• • kitchen Remodeling – Add Home Value

    Kitchen Remodeling to Increase the Value of Your Home When you are selling your home, you want to increase home value as much as possible without spending too much money. Realtors will tell you that a kitchen renovation will produce a 70% return for the amount you invest. To see this return, you must be smart about your investment. It is recommended to only spend about 6% to 10% of your total home value on kitchen remodeling to get a fair return. Make sure to choose materials that will appeal to the masses and not just to your tastes. Increase home value by remembering to make smart choices when completing a kitchen renovation. Do not change cabinets if you can get the same results with a fresh coat of paint and new hinges. Make sure that the kitchen renovation continues to match the outside of the house. A potential buyer wants to look at the inside of a house because he or she liked what was on the outside. You must also find a middle ground with kitchen remodeling. Do not cut corners to save money but also do not purchase expensive items when it is not necessary. Keeping things simple and opening up the kitchen space will still increase home value. Before doing any major kitchen remodeling, consult with a real estate agent about what potential buyers are looking for in a kitchen. This discussion will help guide the renovation. The following tips, contributed by different real estate agents, are where you can get the most bang for your buck. Tip #1: Open Up Space If you are doing a total kitchen renovation, make sure to leave enough space between cabinets, islands, and peninsulas. When installing your granite countertop, tell your kitchen contractors you want at least 36-inch walkways between each stationary item. If there is room, it would be best to have at least 42-inch walkways for a single cook and 48-inch walkways for a two-cook kitchen. Any new owner will appreciate this extra space. Tip #2: Provide Accessibility When implementing a kitchen remodeling, make sure to place the stove out of high traffic areas. This idea will help prevent injuries to children from hot items on the stove. It will also keep kitchen visitors out of the way of the cook. When installing your new appliances, two microwaves can help provide accessibility to everyone. You should install one microwave 15 inches above your granite countertop making it easy for any adult to use it. The second microwave should be placed below the countertop making it easy for a child to access it. It is also wise to put a mini refrigerator at the edge of the cooking area. In this fridge, place food for children like snacks and drinks, so the child can serve his or herself when the cook is busy. It will also keep the child out of the way of the cook. Your cabinets can increase home value. If you plan to replace the cabinets, make sure to plan the placement carefully. If you put a cupboard into a corner, the door will not open all of the way because the wall will stop it. This lack of space can cause frustration when trying to store large items. It is also helpful to make all of the cabinet doors open in the same direction to avoid a similar issue with the doors banging together. Another design idea is to have two different counter heights available in the kitchen. This variation will make it easy for children to help in the kitchen. It will also provide a space for children to eat or play without having to stand or kneel on a chair and without making a mess. This different countertop height will also make baking easy. A total renovation will allow you to expand the space in your kitchen. Larger, roomier kitchens are a major attraction to the potential buyer. This expansion can happen by knocking down a wall. Knocking a wall down does not provide more room, but it will make the kitchen seem larger because of the open space. Tip #3: Add Convenience to the Kitchen Remodeling It is simple to install under the cabinet lights, and it will provide extra lighting making it easier to work on the granite countertop. When purchasing cabinets, you should add a recycling bin, a pull-out pantry, and extra drawers to also add convenience for the possible new owner. A message board with a chalkboard or a cork board will add a unique area to your renovated kitchen making it family friendly. Enough countertop space is a necessity. Make sure to include at least 15 inches of countertop on both sides of the stove. This area will be helpful when preparing dinner. A drawer in one of the cabinets near the stove allows pot holders to be stored close to the oven. It would also be convenient to have countertop space next to both the microwaves and refrigerators. Homeowners who cook frequently will appreciate extra counter space between the stove and the sink, also. The area around the stove top and oven should be planned wisely. It should include a place for a variety of spices to be stored. It would also be convenient to have a place for pots and pans which could include a hanging area or shelves. S hooks or pegs would be useful in keeping utensils organized and close at hand. An incredible convenience is to install a swing-out tap or long hose attachment to the sink. These accessories will make filling a pot on the stove a breeze. It will also prevent the need to carry heavy pans filled with water from the sink to the stove. It will also make cleaning the floors stress-free. Another unbelievable convenience is to create the perfect knife drawer. You can purchase an insert that will cover and sharpen the edges of a knife when it is stored. The insert can be placed directly into an empty drawer and will keep the knives out of the reach of any children. It will also help organize your knives, making it stress-free to find the correct one. When remodeling your kitchen, extra plug-ins can be a game changer. Add multiple plug-ins to the backsplash to allow the countertop appliances to be placed anywhere on the counter. Various plug-ins set on the island or peninsulas allow for better access to electricity while cooking. Tip #4: Add These Features One of the most impressive kitchens is a chef’s kitchens. This kitchen has gas stoves, a double oven, and a variety of cooking modes on both. The chef’s kitchen can include modern form and function while still keeping to the original style of the house. Some realtors suggest adding the following to any newly remodeled kitchen along with a chef’s kitchen: • Glass doors • Display Shelving • Wine Storage • Windows • Flush-set sinks • Under mount sinks • Glass Refrigerator • Stainless steel range • Stainless refrigerators • Stainless cooktops • Stainless dishwasher • Granite Countertop Tip #5 Avoid These Features When starting the remodel for your kitchen, make sure to consider what will appeal to the masses. Your taste may not appeal to everyone. The following features cost a lot and may take value away from your home: • Splashy tiles or backsplashes • Fancy tiles • Busy countertops • Statement light fixtures • Pizza Oven • Built-in coffee maker • Hibachi Grill • Washer or dryer in the kitchen • Latest trends • Extremely carved molding The tips above are just suggestions. It is possible to incorporate some or all of the suggestions in your kitchen remodel. The best recommendations will come from your real estate agent because he or she will be the expert about what a potential owner will want in a kitchen remodeling project. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • 5 Pollutants You Didn’t Know Existed in Your Tap Water

    Pollutants Water. You wake up in the middle of the night and wander into the kitchen for a drink of water. Like most people, you give no thought to the water coming out of the tap or white might be hiding in it. The fact is your community’s water is probably supplied, at least in part, by streams, lakes and reservoirs that are open to the air or by groundwater that is susceptible to contamination from many sources. Here are a few things that you might not have known were in your last glass of water. Hard Metals Metals like magnesium and calcium can be dissolved in your water to give it that “hardness” that leaves stains on clothing and the kitchen and bath fixtures in your home. If it is left unchecked it can damage the waterlines and lead to flooding, mold and mildew damage. Human and Animal Waste This can be a problem for people that live in rural communities where farm runoff can get into the groundwater. The waste particulates can become suspended in the water and cause health problems for your family. Heavy Metals These differ from hard metals in that they can poison you and your family. Lead, arsenic and cadmium, among others, can get into your water by leaching from the surrounding rocks and soil and from old plumbing. Lead in particular was used for home plumbing through the mid-20th century. If your home has lead plumbing you need to have it replaced immediately. Dissolved Gasses Methane, radon and chlorine are the most common offenders, but oxygen and nitrogen can also cause health problems if dissolved in your water. These gasses can also pollute the soil and damage plants that you are watering. Microorganisms Bacteria, algae and several forms of virus head the list for this type of pollution. They can cause a variety of ailments including gastroenteritis and dysentery. E-coli bacteria is often found in water supplies, as are cholera and giardia. The most common method of combating this is filtering using a devise with microscopic pores. These are only a few of the things that can exist in your water. The best way to combat these and other pollutants is to have a water purification system, offered by companies like Anderson Water Systems, installed in your home. These companies will test your water to determine the perfect method to clear everything potentially harmful from your water. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Glow in the Dark Paving

    Glow Paving. I was recently sent an email about Bonita Stone so I took a look at their website and I was immediately captivated by their Glowpave pavers. As you can see from the picture on the left and in more detail below, these pavers glow in the dark like something out of the movie Avatar. I wanted to know more about Glowpave, so I sent them some questions and company Director Scott Petricevich was kind enough to send back the answers below. But first, take a look at this image which shows how the look when installed during both the day time and in the evening to get a complete picture of how they look: Here are the questions I put to Scott along with his answers: Your Glowpave range of pavers are quite striking, how did your company come up with the idea? As a company we are always trying to evolve and thought having a pavers that light up at night would be a good safety idea. How do you achieve the ‘glow in the dark effect’, are you using a phosphor additive or is it achieved in some other way? We use a luminous stone. What is the expected life of the glow in the dark effect? We have been manufacturing the glow stone now for 6 years and all is still good with the glow. The glow lasts approximately 6 hours per night. It seems to me that they would appeal to homeowners with a particular taste or style, have you noticed any patterns in the types of people who buy them? We have made sales to all walks of life with the glow stone and they have been well received. Can you tell me what the most unusual or distinctive application they have been used in? We only use them in our exposed aggregate pavers and bullnose. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Outdoor Radiant Heaters

