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Up until a few years ago, my professional experience was in industries including
retail, energy, health care, and fast food. In 1996 circumstances and opportunity
led me into the manufacturing, marketing, and installation of products used for
Floor Warming, Total Space Heating, Roof Snow and Ice Melting and Snow and Ice
Melting of driving and walking surfaces.
Since three out of the four applications for my company’s products may be installed
into new pour cementitious material like concrete, I quickly determined two things:
first, that anything embedded into cementitious materials is only as good as that
cementitious material; and second, that the long term happiness and satisfaction of
my many of my customers was dependent on the integrity and quality of the work of
others. What I did not know, but I have since discovered, is that not all concrete
work is of the same quality and that while my company’s heating element carries a
25 year warranty, concrete warranties are generally relatively short. As a result of
this discrepancy in horizons, I quickly determined that if I wanted to be successful I
needed to learn more about concrete, its installation, and the preparation required
to insure a high quality job.
Since making that determination I have been fortunate enough to have the
opportunity to observe and evaluate many new concrete pours and examine a lot of
very old, yet still perfectly good, concrete. As a result of these opportunities I have
noted several things that exceptional concrete professionals routinely do and I am
convinced that these things, along with high quality materials, result in superior
concrete projects.
For more information go to : http://www.warmquest.com
Please note that I am not a concrete professional and that my motivations for
writing this article are limited to attempting to insure that:
a) your concrete will look as good as possible and last for many years in the
future; and,
b) if you elect to install my company’s snow and ice melt products, or anyone
else’s for that matter, it is able to serve its intended purpose for many years to
come.
Now for a Few Concrete Suggestions:
Professionals: Always use professionals that have a proven track record and
willingly provide creditable references.
Dry Base: Make certain that the ground below where the new asphalt, concrete or
pavers will be located is as dry as possible. It is recommended that it be covered
whenever there is a risk of a
storm for one to two weeks prior to the pour.
Excavation: Be sure that your excavation is deep enough to accommodate the
desired thickness of the cementitious material, the depth of a sand bed if the
heating cable is being installed under the cementitious material, the thickness of the
insulation, and the depth of the aggregate base necessary for proper drainage.
Compaction: Proper compaction is essential and must be given a great deal of care.
Make certain that the entire area to be covered by the cementitious material is
completely and properly compacted.
Drainage: In order to have proper drainage and to reduce the likelihood of vertical
shifting of the cementitious material, a minimum of 6 inches of high quality
aggregate should be laid over the entire area, plus one foot around the perimeter.
Reinforcement: In order to enhance the integrity of the cementitious material,
reinforcement materials must always be considered as part of the installation.
Examples of reinforcement materials include fibers in concrete, welded wire fabric,
plastic lath, etc.
Insulation: Insulation under concrete and pavers is a two edged sword. On the one
hand, it
acts as a good moisture barrier, reduces the response time of your snowmelt or
heating system, and saves money by reducing operating time. On the other hand,
insulation does not allow
the heat from the ground to get into the asphalt, concrete, or pavers.
Geometric Shapes: Concrete tends to break into a square geometric shape. As a
result I recommend that concrete be poured in square sections no larger than 9.5
feet X 9.5 feet.
Pouring other geometric shapes without additional joints almost always results in
undesirable cracks at undesirable locations. Each square must always have a joint
on each of its four sides.
Jumpers: It does not matter what kind of joint is in the concrete, the heating
element should never be allowed to run through it. Always jumper under or around
any and all joints.
Thickness: I recommend that the following thickness be observed:
Concrete 5 or more inches
Asphalt 4 or more inches
Pavers 4 or less inches
Suggested Mix: A six-bag mix with fiber or steel reinforcement should always be
used when pouring concrete unless the structural or traffic profile requires a
different mix.
I am confident that by following the above concrete suggestions you will be
rewarded with concrete that looks good and lasts for many years. In the event you
purchase a snow melting system and follow the above concrete suggestions you will
increase the likelihood that the heating cable is able to perform for years to come by
reducing the possibility that it will get damaged or broken by vertical or horizontal
movement of the material in which it is embedded.
Larry Lentz
Small changes can have a big effect on how your kitchen looks. Below are 11 decorating ideas that you can do yourself in a day or less. Not only are these simple changes are easy to do, but they are inexpensive too!
1. Afraid of changing your drab white kitchen walls? Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral such as beige or gray which will not date the room or create a jarring palate that you will easily tire of.
2. Brighten up the kitchen. Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.
3. Make seasonal changes. Moving the kitchen furniture into a ’summer arrangement’ can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!
