Why Green DIY Solar Panels Will Make You Crazy

Here is what is crazy about green DIY solar panels; this really makes me nuts. Why are people paying thousands of dollars to have solar panel systems installed, when they can build their own system for under $200!? Truly, one weekend of work and about $200 makes it possible for someone to slash their energy bill in half, or eliminate it totally!

If you can follow directions, you can install your own system.

Green DIY solar panels are the perfect option for those who want to slash their electric bills, reduce their carbon emissions and enjoy working on DIY projects. In one weekend, and for less than $200, you can build a working solar panel energy system that will save you money month after month after month...

Building solar panels involves connecting many photovoltaic cells together on a solid plastic or fiberglass frame. Some complex wiring and soldering is involved, so you're going to need to know exactly what you're doing, or you'll be wasting your time and putting yourself in harm's way at the same time.

The best way to build your solar panel system, if you do not have much experience with constructing solar panels, would be to purchase a step-by-step guide which shows you exactly what you need to do. There are several Green DIY solar panel guides available for purchase and instant download online.

Most cost around $50 and have many nice features that make them great for the weekend DIYer. Parts list, manuals, pictures, videos, tax rebate forms, and free bonuses are aspects of a great DIY solar energy system guide.

Don't purchase one that doesn't have all of these things, because you'll won't be getting the best value for your money! If you would like to purchase a green DIY solar panel guide there are several factors you want to keep in mind:

• What kind of manuals are you getting? Only a solar panel guide, or is a wind power guide also included?
• Are there training videos included? Some guides offer many videos, and some don't offer any at all; you want to make sure you purchase a guide that includes videos.
• What kind of free bonuses come with the guide? Some guides offer nice bonuses, some don't offer any.
• Is there a money-back guarantee? If you end up not building the system, you want to be able to get your money back.

I've reviewed many online green DIY solar energy system guides; and there are a few that stand out in my mind. Green DIY Energy is the best, Earth 4 Energy comes in close behind it, and Homemade Energy squeaks into third place.

Green DIY Energy has the most quality content for its $50 pricetag, compared to the other two top choices. Its gives you manuals on both solar and wind DIY projects, as well as video tutorials on 7 different aspects of DIY solar panels and extensive parts and tool lists. All members of Green DIY Energy also have exclusive access to an interactive customer support/discussion forum, which is something no other DIY guide offers.

Earth 4 Energy and Homemade Energy don't offer as many how-to videos or an interactive forum, that is what puts them behind Green DIY Energy. Hope this short article helps you out with your Green DIY solar panel projects; good luck to you and have fun going "green"!

Autor: Zach Lee Zach Lee
Level: Basic PLUS
I am a high school social studies intervention specialist, which means I teach social studies to learning disabled high schoolers. I love teaching and explaining ... ...

Zach Lee is a home DIY enthusiast whose most recent DIY project was learning how to build solar panels.

He recommends the only DIY solar panel guide he has personally purchased and used.

It's a fact, not all DIY guides are created equal. Get the #1 reviewed Green DIY Solar Panels Kit.

Added: August 31, 2009
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Learn How to Make Alkaline Drinking Water - Do it Yourself Guide

This article will discuss how to make alkaline drinking water. Alkaline water has been known to be useful water for our body as it can balance the pH of our digestive system. Our body tends to be acidic with pH around 4. This is because of the nature of the inner system and also because of our food. Foods like processed food or alcoholic drinks may store acid deposit into the body, thus causing acidic condition inside us.

The first principle to make alkaline drinking water is of course the source of water. Since you want to make the water drinkable, you have to use tap water, or other water source that has been certified to be safe for consumption. This water is usually not alkaline water, just neutral water with pH around 7. To make the water alkaline, add something that will increase the pH, like baking soda.

Baking soda can be used to increase the pH, just add around half teaspoon of it into a gallon of normal drinking water. Shake it and make sure the water is mixed completely. Now buy a pH test which you could normally find on chemical store, immerse the strip into the water and check whether it has already be alkaline. If it is not as you want it to be, just add more baking soda. Test it again. If you find it suitable with what you need, then no need to add more baking soda. Write down how many teaspoon of baking you have added, so next time you do not have to do such trial and error again.

Although you now know how to make alkaline drinking water, I would still suggest you do more than that. It is true that the alkaline water will make your body healthier, but if you can afford to make alkaline ionized water, then it would be much superior than ordinary alkaline water. Alkaline ionized water not only will balance the pH of your body, but it will also remove any toxic complexes inside our body system. It also acts as our anti-aging soldiers. The benefits of alkaline ionized water are far best compare with normal alkaline water. To make the ionized water, you will need a water ionizer. No need for fancy and expensive water ionizer machine as long as the important features are available, you can get a quite inexpensive water ionizer.

You have learned how to make alkaline drinking water. However, I strongly recommend that you move forward to produce your own alkaline ionized drinking water at your home.

Autor: Angie Darn

Would like to know how to make alkaline ionized water at your home? Click Ionized Water Benefits website to find out more about it and see our recommendation. (http://healthnfresh.com/water-ionizer-mmp-7070-the-truth-to-our-health-finally-revealed.php)

Added: August 30, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Building Your Own Gazebo - A Summer Project

Design:

There are many shapes and sizes of a gazebo, even though most of the people imagine the gazebos to be circles or pentagons. Circular or rectangular gazebos, have the same essential steps to make them. Aside from the circular gazebos, it will need quite more attention when it comes to the measuring and cutting.

Layout:

You have to find the core of your circular gazebo. In order to make a drive, drive a stake at the center and then attach a string. You will use this string to swivel through the circle, after so, you must drive a stake for each foundation site, and of course the bigger your gazebo will be, will call for much more the foundation holes.

Foundations:

Even if your gazebo is a self-supporting construction, you may be required to have a building permit for it. Checking with your local registry for the imperative requirements is the best thing to do. For the foundation holes, dig the required dept. If a frost line is appropriate, you have to dig in deepness below it, it is typically more or less 4". After that, you ought to place the foundation cone inside of the hole in order to have it rests 3" or so underneath the surface. Pile up the foundation tube with the cement you have mixed. As soon as the cement dries up, position a post anchor inside of the cement. Repeat all steps.

Casing:

Put together the joist hangers up to the posts and then make sure that they are level at each footstep. Inaugurate 2x10" floor joists and then after that check once more that everything is in level. For a much bigger gazebo, it is definite that there is a more convoluted framing system may be needed. For a smaller one though, you may only need a single in-between cross brace for the lateral solidity amid the main floor joints.

