Home Automation Tips

Warning: Remember that electricity is very dangerous and will kill you in a heartbeat. Electricity can also start fires very easily, and fires can also kill you. The best way to get your home wired is by a certified professional who knows your local codes.

We have now a plan and we need to look at the design piece of our new Home Automation. The first step is to do an assessment by answering several questions:

• Wiring and Networking:
• What is the house status? (being built, being remodeled, old construction, new construction)


• The status will affect greatly the type of wiring we will select. We had a complete home remodeling and all the walls were open. We had the opportunity to install 1" orange cable tubing in every room, this allow pulling any type of cables within minutes. We have Cat6 cable, Fiber Optics, TV and audio/video cables.


• Existing construction may not offer the same flexibility and going wireless will become the solution.


• In old construction the quality of the power line is not high quality and will definitively impact transmission such as X10. Ask a certified electrical professional to help evaluating your existing wiring to make sure it's still meets 'code'. Don't be afraid to spend money on your electrical wiring, it will pay back later.


• For this project we will choose an existing old construction with up to local code wiring. The network will be wireless as well as security and monitoring. Z-Wave being too expensive, Home Automation will be based on Insteon and/or UPB equipment.
• Lighting
• Planning for this section is quite easy and interesting. We need to select for each room the type of switches we need and as we will implement security, monitoring and multimedia distribution we will use a control unit to manage all functions.
• Control Units - we recommend 2 different brands Cortexa Technology and HAI. The Cortexa is more IP network based while HAI is more versatile on the security part. For this project I would use HAI which offer two main lines: Lumina and Omni. The Lumina is more limited on the security side but it connects to existing security systems. The Omni offers a complete solution from lighting to security and fire system.The Omni IIe Pro will be my choice as it has the most features and won't limit our future ideas.
• Based on this control unit selection, the technology we will use UPB for lighting control. The cheaper X10 won't work very well in an old electrical wiring environment.
• Now let look at the need for each room to replace existing switches.
• Bedrooms - one switch and one or 2 side lamps
  The switch can be dimmer or non-dimmer, side lamps will need lamp modules dimmer or non-dimmer as well.
• Dining and Living rooms - one switch per room and may be some floor and table lamps with the same dimming status as for bedrooms.
• Play room - two high wattage switches and may be several floor and table lamps.
• Family room - three high wattage dimmer switches, several floor and table lamps and why not adding a nice LCD control panel to create lighting scenes.
• ...etc for each rooms including bathrooms
• Outdoor lights - replace existing switches with non dimmer high wattage ones plus two or three non-dimmers modules for Xmas lights as well.


• We have a list of material to purchase - but don't buy anything yet!
• Heating and cooling
• To plan this section we will base it on a 3 zones heating and cooling system. One for the main floor, one for the second floor and one for the basement.
• First we need to verify with a certified professional that the current heating cooling system can support multi-zoning and that the house and the furnace don't need too much modification.
• For this project all is needed is 6 motorized dampers, a 4 zone control panel for the furnace and 3 RC-90B thermostat as the furnace is a single stage. We can upgrade to RC-2000 with humidity control.
• Thermostats will need to be connected to the furnace control panel and to the HIA control unit. Some wiring to add here.
• The RC-90 and RC-2000 accept external temperature sensors. These sensors installed in bedroom will allow to adapt the floor temperature to the lowest or most important room - Master bedroom or baby's room for example - additional wiring will be required to these rooms.

Pierre Merlin owner of High Tech and More, LLC - We provide great deals on HomeAutomation including Home Security

How Plan Your Personalized Bathroom Design to Create the Bathroom of Your Dreams

If you want to have something that is unique to your personality, perhaps bathroom designs which are personalized is something to consider. After all your bathroom says a lot more about you than most other rooms in your home.

The size, configuration and style all have to be taken into consideration when creating a personalized bathroom. Researching for general information is only the beginning and must be tailored to your specific tastes and needs. You really have to give careful consideration before you begin a remodeling project - after all you're going to change the look and feel of your house. The changes you make can be costly and permanent, so you want to choose something that you are willing to live with for...well possibly for several years.

Often, people consider remodeling when they realize that they need more space. Maybe there needs to be a change in the floor plan that allows two people to use the bathroom more comfortably; just based on your basic living circumstances. Maybe there is limited counter space or storage space and you're finding this frustrating. These are all important considerations that will guide the types of changes you make and how the bathroom designs you select become more personalized.

It is also a good idea to discuss with your family members any current issues or concerns around the layout of the bathroom. Their input can offer some good insight into what the new bathroom should solve in terms of living style problems.

Once you have a clearer idea of what you want to change, you can begin looking at bathroom designs that will offer the right solution for your current issues.

Books and magazines on home design and decorating are an excellent place to start to generate plenty of ideas. Keep the pages of designs that most appeal to you in a folder or bookmark those pages in your web browser. Searching online for decorating tips can also help. Put together a scrapbook of all of your ideas, photos and product catalogs that will be useful as you decide whether to use a professional designer or go it alone and follow the do-it-yourself route.

It's always better to use a professional contractor, unless you're only making minor changes to your bathroom. The more complex the bathroom designs, the more appropriate it is to use bath design professionals. When interviewing contractors, make sure that they have a good idea of your specific desires and tastes; you don't want any last minute surprises when you see the finished results.

Be ready to answer a lot of questions about you and your family, and how you all plan to use the additional space. This is also a good time to show the contractor your scrapbook so they can get a look and feel for what you want the redesign of your bathroom to achieve.

Remember the old adage: perfect planning prevents poor performance. This is also true when considering bathroom designs for a remodeling project. The more careful, thought out plan will pay off when you meet with a contractor, and when you walk into the new spacious bathroom of your dreams.

Are you sick and tired of your boring old bathroom? Does it really need a total facelift to give it new life? Get lots more information on bathroom designs and tips for redecorating your bathroom at -> http://www.bathroomcentral.com.

How to Get a Dry Basement - Home Repair Tips

When you have a basement under your home, there is nothing better than having a dry basement. Having one that is moist and smells musty all of the time can become rather irritating. This is especially true when that smell comes through the floor of your home and into your house. So if you don't have a dry basement and you are wondering how to get one and keep it that way, there are several things that you can do to make this possible.

Here is what you want to do:

First, check the drainage systems around your home to make sure they are diverting water away from your home. Make sure shrubs are not too close to the foundation and plug any holes and cracks that may be in the walls. From there, you want to identify your biggest problem areas. You can usually tell because water leaves a white powder, which consists of mineral deposits.

The next step is to dig a trench with a jackhammer around the basement walls.

Cut a hole in the floor. This is the area that will hold your brand new sump pump. Make sure you take measurements before cutting the hole so that you can ensure a proper feet.

You can put up bright walls to hide water stains and to create a barrier that will channel any water that comes through the walls into the trench.

After the bright walls are installed, you can then install a series of drains in the trench. If you need other pipes, you can do this and use those pipes to channel water to the trench. The trench leads to the sump pump.

Any spaces between the trench and the floor can be filled in with crushed rock to avoid any gaps.

Once this system is in place, the sump pump will pump the water outside of the home. Just make sure that the water is diverted away from the home via a drainage system so that the water does not come back into the basement. If it comes back into the basement, then you're dealing with a never ending cycle of water coming in and out. This can weaken your basement walls, can cause water to seep below the basement floors, and many other issues. Any time the walls and floors become weak, they crack. When they crack, more pressure is put on the walls of the home itself and this can cause them to crack as well. This also occurs when your home sits on soils that are known for shifting. Keeping the soils dry is the best way to keep this from happening. The only way you're going to keep them dry is to have a good drainage system outside of your home and to ensure that your basement stays dry.

You'll find that having a dry basement is a great way to save a lot of money on future repairs from water damage. So make sure you're high and dry and keep it that way.

Craig Powers is the owner & CEO of Power Jack Foundation Repair, a Texas-based residential foundation repair company serving Dallas/ Fort Worth, and the greater DFW since 1991. For more information on foundation repair services check out http://www.PJFR.com

Are You Planning to Remodel Or Upgrade Your Bathroom?

There are seemingly a million things you can do to upgrade your bathroom, whether you want a small 2 minute project, a weekend gig, or a full month overhaul. Maybe you're bored, or you're systematically updating various parts your house and the bathroom just happens to be next. Either way, this is not something to be taken lightly, especially if you want to do the full enchilada. Write it out, make drawings if necessary, price your options at various stores and then dig in when the timing is right.

So what are your options? Ok, you could do something small like replacing the bathroom shower faucet. Not enough? Maybe you replace the whole shower enclosure. Or how about a new toilet with automatic flushing? Or a new bathroom vanity or medicine cabinet? Don't turn around, you may need new light fixtures or a shower curtain.