4. Use slipcovers. Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holdiay patters or colors. For a nice summer change use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.
5. Get ideas from the pros. Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. IF you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.
6. Decorate with cookbooks. You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some laying down and some standing. Don’t put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.
7. Warm it up with rugs. Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatching floor. When buying rugs, measure the space so you can be sure to get the right size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.
8. Bring the outdoors inside. Don’t be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.
9. Change your look with accessories. A few strategically places accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Maybe you want to go with a certain theme and you might be able to give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, cannister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.
10. Change your cabinet pulls. Theres so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!
11. Add a border. wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.
Lee Dobbins writes for Kitchen Decorating Ideas where you can find tips to decorate your kitchen no matter what your budget. Visit http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com today and find out more about decorating your kitchen for less!
Home staging is a technique used to dress or stage a home so
that buyers can really see it at its best. In essence what you
must do is make your home appeal to the broadest range of people.
Decide on the best features of your property and work to
highlight these.
- Clear out your valuables, as you are likely to get numerous
visits. - Polish door knobs, handles. - Prune plants that take
up space. Make your home more visible.
Clean the property so it is spotless. This is important and only
takes a bit of effort so don’t neglect this.
- Open up windows, curtains and let in air and light. - Clear
and the bathroom of any items such as toothpaste, perfumes,
cosmetics, etc. - Clean all sinks, baths, toilets floors so it
is sparkling. - Hang up some nice towels and try and co-ordinate
this with the rest of the room. - Use an air freshener in the
bathroom and keep it fresh.
If your room has too much furniture, remove some and only keep
the necessities and some set pieces. Arrange the furniture and
display the best features of the room. Make sure the layout is
easily accessible and spacious.
- Have some nice music playing in the background. - Hang up some
nice pictures or decorative pieces. - Put on the air condition
or heater so the home is comfortable, even if the home is
vacant. - In the kitchen clear out any dishes. - Clean work tops
and remove appliances. Place as much away or in storage. - Have
a bowl of fresh fruit or freshly baked bread to give that homely
feeling. - Clear out any leaves, sticks garbage and clutter
around the exterior. - Sweep patios, decking, pathways etc. -
Remove traces of pets such as hair, droppings & smells.
Use this checklist so you are always ready to implement these
points for your property. You should be able to get your home
ready for inspection within the hour should someone want to
visit.
You are granted permission to reprint/republish this article on
your own Web Site, in your own ezine, autoresponder series,
product, bonus items, or any other format as long as it is not
altered in any way.
Copyright 2004 By InsiderPropertySecrets
Major technological advancements can be witnessed in the shower filters as now they are more powerful, soothing and beneficial. Now, people are in hunt to own best shower filter for their house so that they can safeguard their health and also can enjoy the soaking shower. But it is handheld shower head filter which is heading the list as they are handy to use and also better in comparison to others. Handheld shower head filter is the most flexible shower filter which is attached with array of features and benefits.
They are known to be popular among the women as they love to spend long hours in shower and same goes with the children too. Despite being handy and portable still they are very powerful and easy to use. Handheld shower head filter is powerful enough to eradicate chlorine from the water along with the bad odor. They eliminate the chlorine to almost 98.9% of chlorine and rust from the water. Maximum handheld shower head filters can be increased to the height of 10 inches for further convenience.
Their main USP is that they are very known to be very versatile in stationary handheld positions. Being handy and portable they are highly adjustable and can be used in any position. They are known to be very popular as they thoroughly cleanse the body with chlorine free water. They are also fitted with powerful filter which not only eradicates the chlorine but also removes the bad odor from the water. Their light weight and smooth finishing makes them stand tall among the group.
Handheld shower head filter is very easy to install and its cartridge works from 6 to nine months that too depending upon the water quality. They also have inbuilt sensors which alert you when to change the cartridge.
Now, many handheld shower head filters are equipped with pH balancers which prove to be very beneficial. They have certainly become the necessity of every household as now everyone is growing health conscious day by day. This has led to the increase in the production of handheld shower head filters and simultaneously the boost in sales can also be noticed. Thus, for enjoying the clean, safe and soothing shower and that too without hassle then simply go in for handheld shower head filter.
For more information on Handheld shower head, please refer to http://www.quality-shower-filters.com
Author is an experienced content writer with fair of knowledge of writing trend prevailing in the market and also capable of writing articles on various topics. For more information contact him at: vivekbjmc@gmail.com
Wood is a traditional form of fuel, which was used in the past but is also considered an important fuel in the present, in terms of its suitability for modern gadgets. Wood boilers are heating systems that use wood chips or wood pellets as fuel. There is a difference between the wood boilers that use wood chips and those that employ wood pellets as fuel.
