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   

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.

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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.