See? You can start small and it will easily blow up into a major overhaul. If this is the only bathroom in your house you have the added complication of keeping it functional as much as possible while you work. It's not just a demolition zone, you have to keep it safe and usable. If you have secondary bathrooms available then consider yourself lucky, although other members of your house will still be pushing you to finish quickly.

If you're ready for the major overhaul then talk to a design specialist for ideas, how to plan the demolition and rebuild and how to pick the right appliances and features you'll need. If you're handy enough to do it all yourself you'll save a fortune in outside labor costs. If you can't, then hire a contractor who knows his stuff and get a firm deadline written out. You don't want this drag on any longer than necessary.

If you need to research more information about your bathroom remodel and want specifics about bathroom shower enclosures or Delta shower faucets please visit our websites.

Central Vacuum Systems For Your Home

What is a central vacuum system? A central vacuum system is made up of a group of inlets that are connected via piping to an integral power and canister unit. The inlets are generally wall mounted, but can also be floor mounted. Each inlet allows you to vacuum 700 to 800 square feet. A flexible hose, approximately 30 feet long plugs into the outlets. Numerous types of suction heads are available to connect to the end of the hose, including power beaters.

The power/canister unit is usually mounted in a garage or basement.

Most handymen can install a central vacuum system, without the need for professional assistance. The most complex part of the installation is physically running the two inch plastic piping from the power unit to the inlets.

There are many reasons to consider the installation of a central vacuum system for your home:

• Relieves Allergy Symptoms: As the power unit and canister are mounted outside of the living area of the home, exhaust air from the vacuum is not circulated back into the room being vacuumed which substantially improves the air quality in the room. Coupled with good filtration, many manufacturers are using HEPA filtration, almost 100% of the contacted dirt, dust mites, pollen, dander, and other allergens are removed and contained.
• More Power: Central vacuum systems deliver up to five times more suction power than conventional upright or canister vacuum cleaners. More suction equates to better overall cleaning.
• Larger Canister: The canister that is attached to the power unit holds as much as six gallons of dirt, 10 times more dirt than conventional upright or canister vacuum cleaners. You can vacuum longer without the inconvenience of changing bags or emptying canisters.
• Convenience: Have you ever tried to vacuum a ceiling fan, drapes, blinds? Usually the hose is not long enough, even with the extension pipes you end up lifting the vacuum cleaner in the air in order to reach the corners and tops. With the long hose associated with a central vacuum system, reaching corners, ceilings, and other difficult areas is easy.

  Have a multi-story home? Then you have faced the inconvenience of carrying your vacuum cleaner up and down stairs, not to mention the difficulty in actually vacuuming stair cases, usually it means trying to position the vacuum on the steps in order to reach all points.

• Quiet Because the power unit is not in the living area of the home, there is far less ambient noise when vacuuming. You can hear the phone ring, listen to music and answer the front door.

If you are looking for a home improvement project that will be of benefit to the entire family consider a central vacuum system. As with any home appliance, it is wise to investigate the specifications, features, and accessories available before you choose the manufacturer and model that suits your requirements best.

Renovation-Headquarters has additional information on the installation of a central vacuum system in your home.

For additional information on home improvement, remodel or other renovation projects, including landscaping and gardening, visit Renovation Headquarters.

Handyman Salaries - Home Repairs

A handyman is a person who does odd jobs related to electrical fittings, plumbing, house cleaning, and garden upkeep. Salaries paid to handymen depend on whether they are self-employed or work for a contractor or franchisee. Self-employed handymen are paid on an hourly basis whereas handy men that work for an organization are paid monthly salaries.

Handymen salaries vary from state to state and are usually higher in big cities such as New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Detroit, Chicago, and others. Handymen salaries also depend on the experience and skills of a handyman, which means that a handyman with more experience and skills will be paid more than a handyman who has lesser experience.

Based on independent salary surveys, the median pay range for self-employed handymen ranges from fifteen to twenty-five dollars an hour. The median salaries are however less than average salaries, which range from twenty to thirty dollars per hour. Handymen that are employed in an organization can get salaries ranging from thirty-five to forty-five thousand dollars, depending on the remuneration policies of the organization. Handyman services firms also pay commission to their employees in case they bring new work opportunities through their own contacts. They may also get bonuses if they complete their work before time.

Handymen normally prefer working for a contractor or other firms as they have plenty of resources for generating work opportunities. Working in an organization is better then being self-employed, as handymen do not have to use their salaries for purchasing tools and equipment, which is provided by the organization.

Individuals who cannot afford the services of a handyman due to their service rates can perform all the tasks done by handymen with the help of do it yourself (DIY) handyman guides available in the market. They can also take help from friends and acquaintances that have done similar type of work.

Handyman provides detailed information on Handyman, Handyman Services, Starting A Handyman Business, Handyman Tips and more. Handyman is affiliated with Home Remodeling

Shark Steam Mop Review

The Shark Steam Mop has gotten great reviews. It cleans the floor without leaving any harsh chemicals. The mop converts water into steam using a micro fiber cloth.

When the mop touches the floor surfaces, dirt and grime can be eliminated very fast. The Steam mop kills dust mites and disinfects floors near bathroom stools, kitchen counters, pet areas, etc. The Shark Steam mop can even be used on hardwood floors because the floors are left dry. Steam is a wonderful way to truly get things clean. The mop works as a sanitizer. The water is 220 degrees hot which kills the germs and bacteria off of surfaces. It is fast and easy. The steam is ready in 30 seconds. It releases steam with push-forward motion of mopping.

There have been a few mixed reviews regarding the Shark Steam mop. Some reviews mentioned that you might have to refill a few times during the mopping but when you mop with a regular mop you often refill the bucket of dirty water as well. An extension cord is a good idea and that is not really a big deal. You will be saving money on floor cleaners, not using harmful chemicals, no more soap residues, and really squeaky clean sanitized floors.

The Shark Steam Mop is very easy to assemble, it takes less than five minutes to get it out of the box and running. The steam can be regulated using the handle; the
more you push forward, the more steam you get. The floors are left sparkling clean. When you are done mopping, toss the pad into your washing machine.

The mop works even better each time it is used. This is because the residue from former cleaning products is finally off the floor.

You may look forward to mopping your floors!

Here you can find the Shark Steam Mop up to 60% Off!

http://tvproducts.gotmineforless.com/Household/Shark-Steam-Mop

I am a stay at home mom of three children and I am always looking for ways to save money.

Enlightening Findings About Home Inspections

Let's face it: For most people, the subject of home inspections is anything but a fun subject. However, it is an important subject. Increasingly, new home-buyers are required to make sure that their homes are up to a certain standard. Furthermore, it's in your own health interests to make sure that the new house comes up to those standards. So while it might not be terribly exciting, you would be well-advised to learn about this subject.

Back in 2001, a study was conducted by the Market Enhancement Group (or MEG) about home inspections. While that was seven years ago, it's the most exhaustive examination of the subject that has been conducted, before or since. The results of the study were enlightening.

First let's discuss the methodology of the study. It was done through MEG's omnibus poll. This poll consisted of 1,000 phone interviews which were divided equally among four regions of the United States, with 250 persons in each of these regions: the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Those who responded to the survey were all U.S. consumers who had bought a house within the 18 months prior to the survey. There was a margin of error in the study of plus or minus 3.4 percent.

Now let's look at who the study found obtained an inspection. According to the study, 77 percent of recent house buyers had gotten a house inspection before they bought their homes. Seventy-nine percent had attended this inspection and participated in it. An astounding 97 percent said they felt the inspection was worth what they paid for it.

Only a tiny fraction -- 23 percent -- of home-buyers said they'd bought a new house without getting an inspection. Of those who did buy one, most selected their inspectors after receiving a recommendation for him or her from their real estate agent (69 percent).

Of those who hired an inspector, 43 percent did so only after their real estate agent suggested they do so; however, the majority, 57 percent, did so of their own volition.

Now let's consider the differences that the survey found according to geographical location. Those buying a new home in the Western region had the highest incidence of hiring a home inspector, at 81 percent. The South follows closely at 80 percent, with the Midwest next at 77 percent and he Northeast Region at 70 percent.

Just at those in the West had the highest incidence of hiring inspector, they also had te highest rate of selecting a home inspector after a real estate agent recommended the person.

However, home-buyers in the South

For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at their personal request was highest in the South Region (65%) and the West Region (60%), followed by the Midwest Region (53%) and the Northeast Region (47%).