Decking and columns:

Install your floor decking, with a nail's width amid the boards for the drainage and a possibility of swelling. Also, install the columns to all the foundation pints. You have to toenail all of the columns to points and the decking. If you see that there are no attachment points at the peak of the column, then you have to install a piece of wood to improve on facing boards and the roof joists.

Roof frame:

You can use a pole to lift up the roof key block and then you can cut the joists to the length and then the nail to the column top and key block.

Roof and railings:

You can have diverse building codes for each locality, but as for the railings that are generally in stock sizes and lengths. You have the option of building your own railings, but of course, if you want to save some time you can use the pre-built railings. Most roofing materials are made up of plywood, a roofing paper that is like a membrane, and the asphalt shingles. The roof of a gazebo is a complicated item to cover up. Whatever you may do, please make certain that everything is nailed well.

Autor: T. O. Chuong

T.O. Chuong writes home & garden articles for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas. Visit us if you need plumbers Forest Hill TX or plumbers Haltom City TX.

Added: August 29, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Building Your Own Outdoor Fountain is Not So Hard

Building your own outdoor fountain is definitely something beneficial for you and your backyard, but not only at your backyard but on that special corner of the deck. Building your own outdoor fountain may bring you quite a challenge but you can overcome them with your sincere effort and precise planning.

You see the planning is indeed the most vital key to building your own outdoor fountain. You really have to pay very close attention to the tiniest details, so that your work would not be a disaster and your construction will go well.

The design:

This will depend upon the style and design that you prefer. You can have a Japanese themed outdoor fountain, or you can have a middle of the beach theme. Think about what you really like, what your taste would fancy more, and then you can plan your outdoor fountain appropriately.

The function:

For the functions to go well, you have to make certain that you have allowed for electrical power to your pump so that it runs your fountain. You also have to take into consideration that you must run power pump, and it should be hidden.

The space:

Take the space of your backyard into account so that you will know where you will put your outdoor fountain. You also have to think about some certain things on where you will put the fountain, will it be a disturbance to your normal flow of activities, or may it cause any landscaping dilemma.

As soon as you have your design, we will look at the basic things for your outdoor fountain must have to be able to operate:

You will need a

- Reservoir - Tubes and pumps - GFI outlet to plug into - Reservoir container - Outdoor rated power cord

Although these things may be basic but your outdoor fountain would not work without them.

The first and foremost thing you have to do is dog a hole for the reservoir. Make sure to check first if there are any power or gas lines before digging. As soon as you have dug a hole, you ca place the reservoir inside and then use sand to level it out. You also have to check if the reservoir is placed snugly down in the hole, and check if the edges are even.

After that, you have to put together the tubing and pump. The pump will do the work with pulling out the water from the reservoir. It then sends it through the tubing where it flows out of the fountainhead. Be sure that the pump is effortlessly reachable if not simply seen. When you have to run the power to the pump, you have to bury the cord, but be certain that the cord is for outdoors and is safe to be buried. The GFI plug is the only cord to be plugged in. As soon as you have power, you can adjust the pump setting.

When you have the whole thing set up, you can freely add special things of your preference. You can add some plants, maybe some stones or bricks, and maybe some goldfish.

You now have your very own outdoor fountain. Enjoy!

Autor: T. O. Chuong

T.O. Chuong writes home & garden articles for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Grapevine, Texas. Visit us if you need plumbers Fort Worth TX, or plumbers Aledo TX.

Added: August 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Putting in Your New Driveway Yourself

Most of the people have had the developed interest of a do it yourself driveway so they can save some money. There are many reasons for this decision, it may include that the labor costs are steep combine with the price tags of the materials is simply too pricey. Putting your new driveway is becoming a more considerable action, most particularly if you are much willing and very well prepared to do it by yourself. Here are simple directions you can easily follow in putting a new driveway by yourself.

Preparing the base:

It is utterly vital to be able to know how strong the ground is going to be where you are going to build the driveway. You must know this simply because even if the driveway is being used both for vehicles and people walking on it. If you will use a peg you will be able to determine the ground foundation of how strong it is in comparison to the construction is concerned. In order to be able to understand the standard circumstances of the driveway, there has to be 200mm boundaries of materials. So you see, upon 200 square meters, you have to utilize the use of peg to see how hard the ground really is. If the peg does not want to go beyond 6 inches then you will know just how strong it is.

On the other hand, to be able to ensure the process of the digging, you are going to have to determine the soft areas and dig these out. Because they will cause slumping of the driveway. You have to let the base strengthen up so that the entire outline of the driveway will be even. In some cases, you will have to keep adding soil to build it to the necessary strength to the ground.

Putting In the stones:

As soon as the foundation is all set up, you can start to place the stones on the base that you dug out. The most common is brick hardcore and it is easy to place. Go around the boundaries and make sure you dig them out vertically. If you do, this then the base would not spill all over the sides wasting all of the stones as soon as car pulls onto the driveway or people step on the stones. Be certain that you have calculated the area cautiously so that you will be able to get the amount of scalping stones that will be required.

You can use a shovel or a rake, to level all the stones that you have used. To be able to make the ground smooth and flat, you can use a timber. It will all depend upon your personal preference and taste, but you can also add some slabs in all directions to be able to improve the overall or finishing look.

Autor: T. O. Chuong

T.O. Chuong writes home & garden articles for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas. Visit us if you need plumbers Burleson TX or plumbers Cleburne TX.

Added: August 26, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Make a Unique Dinner Table

How to make a unique dinner table that will brighten up any kitchen. This is very easy to do but the results are magnificent.

Here is what you will need:

1. And old dinner table. It doesn't matter whether it has a class or wood top. Just make sure the construction is still sturdy enough.
2. Flooring cement that you use to fit tiles.
3. Old tiles in different colors and with different motives on the tiles

Here is what you must do:

1. Take the old tiles and put them under a strong piece of cloth. Take a hammer and break the tiles in lots of smaller pieces. The cloth is to protect you from the tiles as it breaks.
2. Take the floor cement and smear it on the table top as evenly as possible. Now start taking any of the broken pieces of tiles and fit it onto the cement. This is really a time to get as creative as possible.
3. Let the cement dry and take some sandpaper to sand the edges nicely so that there are no sharp edges. I've seen some of these tables that has pictures that was created with the tiles.

This is only one way to make these tables. You can use anything this will stick to the cement. You can use pebbles, other pieces of glass and even hard wood types. The possibilities are huge.

The next time you are bored with the look of your kitchen, try this little project. I guarantee you will have lots of fun and the feeling of having done it yourself is amazing.

Autor: Drikus Botha Drikus Botha
Level: Basic PLUS
Drikus Botha has spend his life helping folks getting the best out of life by showing them the path to financial freedom. The increasing amount ... ...

