Professional Advice on Home Building

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. An online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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

Wall Repairs

Commercial Roof Repair

Commercial roof repair is a big task. There are many different options to best repair an upper exterior surface. Lets take a look a look at some of them and learn what they are and how it all works.

The basic differences in a flat over an angled covering in commercial repair is one of preference. Both will require timely maintenance. For flat surfaces that are smooth, it will require cleaning in preparation for repair. If there is wet insulation under the membrane, it will need to be removed and replaced. If there is damage to the beams or structure it is fixed at this time. Afterwards, a new surface is installed, there needs to be a total replacement. If there are only certain areas that are needing attention, it will be done by cutting out the old and replacing it with new layers and coating. Elastomeric coatings are used for the superior expansion characteristics that are desired in climates with extremes in temperature. All in all, commercial repair for a flat surface is done similar to any other flat roof that is not a commercial roof.

Taking a look at some repair materials for an angled exterior surface, we find that so many are used that it is not possible to mention them all. Some are metal coatings, canvas, recycled materials, gravel foam systems, mansard, single-ply, standing seam, and others. Metal is a popular choice. The TPO system is another popular choice and is made of a thermoplastic, reinforced fabric, and rubber together. All the commercial roof repair projects on these are going to need different tools and expertise. The metal covering is corrugated to fit together and channel the rain downward. The repair on this is sometimes just a simple coating. For more extensive repair, sheets may be removed and replaced.

The TPO commercial roof repair is dependent on the age of the surface. A TPO covering has membranes that age under the stress of sun wind and rain. They are repaired using a heat welding process. It is quite simple. What happens is that you scuff up the surface, prime it with primer and then use a sealant to replace old material with the new.

As easy at is sounds, commercial roof repair is still a big job, covering what sometimes can be acres of area. Dealing with large numbers is a basic difference between commercial roof repair and residential home repair. Different materials are used because the aesthetic value of a commercial roof is less than a residential one. All in all, commercial roof repair is simply an ongoing task every business should be ready for.

All of our articles are originals, if you liked this, check out Commercial Roof Repair and learn more about repairing your roof.

Roof Repairs

Remodeling Your Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

Refurbishing the kitchen and the bathroom is a great way to give a new look to your home and also adding to its resale value. There are certain issues like the plumbing set-up and some gadgets and fixtures remodeling a kitchen or a bathroom becomes quite an expensive project at times. A cabinet redo is a very intelligent way to give these two much-used units of your home, a very new look and that too by dint of a very affordable price.

As the cabinets are the most essential and primary aspect of these two rooms, remodeling them can do wonders and that is done at a less expense. The whole process is a very time-consuming and grueling one and you should set off with it only if after careful scrutiny, you feel that your cabinets genuinely require an update and are never a wastage of your energy as well as money.

Some remodeling processes concerning kitchen and bathroom are as simple as a pot of mineral spirits and paint. But you should make sure that the time, energy and the money you spend should be meaningful. You check your existing cabinets very minutely and only after that should you decide whether to go about the refurbishing process at all. You should ensure that some potential faults like gaps between fitted cabinets, dislocated doors and defective drawers are not there after the refinish. Sometimes there are certain fittings that are never made good by any kind of refurbishing project. That causes an useless drain of time and money. You should start with a project and look for different styles and themes only if you are absolutely sure of the effect that it would bring.

Refinishing Techniques

Just a fresh coat of paint is not all in a cabinet redo process. It includes a number of other ways in order to give your kitchen or bathroom a very new look. In case the cabinets are very greasy and dirty due to constant use then cleaning them up with a good-quality bleaching can be a good and cost-effective way to give it a new look. A concoction of linseed oil, bleach and boiling water is a very effective cleaner which brightens up the cabinet. If this cleaning procedure is not enough then you can peel off the existing paint from the wood and apply a fresh coat. Some people like the simple wood finish of their cabinet.