    Last month I wrote a piece called Outdoor Entertaining During Winter in which I mentioned outdoor radiant heaters as being a good option for keeping your guests warm. The article featured a picture of Heatstrip heaters on the patio ceiling, so I thought I’d go into a little more detail to explain what these types of heaters are. With indoor HVAC systems you will often have convection heaters such as radiators, or systems which work by forcing warm air throughout the home, however these techniques don’t work in an outdoor setting because the warm air quickly dissipates, and this is where outdoor radiant heaters come into play. Radiant heaters work by radiating large amounts of heat directly on to all objects and people nearby, heating them up without too much warmth being lost by air currents carrying the heat away. This is what makes radiant heaters the best choice for outdoor use. Gas vs Electric Radiant Heaters Portable patio heaters, like the one pictured right from Home Depot, are usually powered by bottled gas. This makes them highly portable and easy to position anywhere you need them, but the drawback is that bottled gas is usually a bit more expensive than using electricity.The first choice you have to make is whether you want to use gas or electric powered heaters. It is possible to get electric powered portable versions, but you might not want to have power extension cords lying about your yard when you’re hosting an outdoor gathering if they will present a tripping hazard. If you’re going to have your outdoor heaters permanently installed, whether it be on posts or in your patio ceiling, then you’ll save on your energy costs by using electric powered heaters over gas bottle powered ones. Electric powered heaters will also be more eco friendly if you have a relatively clean source for your electricity as many electric companies will now let you buy power generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric. Fixed vs Portable If you have a covered patio, like the one in the picture at the top, then in my opinion you’re best going with permanently installed fixtures. The electrician will wire them into your home’s electricity supply when installing them and you’ll never have to worry about getting gas refills – the warmth will always be there when you need it at the flick of a switch. If your patio or deck isn’t covered then you still might have the opportunity to use them by mounting them on a wall or on posts. On the other hand, if you don’t have a specific area for entertaining such as a patio or deck, then you will be better off with the portable option so you can place them wherever you’re spending time outside on any particular occasion. If you’re renting then the portable variety is the clear choice so you can take it with you when you move. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Make More of Natural Light in Your Home And Be Happier

    Natural Light in Your Home. In general I would say that having more light in your home makes for a happier home, particularly if you work from home like I do. It is known that sunlight plays a role in moderating melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D which again plays a role in maintaining serotonin levels – all this is connected to mood. One simple solution for dark rooms or hallways is to go out and get more electric lighting, but that should be a last resort because it leads to more energy consumption and puts more pressure on the environment unless you have solar panels and are electrically self-sufficient which isn’t the case for most people. So in light of that (pun intended), here are a few tips for brightening up your home broken down into two sections: More Light With Renovating More Light Without Renovating More Light With Renovating In this section I’m going to talk about a range of projects from the very simple, such as a coat of paint, to the more complex such as installing skylights, and a few other ideas in between. Making surfaces more reflective Although mirrors are the obvious tool for increasing the amount of light in a space, they’re not the only reflective surfaces you can have. By painting your walls light colors you will increase the amount of reflected light. And don’t forget about the other major surface – your floors. Polished hardwood floors and bright tiles can also contribute substantially to the amount of reflected light. If carpet is your thing, then choose a light color. New doors & windows If you have solid exterior doors consider replacing them with ones which contain a window. You can have bars or a security grill over it to maintain security, and best of all door replacement is one of the few remodeling projects that can easily turn a profit. If you really want to open up and let light in then consider the larger project of knocking a big hole in your back wall to install sliding glass doors leading out to your back yard, deck, or patio. Similarly, if you have small windows in a space you want to bring more light into then consider replacing them with larger windows. Install skylights For example you can get tubular systems which can reflect light through a curved tube so that the light taken in doesn’t have to be immediately above the light outlet in your ceiling. And you don’t have to have a big gap in your ceiling going all the way up to the roof as my childhood house had, the light outlet can be installed in the ceiling to look just like a regular recessed light.When you don’t have the option of bringing in light from windows and doors, particularly in the middle of your home, then skylights are the way to go. The technology behind them has improved considerably over the years and while you can still get the old traditional ones there are much more advanced options available today. The diagram on the right from C illustrates the concept well, in fact some systems utilizing fiber optics can channel the light over much larger distances quite efficiently. More Light Without Renovating There may be many reasons why undertaking a major renovation project doesn’t suit your circumstances such as when you’re renting, you don’t have the funds or the time, or in some cases because you live in a building where it’s either too difficult to get approval or you are simply not allowed such as in apartments or heritage listed buildings. C This one comes down to simple physics. The more photons that are reflected, the fewer are absorbed by a particular surface and therefore will be concentrated onto other surfaces where they will be absorbed and reflected. Basically, they light up other things in the room to a greater extent. Mirrors also have the psychological effect of making a space look bigger. Careful use of furniture You’re obviously not going to place a huge bookshelf in front of a window, but you might not have considered how placing one immediately beside a window can cut down on light because the sides of any furniture beside a window will absorb some light, and reflect some light back outside. So keep tall furniture away from the sides of windows where possible.The same applies to placing large pieces of dark furniture immediately below a window – avoid placing large dark sofas beneath a window as it will block too much precious light from coming in. Careful use of curtains In general go for lighter colored furniture, arrange it carefully, and it will reflect more light and have a similar effect to mirrors. At my previous house, I had two layers of curtains (similar to the picture on the right) – regular ones plus an additional layer of sheer curtains closest to the windows. The benefit of sheer curtains is that you can leave these closed to let in some light while maintaining privacy. Consider whether or not you really need that privacy or if you’d benefit more from the additional light by opening both layers of curtains – particularly during winter or overcast days. So let the light shine in, save money on your electric bills, and be happier! Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Tips to Avoid Outdated Home Improvement

    Outdated Home Improvement. Let’s face it, no matter how much you would like your home to look like it is worth a million bucks, the sad reality is you most likely live on a budget. This being said though does not exempt you from being able to create an aesthetically beautiful home. It seems too foolish to mention home improvement and be able to confidently say that you expertly know what to do. Honestly there are a lot of considerable ways to be able to recreate a wonderful home but you have to make sure to follow a path of creativity and at least have a pair of (or more) helpful hands ready to work with you. Stick With the Basics If you are unsure of what particular patterns and color combinations look good together go for furniture that are plain and have one general color. Keep the decorations and designs to a minimum and work your way to more detail once bigger pieces are set in place.There are a good number of people who tend to become overwhelmed with the idea of home improvement, so much so that they think the more design elements they work with the better looking their home turns out. Truth be told, the exact opposite which is to keep things simple, is what you really need to work with first. Splash a Bit of Color If there is one thing that is under rated when it comes to home improvement it would have to be adding in lively colors but make sure never to go overboard. Start things out as simple as you can through painting a particular color to the walls of your bedroom, choosing an accentuated color of throw pillow covers for your living room or placing a fun colored tablecloth on your dining table. Remember that colors are there to make a room in your home come alive and look extra special, so avoid having just one color for everything inside the room. At the same time avoid having way too many colors popping out from every direction of the room after all you would not want to live like you were stuck inside a rainbow. Learn to Redesign As you go through home improvement, surely you would have your own point of view and style to consider, however it is best to learn a tip or two before starting out. Common personal mistakes reveal that those who redesign their homes based on just what they find appealing to them tend to end up with a home that looks like an unfinished classroom project. Take the time to get a handful of inspiration from design magazines or the Internet and work your way to seeing what makes these particular designs stand out. Ask the point of view of others too if you find it difficult to select what particular designs look great together as for sure they can help prevent your home improvements from turning appalling. Stay Away From Too Much Detail Whether it is bizarre prints and patterns, way too many ruffles or feathers or even a ton of gold embellishes, steer clear of going overboard with way too many details unless you are aiming for a house from the past. Be reminded that home improvements are meant to turn your home to better quality and not the other way around. Before braving through adding details to your home décor, establish a well planned and distinct design that work well together, for each of your living spaces. Also be certain that you are working on designs that are current and updated as it ensures that the additional details you will be adding to the furniture and fixtures are also up to date. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • 10 Tips to Simplify the Big Move

