Do-It-Yourself Water Extraction Versus Professional Service

Nobody wants to go through the hassle of having to deal with water damage, especially in cases where the flooding has been occurring for some time and the damage has already been done to the property. Obviously in these types of situations, the ideal solution is to call a professional water damage firm and have them sort out all of the details as far as what would be involved in restoring everything back to normal. In severe cases such as Class 3 and above, there are usually actions beyond extraction that need to be taken: cabinets need to be rebuilt, drywall needs to be replaced, carpet needs to be redone and so on. But what about smaller water damage scenarios, or situations where you may be able to take action as the flooding is happening?

In these situations, the first question that comes up in your mind would probably be: "do I really need to hire a professional for this?" As everyone knows, water damage restoration firms do not come cheap, and many home insurance policies have a deductible that needs to be met before any type of claim is paid out. For a small toilet or kitchen flood, particularly when it's Category 1 clean water, calling a professional can be a costly and ineffective way to fix the problem. Since water extraction equipment and fans can usually be rented for a fraction of the price of hiring a professional, many homeowners may consider a do-it-yourself approach to save money and time.

However, when it comes to water, there are many factors that need to be kept in mind to ensure that the job is done right and prevent issues in the future, particularly when it comes to mold damage. Let's go over some of the basic considerations when weighing the merits of a DIY and professional approach:

1. Evaluate the extent of the damage. This should go without saying, but the very first step would be to see how bad the situation is. If the leak is Category 2 or 3, meaning the water is infected or toxic, a self-restoration will be extremely dangerous to do on your own. On the other hand, Category 1 clean water flooding can probably be handled, provided that there is not a prohibitive amount of water. A relatively small leak (typically Class 1 and possibly 2) in a bathroom or kitchen can most likely be handled with some attention to detail and the proper equipment.

2. Extract as much water as possible. Once the source of the leak is identified, the first step is to remove the water supply, usually by shutting off that particular valve or the water main if needed. With the leak stemmed, the first steps can be taken to remove as much water as possible from the site. This is usually accomplished through a number of means ranging from crude to specialized, but keep in mind that consumer-grade equipment such as a Shopvac or vacuum will simply not be enough to get the job done properly. Also, the type of flooring that houses the water plays a big factor into how difficult extraction will be. Solid surfaces such as tile are usually very easy to deal with, while carpet and wood become exponentially more involved.

3. Map out the areas of moisture. This step is critical in making sure everything is dried out to leave no room for future mold damage. In order to create a moisture map, you will need to obtain a moisture meter and plot out all affected areas in a floor plan. Professionals typically simplify this process by using specialized equipment that detects and maps the moisture automatically. If this step is neglected, the water damage can come back to haunt you in the form of rotting drywall or wooden beams.

4. Dehumidify the environment. The last crucial component to proper restoration and dryout is to remove the excessive moisture from the surrounding air. After water evaporates, it will continue to linger in the area unless you use ventilation to circulate the air or desiccants that absorb the humidity. This step is also one that requires a proper balance of technique between air movement and drying; if improperly treated, the result will be mold growth that will require much more work and expense to remediate.

These are just some of the basic guidelines involved in a proper water damage dryout. As you can see, even small jobs can be deceptively complicated and oftentimes the small details that get overlooked can be what proves to make the difference between a professional job and an incomplete one. Please be advised that if you do decide to go through with your own restoration effort, the steps listed above are just the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more aspects to keep in mind before you should attempt to begin. Proper research will be required so that the dryout does not end up being more costly in the end, so be sure to evaluate all your options to decide if you really can save money by going the do-it-yourself route.

Home Decoration And DIY   Home Decoration And DIY   

What to Do With Old CD Cassettes and Video Tapes

You just went through some old storage and realized you have tons of unwanted CD Cassettes or video tapes lying around. What can you do? This article reveals some ideas on what you can do with those unwanted items. Although people barely use video tapes or cassettes these days, there are plenty of ways to recycle or use them in creative ways, rather than simply throwing them into the trash can.

The first idea would be to check your local donation or thrift stores and check if they are wiling to accept your unwanted belongings. From time to time, people will definitely check out those stores to reminisce those old days when CD cassettes and video tapes were the popular trends. By donating to these stores (if they accept them), you will be giving them away for a good cause!