In that case you can just stain the wood and put a layer of polyurethane to protect the grain. But if you are totally inclined to change the look altogether then you can always select a new color in accordance with the total dcor of the kitchen as well as your home in totality. Special kinds of painting processes like rag-rolling or sponging gives a very unique texture to the wood.

When kitchen or bathroom remodeling is concerned then refinishing just the cabinets may be a very good or the only way to give them a spick and span look again. Let your own creativity give birth to newer ideas with which you can update the rooms and personalize them according to your taste and preference.

Chester Ebenhart routinely creates news stories on news corresponding to gevalia commercial coffee machines. You can see his contributions on gevalia commercial coffee machines and gevalia coffee makers over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com

Wall Repairs

Laying Ceramic Tile - Important Details That Must Be Right

Laying ceramic tile is a simple process. Get the basics right and the project will be a success. Now there are quite a few tricks that you need to know for the project to turn out right. Overlook these few things and you may have problems. Actually some of the most important steps are before you lay the first tile.

Some tile projects fail because of the base over which the tile is set. That's because any movement of the finished tile surface will likely lead to cracks. You see a tile surface is brittle. Move the base around and the tile will crack either in the tiles themselves or in the grout. A cracked tile surface is because of movement of the base. You can easily prevent this.

Now on some surfaces you may need some bracing. But usually even if you have a bouncing mounting surface, covering the surface will solve the problem. Putting down a plywood base or a cement board base is often the solution. The cement board base is almost a standard professional first step. In any case, make sure your base is clean, smooth and solid.

Once you have a solid base, the next important step is to decide where that first tile goes. Get the first tile right and the project is well under way. You see the finished look of the tile surface depends on where the cut tiles are and how all the tile joints look. Usually most rooms aren't exactly square so it's a challenge to make the tile lines match best with the existing walls. Planning is the key to success.

You can often start a floor in the center and work out for the best look. Once you get started it's easy to keep joints even using regular tile spacers. Then you can check regularly with a carpenter square to keep all the tiles properly aligned.

Laying ceramic tile is a step by step process. No particular step is hard, but there are quite a few tricks that you need to know to have the best chance for success. Get off to the right start and you'll surely have a good looking finished project.

You can get access to video tutorials showing the professional tricks to laying ceramic tile on our tile website.

Al Bullington invites you to visit http://InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.

Rusted Cabinet Door Hinge

Fool-Proof Ways on Installing a Stainless Steel Sink in Your Kitchen

A lot of people agree that home improvement is in fact one of those continual tasks that we should keep on our list. As for any avid home improver, part of this list includes ensuring that you have the stainless steel sink that is in perfect condition.

Unlike other tasks, this case may actually call for extra labor or work. If you are still trying to figure out how to this by now, then follow these few, simple and fool-proof ways on how to install that new stainless steel sink in your kitchen.

Before you start worrying, let me assure you again that although it might sound complicated as it seems, all you need to do is follow these simple instructions. No need to fret, I will be making it as painless as possible. You'll be surprised that indeed, it's not rocket science to have that sink replaced.

Step One: Place the sink upside down on the countertop where you have decided to place it. You have to make sure that your stainless steel sink is parallel to the countertop edge of course. Check if your desired placement fits well given the other structures around it such as a cabinet. Why do you want to do this? It's because you'd like to start getting the right measures before you start working on things.

Step Two: Begin to trace. This is step one in taking measurements. Tracing allows you to place accurate marks which eventually you will use as reference for measurements. Trace the stainless steel sink on the countertop. Remove it and then make another line marking which 3/8" inside the first tracing mark line. This marking will be the cut lines for the whole where the stainless steel sink will be placed. The edges of the sink are expected to overlap with the edges of that of the outside markings. Check and draw these lines to ensure that they will perfectly fit before you actually carry on.

