DIY Home Decoration
Archive for March, 2010
Keeping The Moisture Of Your House
Mar 29th
There are several problems that water leakage can cause for you and your home. First, water leakage can cause the growth of fungi, mildew, and molds in your home. This can weaken your walls and cause bigger cracks, thus, increasing the possibility of vermin and rodent infestation. Second, due to the fungi and the rodents, your family becomes exposed to possible diseases. Also, stagnant water is a perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes which are also carriers of diseases like dengue or malaria. Third, water leakage limits your living space. Using your basement or attic when it is wet or damp is out of question. Aside from being uncomfortable and smelly, there is also a high accident risk due to slippage. Fourth, water leakage decreases the value of your property. Real estate agents say that to sell a property with leakage problems, they generally have to lower prices even if the house is worth more than the selling price. This is because more than 25% of possible clients refuse a property with water leakage problems regardless of how minimal the problems are. But there is a solution to all these leakage problems, and that is making your house waterproof. With the development and availability of a variety of waterproofing solutions, there is surely one that can fit into your budget.
A contractor is the first option for properties with severe water leakage problems like basement flooding. This is an expensive option and time-consuming. However, for those who cannot afford waterproofing contractors, there are different methods available. One is to use a sump pump to pump water out of your house into a drainage. The equipment is installed at the lowest part of your house with a pipe leading to the main drainage system. This is only recommended for basement water problems.
For condensation problem, a dehumidifier is often enough to solve it. However, if leakage is really the problem, a waterproof coating system would work well on any part of the house. This option is cheaper compared to contractual work but will entail longer work hours if you opt to do it by yourself. Builders recommend that before undertaking any waterproofing work, clean the surrounding areas like the gutters and ventilation systems. Consequences of these problems are usually mistaken for leakage. This will also lead to the leakage’s source. Most coating system starts with wirebrushing walls of the room to be waterproofed like the basement. This removes any debris that might affect the treatment. Using quick drying cement on holes and cracks usually follow. When the cement dries, it is followed by three coatings of waterproofing enamel. Bill Emerick, a waterproofing specialist emphasize the importance of following indicated spread rates on the can of the solution. Too-thin coatings undo all your efforts to keep moisture and water out of your home.
Regardless of whatever steps you take to maintain your property, you are making steps to ensure your family’s health and the stability of your house. You are also preserving the market value of your property, thereby, taking care of your investment. It might be tedious work, but waterproofing your home is an essential matter you shouldn’t forget.
Maintenance Hard wood flooring
Mar 25th
Hard wood flooring remains a popular choice in home decorating. The warmth and beauty of hardwood adds to the value of your home. You have a variety of choices in colors and styles of wood. There is an option for every home from traditional to contemporary.
Choosing Hard wood flooring
You have several choices in styles for the overall look of your hardwood floor.
o Plank style flooring material is wide and resembles several strips of wood together in one plank. The planks are between three and six inches wide. The benefit of planks is the installation is a bit faster, since the planks cover a wider area than individual strips.
o Strips are smaller, up to three inches wide at most. These are beneficial for making the room appear larger.
o Solid flooring is one large piece of wood. These vary in thickness and are a custom made floor. They can be refinished many times over the life of the floor.
o Parquet floors are squares of hardwood that resemble ceramic tiles in size. Some are glued and others are nailed down. The squares can be arranged in a geometric design for a unique look.
Your other major choice in hardwood flooring is to get one that is unfinished or come pre finished. Pre finished floors come with a factory finish. These are very popular and easier to install. However, they are more expensive. Many find the additional price worth the money, as it saves time in staining and sanding.
Unfinished flooring must be finished after the floor is installed. You stain and coat the wood with urethane to protect the finish. The sanding and finishing process takes several days. You need to allow sufficient time for the surface to cure at each stage in the process before sanding. The floor must be sanded after each stage of the finishing process. Floor sanders can be used for this process.
Installing Hard wood flooring
Proper measurement is essential when ordering materials for your room. You will need a saw to cut the planks of wood to fit around corners and through doorways. For a more professional look, remove all the baseboards and trim before you start. Replace these after the installation is complete. The seams should be staggered as the planks are laid.
Before the installation process is started, be sure the subfloor is level. This should be done for any floor including hardwood, bamboo flooring, cork flooring or pergo flooring. If the floor isn’t level, use asphalt tiles to level it prior to beginning the installation.
Special paper can be used under the hardwood to avoid squeaking sounds when you walk on the floor. The planks should be nailed through the subfloor and into the joists for a stable floor that won’t move. Start the installation in the center of the room and move outward for the best, most even look.
Once the floor is laid, it needs to be sanded. Floor sanders can be rented through home improvement centers or any store that rents tools. Sand the floor evenly and don’t stay too long in any one area of the room. This can cause uneven spots.
Keeping Hard wood flooring Looking its Best
The care needed depends on the finish on your particular floor. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions regarding the care of pre finished floors. If your floor is finished with urethane, sweep a few times each week to remove dirt and dust. Wipe spills with a damp towel, but don’t use a very wet mop. This can damage the floor.
If the floors are waxed, you will need to buff occasionally and wax the floor. Using area rugs and door mats can help keep the floor from becoming very dirty. Protect the wood with pads on the legs of all your furniture. This will help prevent scratches and damage to the wood.
Spring Cleaning and Easter Eggs Hazardous to Health
Mar 21st
What is it about spring that brings the goodness out in people, could it be waking up to our feathered friends whistling their morning tune? Is it to do with the buds on the pink cherry blossom trees or the lemon daffodil trumpets standing tall with pride? How about the spring lambs or the hatching of yellow fluffy chicks. Could it be the coming of Easter bonnet parades – is our sense of feeling on top of the world encouraged by chocolate Easter eggs or is it the rising of our lord Jesus Christ that gives us all the reason behind why we feel as good as we do bringing out the goodness in us all?
