Category: Driveways Waterford

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Q: Do I need a contractor s license in order to build a backyard deck onto my home?

decks

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Q: Do I need a contractor s license in order to build a backyard deck onto my home?

A: Generally, no. Individuals who are doing any type of construction on their own home are not required to obtain a contractor s license. If you have any questions regarding the building of backyard decks as a commercial business, on the other hand, you may need a contractor s license and/or other special permits.

Q: Will I need a building permit before building a backyard deck? How can I get one?

A: Prior to beginning any type of construction project, including backyard decks, you will need to request a building permit. Failure to do so may result in fines, so be sure to file the necessary paperwork at your local courthouse in the office that issues building permits. Before doing so, make sure that you have the exact size and dimensions of the backyard deck that you wish to build. If you have a drawing, have a copy with you incase you are asked to provide one.

Q: Even though I am not familiar with construction of any kind, I would like to try building a backyard deck. Should I do all of the work myself or hire a professional contractor?

A: There is no yes or no answer to this question. The bottom line is that if you feel comfortable in doing the job, you can attempt to complete the project yourself. However, if any part of the construction is unclear or becomes complicated, you should call a contractor to at least come in and inspect your work. If needed, a professional can take over the job even after you began construction.

Q: I m not sure if I can complete the construction on my backyard deck, but I don t want to spend the money to hire a contractor. Can I start on the construction and then call a contractor if I run into problems?

A: Yes, but this isn t necessarily the best plan of action. If you start the job and run into serious problems with the construction, a contractor may end up charging you even more to go in and correct the problem before completing the deck than if they were to be the primary builder from the beginning. Therefore, you should only start the construction on your backyard deck if you are confident that you can complete the job.

Q: If I do hire a contractor, how can I select the best one for my backyard deck project?

A: First of all, make sure that you choose a professional who is licensed to work in your state. Secondly, check out the contractor s reputation with the local Better Business Bureau and confirm the number of years they have been in business. And last but not least, make sure they are knowledgeable in the construction of backyard decks and get everything in writing before handing over a deposit.

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When it comes to baby furniture, you have a lot to consider. Learn about which furniture is best for your baby s comfort and safety and the features that will benefit you the most.

baby furniture, baby furniture sets, furniture sets, baby bedding

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Buying baby furniture is never easy. If it is your first time, you probably aren t sure what to look for. Even if you have bought baby furniture before, the choice, price ranges and features that are available makes it difficult to make the right choice.

Quality
Most people want the best for their children. While that does not always mean the most expensive, the cheapest baby furniture is definitely not the best. Look for the best quality furniture you can afford, with the features that will benefit you the most. Of course, your baby s comfort and safety should always be the priority.

Features
Most buyers, even those who have bought baby furniture before, are not aware of the difference a few simple features can make to the amount of use and convenience they get from their baby furniture.

Simple things, like diaper changing surfaces at different heights, become features that you wonder how you ever got along without. If there is one thing your baby furniture can never have too much of, it is convenient storage space. Chests of drawers, storage under cribs and shelving all help keep baby s needs close at hand and make your life a lot easier.

The crib might be your most important piece of baby furniture. It s where your baby spends the most time, so it needs to be safe for your baby, but convenient for you. Look for cribs with adjustable mattress heights and at least one drop side that does not need you to use both hands to operate.

Some baby furniture features can save you a lot of money. Convertible cribs can be turned into toddler beds when your baby outgrows the crib. Some models can also be converted into full sized beds. So, convertible cribs grow with your children and eliminate the need to buy more furniture when your children get older.

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Baby bedding is one of those things that many people are always on the look out for.

baby bedding, crib bedding, home decor

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Baby bedding is one of those things that many people are always on the look out for. The newest styles in baby bedding make it so people from all tastes and prices can make the best choice when it comes to the bedding that their baby will sleep in. There are so many popular styles nowadays that most people find that it is a hard decision to make. The new styles are of course dictated by the current trends that are sweeping the world, such as cartoons and television programs but that is only part of the equation.

