Students Of Success

You look up at the ceiling and there’s a crack. You walk to another room, and another crack maps its way around the doorframe. Then you see up and down cracks, and cracks that are sideways. Your first thought is foundation problems. Then you instantly think the correction is piers. But cracks can indicate much more, such as a slab leak. Or, it can be less - a simple settling crack. And better yet, simple yard maintenance might correct some of the foundation issues.

Before you jump to conclusions, first notify your insurance provider. “It’s amazing how many homeowners call a foundation company before the insurance company,” says Todd Stephens, vice president of JS Engineering. “There’re necessary steps to take in evaluating a problem before deciding that the foundation needs repairing.”

After an insurance claim is filed, the insurance company will send an adjuster to photograph and look at the damage. According to the information on the report, then the insurance provider will decided what licensed professionals to send to the home. If there is a plumbing leak suspected, then a leak locating service will test and isolate any suspected leaks. If no leaks are found, the claim is ended at this point, and the homeowner can do what he feels necessary.

In many states, insurance companies investigate foundation concerns due to an “accidental discharge of water.” This includes water leaking from the sewer system, water system, bathtub and shower drains, and the sprinkler lines next to the house. All of these will be tested as part of the forensic investigation at no cost to the homeowner.

If there is a leak indicated during the plumbing test, the insurance company contacts an engineering firm to perform further testing. There is a misconception that the engineering firm works directly for the insurance company. This is incorrect. The company is employed by the insurance provider and acts as an unbiased third party. “We record data and base our opinions on the data and on the statements by the homeowner solely,” says Stephens. “We do not get involved on the insurance coverage side of the investigation - that is between the homeowner and the insurance company. We do our job, and the end result doesn’t effect the engineering firm.”

During the structural investigation the house is measured and drawn to scale. Then floor elevations are measured. An interior and exterior site inspection is performed with photographs. A crack inventory is made and the residential history is discussed with the homeowner. “These are the pieces of the puzzle that help us determine whether or not the plumbing leak caused any structural damage,” says Stephens.

After the investigation is complete and a report is submitted to the insurance company, the insurance adjuster will typically meet with the homeowner and discuss the findings.
This entire process usually takes 30 to 45 days from start to finish. The homeowner receives the original copy of the report for his records.
The report includes recommendations on how to correct and stabilize the foundation, whether it is from foundation repair from the insurance company or a lawn maintenance program - such as sprinkler system or root barriers.

Many homeowners are surprised at the extent of the investigations performed at no cost. The only cost incurred by the homeowner is the deductible that is often paid during the plumbing repairs, following the completion of the structural inspection.

Homeowners need to be aware of the time needed for inspections and repairs. Therefore, if you are considering listing your home for sale, these issues need to be tended to before putting the home on the market. Give yourself at least 60 to 90 days to check foundation or plumbing issues in your home.

So the next time you see sheetrock cracks, get prepared. Structural cracks are a good indication that there’s possibly a problem with your home.

Helena Hill is a Dallas real estate broker and a contributor to the
Flower Mound Homes Weblog.

If you’re shopping around for the cheapest supplier of electricity in your area, there are some terms that you need to be familiar with. Below is a list of the some of the commonly used terms.

1. KWh (kilowatt hour) - The standard unit of measurement for both gas and electricity consumption.

2. MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) - Your MPRN is the unique identifying number for the gas meter at your property. It’s a ten digit number, commonly referred to as an “M” number, and can be found on your gas bill.

3. Unit Price - a variable charge dependent on your level of consumption. The unit price will be applied to every kilowatt hour (kWh) of gas or electricity used.

4. Standing Charge - A fixed daily charge for the supply of energy, irrespective of your level of consumption.

5. MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) - MPAN is the unique identifying number for the electricity meter at your property. The MPAN is commonly referred to as a “Supply Number” or “S” number, and it can be found on your electricity bill.

6. Economy 7 electricity tariffs use different pricing structures according to the time of day. For example, the night rate is cheaper than the day rate.

