Building Stairs With Old Concrete - Remodeling Ideas

What a great idea using your old side walk or driveway to build a nice stairway for your front or back yard. Using the old concrete instead of sending it to the landfill. Wow talk about earth friendly. Who would have thought that using recycled concrete would create a beautiful center piece in your landscaping plans.

That's enough about that lets get to the nuts and bolts of building the stairs. I came across the idea by visiting one of our favorite breakfast stops in Fallbrook. I had been walking down these stairs for quite a while when it dawned on me that the stairs where kind of jagged. When I took a closer look I couldn't figure it out, What kind of building materials did they use.

Then I realized it was recycled concrete in other words someone's old side walk. They even used the old concrete to make some nice planter boxes and retaining walls. The whole area really looks nice. The landscaping created natural look with a old world look to it.

How do I build the stairs using recycled concrete? Simply put first thing you need to do is get some recycled concrete. If you are going to be tearing up a old sidewalk, driveway or patio then you won't have to look far.

If not you can contact some local general or demolition contractors. They would love to have someone haul away their concrete. The reason for this is they have to pay around five hundred dollars for every ten tons hauled away from the jobs they are working on.

The more recycled concrete you need the easier it will be to get it. If you need a lot you will be able to contact a concrete recycling plant and get the phone number to a local contractor that hauls broken up concrete to their plants. These people can drop off a large load if you have a large area to drop it.

Remember that most contractors don't want to be bothered because they are busy working or planning on working. The easier you can make it on the contractor the more likely you will get what you want from them. They usually aren't interested in doing extra work just to make you happy. You can get a lot by being courteous from most people.

Now that you have the concrete you can start building. The concrete will be stacked on top of the other concrete to form the steps. Depending on how long of a stairway you are building you will have to level the dirt and stack the recycled concrete to make the stairs.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry

Visit us now for more great Home Remodeling Tips

How to Make Money on Your Home

Making money on your home is key to many of you. My clients report that they simply would not consider owning a home that they did not make some profit on. The thought of taking a check to closing is repulsive. Here is what I want you to know about making money on your home.

The obvious things about home ownership that make you money...

• The whole time that you live in a home, if it is your primary residence, you are saving on your taxes. In other words, you can either use your money to pay for a place to call your own that you are buying, or you can pay more taxes.
• The home ownership experience lends itself to your higher self-esteem. Self-esteem will lead you to making more money in all aspects of your life.
• The home gives you a place to do all of your handyman experiences on your own dime with your own result of profit, or not.
• As your mortgage payments are made over the years, your equity stake in the investment in your home, in most cases, will rise and your debt will fall.

But, on to how to make money on your home...

• Keep your home maintained the whole time that you live there.
• Keep your home clean and especially clean it well when you are selling it. Clean homes make 3 to 4% more money than dirty homes.
• Market your home at a high price instead of what your naive neighbors or low-balling agent of the neighborhood recommends. Go with your gut and go high. You will never get a high price if you don't ask for it.
• Sell your home with a listing company that has low listing commission fees. Most homeowner's profit is used up in selling commissions. You now have alternatives.
• Sell your home Staged and maybe throw in some furniture.
• Get every tool available to make your home look its best on the internet. Virtual tours, Staging, Videos and anything else that you can find. The first showing to potential buyers is on the internet. By the time that the buyer comes to your home in person, it is really the second showing.
• Offer a home warranty in lieu of some of the inspection items. If this is not enough for the buyer, tell them that you will give them 5 service call deductibles to cover future costs.

To make a good deal on the sale of your home, it is imperative to make a good deal when buying it. Use an experienced agent to help you buy. They are a valued resource and cost you nothing. In fact, in my company we split out our commission with our buyer clients for helping us find them the home.

If you are a seller of real estate, view more marketing tips on my website.
http://www.DuffyRealtyofAtlanta.com

If you are a buyer of real estate, I have a whole website that you must see about buying. This is a FREE website made for you. TipsandFormsforBuyers.com If you are a real estate agent I invite you to learn more about how I sell real estate with a FREE 14 part mini-course at http://www.CODRealty.com

From Rhonda Duffy, Real Estate Broker and National Consumer Advocate The Real Estate Powerhouse

Bathroom Vanities, Fixtures & Faucets - Tips to Find the Best Prices

Before you begin any remodel project, you want to develop a budget and then price shop for the materials needed. With the access of information through the World Wide Web, this task has become increasingly easier than ever before, while offering more choices to the consumer.

Consider the following alternatives when looking for the best prices:

Newspapers
Most newspapers have a classified section for building supplies or materials. This can be a great opportunity to pick up left over materials from a job. If you see an ad for any material that appears to be bathroom related, call the seller to see if they have any of the items that you need. Even if they do not have what you are looking for, they may be able to offer some additional resources from their circle of professionals.

Seconds and Surplus Stores - Large Supply House
If you live in a larger metroplex, this may be an option. In Dallas, there is the Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Outlet Store where people donate extra building material and the store sells the items and redirects the profits to building homes for deserving families. Another resource in the Dallas area is Seconds & Surplus where you can purchase discounted building materials.

Large supply houses may offer discounts on discontinued items, floor models or open box returns. This can be a great resource especially for bigger ticket items. And always ask for their best price - no matter how much the item has already been discounted.

Just be sure to compare prices against a reputable source, as discounted doesn't always imply the best price available. Also, take your drive time and fuel into consideration. Spending an entire day driving around the city can be more expensive than shopping online and having a bathroom vanity delivered to your front door.

Internet
Once you find the item(s) that you are most interested in, compare prices across multiple sites for the same or similar product. Be sure to take shipping costs into consideration when comparing prices from website to website. If you find a site that you would like to purchase from, ask their customer service if they will price match on like items. If you are working with any professional on your remodel project (general contractor, designer, etc) ask the web based company if they offer trade discounts.

Be sure you are buying from a reputable company. Buying large ticket items online has become very simple, but freight damage can occur from time to time. You want to be sure the company you are buying from will be there if you have any problems. This is the best alternative though for those that have limited resources within reasonable driving distance.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com & joint owner of R Squared Renovations, Inc - a Custom Cabinetry & General Contracting Company in Dallas, TX, & can speak as an expert on the design & manufacturing of furniture.

http://www.UniqueMirrorsOnline.com

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Chinese Zodiac Signs For Love Compatibility Analysis

You have read about using Indian Numerology and Western Astrology to analyse love compatibility.Today you will learn how to analyse love compatibility using the 12 animals of the chinese zodiac and how accurate this method is.

Before I start on the steps on analysing love compatibility through the chinese zodiac signs,let me tell you the story of how the 12 animals came about...

A long time ago,the Jade Emperor in Heaven wanted to find 12 animals to represent each year.He started a race among all the animals.The first 12 that reached heaven will get to rule each year.When the animals knew about this race,all of them started to make their way to heaven.

The Cat and the Rat used to be good friends.The Cat asked the Rat to wake him up the next day,so that they can set off together.The Rat woke up early,feeling very excited,he forgot to wake up the Cat.

On his way to heaven,the Rat met the Ox.Knowing that he could leverage on the Ox,he asked the Ox for a ride.In exchange,he would help the Ox keep a lookout for any dangers during the long journey.The Ox,being an agreeable and easygoing fellow agreed to the Rat's request.

After reaching heaven,the Rat jumped down from the head of the Ox and became the first animal of the Chinese Zodiac.Although this was very unfair for the Ox,he did not hold it against the Rat.In fact,he was happy for the Rat for being number 1.

The Ox became number 2.(This probably explains why Rat and Ox people get along very well).One by one,the other animals came in one by one.Until the Pig,who is the 12th and the last animal.

At this moment...the Cat woke up.When he found out that the Rat left without him,he was furious.To make matters worse,the Rat was number 1.The Cat swore that he'll skin the Rat alive if he ever saw the Rat.Which explains why Cats catch Rats in this present day.

Now,how does all this relate to the present?

Each of the 12 animals rule a year.For example if you are born in 2007,you are born in the year of Pig.You will have a lot of characteristics of the Pig.Next,I will list out all the 12 animals and their order.
1st is the Rat.

2nd is the Ox.

3rd is the Tiger.

4th is the Rabbit.