    Moving industry insiders have a secret they don’t want you to know. It’s called the “full-service move hack.” It’s a way for you to afford whatever help you need to make your move easy – yes, easy. And you don’t even have to hire one of those really expensive full-service moving companies. While they do everything short of carrying you out on a couch, that means they’ll be charging an arm + a leg + rights to your future first born child. Since you most likely want to keep your baby and some of your money, here’s how to hack your move so even though you’re “moving yourself” you don’t lift a thing – and, most importantly, you’re still keeping costs down: 1. Go hybrid. It’s not what you think. Going hybrid means combining elements of DIY moving with the benefits of hiring professional movers. You gather your friends and family, who are willing to pitch in (DIY), and then hire moving labor just to do the heavy lifting (movers). Thanks to the beauty of the world-wide-web, you can now find and book move help online through a number of moving labor marketplaces. When the moving crew you hire arrives you can assign them to pack and load everything or just have them load the heavy stuff. 2. Pack yourself. Sure, you can hire the professionals to put all your worldly belongings in boxes, but you are charged by the hour and that’s probably the longest task in the moving process. Instead, get family and friends to help you to do that. Have the professionals load and unload the boxes and furniture onto the truck or portable storage unit (you know, those PODS containers you see sitting in driveways around town. We’ll get to those). Besides, packing yourself will allow you to pack everything by room, so unpacking will be easier for you. 3. Pay someone for the delicate stuff. While you should pack almost everything yourself, you should consider hiring professionals to pack up delicate or difficult-to-move items, such as a piano, family heirlooms, or fine art. 4. Play truck driver…or not. Price out your options for moving truck rentals that will allow you to carry your entire life from one destination to another. You’re not limited to U-Haul, by the way. There are others, including Penske, Budget, Ryder, and Enterprise. If driving one of these big boys sounds like torture, you might consider portable storage units (also called portable moving containers) or professional transportation. Companies, such as PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT will pick up your packed storage containers and transport them for you. And the likes of ABF UPack and Estes SureMove have professional drivers, who carry your load with other customers on their semi trailers and make deliveries along a specified route. Remember, these guys don’t offer any moving labor help, so you’ll still need someone for that. 5. Stick to a schedule. Many of the additional costs surface because people take too long to load trucks or keep professional movers waiting. If you’ve hired professionals to pack the truck, make sure you have the boxes ready to be loaded when the movers arrive. Be ready to move – literally and figuratively – as soon as the clock starts ticking on your time with the rental truck, professional transportation, or portable storage units. If you stick with the schedule that you’ve agreed to with the rental services, you won’t end up paying extra. Everything will run more smoothly, too. 6. Learn the law. Every city has its own rules and regulations about parking big trucks and storage containers. For example, Chicago and New York are notorious for their restrictions on dropping of portable storage containers on city streets – which means you may need to also rent a truck to shuttle your stuff from the container delivery headquarters to your new apartment. Find out the policies both where you live and where you are moving. Follow the rules, or risk, at worst, paying fines and, at best, being inconvenienced on moving day. 7. Shop wisely for supplies. Rental truck companies and other movers often offer the chance to buy boxes and other materials. You can save money by shopping around and looking for sales at office supply stores. Some stuff, such as packing tape, is often available at your local dollar store. What you might want to do is rent loading carts and furniture pads from the truck or moving container rental company. 8. Avoid supermarket boxes. Free boxes sound like a good deal, and lots of people source their supermarket for them. But boxes that have carried food can be ripe with mold, mildew, and bugs. And you don’t want any of that getting into your stuff or your new place. Rather, visit your local liquor store, book store, and/or coffee shop for free boxes. 9. Don’t forget the T.P. Be sure to keep toilet paper on hand and in an easy-to-access place. Chances are someone will have to relieve him or herself before you take off or when you arrive at your new place. 10. Feed the help. You’re saving hundreds, if not thousands, on the cost of your move by making a hybrid move, the least you can do is offer beverages and pizza to friends and family who are giving up their precious time to help you move. Besides, food and drink makes it seem more like a party and less like a job. Moving to your new home, new job, or new life is exciting. It shouldn’t be stressful or expensive. Now you know how to hack your move to keep it cheap, without moving it all yourself. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • How To Recover From A Bathroom Design Disaster

    Whether it’s a shady contractor, an accidental hole in the wall or even a shocking shade of pink – a design disaster can (and probably will) affect us all. And a design disaster in the bathroom can mean serious trouble. Renovating a bathroom or kitchen are two of the most costly projects in the home so if it all goes wrong, you’ll need an escape plan. And quickly. Problem 1: You don’t like something once it’s in place If you’ve budgeted carefully then you may have enough money left over to purchase something else more to your taste. Obviously, this isn’t ideal but if you feel like you hate it so much that you absolutely, positively can’t live with it – it may be your only choice. It’s better to do it now than at a later stage. Due to the large costs involved in fittings and furniture and if like, most, you don’t have enough spare cash to get something else then you will have to finish the job. If it’s the colour you dislike then paint the wall in a shade closely related to the tones of the furniture to compliment the look and add colourful accessories or introduce a feature colour to brighten it up. There are plenty of virtual colour painters online where you can upload a snap of your bathroom and choose the most appropriate colour to go with it. It’s not perfect but it could give you some ideas of how to liven the room up. Consider painting the walls or your vanity to match with the rest of the room. Experiment with some fresh patterned tile to lived it up. If you’re feeling extra brave, then why not consider a weekend DIY project and upcycle or purchase a second-hand dresser and transform into a custom-made vanity. Play with the accessories in the room to create a focal point elsewhere. Look closely at your light fittings and fixtures, your mirror and your towels. Install a few sconces, frame your mirror, add some artwork and pick some really funky towels and shower curtain to match. By playing around with the little things – it should, at least, make the room feel a little bit more of your own. How to Avoid Try to stick to neutral shades and colours when planning your bathroom renovation. Don’t go for anything too wacky – you might really want a toilet that doubles up as a sink – but when it comes to selling your home, funky gadgets and colours aren’t to everyone’s taste so it will mean more expenditure for a buyer and ultimately, a lower price for you. Don’t buy products without seeing them in person. It could mean the difference between a perfect bathroom renovation and a design disaster. Problem 2: You find mould The bathroom renovator’s worst nightmare. Mould. If It’s a small area of mould (less than three patches, each smaller than a metre each) you should be able to tackle it yourself. Grab your goggles and a dust mask and get to work. Clean and disinfect the area thoroughly – but don’t use bleach! Get rid of any materials which have mould damage, unfortunately these will have to be replaced. Once the area is clean and dry ensure that the cause of the mould i.e. a leaky pipe has also been addressed to prevent the problem reoccurring. For larger mould patches, you will have to call someone out. You could call a floor contractor to repair water damaged floors, then contact a builder to repair the interior walls and then get a plumber to solve any leaks but this could mean waiting around for a long time for each stage of the work to be completed. Alternatively, call a bathroom remodelling expert or an environmental consultant to assess what you need to do next. Remember, mould damage can really harm the value of your home and some types of mould are highly toxic so don’t ignore it. There’s no quick fix for this one, regrettably. How to Avoid Inspect the bathroom thoroughly before undertaking a bathroom redesign. Check the shower, bath, toilet and vanity. Feel around for any soft or moist patches. Check for water stains. Use a flashlight to help you look closer and if you do find spots of moisture, then call in an expert to do further tests. They can check for mould, even when it is unclear if you have it, using specialist devices. Take precautions after the mould has been removed. Ensure your bathroom is well ventilated and invest in a fan. When cleaning, clean your bathroom with mould-killing products. Check your home insurance as some insurance companies will cover mould under certain circumstances. Problem 3: You hired a shady contractor If you’ve had some shoddy work done to your bathroom or your contractor has run off altogether, go to the police in the first instance. Give them as much information as possible as the poor work constitutes fraud so they could be subject to a legal case. Next complain to Trading Standards or the Better Business Bureau and finally, you can try to take the cowboy builder to court in a small claims case. Be aware though, as this may take up a lot of time and depending on the amount of the claim – can cost a lot too. How to Avoid Don’t scrimp on workmanship. You can’t make a bad tradesman do a good job but in some instances, you can ensure cheap materials are made to look expensive through the work of a good contractor. If it seems too good to be true (in terms of cost) – it usually is. Shop around, get a minimum of three quotes on the work you require doing. Get recommendations from friends and work colleagues on who they have hired previously – what’s better than a word of mouth recommendation?! Do they have references? Do they have an office and a landline phone number as opposed to a van and a mobile phone? Be really sceptical of cash-in-hand jobs and ensure they give you written estimates for the cost and time frame of each stage of work. Make sure you receive a remodelling contract and ensure you read it carefully. Address them with any discrepancies or things you are unsure of. And finally… Make sure you plan each stage of your bathroom remodel carefully. Don’t try to rush any work. Expect that it will take a long time for your bathroom to be the superstar bathroom you desire. Budget more than you need to allow for anything to go wrong. Don’t attempt to do any plumbing or difficult tasks yourself. Save money by painting and undertaking cosmetic tasks. Stick to mid-range fixtures and fittings – don’t cut corners in the wrong places. Remember, if you’ve had a bathroom design disaster – it’s not the end of the world. Read up before you undertake any work and be sure to check out my list of common bathroom design mistakes so you are well equipped to have a smooth and painless bathroom remodel. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • 13 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Residential Lot