Step Three: Drilling will be next. Drill " hole roughly around 1" inside of the cut line with you drew. Make the holes bigger using a " bit. You may want to place a tape on the edges of the piece you are working on so that you don't end up scraping or having scratches on your countertop. Use to jigsaw blade and carefully start cutting out the stainless steel sink hole. Remember to keep the inside lines. Make sure that you cut out carefully to ensure good fit of your kitchen sink. Once cut, try putting your stainless steel sink to see if it fits well.

Step Four: Installation will be made easier and faster if you get the assistance of someone who can help you do this. This also prevents accidents both to you and your kitchen space. After testing how the sink fits, you may remove it again. Remember to make necessary adjustments should there be a need to do so. You may also want to prevent the sealant from smudging. You can easily do this by grasping the sink by the drain hole which is at the center of the stainless steel kitchen sink. Bring into line carefully and then press down to seat the sealant firmly.

Step Five: Be patient. This is already the last step. Fasten the sink from the under of the counter by making the clips tight. Bend the ends of the clips away from the rim of your stainless steel sink. This will pool the clips tight next to countertop. Remove any remnants of the sealant with the use of a cloth. Let it try as prescribed in the instructions. Once dried, you may connect this already to the water supply lines. Viola! You have just successfully installed your new kitchen sink.

For more information you can visit http://sinkdepot.net Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Top Ten Budget Home Improvements

We all like to have a beautiful home but costs can sometimes be prohibitive when it comes to home improvements. In this article we take a closer look at 10 great improvements that can be made on a small budget.

What we've looked at are a combination of factors. Ideally, we've identified improvements that will brighten up your living space, while also hopefully increasing the resale value of your home.

So here's our top ten:

1. Paint interior walls: It may sound obvious but painting is usually a very cheap solution for brightening up a room. It doesn't involve an enormous amount of skill, but can have a massive impact.

2. Use soft furnishings: In particular, don't forget that cushions, rugs and throws can be used to make significant changes to a room.

3. Install a feature: This needn't be dramatic - something like a fire in the living room can work well.

4. Tidy up the garden: The garden can be a fun place to relax, but only if you're not surrounded by weeds. A little work can produce big rewards.

5. Paint your front door: Once again, a cheap solution but you'll be surprised by the impact that it can have.

6. Make a piece of furniture: Something like a coffee table can be cheap to make and yet still look impressive.

7. Clean the windows: Your windows are your view out into the world, but only if you can see throw them!

8. Make use of lighting: There are so many different forms of lighting on the market and they can all make a real difference.

9. Have a spring clean: It will cost you next to nothing but some proper cleaning can transform any home.

10. Relax!: Once you've done the work, don't forget to relax and enjoy your new home!

Too many people make the mistake of constantly attempting to improve the property, without ever making the time to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Don't make the same mistake - all of our top ten tips offer great advice, but the tenth tip may be the most important of all!

More on Electric Fire Suites is available online, as discussed by Keith Barrett. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

Backsplashes For Kitchen Improvement

Back splashing your kitchen could be a simple decorating solution to an area that needs a little tlc. There are many different choices for backsplashes, from the acceptable materials such as tile to any unusual products that meets your wants and needs. A simple backsplash addition can make any kitchen look new. There are several different choices when it comes to backsplashes.

CERAMIC TILE
Ceramic tiles offer a huge variety of design possibilities. They come in a vast array of colors, textures and finishes. They give someone on a budget the opportunity to create a custom look and save on installation. The grout, however, must be cleaned and resealed regularly. But, even with that, it makes a beautiful backsplash.

Other Tile
You are not limit to ceramic tile for a backsplash anymore. There are many different types of tile such as vinyl tile, metal tile, mosaic tile, and glass tile. You can purchase a how to install tile books from any home improvement store or any large book store. The tools needed are not many, something to cut the tile with, a square, a trowel, something to measure with, a tile snip tool for small cuts, grout, tile, cement, a grout float, sponge.