The second idea would be to use them as house decor. For example, you can stick many cassettes along the corridor wall to form a creative wallpaper. People would be impressed by your creativity. They can have a look at each CD and check if they have seen each one or not. Of course, this would probably require a lot of CD cassettes but it does not necessarily have to be along the corridor. You may only need a few to form fun cassette patterns in your bedroom. Your creative boundaries are limitless!

Another idea would be to turn them into an artful furniture piece. Again, this means you would need a lot of cassettes or tapes. For example, you can stack them together to form table legs. Perhaps you can also stack many CDs to form a creative flower vase. There are plenty of ideas lying around online.

If none of the above ideas work for you, please keep in mind that some of these items are not suitable for the bin. It can cause a lot of harm to the environment if they are not disposed properly. Another option would be to check out the local flea market and check if any of the vendors are willing to take your items into storage. Before you give them away, make sure you check each one. Who knows? Some of these disks or video tapes may become valuable in the near or far future.

If the video content is important, there are some ways to transfer the content from the old cassette to your computer.

Home Decoration And DIY   Home Decoration And DIY   

Ceiling Fans Save Home Energy All Year Long

If you have ceiling fans installed in your home, you already know how they enhance any decor and how well they cool down rooms. But fans have many more benefits as well, especially when you consider the cost savings and how ceiling fans save home energy-in every season.

As a homeowner you may be used to switching on your fans in the spring when it begins to get warm, and then turning them off in favor of central air conditioning when the heat of summer hits. If this sounds familiar, you should consider how ceiling fans can be used in summer months to save energy in the home.

Running your fans in a counter-clockwise direction during summer months provides the best energy savings. Powerful motors from premier manufacturers are designed to efficiently move more cubic feet of air per minute, making a room feel much cooler because of the circulatory breeze. Fans with these high performance motors use about as much electricity as a 100-watt light bulb even on the fan's highest speed, saving energy and money while still providing exceptional air comfort. As long as the outside temperature isn't too high, you may be able to turn off your air conditioner, open a few windows, and allow the fan to circulate air that can make you feel up to eight degrees cooler and reduce your air conditioning bills by 40% or more.

If the outside temperature does rise very high, you can use air conditioning and fans together. When a fan is working, the air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard and yet the room can stay perfectly comfortable. You can save home energy and reduce costs by raising your A/C settings up to 12 degrees as long as your ceiling fan is running at the same time. The air is just as pleasant at the higher A/C settings since the fan circulates the cool air around the room.

The home energy savings of ceiling fans doesn't end when summer ends. Many homeowners simply turn off their ceiling fans when it gets cold, assuming that they're only useful to cool down rooms. In fact, by simply running your fan in a clockwise direction, you can reduce heating costs by around 10% or more by offsetting the HVAC workload. Since warm air is lighter than cool air and warm air is nearest the ceiling, they push warm air up against the ceiling and then down the walls. This recirculates warm air throughout each of your rooms without causing a cooling breeze.

Install a Ceiling Fan to Save Home Energy To get the most cost and energy savings out of your ceiling fans you must first ensure that they're installed correctly. If you have a large home, you may need to install several fans placed strategically in key locations that will most effectively move air. For the best air flow you want to install the fan so that the blades are seven to ten feet from the floor, with at least eighteen inches from the nearest wall for optimal performance. If you are unsure, a reputable ceiling fan store with experienced staff should be able to provide expert advice.

Energy Star Ceiling Fans Compared to conventional fans, Energy Star fans are 75% more efficient, circulating 15 to 20% more air and producing 70% less heat. Energy Star fans with lights also use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that last up to ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

Fans Reduce Costs and Save Energy in the Home When used properly, high performance ceiling fans and Energy Star fans can save you money in any season-up to 40% in air conditioning costs and as much as 10% in heating costs. You can "go green" without sacrificing one degree of comfort and even save money at the same time.

Home Decoration And DIY   Home Decoration And DIY   

What is Podcasting For Business Marketing?

With all of the talk of marketing done by podcasting, many marketers are wondering just what is podcasting and how can it be used to bring in customers. With online marketing, there are many different ways to be established as an expert in a particular subject matter and to become well known within that online field. Using several different types of media, including social networking, blogs and websites can get a marketing message out to a wide sphere of customers.

Podcasting is another of these online marketing tools.

Exactly What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is a way of delivering audio content online through an RSS feed. Podcasting is similar to the radio-on-demand sites that allow anyone to listen to audio files online. But, with podcasting, there is more variability and customization available. A podcast may begin at a certain time, but it can be listened to later at any time that the listener chooses.