    13 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Residential Lot #1: Don’t Build on Fill: Your foundation needs to rest on solid, undisturbed ground. It can take hundreds of years for ground to settle. Sometimes, a steep ravine may have been filled in and/or the land may have previously been a dump. If you cannot dig down far enough to rest the footings on solid and undisturbed ground, then you run the risk of having the ground settle after you home is built. This can cause severe wall cracks or structural failures. A shifting foundation can also cause doors and windows to stick. Avoid building on top of fill dirt. If you need to build on fill, use compacted gravel for fill rather than dirt. Compacted gravel will settle less than dirt. It may be possible to build on soft ground if you take extra precautions such as grade beams to make sure your foundation footings are supported by solid ground. If you fail to do this then you may experience major problems that will be very expensive to correct. Foundation problems may not show up for several years (long after the builder’s warranty has expired). #2: Don’t Build on Bedrock: If the land has bedrock close to the surface of the soil it can be expensive to dig a hole for a basement. If this may be a concern, look at nearby foundations to determine how far down the bedrock is or ask neighbours who have already built if they had problems with stone. You can also dig a few test holes to see if shallow bedrock will interfere with construction. Modern equipment has made it easier to dig through bedrock so this might not be as big of concern if the proper equipment is available in your area. In some areas bedrock is not stable because of expansive soil. The term “heaving bedrock” means that the bedrock may shift and move and this type of soil is more difficult to build on. #3: Avoid Clay: The type of soil found on a site can also affect it’s suitability for construction. The soil will also affect how well you can grow trees and plants on the property. It’s best to avoid building on clay. If you do build in clay, you may need stronger and larger footings to prevent foundation cracks. Clay soil can make it difficult to have a dry basement. Also clay soil can make it harder to grow things. It’s a good idea to look at the street and surrounding buildings in the area you are thinking about building. If the street is cracking or sinking or other buildings have cracked walls then this could indicate the soil is unstable. Some types of clay will shrink when dry and expand when it’s wet. This type of ground is called expansive soil. Expansive soil can be found in most parts of Canada. Extra care must be taken when building on expansive soil because there is greater risk to foundation damage. #4: Make Sure You Ask For a Survey? A survey will show you where the actual boundaries of your property are. A survey can also point out possible problems with the land (you encroaching on your neighbour’s property, or the other way around). Land usually has stakes or markers showing where the property boundaries are. However these markers are sometimes incorrect because they were moved or improperly placed. A survey will give you an accurate idea of your property’s boundaries. Before spending money on a survey, you may want to ask the landowner if they have a survey. If a certified surveyor has already done a survey then it may suit your needs. If they don’t have a survey it may be reasonable to request they pay for a survey. After all, how can you pay for a land to build your custom home, if you don’t know what you are buying? #5: Make Sure You Have a Builder Look at the Lot Before You Buy… Your builder can give you a good idea if the lot is suitable for the type of home you want. In particular, a builder can tell you if much fill dirt will be needed or if there may be drainage problems with the land. He will assist you with building your custom home. #6: Perc Test – Why is it So Important? A Percolation Test test involves digging a hole and filling it with water. This is done to determine how well water drains through the soil. If you need a septic tank, a perc test can tell you how suitable the soil is for this purpose. If the ground isn’t suitable for a septic tank you may need to dig up the septic filed area and replace the ground. This will add thousands to building the septic system. #7: What is Useable Area and How Much is Enough? When evaluating a piece of land look at its’ useable area. If you have a 5-acre lot but it only has 1/2 an acre that is useable (due to drainage, topography, etc.) then the value of the lot may be similar to what a 1/2-acre lot sells for. Don’t overpay for a larger lot. Look at how useable the land is when determining a price. #8 Developed Land vs Undeveloped… When looking at land, also consider how much development is needed to make the land suitable to build on. Developed land usually costs more than undeveloped land. A land developer typically adds things such as streets, city sewer, street sewers, city water, streetlights, phone lines, and electric lines. You may be able to buy undeveloped land at a lower cost, but after developing the land it may end up costing more than what it would have cost to buy land that was already developed. #9: Watch Out For Water Tables… It is common to have underground water. It’s a good idea to dig a test pit to see if the underground water will interfere with having a basement. The water table (the depth of underground water) varies during different times of the year and the water table is usually highest during the springtime. For this reason, it is best to do any testing of the water level in the spring. The water table can determine the type of foundation you use. You might not be able to have a basement if your site has a high water table. #10: Slope Is Only Good For Skiing… If the land slopes, try to determine how big of a height difference occurs in the land from one side of the home to the other side. If the slope is right, the lot may be ideal for a walkout basement. If the slope is too drastic, you may have to haul in a lot of fill and do extensive grading (which can get expensive). A slope can be deceiving – sometimes a gentle slope may actually be too much of a slope; especially if you have a wide house or want to build your home far away from the street. You can use string, stakes, and a level to help you determine the elevation change of a slope. A more accurate way to measure slopes is to use an optical level and transit. The tools to use are tripods and viewfinders to measure slopes and you can usually rent them from a local rental shop. It is best to have a spot to build on that is higher than surrounding parts of the lot. If you build on a lower spot then water is more likely to drain towards the home. If building on a slope you should make sure the ground is stable. If the ground is less stable additional work and expense may be needed to better anchor the home to the ground. If the lot’s slope will affect your driveway then it may be more difficult to use the driveway when it has snow or ice on it. Also a driveway that has a quick change in its slope can cause the car bottom to drag on the pavement. When building up slopes, use fill dirt rather than topsoil. Topsoil should only be the last level. Topsoil is more likely to erode or wash away than fill dirt. #11: Wooded Lots – Does a Tree Make a Sound? Wooded lots with nice trees can increase the value of your property. It will also increase the construction costs because you will need to clear away some trees before you start building. A lot with brush or unattractive trees may be worth less than a lot with no trees (because of the cost of removing the brush). When looking at a wooded lot, try to visualize where the home, driveways, septic tank, pool, and anything else will be. If the lot slopes, determine where grading and fill dirt will be needed (you will probably lose trees in those areas). Some trees may need to be removed to allow large equipment to access your property when building the home. #12: Utility Hookups – Surprise … Surprise… If you are thinking about buying land before utilities have been run to the land, be sure you know where the utilities are going to be placed. If you don’t know this, you might be in for some surprises. For example, a fire hydrant might be put in the place you were planning to run your driveway, or you might have an unattractive electric box or pole in front of your home. Utilities can also impact the grade of your lot. The cost of your utility hook-ups is directly proportional to the length of your driveway. #13: House Plans Suitable for Lot or Lot Suitable to House Plans? Before buying a lot, you may want to see if you can find a house plan that is suitable for the lot. First determine the amount of buildable area you have on the lot. Keep in mind that setbacks and easements will reduce the amount of space that you can use when building a home. Make sure the lot has the characteristics suitable to the type of home you want to build. For example if you want a side garage or L-shaped garage then you will probably need a wider lot or a corner lot. Ranch style homes need a larger lot than a 2 story home. Try to make the house fit the lot rather than changing the lot to fit the house. It can be very expensive to modify a lot if it is not suitable for the type of home you want to build. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Five Tools Every DIYer Would Love for Christmas