Window blinds can change the look of any home. Visit discount window blinds for all the information you need on finding the perfect type of blind for your home. For example these magnetic blinds

Added: August 25, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Importance of Adding Conservatories to the House

The concept of adding conservatories to the houses is not new. Such sights were common in the 19th century homes but with time, its existence faded. But, things are reviving now and people are again waking up to conservatories because of the significance those conservatories poses towards environment as well as mental satisfaction. The conservatories gel fantastically with diverse mood of people. Whether you are meditating, comforting or partying, conservatories match effortlessly. Adding conservatories to your house adds up to the living space also. Not only that, conservatories appears to be very graceful and can change the entire appearance of the house. A conservatory can be implied any time during the year irrespective of any season. All you need to do is ensure its proper maintenance. Here we are mentioning certain facts about the importance of adding conservatories to the house.

Enjoy vibrant feeling
If you maintain conservatory in your house, you will love the vibrant and colorful ambience it will create. There will be different plants with colorful flowers, fresh fragrances and blissful setting. The natural sunlight will glitter the area and you will love the brightness and serenity of the environment. You will not just find colors in your conservatory but also in your life.

A perfect solution for indoor gardening
Conservatories can serve the purpose of a small indoor garden. The plants can grow all through the year as the conservatories do not expose them in the tough winter situations. But, the temperature during the summer is quite high and the conservatories need to face that. Hence, it is vital to choose right kind of plants that can sustain the hard summer conditions and make an excellent indoor gardening.

Collection of rare plants
Adding conservatories to the house gives a great opportunity to collect some of the rare varieties of plants that are going to be extinct in near future. Incorporating such plant varieties in the conservatory really gives fantastic feeling.

Having control over plants' growth
Those who maintain conservatories in their house maintain control over the plant's growth and also the rate at which the plants grow in the conservatory. This is done by keeping the conservatory under the influence of diverse environmental condition by using air conditioning, blinds, etc.

Conservatories give a good set-up
Having a conservatory in the house makes the house appear more spacious. Not just that, a conservatory provide good set-up and maintains smooth transition from one room to another room. It is not a fact that you can just adore the look and feel of the conservatory and cannot make any other utilization of the area. The conservatory area can be a great place to spend quality time by chatting over with friends and family. The place can be even used for dining or doing meditation. During rainy days when outside environment is wet and cloggy, you will love the smoothness of being inside your conservatory as the drizzling sounds of rain combined with immaculate beauty of the garden will sooth your mind and body.

Thus, having a conservatory at the house is the best gift that you can present yourself.

Autor: Prithwish Biswas Prithwish Biswas
Level: Basic PLUS
I owned a team with experienced Content Writers in India. At "Creative SEO Content", we provide original content writing services that is 100% original. The ... ...

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Added: August 23, 2009
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Building a Solarium is a Great Summer Project

When building a solarium or Florida room or sun porch, you must first decide for what purpose you will be using it. For what activities will you use the room? The design of your solarium is dependent upon your planned uses. It can be a home office, a quiet and bright reading room, a room for entertaining, or even a greenhouse.

Principally, a solarium provides you with outside views while not having to deal with outdoor discomforts like rain, snow, wind, or the pests like black flies and mosquitoes.

Solariums typically are built with hard floors such as stone or tile as most people use them to house plants as well as entertain. Thus, the floor can withstand the water from the plants etc.

Once you have decided the use of the solarium, you now can design it around the function that the room is built for and then determine the size and style for the requirements it must meet. To get ideas on this, browse the online sites of solarium manufacturers and you can incorporate some of those ideas in your design.

You will want to build the room with the primary windows facing the solar south to maximize energy efficiency and this design will produce solar energy in the winter and lowers your utility bill. Concrete, stone and brick for the floor also promotes energy efficiency by absorbing the suns heat during the day, which keeps the room cool, and releases that heat at night, which keeps the room warm.

You will want to use materials like aluminum and pressure treated wood to withstand the changing of temperatures so in other words whatever a full calendar year will throw at the room. Other products would be double glazed windows. In addition, you may need those, which reduce glare, and provide insulation. All the materials however, must meet local building codes and you must inquire about local building regulations and permits.

Now you must decide how much to budget for the project and whether or not you should hire a contractor or do the project yourself. Your do it yourself experience and your budget while play major factors in this decision. If you choose to hire a contractor, be sure to check the builder's references and make certain the contractor has the licensing and insurance to avoid any costly mistakes.

The construction of a solarium is not very difficult, even for the amateur do it yourselfer. Simply do your homework with reference to the design, the kit, the materials, the contractor should you decide to hire one, and of course the permits. Once constructed, you will then enjoy 365 days per year of healthy, comfortable living both indoor and out. All the while, you will be reaping the benefits of lower utility bills, a brighter home and a warm, quiet room to relax in all year round.

Be sure to utilize your new solarium to its maximum. Often when something is new it gets used for the first while then becomes forgotten about.

Autor: Thoreau Chuong

Thoreau Chuong enjoys writing about home improvement, home & garden, and other home related articles. If you live in Texas, request a free quote on our website home improvement Dallas TX or home improvement Fort Worth TX.

Added: August 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Repairing Your Stairs is a Safety Issue

If you have a set of stairs that seem to be getting a little unsafe it is time to evaluate whether a do it yourself repair can fix the problem or whether a new set will have to be built. Not all stairs are built the same so the first thing to do is to assess the problem.

Maybe the stairs, ( sometimes called 'treads' because it's the part you 'tread 'on) are just a little worn and a little nail setting, sanding and painting with a stair or deck paint will fix it all up. If the stairs talk to you, i.e., moan, groan or squeak when you use them, maybe a little re-nailing will fix your problem.

Drive the nails at an angle through the step and into the stringer (sidepiece) from above and below, if you can access the underneath. An alternate way of reinforcing stairs would be to screw into the stair through the stringer. It is always best to drill a pilot hole to prevent splitting .If the stringer has been over nailed or screwed, a block of wood can placed under the stair as reinforcement and nailed or screwed through the stringer, and then downward through the stair. If a stair is worn or broken, it will have to be removed and a new one installed.

If the stairs are a basement or attic rough grade stair, replace it with a similar lumber from your local lumberyard or building supplier. Stairs are often rounded at the front and boards of this type are available. These are generally a stock item. Front edged rounded boards of this type are referred to as 'bull nosed' Remove the old damaged stair and clean the debris from the stringer. Carefully measure the size of the replacement required. Remember, measure twice and cut once.

If the stairs have, no risers (the back pieces) you may wish to add them to the stairs before you repaint them. These will probably be a stock size lumber; all you need to do is cut them to the length required. Tools required for this repair; hammer, nails, wood glue, safety goggles, work gloves, measuring tape, drill and screwdrivers.