For home buyers getting a home inspection, the percentage of inspections conducted at the real estate agent's request was highest in the Northwest Region (53%).
What this study shows us is that there are a whole lot of people who choose not to have their houses inspected--and of those who do hire an inspector, many do so only after a real estate agent suggests one. This means that many home-buyers are not yet independently convinced of the need for such an inspection. But here are some reasons--and areas of your house--that call for an inspection.

1) A home needs the exterior inspected. If a roof is just now starting to age, then the subtle defects and damages are probably not going to be readily apparent to you, a novice on the subject. They can be found by a qualified inspector, though. Keep in mind that you'll spend several thousand dollars resurfacing a roof if you wait too long. The same holds true for the siding. Finding problems while they're still minor can save you big bucks.

2) A home just as urgently needs the interior inspected. For instance, you don't want to wait until after you've moved in all your furniture to discover that your basement floods easily. It's important to have an inspector check the basement for any clues of possible water intrusion, like a damp odor, mildew, water stains, etc.

Also on the interior, the house should be checked for proper ventilation and insulation. What many people don't understand is that inferior ventilation, particularly in the attic, can actually accelerate the deterioration of your roof deck. This can cost a lot of money to fix, if you wait too long.

The interior inspection would also include a check of the paint surface, to make sure it does not contain lead paint.

3) And finally, a house needs to have its electrical work and plumbing inspected. You need a qualified inspector to check for problems such as over fused circuits, burned wiring, poor wiring connections, amateur-installed wiring, openings in the wall where a young one could put his or her fingers, and dead-ended / exposed wiring.

As for plumbing, you need an inspector who can look for old lead pipes or galvanized steel ones. Replacing bad ones could be costly. Naturally, he'll also look for leaks and, using a moisture meter, he'll evaluate plaster or wall board suspected of having damage caused by leaks. Many plumbing issues are not clearly visible to the average house-owner, which is why it's so essential to have a professional--one who knows where to look and what to look for -- do it for you.

There are many other responsibilities for a professional inspector. However, these are some of the crucial issues, and they are ones that any knowledgeable expert will be able to investigate. Most importantly, they are issues that, if left to an amateur, could result in expensive repairs in the not-too-distant future. Sure, hiring an inspector will cost money--but it's quite likely that it will save you more than it costs.

Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspections (866) 476-2056
Copyright 2008 Olympian Civil Home and Building Inspectors,
2008 All Rights Reserved

Please visit my inspection mega-site for more information about my full service home inspection and environmental testing company. We service Brooklyn, Queens, New York, Manhattan, Staten Island, Nassau County, Yonkers and the Bronx. You may also wish to visit my learning library which is packed with great tips and advice for buyers, sellers and homeowners alike. Lastly, you can also take advantage of my VIP referrals for vendors in over 50 home related trades, where your satisfaction is assured and the inspection of vendors completed workmanship or products is conducted on your behalf for free; visit my site for more details or call toll free 866-476-2056.

http://www.olympiancares.com/inspection-library-new-york-brooklyn-staten-island-queens-nassau-county-long-island-bronx-manhattan-yonkers-westchester.htm

http://www.olympiancares.com/olympian4.htm

Planning Your Bathroom Tile Design, Pattern & Installation

If you are planning to tile a bathroom by yourself, this article will help you plan your bathroom tiling installation in the best and cost effective way as well as giving you some tile design ideas. We will guide through your new bathroom tile design and installation planning step by step.

Attention - Note that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

Remember a DIY bathroom tiling installation isn't a quick job, so don't miss the point and plan it right. All the time spent planning your tiling installation will save you money and headaches.

You have to plan your bathroom-tiling project carefully; choose the tile design and tile patterns, what materials you need and which tools you require.

Choose your Bathroom Tile design & Tile patterns

The tile patterns that you can create with different tiles are limited only by your own Tile design ideas. A large variety of standard tile designs, ideas and tile patterns are available. Some tile manufacturers may make special custom tile designs for you.

Choosing the tile design is obviously the first thing you need to do, with out deciding this you can not start planning your bathroom tile installation.

You can find a few basic bathroom tile design ideas & tile patterns, check it out.

For some Inspiration you can check Google pictures for some Bathroom Tile design ideas, there are over a million bathroom pictures here.

Tile suitability - Tiles are made in porous and non-porous varieties. When planning a bathroom tile installation, you should choose the non-porous ceramic tiles.

If your bathroom is small and the tiles have designs on them, you may have to go for smaller sized tiles as they have smaller designs. Too large tile designs may not suit small bathrooms so choose a smaller tile design for smaller bathrooms.

If you go for a plain color, the size isn't that important, however try to follow the rule above anyway.

A good tile design idea is to choose contrasting colors for the floor tiles and wall tiles. Then have a skirting line the same color as the floor tile.

Another tile design idea is changing color at chest level, which will change the look of your bathroom.

Try to choose bathroom accessories that compliment the color of the walls.

Materials - How much will you need? - To calculate the quantity of materials that you need, you must take precise measurements of the total area that you wish to tile.

From the total area and the size of each tile, you can calculate the number of tiles required (you must know the size of the tiles you have chosen).

You must also remember to take into account the gaps between tiles when calculating the number of tiles needed, so make sure you include spacers appropriate to the tile size chosen.

If this equation becomes a little complicated, you can always use the table "Calculating your Tile needs" (link here) on this page.

When calculating consider more than half a tile as a full tile and less than a half tile as a half tile. If you have chosen a multicolored bathroom, calculate each color separately and note down the tile requirements.

Ordering tiles - Order the tiles on the basis of the measurements taken. Note that tiles are packed in boxes and the supplier is unlikely to sell tiles individually.

Remember to order extra tiles as you can be sure that some tiles will break during installation (even the best professional breaks tiles). In addition some of these extra tiles could be used in the future if any tiles need replacing. This is not only good but an advisable practice.

Always order additional tiles since the tiles you have ordered may not be available in future, and if you require replacement tiles, you will have difficulty finding a match.

Best tools for a good job - Make sure you choose the right tool for the job. It'll make the job easier and safer too. You probably have a basic toolbox however for tiling installation you need special tiling tools.

Some of them are expensive but don't waste your money buying professional tools that you won't use enough to pay for themselves. Instead hire them. For some $$ you can have the best tools for a few days. And if you've done your planning properly you'll only need them for a few hours.

Remember, that planning your tiling installation properly is the most important step for smooth, easy going and problem free bathroom tile installation.

I hope it's been useful, happy tiling!

The best Tiling Video & DVD and Tiling books reviews at Tiling Tips.Get our FREE report "27 Insider Tiling Tips you want to know" and more by visiting us NOW at http://www.tiling-tips.com

Getting Solar Power For Homes - Home Tips

Have you been thinking about getting solar power for your home? Does the idea of powering your home with the rays of the sun interest you? If so, then you'll be glad to know that you many options. No matter what kind of budget you're on, there are affordable solutions that will match your specific needs.

You could always go out and purchase solar panels, but you can save a lot of money if you make your own. Even if your budget is tight, you can still afford all the materials necessary for building solar panels. You can either build from scratch or buy solar panel kits. The kits will have the components needed and all you'll have to do is assemble them. Either way, getting solar power for homes can be very affordable.

While solar power is becoming increasingly popular in rural neighborhoods, those living in urban areas still have options. If you live in an apartment complex in the city, you still may able to place a small solar panel on your roof or patio. You can also ask your electric company if they have any options for customers interested in solar energy. It's becoming more common for cities to offer residents solar generated power through grids. See if that's an option in your area.

No matter where you live, you should consider getting solar power for your home. Not only will you be doing your part in helping the environment, but you'll be saving a lot of money too. While energy sources from the earth are limited and nonrenewable, there will always be a sun. And as long as there's a sun, there will be solar power.

Earth4Energy will teach you everything you need to know about getting solar power for homes. You can learn how to store FREE solar power that you can use anytime you want. Earth4Energy will also help you to understand your options better through informative guides, illustrations, video tutorials, and more.

About the author:

Nadav Snir is a chemistry and physics student who studies energy and ways of convservation. To find out more about energy saving and Earth4Energy, visit his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/WaterForGas/earth4energy.html

Basement Design - Finding Furniture That Fits

Imagine this: the colors are just right for your basement design; the lights are on and the floor rugs are in place. In short, everything seems perfect except that there are no equipment or things yet in place. Naturally, this should be the next thing on your mind once you're done with designing your basement. After all, you want to hang around in your basement so you need things to entertain yourself with. You can't just choose items in random though. There are some tips you might want to follow when you pick what goes into your basement.

Weight of Objects

It would be great if you could put some tables, chairs and couches in your basement. You would naturally need all of these so you can relax, play games or work on a hobby. Some basement owners may also consider adding some audio-visual equipment and perhaps some musical instruments. Do remember though that basements could be prone to flooding. If you think your basement isn't going to be spared in the next wet season then it would be best if you had basement equipment and furniture that you can quickly move out in case of emergencies.