GRANITE
The most durable natural stone for backsplashes is granite. However, it should be resealed twice a year to maintain protection from moisture. Granite is versatile just as tile since it comes in many different colors. Unfortunately granite is not a good do itself project. It takes skill and special saws to cut granite. If you still want granite and also want to do it yourself you can purchase granite tile.
On any tiling project you need to give yourself enough time to do it right, and hopefully find someone to help you that has done it before.

STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel is also another choice that many are using now. It gives any kitchen a professional look and easy to clean. Stainless steel comes in panels which you premeasured and have made. There are also stainless steel tiles which you can do yourself basically the same way you do ceramic tiles.
No matter which type of backsplash you choose , it should be something that you can take care of and compliments your kitchen dcor.

Sherry Street writes on different kitchen improvement projects. You can learn more by visiting my blog, Kitchen Improvements.
http://kitchenimprovements.blogspot.com

Animal Dropping In Attic

Free Cash Grants For Home Improvement and Repairs

Have you ever wanted to upgrade your appliances or do some home improvement, but thought about the expenses. Home improvement grants may be able to provide you with the money you need to finance your projects. These grants may be obtained by your local or state government, or some of the thousands of private foundation grants that are available to American citizens may provide financial assistance to repair homes.

But just because there is billions of dollars in free grant money available does not mean you automatically qualify to receive these funds. There is an application process and eligibility requirements, but as long as you are at least 18 years old and an American citizen, you may qualify to receive some of this money. It's just a matter of matching your background and needs to the eligibility requirements of the particular grant program you are applying for.

Finding these programs that provide home improvement grants may be the trickiest part. Because grant can be offered by many government and private agencies, it is easiest to first search for the grant you need online, review the application and eligibility requirements, and submit your grant request. There is no limit on the number of grants you can apply for or receive, so there is no harm in applying for a number of grants. Once approved, you'll never have to pay the money back. Just be sure to spend the money in accordance to the terms of the grant you applied for, and the cash is yours to keep.

Instantly access to the database to get your home mortgage grants

See how much you can qualify to receive and obtain your check in as little as 7 days just by asking for free grant money

Cut Electrical Wire

Common Home Inspection Defects

Most people these days are convinced that they must have a home inspection before they purchase a house. Many of them have heard the horror stories about people who bought homes without a home inspection, and then learned the house had tons of problems when they got the keys.

Thanks to cable stations like TLC and HGTV, Americans are learning more and more about buying and remodeling homes; and in most cases, the programs responsibly promote having an inspection before purchasing a house.

So with that settled: what kinds of defects and problems do home inspectors find? The answer is, you name it, and they find it; yet there are some common defects that can make you reconsider buying a home.

Water damage is one of the big things that home inspectors are on the look out for. Whether it's a damp smell in the basement or water stains on the ceiling, evidence of water damage can point to mildew and plumbing problems.

Another big deal for home inspectors is the foundation of a house. This is something that you would never know how to evaluate or check by yourself, but if your house is built on a bad foundation, it can lead to real problems. A house with a cracked foundation is a big deal - as a home buyer, you would want to know about a problem of this magnitude before buying a house.

The roof is also a critical area. You probably wouldn't know a good roof from a bad one, but a home inspector can determine how old the roof is and offer some general guidelines of when it should be replaced. Most people don't like to spend thousands of dollars on a roof that can't be seen. Spending thousands on landscaping or a new pool is easy to do, but forking over thousands for a new roof is not an exciting prospect. Because of this, many people own a home and sell it without ever having done any work to the roof. If you are not careful, you may buy a house and then have to immediately invest in a new roof.

While it's important to stress that home inspectors are neither electricians nor experts on county code violations, they should be able to spot defective or poorly installed electrical wiring in the house. When you're talking electricity, you're talking about safety for you and your family.

Discovering some of the problems mentioned above will be enough to scare away some home buyers, but problems like these can also be powerful negotiating tools if you really want the house. Your real estate agent should be able to use this kind of information to do one of two things: either request that the owner lower the price, or ask the owner to fix the problem before you purchase the house.

