector

Normally, they are made to connect to pipes that have the same sizes or different sizes at each end.

2. Connectors can be made to integrate modern pipes that have sizes in meters to copper pipes that have bigger sizes to outside screw threads such as used on sink taps and/or iron pipes.

The two basic types of connectors used for linking copper pipes are:

a. Compression connectors

These are used as internal rings, which are compressed onto the copper pipe. In addition, end nuts are tightened onto the body of the connector.

These connectors can be reassembled and dismantled easily. Also, if a pipe run is to be dismantled, the end of the pipe can be cut so that the end nut can be removed. Then, the connector can be reused again with a new set of olives.

b. Solder connectors

These types of connectors are made to provide a fit that slides into the pipe that is made of copper. To do this, the joint is usually heated. Then the gap between the connector and the pipe is filled with solder thru capillary action.

There are connectors that assemble a ring made of solder into the body, while others are made of solder and copper and need to be integrated around the exposed gap after heating the pipes or connectors.

Unlike compression connectors, solders are not reusable. They cannot be dismantled and disarranged too.

This article is made to provide you with basic information on copper pipes and connectors. I guess we can leave the plumbing to the plumbers themselves!

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These walls, which rest on a concrete slab in the ground, have alternate bricks missing to allow air to circulate freely and prevent the build-up of dampness under the floor. Solid floors in houses built after 1939 rest directly on the ground. They consist of a layer of hardcore covered with concrete, a damp-proof membrane and another layer of concrete, called screed. The floor covering, tiles or floorboards for example are laid on the concrete screed. Upper floors have boards carried on timber joists, which are built into or supported by the walls. The way in which they are fixed depends on the design of the house.

When floor joists are badly damaged for example, by woodworms or by dry rot they must be removed and replaced as soon as possible. It is dangerous to continue using a damaged floor. Although mot joists are built into the brickwork of the house when it is erected, replacement joists can be fitted using metal hangers. Hangers are made of galvanised pressed steel and sometimes are coated with black bitumen. When the joists to be replaced are on the top floor, it may be impossible to make the repair without damaging the ceiling underneath. In most cases, it will be necessary to resurface the ceiling with plasterboard after the new joists have been fitted. If the floorboards in a room cannot be made to lie flat, the joists beneath them may be bowed or twisted. This fault is most often found in upstairs rooms where the ceiling of the room below has crazed or cracked. The reason for the twisting is usually that the joist timber was unseasoned. Remove the flooring and straighten the joists by nailing struts between them. Fix the struts at the centre of the span of the joists.

If the floor has to be lifted, firstly find out whether they are square-edged or tongued and grooved. Try to push a knife between two boards at several points along the length. If it can be inserted, the boards are square-edged; if the knife cannot be pushed in, they are tongued. Square-edged floorboards can be removed without sawing, provided that both ends are free. Use a tool called a bolster, which resembles a very wide cold chisel. Tongued flooring must be cut free along one side of the board. When the first tongue has been cut, the rest of the floorboards can be removed with a hammer and bolster.

The gaps created by shrinking floorboards cause uneven wear to carpets and linoleum. The most effective repair is to re-lay the board tightly together. Fill the final gap with a length of wood the same thickness as the floorboards. When lifting the floorboards, start close to the skirting at one side, but leave the first board in place under the skirting. If the wood is tongued, plane off the tongue on the edge of the first floorboard when it is removed. To make sure that floorboards butt tightly, cut at least four softwood wedges from wood slightly thicker than the floorboards. They should be at least 18 in. (455mm) long and 2 in. (50mm) deep at their thick end. If the floorboards extend for more than 6 ft (1,8m), cut enough wedges to fit every 3 ft (915mm).

If the gaps between floorboards are wide, say about ¼ in. (6mm) it is possible to fill them with long off-cuts of softwood. With smaller gaps, less than ¼ in. (6mm) a wood pulp made from a mixture of wood shaving and cold glue can be used to fill in the gaps. Bind the shavings to a thick paste and apply to the gaps in the floor using a filler knife.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to flooring-guided.com/ Flooring

Are you tired of your plain old boring metal bed frame? If you’re on the prowl for a new look in your bedroom, make one of these beautiful beds the centerpiece to your bedroom furniture. Whether you lean toward contemporary or traditional style, or somewhere in the middle, a platform, sleigh, or canopy bed may be just what you’re looking for.