Using Podcasts for Marketing

Listening to a podcast is a popular alternative to simply reading information on a page. It gives information a personal feel and can deliver entertainment at the same time. With podcasting, listeners can see the faces behind the website.

Poscasts are often used for attracting more readers to a website. By scheduling a live podcast and telling people in advance when the podcast will air, people are drawn to the site to hear the message. By scheduling regular podcasts, such as one per week, they will gain a following.

Gain Credibility

One of the most useful aspects of using a podcast for marketing is that hearing the person's voice as they discuss the topic gives the speaker a credibility that is hard to get through test alone. The audio files are listened to much like a news broadcast would be, and they are a great way to earn quick respect as someone who is knowledgeable about the topic.

When deciding what is podcasting, think of information that can be made engaging and entertaining. Consider interviewing another authority on the subject so that readers hear the questions that they may have answered. Vary the content of each episode so that listeners to will tune in to the next one to see what else will be covered.

Make the broadcast personal by introducing yourself and talking about your experience with the subject matter at the beginning of each file. This will encourage loyalty and a familiarity that will bring listeners back over and over.

10 Ways a Podcast Can Build Your Business   How to Use Podcasting to Gain Authority For Your Business - Part Two   6 Tips to Eliminate Background Noise in Your Podcast   How Simple Podcasts Add Value to Your Small Business Website   

New Homes From Expert Builders

Buying a new home is probably one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make in your life. In many cases a mortgage and a home end up being a longer commitment than children and often even a job.

Buying a new home from expert builders of course means you can be assured you are getting something that is quality and so will withstand the test of time - very important.

Homes are made from so many different parts and there is so much relying on everything else that having a home that is greater than the sum of its parts is very important. From foundation to the roof, every part of a home is important and has to be built with knowhow, skill and care.

If you're buying a new jacket you wouldn't expect it to have frayed tailoring and other issues. This is the same case with a home and so you should always be sure to purchase it from reputable builders.

Experience and longevity of builders is often a good sign of the company's success over a period of time. Many builders come and go, but it usually only the ones that offer the strongest and best service that survive.

Like anything of such size and complexity, there are often issues. However a builder will provide a snag list to overlook the home and ensure that any problems are mended and the house is up to standard.

Through, the use of a good, high end builders you can be assured this is the case and your home is up to scratch. Quality builders will have their own qualified people for the job, or often outsource to high end companies that are tried and tested in a specific area.

Green homes can make a great investment currently and with a wide range of high quality individuals and builders available to add those green energy and insulation solutions, you can get exactly what you require from geo-thermal energy to high performing insulation. There's much to be said for using builders who know what they're doing in this area. Of course, in the long run this can also mean significant savings and really lower the incidence of bills in your new home.

Of course, now is the time to buy a home. With demand faltering due to the issues of getting a mortgage homes are at a very reasonable rate. Purchasing a home while the economy is in a trough means that you get great value and when things get better economically, you've purchased at a great time.

New homes of course make for few renovation costs and also mean that you are getting a high quality product you won't have to spend money on.

So, for those looking to save money, make the most of the current climate and get a home that's right up to their specs, we'd advise a top end expert builders for your new home.

Why Should You Use A Residential Architect?   Should You Buy A Model Home?   5 Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder   Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project.   

Why It Is Important To Know The International Residential Code

It is never a waste of time or money to learn and know the basics and requirements of a dwelling or townhouse construction well. One should know that when it comes to construction of one and two family dwellings, it must comply with the international residential code; but what exactly is in a residential code?

This code composes all mechanical, plumbing, building, electrical and fuel gas requirements or regulations for family residences of three stories or less. The international residential code works to help most people because it provides you a prescriptive system on how to build one's walls or install the roof.

In international residential code, when you say prescriptive approach or method it means there is a general prescribed way to build something and it works in most situations. These approaches are like one size fits all shirts.

International residential code also encourages one to conserve energy through cost-effectiveness in lighting systems, envelope design, mechanical systems and the use of new materials and techniques. However, the book comprises the latest updates and several significant changes; these changes and some new features are also found in the 2012 international residential code book.

So if you are seeking a concrete understanding of the latest updates in these codes, this book is for you. This book comprises several significant changes including prescriptive provisions for the isolated masonry pier foundations that support raised floor systems construction, a new wind map that charts areas that requires a design to hold off wind forces and a new map that determines wind borne debris regions.