If you have a set of concrete stairs that are starting to chip or crumble, these can be repaired with a bit of effort. With a cold chisel and wire brush chip, scrape, and clean away all loose and crumbly bits of concrete. Using 1 X 4 lumber pieces make some forms around the stair to be repaired. Make sure the boards are aligned with the edges of the stairs. Clean motor oil can be applied to the boards to prevent the concrete from sticking. Paint the area to be fixed with a concrete bonding agent, which will allow the new concrete to stick to the old. Prepare a batch of ready mix concrete and work into the area, and smooth until even with the stair. Use an old brush to texture the surface to prevent slipping.

Autor: Thoreau Chuong

Thoreau Chuong enjoys writing about home improvement, home & garden, and other home related articles. If you live in Texas, request a free quote on our website home improvement Dallas Texas or home improvement Fort Worth

Added: August 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Do it Yourself Log Cabin Building

No one can tell you how to build a cabin that is constructed with logs in a short article. The purpose of this article is to give a guideline for those who are interested in building one. There are many kits, and all different kinds of wood, and so many different ways of building that craftsmen could argue which is the best "till doomsday, but I will only show you some basic basics, then, if you are interested, you can pursue it further, either through the net, or by getting the books needed, so here it is.

Whatever kind of log you want to use make sure they are felled in the winter. They should be as straight as possible and between 8 to 10 inches in diameter and not taper more than 2 inches over 16 feet. Logs should be air dried for two years, making sure that there is good space between the layers to allow for thorough flow. The best thing to do is to use smaller logs to create the spaces.

Before stacking the logs, use what they call a draw knife and only partially peel off the bark to allow for maximum drying and minimal cracking. Always remember to strip off all bark before building so that no bugs will infest your new home that you have worked so hard to build.

There is a misconception that you don't need a foundation, and that cones from when cabins were built very quickly for shelter from the oncoming winter, but if you are going to build a log cabin a foundation is a must, and you can have either a traditional stone one or you can use concrete blocks, concrete is better if you don't want to do the work involved with stone.

If you don't want a full basement, then you have to excavate below the frost line and install footings. The wall to be constructed has to be twenty inches above the grade level, which is the ground level, and make sure that you have good anchor bolts along the top of the wall so that the sill is secure. Inside the foundation walls pier logs must be placed so that they can support the floor girders. It is crucial that the foundations are solid, and that means that they need to be secure from rot and termites.

As I mentioned before, I can't put everything that needs to be done in the space allotted here, this article is to illustrate the basic basics to consider when thinking of constructing your cabin. It is always best to get a good illustrated guide, or a kit , if you are serious, the reason I wrote this piece is because I always stress knowing what you are getting into in every aspect, so that there are no surprises.

If you take your time and do your research you really can build yourself a cabin. Hopefully a log one but if not then consider some other types as well.

Autor: Thoreau Chuong

Thoreau Chuong enjoys writing about home improvement, home & garden, and other home related articles. If you live in Texas, request a free quote on our website home improvement Dallas or home remodeling Fort Worth.

Added: August 18, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Do it Yourself Stair Building

Building your own stairs can look like a daunting task if you have never tried it before, so if you have the desire and you want to build your own stairs, then this is just a short guide so that you get familiar with the names and procedures of the process. Always be sure to consult and know before you start, either with a pro at any of the home stores, or through the internet, because mistakes will cost you money and later, aggravation.

Therefore, the first thing to do is to know the component parts of the stairs and staircase, and this is for the straight staircases not the curved ones. The first one to know is the stringer. The stringer is the base that runs from the top to the bottom and holds the whole thing up. It is what the risers and the treads rest on.

To make stringers, you need two pieces of two by ten lumbers, if your treads are the maximum of 30 inches, you will need three pieces. You will need a two-foot framing square, and a sharp pencil and good blade. With the square, use the narrow tongue of the square to mark the rise of the stair and use the blade to mark the unit "run"... When you are cutting for the tread, (The part you step on), be sure to compensate for the thickness of the riser, (The part that rises up and is at the back of the tread).

Compensating for the thickness of the riser means you will not have tread sticking out over the edge of the stringer. When measuring for the riser, the bottom one and the top one are different because one allows for the thickness of the flooring at the bottom, and is therefore shorter, and the riser at the top is raised more to allow for the thickness at the finish floor level.

When you have cut your first stringer, test fit it and make sure there are no flaws because that will be the template for the other stringer, the reason that I stress this is because even a 16th if an inch contributes to the squeak factor, so take the time to make everything is right.

Being accurate is essential especially when calculating the rise and run. In most houses the floor height from floor to floor is nine feet approx. Usually, with stairs 15, 7 to 8 inch risers are the norm, but make sure you've allowed for the thickness of the flooring because each different type of flooring will throw your measurements off.

As I mentioned before these are just some of the names and procedures to know and use when you want to build your stairs. Of course, in this short space and without diagrams, it is impossible to go into detail, and that is why I say, talk to a professional and they will sort the details out with you gladly, systematically.

Autor: Thoreau Chuong

Thoreau Chuong enjoys writing about home improvement, home & garden, and other home related articles. If you live in Texas, request a free quote on our website home remodeling Dallas Texas or home remodeling Fort Worth.

Added: August 17, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Choose a Do-It-Yourself Swing Set Kit

OK, so your children have convinced you to buy a backyard wooden swing set, but you dread the thought of visiting a showroom and being talked into dropping thousands of dollars on mediocre equipment (and even more on the installation of that backyard play set). Instead, consider the following three words: do it yourself. Even the most inexperienced do-it-yourself enthusiast can purchase high quality, and reasonably priced wooden swing set kits on the Internet and put one together successfully once it arrives at the door. Even better news is that do-it-yourself wooden swing set kits are available for purchase without wood included or with wood included. Your choice of kits relies on how involved you wish the do-it-yourself aspect of the construction to be.

Do-it-yourself kits, whether they come with wood or without, should always offer free shipping and include complete step-by-step instructions for construction; all necessary hardware; basic accessories, such as swings, monkey bars, canopy top, etc. Many additional fun accessories are almost always available, but any wooden swing set kit that requires separate purchase of necessary hardware should be avoided. Every nut, bolt, bracket, and spring clip needed to complete the project should always be included with the kit.

How does a do-it-yourself enthusiast make the choice between wooden swing sets that come without the wood versus swing sets that come with the wood? Consider the following. Kits that do not come with wood allow you the luxury of hand selecting the type of wood, and even each specific piece of wood, that will be used in the construction. More time and tools are needed for these kits, though, because each piece must be searched for, transported to the home, cut to exactly the right size, and sanded, and then holes must be drilled for each piece of hardware. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts who are more comfortable with home improvement projects often times prefer this approach.