Value of Things

You might want to have an expensive flat screen TV in your basement. You might also want to have an expensive or rare painting on the wall to complement your basement design. Other valuable things that may find their way into your basement include family heirlooms and sports memorabilia. Again, you should think twice about putting valuable items in your basement. Moisture and flood could destroy priceless items.

Electrical Gadgets

Television sets, music players and game consoles are great additions to a basement. Do make sure though that there is sufficient protection against possible electrocution just in case these gadgets come in contact with water or moisture.

Organized Themes

You would want the basement to welcome everybody in the family. You would however also want to make sure that you don't end up with cluttered space. You could prevent this by creating a theme for your basement. You can opt for a sports or hobby theme and include items that conform to the theme.

Basement design is one of the most enjoyable things you can get yourself into. Just make sure that you follow good tips for decorating and designing to ensure that your basement will truly become the haven you envisioned.

Want to learn how to improve your basement design? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Different Types of Showers

Electric showers have gained more popularity than other types of showers due to its functional superiority. Stored water is not required for operating one. These showers comprise of an inbuilt system, which draws water from an inlet to feed the heating device. However, maintaining equilibrium in water pressure at the inlet is important to achieve maximum benefits from these showers.

Thousands of different shower models have swamped the market these days. Of these, Mira electric showers and the Triton showers stand out due to their added features. Irrespective of the model you prefer, it is of paramount importance that water supply pipes are fixed properly below the surface of the wall or the floor before installation. A separate electric circuit dedicated for the electric shower unit is an additional security feature advised by most designers and architects.

Many new innovations have come about. Standard fixed showerheads are being replaced quickly by the more convenient hand held ones. Large top showers with several sprays placed at different angles to treat different parts of the body at one time are also gaining popularity. These outlets can be activated or deactivated as per requirement.

If you are planning to buy showers for your house, several aspects need to be kept in mind. The heating systems already in place, the plumbing, electric supply lines and connections, the space available in the bathroom and moreover the tastes of the inhabitants should be evaluated. Once installed, these showers can turn bathing into a fulfilling and invigorating experience.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd who supply Showering products across the UK.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

How You Can Easily Get a Walk-in Tub Installed

Imagine this scene- a person tired and weary after more than 13 hours in the office, rushes back home. It is a long, long drive. It had been an exhausting week and the person just craves a slow, relaxing bath. At home there is a spa installed with all the soaps, lotions and perfumes readily available. On reaching home, the person settles into the self-promised bath. A content smile touches the person's lips as he/she finally gets to relax the tired bones. Bath is just heavenly!

Not all people have this kind of luxury. Taking bath is not a divine experience for many. There are those who consider getting into a bathtub nothing short of a torture, and with good reason too. To consider their trauma, now consider this scenario:-

Imagine a person in his or her mid eighties. The stiff joint and the weakening knees are constant sources of pain. This person cannot move a muscle without a sigh. He/she needs a bath too, but just cannot think of enduring the pain of entering a bathtub. Once inside, there is yet another challenge- getting out. There is no way the person can mange this without help. He/she has to face the indignity of being carried and then lowered into the bathtub with specialized equipment!

The elderly, the ones on wheelchair, the physically challenged and others who do not have the freedom of movement due one or the other problem, find themselves in such a position everyday. Bathtub is a nightmare to them. But it need not be so. They can opt for walk-in tubs and baths.

Getting into a walk-in tub is very much like getting into a car. There is door, which open and the person can walk right in and sit. These days there are even special seats in the bathtubs for this purpose. Once the door close, there is no way the water can escape as it is both air and watertight. There are also special handle to facilitate the exit from the tub. With these facilities, walk-in tubs bring back the joy of bathing to those who suffering from different physical problems as well as the normal individuals (especially kids). Previously, the caretakers had to heave and sigh, while lifting their ward to the bath. They also can heave a sigh of relief as the days of carrying the defendant to the bath are over.

It is possible to change the normal bathtub to a walk-in tub. Within US you could purchase these from the store that sells other bath fixtures. Many of the bigger retail stores like Home Depot and other room stores have bathtubs that can be installed by you. These come with detailed guidelines. You could also opt for help and make use of the installation team, you may be charged a little extra for this. These teams are reputed to be very efficient.

Another alternative would be to hire a handyman. They might take a fee but a handyman takes the hassle out of installation.

Looking for information about walk-in tubs and showers

Theodor Cartman recommends different types of walk-in tubs and showers as the best option when buying.

Hotels, Motels Green Bathroom Remodeling Nationwide

Hotels/motels that remodel their bathrooms by going green are following the hotel industry's move towards environmental sustainability. Hotels/Motels therefore, have understood that going green means replacing fixtures with water or energy saving appliances. What many hotels and motels owners are beginning to learn is that going green in their bathroom remodeling project, includes refinishing, recycling and the use of recycled materials.

Hotels/Motels green remodeling has other benefits or advantages apart from saving money. Investors that are looking to buy a chain of hotels or motels or even those looking to buy a single hotel or motel are definitely looking to buy ones that have efficient fixtures and appliances installed in their bathrooms.

Hotels and Motels use of resources

Hotels and motels are in general bigger than average buildings and the use a lot of resources. It takes a lot of resources to build hotels and an equally bigger and constant resources to maintain - heating and cooling, use of lots of water. No hotels can function without water. Hotels need water for laundry, for showering in the bathrooms, flushing the toilets, washing your hands, and then dishwashing. That is why any hotel that considers bathroom remodeling, thinks about green bathroom remodeling and it's advantage of saving water.

Additionally, the hotel industry use a lot of energy. The annual energy bill for the hospitality industry is $3.7 billion a year on energy. Energy savings alone is driving a lot of hotels to green bathroom remodeling. They see the benefits and embrace the advantages of water and energy savings they get from when their bathrooms are remodeled for green living.

Hotels see green in green bathroom remodeling. Whether the owners of hotels or motels believe that the civilities of their hotels have an impact on the environment or not, they see "green" the money savings in water and energy resources.

Green bathroom remodeling save hotels and motels money:

Replace showerheads to save water bills:
During a tight economy, those hotels that are remodeling in order to sell their hotels or add value to their property are discovering that a very inexpensive way to save water in their hotels bathrooms is to replace their shower heads with water saving ones. The performance of a good water head should be the same as a normal shower head. Cheap one dribble water which defeats the whole purpose of water savings.

Replace older toilets with water saving toilets:
There have been a lot of advancement in the choice of toilets that save water. You can choose a pressurized toilet which fits well over where your old toilet sits. Pressurized toilets cost more than their standard counterpart and some people claim that they give some problems. On the other hand, dual flush toilets which are popular in Europe are showing up in more and more hotels bathrooms that are using green remodeling to water in their total bathroom remodeling project. It estimated that in one year, a dual flush toilet will save a family where four people are using the bathroom about 15000 gallons of water.

Hotels bathtub refinishing/tub re-glazing and sink refinishing saves money and the environment:

There are plenty of hotels, retirement homes, nursing homes or bed and breakfast inns that have antique claw foot bathtubs in their bathrooms. Refinishing these antique claw foot bathtubs preserve their beauty, saves hotels plenty of money and benefit's the environment. Sink refinishing saves the landfills and puts some "green" in the pockets of hotel owners. Bathtub refinishing saves bathtubs from going into the landfills while saving hotels over 80% over the cost of replacement. And when hotels add our volume discount, the savings are even bigger. Green bathtub refinishing is green in your bank account.

Hotels green bathroom remodeling uses recycled materials

Just like you find recycled materials that can be used when you remodel other rooms in other parts of the hotel, there are also building materials that are made of recycled materials tile; vanities and flooring. Hotels that use recycled fixtures save money and conserve natural resources.

Not every bathtub refinishing company or even every green bathroom remodeling company or business understands the import of our activities on our environment.

Not many know the fixtures, processes, and proper installation procedures that will save you money, time and the environment.

Wilson Ukah, owns Refinishing Stars, a bathtub refinishing company serving homeowners in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Knoxville. Refinishing Stars, refinishes bathtubs, sinks, and countertops for hotels and motels nationwide. Wilson can be reached at http://www.refinishingstars.com or sales@refinishingstars.com

Hiring a Contractor For Your Home Renovation - Vista Contractor

Renovating your home is a large undertaking, and you want it done right. If you have decided to hire a professional contractor for the job, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to protect yourself as well as your most valued investment, your home.

First and foremost, research your state's legal requirements for contractors regarding insurance, licensing and workers compensation, so that you can eliminate any contractor who does not comply. Visiting the Contractor's License Reference Site is one way to learn about licensing requirements in your area and find out whether a particular contractor holds an active license.