7. Ofgem - the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, is the independent regulator of the gas and electricity industries.

8. Electricity Association - The representative body of the major UK electricity companies.

9. Green Tariff - based on the purchase or generation of energy from renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, water, and waste, or in funds being allocated to fund conservation and environment protection projects.

10. Energywatch acts on behalf of the consumer, as an independent watchdog for the gas and electricity industry.

11. Dual Fuel - Most suppliers these days provide both gas and electricity known as “dual fuel” deals. This means that you receive gas and electricity from the same supplier.

Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for The
Guide to Cheaper Electricity website at: http://www.cheap-electricity-guide.org.uk/ and he’s also a regular contributor to the Ways2Save website at:
http://www.ways2save.org.uk/.

The Pin Clock from SmartHome works
like those pin things that you put your face in and the pins
push out making a contour map of your face. A mechanism inside
the clock keeps the time and then pushes some of the hundreds of
pins out to display the current time. Some online reviews of the
pin clock that we came across have said that the mechanism that
moves the pins in and out is a little noisy and probably
shouldn’t be put next to your bed, but we still like it.

Freshtrend.com is commited to
bringing you the best new products available on the Internet.

Water is consumed by both domestic and industrial sectors. With the exponential increase in the population and industrialization, consumption of water has increased tremendously, thereby producing more wastewater. Household water drains consist of grey water and black water. The grey water is permitted to be used for toilet flushing and watering of plants.

Purification and reuse of wastewater help us conserve the precious and fast-depleting freshwater resources. Wastewater purification involves a primary and a secondary treatment.

The primary treatment removes large floating objects like wooden sticks and leaves. The heavier and smaller objects like stone and sand are also removed in the primary treatment. The water still contains inorganic matter like dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and organic matter along with suspended solids. The suspended solids are removed by sedimentation. In this process, the suspended particles gradually sink to the bottom of a tank. The sediment thus obtained can be treated further and used as a bio-fertilizer or taken for a landfill operation. The output water obtained is taken for secondary treatment.

Secondary treatment removes about 85% of all the organic matter using aerobic bacteria with aeration along with bacteria. This decomposes organic compounds to harmless products. The water at this stage still contains odor and some harmful bacteria. Chlorination of this water removes the odor and kills the harmful bacteria. Chlorine oxidizes the organic compounds. It also chlorinates some organic compounds in the process. One drawback of this method is that accidental release of poisonous chlorine gas can be hazardous.

Ozone is a better alternative for oxidation purposes. Ozone, being unstable, has to be produced onsite. Final purification is then carried out using activated carbon filters to remove the organic compounds by adsorption, followed by reverse osmosis. Thus, water from various sources can be purified by suitable measures for reuse.

Hidden away in a corner of the bathroom is a remarkable innovation that most people will never notice unless they meticulously inspect its edges.

Bathtub. Fit for luxurious baths and showers.

Who could ever think that beneath these exquisite creations is an ingenious utilization of what would otherwise have been just another feature of a typical form inside the house.

Going into the details of the bathtub, one gets the delightful impression of making a totally unexpected, felicitous discovery. That beneath the wonderful and relaxing baths are functional devices that serve as a barricade against water seepage — bathtub surround. Without it, you could have been stomping your way out of the bathroom due to water loss.

The Hidden Concept

What most people do not know is that bathtub surround is an innovative tool to seal or lock-in water within the perimeters of the bathtub. These bathtub surrounds can be used anywhere but they simply works well with bathtubs.

These kinds of surrounds usually come in kits, where the handbook or instruction manual is included. However, this manual is best read while inside the store because there are some instructions on buying certain materials that will be needed when you are already installing the bathtub surround.

However, as good as it may sound, many people are still not aware of the benefits that they can derive from bathtub surrounds. Hence, here is a list of some of its advantages so that they will know that the next time they see bathtub surrounds, they know that they should buy one for urgent situation or certain kinds of bathtub disaster.