On the other hand, wooden swing set kits that come with the wood may be a better option for the do-it-yourself enthusiast who can not find the time to select and sand the wood. The wood that comes with these kits is usually high quality and intended to last for many years with proper care. One benefit to kits that include the wood is that all the wood is pre-cut, pre-sanded, and pre-drilled. With these major steps already completed, you can construct the wooden swing set in a fraction of the time.

Whether you choose a wooden swing set kit that includes wood or not, you can increase your money savings by shopping wisely and constructing the equipment yourself. Either choice allows your kids to enjoy playing on a safe and fun piece of backyard equipment, and provides you with a feeling of pride and accomplishment. So, go ahead and do it yourself!

Autor: Trey Collier

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCity.com, North America's finest Outdoor Casual Living Store, designed and created to help fashion outdoor living spaces. Since 2001, BackyardCity.com has offered internet customers quality outdoor living products, including Wooden Swing Sets, at very reasonable prices.

Added: August 16, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Build a Solar Panel? Not As Easy As You Think - Read This Before You Even Try

If you are reading this article, obviously, is because you want to learn how to build a solar panel on your own. Be careful, building DIY solar panels is not as easy as you may have read or heard in some websites or articles. Neither will you learn how to make solar panels with some short YouTube videos or free reports that you may find everywhere in the net, that's a fact.

However, it is possible for you to learn how to build a solar panel if you get your hands in the right information. Only with a step by step detailed set of manuals and videos designed specifically to take you from point zero until you have your panel up and running in your home you can accomplish this sometime complicated task.

Listen carefully, if you try to start you project without being armed with the right information and support, undoubtedly, you are going to end up frustrated, disappointed and thinking that this task is only for professionals. This is not true; absolutely anybody who can read and follow a step by step set of instructions can actually learn how to build a solar panel.

The problem most of the time is that many people go to the internet, do some research and they rush to the hardware store to buy some tools and materials thinking they are ready to do this project when the fact is that they are not. I see this everyday; dozens of people call my office asking for help when they get stocked in the first stages of the process.

Again, you can learn how to build a solar panel and yes, you can cut or even eliminate your electricity's bill by using DIY solar panels, but if you don't have the right set of instructions and support you will not be able to accomplish this task, period. There are not short cuts; you will need to go through the detailed steps and there's not free lunch. Don't waste your time and energy.

Autor: Gianny Roberts

Building solar panels or windmills (wind turbines) to create green energy for your home can be a very gratifying and rewarding experience, and you can be on your way to be energy free in no time, however, be very careful when you pick an expert or guide to follow since your success of failure may well depend in the information you use to accomplice your goal.

Also, always download a course or package that offers you free Tech Support. It will be a lot easier for you to do this task if you have an expert willing to answer any question you may have along the way. It will be a more enjoyable experience as well.

Gianny Robers is an Electronic Engineer Graduate. He is an Editor for Solar-Wind Energy Review; a site dedicated to provide people with solid information on How To Make Solar Panels and Wind Turbines to generate their own power. His Team has researched, reviewed and tested hundreds of guides on How To Make A Solar Panel and Windmills. To learn more visit: Solar-WindEnergy.info How To Build A Solar Panel.

Added: August 14, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Build Solar Panel - Why Build a DIY Solar Panel and Why Most People Get Stuck in the First Stages

More and more people continue to make their decision to build solar panels for their home or business. This has been proven to save a big chunk in energy, and sometimes even eliminate the whole electricity bill altogether. On top of this, it is an eco-friendly alternative and a way to support the environment.

Today, with the help of some guides on 'how to build solar panels' guides, the task of getting your power from the sun is very easy to accomplish. And in some instances even the utility company can pay you back if you produce more energy that you need. This is happening more and more frequently every day.

The materials and tools needed to build your own solar panels are inexpensive and easy to find. A good reference guide on how to build a solar panel will guide you through the steps in an English friendly, easy to follow way. These guides usually show you where to get this basic tools and materials for the best prices as well.

Eco friendly solar panels and wind turbines are the wave of the future, and more and more people, small business as well as big institutions are switching the way they get and use their power. However, some guides out there make the task of building a solar panel complicated and sometimes frustrating, so make sure you have the right set of information at your fingertips.

Absolutely anybody should be able to build a small solar panel, however, I see, everyday, people that get stock in the first stages of their project. This is due mostly because they start this project without a set of detailed, highly structured instructions aimed to get the everyday, non-technician person through this process. Don't make this mistake; get well prepared before you start your project.

Free information or videos that you may find in seconds all over the internet is not enough to get you through the build a solar panel process. Download a reliable, tech-supported, well engineered set of guides and you will save yourself time, money and frustrations.

Autor: Gianny Roberts

Building solar panels or windmills (wind turbines) to create green energy for your home can be a very gratifying and rewarding experience, and you can be on your way to be energy free in no time, however, be very careful when you pick an expert or guide to follow since your success of failure may well depend in the information you use to accomplice your goal.

Also, always download a course or package that offers you free Tech Support. It will be a lot easier for you to do this task if you have an expert willing to answer any question you may have along the way. It will be a more enjoyable experience as well.

Electronic Engineer Graduate Gianny Robers is a Writer for Solar-Wind Energy Review; a site committed to provide people with solid information on DIY Solar Panels and Windmills to produce their own Green Energy. His Team has researched, reviewed and tested hundreds of guides on How To Build Solar Panels and Windmills. To learn more visit: Solar-WindEnergy.info Build Solar Panel.

Added: August 12, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

5 Top Tips For DIY Solar Panels

Let me start this article with a very short story. Two years ago, I discovered how great solar power for homes is and I started studying how to build DIY solar panels. It was extremely difficult for me at that time because I did not have any knowledge about that. But after studying for two weeks, I had built my first functional DIY solar panel.

And now, with my homemade solar power system, I am living completely off-grid, which means that I need not pay for the electric company anymore. Also as I have a rather big-scaled system, the electricity it generates is much more than I need. I sometimes get paid by the electric company because it has to buy my extra electricity by law.

I know you now face the same problem. You want to start a solar power house project but you are overwhelmed. You do not know what to do, where to start. However, this feeling will disappear soon because you will quickly realize it is really just a piece of cake, as long as you get the right instructions.

Before you start the project, there are some considerations for you. No matter you just want to build a solar heating system or a solar electricity system, you first have to calculate how long you will get financial return. It is not worth if you have to wait 10 years to recover the investment although the Earth will thank you because you will be making the world cleaner. To do the calculation, you can just browse the Internet and find some tools that teach you the process.

