Archive for March, 2009
March 28th, 2009 | 
Author: Most of us think that because hardwood floors are a rather sensitive and expensive material, we should always seek the help of professionals to get them installed.
Thus, it is comforting to know that with the right tools and the right kind hardwood, it is pretty much a do it yourself endeavor. And because prefinished hardwood floor planks are already available in hardware stores and instructional manuals everywhere, then you really have nothing to worry about.
How do you install hardwood flooring? First, decide whether you want to use oak, maple or cherry, or rustic ash. Oak is the most expensive kind of hardwood material, but it is reputably the best and the sturdiest. If you’re working under a particular budget, maple or rustic ash are also okay and will last as long as oak with proper care and maintenance.
Next, prepare the following materials: the hardwood planks, a vapor barrier paper, a pry bar, a hammer, a speed drill and drill bits, a pneumatic flooring pack (which consists of a nail gun, staples, a mallet, a hose, and an air compressor), a staple gun, a tape measure, a chalk line, and, of course, your how-to manual.
It would be wise to study the manual before you go about hammering away so you don’t waste time. Some hardware stores already have prepackaged hardwood installation necessities so you can avoid the hassle of looking for each piece. Of course, you shouldn’t forget your safety goggles and gloves, as all the drilling and hammering could produce wood dust and can be harmful when inhaled.
Before buying hardwood floor planks, measure the surface where you are going to install them. Order planks that are around 10 to 15 inches bigger to allow room for errors. Expect that your initial attempt will be very challenging, but once you get that first plank in place, the rest should be a breeze.
Get rid of squeaks by tightly nailing the hardwood plank into the subfloor. When cutting, always provide extra space. When you’re dealing with hardwood floors, it’s best to go over and make the necessary adjustments than be left with a space that would look awkward to fill.
If you got a prefinished hardwood floor, then the job is done after you’ve installed the planks in place. But if you bought wood in its purest form, you should also pre-equip yourself with sanding and finishing tools and prepare for another challenging task ahead.
Related items
Posted in 
Tags: 
What a lifesaver! Reliable and speedy Los Angeles locksmith companies like Oren Lock & Key are hard to find. I’ve heard horror stories from people in all sorts of predicaments, not being able to find an emergency locksmith Los Angeles, calling desperately only to hear, “How’s Friday?” while you say, “Friday? As in, two days from now?” Or how about, “We don’t cover that area, try calling a local locksmith.” And you say, “I am local! I’m only 20 minutes away!” The fact is, in certain situations, we are at the mercy of our locksmith. Luckily, we have a few choices. My choice is Oren Lock & Key. First of all, they have 24-hour emergency “Same Day Service” available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whenever you call, you are automatically promised friendly and quality customer service.
They have the most reliable locksmith Los Angeles services around, and their coverage area is the opposite of limited. Covering all of Los Angles, Santa Monica, and San Fernando Valley, that includes but is not limited to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Hollywood, Van Nuys, and ALL neighboring cities, if you live in LA County, you won’t ever hear, “We don’t cover that area.” And their services range from installing new locks, repairing new ones, card-key access control, card reader systems and many other lock and security systems Los Angeles, so you will never hear, “Sorry, we don’t perform that service.” Oren Lock & Key has you covered in any situation. They’re the nicest and most reliable professionals in the industry. Plus if you visit their website you can get 15% off labor on any service call. See www.orenlock.com for more details.
Related items
Asbestos was widely used as a component of ‘popcorn’ ceiling in homes or in the form of asbestos ceiling tiles. It was also used as decorative sprays on the walls or for soundproofing purposes. However, off late there has been a lot of concern regarding the use of asbestos ceiling tiles because of harmful affects of asbestos particles on human health.
Hazards of Asbestos ceiling tiles
Asbestos contains deadly silicate fibers that can be airborne on applying physical force on asbestos ceiling tiles. The fibers when inhaled are retained by the lungs and cause potent lung disorders, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. Even if ceilings are asbestos-free, certain insulation materials like Zonolite used in attic floors, can release toxic levels of asbestos while fixing a ceiling fan or a light. Asbestos ceiling tiles may contain formaldehyde and such volatile organic compounds as components. Asbestos found in ceiling tiles, if in good condition, causes no risk but loose, damp or crumbly asbestos is dangerous. Drilling and scraping of such material is a health hazard. In those cases, the building owners should remove the asbestos ceiling tiles or take necessary steps to prevent asbestos exposure due to asbestos contaminated ceiling tiles.
Safe Handling of Asbestos ceiling tiles
The best way is to avoid the use of asbestos ceiling tiles. However, if you are using asbestos ceiling tiles, you must take necessary precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. Some of the steps are:
? Select low-emitting ceiling tiles certified by a reputed organization like Greenguard Environmental Institute.
? Use porous ceiling tiles that trap odors and chemicals emitted from building activities.
? Install ceiling tiles in a building only after painting, flooring or other such work is over. This prevents the ceiling tiles from absorbing and retaining the chemicals and organic solvents.
? Recycle old ceiling tiles under new programs.
? Hire professionals to reconstruct asbestos ceiling tiles as they adhere to safety norms and rules. Avoid sanding and dry-buffing asbestos floors.
? Follow wet stripping or use low abrasion pads below 300 rpm to avoid exposure.
? Report any broken ceiling tiles to Environmental Health & Safety Department.
File an Employee Exposure Report within 24 hours or as soon as possible with the Environmental Health & Safety Department in case of accidental exposure to asbestos.
Remember! A minor exposure to asbestos fibers can cause lung disorders, asbestosis or mesothelioma. Therefore, it is better to safe than sorry.