It is also important that before we do any home improvement projects or remodeling in our homes, we must make sure that we have complied with the standards of 2012 international residential code. Generally, the code requires one to have a building permit when there's an improvement or remodeling required in one's home. This is so to prevent one from having costly repairs and safety issues. You need a building permit should you wish to do major repairs or replacement to furnaces, gas and plumbing pipes, water heaters and air conditioners. You will also need a permit for major changes to the electrical system such as moving lights or receptacles and adding new circuits. Also with new building construction, new plumbing, heating, air conditioning equipment and electrical installation, replacement of exterior wall coverings and roof coverings and changes to building occupancy.

In addition, the residential code has energy related components that promotes energy conservation. This is to make sure that everything you use in building a residence does not further harm the environment, and the building itself makes a big contribution in saving energy. This code encourages every home dweller to live green by making their homes environmentally friendly and energy-saver at the same time.

Why Should You Use A Residential Architect?   Should You Buy A Model Home?   5 Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder   Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project.   Kitset Home - Are You Ready to Live in a Kitset Home?   

Hiring a Contractor: What Are Your Must-Haves?

Whether you're having your bathroom remodeled, putting in a nursery, or want to break ground on that swimming pool you've always dreamed of having, you will probably need to hire a contractor. Just like any service industry, of course, there is going to be some variation in quality. Hiring someone just because you came across their ad in the phone book usually isn't the best idea. For best results, you should have a list of must-haves when hiring someone to come carry out your project. You may have more in mind, but here are some qualities that no company should be without.

Experience

That new contractor that started his business last year on the other side of town? He may very well be the best in town, but he's not for you. There are a few problems in hiring someone who hasn't been in business for very long. One, you'll have little way of knowing what kind of reputation he has. He hasn't even had long enough to build a reputation. Two, longevity itself speaks for something. If someone can live and work in a community for many years, they are doing something right. Finally, experience itself matters. You can have all of the education in the world, but you need someone who isn't going to stare at an unforeseen problem like a deer caught in the headlights.

Prompt, Dependable Scheduling

If you've ever dealt with the cable company, you've experienced the old "Sometime between Tuesday and Friday" school of scheduling. Expect better from the contractor you hire for your project. If they say they are going to be there Wednesday at 8:00, they should be pulling into the driveway at just that time. Look for companies that place a lot of emphasis on their prompt scheduling in their advertisements. Talk to others who have used their services and see what they have to say about the crew's ability to show up on time.

Guarantees

A good contractor will stand behind their work. If you hire a plumber to come fix a leak in your kitchen sink and it leaks again next week, do you really expect to pay for the same service again? If you didn't get a guarantee on the work, you may very well be put into a situation where this is the case. Don't accept a spoken guarantee, either. If a company says they are willing to stand behind the work they do, they should be equally willing to put it into writing.

Why Should You Use A Residential Architect?   Should You Buy A Model Home?   5 Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder   Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project.   Kitset Home - Are You Ready to Live in a Kitset Home?   Waterproofing Your Basement Comes With These 7 Advantages!   

Install a UPVC Conservatory and Increase Your Property's Value

What better way is there to increasing your property's value than installing a fantastic uPVC conservatory? You can make use of the extra space a conservatory brings to your home and choose from the start exactly how you'd like it to look. With a range of styles and materials on offer the opportunities are seemingly endless and installing now will ensure you beat the summer prices.

With new conservatories there are a few choices for you to consider. Conservatories can be constructed in aluminium, hardwood or uPVC. However, if you're considering a new conservatory as a long-term option for adding extra space to your property and increasing your home's value, uPVC is the only sensible option.

Aluminium conservatories are expensive. There's no getting away from it. Out of the possible materials to use for your new conservatory, aluminium is by far the least cost-effective. Its strength and durability are second to none, but this is all counteracted by the cost.

With an aluminium conservatory you won't make back the money you spend on the installation, and as a metal it's not the most energy efficient either. You could end up spending much more on heating bills over the years, when you could go with another option.

Hardwood is an interesting choice, because it looks great and can be fantastic for traditional homes. The main bonus for hardwood, is it's more likely to be granted planning permission if your property's in a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site. This is because the style will be more in keeping with the home's original appearance.

However, despite the advantages hardwood requires a lot of maintenance and things can go wrong very quickly. Wood can rot and warp, which you won't find with either uPVC or aluminium. It'll also need to be repainted every few years to keep its great look. For homes in Conservation Areas it's the answer, but otherwise you should look elsewhere.