1. Convenience

Bathtub surrounds are not built just for the sake of building it. These kinds of surrounds are especially made to provide convenience for the bathtub users.

With bathtub surrounds, people can expect easier, more convenient way of retaining water while taking a dip.

2. Optimum water conservation

One of the best things about bathtub surrounds is that it promotes water conservation. This is because with these things present in your bathtub, you can be assured that what you get is full ration of the amount of water that you have just placed inside your tub. This means that as you progress with your bath, no amount of water is wasted that is usually brought about by leakage or seepage within the walls of the bathtub.

3. Reliable

Bathtub surrounds can actually give you many years of leakage-free soaking and bathing. With these devices, you can be assured of a hardwearing, stain-defiant, and manageable bathtub.

4. Good Impressions

Old, grimy bathtubs are absolute disgusts. They do not just make your bathroom filthy-looking but they can also promote water leakage while taking a dip.

Hence, through the use of bathtub surround, you can easily renovate your bathtub, thereby, creating a fresher and modernized look.

Best of all, bathtub surrounds somewhat conceal the imperfections brought about by the wear and tear of your old bathtub. It covers any cracks or breaks within the walls of your bathtub, which can consequently modify the overall look of your tub and your bathroom.

Indeed, bathtub surrounds can provide many uses. It goes a long way from that sleek tool to a more workable device that does not only solve common bathtub problems but can also modify and enhance the total look of your bathtub as well as your bathroom.

Claire Bowes is a successful Webmaster and publisher of bath tubs & bathing. Claire provides more information on her site about refinishing bathtubs that you can research at home.

What would you like in the backyard that is great for entertaining, would be a focal point and can be enjoyed by the whole family? Hot tubs could be what you are looking for. Immersing in hot or warm water goes back centuries to Greek, Japanese and Roman texts. Hydrotherapy has said to aid in pain and stress relief. They also offer fun at the same time. Water is buoyant and resists gravity. It is known to aid in sleeping and easy exercises done in the warm water assist with muscle and joint pain. The jets massage the body and just feel good. If you haven’t experience that good feeling when you are relaxing in the warm water of a hot tub and the jets are bubbling or swimming in the pool with the cool water lapping around you then you are really missing something in life. You can actually assist your heart to beat more efficiently while you sit back in the water.

A hot tub gazebo and beautiful landscaping can create a private oasis in your backyard. Hot tubs are an easy way to achieve the “get away from it all” feeling at home. Would you like to create a total hot tub experience? Along with the private setting, you can include surround sound and play your favorite music. How about special lighting that changes for atmosphere? If you don’t want to miss the football game, some tubs come equipped with pop up televisions and cup holders or ice buckets. You can customize your soak and have a foot well just for those aching feet, or waterfalls and misters installed. Add scent with aromatherapy options for a lovely scent wafting over your experience. Sounds good doesn’t it? Who doesn’t think of a party when you hear the word “hot tub”? It is a very social type of gathering but can be extremely romantic for two at the same time. Lean back and look up at the stars with the person you love while listening to the surround sound music.

There are sizes and colors that are available to suit every budget. Before you buy, think about how you are going to use it. Is it just for two or do you want to entertain? Don’t be afraid to sit in one in the showroom. You want to get something that is comfortable for your back. In order to enjoy the tub, make sure you talk to your dealer about the accessories you will need and the cleaning procedures. You may want a hot tub cover to keep the outside debris from getting in. There are many cover lifts on the market if you find they are too unwieldy for you. Look for a highly insulated model as it will save on energy costs. Hot tubs are smart because you can program them to automatically heat up and turn on or off without having to move a muscle. Check with the manufacturer if the model you want can be accessed via the internet. This is especially nice if you are gone and you live in a winter climate. A lot of damage can be done if the temperature gets too cold and the tub freezes. If you have one in a vacation home that you only visit once a week it would be nice to remotely check in on it. Ask if you can have the capability for a remote control. Some settings can be confusing so look for a system that makes sense to you and doesn’t look like an airplane cockpit. You deserve the benefits of owning a hot tub, so go step out into the water, it’s just right.