    Finding the perfect Christmas gift is always a struggle, but speaking from my personal experience and humble opinion, you can’t go wrong with giving tools! Even if your special recipient seems to have everything, there is always something that his/her electrical tool kit is missing, or might need replacing or upgrading ….. Sandy …. just sayin’! Here is my list of the top five tools that every DIY electrician should have.  If you are still scratching your head trying to find just the right present for that special someone, I have scoured the Amazon website for you to find some great buys! Digital Multi-Meter A digital multi-meter or at the very least, a good quality voltage tester or plug tester.  This is a must have for everything from simply checking for the presence of power to continuity testing, troubleshooting problems, and checking to see how much current is flowing.  However, if all you only want to know is if there is voltage present or not, a decent non-contact tester will do the trick.  Screwdrivers Second on the list is a good set of screwdrivers. You can never have too many screwdrivers on hand, but if you are working with electrical wiring and devices, they should be the right tool for the job. If you want to build a set one or two drivers at a time and you like to have top quality tools, the choice of most electricians would be Klein Tools Screwdrivers. They are more expensive, and do come in sets and will be cheaper per unit by the set. However, if you just need a decent set to get your projects started, here is a good 7-piece set from Titan Tools.  Wire Stripping Tool Number three on my list of “must have” electrical tools is a wire stripping tool. Don’t scrimp here; get a quality set, and again, Klein leads the way for the choice of most professional electricians. A cheap choice in stripping tools will cost you more in the long run with the aggravation caused by a low quality set.  Linesman or Bullnose Pliers Next on the Christmas list, a good set of Linesman Pliers, or bull-nose pliers. Make certain you get them with a minimum of 8” handles, and 9” is better. They should have a wire cutter in the jaw, and a bonus if they include a crimping jaw as well. Klein leads the way, but if you find a good quality set for cheaper, you can get away with it if you’re not going to be using them every day. Just make sure you test them out.  You don’t want any loose play in the hinge joint, but you also don’t want them so tight that it’s hard to open and close with one hand. Here’s a decent affordable pair from Stanley, a quality name in tools as well, and at a good price!  Cordless Drill While the full list of necessary electrical tools is a long one, I’ve only covered five of the important tools for the DIY guy or gal on your Christmas shopping list, and coming in at #5, it’s a last, but not least situation here. A good cordless drill/driver is one of the most used tools in my kit. I’ve used Dewalt for many years, but recently I have started building up from one full set to three sets of tools. I can’t be hauling tools from Canada to Arizona, and now to Costa Rica, so I’ve left my best set in Arizona, chose a cheaper alternative for Costa Rica (I hope to spend more time on the beach there than I do working with tools!), and a mid-range set for my time in Canada.  For Costa Rica I went with Black & Decker, a 20V drill/driver that flew down with me. For my Canadian tool kit, I went with a kit that included a skill saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight and drill/driver, and I chose Ryobi.  What I liked about that is the multiple tools available that all use the same battery.  I’ve noticed a quality difference between Ryobi and Dewalt of course, but the cost difference tipped the scale for me given that I have had to triple my tool ownership!  This set makes a great gift for your DIYer on your list. If you want top quality, you can’t go wrong going with one of the industry leaders in cordless tools, DeWalt. Here’s a perfectly good drill/driver at a great price. Of course you can add on to your cordless tools using this as a start, or jump right in with a combo kit as well.  Happy shopping! DISCLOSURE:  I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link.  I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands. Plus, when you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you lots of free stuff.   Thank you in advance for your support! Terry Peterman, The Internet Electrician The post Five Tools Every DIYer Would Love for Christmas appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Understanding an Open or Loaded Neutral

    What is a loaded neutral, and why did I get a shock from it?   Is it just one of those electrical mysteries, or is there a simple explanation for this situation?  Read on to hear about a situation that I experienced recently in which a friend encountered an open or loaded neutral while doing some DIY wiring and needed some help understanding what caused the situation. Every once in a while, situations arise that don’t follow the normal set of rules when working with electricity. In my experience over the last 35 years, there is only one mystery that to my knowledge has never been solved. When working in the oil industry back in Alberta Canada, we had a situation where a high voltage breaker feeding a large electric motor would randomly trip. Literally thousands of dollars were spent by Shell Canada to try and solve this mystery.  We swapped the motors, swapped the breakers with the redundant back-up motor, and finally pulled in new conductors through thousands of feet of conduit, all to no avail.  That particular breaker continued this mysterious behavior and they finally just accepted it, and dealt with these random disruptions. Was (is?) it a ghost ……..? Aside from this little mystery, most electrical anomalies have an explanation. One day I received a call from a friend who was puzzled as to why his light fixture wasn’t working despite the fact that he had 120 volts showing on his meter when he took a reading from the hot wire to ground. Although not an electrician himself, he is a “jack of all trades”, and makes his living as a handyman. He is no stranger to renovations, and when he works on his own home, he does his own wiring under a home owner’s permit. Such was the case here. With my telephone assistance I had him do a few troubleshooting tests with his meter. The situation was this. He had 120 volts on both sides of a switch (turned on) feeding a light fixture, but the light wasn’t working. He had taken off the wire nut for the neutral wires as part of his testing, and that’s when, to his surprise, he got a shock from the neutral! How can this be? A neutral is the grounded conductor? So he tested with his meter, and sure enough, 120 volts to ground!  That’s when I knew he was dealing with an open or loaded neutral. When someone contacts me with an electrical problem, one of the first questions I like to ask is “What were you doing/working on when this problem started”. With Rob, I found out that he was adding some devices to this circuit, and in another junction box he had taken apart the splices. I asked if the neutral (white) wires were disconnected, and I got the answer I was looking for to solve this mystery. Yes, the wires were apart! Without a continuous path back to the panel, and the neutral buss bar, the voltage has no place to go to complete the circuit.  The hot (black wires) were still connected and the breaker was back on, but without the neutral path the light won’t work, and the neutral ahead of that open splice will have power on it, the same as the hot wire. With the switch on, the power travels through the load (in this case, a light bulb filament), and back on the neutral, but no connection to the grounded buss bar, and that is how you get a shock from a neutral! Here’s a diagram to help you understand the situation, and why it happens. This is a line diagram to simplify this further. In a normal situation with the neutral path intact, you would have 120 volts measured from across the light bulb or the receptacle.  In this case, both sides of the light (hot and neutral) are the same, thus no potential difference (voltage), and the bulb does not light up. But you do if you are grounded and then touch the white wire! Another mystery solved, and a lesson learned! If you are working on an electrical circuit, make certain the power is off! Check, and double-check that all the components of the circuit are back in place, devices and plates installed, splices made, and junction box cover back on! Check out my YouTube video where I discuss and demonstrate this exact situation described here. While you’re there, “like”, “share”, and subscribe to my channel! If you want to understand more about your home’s electrical system, the best tool you can add to your toolkit is “The Basics of Household Wiring” DVD or e-book.  This is 83 minutes of the best home electrical educational tool available anywhere, and can be purchased through our website.  This exceptional instructional aid covers most home wiring projects and would be a tremendous addition to anyone’s toolbox.  This DVD will help you do it right, do it safely AND save money. Have questions about this or any other electrical project?  Ask below, or you can comment on the video at my YouTube channel or on my Facebook Page. Terry Peterman, the Internet Electrician® The post Understanding an Open or Loaded Neutral appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • How to Reset a Tripped Breaker

    A tripped breaker – is there anything more frustrating?  Knowing what causes the situation and how to reset a tripped breaker is an invaluable skill – especially if you find yourself plunged into darkness as a result! In the following short video, I show you exactly what a standard, 15Amp single-pole breaker looks like when it is in a tripped condition, and how to properly reset it. What Causes a Tripped Breaker? A standard breaker will trip in one of two situations.  One is an overload condition, which is a condition where the flow of current exceeds the rating of the breaker for short period of time, and second cause is a short circuit condition, where the flow of current spikes rapidly to tens of thousands of amps immediately, and the breaker trips almost instantaneously. What to Do When a Breaker Trips If you know what caused the breaker to trip, remedy the situation.  Maybe you were vacuuming and someone plugged in another appliance or tool on the same circuit that caused an overload, or maybe the cord to the vacuum got caught in the jamb of a closing door, damaging the cord and causing a short circuit.  Regardless of the cause, fix the situation first!  Then off you go to the main service panel to investigate, and this is what you will find – the breaker handle for the circuit in question is somewhere between fully “on” and fully “off”. Proper Procedure to Reset a Tripped Breaker In the video, notice how if I try to push the breaker back to the “on” position, it won’t stay, and the power remains off.  Push the circuit breaker handle firmly to the “off” position and you should hear or feel some kind of a click that will let you know the mechanism has reset, and then push the handle back to the “on” position.  Power is then restored to the circuit. Make Sure You Identify and Fix What Caused the Breaker to Trip in the First Place! If you haven’t fixed the problem, rest assured that it will trip again!  In an overload condition, it might take a few seconds or even minutes.  With a short circuit it will kick back to the tripped position instantly.  You may even see a spark, or hear the snap as the breaker trips! Single-Pole and Double-Pole Breakers You will see different types of breakers in your panel, single-pole and double-pole, such as found in the video example.  Notice that with double-pole breakers the handles are physically tied together with a factory tie bar on the handles.  That is so if the fault condition or overload is on only one of the two hot wires in that particular circuit, both breakers will trip, removing the power from both of the hot lines to whatever the end device, be it an electric dryer, a range, or any other 120/240V, or 240V appliance or device. GFCI and AFCI Breakers Another breaker you may encounter in your panel is a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker, or and AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter).  The principles will remain the same to reset those breakers in a tripped condition, but these breakers are unique in that they have a test button to enable you to test the protective circuitry within the breaker to ensure that these types of breakers are functioning as they should. Remember – You Must Identify and Fix the Situation that Caused the Breaker to Trip So the important thing to remember here is to clear the condition that caused the circuit breaker to trip.  Remedy the situation, and push the breaker handle fully off before trying to turn it back on! Any questions or comments about a tripped breaker that you have had problems with?  Please feel free to comment below. For a full explanation of the different types of breakers and their function, a more detailed, easy to understand and animated demonstration can be found on the best electrical educational tool available anywhere – “The Basics of Household Wiring” DVD.  The DVD will give you a complete understanding of your home’s electrical system, and includes step-by-step instructions on most common home wiring projects.  Click here for more information and to view a promotional clip. The Internet Electrician’s YouTube Channel Many more videos like this can be found on my YouTube Channel.  The answer to your home wiring questions could be found there, and the best part is that they are FREE!  Stop by, have a look, and don’t forget to subscribe.  You’ll be the first to know when I add new videos. The post How to Reset a Tripped Breaker appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Five DIY Wiring Projects That Mom Will Love You For