5th is the Dragon.

6th is the Snake.

7th is the Horse.

8th is the Goat.

9th is the Monkey.

10th is the Rooster.

11th is the Dog.

12th is the Pig.

Basing on your date of birth,you can determine what is your chinese zodiac sign and which animal are you born under.If you have difficulty finding out which animal sign you are born under,you can check out from the internet.There are some sites which let you key in your birth date and returns with your chinese zodiac sign.

Next,you will learn about the affinities between each zodiac sign...There are 2 types of affinities,the first is the affinity group and the second is the affinity pair.

The affinity group consist of 3 animals.There are 4 groups altogether.Here they are...
1st group:Rat,Dragon and Monkey.

2nd group:Ox,Snake and Rooster.

3rd group:Tiger,Horse and Dog.

4th group:Rabbit,Goat and Pig.

As for the affinity pair,there are 6 pairs.Here they are...
1.Rat and Ox.

2.Tiger and Pig.

3.Rabbit and Dog.

4.Dragon and Rooster.

5.Snake and Monkey.

6.Horse and Goat.

You should always choose a partner from the affinity group.Your second choice is from the affinity pair.For example...

If you are born in the year of Rat,you should look for a partner born either in Dragon year or Monkey year.If not,someone born in Ox year is also good for you.

That is for the compatible signs.Now you will learn about the incompatible signs.Incompatible signs are also called clashing signs.They are opposite each other.Here they are...
1.Rat clashes with Horse.

2.Ox clashes with Goat.

3.Tiger clashes with Monkey.

4.Rabbit clashes with Rooster.

5.Dragon clashes with Dog.

6.Snake clashes with Pig.

Basing on the information above,you should not look for a partner born under a sign that clashes with yours.

This method of analysing love compatibility is quite general.You are probably wondering...how about those signs which neither clash nor in affinity,how to gauge their compatibility?A way to do that is to compare both signs' personality then analyse from there.But it's not accurate.

It is also not true to say that couples with clashing signs will not have a lasting relationship.I have came across a number of them who have clashing signs.But they are still very loving.This method only has a 65% accuracy.

But all is not lost.You can still use this knowledge to entertain new friends you meet at social gatherings.

Marco Chong is a practitioner of Indian Numerology, Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui. He has 15 years of experience behind him. His strong points are analysing compatibility using Indian Numerology and Analysing Birth Charts using Chinese Astrology.

For more information visit http://www.determineyourloverbynumbers.com

Structuring Your 24 Hour Day

Flooring - Installing Ceramic Tile

Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a room that Linoleum has yet to truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in any room, however they are most frequently seen in Bathrooms and Kitchens. I particularly like them in entryways, where they serve as a transition point from the outside to large carpeted or hardwood floored rooms. They make for easy clean up and are impervious to water damage.

Tile Types

Ceramic tiles come in two basic types. Glazed and Porcelain. Glazed holds up the best for heavy traffic areas and porcelain works well in bathrooms. Porcelain is typically more expensive, so consider your budget and the size of the area you want to tile. Tiles also come in many shapes and sizes. For flooring, however, I would suggest using larger tiles up to 12" x 12".

Underlayment

For proper installation the base foundation or the underlayment is critical. Typically it consists of " to 1 " of plywood. Tiling over Linoleum or existing tile is also feasible, as long as it is solid. I also recommend when Tiling over Linoleum that you first apply ring nails or screws 6" on center over the entire area. Tiles can also be installed directly over Concrete. Make sure in all cases that the floor is level and free of dust and debris prior to installation. There are leveling compounds that you can apply before applying tile if necessary.

Preparing the Site

Before actually installing the tile, it is best to lay it out in the room to see how it will look. Pay close attention to how it runs out toward the walls, in the corners and next to cabinets, tubs and toilets. The trick is to lay the tile out such that stubby tiles do not show up in highly visible spots. Once you have completed this, make two marks with a pencil outlining the most centered tile. These lines should be perpendicular to each other. Also take note of the wall that is most visible from all the others. Now remove the tiles. Next draw or snap a line perpendicular to this wall that is in line with one of the marks you made on the floor.

Then, draw a perpendicular line to this first line. This second line should be centered with the first line and fairly in line with the second mark you made on the floor. Once you have completed this task, re-layout some of the tiles along the perpendicular lines and observe if they run out in a way that will limit cutting and stubbed tiles. Once this is completed, remove the tiles and prepare for the actual installation.

Installing the Tile

Again, make sure the area is free of dirt and dust. Next apply the ceramic adhesive or mastic to the flooring, starting in the center, where the two perpendicular reference lines intersect. Apply enough material to cover 6-10 square feet, if no cuts are required. If cuts are required limit the amount of mastic application to about 2-4 square feet. When applying the mastic, first spread it with the flat end of the trowel. Lay it on relatively thick, approximately 1/8" to 3/16"thick. Then turn the trowel around and run the notched edge over it. This creates ridges in the mastic that helps to hold the tile down more securely. The larger the tile, the larger the notches should be. For example, I use a " notched trowel for 12" x 12" tiles.

Note: Only make up enough ceramic adhesive for 30 minutes, as this material has the tendency to harden up rather quickly.

Once the adhesive has been applied, begin installing the tiles working from the center outward. On larger tiles you should back butter them. Basically, apply a thin coating of mastic to the back of the tile prior to laying it on the floor. This will help ensure a good bond.

As you near the walls or edges of cabinets, tubs and toilets, you will need to cut some of the tiles. I highly recommend the use of a Wet-Saw. A Wet-Saw will allow you to make very accurate cuts, both large and small. You will also save money, as you will waste many fewer tiles with bad cuts or broken tiles. Wet-Saws are not that expensive and once you see your finished product you will certainly be installing more tile. Wet-Saws can also be rented as a cheaper alternative.

When applying Tiles, you may want to use Lugs. Lugs are effectively spacers that come in various thicknesses. I typically like to have no more than a " space between the tiles. Employing Spacers will ensure uniformity with your tile spacing.

Grouting

After the Tile has been completely installed, allow it to sit for 24-48 hours before applying grout and walking on it. Grout comes in many different colors and is very easy to install. Simply mix the grout with water or a special bonding agent and apply with a rubber trowel. Run the trowel on a bias when going over tile corners.

Once the grout has been applied, immediately wipe the tile of excess grout, using a wet sponge and a bucket of water. Wait 30 minutes and again wipe the tiles down of any residual grout. Wait another 60 minutes and repeat. If grout is left on the tiles to dry, you will have a great deal of elbow work scraping it off.

Let the grout sit up for 24 hours and it is ready for use and admiration.

About the Author:
Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more information about Home Improvement and Home Additions, and Home Remodeling and Repair visit homeadditionplus.com and homeaddition.blogspot.com

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

2009 Earth Ox in a Fire Year

2009 is the year of the earth ox from a Chinese astrology perspective. The element that cycles every two years is known as the heavenly stem; so there are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood oxen. Variations in the heavenly stem influence one's personality, which explains why not all ox (people or years) are the same.

The earthly branch is the animal-one of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Ox is considered 2nd in the hierarchy, following the rat. 2009 is based on the Gregorian calendar, whereas the Chinese calendar is 4707. The ox is sometimes also called the cow or buffalo.

Ox years typically represent hard work. Think of the animal in its natural surroundings. It works alone or with one other and stays true to its course. The ox is conservative, focused, and serious. Their mottos is "I will," which literally may result in a test of wills.

The stubborn ox challenges the Feng Shui fire year (normally brings out a more social, gregarious, and ambitious side). On the surface, Feng Shui earth and fire elements compliment each other; however, earth reduces fire (think of your Scouting days - dirt over the fire to put it out). In addition, the ox's true nature is earth so this year is a double-earth over fire year. Earth, in of itself, can resist change but come around after there's time to process. Double earth will adamantly resist.

I can't help but equate it to the presidential election here in the U.S. Obama, whose slogan has long been "Change We Can Believe In," has altered his slogan to "Change We Need." I think most people agree we can't survive more of the same, and that the economy would be more stable had there been more accountability and oversight. Will we learn from the past? Will there be a struggle of wills? I think so, regardless of who wins the election. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, and the new President has his hands full. The ox year will command a methodical approach and quantifiable results.