This brings us to uPVC. uPVC is the chosen material for windows, doors and conservatory manufacturers because of its benefits. It's durable and can be made as strong as necessary to support extra weight from glass roofs. The frames are simply made thicker.

During the manufacturing stage, additives and stabilisers are added to the compound. This gives the product protection from the sun's UV rays and gives uPVC its clean, white finish. But for those looking for something different, uPVC can be coloured. Black, grey and brown are other popular colours for conservatories.

With uPVC you won't have to worry about the problems of rotting and warping either. uPVC is resistant to the changing weather and can resist wind loads too. And it's far cheaper than hardwood and aluminium. This makes it the optimal material for conservatory installations and if you're looking to improve your home, you should go down this route.

Why Should You Use A Residential Architect?   Should You Buy A Model Home?   5 Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder   Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project.   Kitset Home - Are You Ready to Live in a Kitset Home?   Basics to Building Surveyors   

What Is Antimicrobial Cladding and What Can It Be Used for?

In recent years, technology and the application of materials has advanced greatly. Where previously cladding has been used to cover or just to decorate a fixed wall or ceiling and often applied on top of an existing structure. Cladding now can be used as part of the primary structure.

Advancements in science have brought about the use of various types of cladding such as antimicrobial cladding. Added to the ingredients during production is active silver ion technology with inherent biocidal behaviour that stops microbes from breathing and reproducing even antibiotic resistant strains. Antimicrobial cladding has been proven to help kill bacteria such as MRSA, E-Coli and Salmonella.

In today's fast paced working environments in particular restaurants and clinical areas, the fight against bacteria is ever important. Antimicrobial cladding does not replace the need to clean, but can significantly reduce risk alongside a standard cleaning regime.

Antimicrobial cladding not only fights bacteria, but because it can be custom fit into just about any environment, it is now becoming a choice material for many outside of areas that you wouldn't expect this to be. For example, antimicrobial hygienic cladding can be applied in the home as splash backs in the kitchens as part of a tanked ceiling, wall and floor system for a steam or wet room. The choice of applications is endless. Antimicrobial cladding is commonly manufactured in white, but other hygienic cladding products are available that offer a whole host of colour options, such as decorative hygienic cladding.

Antimicrobial cladding is a cost effective way to uplift any environment with a clean and fresh look. Couple this with PVC ceiling planks and epoxy resin flooring and you will be creating a sanitised and clean workspace.

Not only is the installation easier over many other alternative wall and ceiling products but maintenance is much easier also. Antimicrobial cladding can also be used alongside antimicrobial sealants and fixings to ensure there is no untreated or unsealed areas that can often be a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria. Ensuring your antimicrobial cladding is maintained is essential to ensure you realise the full benefits. Like with any wall material or ceiling material, it must be up kept with a rigorous and regular cleaning regime.

In the last few years hygienic cladding has been adopted by many NHS trusts across hospitals and other areas that require extremely high hygiene levels. Also fast food restaurants and kitchens have adopted this form of cladding to help combat against the aforementioned forms of bacteria that are common place in such areas were raw meats can be in close proximity to cooked foods.

When choosing what antimicrobial hygienic cladding to purchase it's important to establish that it meets the standards for the country in which it will be installed, for example BSI. It is also advisable to source a company that not only supplies antimicrobial cladding but fits it as well. This service will often come with a product and labour guarantee. Many will also offer a free sample and for sizable installations, a free onsite visit and valuation. Take a look at what is on offer today.

Why Should You Use A Residential Architect?   Should You Buy A Model Home?   5 Questions to Ask a Custom Home Builder   Choosing the Right Architect for Your Project.   

How to Choose a Bed and Breakfast

So you've decided to shun the neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts? After all, you've heard how much more personal and romantic the b&b experience is, right? Well....usually that's the gospel truth. However, there are certain things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself (and prospective innkeepers) before you make your final decision and turn over your credit card number.

The first thing to consider is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many towns across America offer the b&b experience but only have a handful of options for you to consider. On the other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of b&b's, reportedly the largest number of b&b's per capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.

These days it seems almost everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements through the internet. In fact you are probably one of those individuals or you wouldn't be reading this article. You can always begin your search by typing in your destination city or town and "bed and breakfast" into your search engine to get an idea of the options you'll have. As you begin to view the properties, you should consider whether the b&b has the following amenities (assuming these are important to you): private bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast, off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the ever-important factor....location.