The other side would be the price ranges that affect the way most people in the world are buying right now because of a poor economy. If you look in the baby bedding section of most stores you will see that the prices vary widely and that means that you will have to determine if the quality of the lesser priced units is up to par with what you need to provide the child with. This may be a difficult task to say the least. The higher priced baby bedding sets are most often those that endorse a person, show or product in some way. This is all too common and we all find ourselves paying top dollar based on the popularity of the endorsement rather than the product quality itself.

The newest rage in baby bedding purchases is the internet. All over the web you will find that places are cashing in on the baby items deal. This is because the baby industry is one of the biggest in the world. People all over the globe go out and spend mega-bucks on the child that they have brought into this world. This is nothing out of the norm for sure. Nearly all parents, especially new ones, try their best to find only the best for their child and baby bedding is no exception in the slightest.

Take a look at all the baby bedding choices that are currently available and you will see that you certainly have your work cut out for you when it comes to making a selection. In the end it is all about the personal choices that we make and the ones that are best for the child, which is all that matters. Be sure to check all labels for any possible allergy issues that you child may have or contract. And check out also the quality of the workmanship! Too often a nice looking baby quilt is so poorly done that it falls apart at the first washing.

Some very original baby bedding can be found at http://www.art-ickles.com, which sells unique handicrafts brightly colored with tropical themes. The baby bedding quilts, bumper pads, pillow covers shown in this website are of top quality, 100% hand made with the best American fabrics. There is also a very nice section with all kind of fun decoration for your nursery.

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In the event of severe weather, you can protect your home by considering the “science” behind home building.

A WeatherBuilt Home Performs Better During Storm Season

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In the event of severe weather, you can protect your home by considering the “science” behind home building. Building science-the study of the perfor-mance of buildings and building materials-has become increasingly important. Building materials are also more advanced, helping builders and homeowners construct more structurally sound homes.

Mark LaLiberte, a building science expert recognized internationally as a distinguished author and consultant, offers consumers these tips:

• Reduce wind impact. For example, 19/32″ thick plywood-one of the toughest, most reliable materials around-can minimize wood panel wind uplift and reduce the risk of damage from flying debris, if the nails are six inches apart and penetrate into the roof framing. Plytanium Plywood from Georgia-Pacific offers greater impact resistance and holds nails securely. Approximately 80 percent of residential hurricane damage starts with wind entry through the garage doors. Reinforce garage doors with steel bracing and install impact-resistant windows, doors or coverings, such as plywood shutters.

• Resist mold. You can reduce the risk of mold growth in wall cavities by installing paperless moisture- and mold-resistant drywall such as DensArmor Plus™ from Georgia-Pacific. For more information, visit http://www.stopfeedingmold.com.

• Avoid “overturning.” When wind hits a building, uplift on the roof and pressure on the walls can cause it to “overturn,” or rotate off of its foundation. Tension tie-downs or anchorage to the foundation can help resist overturning during severe storms.

• Reduce the risk of shock. The main electrical panel board (electric fuses or circuit breakers) should be at least 12″ above the projected flood elevation. In areas that could get wet, connect all receptacles to a ground fault interrupter circuit.

• Combine a strong roof sheathing with energy savings. Select a durable roof sheathing that holds shingles firmly in strong wind and can resist moisture damage due to occasional leaks. A roof sheathing with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star qualification can keep your home comfortable while potentially saving on cooling energy consumption.

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Pumps are amazing mechanical devices and an important invention. They are used to move gas or liquid from one pressure are to another pressure area. They are used in a variety of ways from providing water to providing heat to providing energy. Pumps have been around since the 3rd century and are still going strong today.

pumps, water pump, gas pump

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Pumps are amazing mechanical devices and an important invention. They are used to move gas or liquid from one pressure are to another pressure area. They are used in a variety of ways from providing water to providing heat to providing energy. Pumps have been around since the 3rd century and are still going strong today.

There are two main categories of pumps: positive displacement pumps and dynamic pumps. Positive displacement pumps have little leakage as they used sealed chambers to force the fluid or gas. Dynamic pumps use momentum to move the fluid or gas and the chambers are not sealed. In these two categories there are various types of pumps.