"Earth" businesses will do fairly well. They include real estate, recruiting, the food industry, farming, household products, and practical clothing. The energy implies business consolidation, which is normally met with layoffs. Next months' article, 2009 Feng Shui and the Fire Year, will reveal another layer of complexity. Earth years can also produce an earnest search for spirit and more focus on family. It's fun to validate this theory by looking at history. The Chinese astrology calendar has a 60-year cycle, so the last time we experienced earth ox energy was 1949.

Events that happened in 1949: Mao Tse Tung's army marches into Nanking; a bill is introduced to relocate African-Americans "equitably" throughout the country; Truman institutes policy of aid to underdeveloped countries; flight records are made; NATO begins; Republic of Ireland is created; Siam becomes Thailand; Chinese Communists take Shanghai; Orwell's 1984 is published; Supreme Court rules that evidence gathered through illegal search and seizure may still be used in prosecution; apartheid begins by law in South Africa; Willie Mayes debuts; Vatican excommunicates Communists; seven UFOs in three pairs with one trailing are tracked for ten minutes; Ingrid Bergman divorces and quits Hollywood; Truman announces Russia has The Bomb; Mao Tse Tung becomes Chairman of China; and Chiang Kai-shek's government flees to Taiwan.

All the King's Men won best picture. Let's look at some of the births that year. Some believe we need to see where we came from to see where we're going (i.e., lessons turned to opportunities). How have these people lived their lives? Think objectively about the impact they've had: George Forman, Robert Palmer, Steve Perry, Erik Estrada, Patrick Duffy, Jessica Lange, Billy Joel, Hank Williams, Jr., Lionel Richie, Meryl Streep, Lindsay Wagner, Maureen McGovern, Richard Gere, Joe Theisman, Ed Begley, Jr., Twiggy, Bruce Springsteen, Sigourney Weaver, Bruce Jenner, Richard Dreyfuss, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Shaffer, Garry Shandling, Jeff Bridges, Tom Waits, Maurice and Robin Gibb, Susan Lucci, and Sissy Spacek. When you think of oxen, these people are famous but keep to themselves for the most part.

Each Chinese astrology animal has an opposing animal. For the ox this is the ram (or sheep). These are both earth-related animals which implies severe earth-related symptoms such as earthquakes. With underlying yin fire, a volcano may also erupt. Other earth-related animals are dragon and dog. Dogs, dragons, ox, and sheep need to avoid strong earth settings such as mountains and deserts during earth and fire months (Feb. 5-Mar. 6, May 6-Jun 6, Jul 7-Sep. 8, Nov. 7-Dec. 7 ), and when their astrology sign is vulnerable (we provide this information as part of our monthly tip).

Does life come to a stand still because it's not particularly a good year? No, of course not. This is helpful information that enables success. If your energy is low this year, postpone strategic decisions and major purchases for a better time. You can be sure I check energy patterns and other conditions in my planning process.

This ox earth influence also brings health cautions such as cancer and liver issues. If you're a drinker, do it in moderation. You'll find the DUI (driving under the influence) will be met with stricter punishment. Purge your body of free radicals. Explore anti-oxidant agents such as vitamins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and tea. Earth also represents the abdomen, stomach, immune system, spleen, joints, hands, and shoulders. Take care of your stomach, and stretch your body to help with joint and shoulder pain.

Timing is always an important factor. If you want to improve your chances of success, consider a personal analysis. It's a custom report that details your personal energy, health vulnerabilities, energy balance, career suggestions, compatibility analysis, and calendar for this year. Also, our date analysis is helpful for all important decisions (contracts, engagements, medical appointments, travel, etc.). Call us for a free telephone consultation today!

By Diana Garber, The Feng Shui Results Lady

http://www.IntuitiveConcepts.com

Diana Garber is a classic Feng Shui practitioner with nearly 30 years experience in energy and risk management. Her extensive corporate background and work with Fortune 100 companies sets her apart as an international consultant, speaker, author, and seasoned program manager. She utilizes over a dozen sciences to evaluate influences such as electromagnetic currents, geopathic stress, and other factors internal and external to one's living or work environments to improve clients' lives. Please visit our Web site at http://www.intuitiveconcepts.com for information, testimonies, and much more.

Ann Masters

Should Christians Buy This Book?

Put Your Plans Into Action
Changing Someones Bad Attitude

The Best Luxury Hotels in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge has been among the favorite destinations of local residents and foreigners. It is surrounded with beautiful places and activity areas. Pigeon Forge is a good vacation place for sightseeing, hiking, fishing, strolling, or just for pure relaxation.

While on vacation, you may opt to stay at any of the luxury hotels available in Pigeon Forge located either at the main city or near peaceful mountainous areas which features good value of accommodation with the most hospitable service at your pleasure.

Holiday Inn

The Holiday Inn in Pigeon Forge has been a trusted name in the hotel industry. Luxurious accommodation and excellent service are guaranteed. Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, Dolly's Splash Country, Black bear Jamboree, and Country Tonite are some attractions to see during your stay here.

Room amenities include:

Free newspaper delivered at your room
Cable TV
In-room movies
Microwave oven
Coffee maker
Mini refrigerator
Working desk with lamp
High-speed wireless Internet access
Telephone with voice mail
Unlimited free local calls
Hair dryer
Private bathroom with bath tub
Sofa bed
Non-smoking room

Indulge yourself in a healthy workout at the fitness center with only modern fitness equipments. The center is complete in cardiovascular workout, treadmills, exercise bikes, and stair masters. A fitness instructor is also ready to help you with proper workout methods.

Other hotel amenities include:

Spa service Self-service laundry facilities
Car rental with tour guide
Indoor pool
Business center
Safety deposit box at the front desk

Louie's Grill is the on-site restaurant that serves many delicious cuisines. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Comfort Suites

The Comfort Suites is a luxury hotel located in Pigeon Forge surrounded by many tourist destinations. It has a peaceful and cozy ambience vacationers are looking for. There are shopping malls nearby for your pleasure.

A connecting trip to downtown Gatlinburg and other places is available through the trolley service. It stops right in front of the hotel entrance. Among the area attractions worth visiting include:

Dollywood Amusement Park
Dixie Stampede Dinner Theater
Louise Mandrell Theater
Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Belz Factory Outlet Mall
Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Mall
NASCAR Speed Park
Ogle's Water Park

The guestrooms are kept clean, fresh and comfortable at all times. It also comes with contemporary amenities to supplement your needs. Access the Internet with high-speed wireless connection provided. A complimentary breakfast is served everyday.

Guestroom amenities include:

Cable TV
Coffee maker
Comfortable beds and beddings
Hair dryer
Wake up call
Room service

Relaxing in the spa center and sauna will complete your vacation experience. The spa provides the latest revitalizing techniques which will surely regain your energy after a whole day of fun and adventure. You can also choose to have a refreshing dip at the hotel's modern swimming pool. The fitness center is open to those who want to workout.

There are many restaurants outside all serving the finest local and international cuisines.

For more information on Pigeon Forge Luxury Hotels and Grand Resort Hotel in Pigeon Forge please visit our website.

Rusting Handrailing Nails

Do You Read The Bible Regularly

Power Of Affirmations
How Hard Is It To Build Stairs

Build Your Own Steam Shower Enclosure

You may have scoured the Internet to find a steam shower enclosure that will fit in the space you have available in your bathroom so that you don't have to take on any extensive or expensive remodeling in your home. The good news is that with a little work you can easily build one on your own to fit the space without having to tear out any existing walls. However, before you start this project, you do need to do some research so that you have all the materials and information you will need to complete the job and have a unit that will work properly.

The main things you have to consider when building your own steam shower enclosure are the roof, the door, the generator and whether or not you want to have seats and storage space inside. You can easily have a steam shower suite that includes steam jets and a regular shower in the same space as you would need for a normal bathtub enclosure. If you already have a small walk-in shower in your bathroom then you are halfway there because you have the basics of the enclosure in place.