Below are the five top tips for all homeowners who are ready to start the project.

• Check if your roof is big enough for the solar panel arrays. Of course, you can also place it in the garden.
• The place where you pit the solar panels arrays should receive at least six hours sunlight directly. It is pointless to build DIY solar panels for areas with no sunlight.
• Make sure the trees near your house are not close to the homemade solar panels. You can cut down some of them when necessary but do not overdo it because it is harmful to the environment.
• Normally you can build the solar panels in just two days so you should schedule you time for the installation beforehand.
• For safety reason, the closer your solar panel arrays to the wiring area is, the better.

Those 5 tips are the basic of your project and you will need to get some tools to let you build the solar power system fast. First, you have to get a copy of a DIY solar power house guide online. Before you purchase it, make sure it is of high-quality. You can do so by reading some reviews. Second, you have to prepare some simple tools and parts. You may not know what you have to prepare right now but a good DIY solar power house guide will tell you everything about that.

I hope you enjoy my story and the 5 top tips. I am sure that as long as you would invest a week and $50 for the DIY guide, you will be living off-grid quickly as well.

Autor: Evans D. Smith Evans D. Smith
Level: Basic PLUS
Evans D. Smith is a specialist in home improvement. He is interested in solar power and he likes sharing his knowledge with everyone in the ... ...

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about DIY Solar Panels, you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

Added: August 11, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Drown Out Those Noisy Neighbours With Acoustic Foam

Our ears are sensitive and a build up in loud noises can cause us short and long term damage. Noise pollution can cause us even more health problems in that it can increase our stress levels, having long term effects on our blood pressure and heart. We can complain to our local councils about noisy neighbours and industrial noise pollution.

If you are being constantly disturbed by road traffic and railways you can apply for a grant to help with the costs of acoustic insulation. For non-compliance with noise laws, individuals can be fined up to 5000 whilst businesses such as factories and night clubs can be fined up to 20,000. Whilst it would be thought that these penalties should deter noisy neighbours and noise pollution from outside, our homes are still invaded with unnecessary sounds from the streets and nearby properties. This I am afraid, is an unavoidable reality unless you live miles away from anyone and anything.

Fitting acoustic foam to your walls and ceilings can prevent excess sound from entering your rooms by absorbing and deadening sound, preventing it from reverberating back off the wall and echoing around the room. The foam usually comes in sheets or tiles of varying size and thickness, with some companies providing custom sized acoustic foam.

The material has jagged edges and an uneven surface area which absorbs sounds impacting onto it. The foam allows sound waves to enter it and then the sound is converted into heat through a series of interconnected open cells. The flame retardant material prevents the risk of fire from the build up of heat.

Whilst this may sound like an unattractive solution to your sound problems, acoustic foam is available in a number of colours and with fabric coverings to suit your home.

If you are the noisy neighbour because you play a musical instrument or play music loudly, you can use acoustic foam to stop noise from escaping your house and annoying your neighbours. As has been explained, the uneven surface absorbs heat and so the noise will not escape through the other side of the wall. It also has the added benefit of reducing echo so your room does not become filled with hovering noise.

Acoustic foam is easy to attach to your walls or ceiling. Many forms come with a self adhesive backing that can attach cleanly and smoothly to any flat surface. Others can be nailed or stapled onto your walls depending on the thickness. Whichever option you choose, acoustic foam is easy to apply and leaves little mess. The benefits that it can bring to your life are immeasurable if you are already suffering from noise pollution and need a quick solution.

Autor: Mark Andrew Woodcock Mark Andrew Woodcock
Level: Platinum
Mark has been an online author for over 10 years and specialises in managing the online marketing for a large number of bluechip clients....

Author Mark Woodcock is a Webmaster of a wide variety of online specialty shops including a very popular site on Acoustic Foam. Visit http://www.siderise.co.uk today.

Added: August 9, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

It is Fun Simple to Make Solar Panels on Your Own

The number of people who want to learn how to make solar panels on their own is increasing day by day. One of the obvious reasons is that the pre-made solar panels at local stores are extremely expensive. They may cost you anywhere from $2000 to $3000 or even more. When I look at the price tags, I nearly cry. However the most significant reason for people to learn this skill is that they prices of fuel and oil are also skyrocketing day by day. No one wants to rely on those sources of energy anymore and the only solution is to employ solar power for homes and learn how to make solar panels in to save extra money.

It is very simple to build a homemade solar panel. You can get every part, like solar cell, at your local store. Basically you will need to get a sheet of plywood, a sheet of glass, copper wiring and solar cells at the beginning. They are the most vital parts for your first DIY solar panel. Of course, if you can invest more, you may want to purchase some miscellaneous like finish trim, screws and caulking. They will be nice to your solar panels.

But the most important thing you have to get is the proper instructions on the whole process. There is no point to have all parts but have no idea on how to make them together. So first and foremost you may need to do some research online. You may search for DIY solar power house guides and you will be provided ebooks and videos for the step-by-step instructions, from finding the parts at the most cost-effective price to installing the whole solar power system.

The DIY solar power house guide I bought is quite good and I could build my first solar panel in just a weekend. Even though when I had questions, I would be answered in their private membership forum in 24 hours.

And now, although I have a functional solar power system for my house and I am reducing 80% of my electric bills every month, I do not stop making solar panels. It is because some of my friends always ask me to make solar panels for them, their family and even their own friends. Most of them are busy people and it is hard for them to spend 2 full days to learn how to make solar panels. So when I told them I could get the job done for under $200, they just felt glad and asked me for help. And surely I am willing to help because I believe my little effort can make our environment cleaner and lessen air pollution.

There is no reason why you cannot do the same thing. You just have to be brave and get a DIY solar power house guide online. Then you will successfully make solar panels after a week.

Autor: Evans D. Smith Evans D. Smith
Level: Basic PLUS
Evans D. Smith is a specialist in home improvement. He is interested in solar power and he likes sharing his knowledge with everyone in the ... ...

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Make Solar Panels, you'll love everything else you find at Make Solar Panels.

Added: August 8, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Build Your Own Solar Panel - Is it Realistic to Think You Can Build Your Own DIY Solar Panel?

To build your own solar panel is not an impossible task. Now that I put that out of the way, let make it very clear for you; building your own solar panel is not a task that you will be able to accomplish that easy if you are normal-regular people with zero electricity or electronic knowledge.

Yes, you may cut or eliminate your energy bill with DIY solar panels, but the steps are extensive and somehow complicated for the non-experienced person. However, with a detailed step by step well elaborated set of instructions you should be able to build your own solar panel from scratch, even if you don't have any special set of skills.