For those looking for some modern flair, a new platform bed is a stylish and inexpensive way to kick start your bedroom décor. Platform beds are often low profile and many exude an Asian-inspired aesthetic with clean lines and smooth, sleek finishes. The headboards of platform beds are much different than those of traditional and transitional beds. They are seldom ornately detailed and overbearingly bulky. Instead, they usually have an understated, slim design that melds effortlessly with the rest of the bed. Platform beds save money by not requiring a box spring. They instead use a series of slats that run across the width of the bed to support the mattress.

If you lean toward the more traditional styles, perhaps an exquisite new canopy bed is right for you. This classically inspired bed style was first used in Europe in the 15th century as a second line of defense against leaky thatch roofs. As time went on, they became more and more elaborate and decorative. Today’s styles vary from ornate to simple, and everything in between. Models are available that include a top enclosure and often feature beautiful fabrics and materials.

Those who want something in the middle, need look no further than a new sleigh bed. While early versions of this Empire period creation were overwrought with detail and design, modern day sleigh beds feature toned-down foot and headboards with less defined scrolls. Today’s sleigh beds are less sleigh and more bed, making them an ideal choice to match almost any bedroom décor.

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Acid rinses are most often used to treat yellowing in carpet. There can be many causes of yellowing in carpet. In late 1986 it was determined that many of these complaints occurred when an ultraviolet inhibitor (BHT), which is used in the manufacture of polyurethane carpet pads, made its way into the carpet fibers.

When BHT oxidizes, it produces a yellow compound that can coat the yarns in the carpet pile. The oxidation process is more prevalent when open flame sources (furnaces, fireplaces, open flame cooking) are present. Consequently, this complaint is heard most often in the winter and early spring.

The treatment of choice for carpet yellowing is most often an acid rinse. This process neutralizes the pH created during the oxidation process and will usually return the carpet to its original color.

Even if the yellowing is caused by pet urine, a cleaning with acid rinse will generally remove the offending stain. Of course, it should be followed with a good deodorizer.

Rejuvenation

Proper application of a good acid rinse can do wonders for carpet discolored by BHT or other base chemical compounds. Professional carpet cleaners check the carpet manufacturer’s specifications for this type of process and spot test a small application before rinsing the entire carpet.

It is also crucial that the proper concentration of acid rinses to water be adhered to at all times. The end result can be a carpet with its vibrant colors restored and a client with their happy smile restored.

Both are good for the business of any professional carpet cleaner.

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The importance of kitchen cabinets lies in their utility in storing away your cutlery, fruits, vegetables, and the other accessories that make your cooking a unique experience. In fact, if you remodel your kitchen, you’ll find that the lion’s share of your budget will go in buying kitchen cabinets. Considering their expenses and their utility, you need to do a lot of research to get maximum returns for your investment. Added to this is the fact that these cabinets are going to be an integral part of your kitchen décor for years to come. Look around and you’ll find that kitchen cabinets can usually be classified in two broad categories, contemporary cabinets and traditional cabinets.

Opt for traditional designs if you want an old world charm feel about your kitchen. Their color and finish symbolize an English country flavor. You can choose from the standard colors that include the wine-dark cherry, the warm-brown sturdy oak, and honeyed pine. Most of these cabinets have ornate decorations such as raised panels, moldings, and trims usually applied in layers to give your kitchen a regal formal setting.

Unlike traditional cabinets, the main characteristic of contemporary cabinets is their stark, no-frills appearance. Their no-nonsense look is in tune with the times where leisure takes the back seat and everything is designed to make working simple.

The focus is on an uncluttered functioning that works well with glass shelves and stainless-steel sinks. While choosing between the two, keep in mind whether your home is a modern apartment or a century old house.

Once you have decided between the contemporary and traditional cabinets, it is very important that you check for the quality and craftsmanship of these pieces. As said, cabinets are usually long-time investments, and so you need to do a thorough check. Ensure that the wood is not damaged or cracked. Also, keep in mind that solid wood doors are longer lasting than veneers.

The best way to check out the drawers is to apply some pressure on the drawer bottoms to see if they bend. They will not if they are made of solid wood.