    Is there anyone you can think of that deserves a special day more than the mothers of the world? There is no gift that you can give to her that can equal what she gave to you – the gift of life.  That being said, don’t let that discourage you from getting her something special for Mother’s Day!  It doesn’t have to be flowers, chocolates, or a card.  A phone call, or better yet, taking the time to get together with her is most likely what she would like best.  This will be my second Mother’s Day that I no longer have the privilege of visiting my Mom in person, only in my heart.  I’m thankful for the 50+ years that she was with us.  Some aren’t so lucky; Sandy lost her Mom over 40 years ago.  While they may be gone, they are never forgotten. I always struggled with what to get Mom on the special day, and usually defaulted to flowers and a card.  Wouldn’t it be nice to do something unique and special for her instead?  How about giving her the gift of your talent?  Consider something you could do for her that would make Mom’s life just a bit nicer, better, or easier!  I scoured our website and came up with a list of great projects that you can do for mom that will not only make her day, but will add years of enjoyment and value to your home for years to come.  Give Her More Light – Consider Adding Under Cabinet Lighting in the Kitchen One of the biggest gripes in kitchens is a lack of lighting, and more specifically, task lighting.  This is critical in an area of the home where virtually everything you do in the kitchen is task related.  An easy way to improve this is with the addition of under cabinet lighting. While there are many types and styles of fixtures available on the market today, my personal preference is to look for the LED options available.  They simply can’t be beat for energy efficiency, lumen output per watt, and for the physical size.  There aren’t really any decorative options for under cabinet lighting, so the less obtrusive the better.  If properly installed, task lighting can add value to a home.  Experts claim that the biggest payback on your renovation dollar is in the kitchen! Here are links to two posts where I show you how to install under cabinet lighting: http://www.electrical-online.com/installing-under-cabinet-lighting/ http://www.electrical-online.com/how-to-install-led-under-cabinet-lighting/ Give Her More Comfort – Install or Upgrade a Ceiling Fan There are so many benefits realized from having a ceiling fan in a room. The most obvious, with spring and summer upon us, is that ceiling fans help cool down a room by circulating the air.  Experts agree that this can reduce energy costs for air conditioning by up to 30 or 40%!  In the cooler months they help push warm air down from the ceiling to where it’s needed most, again reducing heating costs. Ceiling fans can be installed in almost any room in the house and can add some style and functionality when you include a light kit.  Fans come in a variety of colors and styles to match any décor. http://www.electrical-online.com/how-to-install-ceiling-fan/ http://www.electrical-online.com/how-to-wire-and-install-a-ceiling-fan/ While on the topic of ceiling fans, if you have an existing one, but don’t have full control over the functions without pulling the chains, or using the wall switches, how about converting an existing fan to a remote controlled unit, or a new installation of a remote controlled ceiling fan and light? http://www.electrical-online.com/how-to-install-a-ceiling-fan-with-remote-control/ http://www.electrical-online.com/converting-an-existing-ceiling-fan-to-a-remote-control/ Give Her Peace and Quiet in the Bathroom – Add a Bath Fan Timer Switch If your mom is like my wife, having a bathroom fan run for hours (or even days) on end drives her crazy. Not to mention the waste of energy.  A bath fan is essential, but you can solve this problem by installing a bath fan timer switch in the bathroom. You can do this with a simply spring-wound timer, but those can be as annoying as the fan running as the time winds down.  However, that may be the best solution if you don’t have the correct existing wiring scenario.  The best solution in my opinion is an electronic timing device such as the one I use in this article.  Click the link to access. http://www.electrical-online.com/bath-fan-switch-electronic-timer/ Give Her Mood Lighting – Install a Dimmer Switch It has been stated that most homes have more televisions than dimmer switch controlled lighting.  Televisions cost at least a couple hundred dollars and beyond.  The price of a dimmer switch may be $9.95 – $30, depending on style, type, and quality. The benefits of a dimmer controlled light are many, including toning down the ambient lighting while watching those multiple TVs!  You will realize greater energy efficiency, longer lamp life, can set the proper mood by softening the light, or ramp it up for task lighting. Almost any room in the home can be improved by adding a dimmer switch or control.  Just remember to use the proper lamps that are rated for dimming.  Most incandescent and halogen lamps can be dimmed, but CFL and LED must be labelled and rated as such. Click the link below to see just how easy it is to change out a standard light switch to a dimmer. http://www.electrical-online.com/install-a-dimmer-switch/ Give Her Updated Bathroom Electrical Outlets If you are living in a home that still has the old “razor only” electrical outlet, it’s time to change those out for so many reasons, the least of which is that they won’t provide enough power for anything but a toothbrush or electric razor charger.  Don’t even try the blow dryer or curling iron! The advent of the GFCI breaker and subsequent receptacle devices made these obsolete years ago, yet many still exist today if they haven’t been upgraded.  What they are is a one to one isolation transformer with a low power output capability.  This was the best protection from harmful electric shock available and was compliant to the code of that time period. So what’s the solution?  If you don’t want to do an electrical renovation involving changing out the 4” x 4” box (which will require some wallboard patching), and putting in a deep device box and GFCI receptacle (you could put in a double receptacle – watch for a subsequent video/article on this), you can purchase a GFCI conversion kit.  See this post from a few years back that outlines the procedure step-by-step. http://www.electrical-online.com/how-to-replace-a-razor-only-receptacle-with-a-gfci/ Do you know of a home wiring project that Mom is thinking about that you would like to see covered on the website?  If so, send me an email and maybe I can include the project in a future YouTube video and website post!  And feel free to comment below – maybe you have a great Mother’s Day story or a DIY project that you did for the wife or mom that you can share with our readers! So this Sunday, do something nice for your Mom, but be sure to tell her how much you love and appreciate her.  Remember, every story of your life begins with her as chapter one.  Wherever your Mom is this Sunday, maybe only in your heart and memories, Happy Mother’s Day Moms! Not quite comfortable or feel confidence enough in your DIY skills to take on these projects?  We have a first-class tutorial DVD that will provide you with everything you need to know about home wiring DIY and will have you tackling wiring projects like the ones described above – safely and competently.  Check out “The Basics of Household Wiring” DVD.  Click here for more information on this great tutorial and to view a promo video that describes everything you will learn. The post Five DIY Wiring Projects That Mom Will Love You For appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Replace a Razor Only Outlet With GFCI Receptacles