Beverly Hlavka is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying hot tubs, whirlpools, Jacuzzis, saunas, pool supplies and more. Her many articles can be seen at http://www.sauna-4u.com. She also gives information and tips on http://www.sauna-4u.com/hot_tubs.htm to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

There were times when home improvement had nothing more to it than just some general repairs. However, today things are changing. People want their house to be more personalized in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Moreover, they want houses that subscribe to the trendiest home décor styles, trendiest furniture, and everything that makes their home stand out. Therefore, home improvement has become a more comprehensive activity that includes kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, roofing, flooring, interior decoration and more. No wonder, interior designers are now an integral part of the home renovation process!

A general contractor can be hired to undertake the entire home improvement project of your house. Though you may like to hire services of specialized contractors for different home improvement activities, it is more economical to hire a general contractor who undertakes all these activities with no less expertise than that of the specialized contractors.

Regular home improvements ensure that your home is always in ‘good health’ and thus is able to fight the odds of natural calamity and harsh weather. Also, home improvement is a wise investment you can make in your home, as this will leverage the market value of your home.

Aside from the pricier spring mattresses, air mattresses are also gaining popularity. Other than being cheaper in comparison, air mattresses can also be used for other purposes than in-house sleeping like camping. An air mattress may look vaguely like a spring mattress, but looks are deceiving: the difference lies inside the mattresses. You feel it at bedtime when you lie in your bed. You could be tossing around trying to find that perfect spot, or you could be lying in your bed and finding the perfect spot at every turn.

Different from an air mattress, average spring mattresses have a support network formed by interconnected springs. These springs are made of solid metal with minimal flexibility. Springs are not capable of providing efficient support, only pressure and resistance, none of which are particularly comfortable. In the long run, these will sag, making an already bad bed, worse. It is also highly disconcerting to hear metal squeaks at ever turn you make. Spring mattresses are also prone to lumping, where the foam covering the springs get bunched up by the constant pushing and straining of the springs. The cartoon scenes in which the characters get thrown in the sky by loose bed springs are not purely fictional. These have factual basis. Though people who experienced this are not turned to specks of light in the sky, they do have nasty experiences getting poked or stabbed by the springs.

The difference between the two lie in their design. Air chambers are found in air mattresses’ core. This provides you with proper back support by ensuring the correct position and alignment of your spine and back. Plus, an air mattress is more flexible and supple than spring and foam mattresses, thus, it offers more adjustable levels of firmness. There are usually three support layers in an air mattress. A dense foam layer provides strong support as the mattress’ foundation. Two air chambers constructed to follow your shape are built over this foundation. Soft foam is built inside the fabric that surrounds the mattress as the last support layer. The layers are designed to produce a mattress capable of adapting to the shape of your physique in order to eliminate pressure and stress that can cause injuries and back pain. Air is evenly distributed to the whole mattress, and again, redistributed if you shift your weight or position; this makes air mattresses unequalled in support and comfort. For example, if you shifted to one side of an air mattress, the opposite side rise up in response to your movement. This means that the air inside the chambers reacted, and compressed the foam and air above for your hips, spine, and back to be in proper alignment, effectively reducing the necessity of turning and tossing.

Lastly, the choice between a spring mattress and an air mattress is just like choosing shoes. Choose the one that provides your body with the proper support to improve the quality of your sleep and your health. What you choose to use, reflect the care you extend to your body.

For more valuable information on air mattress please visit www.mattressair.net

Many household products can function well in areas quite different from their initial intended uses. Here are a few examples:

Icy Steps?
If you live in an area that freezes during the winter, here’s a tip for keeping your front steps from getting icy. Just take a bowl of hot water, add a few drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid to it. Once you’ve poured that mixture over the steps, they won’t freeze again. (Of course, this trick may work with other dishwashing liquids, as well. You’ll need to do some experimenting to find that out for yourself.)