Let's begin with location. Proximity to the "center of action" is often a plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be "on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the night (Main Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in the country.

Making this first decision will cut the number of properties you consider by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise "Located on Main Street," but what they don't tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the old addage, "Buyer Beware."

Question number two could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in addition to numerous true multi-unit inns. One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast at a pre-arranged time...along with other guests. So for many guests the choice comes down to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many different properties, there are no set rules; so check their website or ask!

One more common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly looking for a "magazine spread" when they walk in the door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and read, "When we opened the door the beautiful room just took my breath away!" Few people go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor they have at home...or worse, their granny's decor! However, many b&b owners are under the false impression that they can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests...but you don't want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I would never book a room that didn't at least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two photo's potential guests are most interested in. I would be very wary of a facility that wasn't proud to show its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it's all out there for the taking...for those who do their homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway experience yet.

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation

Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in common; you need a place to stay. Unfortunately, many individuals choose large hotel chains which have no personality and do nothing more than provide a place to sleep for their guests. However, when business and vacation travelers choose to stay at a Bed and Breakfast they are able to enjoy their trip even more simply because Bed and Breakfast inns focus on each individual guest. In fact, there are several benefits a Bed and Breakfast has over regular hotels.

Benefit #1 Feel at Home

Most Bed and Breakfast Inns are typically small and have a limited number of rooms to rent out. However, each room has a lot of personality and is generally decorated around a theme and focuses on the comfort of guests. Each room is decorated in an elegant at-home way that is easily enjoyed by guests who want comfortable and beautiful surroundings to enjoy while on their trip. You certainly won't encounter the generic rooms of common hotels. All in all, when you stay at a Bed and Breakfast you will feel at home.

Benefit #2 Great Food

As the name suggests the daily rate of a Bed and Breakfast stay will certainly include the first meal of the day. While a Continental breakfast is frequently included in chain hotel rates the breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast is always of a significantly higher quality. This is because innkeepers take pride in serving well balanced and tasty meals allowing guests to enjoy every aspect of their stay. Although every Bed and Breakfast is different you can generally expect a full breakfast of meat and eggs with fresh baked muffins, fresh squeezed juice and fruit. Usually breakfast is served on fine china with silver cutlery, much higher class than disposable plates and cutlery at low priced hotel chains.

Benefit #3 More Economical

You are probably thinking, "yeah, right!" But the truth is Bed and Breakfast Inns really are more economical when you consider the entire price of the stay. For example, a Bed and Breakfast may charge what seems like expensive nightly fees, but everything is basically included from local phone calls to movies, and concierge services to parking. Just these extras at a hotel can add $100 or more to your daily bill. So, in the overall scheme of things a Bed and Breakfast will probably save you money and you will be more comfortable and relaxed at the same time.

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   

Inns and Bed and Breakfasts - Are They For Everybody?

Inns are a delightful alternative to hotels and resorts. They can be just the right ticket for your vacation, providing you understand how they work and function.

Are they for everybody?

No, they're not. But here's the answers to some basic questions to determine if it's the type of accommodation that'll work for you...

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNS AND BED AND BREAKFASTS?

Let's start by clearing up any confusion on the differences between inns and bed and breakfasts. And it's not so much in the name as how they advertise themselves.

Firstly, there's no difference in accommodation. The charm of a bed and breakfast can be every bit as good as the personality of an inn. The difference is the prepared meals. A bed and breakfast is just that... expect a bed and a breakfast, but you're on your own for dinner. But at inns, they're set-up to provide dinner as well, although it's usually an option, and not included in the quoted price. The listing will be very clear if dinner is offered. But assume its just bed and breakfast if nothing is mentioned.

In many areas of the world inns and bed and breakfasts are also called guesthouses.

ARE THEY RIGHT FOR MY KIDS?

When an inn says kids are welcome, then you'd better believe they really mean they're kid friendly. Now there's nothing wrong with that (I have three myself), but don't expect too much peace and quiet and solitude.

You'll find a number of listings that put age restriction on children. For example they'll say something like: 12 or older, or above 6-years old. They're not being mean. It's just these places are also catering to a single or couple looking for a chance to unwind and free of noise and high activity. If you've got high-action kids then bed and breakfasts may not be ideal for your family.

WHAT SERVICE CAN I EXPECT?

Staying in inns is very different than staying at a hotel. You shouldn't expect a country inn to be like a Sheraton, with hordes of staff at your beck and call, and soundproof walls. Also, having a party and playing loud music after 11:00pm won't win you any brownie points with your host or the other guests.