Home buyers must ask themselves how badly they want a particular house and what kinds of compromises they are willing to make. The bottom line is that all houses have problems; it's just a matter of your comfort level when you make the decision to buy.

Asri Joda is a marketing agent for accredited online school in California USA. Get your home inspection license from nationally accredited real estate online school.

Drywall And Framing Mold

Patio Fireplaces

Fireplaces are traditionally inside additions. Bringing a pleasant ambiance to any room, fireplaces are the romantic touch a home needs. But, it is the brain child of a few pioneers who have incorporated a fireplace into the outside setting as well. It must be done right, or it's merely a glorified grill.

With a nice patio extending your house into the yard, it's a perfect addition when a fireplace accompanies your outdoor leisure. Like a fire on a camping trip, people love the crackling of the fire and the warmth it throws. When the fireplace meets with the theme of the patio, it seems like one structure. A fireplace simply grows out of the ground and the chimney extends itself into the sky.

An impressive patio fireplace I once observed was made from a white rock that matched the patio theme. The same rock made the walls of the patio where benches lined the outer edges. The fireplace itself was square with an opening on the inside and outside of the fire area so that warmth could be enjoyed on either side.

The fireplace is rather large and does indeed have a grill insert for accommodating patio cookouts. It also has a tuner that could hold a pig for a roast. But when I asked the homeowners how much it all cost them, they just shook their heads. I didn't want to know.

I've seen brick outdoor fireplaces that matched the brick patio. I've also seen brick fireplaces to accompany the wooden deck. The wood was treated with a fire retardant and it really did look rather distinct. The structure for that particular fireplace was built to the ground so that a solid base existed. But, there was also a patio area on ground level and the fireplace had two different openings.

These are really nice structures that add class to any patio or deck. They may take awhile to build and they might cost a little money. But, it's worth it to have the added comfort and style you want.

If your pocket book can't quite handle the structure of the fireplace on the patio or the deck, there is an alternative you might like. There are ventless gel fireplaces that are made for the patio. An iron stand holds the chimney in its place so that you can enjoy the fire wherever you place it. A whole assortment of patio products are offered for an outdoor fireplace experience you'll just love.

When you begin to let your imagination run wild, you see the many possibilities that exist. A fireplace on the patio might be the last thing you would have ever thought about. But now that the thought is in your head, I'd be willing to bet that you'll look into it. It's very captivating. And with the ventless gel, money won't be your holdup.

Jessica Brylan is a home improvement expert. She loves remodeling homes. She has even built a few. In all her work, she has split off into interior design every once in awhile. But, actual construction is her first love. She knows enough to get by with the big guys.

Fascia Damage From Metal Flashin

Indoor Pollution - Are You Poisoning Your Home?

In our fast paced world, so many of us rarely take the time to consider that some of the products we have come to know and trust could actually be making us very sick. While most experts would agree that depression, weight gain, fatigue and disease can all be directly attributed to malfunctioning in the body, they are often quite vague when queried as to whether environmental toxicity is part of the problem.

And yet, how can it not be?

According to scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), total toxic residues in our daily diet exceed 500 percent of the recommended daily maximum (even if each individual food is within the government-approved safe limits) and toxic chemicals can be found in trace amounts in the tissues of virtually everyone in America. There are more than one hundred thousand chemicals currently in commercial use and at least 25 percent which are known to be hazardous.

You probably use many of the chemical-laden products already, believing they are safe.

Toxins in Everyday Products

Here is just a sampling of some of the everyday toxins that may be poisoning you and your home:

• Styrofoam products:

Disposable Styrofoam contains styrene. Health effects from exposure to styrene may involve the central nervous system and include complaints of headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, malaise, difficulty in concentrating, and a feeling of intoxication. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies styrene as a potential human carcinogen. It is also known as vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, or phenylethylene.