The following list explains the different types of pumps most commonly found in residential and industrial settings. These are a good representation of the many styles and models of pumps that are manufactured. Most pumps are made for a specific use and that is represented in this list as well.

– A centrifugal pump can handle a large load. They are used most often with oil or chemical processing. They have an impeller that forces the liquid or gas into a rotary motion. This rotary motion cause pressure to build.

– Electromagnetic pumps are made to move liquid sodium and potassium. They are used in the cooling systems of nuclear reactors. These pumps use electrical conductors and magnetic pipes.

– Jet Pumps use high velocity to move fluid. They require a jet of steam or water to carry the fluid through it. The jet pressure makes a vacuum that sucks more fluid. They are so powerful that they are most often used to move water from deep wells.

– A screw pump is also called a positive displacement pump. It is a widely used pump because it does not form clumps when pumping solids and keeps a constant speed.

These four pump types only represent a portion of the pumps on the market. They are, however, the most popular models.

Pumps are found in many environments. They range from industrial plants to a home water system. The way a pump works depends largely on the category of pump it is and the type of pump it is. The use is then based on these factors. All pumps work under the same principles, though. Pumps use pressure to move liquid or gas to a different location.

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BATHROOM FURNITURE:

bathroom furniture,fitted bathroom furniture,italian bathroom furniture,Vanity unit,Bathroom suits

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BATHROOM FURNITURE:

There are three main types of bathroom furniture. Stand alone, modular and fitted. Stand alone furniture as the name suggests is designed to stand on its own and is not normally attached to the piece next to it. In fact most free standing furniture does not have a clean edge so it is normally impossible to attach another piece to the side without leaving a small gap between the two pieces. The most common type of freestanding furniture is the vanity unit. This allows for storage under the basin but takes up the minimum amount of space. This is ideal for storage in small bathrooms.

Modular furniture is similar to stand alone furniture but have flat sides so that pieces can be added together to make a line (or run) of furniture. This allows for a lot more units to be fitted within the bathroom. Normally this type of furniture incorporates a back to wall toilet and cistern housing. These types of units are best fitted with a gap at either end, as they do not come with filler panels or extra worktop to fill in odd spaces.

Fitted furniture is similar to modular but has a range of units and additional items to ensure that it can be fitted wall to wall without any gaps. This type of furniture also has the largest number of unit sizes and styles available. Fitted furniture in small bathrooms can have the effect of making the room appear smaller.

Wooden Bathroom Products: All wooden bathroom products must be treated with the utmost of care within the bathroom. Whilst wooden products are coated with a specially finished lacquer which is specifically designed to withstand splashes and condensation, it is important to ensure that water is not in prolonged contact with these surfaces as this will over time lead to surface damage.

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If you have a question about how to make your home more comfortable, you may want to ask your thermostat.

A Thermostat That Speaks To A Consumer’s Needs

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If you have a question about how to make your home more comfortable, you may want to ask your thermostat. An innovative, programmable “talking” thermostat has been designed to make it easier for you to control your home comfort systems.

The EZ Talk feature of the “Talking Thermostat” from the Coleman brand of York, a Johnson Controls Company, audibly guides homeowners through every step of programming a heating/cooling system thermostat. A Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning dealer can even customize the prerecorded messages in either a male or female voice.

If service is required, the thermostat can say the name and contact information of the dealer or contractor who installed the equipment. This provides homeowners with an easy, one-touch dealer locator that takes the guesswork out of who to call and saves time.

Separate weekday and weekend schedules allow you to set four different time/temperature settings each day, while a manual override feature makes it possible to change these settings. The thermostat is designed to protect your home comfort system with a number of alerts:

• A low-battery warning informs you when it is time to change the batteries, helping to maintain the efficiency of the system.

• In the event of a power outage, the backup battery saves the schedule and saves the homeowner from resetting the schedule.