Remember... the innkeeper or host is there to provide you, and other guests, with a unique experience in unique surroundings, but to do that they'll need your understanding.

WHAT'S THE USUAL CHECK-IN TIME?

Your host will go out of their way to greet you when you check-in. Usually when you reserve you'll be told when their normal check-in period is. But most can accommodate you arrivals outside those hours.

But you need to let them know if you'll be late so they can arrange for you to get into the house (yes, the doors are locked after a certain hour), and to your room. It's one thing to show up at midnight at your hotel - they're staffed round the clock - but it's entirely another matter to roll-in after 11:00pm at an inn, and expect your host to get out of bed and greet you smiling.

CAN YOU NEGOTIATE PRICE?

You bet you can!

Just like hotels the room rate for inns is negotiable. The main difference is unlike a hotel, the person on the other end of a phone is usually the owner of the bed and breakfast, and they can make the decision on the spot. All you have to do is ask in a nice way.

Just remember the innkeeper may only have a few rooms to begin with anyway, and if your haggling over the last room then don't be offended if it's no dice on a price reduction. But on the other hand one room of a four-room inn without a paying guest reduces a host's profit by 25%. So it's always worth asking for a reduction!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY SAVE?

Off-peak travel will save you a bundle.

Most inns can book their weekend's months in advance. But filling the rooms during the week, particularly off-season, is much more difficult. You'll get the best deals for bed and breakfasts traveling mid-week and out of season. Now contrast this with hotels that have the opposite problem, because they cater to the mid-week business traveler, but can't get people in rooms at the weekends.

I love staying in inns. They've a lot going for them. Inns are usually very affordable, offer tons more variety than a bland hotel room, and are a great way to meet fellow travelers or vacationers. You'll find web sites devoted to inn and bed and breakfast listings now - so crank up Yahoo or Google and get searching... and saving!

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   

Get a Guaranteed Web Site Traffic Increase With RSS

Really Simple Syndication, or RSS is basically a great way (one of the best) to share content on your website with the world. But for the world to come to you, you must have something compelling to share because most people still search the web for information-for solutions to their problems. If you give them what they need and want, they will become your loyal readers and subscribers through RSS. In this way you build relationships and become a trusted source for what your readers need. This can turn your repeat business from a trickle of pebbles into an avalanche.

But this is only one way RSS brings people to your website or blog. There are many other ways it can help. It can help get the traffic to your site so they can appreciate you valuable information. RSS Feeds can powerfully enhance your website or blog's optimization by search engine. This can cause an impressive surge in your search engine traffic.

Dramatically speeds up the time it takes for content to be indexed by major search engines.

Give new sources of traffic that are independent of the search engines. Rapidly build quality backlinks which increase the search engine page rank of your web pages. This can quickly drive a huge amount of targeted RSS Feed traffic to you.

Like press release syndication, RSS can be picked up by hundreds of locations very quickly. If, like I mentioned above, your content is unique enough, your traffic can go through the roof.

RSS is free advertising because if you submit your RSS to a bunch of sites, you can get free and relatively effortless traffic.

There are hundreds of RSS directories that are high traffic websites-some of them in the tens of thousand of visitors a day. So submitting your RSS feed to these directories will explosively increasing the visibility of your website. This can also increase online traffic to the videos you put up.

Because there is a bit of a learning curve to them, most websites and blogs are missing the full potential of RSS feeds by a long shot. In fact, the vast majority of your competition is clueless about how to use it optimally to generate powerful back links and build page rank to rapidly build targeted rss feed website traffic to their websites and blogs. (to gain the massive RSS feed website traffic leverage that it offers.)

And that is just what RSS do for you, bring you real, serious website traffic and turn your website into a central hub of data for the many sites in your niche market.

Syndicating Your Content to Promote Your Small Business   RSS and Its Role in Search Engine Optimization   New eBook Reveals How to Massively Increase RSS Subscribers   Will An RSS Feed Help Your Business Grow?   Why Do You Want to Use RSS Feed?   Increase Your Website Traffic With RSS Feeds   

RSS Feeds - What Are They?

Well, it's a web-feed format which is used to publish up-to-date information, as it happens, to another site. It means that you can set up an RSS feed on your own website to include automatic feeds from another website such as a news page or a music page or a page of interest. It means that, every time something is updated on that other website, it feeds into your website and your website visitors can see it. It can be used to notify you or others of what's going on. RSS feeds can benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from their favourite websites or to combine feeds from many sites into one place.