The walls and ceiling of a steam shower enclosure must be waterproof. Some of the commonly used materials for this purpose are tile, slate, ceramic, marble, granite, limestone and fiberglass. The roof must be completely covered in by an acrylic dome shape or a cover made from stainless steel or fiberglass. You also have to look at the shape of the roof. If you have a flat ceiling in the enclosure, the water will drip from the roof onto your head and face as the steam rises and then condenses. For this reason, it is better to consider installing a sloping roof on the enclosure.

A steam shower enclosure or whirlpool steam shower has to be tightly sealed so that the steam will not escape into the room when you are taking a steam shower. If you do not take care to ensure the tightness of the enclosure, you could be looking at costly repairs a few years down the road. Steam can cause a lot of damage to the walls and ceilings in the development of mold, mildew and rot. In order to have this protection, you do need to give a lot of thought to the type of door you install in the enclosure.

There are a variety of doors you can choose from for a steam shower enclosure. The door has to extend to the ceiling and it must fit the frame of the enclosure very tightly. You can choose a single door or one that also has the form-fitting frame. There is a wide variety of designs and colors to choose from as well, with doors containing clear, obscure or deco glass. Depending on the size of the enclosure you build, you can also have the door custom built to fit the opening.

In order to have properly functioning steam shower units, you have to purchase and install a steam generator. You may need to hire a plumber and an electrician to do this for you if you don't have the experience needed for the job. The steam generator has to be connected to both the water line and to electricity.

The placement of the generator in the unit is also of importance to the final result. You can have this installed in a cabinet in the bathroom, in the basement or even in the attic. It doesn't need to be within the steam shower enclosure at all. Most can be as much as 50 feet away from the enclosure and still give you the proper amount of steam for your needs.

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from Southern California. She specializes in home improvement, home remodeling, and installing steam shower units. For the ideal whirlpool steam shower for your home, please visit http://www.mybath.biz/.

Floor Joist End Repairs

Do You Actually Get to Go to Heaven - Christian Thinking

Understanding Faithful Religious
Five Things You Should Know

Was Jesus Really Born On December 25th - Video

J Oswald Sanders
Robert Schuller

Scalding Water From the Tap? Thermostatic Mixing Valve Can Help

It has happened to all of us, you turn on the hot water tap just to get a scalding flow of very hot water from the tap. The pain and sensitive skin that follows is the lowest level of injuries that are caused every year in the UK from overheated water, which in extreme cases leads to fatal injuries.

Last autumn the Health and Safety Executive issued new guidelines to care homes instructing them to install temper proof thermostatic mixing valves (TMV). This new set of guidelines came in the wake of another tragic fatal injury from scalding water.

Scottish Building Standards already include a requirement to install thermostatic mixing valves on all new property developments and major retrofit projects. The rest of the UK is not currently requiring this, but the Building Regulations body is reviewing this issue at the moment.

Regulations in the UK require storing hot water (such as inside your hot water cylinder) at between 60c and 65c to reduce the risk of Legionella. It is believed that the virus that causes the disease does not survive at these temperatures. However, water coming out at that temperature may cause scalding and must be mixed before coming in contact with the user.

Public buildings and communal hot water systems are predominantly in need of a TMV. This is due to the requirement of keeping the hot water at extremely high temperature all the way to the point of delivery to reduce the risk of Legionella.

Young children and old people are the most at risk from scalding water injuries. Hundreds of young children are admitted every year to hospitals in the UK with severe burns from hot baths. Their extra sensitive skin gets burned easily and they may be left with permanent scars. Similarly, older people may not feel the heat of the water fast enough or react fast enough to turn off the hot water tap, leading to severe burns. The same is true for mentally or physically impaired people that have slow response time and slow reactions to pain.

There are broadly two types of thermostatic mixing valves that are suitable for installation and certified:

TMV2 are thermostatic mixing valves that are designed for domestic premises but are suitable for most other circumstances. A risk assessment must be undertaken to confirm whether the premises are used by disabled or vulnerable people.

TMV3 valves are designed for higher performance to offer the maximum safety levels. TMV3 valves are required for all healthcare premises, or premises with disabled or vulnerable people (such as mentally or physically handicapped people).

According to manufacturers of thermostatic mixing valves, qualified plumbers are the only ones that should be allowed to install their kits. A professional plumber can easily install the kit between the cold and hot pipes to create the mixing action of the valve. The kits are normally fully assembled to provide all necessary components including tailpieces with isolation, a strainer and test points. When the installation is within a location with limited space, there are kits with a flexible connector and isolating filter valve.

Tal Potishman is editor of Heating Central. He publishes articles on condensing and combi boilers, St Albans plumbers, central heating, underfloor heating and solar systems systems. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating and renewable heating solutions.

Fascia Board Fell Off Wood Rot

What Are the Fundamentals in Christianity

Andrew Shatte
Robert Maurer

Bathroom Improvements

Bathroom improvements offer a dramatic return on the investment, especially when they are handled as do-it-yourself projects. Bathroom improvements are important, as this is the place where family members spend time relaxing.

Modern bathrooms are at their best havens of tranquility and a great selling point for a homely home. At their worst, bathrooms can be an eyesore and decrease the value of a home. Modern bathroom cabinets and other furniture is a far cry from the products that was fitted as standard just a few short years ago when it was usual to see peeling paint and mirror backing disintegrating.

Especially large families that have several people sharing the same bathroom, making minor bathroom improvements can make it easier and more private. When several people are forced to share the same space, things are going to be misplaced or put away where the owner may never find them.

Bathroom improvements are popular and bring the high return when a house is sold. Rather than undertaking major improvements like installing a new tub, try some easy affordable ideas like replacing old door hardware and bath accessories to make it look appealing. By fitting a new bathroom cabinet perhaps with subtle lighting, or a freestanding cabinet, the bathroom area can be transformed, which can be made in wood finishes as well as traditional white. A mirror with small, charming lights adds a warm feeling to your bathroom.

Colored lotion bottles and bubble baths are practical and can be attractive when organized properly. Ornamental soaps are nice but hardly ever used; instead you should find eye-catching bottles and refill them with liquid soap.

Baths should not only look good, they need to make you feel good as well. Many new items found in today's bathrooms not only make your day-to-day living more enjoyable, but can also be energy efficient improvement. Bathrooms have come a long way from the days of strictly no-frills design and use, and are now viewed as sanctuaries to which people escape and indulge in personal pampering.

Additional space is almost always needed for storage in a bathroom. This can allow all of your family to have their own little space for their toiletries.

Paint can give you the biggest decorating bang for your budget buck. Paint is relatively inexpensive, and can really change the overall look of a room.

Nevertheless adding a second bath can make your home considerably easier to sell. Other fundamental improvements also include installing double sinks, tile floors, new bath fixtures and taps. All these improvements should add value to your home. A good do it yourself home improvement project will raise the value of your property and collateral, in the eyes of a lender. Because of this, lenders are more than willing to offer homeowners funds.

Hi my name is John Fyfe. I enjoy DIY projects and one of my favourites is tiling. http://www.installing-bathroom-tiles.com

Cabinet Frame Damage

Who Really Wrote The Bible

Stop Feeling Guilty Part 2
Achieving The Goals You Set

Ideas About Your Religion and Trees - Something To Think About

Goal Planning For Success
Action Plan For Success

Bathroom Wall Paneling - A Fresh New Look

The room that is most often used in my house especially when company arrives is the basement. There is a large flat screen television, pool table and pin ball machines. It has one gigantically enormous flaw and that is the bathroom. Remember the bathroom is constantly visited by my guests. The privacy afforded there allows my guests to have close examination of the room. Keep in mind I have a beautiful vanity and wall mirror, but the problem is my walls. They are in disastrous condition. Parts are peeling and some of the tile is cracking. It gives the entire bathroom a drab and unappealing vision. I need a type of wall covering that will change the entire look and feel of the room.

I started searching for a fresh new look that would infuse my select tastes and personality while still remaining functional. I first started looking at all the different wall tiles available. I was unhappy with what I found since the tiles in my present room were cracking. I also wanted something that was easy to maintain. I had images of myself scrubbing the mould that had accumulated between the grout and the excising tiles.