Asking friends and family for references is usually a good starting point for finding a contractor who will perform quality work. Many contractors and home renovators agree that the best way to research a prospective contractor is to contact past clients, ask detailed questions and if possible, visit one or more work sites to check out the quality of the work. Tom Silva, general contractor at This Old House, shares a couple of other excellent ideas for finding good contractors in his article How to Hire a Contractor(1). Tim suggests checking with a building inspector to learn whose work is typically up to code or consulting with a local lumberyard about which contractors purchase quality materials and stay current on accounts.

Each contractor who will be quoting your project (typically at least three is advised) should be given the same set of specifications to ensure that your quotes are comparable. Though it may be tempting to automatically hire the contractor with the lowest bid, price is not always the best criteria for deciding which contractor to hire. The contractor you ultimately hire will be spending considerable time in your home, and the work performed will likely impact your home's value. Selecting a contractor with the skills and professionalism to deliver quality work can help ensure that the effect of your renovations on your home value is a positive one.

Once you have selected your contractor, ensure that every detail of the project is outlined in the contract, including projected start and finish dates, procedures for changes, a payment schedule, labor and material charges, a lien waiver and any specific agreements you have made with the contractor. Do not count on verbal promises alone; even if the contractor has a standard contract for most jobs, provisions may be added to the contract upon agreement between both parties.

(1) www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,199776,00.html

Maria Polidoro is the President of Ace Tool Online, a leading distributor of over 70 quality power tool brands. Headquartered in Wantagh, New York, Ace Tool Online also offers over 40,000 genuine power tool parts and is an authorized service center for over 50 manufacturers. Please visit Ace Tool Online for industrial cutting tools and the latest products from Milwaukee Tools, Festool and more

Goal Setting Activity

Most people find the act of a goal setting activity almost impossible because they set goals that are way too large and become disheartened before they ever come close to reaching them. A goal setting activity that works is one that is broken down until it represents a single event. It is the progressive, sequential accumulation of single events that ensure the final desired end result.

For example, if your goal setting activity is to save $10,000 this year and you are paid fortnightly, you should have 26 single event goals, each written progressively to allow for changed circumstances.

Your goal setting activity should be what I call SMARTIES! SMARTIES is an acronym for the following:

SPECIFIC
Be absolutely specific when producing a goal setting activity and use the present tense.

MEASURABLE
You need to be able to monitor your progress so you can measure your success.

ATTAINABLE
You also need to be able to conceive your goal to attain it.

REALISTIC
Obviously goals need to be within the grounds of logic and circumstance.

TANGIBLE
Your goal needs to be something that is real or physical, that you can see and/or touch.

INSPIRATIONAL
If your goals don't inspire you it's unrealistic to expect that you're going to be driven to achieve them.

EMOTIONAL
The more emotionally involved you become with your goal the quicker it will manifest into your life.

During your goal setting activity, as well as writing down your goals, I recommend you write down every possible benefit you will realize as a result of achieving your goal and its impact on all areas of your life.

Author: Greg Dempsey - Investor/Internet Marketer
Title: Goal Setting Activity
http://www.OpulentWealth.com.au

Reprinting this article is allowed with this footer attached.

How to Fit a Shower

If you are looking to install a new shower in your home, the first steps will be to measure, prepare, and fit the shower. A shower kit will always come with installation instructions, which should be followed to get the best result. Here are a few basic, general guidelines that will help as well. As always when tackling any home improvement project, with or without professional help, ensure that all of your permits are in order before you begin. Shower fitting is not recommended for beginner do-it-yourselfers.

The base of any shower is the shower tray. The shower tray holds the water before it drains, keeping it from spilling out on to the floor. Make absolutely certain that the area is level and that the shower tray will be properly supported. Many shower trays are made of acrylic or resin that can be prone to flexing when not adequately supported. Too much flexing can lead to a break in the seal between the tray and the shower enclosure, causing a leak. Avoid this difficult and expensive problem from the start by taking steps to make sure you have the right kind of supports in the right places.

Make sure you have enough room underneath the shower tray for the drainage pipe to run. Measure carefully to ensure you have enough space for this. If you don't, build your shower floor to be a bit higher to allow the correct amount of space for the drainage pipe and waste trap. Make sure you have access to these things as you install the shower tray, so you can check the seals between the drain of your shower tray and your drain pipe before you close it up.

Before installing anything else, make sure that all walls to be included in the showering area have been well water-proofed. You may choose to use tile or a shower kit with plastic wall panels. Which ever route you choose to take, this is a vital step both in beautifying the shower as well as preventing water damage to your home.

The shower screens will be installed last. A good fit is made from accurate measurements! The type and size of the shower screen panels will depend on the size and shape of the shower tray you've purchased. They should fit together without gaps.

The shower screens, whether purchased separately or as part of a kit, will also have instructions from the manufacturer which should be followed for a solid and lasting result. Check all of your caulking and seals to ensure that everything is watertight.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms who supply Showers for the UK market.

Bella Bathrooms is an online retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers through the United Kingdom.

Ego and Spirituality

What is ego? I've often heard people say someone is coming from his or her ego. Ego has gotten a bad reputation because if a person is in his or her ego, how can he or she be spiritual? Are ego and spirituality separate?

Our modern concept of ego started with good old Sigmund Freud. Originally, Freud defined the word ego as a sense of self. Later, he revised his definition of ego to mean the organized realistic part of the psyche, compared to the chaotic instinctual id and the critical and moralizing super-ego. The ego finds a balance between primitive drives and reality while satisfying the id and super-ego. In psychoanalysis, the ego is the part of the psyche that is conscious, controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality. This perspective is entirely focused on third dimensional experience.

In third dimensional experience, the concept of ego has commonly come to be applied to self worth, self esteem and self identity. A person who is has an inflated sense of self worth is referred to as egotistical. Ego is your identity that separates you from all other people. Taking ego a step further, does having a separate identity separate you from not just other people but from your spiritual nature and from God? You are a spiritual being in physical form. As a spiritual being in physical form, isn't ego part of you and part of your Divine nature? Every one of us has a mind and emotions. Your mind and emotions are part of you and part of your Divine nature. In order to become more spiritual, is it necessary to eliminate your ego? If we are truly all one, why does separation in the form of individual ego exist?

The ego expresses individuality. Oneness of all Creation expresses spirituality. You are both a distinct individual and a spiritual being. You are an individual with your own cumulative experiences and lessons, while at the same time; you are part of the whole. Just because you have an ego or sense of self, does not in itself create separation. The sense of separation is created by your belief in separation. When you focus on separation and create thoughts and feelings that reinforce separation, you are creating separation. When you move into spiritual trust and embrace your individual connection to all creation, you are creating oneness. There is a duality here, a duality of separateness and oneness that balance each other out. Ego is about balance, balancing your individuality with your spirituality, allowing for and accepting the flow between them.

Ego and spirituality are interconnected, balancing energies. Instead of struggling with ego as a separating energy in your life that takes you away from your spiritual path, embrace and work with your ego. Become aware of when you are experiencing an ego related feeling, such as guilt or embarrassment. Any ego related response is a normal part of human experience. As a spiritual being in physical form, how you react to your ego related responses is your choice. You can get involved in the thoughts and emotions that come from your sense of self and create separation, or you can acknowledge the thoughts and emotions you create and experience. Love the thoughts and emotions that come from your sense of self and send love to all who trigger these responses in you. Focus on Oneness as your Divine nature and the Universal nature of the Divine in all experiences and all beings. Life is in Divine order. Ego is only a bad thing if you see it as a bad because it separates you from the Divine. Ego is Divine.

Cynthia Tierra - Holistic Health Practitioner/Reiki Master Teacher is the founder and proprietor of Healing From The Heart in Sedona, Arizona. She assists people on their journeys towards healing and self realization. Cynthia created a personal treatment style catering to individual client's needs that works with the mind, body and spirit. A stress reduction specialist, professional healer and Universal Shaman, she facilitates personal healing retreats in Sedona and also does distance healing by phone.

Visit her web site http://www.HealingOne.net

The Antique Shape

Many people say that they want everything to be ultra modern, and that is especially true in their bathroom. They want everything to be made from brushed steel and chrome. I can agree that the look has its merits, but as far as I am concerned there is nothing to beat the antique look, and as far as the bathroom is concerned that means lots of old-fashioned porcelain and so on.

Of course the main focal point of the bathroom is the bathtub, and when you are looking to recreate an antique feel in your bathroom, a feel of days gone by, then you really should be looking at no other style of bathtub but a clawfoot bathtub. There is something about this style of tub, especially the ancient slipper tubs with the rolled rim, that really sets of a bathroom no end. And when the bathtub is an original clawfoot tub, with the right feet, and especially when you set it on a pedestal, you have the ultimate in antique charm in my book.