• Mothballs and deodorizers:

1,4-dichlorobenzene. According to the EPA, acute (short-term) exposure to 1,4-dichlorobenzene, via inhalation in humans, results in irritation of the skin, throat, and eyes. Chronic (long-term) 1,4-dichlorobenzene inhalation exposure in humans results in effects on theliver, skin, and central nervous system. The EPA has classified 1,4-dichlorobenzene as a Group C, possible human carcinogen.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This scary synthetic detergent can be found in soaps, shampoos and toothpaste-as well as floor cleaners. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a mixture of sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium. Also abbreviated to "SLS", sodium lauryl sulfate is known to emit toxic fumes in the presence of excessive heat. When mixed into diluted concentrations, however, these chemicals can be bottled and sold as your favorite brand name skin care product or cologne. Its role in these products is usually that of a foaming or a dispersal agent. Toothpaste or bubble baths, for example, that foam when used.

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. National Institutes of Health "Household Products Directory" of chemical ingredients lists over 80 products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%! Read more about SLS and other incredible toxins that are found in our everyday world at www.Non-Toxic-Home.com

Making the Change

Keep in mind that while a product may be promoted as 'safe' or 'hypoallergenic', it still may be poisoning your environment. There are much safer cleaning, personal care, and household products available and a wellness consultant versed in holistic healing can help you make the necessary changes for better health.

Hailed as a premiere Creativity and Wellness Instructor, Laura Garrison is currently pursuing her PhD in Naturopathy and has been a business coach, consultant, artist and entrepreneur for many years. Please visit http://www.WorksofHearts.com for a free gift account and further information.

Corrosive Metal Conduit

Home Improvement Loans Are a Bad Idea

Most homeowners do not save money for major improvements and required maintenance, and these homeowners often take out home equity lines of credit as a method of mortgage equity withdrawal to fund home improvement projects. The logic here is that renovations improve the property so an increase in property value offsets the additional debt. This is a bad idea.

Mortgage Equity Withdrawal or MEW is the process of obtaining cash through refinancing residential real estate using the accumulated equity as collateral for the loan. Before MEW homeowners would have to wait until the property was sold to get their equity converted to cash. Apparently, this was deemed an inefficient use of capital, so lenders found ways to "liberate" this equity with home equity lines of credit or cash-out mortgage refinancing. Home equity lines of credit are popular with lenders despite the additional risk of being in the second or third lien position because borrowers are less likely to default or prepay than non-cash-out refinancing.

Home improvement projects rarely add value on a dollar-for-dollar basis, particularly with exterior enhancements which often only return 50 cents on the dollar in value. The home-improvement craze was so common during the Great Housing Bubble that the term "pergraniteel" was coined to describe the Pergo fake wood floors, granite countertops, and steel appliances that defined the Great Housing Bubble era in much the same way as shag carpeting and wood wall paneling defined the interior decorating of the 1970s.

MEW has been utilized by homeowners for home improvement for decades, but the widespread use of this money for consumer spending was largely an innovation of the Great Housing Bubble. Since consumer spending is almost 70% of the US economy, mortgage equity withdrawal was the primary mechanism of economic growth after the recession of 2001, a recession caused by the deflation of another asset bubble, the NASDAQ technology stock bubble.

Mortgage equity withdrawal is generally a bad idea. It adds to mortgage debt and reduces a borrowers net worth. It may be prudent to borrow 50% to 70% of a home renovation project with a home equity line of credit as this much borrowing will be offset by the value added to the property. Realistically, few will want to pay cash for home improvement projects and they will borrow the full amount whether it is a smart financial decision or not.

Lawrence Roberts is the author of The Great Housing Bubble: Why Did House Prices Fall?
Learn more and get FREE eBooks at: http://www.thegreathousingbubble.com/
Read the author's daily dispatches at The Irvine Housing Blog: http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/

Rusting Handrailing Nails

Plastering The Walls and Ceilings

First of all, it's not that difficult to get plaster onto your wall or ceiling, but there are ways of getting it flat and smooth, which in all honesty only come with practice. As in all trades it is advisable to practice as much as you can before attempting real jobs. Doing your own skimming instead of hiring a plasterer, can and will save you a lot of cash so its well worth the time and effort invested in learning how to do the job right.