• The Talking Thermostat automatically turns on the heat at 40 degrees, even if the batteries are dead or not installed. This is a great feature for vacation homes or when you are on vacation or away from your house for a long time.

• The Talking Thermostat reminds you when it is time to clean or replace a filter.

• Another alert reminds you to perform annual maintenance and routine service to keep the system performing at optimum efficiency.

The user-friendly Talking Thermostat from Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning offers a number of additional features that will appeal to homeowners/tenants, including an easy-to-read, lighted LCD display that shows current temperature, set points and the heating or cooling mode of operation.

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The wonderful weather of Summer presents the easy opportunity to request that an electrician visit and have your home s electrical system thoroughly checked. Similar to the way we as people go to the doctor for a physical, a home s electrical system should receive annual or semi-annual inspections.

Home Improvement

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When was the last time your home had an electrical checkup?

The wonderful weather of Summer presents the easy opportunity to request that an electrician visit and have your home s electrical system thoroughly checked. Similar to the way we as people go to the doctor for a physical, a home s electrical system should receive annual or semi-annual inspections. The main reasons we would do this are to protect the longevity of the house, protect the inhabitant s well being and maintain the best efficiency – which can save you money on your energy bill.

Throughout the year as electrical devices in the home wear and tear, make a list and store it in an accessible place. The more work that can be done in one visit by an electrician, the more you will save versus paying for several visits. Most electrical problems should only be handled by a professional. This is mainly due to the safety risk involved as well as any job not done correctly can cost time and money in the future if not up to code. Once you have enough items on your list to take action, review the home for any other electrical problems that may have been overlooked.

This is also a great time to do an evaluation of your electrical usage needs. Do you or your family need more power in the home? If so, include that on the list and ask the electrician if an upgrade is available. Finally, in preparing for your checkup, it may also be appropriate to determine if your home could use money saving electrical fixture upgrades. For example, you may want to upgrade frequently used rooms from common incandescent lights to fluorescent ones. This will reduce the electrical consumption and lower your energy bill.

The next step is to request an estimate and evaluate the electrician. To contact electricians many people use the internet. One website that focuses on the Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland area provides brief descriptions of trusted Electrical Contractors is http://www.allaroundthehome.com/electricians.asp. This site allows the home-owner to make a decision on which electricians they wish to request a free estimate from, without the fear of having to field dozens of sales calls from contractors they didn’t select.

We set this site up because we wanted to allow homeowners to decide which electricians should contact them. We feel that this type of service request can be treated more as a consultation if we hand the decision to the homeowner. Many other contractor referral sites sell a person s contact info to several contractors and this leads to them being pushed by too many salespeople. Our website opens the opportunity for the more professional, consultative approach from the contractor to the homeowner, says All Around the Home’s Co-Owner, Ryan Corey.

Using a site like this can allow you to choose one or more local electricians that appear to be a good fit for you and your job. Once you have the chance to speak to the contractor you can ask more qualifying questions. What might you want to ask when chatting with an electrical contractor?

* Number of years of experience
* Types of specialty
* Type of charge: by the job or by the hour
* “Ballpark estimate” for your job

Depending on your job, the best rate may not be the best fit. This often correlates with experience, and that is a matter of your personal preference.

Finally, once the job is set up, prepare for the electrician’s visit. Be sure to clear all work areas of any fragile items, home decorations and furnishings. It is also necessary to make sure that the panel box is clear and ready to be accessed. This will save the electrician time, which means you save money. Once the visit is complete you can rest assured that your home s electrical safety has been optimized and you will be operating at an efficient level.

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Solid wood countertops are natural products made of wood from trees approximately 120 years old. Wood is a living material and the more moisture receives, the more the wood countertop will expand.

butcher blocks, countertops, kitchen islands, bar tops, worktops, kitchen improvement, kitchen remodeling

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Solid wood countertops are natural products made of wood from trees approximately 120 years old. Wood is a living material and the more moisture receives, the more the wood countertop will expand. The wood we used in solid wood worktops has been previously kiln dried to a humidity level of 6%, and it is therefore important that the worktop is not exposed to a constantly high level of humidity. Normally the humidity level in kitchens is approximately 50-70%.