There must be other options that I had not come across. To my delight there is an option which offers everything that I imagined. Through my search I had discovered waterproof bathroom wall paneling. It comes in a variety of designs, materials, styles and formats. It is quite easy to install there is no grouting needed and once installed you can use the room immediately. This paneling can be purchased as a complete kit. These panels come with all the necessary installation supplies. Some of the items included in these kits are side and back wall paneling, corner molding strips, corner soap dishes, adhesive caulk, pressure tape and accessories. Kits come cut to size so no trimming is necessary.

Bathroom wall paneling can be fitted over most walls. This includes brick, concrete, plaster board and ceramic tiles. It is a must that the walls are even and provide a suitable fixing for screws, plugs and adhesive. All are made by bonding a decorative high performance laminate to them. This makes the surface one hundred percent water proof. There are some panels that clip together tightly allowing no water through. This creates a seamless water tight joint.

The moist and humid conditions of the bathroom produce ideal atmosphere for mould and mildew to grow. The wall paneling solution has overcome this problem for all of us. We need never again to be bending over the walls scrubbing and almost passing out from the harsh odors of the detergents needed to get them clean. Wall paneling adds character to the room while protecting the walls from moisture.

These panels are made to withstand the rigorous demands of a busy household while maintaining its finish. It is very durable and is unlikely to suffer any damage. Also, after several years it will still look like new. You can use your typical cleaning products that you have around the house. You will not need to purchase anything special to keep its beauty.

You can find bathroom wall paneling in many different materials. I chose a PVC material with a mosaic tile effect. Another good choice would be bead boarding or wainscoting. This is excellent for the bathroom and runs vertically from the floor to one third or one half the height of the wall. This adds texture to the wall and makes it become the focal point of the room. This texture adds a rich vitality and vibrancy to the room.

In general when you add a new look or change the decor to a room it becomes a great mood enhancer. I know your bathroom may be small, but take a look around. It may be screaming for a design make over.

Author Bio: Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.

Soft Stucco Stucco Damage

New Thinking About Noah's Ark and Family

Sandra Anne Taylor
Jeffrey M Schwartz

Ideas About Your Religion and Trees - Something To Think About

Walpola Rahula
Lama Surya Das

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.

Floor Joist With Mold

Good Explanation of Old Testament Tithing

Rick Strassman
James Hillman

Make Your Shower and Tub the Centerpiece of Your Bathroom

We allshoweror bathe; the time we take in a relaxing shower or bath should not be taken for granted. In need of a new shower and tub design? There are great solutions out there. From the tub, to the type of shower faucet, to the shower walls, crafting a new shower is easy, and you'll be able to find something just right for you and your family.

The shower faucet should offer the shower experience you desire. Modern shower faucet equipment offers pressured jets of water. Many showerheads come with adjustable heads for the type of water flow and effect you desire. Shower faucets come in different styles and finishes for a perfect find for you and your bathroom's design. Traditionalists will love the time-honored chrome finish, or maybe go with oil-rubbed bronze for a Victorian look. Contemporary tastes can find a suitable finish in brushed nickel or pewter. The newest trend in showers is body jets combined with a rainshower showerhead or handshower for a true spa experience. Check out a Delta, American Standard, or Hansgrohe shower faucet for durable and reliable timeless designs.

You can't beat the convenience of a shower/bathtub combination. Trusted bathtub manufacturers American Standard, Jacuzzi, Kohler or Duravit offer bathtub solutions to suit your dcor, budget, and personality. Tubs are available in acrylic, fiberglass, cast iron or even copper. Add a whirlpool or air bath feature for ultimate relaxation. Bathtub lengths and widths will accommodate any bathroom size, so be sure to measure and evaluate your tub space to find the right bathtub for you.

Have a clawfoot tub? The nostalgia and good looks of an old-fashioned clawfoot tub are legendary. Clawfoot tub faucets will complete the design and offer a unique shower experience. These faucets have coiled hand held spray nozzles that are flexible for an incredible bathing experience. Choose a traditional telephone-style handshower for real old-time charm. You can even attach a pole shower for a more conventional shower experience. All types of clawfoot tub faucets are a classy and fashionable way of showering.

From the shower and bathtub to its faucet plumbing, wrap up your shower's design with shower walls to help protect the integrity of your bathroom. Shower walls are solid, heavy gauge, easy to clean and maintain, and can be a stylish alternative to tile in the bathroom. Discover shower walls in shades of brown, white, neutral, off white or other colors in contemporary and transitional styles to suit your bathroom and your personality. Check out Swanstoneshower walls for contemporary elegance.

Don't let this pass you by. Update your shower today! If you're building or remodeling a bathroom, this is a key to its design. Discover shower faucets and tubs to match your design theme. Trusted brands like American Standard, Belle Foret, Danze, Delta, Kohler, Moen, and Price Pfister are just a few recognized for their great bathroom and home plumbing product superiority. Check them out today for your shower design.

FaucetOutlet.com carries a wide selection of high quality bathroom faucets and shower faucets in the styles you want at prices you can afford.

Rusting Heaters

Questioning Old Testament Stories From The Bible

Smiles Are Free So Give Them Awa
Fighting In Gods Name

The Missing Years of Jesus Resolved

Shrouded in mystery, fable and legend, nevertheless the Bible recorded the birth of Jesus Christ and follows His life up to about 12 years old.

To this day Jewish male children undergo Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13. This was not recorded by the Evangelists. Indeed, the life of Jesus is not considered again till the age of 30.

To accept that Jesus was just at home with His family is a plausible explanation, but not in keeping with the Gospels that say at the age of 12, Jesus was at the Temple, and the people marveled to hear Him.

Certainly, after His Bar Mitzvah, He would have been technically a man and no longer a boy, and would naturally continue to marvel the people. It would have been His right to speak in the Temple. There is no such record.

There is much speculation, but a lot of recorded incidents and connections. One very important one is Joseph (Saint) of Arimathea. Certain he was a rich man, and certainly he was able to speak (in Greek and /or Latin) to the Roman governor at a very sensitive moment, so he was certainly influential.

He gave his own tomb for the burial of Jesus, and paid for all the necessary burial formalities. There is no question he was close to Jesus, and as a member of the Sanhedrin, would have defended him in that assembly. There were more connections, and many very plausible.

Joseph of Arimathea was certainly wealthy, but how did he amass his wealth? Arimathea, is not a town or district at all, but a Greek compound word meaning Harima Theo (by the Grace of God).

He most likely came from Ramle or another town. He was said to be in the trade of metals; tin precisely. This would have theoretically put him in contact with England, where tin was mined and sent throughout the Roman Empire.

More speculation has Joseph related to Jesus directly. It is been written by early Church fathers that Joseph was the uncle of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Certainly the Gospel has them familiar as when Joseph was burying Jesus in his tomb, he was accompanied by Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Mary Magdalena.

Jesus Himself was familiar with Alexandria in Egypt (where He grew up) and as a major center of learning (the Library was there), Jesus would have also spoken Egyptian.

Since where there is so much smoke there must be fire, the story of the young Jesus being accompanied by Joseph, his uncle, on a journey to England is certainly possible.

The legend records the journey home, but with a diversion to Greece, and then into Asia Minor. There it is said that Jesus and Joseph departed, with Jesus joining another wealthy traveler with his son.

At the time, there were Buddhist missionaries all over Asia Minor, and indeed as far as Rome and Egypt. It is plausible Jesus had encountered one or more, and thus found His interest and way to India.

There are many records from early travelers to India having been shown or heard about Jesus time there.

The famous James Churchward in his major work Mu the Lost Continent describes such an encounter. There have been many others including Notovitch in 1888.

Aside from the fantastic speculation, many of the diversions from classic Judaism appear to be oriental in nature, and very specifically Vedic in nature.

Where the Jews were waiting for a Messiah, the Hindus have their belief in Avatars which are human incarnations of God.

So the missing years perhaps saw a journey from the Holy Land to Egypt, to England, passing central Europe into Greece, Asia Minor, and the Hindu Kush all the way to the Himalayas.

There, Jesus would have found the perfect environment to slowly become the world Avatar that He has indeed become.

There is no Hindu which does not accept Him as a divine incarnation.

Here is William Blakes poem Jerusalem which alludes to such a visit

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon Englands mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On Englands pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

Bring me my Arrows of Desire;

Bring me my Spear; O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand,

Till we have built Jerusalem

In Englands green and pleasant Land.