These solar panels usually can be built with an approximated cost of about $185, if you know where to go to buy the right parts at the absolutely best prices. You will need a set of very basic tools like a DC Meter, set of players, screw drivers, etc. If you don't have these tools, they can be found at a discount in your nearest hardware store.

Remember that you will be dealing with electricity here. Don't start a project until you are absolutely sure you have a set of step by step reliable instructions on how to deal and manage the harnessing and storage of the sun's power. Don't just pick an article on how to build your own solar panel and start your task; it is not that simple.

I don't mean to scare you with these facts, you in fact should be able to build your own solar panel, but it is very important that you count with the right, sound and dependable information before you start your project or you will be sorry. If you don't prepare yourself in advance you are going to end up wasting your time, your money as well as the opportunity of a big long term energy saving.

Don't think you are going to be able to build solar panels from scratch with some free information or some free videos you may find on the net. It takes more that that. Building a solar panel is a serious project and you can achieve this and have fun with it as thousands of home owners have already done, as long as you count with the right information.

Autor: Gianny Roberts

Building solar panels or windmills (wind turbines) to create green energy for your home can be a very gratifying and rewarding experience, and you can be on your way to be energy free in no time; however, be very careful when you pick an expert or guide to follow since your success of failure may well depend in the information you use to accomplice your goal.

Also, always download a course or package that offers you free Tech Support. It will be a lot easier for you to do this task if you have an expert willing to answer any question you may have along the way. It will be a more enjoyable experience as well.

Gianny Robers is an Electronic Engineer. He is an Editor for Solar-Wind Energy Review; a site devoted to assist people with solid information on How To Build A Solar Panel and Wind Turbines to generate their own Green Renewable Energy. His Team has researched, reviewed and tested hundreds of guides on How To Make Solar Panels and Windmills. To learn more visit: Solar-WindEnergy.info, Build Your Own Solar Panel.

Added: August 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Build Your Own Unique Custom Closet - DIY

Closets have gone from an ignored portion of the house to a home selling point in the last few years. People are spending tens of thousands of dollars on their closet systems and even turning whole rooms into closets, which are really more like posh boutique dressing rooms. Professional closet designers report all sorts of lavish requests for closet designs, including espresso machines, pedicure chairs, refrigerators, mini bars and more. Couches, chairs, granite counter tops and motorized shoe racks aren't at all uncommon. You can use some of these ideas to turn your boring closet into a thing of beauty and convenience, even if you don't have a lot of room or money to work with.

Just adding a few conveniences will make your closet more usable. If you are starting with a standard hanging bar and high shelf, you may need to add some basics before you really deck it out. You can inexpensively add wooden shelves if you do it yourself. Building shelves is not all that hard. You will need precise measurements when you buy your wood. You may be able to get it cut at the hardware store when you purchase it, but you may have to have, rent or borrow a miter saw.

Design a closet system that fits your space and meets your needs by pulling everything out and categorizing it. This part can be really fun. Purchase a stud finder if you don't have one already, and make sure that you secure all shelves into studs.

You may have space between studs to add recessed shelves, which look really nice and add a lot of storage without using any space. Measure out the space between the studs, mark it off with a ruler, then remove the drywall using a steak knife or drywall knife. Stain and varnish the wood that you would like to use. Simply use wood glue to frame out the hole on the top, bottom and sides. Screw in 1x2 guide rails on each side and back, then place the shelf on top. You can use wood glue to secure the shelves and give them a nice finished out appearance.

Install the larger shelves in your closet. You can easily attach rails fro drawers underneath the shelves and use almost no room. You can buy drawers that are already built or build them yourself. An interesting drawer pull will make your closet unique. Drawer organizers can make a perfect place to store rolled ties, jewelry and more. You can even install a child lock on the drawer if you need to store valuables or dangerous items. A magnetic entry child lock cannot be seen from the outside or opened by an adult without the magnet entry key.

You can install valet bars, baskets, multiple level bars, shoe organizers and more to finish out your custom closet. Top it all off with some sturdy wood hangers that match your stain. A good coat hanger can keep your clothes from ending up on the floor and give your closet that upscale appearance that you're going for. Have fun designing the closet of your dreams!

Autor: Joe Granville

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com

Added: August 5, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Do it Yourself Home Repair

In tough economic times, more and more people are turning away from contracted home repair in favor of do-it-yourself home repair. This can be a cheap and rewarding solution when done right that is more customized to suit your needs. Unfortunately, many individuals are unprepared for the potential pitfalls that may arise as a result and can make a relatively simple solution into a difficult and quite problematic one. It doesn't have to be hard though, if you are prepared in advance and follow this step-by-step breakdown.

Research

Before you get started you need to sit down and research the project you are going to tackle. Find out all the equipment you will need to do the job right. How skillful is the task at hand - is it relatively easy or complex? Consider how much manpower will be required for you to complete the job and whether or not you can gather that many workers. Consider the time that it will take to complete the project - be realistic about this and decide whether you have that much time to commit. What are the materials you will need to get the job done and how readily available are these to come by? Finally, you need to consider the cost of the entire project. Can you realistically afford to do it after you have factored in all the other considerations? Are you really saving that much as opposed to hiring a skilled contractor?

Plan It Out

You need to create a realistic and efficient timeline for your entire project. This means a macro timeline for the entire project and micro timelines for each individual step. How long will each step take and if one step is held back will you be able to work on another step? There is no point in delaying your entire project if one step gets held back; be efficient and work on something else. This will ultimately save you time and money.

Safety

Always consider safety before you start anything. This is the most important factor and, if missed, can cost you more money and possibly your health. Make sure you have the proper safety gear and the proper training to handle any equipment. Depending on your project it may also be vital to consider the locations of local electric, water or gas lines. Consult your local provider for detailed information on these locations.

Do It

Actually getting started on the project can be a difficult step for a lot of people. Many get caught up in procrastination techniques and never get around to it. To avoid this, you need to just start. Starting is the hardest part - the 'follow through' is easy. If you get stuck on something don't be afraid to ask someone for help and remember to start off small. Complete your project one step at a time.

Common Mistakes

There are many mistakes amateur 'do-it-yourselfers' run into. Some of these include buying similar parts instead of the correct ones (many plumbing projects fall here) and taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are, by far, the worst mistake you can make. Sometime a task will seem too difficult and people will take a shortcut to make it easier to accomplish. This rarely goes well and often comes back to bite you in a very costly way. Avoid shortcuts. There is only one way to do a project and that is the right way. If you follow this advice you will have you project done to complete satisfaction in no time. Just take it one step at a time and follow through.