The main thing that takes most DIY enthusiasts by surprise is just how quickly skimming plaster goes hard and becomes unworkable. Once the first coat of plaster has been put on it is usually ready to be smoothed over or 'trowel led up' to use the correct industry term. Skimming depends very much on your timing getting yourself organised beforehand. Attempting to fetch things from the van, wash tools or fill buckets of water whilst the plaster is setting on the walls can result in a horrendous job.

Once skimming plaster has gone hard the only way of smoothing it is by sanding it down so you really need to get organised, have all your things to hand and have enough plaster mixed and ready to complete the section that you are working on.

Mixing skim plaster for the first time is difficult and can cause people problems if they haven't done it before. You need to know what texture to look out for when doing plaster mixes, the best way to describe the texture you are looking for is like that of thick cream - with no lumps of plaster. As tempting as it is to start shovelling plaster into your bucket you need to start with the water first and add plaster to it gradually mixing it into the water and removing all the lumps. This is where a mixing paddle will prove invaluable. These can be bought as attachments to fit on standard drills and if you're serious about getting a good mix you should consider investing in one. These attachments aren't expensive and can be bought from DIY shops or builders merchants.

You will need to use big buckets, we suggest using buckets big enough to allow you to mix a whole bag of skimming in one go. This will allow you to cover quite a large area without having to go back and start mixing again in the middle of 'laying on' your plaster. Your should always use cold clean water in your buckets - fill your bucket to around a third of its depth. Remember - the mix will double in volume once the plaster is added. You then fan in the plaster from the sack until the mound of plaster in your bucket sticks out of the water in the middle. Using your mixing attachment you can then mix the plaster until it looks like thick cream and has no lumps. A good tip is to go around the edges of your bucket with a gauging trowel to free the plaster that has stuck to the edges of the bucket and mix that in as well. Make sure that the consistency of the plaster is right and that there are no lumps in it - lumps will make skimming to a smooth finish virtually impossible!

It's advisable to always have a clean bucket of water to hand to wash your tools and buckets. If you have to mix a new bucket of plaster and there is still some of the old stuff in there or on any of your tools, it will mean you have to wash the tools & buckets first - all this while your precious plaster is setting on your walls! Make sure to clean your mixing bucket thoroughly after each mix to prevent hard bits in your next mix.

As soon as you have mixed the plaster you should empty it out of the bucket onto a wet board which should be lifted off the ground high enough to enable you to get your plaster onto your hand board (hawk) easily. You should then move a small amount of plaster onto the hawk. This will allow you to scoop skimming plaster on your trowel before plastering it onto the wall or ceiling. Plastering with skimming is not an easy task, but with practice you will be able to apply it evenly to the work surface using long even strokes.

Here's the important part - get the plaster onto the wall or ceiling as quickly as you can and as you do, try to keep the thickness of the plaster even over the entire surface. At this point don't worry about getting the surface perfectly smooth, in fact dwelling on it and messing about with it too much at this stage will be counter productive. Once the plaster has firmed up to the touch but has not yet dried you can start 'trowel ling it up' this means going over the surface with a clean trowel in order to work out the trowel marks and polish up the surface. We suggest going over the surface 3 times - giving it 3 trowels. At each stage apply a little water to the surface by flicking it with a wet paint brush. At this point the plaster will be setting fast and each trowel will allow you to get the plaster flatter and smoother.

Don't - forget to wash all your tools and buckets once you are finished otherwise you will make it harder for yourself the next time.

Plasterer 4 Plastering is plastering company based in Barnsley, Yorkshire, UK who provide plasters in rotherham, plasterers in wakefield and plasterers in barnsley For more information about their services visit their website.