Also, remember to check out the door hinges, slides and runners. The drawers should have side-mounted slides as they allow you to pull the door all the way out.

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Modern mailboxes are made predominately from cast aluminum
or stainless steel, and will give you many years of
reliable service. A stylish, fashionable, modern mailbox
will send a message of superior taste and an eye for value.
A modern mailbox is a safe and attractive way to receive
your mail no matter how much of it arrives at your home
daily, and is suitable for rural or city dwellers. The USPS
has set high standards for rural mailboxes, and you can be
assured that a modern mailbox will meet these rigid
expectations. Accessed through a locking door, you mail
will be kept safe from the elements and you will love the
high quality cast aluminum or stainless steel finish.

You can order a modern mailbox with classic or custom
designs, and in several different color combinations. Your
modern mailbox can be ordered in a post-mounted style for
rural settings, or wall or house mount mailboxes if you
desire. For those in a rural setting, matching mailbox
posts will lend an added touch of class and style. A
modern, classically crafted mailbox will indicate your good
taste and give you a wonderful addition to your home that
will last for years to come.

Modern mailboxes have become extremely popular and you will
be able to find great deals and quick shipping when your
order online. A stunning modern mailbox will endure through
the most extreme weather conditions. Make your mailbox an
out of the ordinary statement of your unique sense of style
and your contemporary tastes. A modern mailbox will be a
great investment and a classic addition to your home.
Shipping is fast and you can have your mailbox, complete
with mounting hardware delivered directly to your door. The
matching mailbox posts are a great accessory that will add
to the appearance of your property and your home.

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Over the last few years, all across America, there has been an explosion (pardon the pun) of gas logs in homes. Gas logs are very convenient. If you have a dinner appointment, you can simply turn the gas logs off and leave for your dinner engagement. If you are using real wood in the fireplace, it isn’t as easy–and it is never a good idea to leave your home if you have a fire in the fireplace; it really puts a damper on a wonderful evening out, to return home to find a big red fire truck in your front yard. I am a Chimney Sweep in the upstate of South Carolina, and I have seen and heard about everything you can imagine.

Like I said, gas logs are very convenient. If you have a power outage, they are a great source of back-up heat. But, if they are not installed correctly or serviced as they should, they can be a pain in the nose. Your sinuses are the first to let you know if you have a problem. According to the National Fire Protection Association, your chimney should be cleaned or serviced yearly; this includes furnaces, and gas logs.

When you first bought your new car, everything was fine when you cranked the engine to drive to work in the morning but, as the car got some age over a few years it started to smoke when it was first cranked; Gas logs are the same way. They need attention just like your car. If you start to see sooting on top of the logs or find soot on the mantel, or worse yet on your hankie when you blow your nose… you have a problem. If left un-corrected, the sooting can get worse and you will be painting the interior of your home (and possibly replacing curtains and carpeting).

Health wise, gas logs that are not serviced can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and/or severe migraine headaches. Make sure that when you are burning vented gas logs, you have your damper open to the fully open position. Un-vented gas logs do not require you to leave the damper open but, I always tell my customers to leave the damper open on the first notch (or about an inch), so that in the event of a problem, smoke can vent out of the living area.

Joe Honea has been the owner of The Chimney Sweeps Inc. for over 27 years. Married to an Italian girl, he has three sons; two who are serving in the military, and one that works in automotive collision repair. They also have two wonderful German Shepherd pups. We have recently opened an online store

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There is nothing more strikingly beautiful than to walk into a room with hardwood floors. The floor can set the tone for the entire room. Scratches in hardwood floor can detract from this beauty. The solution to these scratches may be easier than you think and it does not have to require a throw rug to cover up the scratches.

Causes of Those Unsightly Scratches

Obviously the easiest way to treat scratches in hardwood floor is to avoid getting them in the first place. Dust and dirt can dull a hardwood floor’s finish and cause small scratches. Sweep your floor regularly and use a dust mop to collect the particles instead of simply spreading them around. A canister vacuum is a good investment as well, but do not use an upright vacuum with beater bars on your hardwood floor because it can cause damage to the floor.