The former is larger since wood chips are larger than wood pellets. The fuel is obtained from forestry thinning and crops from areas located in close proximity to the boilers. Wood is usually dried over a certain period of time, and then subsequently chipped. Wood pellets, which serve as a fuel for wood boilers, is obtained from the compression of sawdust, a readily available industrial waste product. Since a steady supply of sawdust can easily be ensured, the product is highly recommended for small boilers.
Major wood boilers make use of a downdraft wood gasification device. This burns wood of all kinds with varying degrees of moisture present in them. These wood boilers function by extracting the wood gases with the help of an induction fan, and then burning them below the wood to make certain that the combustion is more complete. The wood is repeatedly heated by the burning of gases below it. This ensures the steady rise of gases from the wood.
The wood does not burn, but it makes sure that a steady supply of gas is easily available. As the combustion is limited only to the gases, a wood boiler can burn wood with a greater variety of moisture content. Such wood boilers have a system that entails an automatic switchover to oil heat, gas heat or electric heat backup. Another important trait of such wood boilers is the optional lockout system. This helps in sustaining the secondary fuel mode, in case the wood charge is exhausted.
Boilers provides detailed information on Boiler Professionals, Boilers, Electric Boilers, Gas Boilers and more. Boilers is affiliated with Solar Energy Panels.
Even though most of the houses are well lighted with electric powered lights, we can’t escape using candles at home. Whether it is for a romantic candlelit dinner, for festive season such as Deepavali or Christmas or as back up when electricity cuts off, we know that candles are useful for every household. What we don’t know is that candles are a common unrecognized cause of poor indoor air quality.
To be specific, the ingredient used to produce candles such as paraffin contains a host of toxin. This makes candles the major cause of black soot deposition, which damages home interiors, not to mention skin and lungs. Other dangerous ingredients in candles are lead wicks, synthetic scents and colorants.
Solution? Always go back to the nature! Try natural wax such as beeswax, soy, bayberry and palm. There are many goodness in beeswax which is derived from flowers and bees. It is nontoxic, naturally aromatic (Hey! After all, its from the flowers!) and when burned emits beneficial negative ions that actually help purify the air.
Michele Lum (michele@ideastoenhancehome.com) is the founder and CEO of Ideas To Enhance Home, a site where you can get free tips and ideas on how to enhance your home for better life in health, business, romance, children and security just by placing interesting home decors and setting up simple systems.
Sign up for a FREE subscription to tips and ideas on how to enhance your home by visiting www.IdeasToEnhanceHome.com
The furniture industry, like most other industries, has gone online. Shopping online for furniture at various featured websites finds favor among customers because of the convenience of shopping from home.
It is easier to find specific stores on the web that sell furniture according to an individual customer’s taste, style preferences and requirements. Most websites provide digital images and product sample pictures, which provide a fair idea of the style and look. Store locators enable a customer to personally scrutinize the quality of the product ordered, check the durability and material used, and determine the functional aspects (comfort, storage space etc) of the ordered product. Most sites also have room planners and style guides to aid the customer in choosing the right style, kind and size of furniture depending on expectations, room size, an individual personality and taste. One can find a host of online stores with furniture of every imaginable style and type.
While shopping online for furniture one has to be careful about fake deals and other unwanted transaction hurdles and business aberrations. Most of the time, online shopping is secure if due caution is maintained. Most online stores accept credit cards. In case of any unexpected irregularities, the credit card companies can aid in sorting out money-related issues like refunds. There are also product trackers that help a customer to keep track of the whereabouts of the shipped product. It is not advisable to opt for any financing deals offered by the store without crosschecking the reputation of the store and the financial implications of the deal.
One should read the terms, conditions and other policies meticulously before embarking on the deal. It is also advisable to look for the BBB logo. The BBB (Better Business Bureau) is a non-governmental mediating organization. Most business organizations with a good name are members of this organization. It seeks to resolve disputes between the consumer and the organization or store. It is not a law-enforcing body that penalizes offenders, but it has influence
www.findfurniture.com provides discount deals for name-brand furniture. www.ny.com lists the various stores in New York. www.baby-place.com is a one-stop shopping haven for baby furniture. www.roomtogo.com, Ebay, www.furniturefan.com, Overstock.com and many more online furniture stores throng the online furniture market.