The solid wood top must be attached to the cabinet box using only wood screws and washers. It is not recommended at all to glue the top on the cabinet box; the top and the box expand and contract at different rates, therefore cracks might eventually appear, most probably on the cabinets’ surface.

The proper way of installing a solid wood top is using metal fixings along the cabinet box (see our web page).
The metal fixings must be uniformly distributed throughout the length of the top, spaced at a 1′ – 1.5′ distance from each other. Across the width, the top is usually fixed to each metal support with three screws, one in the middle, one toward the front edge and one toward the rear edge. The supports must be perfectly leveled; otherwise tensions can develop in the wood, leading to warping, cupping, or cracks.
We recommend pre-drilling the screw holes into the wood countertop, in order to avoid cracks and splits. For the same reason, it is a good idea not to over tighten the screws. The finishing will considerably diminish the extent of such movements, but will not eliminate them altogether. Due to the panel’s laminated structure, the lengthwise movements are insignificant, so the installer should pay attention to the movements occurring across the panel’s width. In order to prevent the development of inner tensions, the holes in the metal fixings should be elongated in the direction of the movements (see our web page ).

When exposed to normal humidity levels – i.e. 50-60% – the worktop’s width will expand by 1/12 -1/24 , but when exposed to a level of 80-90%, this measurement may expand by up to 1/2″ or even more for some species. Therefore, when the rear edge of the counter top is installed against a wall, the wall might restrict the top’s natural movements, leading to undesired tensions in the wood. To avoid this, you can allow a 1/4 -1/2 joint between the wall and the countertop edge and caulk it with a thin bid of acid-free silicone.
Additionally, you can firmly fix the rear edge to the metal supports underneath and thus, allow the natural movements to occur at the expense of the opposite edge.
In this case, the holes in the metal fixings corresponding to the rear edge will be no larger than the screws diameter, while the holes corresponding to the middle section and the front edge will be elongated.

For additional information regarding the installation of wood countertops, bar tops and kitchen islands, please visit our web page.

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Toilets are an essential part of our everyday lives. We tend to take the toilet very much for granted and not really like to think about it too much until we find that we desperately need a toilet and none can be found. We forget that modern toilets are a luxury in a lot of under developed countries and find it a huge inconvenience if our toilet doesn t work.

home improvement

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Toilets are an essential part of our everyday lives. We tend to take the toilet very much for granted and not really like to think about it too much until we find that we desperately need a toilet and none can be found. We forget that modern toilets are a luxury in a lot of under developed countries and find it a huge inconvenience if our toilet doesn t work.

Toilets that we are used to using are a relatively recent invention, and used to be only affordable by the very wealthy. Even now the evolution of the toilet is still in progress with technological advances including automatic flushing controlled by sensors and economy settings to allow less water to be used when the toilet fills up. The issue of hygiene is a constant one and, along with all the different types of toilet cleaners and fragranced deodorizers there are even public toilets that clean
themselves after each visit.

The prevalence of indoor plumbing has been the main factor in the availability of toilets inside our homes. It is this plumbing that ensures the toilet keeps functioning correctly and we don t have to do anything more than pull the chain or press the handle. Before this all toilets were separate from the main house in small outhouses. The water supply that these outhouses were connected to was totally detached from the ones used inside the house.

Toilets in outhouses began in a very basic fashion, a hole in the ground. Then seats were fashioned from planks of wood with openings in them to enable a person to dispose of their toilet waste while sitting rather than squatting. These primitive toilet facilities were then enclosed to provide a little privacy for the occupants. Wealthy house owners could use chamber pots in the privacy and comfort of their own bedrooms, or bed chambers. These were usually made from ceramic and were emptied by servants. As these pots became a more accepted method of going to the toilet there were fewer places to empty them, especially in towns and cities, and people would throw the contents out of their windows onto the streets.

Thankfully we have progressed a long way since the days if having to dodge the contents of someone s toilet being thrown over our heads as we walked along the street.