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.
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.
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.
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Window blinds are essential for anyone who wants to safeguard their privacy, at home or in the office. While it is true that some people prefer to use curtains, window blinds have the advantage in that you get to control the amount of light that comes in. One reason for the choice of curtains over blinds is the ease of installation. Some types of window blinds are, in fact, a bit more difficult to install ? but this alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Blinds can add a touch of the exotic, or the elegant, to any room.
There are some factors to consider when figuring out what type of blinds to buy.
The first factor is the style of the window blinds. The most popular are the Venetian blinds, which have horizontal sections made of wood or metal. These panels can range in width from 16 to 50 mm. There are, of course, many different types of window blinds. Here are a few of the more well-known varieties.
In contrast to Venetian blinds, vertical blinds are aptly named since they have vertical panels. These sections can be completely separated if you want to have the look of natural sunlight. Vertical window blinds are not confined to wood and metal, but can be made of many different fabrics.
Roller shades typically consist of a complete sheet of treated material, such as vinyl. These blinds roll up or down and can completely block sunlight. If you can’t visualize this, think of those old Tom and Jerry cartoons. You know, the ones where Tom gets wrapped up in the window blinds? Those are roller shades.
Honeycomb shades look like, well, honeycombs. The effect is generated through layering opaque fabric. A special quality of these window blinds is that their layering allows them to insulate the room by not letting heat or cold in.
Finally, there are the decorative wood woven shades. These blinds are usually made from interwoven bamboo and don’t have an actual adjustment. They are best used in situations where you would like your blinds to block direct sunlight from coming in, but you would still like to have a little natural light.
When hanging your window blinds, you need to remember to leave enough space so that they can hang freely when extended. The great thing about modernization is that you don’t actually need to hang your blinds yourself. Many of the home furnishing stores will install the window blinds for you, sometimes at a very low cost. If you’re not sure that you can install your window blinds yourself, the best thing is to hire a professional.
Posted in Window | 
Tags: bamboo blinds, blinds, blinds and shades, discount window blinds, roller shades, venetian blinds | 
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Almost eighty percent of the new U.S. houses are installing central air conditioning units while construction. The reason why most people are opting for this is that the central unit keeps the room temperature in a comfortable level as it filters and dehumidifies the air. This system is all the more beneficial for those who have allergies or asthma. But those having existing homes do not need to worry, as the central air conditioning units can even be set up in houses that have already been constructed!
If you are looking for the best central air conditioning unit, you need to keep certain points in mind. The first thing to consider is the size of your home. The air conditioning units are available in various sizes, so carefully pick the size that you think would be the best for your home. Remember, that the machine would not be able to properly dehumidify air if it’s too large for its purpose. You should rather get a contractor to help you choose, as they calculate the required size with a method named “Manual J”.
The next important thing to look into is the SEER rating, i.e., the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The technology has changed today, and the energy efficiency has also improved as a result. So the new air conditioners are supposed to have a SEER rating of 13, whereas, a rating of only 7 or 8 was enough for the machines installed a couple of decades ago.
You can actually save quite a lot in your electricity bills if you substitute your old and ineffective air conditioner with a new central air conditioning set up. In fact, you can expect to save more than $500 a year with the new SEER rating, which has gone up to 13 from 11.5. To get the latest in energy efficiency, choose a compressor having the “Scroll(tm) technology”.
The “Energy Star” is one more criterion which your central air conditioner should have. This is basically a certificate to denote that the equipment consumes less energy than the other new models. The new models obviously consume a lot less than the machines dating back a couple of years.
Be careful while choosing the location for putting up the outdoor unit of your machine. This is important because it would not be able to ventilate air properly if it is put under a deck, or is covered up by plants. These units are often noisy. So keep them far from your deck or your patio, or any place where you want to enjoy some quietude.
Posted in Air Conditioner |
Tags: air buying central conditioning, air conditioner air filter |
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