Of course, having an original porcelain bathtub, usually made in cast iron, has its price, and not only in dollar terms. A traditional clawfoot bathtub is usually made of iron, and therefore you really need to make sure that you have a strong floor when you come to have one installed. Luckily there are several styles of reproduction slipper tubs that give you the look without the weight. And the reproduction bathtubs are a lot lighter in price too!

Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.bathroomshine.com, dedicated to Traditional Clawfoot Tubs and Two Person Whirlpool Tubs.

Using a Commercial Painting Contractor

Finding a painter, specially the one who can understand and fulfill your requirements is one of the difficult tasks you perform when it comes to the renovation of your house. You search, you bargain and then you select. However, in the end dissonance prevails because of time delays and non-standard work of the painter.

Situation remains the same even if you want to plan to refurbish your office, manufacturing plant, building, ware house or any other commercial vicinity and you think you can get the desired results by hiring a non professional painter, then you are living oblivious of the reality. If you are thinking what other you can avail to have your office/ building painted, the option you have is "commercial painting contractors in San Diego"

Commercial painting contractors have the state of the art technology which ensures the standardization in the output and because of the experience and skilled workforce; commercial painting contractors have quality brewed in their work which enhances the appearance and aesthetics of your place.

There are few advantages that a commercial painting contractor has over non professional or local painters. First of all, commercial painting contractors and slick in their field and because of immense experience they can help in deciding the color and the texture of the paint. They know about the capability of colors in constructing different moods and aesthetics. Therefore, their advice can help you in color choice, which eventually uplifts your home or work place.

Secondly, commercial painting contractors can produce better and standardized results because of the equipment they use. Equipment, acquainted with the SOP's (standard operation procedures) of the company conjure up to bring about extraordinary quality in the output, also it ensures the standardization, which means that the same output or color can be achieved anywhere else.

When ever you hire a local painter, you confront the issues of time delays. However, commercial painting contractors have a set starting and ending date which they abide by, therefore, issues of time delays are resolved. Secondly, no home owner wants the painter to create disturbance in his or her daily routine. Commercial painters resolve this issue as well. Commercial painting contractors make sure that they are not causing disruptions or impediments in your daily life.

Therefore, by hiring a commercial painting contractor your decision will reap you following benefits. First of all it reduces your time cost, which means that every day you are wasting in your office because of paint delays, could have earned you something. Commercial painting contractors save this cost of yours. Secondly, the out produced by commercial painting contractors is of standard quality, which means it has high adherence to the sample paint (which is usually shown before you make a deal). Finally, you paint defines the mood and attire of your home or office. Commercial painting contractors make sure that it is in accordance with your requirements. Their experience in the field per se gives them the capability of defining aesthetics. You can find many painting contractors over the internet, where your deal is at the distance of one click.

Bio: View my profile for more articles about Commerical Painting Contractors

David Hay is the owner of 858 GRAPHICS in San Diego, California. 858 Graphics designs, builds, prints and installs almost any type of graphics. For all your Trade Show Display, Wall Murals, Outdoor Signs, Poster Printing and Vehicle Wraps needs, please visit http://www.858graphics.com

The History And Health Benefits Of Hot Tubs

For many years, hot tubs and home spas were the exclusive luxuries of the wealthy. They were expensive to buy, expensive to operate and not very reliable. With the onset of better manufacturing and better materials, and lower prices, however, the popularity of hot tubs and home spas began to soar.

Spas Throughout History

History gives us many examples of spas being used as integral parts of life for many civilizations. The Romans are perhaps the most famous for their bathhouses, which became centers of social life and a common daily activity for the elite classes. Other cultures made use of spa-like hot baths as well, including the ancient peoples of China and Japan.

What did these civilizations know that others didnt? Setting aside technological differences, some of the earliest spa enthusiasts appreciated the health benefits of using hot water to relax the body, open the pores of the skin, and generally promote better health. Cleanliness was considered healthful and a sign of prosperity after all, you had to be pretty well off to afford the bath facilities themselves and to have the leisure time to partake of their benefits.

Hot Tub Hydrotherapy

As medical science has advanced, there has been an increased awareness of the benefits of hot tub hydrotherapy. Many medical conditions, injuries and other health problems can be eased or improved with regular hydrotherapy treatments.

For example, people with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis and other conditions that involve deteriorating range of motion benefit from time spent in a hot tub. The warm water helps ease aches and pains, while loosening joints and making them easier to move and keep mobile.

Joint problems, chronic back pain and other painful conditions resulting from injuries are also helped with regular hot tub hydrotherapy. Those seeking stress relief, general relaxation, and quiet opportunities for conversation commonly experience significant hot tub benefits as well.

Modern Spa and Hot Tub Hydrotherapy

Modern technology, materials and production processes make it possible to design and build home spas and hot tubs with highly specialized hydrotherapy features. These features are typically based on a combination of seating position, jet position and jet function. Lets look at each of these aspects in turn.

Seating Position Traditional hot tub seating was bench-style, typically in a round shape and at a uniform depth so that everyone sat at the same level in the tub. This made it challenging for people of different heights to fully benefit from hot tub therapy.

With the development of molded fiberglass spa shells came the development of different shapes and sizes of seats. Manufacturers began to include lounge seats, where the bather reclines in the water, as well as seats to accommodate bathers of different heights. Some also included deeper seats, designed to fully immerse the bather and allow placement of jets in specific positions for specific benefits.

Jet Position Moldable shell manufacturing made it possible for the first time to place jets in nearly any position within the tub. Manufacturers began experimenting with placing jets in places where they would focus on specific areas of the body, such as the back, neck, shoulders, arms and legs.

The earliest jets were single-action nozzles with limited ability to adjust where they were aimed or the intensity of the jet action. This made it difficult to use them in positions where they would affect more tender areas of the body, such as wrists, forearms, ankles, feet and knees. As manufacturers developed more advanced jets with a wider variety of functionality, though, the technology of hydrotherapy advanced significantly.

Jet Function Modern hot tubs and spas can be customized with a surprising variety of jets that range from multi-purpose to highly specialized. Buyers often are able to select exactly which jets to install in specific locations within their hot tub or home spa.

The most common types of jets available today include:

Swirl jets water swirls in a circular pattern, with a massaging action that covers a wide area

Whirlpool jets a large, round jet that concentrates pressure in a specific area

Mini jets smaller than standard jets, they are often grouped together in clusters, especially in massage and therapy seats

Pillow jets combines massaging action for the neck with a pillow designed to let the bather rest their head without going under water

Shoulder jets positioned above the water line to focus attention of specific parts of the shoulder

Moving massage jets this oval-shaped jet moves back and forth in a sweeping motion to provide pulsating therapy

The benefits of different jet types have grown substantially with the development of independent seating control. In older spas and hot tubs, one set of controls ran all of the therapy jets, but independent seating control allows each bather to control the strength and intensity of therapy in their own individual seat.

Hydrotherapy for Fitness

The latest technology in hydrotherapy involves using jetted tubs for fitness purposes. This new generation of home spas is elongated in shape and allows the bather to choose traditional spas functions or switch over to functions that allow for a vigorous workout. They are commonly referred to as swim spas.

A swim spa has powerful jets that set up a strong resistance current that allows the user to swim as if in a full sized lap pool. The elongated shape allows even the tallest people to stretch out into a full-length stroke and the center depth is such that even a full arm extension will not bump into the bottom of the spa.

Adjustable current jets make it possible to adjust workout intensity depending on the users fitness level, and increase intensity over time as the level of fitness improves.

Summary

Spas and hot tubs have been around in one form or another for centuries, but only in the last few decades have technology, materials and manufacturing improved to the point where a home spa is affordable enough and reliable enough to be within reach of most people.

Hot tub hydrotherapy is one of the most popular and effective ways to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, injuries, or simply promote relaxation and stress relief. Once you have experienced the benefits of a home spa or hot tub, you will wonder how you ever lived without one!

Julie Ann-Amos is a freelance writer for Hot Tubs 'N Home Spas.com, providing consumer information onportable hot tubs and home spas. She has reviewed dozens ofhot tubs and home spas and contributed articles on choosinghot tub spa enclosures and gazebos.

Copyright 2005 Hot-Tubs-N-Home-Spas.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included and all 3 links are hyperlinked.

Low Flow Shower Heads - Tips For Choosing the Right One

Installing low flow shower heads not only helps lower your monthly water and energy bills but is also the easiest and least expensive method to save the environment. But before you rush to purchase them, you should do some research on their effectiveness. This is because a wide variety of low flow shower heads are available in the market and each of them offers different results. The right shower head is the one that saves both water and energy, is attractive to look at, suits the dcor and makes your daily shower - a pleasant experience!