Autor: Match Stevens

Good luck and have fun.
Match Stevens
http://ShaveMagazine.com

Added: August 4, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Paint Your Bathroom Vanity

One of the most common questions we get asked is how do I repaint my bath vanity? A bath vanity gets a lot of use over the years and is also the focal point of the bathroom. By remodeling or repainting your bathroom vanity you can bring life to that old bathroom, re-painting a bath vanity is relatively straightforward and will only require a few days of work and makes a great weekend project.

First we need to prep the bathroom cabinet to do this you will need a screwdriver sandpaper and a mild detergent. Using your screwdriver, remove the hinges and pull out all the drawers from your current cabinet. Next take your sandpaper and lightly sand all finishes of the bath vanity cabinet. Make sure to sand both sides of the bathroom vanity doors. Once you're done sanding the doors, lightly wash down the entire bathroom vanity with a mild detergent. Removing all of the little particles in debris created by sanding the bathroom vanity also use your vacuum to clean up any sanded particles so that the particles do not get into our paint.

Use a high-quality primer to prime the outside surfaces of the bathroom cabinet consult your local hardware store for the proper primer for your particular project. Let the primer dry all the way before attempting to paint your bathroom vanity. Tape off all edges around your bathroom vanity as to not get paint on your walls or floors.

It's time to paint your cabinet first stir up the paint thoroughly before opening. Next use a brush or roller to evenly apply light coats of paint to all surfaces of the bathroom vanity cabinet. It is better to apply multiple light coats of paint than hurry the project with one coat of paint. Let dry for several hours or overnight, and then reapply your second and or third coat of paint.

Now we've painted the vanity re-caulk all of the bathroom cabinets seams that touch the floor or any of the adjacent walls, reattach all doors and hinges, and reinsert any fittings removed during this process. Now is a good time to adjust the doors if they were not hanging properly making slight adjustments in creating new screw locations to hang your doors evenly.

Another way to spruce up your old bathroom is to add new knobs to the door cabinets and drawers. Also replacing the faucet with a new and more modern style can also help update your old bathroom cabinet.

Hopefully this guide has helped you repaint your vanity and has livened up your current bathroom. Have fun with the project, and take your time.

Autor: Ben Fisk

Ben Fisk from Colorado has helped remodel bathroom vanities and paint many people bathroom vanity cabinets.

Added: August 3, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Dry Framing Water Damage in Your Attic? Do it Yourself Ideas

Dry framing water damage isn't that hard to spot, however, you can't be afraid of the attic. There are plenty of people who are afraid to enter this insect infested, rodent crawling place of ultimate darkness. You can always hire a professional contractor if you're afraid, hopefully they won't be.

Now for the important question, how can you spot water damage in your attic and what will you be looking for? Let's not get ahead of ourselves, first were going to need me few things.

You are going to need a bright light or a high-powered flashlight and you will need to be careful if you plan on walking around the attic. I would like to warn you, if you don't know what you should be standing on, you might not want to go any further than your attic access hole and that would be only if you were standing on a secure ladder.

Always think safety when entering an attic. The easiest water spots and damage to spot would be, any areas that would be currently wet. These damp areas can usually be spotted easily, because most people know what wet things look like. If you do find wet drywall, plaster, framing or installation in your attic, I would advise, that you contact a professional to fix this water damage as soon as possible.

If you let this damage go, it could cost you more money in the long run. Water damage can also invite that horrible thing that no one wants to talk about in your home, toxic mold.

The wet spots are usually easy to notice, however, how can you spot water damage, when the water isn't leaking through the roof. This could become a little more difficult, but you will be looking for discolored lumber. This lumber will usually have darker or lighter stains, depending on the lumber used.

Redwood, for example will usually have darker spot on the lumber if it was wet at one time and then dried out. Douglas fir and pine could have light or dark stains, but either way, the water damage will stain the wood, eventually.

Dry framing water damage isn't usually hard to spot, any water damage that has dried out in your attic will usually produce a different color than the surrounding areas. In other words, look for any staining on the insulation, drywall or wood framing.

It's usually not hard to find, the biggest problem will be finding a water leak. Sometimes these home repairs can be nightmares.

Autor: Greg Vandenberge Greg Vandenberge
Level: Platinum
Greg Vanden Berge has works in the construction industry for over 30 years, got his general contractor's license when he was 25 years old and ... ...

Attic Water Stains

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

Click Here if your looking for some more information about attic home inspections or home building ideas.

Added: August 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Determine the Type of Paint on Your Building

It is important to distinguish the type of paint that is currently on your building before you put on another coat of paint. If you use the wrong type of paint, you could find it peeling a week or so later. This could be a very expensive proposition since good paint can cost upwards of $40 per gallon.

Oil and Water Based

You may remember from your high school chemistry class, that oil and water do not mix. All paints and stains are either oil or water based and when they are combined, the results can be disastrous.

More specifically, water based paints cannot stick to the oil based product, thus it runs or peels. Since water paints sit on the top of the surface, the oil based products are not able to penetrate the wood and never set.

The Transparency Test

Most oil based paints are designed to sink into the wood. Stains and varnishes can easily be detected by examining the surface of the building. If you can see the wood grain and the stain simply colors and enhances the wood, it is an oil based product being used.

However, more and more non transparent stains are being used. These stains still sink into the wood, but they give the appearance of paint by covering all aspects of the surface. For this reason, the transparency test can be trusted to determine transparent oil based products, but should not be the only method for determining solid or semi-transparent paints.

The Goof Off Test

Since some oil based paints exhibit the same characteristics of water based paints, the Goof Off test should be used before any painting is done.

Goof Off and similar products remove all types of things, such as grease, markers and latex (water based) paints. Buy a bottle of goof off at your local hardware store. There are other brands available, just make sure it says that it removes latex paint.

Douse a rag with a little bit of goof off and find an inconspicuous place on your wall to test. Start scrubbing the wall with the wet part of the rag (wear gloves). If the paint starts coming off, it is a water based paint. If the paint is already peeling, make sure that you see evidence that the goof off is actually breaking down the paint. The paint will bubble or look as if it's melting or wet.

Converting Oil to Latex

You may want to use latex because it is much easier to work with. Many older houses have oil based paint since that was primarily used in the past. If your building is covered with a solid oil based paint, you will have to use a primer first. The primer will bond with the wall and provide a surface for the latex paint to stick to. When you go to your paint store, make sure you tell them you are covering oil based with a latex paint and they will make sure you get the right primer.

Autor: Jason Capshaw

American Airless has information on painting and paint equipment. You may want to check out these paint sprayers as well.

Added: August 1, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/