Know You’re Finish before You Start

The first thing to consider when you repair scratches in hardwood floor is the type of finish on the floor. If the floor has a wax finish the scratch will penetrate all the way into the wood. A floor with a surface finish is recognizable because the scratch will not have penetrated into the wood. Always work from the outside in when repairing scratches in hardwood floor.

Scratches in hardwood floor with a wax finish require waxing the area thoroughly. For instance, heel marks can be repaired by rubbing a small amount of wax in with fine steel wool and hand buffing to beautiful shine. If the scratch is in a hardwood floor with a surface finish the repair requires a touch-up kit made for urethane finishes that can be purchased at your local wood flooring retailer.

The Area Rug Solution

Sometimes the only solution to scratches in hardwood floor may seem to be an appropriately placed area rug to cover the scratches. If this is the solution you choose, be sure to use a rug with a backing that is safe for your hardwood floor. Sometimes the rubber backing on area rugs can react with the floor finish and cause discoloring to the floor. Wet rugs can also be detrimental to hardwood floors. Remove a rug if it is wet or dirty and be sure the rug is clean and dry before you replace it.

Hardwood floors can be very beautiful and require just a minimal amount of care to keep them looking beautiful. If a hardwood floor is not cared for properly, the damage can be very expensive and laborious to repair. These simple solutions can keep help prevent or repair scratches in hardwood floor and keep your floor looking beautiful for many years.

In many cases, refinishinghardwood.com refinishing your hardwood floors will increase the value of your home, not to mention, adding a style and flair to your home decor while you’re there

Today’s modern metal storage buildings are no longer dilapidated backyard shacks. With construction innovation, your new storage structure can be as sophisticated as your home or business. Store tools, equipment, or documents. A metal building can keep cars, boats, or airplanes safe from the elements. Keep your belongings secure by storing on your own property and not in an expensive self-storage unit.

Metal buildings are usually made of steel and built in arch frame or rigid-frame style. Steel is a combination of iron and carbon. Carbon is added in varying amounts for strength. Steel is a practical building material because it is durable in all types of weather but still lightweight. It is an ideal material for storage buildings because it is also fire-resistant.

Arch framed buildings are a very simple construction of metal ribs, interlocked to form an arch, with paneled end walls. These are a quick and economic choice, but the semi-circle shape of the assembly limits storage. Rigid-frame has a steel skeleton framing with a paneled roof and walls. This allows more room but is not as easy to build as arch framed buildings.

Steel is a better alternative to wood storage buildings due to the durability. Steel is galvanized, so it won’t rust or rot. It is pest-proof and does not require treating for termites. Steel will not warp, expand, or settle. There is even optional insulation for added protection from the temperature. You can feel secure storing important documents and delicate items such as antiques in a steel building. Not to mention low maintenance and no painting required, and many metal building manufacturers issue warranties with their buildings, covering up to 25 years or longer.

Dozens of styles, colors, and sizes make choosing your steel building easy and fun. From simple construction to elaborate details, customize your metal building to meet your style and storage needs. Today’s steel construction is so advanced and attractive, you won’t want to call it a shed. Choose the custom size you need. Buildings can be small for garden tools and the lawn mower, or big enough for an airplane hangar. It can even function for agricultural and industrial uses.

Are you the handy type? There are many steel building kits for you to choose. The kits make it easy to finish building in a weekend. First, pour a simple foundation with materials found at your local hardware store. Next, bolt the precut pieces together and raise them to stand on the foundation. There are predrilled holes to make the process even easier. Finish by putting up the sides and door. You can save money on labor costs and finish your building in a few days.

Metal storage buildings are a worthwhile investment. They cost roughly $15-30 per square foot, depending on the amount of detail. Self-storage units cost up from $50 to $300 per month, and may also charge a deposit and require insurance. Also, access to a self-storage unit may be limited to business hours and there may be no security on premises other than your unit’s lock.

Before you purchase your metal storage building, learn the building codes in your area and comply with neighborhood association rules. Many people choose a general contractor or broker to ensure knowledge of local laws. Lastly, get your deal and warranty in writing.

After completing your new metal building, the final step is to move in!

Copyright (c) 2006

Jessica Deets researches the internet and finds helpful information. You can find out more information about metal buildings at metalbuildingfinder.com metalbuildingfinder.com