Pressure Compensating Technology

Water pressure can vary from building to building and even from region to region. It can be as low as 20psi at one place to greater than 80psi at another. It is because of this water pressure that the same shower head can give a different feel at different places. So one of the important factors to consider before purchasing a shower head is to find out whether it has any built-in pressure to compensate flow regulator technology. This will ensure that regardless of the water pressure, the gallons used per minute as well as the feel of the shower remain fairly consistent.

Spray Pattern

How warm we feel while taking a shower influences the extent to which we enjoy our bath. The manner in which the spray pattern covers the body plays a major role in the level of warmth felt in the shower in addition to the water temperature. It has been observed that most people prefer the full face spray pattern with nozzles distributed evenly throughout the diameter of the spray face. The water coming out of this shower head feels warmer as it is distributed evenly across the shower face.

Attractiveness

When purchasing your low flow shower heads you also need to make sure that it has an elegant look which can match the dcor of your bathroom. There are many models available to match your requirements including polished chrome and brass and brushed nickel options.

Visit CORE online to get free access to tips and advice for buying low flow shower heads.

Types of Building Foundations - Fallbrook Home Construction

When deciding on which type of foundation (basement, crawl space, or a slab) for your new home, there are many different factors to consider. In some parts of the country full basements will be the norm (most common in the north), while others will have slab foundations (most common in the south) and still others will have crawl spaces (most common in the central regions). Many people, because of local soil and groundwater conditions, often have only one or two options when it comes to house foundations. In certain places, constructing a full basement means blasting through solid rock. In other places, the ground water table may be lurking just a few feet below the surface limiting these folks to a simple slab on grade.

Keep in mind, that if you are planning a crawl space, and all of your neighbors have basements, your house may be more difficult to sell unless you are prepared to lower the price. This is simply a value/price perception issue since many people feel that having a full basement gives them more room even if it is used only for storage purposes. And of course, the potential is always there for someone to finish the basement and add extra living space at some time in the future.

The concrete slab choice is attractive to builders because of its relatively low cost. Excavation is kept to a minimum and the construction schedule can often be accelerated. The day after the slab is poured, wall framing can often begin. But slabs come with some negatives. Typically, plumbing drainage and water supply lines are buried beneath the slab. If something goes wrong or a leak develops, repairs can be costly. Heating or cooling ductwork buried underneath the slab (not recommended) can sometimes fill with water during wet seasons. Should this happen, fungus can form and spores might be blasted into the home each time the HVAC starts up. Thermal conduction issues are always present. Slabs poured in colder climates can conduct cold back into the house unless special precautions are taken when built. Homes built on slabs often offer little protection during tornadoes or hurricanes, unless a special masonry or concrete safe room is built within the house. These safe rooms can be designed as a large walk-in closet.

A crawl space foundation is a step or two above a slab foundation. Generally speaking, a footing needs to be poured and short foundation walls are built to support the home. Crawl space foundations allow you to install plumbing and HVAC systems so that they are accessible. The floor system over and the foundation walls inside of the crawl space almost always need to be insulated. A vapor barrier must be placed over the soil in the crawl space to control moisture, preferably one that is sealed at its seams & to the foundation walls. If this vapor barrier is missing, water vapor will readily travel up into the wood floor system and then into the house. This water vapor can cause severe mold problems. Homes built over crawl spaces offer minimal protection in severe weather unless you can install a floor access door in a closet that allows quick entry into the crawl space, assuming there is sufficient clearance.

As for basements, ask any homeowner who has a dry full height foundation and they will often tell you they would never be without one. The cost per square foot for this bonus space is often a fraction of what you pay for the living space stacked above it. If you do an actual cost analysis of a full height foundation versus a crawl space, you will find it costs very little to upgrade to the full foundation. Typically, full basements make a house more attractive to potential buyers.

A full foundation offers superb protection in the event of severe weather. It is not difficult to keep basements dry, even in extreme wet weather. The builder simply needs to install a proper drainage system around the perimeter and to apply a real waterproofing material such as synthetic rubber or liquid asphalt that has rubber additives. These materials can bridge small hairline cracks that might otherwise leak water. If you intend to finish off the basement space at a later date, be sure to install a true waterproofing material not the traditional hot asphalt damp-proofing spray.

If you can afford the extra cost, ask your builder to consider extra height foundation walls that allow you to have a clear ceiling height of eight feet or more beneath any and all beams that support floor joists, so that finishing the space at a later time will be easier and provide proper ceiling height.

Mac has remodeled many old homes, been employed in several different construction trades & is a major do-it-yourselfer. He currently owns a home inspection company and has been inspecting homes for many years which is where my experience is most relevant to the proper way to build a home. To learn more about building your dream home, visit my website, http://www.house-building-tips.net

How to Choose Bathroom Cabinet Knobs and Handles

We have all heard the old adage that the small things in life matter most. This proverb can be applied to almost anything in life including your at-home projects. Every detail, down to the last square inch of your room should be meticulously planned ahead of time. Skimming over the fine points and solely focusing on the big picture can turn what was planned to be a perfect room into a major disaster. When remodeling your bathroom, therefore, invest proper time and effort in choosing the best bathroom cabinet knobs.

Make a Splash With Color

Believe it or not, you can vary the color of your cabinet hardware to add a unique element to your overall design. Average households and apartments feature traditional cabinet knobs in traditional metal such as chrome, iron, copper, brass and nickel. However, matching the metals with a complimentary finish could easily transform your mundane cabinet knobs to the perfect accent pieces on your cabinet drawers and shelving units. Popular elegant finishes include: oil rubbed, satin, matte, Swedish, weathered, polished and antiqued.

Not sure if these options are for you? There are other ultra trendy options available for you. Accent your white cabinets with colored glass cabinet pulls. The colored glass is literally available in any color in the spectrum. This way, you can perfectly match your towels, throw rugs and shower curtains with the right color. For a more contemporary style, mix and match these colors to create a funky, unique look. Be sure to limit your colors to two or three primary colors-you do not want too many bold colors competing with your eye.

Re-Install for Easier Access

Like many homeowners, there is probably just one door knob or towel rack that just does not seem to be in the right position. Oftentimes, previous owners move the height of light switches, cabinetry hardware and racks to accommodate their needs (which, chances are, are different from yours). Do not be afraid to change the location of your current bathroom cabinet handles. By moving these units just a half inch up, down, left or right, you might just find yourself having an easier time in the bathroom.

Shape Up Your Style

Your bathroom should reflect your and your family's personality and style. Unless you prefer plain cabinet pulls, consider installing new shapes that reflect, well, you! There are endless novelty cabinet knobs out there, just use your imagination. If you're a sea lover, adding delicate nickel sea horses, dolphins and starfish add a cozy, comfortable feel. Sports lovers can choose from the plethora of equipment pieces for football, soccer, baseball and basketball. Imagine redecorating the kids' bathroom - incorporating what they like; they'll love it!

When deciding what elements of your personality to include, do not limit yourself to bathroom hardware. By hanging photographs of the family at the beach, or the picture of your son's first home run, you'll create a comfortable environment that feels therapeutic instead of plain and sterile.

Practice Safety First

Finally, one of the most important elements to any bathroom is security. We have all had one embarrassing "walk-in" moment in our lives, and we'd sure like to prevent them. Test out your current locks; be sure that you cannot force your bathroom door open when the lock mechanism is engaged. This will prevent any accidents as well as ensure privacy for your guests. Additionally, if your family includes children and pets, you must install proper locking devices on cabinets that contain harmful chemical agents. Often, plastic child-proof locks can be easily manipulated. Chances are that if your child has seen you open the cabinet, they will figure out how to do the same. Do not take the risk of having an accident. Eliminate the dangers by keeping prescription medication and dangerous chemicals in a high, dry storage area where children and pets will be less likely to reach.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of products, like cabinet door knobs, to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Design Your Own Dream House

In the past, designing your own dream house meant grabbing a pen and pad of paper and spending hours meticulously drawing plans only to scrap them once you made a mistake. It was frustrating work. But, times have changed. Today, there are several house design software programs that can do the same work. Even better, it takes less time and allows for easy adjustments for mistakes along the way. Once a frustrating task, planning your dream house can be exciting again.

Using Software To Visualize Your Dream House

One of the most common problems people have when planning their dream home is trying to visualize how everything looks. House design software resolves this issue. It can provide a 3D interface through which you to view floor plans, walking areas, structural placements and more. But, some software programs are better than others.