There have been many theories on Jesus the missing years and we hope you find our view thought provoking.

More free information

For more thought provoking articles on http://net-planet.org/newage.html visit our website for more articles, features and downloads at:

http://www.net-planet.org

Stopped Losing Your Car Keys

Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail

Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.

What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.

This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.

I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.

He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.

Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.

The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about stair handrail safety and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.

Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors

If you're interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest stair building tools, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional

Garage Beam With Post Framing

Building Homes and Out-Buildings From the Dirt They Sit On

Can a home or out-building be made from the dirt it sits on and still have a modern look.

We found a soil block machine that employs the age-old technology of using native soils to build homes and other types of structures, and combines it with the sophistication and acceleration of modern technology. The result is one of the most efficient and productive methods of construction available for the expanding demand for inexpensive and environmentally safe homes and out-building.

This machine is the modern-day answer for providing a means of significantly enhancing the centuries-old process of making soil blocks by hand or by other methods which are slow, crude, and cumbersome. The machine is versatile, cost effective to operate, and is easily maintained by a single operator. It is very light and can be hauled with a farm tractor or almost any other type of vehicle with a ball hitch. Once on site, the machine is easily maneuvered by manpower into the various production locations. Quite simply, it dramatically increases the speed and quality with which soil blocks can be made in the areas of the world where adobe style construction is a viable option.

This may be the answer many countries such as India and other developing nations are looking for when it comes to housing their growing populations. This is a greener more ecologically sensitive option to high impact building methods. This machine was very simple to operate. Know by trade as the Village Builder, it was producing approximately 180 bricks per hour.

Blocks produced by this machine can be varied in thickness and can be used for construction as soon as they are made. The basic building block produced by the machine has an average weight of about 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms), and is capable of producing most of the walls of a small house in just a few days. After the blocks have been placed, they may be painted if desired.

We found that the Blocks that are produced by this machine are significantly more dense and stronger than those that were produced by the centuries-old method of making blocks by hand.

How it works. It is rather simple. The machine is loaded with dirt and then you add a liquid that is diluted with water to the dirt. That liquid is a polymer. Once it is hard it will not revert to a liquid state. This mixture with the dirt becomes one solid monolithic hard, water resistant, bug resistant, brick. Turn the machine on and out come the ready to use bricks. You simply pick them up off the small conveyor and put them in place. Fast and Simple.

For those that are working in countries where home construction is an issue, this machine may be the answer to many of prayers. For those that want to find a greener more ecologically sensitive method of building this is it. We tried the machine and found it will do the work of twenty men in one hour and the end result was a product that can be used to build a house or out-building from the dirt it sits on and still have a modern look, without the modern cost of construction.

Kurt Tompkins is the inventor, of the Bedfan personal cooling system for night sweats and menopause hot flashes. He is researching ecological methods of dust control, soil erosion, soil stabilization and alternative building methods. Further information about the Block machine can be found at soilscontrol-usa.

Ceiling Water Damage

Horseshoe Bay Resort

Just 45 minutes from Austin, nestled in the heart of Texas, is the Horseshoe Bay Resort. The resort is a "members only" resort, but guests of Horseshoe Bay Marriott and The Waters at Horseshoe Bay receive a temporary membership allowing visitors access to all the wonderful amenities during their stay.

Horseshoe Bay is conveniently located in the center of the Texas Golden Triangle, where two-thirds of the states wealthiest people reside. The resort is on Lake LBJ, in the middle of the Texas hill country.

There are two hotels at the resort, The Marriott, which boasts 350 rooms, including 117 suites and villas which have beautiful views of the lake. The Marriott has many wonderful amenities and has something for everyone.

Another luxurious place to stay at Horseshoe Bay is The Waters at Horseshoe Bay. These luxurious condominiums have one, two or three bedroom floor plans available. The Waters at Horseshoe Bay has made sure that its visitors have everything they need; including two flat screen high-definition televisions, Apple I-pod docking stations and to top it off, fully furnished balcony and a gourmet kitchen, nothing is left out.

There are so many things to do at Horseshoe Bay. From the four swimming pools, twelve adult tennis courts; and even three USTA-sponsored kids' tennis courts, to the seven dining facilities, there is something for everyone.

If golfing is your game, Horseshoe Bay has that covered! It was named "One of America's Best Golf Resorts," by Golf Magazine. This resort has three championship Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf courses, and to top it off, all three have been featured in "50 Best Courses in Texas." The resort even has an 18 hole miniature course, it is designed like a regulation course, but scaled down, and is complete with water hazards and bunkers.

For visitors who have kids, Horseshoe Resort has something just for them. There is a kids' facility that is called "Kids Club." Parents can enroll the kiddos in this program, complete with counselors and an action packed fun filled journey, which is sure to satisfy every kid who said they were "bored!"

Horseshoe Bay has many restaurants, grills and bars to keep its guests happy and content. From casual dinning for visitors who like hamburgers, Slick Rock Bar & Grill is the place to be. If visitors get hungry while playing a round of golf, they can stop in at the Cap Rock Grill & Bar. Its location is on the 18th hole Apple Rock Golf Course, making it easily accessible for hungry golfers.

Whether it is burgers or fine cuisine, Horseshoe Bay has everything you can imagine, all set in beautiful scenery.

Horseshoe Bay even has its own airport, for those visitors who just want to pop in for a round or two of golf. The next time you are looking for the perfect vacation, whether it is for the entire family, or just a quiet romantic weekend getaway, come discover Horseshoe Bay Resort.

Homes are searchable on Escapeso's website. They furnishe a free search on available homes in the Austin MLS. Their site also has information on Austin real estate and Horseshoe Bay real estate.

Feng Shui Books
Home Door Books

Removing Interior Walls

Here's a word of advice for any contractor, Carpenter, handyman or homeowner that is planning to remove an interior wall from your home or someone else's. Beware of removing interior walls, to eliminate your fears of the house collapsing. Some of the interior walls inside of the house are important structural components of the building.

Some of these walls hold up floors, roofs and other loadbearing sections that could create safety problems within the structure of the house itself. This is an area where an expert with framing skills should be consulted. What is the definition of someone with excellent framing skills? Some one with at least 10 years as a master framing carpenter.

My home building experience consists of three decades for over 30 years of assembling some of the most difficult sections of a home. During these years I have seen damage done to houses from removing structural interior walls. Most of this damage could be repaired with a little structural engineering. Some of the damage could not be repaired and caused other damage to different sections of the house. The damage caused in some cases to the floor and the roof framing had to be completely rebuilt.

I'm not telling you about every single thing I have ran into but you would be surprised if I started to make a list of all the homeowners and professionals in the building industry or home selling and buying business that contacted me to remove a structural component of a building. There have even been a few of these people that told me everything was going to be okay just go ahead and remove the structural building component.

Needless to say I would leave these people very irritated but I'm sure they found someone to do the job. The bad news is I was normally the person they would hire to go back and repair the damaged building after these people were gone and out of business. There have been cases where people have removed an interior walls against my better judgment and over the years of driving by in these homes I personally got to witness the structural damage that was occurring on the outside of the house.

I have no idea what the inside of the house looked like but could only imagine. My advice again when removing interior walls is to hire an experienced contractor or at least get some advice from an experienced framing carpenter. This does not include your basic know it all that has basic construction experience like your father in law, parents, friends, golfing associates or people you work with that tell you not to worry about it, just do it, everything will work out just fine.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and What Does A Shear Wall Do

Electrical Wire In Living Room

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

Installing Windows At A Eye Leve

How To Clean Laminate Flooring The Right Way

The time comes after you have installed your laminate floors that they will need to be cleaned. Most people at this point stop and wonder how to clean laminate flooring? Is there special chemicals, is there a certain mop, should I go a certain direction? All these are questions that may enter your brain when it comes to cleaning laminate flooring.

When you finally are done wondering how to clean laminate flooring and ready to begin the first thing you will want to grab is your dry mop. these mops are available from many different manufactures and do the best job at cleaning the loose dirt off your floor. Dry mops usually have a disposable soft pad that once exhausted can be quickly changed and the cleaning continued. Make sure that you go the same direction as the seems of the floor. Because no laminate floor is perfectly flat there will always be slight uneven spots on the floor and If you go against the seams you may just trap dirt between the planks in these spots. That is the best way how to clean laminate flooring with a dry mop.