Is your roof growing?
Sprinkling powdered laundry detergent on your roof can kill moss, but it won’t kill other things, even when the next rain leeches it down the downspout during the next summer shower. If you happen to see bubbling at the bottom of your downspouts, don’t panic. It’s just the detergent being washed off the roof, and it’s generally harmless to the environment.

Budding Artists?
If your children have decided to use the bedroom walls to create their latest crayon masterpieces, you’ll get excellent results by dipping a damp rag into baking soda and then using that mixture to scrub it off. It won’t be easy, but you can do it–assuming you’re willing to work at it–and it’s cheaper than repainting the room.

Along those same lines, if your kids should use appliances or kitchen countertops as canvases for artwork instead of their bedroom walls, and their medium of choice is permanent marker, you’ll find that dipping a paper towel in rubbing alcohol will take it off. Like the walls, this mixture needs to be combined with a liberal dose of elbow grease.

Sticky Price Tags?
Another commercial product that’s found in most people’s homes, WD-40, can serve double duty as a cleaner, as well. It can be used it to remove the pesky glue that’s so hard to get off when you peel labels or price tags off of plastic items. Just spray it on and rub it back off. It works like a charm, without harming the plastic itself.

Streaky Windows?
Here’s a tip for washing windows: if you’re washing both the inside and outside, try using vertical strokes for one side of the window and horizontal ones for the other. That way, you’ll instantly be able to tell which side a streak is one. Instead of expensive window cleaners, you can use vinegar for outside windows. Using old sheets of newspaper also can minimize streaking. When you decide to tackle the window washing chore, do it on a cloudy day. You’ll experience less streaking and less frustration, because the windows won’t dry as quickly when the sun isn’t blazing down.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Achieve that interior designer’s high-end look for less. Jeanette Joy Fisher teaches five ways to makeover your home for happiness. Free interior design info: www.designpsych.com

Choosing hardwood flooring over other options such as laminate, linoleum or carpet is no small decision.

Now that you have chosen to go with hardwood, you need to decide what type of hardwood you would like to have in your home.

Typically, most people think of oak, maple or cherry hardwood first. But wait, consider bamboo flooring. You will be taking advantage of one of the best hardwood flooring choices available today. Bamboo has a lot to offer.

Let’s look at these five main reasons why bamboo flooring mat be your best choice.

Warm Environment - Bamboo flooring provides a warm finish because of the natural grains and growth patterns that occur in the boards. While many traditional hardwood choices do give you a beautiful floor, but it is one that also looks like it should be in a gymnasium or an auditorium. Bamboo flooring allows you to create a stunning flooring finish that exudes warmth and comfort.

Strength and Durability - Bamboo is the perfect choice for a highly durable, strong floor that can stand up to the use and abuse that animals and children can deliver. It can even resist the drop of a pan in the kitchen as well as high traffic areas such as living rooms and hallways.

Environmentally Responsible - Bamboo flooring is the most environmentally responsible choice for hardwood, because it is not a wood at all. It is actually a grass that can reach its full maturity in only five years. When the bamboo plant is harvested, it sends out runners spawning new plants all around them. Because bamboo is a renewable resource, you are making an environmentally responsible choice.

Color & Style - The natural color of bamboo is a natural blond color that shows the grains of the wood and the natural growth pattern that provides a warm color that matches every décor. The other color option is achieved in a smoking process that carbonizes the grains in the wood, resulting in a rich amber color, which is a stunning, darker variation.

Cutting Edge - Bamboo flooring is the newest most exciting floor choice to hit the market in recent years. Your bamboo floor will most likely be the only one of its kind on your block, making it a cutting edge style that will provide your home with a beautiful, unique flavor all its own.

Rob Buenaventura invites you to HardwoodScene. Here we provide tips on hardwood floors and installation of wood flooring. Find more wood flooring tips and articles, check out our article library for more helpful resources.