All these pleasant happenings and events contribute to how we celebrate the spring seasonal months. How do we do this? By spring cleaning of course where no stone is left unturned, it is where every inch of the house is cleaned right through from top to bottom – no cobweb goes unnoticed or scum mark on the bath ignored.
Spring cleaning can be a health hazard if you take on to much at once or it can have its advantages where you can treat it as a form of exercise workout. Who knows you may get to enjoy it to an extent where it gets done on a regular basis, therefore you keep in shape and into the bargain a spotless home.
Spring cleaning is time consuming so the best thing you can do is to sit down and plan a time schedule for each job in advance. Allow yourself tea breaks in between. Spring cleaning can be very fulfilling and rewarding if not rushed. If there are certain parts of the house that need more attention than others then direct all your energies on those rooms. Get the heavy work out of the way so that you do not have to face these as you begin to tire from other tasks performed.
The only ammunition you need for this battle against dirt and grime is a checklist carefully mapped out. Allies, bleach – disinfectant – feather duster and a little elbow grease then you are well on the way to winning this war. Choose a day preferably when you are not likely to have visitors, if kiddies are on the scene call the grandparents to baby sit. Older children send to the cinema in another country if need be. Take one room at a time do not have two or three on the ago at the one time you may lose control.
Consider doing the laundry a couple a days before i.e. sheets curtains. If your list of your jobs on your checklist are followed through the way you intended then all should run smooth. Cutting corners can cause misery.
Throw open every window in the house to let some fresh air in. Have your favourite music playing in the background and sing along at the top of your voice to let the neighbours know you are feeling on top of the world as you dust away. As the day draws to an end run a hot bath, fill with bubbles, light a few candles and relax. Send out for a take away meal pizza or curry we don`t want to dirty the pots now do we.
Laminate Hardwood Flooring
Mar 13th
Laminate flooring is a material that is made to resemble wood flooring. This type of flooring has many advantages that other woods simply cannot provide you with. When you take a close look at it, you can not really tell that it isn’t a true hardwood either. This is one of the advantages. Let’s compare the two types to find out which is the right one for you.
True hardwood flooring has many grain marks that are original and unique. Laminate flooring has many of the same markings and looks just like the real thing.
Hardwood flooring needs continuous maintenance. You need to keep it clean, keep things that can scratch it off of it, and you will need to protect it with coatings when needed. It is expensive to maintain! Laminate flooring is much easier to take care of. You simply need a wet mop to clean it up and while you won’t use chemicals on it, you don’t have to take care not to scratch it as much. It is much more resistant to damage.
Hardwood flooring that is laid correctly will last a lifetime. Laminate flooring will probably last just as long if not longer.
Laminate flooring is much less expensive than hardwoods that can cost you ten times as much as laminates.
Both can be stained in the colors that you want them to be. They can both be protected with special layers of protective coatings that will keep them looking beautiful and lasting a long time.
Laminate flooring to be used regularly, as with true hardwood floors, you will need to take special precautions to make sure that they are not damaged. Water can even damage many hardwoods.
When you are considering the purchase of laminates, make sure to look at the value that it offers to a home. Many love the look of Laminate flooring and the no nonsense trouble that laminates afford. Which is your choice?
How To Install Discount Laminate Flooring
Mar 1st
Discount Laminate Flooring is an inexpensive alternative to costly hardwood floors. A variety of tones and styles are available to fit every décor and budget. Although less expensive, these floors have the look of natural hardwood flooring. Major manufacturers such as Mohawk flooring and Shaw Laminate Flooring make good quality floor materials.
You have many choices in discount wood flooring. There is something for every room in your home and every style of interior design. You will find a wide selection of colors and textures to fit everything from a rustic Early American style home to an ultra modern contemporary and every style in between.
Although most laminate is made to resemble wood, you have many more options. Other options include ceramic tile, stone and marble tile laminate designs. You may choose ceramic tile in the kitchen, marble in the living room and wood in the family room. With today’s laminates, the possibilities are endless.
Finding the Best Price for Discount Laminate Flooring
Before you start shopping around for the best price, you need to know how much you need. Take accurate measurements for the area where the floor will be installed. Add an additional ten percent to the measurements of the room to allow for cutting and mistakes in the installation process. Add a bit more if you will be laying the planks in a distinctive pattern.
The internet is a great source for discount floor materials. Most sites offer good pictures to give you an idea of what you are ordering. Make sure all materials are from the same lot number when you order. The color variations can be significant and very noticeable once the floor is laid, if they are from different lot numbers. In addition, the finish and texture can vary.
When your flooring arrives, check it carefully for damage. Check the edges and corners for chipping or other damage. Small chips may not be noticed, but large ones will be seen when the floor is down. If the damage is bad, you may need to exchange it. If only a few pieces are damaged on the ends, you may be able to use these on as pieces that would need to be trimmed anyway.
Installing Flooring
Installing Laminate Flooring is fairly easy. It’s a good DIY project for the handy homeowner. There isn’t much preparation needed. It can be installed right over your existing vinyl or hardwood floor. You can install it over either a wood or concrete subfloor. It can be installed over concrete for basement flooring.
The pieces fit together easily in a tongue and groove fashion. The floor is not glued or nailed in place, as is done with hardwood floor installation. The tongue and groove slots are held together with a special adhesive that is made for Laminate Flooring. This type of floor is also known as a floating floor. The job can be easily done in a day or two for an average size room. If only doing one room, this is a good weekend job.