But what if you have stains or a spill on your floor, then the question how to clean laminate flooring will pop back into your head again. Even with stains or spills cleaning your floor is very simple. You should start by only using a floor cleaner that was made specifically for laminate flooring. This is very important because the wrong chemical can damage or ruin your floor very easily. If you in short supply of laminate floor cleaner you can use some Windex or a mixture of vinegar and water diluted 4:1. Never use a wood polishing chemical like pledge to clean your flooring. Although these chemicals will leave a beautiful shine they will also make the floor as slick as ice and could lead to a dangerous slip and fall!

Once you have the flooring cleaner just spray some on the spots to be cleaned and wipe dry with a towel. this is the a best way to go about using any liquid cleaners on your floor, to much liquid on your floor can leak between The flooring planks and cause damage and make the floor look worn.

Learn more Cleaning and Care Tips For Wood laminate flooring

Pipe Protector On 2 X 4

Ramadan - Fasting in 2009

Ramadan is the time of the year when Muslims must obey one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting. Fasting is an important step all Muslims must take.

What time does fasting begin and what time does fasting ends depends on the rising of the sun and setting of the sun. You can find out what day Ramadan begins and the last day. It is customary to open you fast with dates, which are very inexpensive and can be bought from many shops, if not than something sweet will do, such as fruits etc.

When a Muslim man or woman fast they are learning how precious life is and how we should be grateful for what we have and feel as others less fortunate then we are.

Tips for fasting. There shouldn't really be any tips on Ramadan or fasting as that would perhaps defy the whole point God found Muslims to complete this task every year. But there are some things Muslims can do. Drink plenty of water before starting your fast to avoid dehydration as you are not permitted any foods or liquids of any kind while fasting.

For all of you who want quick facts about fasting than here goes, Please remember these are guidelines.

1. No eating or drinking during fasting times

2. No smoking or taking of illegal drugs

3. No sexual activities

4. No behaviors which are considered harmful

5. Fasting is not allowed during menstrual periods.

6. Medical conditions which would require you to break your fast is allowed.

Remember this is a fast of not just food but also of the soul, of our daily luxuries.

This is the time of contemplation and spirituality.

Shazia Shah is a practicing Muslim and has been a driving force behind the Muslim Matrimonials website http://www.muslimandsingle.com and http://www.asians4asians.com With Muslim Members from all over the UK and rest of the world.

Getting Up Earlier

Bathroom Interior Decoration

These days a bathroom interior design is even more important and attracts much more attention of the owners than kitchen design. In a modern design concept a bathroom is no longer just a functional zone but turned to be one of the main components of a stylish interior.

The role of a bathroom in our life has been misjudged for too long. Meanwhile, the way how our bathroom looks fundamentally influences our everyday mood. We don't simply accomplish essential hygienic procedure there - this is a place where we start and finish our day. And that is why its atmosphere is of a great importance: it can energize or prepare you for sleep, cheer up, generate necessary mood.

With changed attitude to a bathroom itself the main components, forming its space, remained the same. Yes, undoubtedly the bathroom fixtures selection is important, however the main element, appointing to the bathroom style stays tiles. It's impossible to be replaced.

The Art of Imitation.

It looks like couturieres' laurels keep on the run the bathrooms interior designers: in increasing frequency they use textiles in the most different projects and can't stop making various materials imitating it. So the ceramic tiles became a show-piece of a new art - there used to be collections where ceramic tiles were imitating natural stone, wood or metal, however nowadays designers moved to a new level. A new trend is ceramic tiles adroitly disguising into luxurious silk wallpaper or weightless French lacework impression.

Visual effect is awesome - you can recognize "fake" only at very short range, or even only after touching the tiles. Skillful leather imitations of different types are already common, but "ceramic leather" is an obvious new season hit.

Another trend - historical catchwords - can set wits to imitation. This is not just a new vintage - skillful, but still a fake, - that is a retrospect, reference to classics and traditions, to the warmth of a family estate in the midst of a noisy city, if you prefer. Here one can see not only designers' desire to create an outer effect, adding olden time imitation to surroundings, here aspiration of creating something historically veracious is absolutely clear. In addition to such surroundings designers offer already well-known trend, which is popular during several seasons, - vintage terra-cotta tiles with baroque ornament of cracks and attrition as if left after the hot Italian sun.

Ecological Rhetoric

Fortunately modern design fashion is far from being monotonous, it is various, contradictory, and there is always a counterbalance to every modern trend: so historical catchwords nostalgia and imitations flimsiness neighbors on bionic trend. Perhaps there is nothing new in it - well- known 60-70th yet again. This trend will no doubt find its fans among former school students and new intellectuals. In fact coming into this style designed bathroom one wants to think about sense of life as well as caducity and eternity of all existing... In this trend ergonomic forms and outrageous colors are not as important as up-to-date ecological rhetoric.

Art-Delicacy

The last in the list of new trends is one more bright direction. Both classical and mould-breaking art theme was always used with pleasure by the bathroom designers while creating new collections of ceramic tiles. From year to year craftsmen reproduce pictures of well-known artists, photos elements, sketches or children drawings on ceramics. These days art trend moved to a new level - with both selecting objects for reproducing and implementation of the design idea.

New Classics of Any Genre

Variety of new trends in ceramic tiles design amazes and gives full scope to art and selection of the only correct trend. Today fashion is good by being cosmopolite. However on closer look one can notice some similarity specific to all interior design in general.

One way or another, with all variety of themes, forms and colors - either it is ceramic tiles or sliding wardrobe model - art deco style rules the object design world these days, invisibly and subtly but skillfully and persistently. Don't the same imitations and paintings, luxurious leather and expensive species of wood imitations, painting of various flora and fauna objects refer exactly to it? Today's art-deco is different - it is based on nuances and touches, not showing up to the full extent. But because of it its presence isn't less visible. Using its motifs designers skillfully spice almost any bathroom interior - from high-tech to country. It is also used in design of luxurious hotels, as well as in gallery space, private inns and bathrooms... So imitation, bionics and art are samples of art-deco style implementation in its new interpretation. This style is expensive, intellectual, presentable - became a trend already. Art-deco elements usage demands professional skills and good taste, but result usually exceeds the best expectations.

Arthur Prudent is a developer of London builders - bathroom, kitchen installation - web site offering all aspects of builders services. London builders - Bathroom Interior Decoration.

Home Repair Books
Landscaping Books

Checking the Building For Square

The most important thing when building a home is the ability to keep everything as square, plumb and level as possible. Starting with the foundation, if the foundation is not square or level, the rest of the house is going to be out of alignment.

You've probably heard the saying, start with a good foundation. This applies to the building industry as well. There are quite a few ways to build a square foundation, it all depends on what kind of tools you have, to build it with.

Some of these tools can be quite expensive but it used every day can save you a lot of time and of course time is money.

You don't need expensive tools to build a square foundation. You could actually build a square foundation with less than $100 worth of tools. It might take you a little longer but could be done.

Let's start with the 3 - 4 - 5 rule.

Okay lets see if I can explain this in layman's terms. If no West side of the foundation is 3 foot and the north side of the foundation is for foot, then the diagonal measurement from the southwest corner to the northeast corner would be 5 foot. Out of square building can create foundation problems

This can also be done using 30' x 40' should equal 50 foot. You can use this if the building is large and you need to check it for square.

By measuring the foundation diagonally from each corner, the measurement should be exactly the same. If it isn't, the building is out of square and should be adjusted before the concrete is poured. This measurement should always be checked before you get too far along in the form building process.

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 having problems in your attic, find out more at concrete contractor basics and home building ideas.

Deck Framing Wood Damage

Prefabricated Garages Save You Time and Money and Reduce Clutter

A new home for your car or somewhere to store the junk overflowing the house can be delivered to customer's exacting specifications virtually anywhere in the UK within just a few weeks from order thanks to the UK's concrete garages industry.

The choice of sizes is breathtaking with concrete garages (also known as prefab garages) ranging from the size of a phone box up to a small industrial unit. With the components of these garages being made off site, it is important that the size ordered is the size you will need in the future as it's far more economical to order larger garages at the outset than to amend existing garages in years to come.