Use a house design program that comes with preset floor plans and templates to get you started. Often, even if you have an idea of how your dream house should ultimately look, preset floor plans can get the creative juices flowing. The software you use should also be robust enough to allow you to modify the templates in any way you wish as you're designing the home.

Also, the software should allow you to plan the plumbing within your home as well as the electrical system. Some programs will even let you plan custom trims for your windows throughout your home. The more robust your software, the more flexibility you'll enjoy in designing your dream home to your preferences.

Designing Your Dream Home

If you're planning to design your dream house, using house design software can save time and make the process fun. Software shouldn't replace the skills and advice of a trained architect, but will allow you to create your home without the limitations of pen and paper. If you make a measurement error, adjusting your plans is easy and fast. When you're using software to design your home, the scope of your plans are limited only be your creativity (and physics).

Source: http://www.homedesignsoftwareinc.com

Get our free house design software guide for information about kitchen & bathroom remodeling, deck and garden design, floor plan drawing software.

Miami Hotels

As they say, there is a hotel for everyone in Miami. Miami has a range of hotels, including discount hotels, airport hotels, beach hotels and condos. If you are a budget-conscious traveler, you would like to visit one of those hotels that offer you a discount of 30% or more. These discount hotels are located in Miami Beach, near the airport or even within the city. If you are on a business trip, you would like to stay in one of the good hotels near the Miami airport. Airport hotels have a business environment even while providing you amenities like spas and gyms.

The widest range of hotels in Miami is available for honeymooners and families. These hotels provide facilities that include nightclubs, serene oceanside rooms, discos, prompt service and several other recreational facilities specially customized for children as well as adults.

Getting the hotel of your choice requires a little effort on your part. You will need to browse several offers of hotels on the web and then get in touch with the hotels customer service staff or make your bookings online. You will also need to learn about the weather for the time of the year you plan to visit Miami, and the facilities that you seek during your vacations. Some hotel websites will provide you a virtual tour of their rooms and other facilities so that you can make a wise decision.

Miami hotels are known for their service, so getting a special facility is not a problem. The moment you land up in a hotel, you are surrounded by an ever-ready group of hotel staff who are there to ensure that you get the best. So even if you are planning to go for a cruise or water-skiing, the hotel staff will be more than willing to assist you.

Miami Hotels provides detailed information on Miami Hotels, Miami Beach Hotels, Discount Miami Hotels, Miami Airport Hotels and more. Miami Hotels is affiliated with Miami Beach Real Estate.

Some Tips on Bathroom Remodeling

Bathroom remodeling is about changing the tiles, vanity and fixtures of a bathroom to update its look. In order to make any remolding project a success, it is best to keep your ideas, plans and thoughts in a scrapbook or folder that you can't easily lose. That way you can draw upon your ideas when it is time to plan your new bathroom quickly and easily.

Remodeling your bathroom doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. Some simple changes can transform an old bathroom. Just by changing the fixtures, a new shower curtain and some paint can make your bathroom look like new. If you need to do more expansive work, look for special bargains and discounts from local bathroom stores and second hand shops. You may be able to pick up some expensive tiles or other supplies at discounted prices if you take the time.

A new vanity can make a major difference. A bathroom vanity is such a visually important part of a bathroom. Besides the visual impact, a new vanity can give your more storage so that your bathroom will look much less clutter with all your toiletries stored safely away. You can pick up a new vanity from a local store or you can find a discounted vanity online or at second hand shops. It is important that you spend plenty of time looking a vanities because they are such an important component of a bathroom.

If you are confused or frustrated by bathroom remolding you can seek professional advice. One way of knowing that a contractor you are talking to is trust worthy is if they are a member of the National Association of Remodeling Industry. Do a check of their website and ask previous customers how they found their work.

For more information on buying a bathroom vanity or advice on bathroom remodeling take a look at the Bathroom Vanity Guide.

Home Remodeling - Stress-Busting Ideas

Stress is a common thing that everyone encounters in the City that Never Sleeps-New York. With the never-ending hustle and bustle, you are sure to get a good dose of stress-inducing factors. The effects may range from depression to health issues like migraine and high blood pressure. The most ideal place to help us recover from its preying claws is our homes. But what if this silent predator has already invaded your home? Then it is high time to implement some home remodeling ideas to help reduce, if not totally rid your home of stress.

Home remodeling can do fantastic things not only for you but also for your home's value. Though stress can affect people in different ways and just the same, people also have varying ways of fighting it; the following are general home remodeling projects that are great as stress-busting ideas:

De-clutter

Numerous studies have proven that disorganization is among the major triggers of stress. Just imagine having to go home with a disarray of everything piled up wherever. This not only makes things unsightly but also causes the area to not be as functional as it is essentially meant to be. What you can do first is to minimize your belongings by going through them and deciding whether to keep them, sell, giveaway or throw them out if they are already in very bad condition. The rest of the things that you decide to keep should be put in storage. If you think storage areas isn't enough then, add innovative storage solutions into your home.

Exercising in the Comforts of Your Own Home

Exercise is another great reducer of stress. An exercise room can be a great addition and home remodeling project. Other than saving considerably on gas and fitness club memberships, this is also a great way to get yourself some privacy while exercising. The feel of the outdoors is another idea that you could add into this home remodeling project making an additional sunroom to be used as exercise area ideal.

Avoid Sleeping Problems

To prevent stress, it is important that we are able to get enough sleep. When home remodeling, a good area to focus on with stress-busting in mind is the bedroom. Make sure that the lighting, noise level, and temperature in this room are well controlled, promoting a good sleep. Comfort should be at its highest level here.

A Personal Spa Out of Your Bathroom

The bathroom is where we start our early morning routine and end our day to get ourselves ready for a peaceful slumber. This makes it a vital stress-reducing area and a great focus of your home remodeling. When wanting to achieve that utter comfort in your bathroom remodeling result, you have to consider warmth, and stylish functionality. Floor heating system and towel warmers are excellent in optimizing comfort even after stepping out of the shower or tub. Depending on your budget, and preference complete relaxation can be achieved through a steam shower, home sauna, or whirlpool tub.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with pre-screened Staten Island Contractors. For more, visit Remodeling Staten Island.

Cellulous Attic Insulation
Broken Electrical Outlet Cover

Tips on the Best Way to Fix Dripping Faucet

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

It's Such A Tenuous Contention

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

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

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

It's Time To Get Cracking

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

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

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

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

Cabinet Frame Damage
Mold And Stucco Damage

Advantages of Shower Curtains

Shower curtains are used around bathtubs or shower enclosures. It is commonly made up of vinyl, cloth or plastic. Major purpose is to provide privacy and stop spreading water in bathroom. They are hanged with railings or rods on interior surface of roof. They are functional and decorative. Curtain rods are available in different sizes and designs. They are available in many designs and patterns such as animal, plants, sports and geometrical designs.

Different Materials for Shower Curtains

They are available in range of different materials. Material is very important criteria for right selection. Some materials provide full protection from damages caused by water. Some materials give sleek and stylish look but do not provide protection from water.

- Synthetic

- Cotton and Linen

- Hemp

Synthetic

It is the most common material used to make curtains for bathrooms. It includes vinyl, nylon and polyester. They also offers certain advantages such as low maintenance, low cost and easily avoid yeast growth. They do not give stylish and beautiful look. But now they are available in number of colors and designs.

Cotton and Linen

They are considered as deluxe choice. They add luxurious look to bath. You can select matching curtains, towels and bath sets. They are prone to get satins and fungi because of their absorbing capacity. Extra plastic lining is required to protect it from moisture and frequent washing is also required in order to keep it clean and odor free.

Hemp

It is made up of plant fibers same way like cotton. Add high class look to your bath. Major advantage of installing this type is their natural resistance to fungi and bacteria. They are bit expensive than other types of curtains. But they remain fresh and clean for long duration that will reduce its maintenance cost.

Advantages of Shower Curtains

There are number of advantages of using shower curtains in bathroom. Some major advantages are as follows.

- They add glow, color and warmth feeling to your bathroom.

-It can also use as affordable and quick remodeling option for your bathroom. Warm colors and beautiful patterns give instant refreshing look to your bath area.

- High quality curtains also protect your bathroom from damages caused by splashing of water and steam generated during hot showers. Because prolonged exposure to steam and water can cause severe damages to walls, floors and other bathroom fixtures.

- They also function to provide privacy during bath. In child's bathroom they also offers easy access to your child during bath.

These are some advantages of using shower curtains. You can select any of them according to your budget and bathroom style.

If you need more bathroom remodeling ideas you can visit this site http://www.theyarelocal.com/articles/remodeling/bathroom_remodeling/index.php it will give you more bathroom remodeling ideas and tips.

Broken Fire Hydrant Home Damage
Mold On Oak Door Jamb