So, if you own a car sales business, you may wish to include an RSS feed on your website from a car-related website so that your visitors are kept up to date with car-related issues about, for example, the hottest new sports cars, without actually having to leave your website.

A lot of people will subscribe to RSS feeds from news websites so that they are automatically updated when a news flash comes out. It's just another way of being able to keep informed as and when something happens without actually having to visit that page on a regular basis. It's like someone tapping you on the shoulder and saying. "hey, there's something new happened".

The content summaries that the recipient receives contain just enough information without overwhelming the reader with details. If the reader is interested and then wants additional information, they can click on the item to access the website which contains additional details. Some of the types of information that can be delivered in RSS feeds include:

blog feeds article feeds forum feeds news feeds discounts feeds.

It could also be used for distributing news about new jobs, new homes for sale, entertainment, calendar events, law enforcement, auction items and a whole host of other news-related topics. The possibilities are endless.

You can let people subscribe to your own website feeds so that, each time you release something of interest, they are informed via the RSS feeder. If you are the type of company which has regular offers, regular newsworthy announcements and regular items of interest that people need to be aware of, then have an icon on your website which allows them to subscribe to an RSS feed. They'll be updated on what you're offering and they can opt out at any time, which is one of the beauties of the feeds.

Use it as another marketing strategy and get feeding the public!

Syndicating Your Content to Promote Your Small Business   RSS and Its Role in Search Engine Optimization   New eBook Reveals How to Massively Increase RSS Subscribers   Will An RSS Feed Help Your Business Grow?   

RSS - What it is and Why It's Great

It is an obvious understatement to say that the Internet is huge. The Internet has very quickly become an intricate part of how we communicate and gather information. One downside to the Internet is the fact that it's just too big! You can literally spend days on end going from website to website reading about just one topic that interests you. Another common problem is finding an intriguing website only to never find it again because you don't remember how you got there. Fortunately, there's a great technology that can help with both of these issues and it's called RSS.

What Is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a document (feed), usually made in xml format, which is updated periodically with the website's new content. It is especially popular with blogs and news sites but is gaining popularity with other types of websites as well. A user is able to subscribe to the feed using an "aggregator" or feed reader. This is a program or web application that manages your RSS feeds. After subscribing to a feed, all you will need to do is open your feed reader. Any new content from your subscriptions will be listed without having to go to each individual website!

How Do I Get Started Using RSS?

First you need to choose a feed reader. As I mentioned before there are two types of feed readers: a software reader that you will need to download and install into your computer or a web based reader that you will need to go online and login to. Both types have their pros and cons. A software reader will typically have more features and will often integrate with other programs such as Internet Explorer and Outlook, making them very convenient. The down side to a software readers is that you have to be on your own computer to use them and you will usually have to pay. If you use a Mac, you will probably be unable to use this sort of reader as most of them will only run on windows. The upside to a web based reader is the fact that they are almost always free to use and you can use them anywhere on any sort of computer with Internet access. The down side to web based readers is that you will have to open up a web browser and login to your account to use them. I have provided a small list of both types of RSS readers below:

Software Readers:

FeedDemon NewsGator RSS Reader Web Based Readers:

Google Reader Bloglines NetVibes Pageflakes Once you choose your feed reader and set it up, the only thing left to do is search the web and find feeds to subscribe to! Whether your interests are sumo wrestling, stamp collecting, ping-pong or even something more obscure, most likely there is a feed out there for you. There are a few websites such as Technorati and Google Blogs that exist specifically to search for feeds. This is where I would start if you are not sure where to look. Once you find a website you wish to subscribe to, look for the RSS symbol (orange block with lines) and click on it. I use Google Reader. When I click on the RSS symbol, it automatically prompts me, allowing me to subscribe easily. Depending on what you use as a feed reader, you may need to copy the URL and add the feed manually. Sometimes the RSS symbol can be tricky to find. One place to look is actually on the right hand side of the URL bar.

Hopefully this article will open up a whole new world of Internet browsing for those of you who are not already familiar with RSS.

Syndicating Your Content to Promote Your Small Business   RSS and Its Role in Search Engine Optimization   New eBook Reveals How to Massively Increase RSS Subscribers   Will An RSS Feed Help Your Business Grow?   Why Do You Want to Use RSS Feed?