There is also a choice of shapes - flat roofed concrete garages are the cheapest and feature a gentle slope to remove rainwater; the A shaped apex roofed garages provide a feeling of extra space and ensure rainwater falls off to each side, whereas the even more pointy Banbury style roof prefab garages feature a 25 degree pitch for a more traditional appearance.

Style is always important and prefab garages address that with a choice of finishes designed to look great next to all property types. The spar (pebble dashed) finish is the most popular finish on prefabricated garages as its subtle blend of colours matches many environments. Garages in brick and rock finishes are proving increasingly popular thanks to the launch in early 2008 of red brick and buff brick finish garages that cost little more than their spar equivalents.

A range of finishing touches enable those considering prefabricated concrete garages to personalise until their heart is content. Garage doors are available in various designs and finishes and are important as they often make up the most visible parts of such garages. Side access or personnel doors, roofs, windows and fascias are all available in a choice of different materials designs and colours. Security and maintenance free options are always an important consideration and as you would expect there are plenty available with these garages.

It's no wonder that very few prefabricated garages are the same.

One of the main reasons to choose these garages is that they are "prefabricated garages". With all components built in factories off-site, prefabricated garages are typically delivered and installed on the same day - avoiding all the potential delays associated with traditional build. Once the garages are ordered, there is little inconvenience to the home owner. There isn't even the need to take time off work as the trained delivery & installation teams will ensure your garage is built exactly as specified on the original order.

Prefabricated garages continue to provide fantastic value to many. On display at hundreds of display sites throughout the UK, customers can see the types of prefabricated garages there are to choose from. Local garage specialists ensure that the building ordered meets the customers requirements before passing it through to the manufacturer who will arrange the manufacture, delivery & installation and usually give all prefabricated garages a 10-year guarantee.

Compton Buildings are the UKs largest manufacturer of prefab garages and concrete sectional garages in the UK with display sites throughout the country. More details can be found at http://www.comptonbuildings.co.uk

Simple Light Switch Replacement

Learn How to Remove Wallpaper Easy

If you're attempting to remove wallpaper (W.P.) then you have come to the right place. Follow my simple tips and tricks. Not only will you save time and frustration, you will learn how to take it down the easy way. Wall-coverings can make a room look beautiful! However, when it becomes old, out dated, or torn, and your seams are coming apart, it's time to remove it. Most people go to their local hardware store to buy supplies and get some general advice. Most of the time, they purchase the wrong tools, the wrong wetting agent, and they get the wrong advice. Attempting to remove wall paper is a tricky matter. While you may find it a messy and time consuming job, don't try to avoid it by painting over it. This will worsen your removal project and is not an acceptable solution.

SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST
Safety is of the highest importance. Always turn off the electricity at the main panel or at the fuse box for the room that you will working in. Water and electricity don't mix. You will also be working with a bucket of water. Be very careful with young children and pets as they can easily fall into the bucket of water and get seriously injured. Keep all products and tools out of reach from young children and pets. We can't stress safety enough. Read all safety warnings on all products, before beginning your project.

1. HOME-MADE CONCOCTIONS "DON'T WORK"
With so many new W.P. removal products on the market today, how would you know which one to choose? Many of my customers have shown me the different products they've tried, all which have failed. They have damaged their walls, stained the ceiling and / or woodwork. The solution was as simple as trying a different wetting agent. Some people apply vinegar, or other household concoctions. If you use plain water, vinegar, or other homemade concoctions; the liquid will just drip down the wall and onto the floor. This is nothing but a waste of time. "dif liquid concentrate" is the product that i always use. It is a clear liquid. Removal wetting agents work by allowing the product to absorb into the wall paper. In order to remove paper successfully you have to use a wetting agent. The trick is, "LET THE WETTING AGENT DO THE WORK". Don't rush this process. Be sure to read the label carefully. Mix with water as directed on the label.

2.TRY PULLING W.P. IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Finding the right direction to pull your paper off can make all the difference between hard and easy. Who knew that the direction you pull your paper, will make an incredible difference? When removing it dry or wet, try pulling from the baseboard up, if it does not remove easily, then try pulling from the ceiling down, if this does not work, try pulling sideways. Every job is different. Some remove easily dry, while others must be wet. To determine this, start at the bottom of the wall and lift a corner with a snap-off razor blade or the edge of your scraper. Many times the front of the paper removes easily dry. Most of the time the front removes dry, leaving the backing on the wall, this is normal. Remove the front dry and the backing wet. The backing will most always have to be wet. If pulling the front of the wall paper does not remove easily, or comes off in little pieces, then wet it. This includes all types of wallcoverings, vinyls, mylars, foils, grass cloths, embossed, textured, and many other types. Use your removal pump sprayer to wet the paper. Remember all papers removes differently. Therefore, if it isn't removing easily one way, always try pulling in another direction. This can make a big difference. And sometimes it is just a bear no matter what. If this method is not working, and you have tried everything, then you may want to try the scoring tool.

NOTE: To minimize wall damage, use in a circular motion, and do not apply too much pressure. The scoring tool should only be used after all the steps above have failed.

3.PUMP-ACTION SPRAYER IS A MUST-HAVE
Apply the wetting agent faster and cleaner by using a one gallon pump sprayer. Don't apply with a little hand held bottle sprayer. This will waste a lot of time and is also very painful to your hands. The pump sprayer is quicker, easier, and less painful trust me. The removal sprayer will allow you to wet a larger area at one time, speeding up the time needed for removing the paper. Spray the paper, then let it set for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Don't rush this process; the wetting agent requires time to work. If you do not wait for the recommended time, removal will be very hard. Now that the surface has been wet, try to remove with a W.P. scraper. If the wallcovering is not coming off it may have to be wet one more time. Spray once again, wait about ten to fifteen minutes. This is how to remove wallpaper easy Now that the wetting agents have had time to work, remove the wall paper. This sprayer will make an incredible difference on how this speeds up the process.

4. USE THE RIGHT SCRAPER
Broad knives and scrapers may look alike, but they are very different. Be sure to use a wall paper removal scraper. I have tried every scraper possible, expensive as well as very cheap. Believe it or not the cheaper scraper worked the best for me. The right removal scraper is designed with a sharp shaving edge for stripping paper. This is exactly what you need. With the sharp shaving edge, you can get under the paper, definitely speeding up the process. Each side of the removal scraper works differently, flip the scraper over to see which side works best for you.

5. REMOVE PASTE WITH EXTRA LARGE SCRUBBY SPONGE
Now that you have successfully removed your paper, you now need to know "how to remove wallpaper paste" off the walls. Use your sprayer filled with water and wetting agent, and spray your walls. The wetting agent will soften the glue. Wetting the walls with the sprayer will make in removing the paste mush easier. Now fill a bucket with warm water, and add a half cup of agent to about two gallons of water. Using a dual sided scrubby sponge, wash your walls. The textured side of the sponge is used to loosen the paste on the walls. The smooth side is used for cleaning the paste off.

6. OIL-BASE PRIME AFTER REMOVING WALLPAPER
To ensure that your new paper or paint will adhere to your walls correctly you must always apply oil-base primer. There are many reasons why you should use an oil-base primer. A good quality primer is designed to penetrate the existing wall surface and will seal up any left over adhesive residue, and any problem areas due to the removal. Primer will also block out and seal out anything that may come through the existing wall surface. It is crucial to let your walls dry before applying a primer to work properly. Some professionals as well as the do-it-yourselfer cut corners and don't prime after removing W.P. This is a very big mistake. Prime the walls as if you were painting, cutting in all areas, and don't skimp. After the primer has dried according to the manufacturers' directions, repair any damaged areas with spackle and then sand. Spot prime wherever you have patched the walls. You are now ready for paint. If you are re-hanging paper it is crucial to let the primer dry over night.

Join our community of Do-It-Yourselfers, that are here to help and share there knowledge with you.

ON THIS SITE YOU WILL FIND: How to hang and remove wallpaper videos, Discussion Forums, Articles, Calculators, Wallpaper Tools, Supplies, and much more.

Please Visit My website at http://www.wallpaperonwalls.com

Treated Plywood Column Framing