Furniture Stores provides detailed information on Furniture Stores, Online Furniture Stores, Discount Furniture Stores, Used Furniture Stores and more. Furniture Stores is affiliated with Furniture Rental Stores.
With of the biggest challenges couples and families face is CLUTTER, both dealing with it and avoiding it. But, according to experts, there’s really no need to stress over “mess”, especially if you learn how to clean up your act, BEFORE it gets out of control
1. Front and Center: Deal with items such as loose change, keys, mail, etc. right at the front door. Consider a console or nearby shelf on the wall on which to place things neatly and out of the way. And, don’t forget to sort mail immediately tossing anything you’d consider junk (though that doesn’t include bills).
2. Go Barefoot On The Parquet: Okay, one of my biggest pet peeves is taking shoes off at the front door. After all, if you’re visiting someone or attending a house party, shoes are part of the ESSENTIAL accessories that make and complete the outfit. Taking them off just makes the ensemble look, well, “silly”. Still, I’ll have to admit that for the “casual” get- together or on a daily basis, keeping the floors clean may not be such a great feat, if friends and family leave their shoes at the door and walk around in bare or stockingeed feet.
3. Book Ban: Get rid of old books and magazines that are piling up on the table, nightstand, or on the office or living room floor. Consider donating books to hospitals, hospices, nursing homes or to your local library. You can donate magazines to your local salon, doctor’s or dentist’s office. Organize books and magazines you intend to keep on shelves or in a smart magazine file.
4. Counter Countertop Clutter: Make it a “ritual” to clear off tabletops and countertops when you are finished using them or before you retire for the evening. And, don’t let things pile up. Also make sure to have a safe storage spot for remotes and think about getting a universal one to program most of your entertainment systems, limiting the confusion and the clutter.
5. Fun And Games: No doubt children want and need toys, but they certainly don’t need to have them “everywhere”. Make sure you clean up after really small children or help youngsters clean up after themselves. Have a designated play area in your home and a storage crate to hold the essentials… and think about color-coding each crate for each child.
6. Take A Load Off Doing The Laundry: Make sure everyone knows to put their clothes in a hamper (not on the floor) when they are dirty or when they take them off. And, make sure you separate whites, darks, and colors beforehand. Finally, consider doing a load of laundry in small increments, before each basket is full, to avoid laundry overload.
7. Learn To Bottle Things Up: Open bags can take up lots of space and simply look messy. Consider instead storing chips, nuts, etc. in pretty glass (or plastic) containers that can be moved from room to room, offer airtight storage, can easily be stored or displayed.
8. Stop Playing Hide And Seek With Your Hardware: Instead of rummaging through boxes, drawers, etc. for the necessary, nut, bolts and screwdrivers, consider investing in a pegboard. You can buy a sheet at your local hardware store and hang it on an “inconspicuous” wall, then purchase the accompanying accessories designed to help you organize.
LIFamilies.com - Family community for Long Island, NY
Ceramic tiles can be used throughout the house to add an extra
element of design to any room. You can put ceramic tiles behind
the stove to add a decorative accent to the kitchen. You can put
them in various places in the bathroom and other places
throughout the house. In order to install the ceramic tile
yourself, you need to learn essential skills. The most important
skill is how to cut ceramic tile. Here is some advice.
When learning how to cut ceramic tile, you need to first
understand that there are some safety considerations. You must
always wear goggles. When you cut ceramic tiles, dust forms and
it may have sharp edges. If this dust lodges in your eyes, it
can cause some damage. Also make sure you learn and use the
proper technique when using power tools to prevent injury.
The next step to take when learning how to cut ceramic tile is
to measure the area where you will put the tile. Calculate
exactly how many tiles you will need and figure out how many
tiles need to be cut. Remember that you will need to take into
account the space needed for the grout when making your
calculations.
Once you measure, you are ready to start cutting the ceramic
tile. You can either use a tile cutter or tile jig. If you
decide to use a tile cutter, measure the area to be cut. Use the
tile cutter to make an indentation in the tile. Take a straight
edge and hold it next to the cut. Move the tile cutter up and
down the straight edge to make the indentation deeper. Once it
is deep enough, slowly work the tile back and forth in your
hands or with a pair of pliers to eventually break the pieces in
half. If you decide to use the tile jig, remember to use proper
safety procedure and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Learning how to cut ceramic tile is a valuable skill. Ceramic
tiles are a great way to add accents to any room. Remember to
use proper safety techniques and wear goggles. Before you begin
cutting, make sure you measure and learn the proper use for your
tools.