Entries from October 2009 ↓

Does your bathtub look like a left-over remnant from the 1970s? Does it look dirty, even when you scrub it until your back hurts? If either of these is true, you can bring it back to life with a bathtub refinishing kit. Here is what you’ll need to do:

Clean Thoroughly: This if the first step. Remove all loose caulking and gaskets and any other “debris” you can.

Apply First Chemical Cleaner: Most bathtub refinishing kits come with a few chemicals; a few for cleaning. Apply the first chemical cleaner, scrubbing with sandpaper. This removes all soaps and oils, which prepares the tub for the primer to be added later.

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According to industry experts, bottled water is a $15 billion a year industry in the United States. More and more Americans are concerned about the quality of the water they consume. Hence, it makes sense that more and more of them are installing water purification systems in their homes.

Following is some information to assist you in making the best decision about which type of system is best for your home.

What You Should Do Before Installing a Water Purification System In Your Home

Have your home’s water tested – by an impartial source; not someone who’s trying to sell you something. For example, there may be dirt, copper, chlorine, asbestos fibers, molds, and a host of other elements in your water, in addition to known substances like lead.

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There is a lot of fraud in roof repair and installation. There are roofing contractors who roam the country, following storms and picking up jobs along the way from the damage caused by them. While many of them are reputable, some of them are not.

Following are three basic questions to ask any roofing company you’re thinking about using that can help you avoid getting scammed.

1. What is the full name and address of your roofing company? While this question seems so basic, remember what we stated above about roaming roofing contractors. You want a company that is local. If they give you an address, check it out to see if it’s viable (eg, not just a P.O. Box).

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That’s it! You’ve had it. Fido has escaped from the yard one too many times. You’re tired of your neighbors complaining, not to mention scared to death that one day he may be hit by a passing car. So, you’ve decided it’s time to get a fence.

Following are four questions to ask a fence contractor before signing on the dotted line.

1. How Long Have You Been In Business? Many companies that do home improvement projects are fly-by-night operations. You want a company that has a solid track record in your community. That way, if there’s a problem after the project is done, you’ll be able to get in touch.

Note: While length of time in business is important, what’s equally as important are local, verifiable references. Ask for them – and check them.

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You’ve finally decided to get hardwood floors in your home. You hit the internet to start looking for a hardwood flooring contractor in your area, and are overwhelmed by the number of choices. Following are some questions to ask to help you select the best one for your project.

Bonded and Insured: Professional, reputable companies are. If you find one that’s not, move on to the next one. If a hardwood flooring contractor you run across has significantly lower prices than others, chances are they may not be bonded and insured.

You, the buyer, are the one taking a grave risk because if something goes wrong, you have practically no recourse. Remember, skill and professionalism come with a well-deserved cost.

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Wood floors are extremely popular with homeowners. And with good reason – they are beautiful and durable. To keep them that way, they must be refinished from time to time. Following are some things to consider if it’s time for you to refinish your wood floors.

Type of Wood: This is one of the first things to take into consideration; for, the finished look of the floor can differ based on the softness of the wood.

If you’re not absolutely sure of the type of wood floors you have, consult a hardwood floor refinishing company. They will be able to tell you the type of floor you have by testing the wood if necessary. Most do this by removing any existing finish from an inconspicuous area like a closet, then examining the grain and color of the wood.

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Homeowners have been in love with wood floors since houses have been constructed. And it’s no wonder, they are gorgeous and long lasting. However, as with any love, they have their rough spots. Namely, when they need repairing, it must be done right to retain the beauty of the entire floor.

Following are some tips for making minor repairs to hardwood floors.

1. Remove Coverings: If your wood floors are covered with carpet, padding, etc., remove all of this – as well as any adhesive used to keep it in place.

2. Clean: Once you’ve removed everything, clean the floor. Wood soap found in any home improvement store and a soft cloth (eg, chamois) works well. After you’ve cleaned the floor, you should be able to pretty easily assess the damage to be repaired.

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When it comes to home improvement-type work, there are many contractors who try to be one-stop shops. And for general contractors, this is fine. But when it comes to mold removal, you want a specialist, not a generalist.

Following are some questions to ask any mold removal specialist you’re thinking about using.

Credentials: Mold removal specialists, like many other professionals, undergo rigorous training in order to be qualified to do their job. And, the industry is highly regulated. Hence, you want to ask any mold removal company you’re thinking about using about their credentials, eg, what exactly are they certified in and where they received their certification.

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Crown molding is an easy way to give a room a polished, high-end design look. Many homeowners think it’s not affordable though. But not only does crown molding come in a variety of styles , it comes in a variety of affordable materials as well, eg, fiberboard. Here we will discuss the benefits of another cost efficient type — styrofoam crown molding.

What is Styrofoam Crown Molding?
Styrofoam crown molding is simply crown molding made from styrofoam – a popular trademark name used for polystyrene thermal insulation material. Styrofoam crown molding is ideal for homes because:

1. Styrofoam is a Versatile Material: Styrofoam is easy to work with, in the following ways –
(i) It adheres to almost all types of paints;
(ii) it can be painted any color you wish; and
(ii) it can be shaped and cut to fit any corner or curve in a room.

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Crown molding is an architectural design feature that adds a finished touch to any room. Because it fills the space between the top of a wall and the ceiling, it is an area the eye is naturally drawn to.

There are many different types of crown molding, which can make it difficult to choose. The following guidelines will make it easier for you to select the right crown molding for any room in your home.

Style of Room: Is the room you’re adding crown molding to modern in design? French country? Cosmopolitan chic? There’s a crown molding to fit every design style. For example, a modern design requires a crown molding that is simple and sleek in design. If your room is decorated in a French country style, you may go with a thicker, more ornate design.

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