    In this post I will discuss the rationale and steps for replacing an outdated razor only outlet with GFCI receptacles.  Prior to the introduction and implementation of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) technology in the 1980’s, the way to help protect people from electric shock as a result of mixing electricity and water, was with a device called a “razor only” outlet.  These were essentially a one to one isolation transformer with a relatively low power rating, or current output capability. The idea was to limit the amount of harmful current that could flow and isolate the appliance from the grounded power source. The concept was OK, but the shortcoming of these outlets was that they could only provide power for very small devices with low current draw, such as electric razors, or for charging other battery powered devices.  They could not even come close to running a portable hair dryer, curling iron, or any other larger items that we now find to be essential bathroom accessories. The other issue was that they tended to produce heat when left on for extended periods of time, thus the code rule of the day was to have them connected to the switch that controlled the bathroom light fixture, the idea being when the bathroom is unoccupied, the light should be off, and thus the outlet not powered up as well reducing the chance of heat build-up and potential fire hazard. In this post and accompanying video, I am going to eliminate a razor only outlet, and replace it with two GFCI protected outlets instead, and put them in a much more convenient location. The other option for replacement is to purchase and install a GFI conversion kit, which contains a special plate that will adapt the 4” x 4” outlet box that razor only outlets are installed in, to one that will accept a standard GFCI receptacle.  It also includes a special cover plate to cover the larger than standard outlet box. The disadvantage of this method is that the new GFCI receptacle is only energized when the light switch is on unless changing that is relatively easy (depending on how the circuit is wired and access to it) so charging of appliances such as electric razors or toothbrushes doesn’t occur while the bathroom is not in use and the light switch is off. I have a post from the past that covers the method of installing a GFCI conversion kit.  Click here for instructions on this. In this situation, the razor only outlet is also in a horribly inconvenient location so adding some GFCI receptacles is the best solution. Planning Stage After removing the plate screws, it was discovered that the transformer outlet was only installed in the wall space, and no back box was used. The wires were just inserted into the light outlet box and spliced in; a poor installation is so many ways. Now to figure out how the circuit is wired and where I can pull a source of power from to supply my two new outlets to be installed on either side of the medicine cabinet and vanity mirror. The Project It was discovered (for various reasons) that the best place to fish power from is a bedroom receptacle on the main floor of the house.  With no removable ceiling tiles and solid wallboard that was OSB pressboard, this seemed to be the easiest option.  The bedroom wall backed onto the upstairs bathroom that was directly above this bathroom, and the space around the bathtub provided some accessibility to assist in fishing in the cable. After a bit of cursing and swearing, that portion of the job was complete, and the cable was fished into the wall space that housed the razor only outlet.  I then had to work on getting that feed to one outlet, and from that outlet to the second one. I chose to put in two receptacles so that the small space on either side of the sink could be used to put charging stations and other devices without having a cord running across and/or over the sink.  This is a very small bathroom and counter space is at a premium. Once all the cables were fished into place, the “old work” EZ boxes were installed, and the GFCI receptacle installed at the first location with the incoming power cable connected to the terminals marked ‘Line’, and the cable feeding the second regular receptacle connected to the ‘Load’ terminals. All ground wires were connected together as per code, with a pig-tail going to the box bonding terminal, and another to the GFCI outlet grounding terminal.  The second receptacle also connected in accordance with the electrical code. The last step was to turn off the power and splice my new cable into the bedroom outlet upstairs that had only one cable in it, making the connections simple, and keeping the box fill factor within the tolerance of the box size. Finishing the project The final step was to turn the power back on and test the new outlets using a GFCI outlet tester.  Everything checked out, the holes and blemishes were patched, and a cover plate was installed to cover the hole in the wall where the original razor only outlet was.  Some touch up painting will complete the project. Watch the following video to see the whole project. If you want to understand more about your home’s electrical system, the best tool you can add to your toolkit is “The Basics of Household Wiring” DVD or e-book.  This is 83 minutes of the best home electrical educational tool available anywhere, and can be purchased through our website.  This exceptional instructional aid covers most home wiring projects and would be a tremendous addition to anyone’s toolbox.  This DVD will help you do it right, do it safely AND save money. Have questions about this or any other electrical project?  Ask below, or you can comment on the video at my YouTube channel or on my Facebook Page. The post Replace a Razor Only Outlet With GFCI Receptacles appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • How to Replace a Mismatched Dryer Cord and Receptacle

    What do you do when your new dryer cord does not match the existing receptacle in your home?  This situation came up recently when some friends of mine purchased a new washer and dryer set for their home here in the valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. During a conversation over dinner, it was mentioned that the new dryer had a 4-prong cord and plug, (NEMA 14-30R) but the receptacle outlet in the home was only a 3-prong receptacle (NEMA 10-30). What the installer chose to do was to replace the 4-wire cord and plug with a 3-wire to match the existing receptacle.  The installer informed my friends that this was a good solution, and that he knew what he was doing. This got my attention for a few different reasons, but the main concern I had was this; the person installing the appliances probably has done this many times, but isn’t likely a licensed electrician so may not be aware of what should be done in this situation, and the ramifications of not doing it correctly. I decided to check out the installation to ensure the connection was safe.  We pulled the dryer out and I opened up the outlet box to see what supply wire was there, and what type and size of cable was present. This home was built in 1999 so I assumed the wiring should meet the code rules of the day.  I found that there was a #10/3 cable with ground, but the ground wire was just tucked into the back of the box and the receptacle was connected to the red and black (hot wires), and the white neutral or “grounded conductor”. Current electrical code regulations require that an outlet for an electric dryer must be of the NEMA 14-30R configuration, which is two hot wires, a neutral (grounded), and a ground (grounding or equipment ground) conductor. Without that ground wire, the appliance needs to have the frame grounded so the code makes an exception.  Simply put, it states that if the outlet and cable provided for the dryer connection is of the older style 30A 125/250V (NEMA 10-30), then it will allow the connection of the dryer using a 3-wire cord and plug assembly provided you follow the manufacturer’s supplied diagram for a 3-wire connection. Upon my investigation, the installer did make the connections and the internal wiring change to accommodate this, which amounts to bonding the neutral conductor of the supply circuit to the dryer frame.  His only mistake then is not checking the supply cable to see if the outlet could be changed to meet current code standards instead of changing the cord on the dryer. The effort and cost required to do that would be equal, only that he wasn’t likely qualified to work on a home’s electrical system.  What should have happened is that he enlisted the opinion and services of a qualified person to assist with this installation. So with the decision to change the cord and receptacle back to the 4-wire type, I set out to make things right.  Should you ever encounter this same situation, the video below demonstrates what should be done. Why Was This the Best Solution? To wrap this up, I’m going to attempt to explain why this is the best solution to this fairly common issue when connecting newer appliances to older electrical systems. Electrical codes evolve over time, as we learn more about electricity, and how to protect ourselves from the hazards that it can present. One of those changes was the realization of the need for, and putting into practice the use of ground wires, earthed, or equipment ground wires. Systems function quite normally without ground wires, but the function they perform is a safety measure for when things go wrong.  In a 3-wire dryer connection, you are using the grounded conductor (the neutral or white) wire for both an intended path for current flow, but also as the equipment ground conductor for the dryer frame.  Sure, they are really the same as they are bonded or connected together as one common point in the main service panel. However, the code rules of today say that is the only point that neutral and ground should be connected.  Connecting a dryer in this way creates a second bond point, and without getting into the theoretical side of this, should something go wrong somewhere in the system, this can create dangerous scenarios, such as floating ground currents, or fault current finding a way to ground taking paths that it shouldn’t. So when an appliance is connected in this way, you are trusting that the neutral connection in the panel is a good sound connection, and you’re trusting the same guy that connected the A/C to the dryer breaker, and vise-versa. (Watch the video above for the rest of the story) Think of it this way.  You have two lanes on a road, and you have a center lane that is shared for either direction to use when making left hand turns.  However the road usually has a ditch that you can take if suddenly the normal traffic lanes are blocked.  Connecting the appliance in this manner effectively takes away the ditch as an emergency escape route! Get a Better Understanding of Your Home’s Electrical System If you want to understand more about your home’s electrical system, the best tool you can add to your kit is “The Basics of Household Wiring“.  This is 83 minutes of the best home electrical educational tool available anywhere, and can be purchased through our website.  This exceptional instructional aid covers most home wiring projects and would be a tremendous addition to anyone’s toolbox. The post How to Replace a Mismatched Dryer Cord and Receptacle appeared first on Electrical Online. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
• • Bathroom Design Ideas

    In our day and age it is actually possible to over accessorize a bathroom. With so many bathroom decorations on the market, from toilet seat covers to over the toilet shelving, it is very easy to get carried away with decorating the smallest space in your home. Your bathroom design should be based on one simple concept; keeping it simple. Creating a visually appealing bathroom while sustaining its functionality will create comfort for your guests and your family. A bathroom should be considered the extension of a guest room in that it should be kept clean and comfortable. Hardware options are basic concerns when designing a bathroom. Faucets and spigots, as well as tubs and toilets, manufactured in a number of shapes and materials can become the centerpiece of your bathroom. Open showers are very popular and claw-foot bathtubs are always considered to be classic and attractive. By simply choosing a certain style tub, you can create a sense of “old world” charm, or heighten your guest’s sense of modernism. Quick Tip: Evaluate privacy issues first; don’t put the toilet and tub too close together. Is it possible to design your bathroom around a favorite theme? The answer is most certainly “yes.” Keeping in mind that less is more, have fun hanging pictures and displaying unique hand towels and candles. Simply remember the bathroom is a small space and should be kept clean and uncluttered. Choosing a decoration pattern that will coordinate with the rest of the home will open many design possibilities. Finding a color or pattern inspiration from your favorite artwork may be the first step toward creating a bathroom masterpiece. When designing a bathroom’s tiling, take the time to shop around through different hardware, decoration and craft stores. When choosing tile, you should look for durability, aesthetic value, and a non-porous surface. It should be easily cleaned and sanitized, and it needs to install easily without any expensive or caustic glues or cements. Be creative. The tile you choose doesn’t have to be made of porcelain. After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on decoration accessories to bring out personality and individualism. The bathroom should be a comfortable and private room. Placing knick knacks on the walls or shelves is an interesting way to create a sense of comfort and relaxation. Even though the bathroom may be the smallest room in your home, it can still be one of the most interesting. Keep your bathroom clean, functional and simple. The KBH Outlet specializes in Elegant Home Decor Accents, Outdoor Garden Decorations and Wood Furniture. Find more home decorating and gardening ideas at our Home Decorating Resource Center. Copyright © 2006 The KBH Outlet The post Bathroom Design Ideas appeared first on Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura County, CA. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • The Cost Of Home Improvement

    Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? Long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some “guesstimating.” Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. 7 Tips To Lower Home Construction Costs… 1. Contact Local Builders: talk with several custom builders in the geographical area in which you plan to build to get a rough idea of what it may cost to build your house. Builders can give you a range of costs with the associated quality/features. If you are serious about building and feel comfortable with a particular builder, consider having the builder work up some more detailed plans and an estimate of costs as part of a design-build process. 2. Start With Plan The Builder Has Used Before: It may be to your advantage to start with a plan that the builder has used before and “customize” it to suit your objectives. The builder already knows how much it cost to build and what it took to build that particular model. 3.Standardize The Size of Home: When building a home, it’s best to work with even numbers. Have your home size rounded up or down to increments of two feet. This reduces wasted materials. Also, it’s most economical to build a home which is no deeper than 32 feet. If the depth exceeds 32 feet, then your roof trusses may need to be specially designed and will be more expensive. 4. Some Features Cost More: The most expensive areas in a home are usually the bathrooms and kitchen. The number of windows and the size and quality of windows can also affect the cost. Vaulted ceilings and high roof pitches can increase the cost of a home. When using other homes to calculate an estimate, be sure the home has a similar style and features of the home you plan to build. 5.Shape of Home: Homes that have a rectangular or box shape cost less to build. Having more angles and corners in the shape of your home can increase the amount of labour and materials needed to build a home. Dome shaped homes also make efficient use of materials and tend to cost less than other shapes. 6.Chose A Relatively Flat Lot: Preparing a site for construction can have a big impact on the cost of a home. Building on a flat lot will usually cost less. If you have to haul in lots of dirt, do a lot of grading, clear trees, or blast through large rocks, then site preparations can become more expensive. 7.Careful Planning: Usually the finished cost of a home is more then the original bid price. Cost overruns occur from overspending the allowances, making changes and encountering unforeseen problems. Proper planning can greatly reduce cost overruns. Builders love change orders and it is so critical that you have as few of these as possible which means that your specifications must be as detailed as possible. In general, it is a good idea to allow an additional 10% to cover unexpected costs. Courtesy of: http://www.icfhome.ca/ The post How Much Will It Cost To Build Your New Home? appeared first on Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura County, CA. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • How To Repair A Foundation

    If your house or any part of your property experiences foundation failure, it is not a job you want to correct yourself. In order to do this properly you would have to be extensively trained and have a fast knowledge on the subject. This is not your everyday fixer upper project. Chances are to get the job done right; you are going to need to hire a professional. If you are like some people, this might make you a little uneasy. After all, how many times have you heard about contractors taking advantage of their customers? Some not so ethical contractors will charge you more than the job is worth. If you are a little uneasy calling in a professional, here are some basic guidelines for what to expect from a good foundation repair contractor. The first thing any foundation repair contractor should do is an initial investigation and then a foundation failure report to some extent. Report will explain how severe the problem is and list the proposed repairs needed. If they are going to have to pier, they much included pier spacing and foundation lines in the reports. This takes some time. It might not be a one visit evaluation. A foundation repair contractor may have to come out, do an investigation and then present you with a formal report at a later time that will detail all the work. If you find a contractor who quotes you a price right then and there, chances are they are not a good one. Also do not be surprised if you are charged a fee for the inspection and the report. Most fees range from a few hundred to almost $1000 dollars. Make sure you ask if that fee will be deducted from the final price of the job once ordered. A qualified and ethical contractor will tell you yes. If they say no…stay away from them. Once the investigation is done and a report is ready, a reliable foundation repair contractor will go through it with you and give you the quoted price. They will also explain that quote and answer any questions you may have. If you are getting quotes by a few foundation repair contractors, bear in mind that the prices should not vary much if they are all doing the same work. This is because the materials should pretty much be the same price for all foundation repairmen. One of the possible reasons for the difference of prices between contractors is the amount of experience they have. A knowledgeable, skillful and experienced contractor might cost a little more money than one who has less experience. Keep this in mind when considering the cheapest contractor. Ask questions about their experience to help ensure you are making the best decision for you, your house and your budget. Once all the work has been done, you should be given a report that contains all the hydraulic measurements and depths regarding the piers. This report should be saved as it will come in handy if you ever decided to sell you house. Having foundation failure fixed is a costly project, but by following these guidelines, you will be able to find a foundation repair contractor that you are confident with. Make sure they are one who take pride in their work and are not looking for the quick buck. The post Foundation Repair Contractor appeared first on Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura County, CA. Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...
  • Taking Your Final Walk Through

    Before you close on your custom new home, you and your builder will “walk through” the house to conduct a final inspection. This is the best opportunity for you to learn how your new home works and to notice items that need to be fixed or adjusted. At the same time the builder will inform you about the following items: The operation of the house’s mechanical systems. The homeowner’s responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep. Warranty coverage and procedures. With a new house, you will be receiving a stack of instruction booklets all at once. It helps if someone can take the time to show you how to operate all of the kitchen appliances, the heating and cooling systems, heat recovery ventilator, the water heater, alarm system, and other features in the home. Such an orientation is particularly useful considering that when moving into a new home, people often are so busy that they have trouble finding time to read instructions. All new homes come with a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials for the most part. Structural defects are covered for up to seven years depending on the problem and the place. These types of warranties do not cover problems that develop because of failure to perform required maintenance. Should a warranted problem arise after you move in, the builder is likely to have a set of warranty service procedures to follow. Except in emergencies, requests for service should be in writing. This is not because the builder is trying to be bureaucratic. Rather, it is to ensure that everyone clearly understands the service to be performed. The person receiving a service request is not likely to be the person performing the work, and you don’t want to rely on word of mouth for transmission of your service order. Many builders schedule two visits during the first year — one near the beginning and the other near the end — to make necessary adjustments and to perform work of a non-emergency nature. You should not expect a builder to rush out immediately for a problem such as a nail pop in your drywall. Such problems occur because of the natural settling of the house and are best addressed in one visit near the end of the first year. With respect to inspecting the house, an effective way to handle this is with a checklist. The list should include everything that needs attention, and you and your builder should agree to a timetable for repairs. Builders prefer to remedy problems before you move in, because it is easier for them to work in an empty house. Some items may have to be corrected after move-in. For instance, if your walk-through is in the winter, your builder may have to delay landscaping adjustments until spring. It is important that you be very thorough and observant during the walk-through. Carefully examine all surfaces of counters, fixtures, floors and walls for possible damage. Sometimes, disputes arise because a buyer may discover a gouge in a counter top after move-in, and there is no way to prove whether it was caused by the builder’s workers or the buyer’s movers. Many builders ask their buyers to sign a form at the walk-through stating that all surfaces have been inspected and that there was no damage other than what has been noted on the walk-through checklist. Ask a lot of questions during the walk-through and take notes on the answers. Never be afraid to appear stupid by asking too many questions. It is important to view the walk-through as a positive learning experience that will enhance your enjoyment of your home. Here’s a check list to help you through this process: Does the ground around the foundation slope away from the house? Make sure the water does not pond in swales. To check, water the areas with a hose, if possible. Are there signs of erosion? Is the water pooling on the driveway? If the house has a basement, are the basement window wells clean and graveled? Are the shingles flat and tight? Is the flashing securely in place? Do the gutters leak? Do the gutters, downspouts and splash blocks direct water away from the house? Are the windows and doors sealed and protected by weather stripping? Is the caulking placed correctly? Are the trim and fittings tight? Are there any cracks? Does the paint cover the surface and trim smoothly? Are all doors and windows sealed? Do they open and close easily? Is the glass properly in place? Is any loose or cracked? Is the painting satisfactory in all rooms, closets and stairways? Did the painters miss any spots? Are there any paint spots where they should not be? Are the trim and molding in place? Is the carpet tight? Do the seams match? Are there any ridges or seam gaps in vinyl tile or linoleum? Are wooden floors properly finished? Do all of the appliances operate properly? Check all faucets and plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, to make sure they operate properly. Check all electrical fixtures and outlets. Bring a hair dryer to test the outlets. Do the heating, cooling and water heating units operate properly? Test them to make sure. If the home has a fireplace, do the draft and damper work? Are there any nicks, scratches, cracks or burns on any surfaces, including cabinets and countertops? Test the doorbell. Also test the intercom system, garage door opener and any other optional items. Are there indications of dampness or leaks or mould? Is there significant cracking in the floors or foundation walls? Are there any obvious defects in exposed components, such as floor joists, I-beams, support columns, insulation, heating ducts, plumbing, electrical, etc.? Is there Occupancy Permit from your local municipality? Some problems may not be readily apparent during the walk-through. Even a professional inspector might miss a few. Most warranties cover any such problems that are the result of faulty workmanship. However, warranties usually exclude problems that result from owner neglect or improper maintenance. Courtesy of: www.ICFhome.ca Find Contractors In Your Area Everyday, thousands of people trust YouRemodeling to review and find local screened professionals, builders and contractors in your area. Try it out, it’s FREE! Click here to start.... Read more...