Home And House

by Aazdak Alisimo

The easiest and most direct definition of demolition is that it is the opposite of construction. What is demolition? It is the tearing down rather than the building up.
When we think of demolition we usually think of the process known as implosion. This is a controlled series of carefully controlled explosions that cause a building to collapse on itself and fall into its own "footprint." Most demolition, however, is done with more mechanical methods. Smaller building such as homes are pulled down by cranes. Large buildings are broken apart by large wrecking balls swung on cables by a crane. So, what is demolition? It is really any project that removes an existing structure.
One of the first steps in any demolition project is the removal of everything that is of value and can be salvaged. In a major building, this would include copper wire, insulating material, and, of course, any furnishings. Along with this preliminary work is the removal of anything that might create a safety problem. Glass would be removed to keep it from being turned into dangerous projectiles during the demolition. Asbestos is another example of a potential safety hazard.
The implosion method of demolition is always thought of as the method of last resort. Although skilled demolition firms can safely implode a structure, it is considered a safety risk and is avoided if conventional demolition is practical. When implosion is used, the building is stripped first and then the smallest amount of explosives possible to accomplish the collapse are placed at carefully determined locations. The idea of the explosions are to weaken key structural elements causing a collapse.
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by Aazdak Alisimo

There are multiple types of demolition procedures used to take down structures. The size of the building and the location are factors in determining the most appropriate type.
The process known as demolition is called the opposite of construction. Construction involves putting a structure up and demolition involves pulling it down. Demolition is indicated for a number of reasons. The most common is the age and safety condition of the building. Sometimes it is simply a matter of removing the old to make room for the new. Newer construction methods and changing building and architectural styles are sometimes the things that mark an older building for demolition. When the decision is made, there are several types of demolition that can be used.
The types of demolition all involve safety considerations, but some are considered safer than others. The general rule is the safest and simplest method that can do the job is the one selected. Simple manual demolition is indicated for smaller buildings such as single story homes. Manual demolition usually involves pulling the structure down. Closely related is mechanical demolition. Quite often smaller buildings use a combination of manual and mechanical methods.
Mechanical demolition involves both the pulling down and the knocking down of the structure. Mechanical demolition uses such machinery as rams, bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. Larger structures involve wrecking balls. Wrecking balls are heavy balls attached to strong cable and swung by large cranes. Basically, the idea is to batter the building into pieces. Another type of demolition is called undermining. This process causes the collapse of the building by removing important supporting structures usually near the base. When done properly, undermining can bring down the building not only quickly, but also in the desired direction.
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by Kristen Easton

It’s become very popular to change out your existing fireplace for a gas burning unit that doesn’t require wood chopping or scooping ashes. If you’re thinking of this you can either have a professional install it or save a little money and tackle the project yourself. Read through these basic steps to see if its something you’d want to handle on your own. You will need gloves, goggles, the insert itself, clear instructions from the manufacturer, drill and bits, screws, screwdriver, and cleaning brushes. Read through the instructions provided to learn of any specialty items you may need. 1. First clean the fireplace and repair any cracks or other damaged areas. This is your time to do the job right and make the surrounding fireplace hearth perfect. 2. Install the vents and chimney cap and remove the damper. 3. After the flexible vents are installed put gasket cement (rated for higher temperatures) on the vents to the insert, then attach the vents to them. 4. Fix the vents in place with the screws and drill. 5. Put the insert into place.
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by Percy Troughton

Many people are starting to see that a propane fireplace has many benefits to it, which means that it is easy on the homeowner. When it comes time to install a propane fireplace, a professional crew can come out and set everything up. This is extremely easy on the homeowner as they barely have to do anything at all for preparation. The crew that comes in will basically do everything for you. All you do is sit back and watch your new fireplace being installed.
If the home does not already have a flue or a regular chimney in place then the propane fireplace can be ventless. This ventless options means that the homeowner will save on energy as well and space since a chimney will not have to be built from scratch. The propane fireplace is also known to heat very fast and can be used to transfer heat all over the house. There is the option to have an electric starter for the fireplace but there is always the manual start option in case of the electricity being out.
Now that we have the basic grip on what makes a propane fireplace so special, there is even more to learn about. The fact is, propane is available almost everywhere instead of natural gas, which is localized only to distribution grids. Also, what makes this kind of fireplace so special is that the propane fireplace can come with a remote control to help control the size of the flames. These are things that you just cannot get with a regular wood burning fireplace and you will always be reminded of that when you sit near your new fireplace to enjoy its warmth.
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by Craig Thornburrow

Although warm weather is on its way in a few months, individuals may find that in their local area gas fireplace logs are still coming in handy. There is nothing better than cuddling up next to a warm fire with your loved ones and gas fireplaces provide a good way of doing so. When perusing the options for logs to use in your gas fireplace, there are a few tips to keep in mind so that you not only purchase the right logs but get a good deal as well.
Determine the Best Size of Logs
Gas fireplace logs often come in various sizes. Certain fireplaces will need smaller logs whereas others will accommodate larger sized ones. Before heading out to the store to buy some logs to get the fire rolling in your gas fireplace, determine what size logs you need to buy in order to properly accommodate the fireplace area.
Some Brands Are Better Than Others
There are a multitude of brands of fireplace logs for your gas fireplace. Keep in mind that some logs will burn better than others. If you have tried various brands, you may already have a favorite manufacturer in mind. Some logs will last longer or burn more evenly than others. For those who are Internet savvy try searching online for reviews pertaining to logs for gas fireplaces. This will help you to determine which logs are the best buy.
Vented or Vent Free
Logs for gas fireplaces also come in two main categories which are vented and vent free. When shopping for logs for your fireplace, determine which type you prefer to buy. This will help to narrow down the options and get you well on your way to choosing the right type of gas logs.
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by Michael Del Greco

This may sound out and right silly but the best home maintenance you can perform on your home is obvious to any home inspector. Ready for this. Keep it dry. That is right keep water out of the outside of the home and within the plumbing pipes on the inside and fix what breaks as soon as it breaks and odds are your home will be trouble free.
One can live in a home for decades only fixing what breaks and have just about no problems at all. However should water start to get into the home damages will begin to accumulate at a very rapid rate. Letting water into your home is the biggest mistake you can make. Not curing the problem that is allowing the water into the home is a sure way to create a huge problem
As a home inspector I see it all the time. The owner does not replace the roofing when he or she should. Water stains start on the underside of the roof shingles, progress down the roof rafters where latent damages within the walls start, then the carpenter ants come to nest in the wet wood. Now we have a roof leak, insects, then mold and mildew in the walls followed by …. thus a small roof leak now cost thousands or tens of thousands to cure.
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by Joseph Devine

While most Americans think they have their house covered against burning, and think they are too careful to allow their home to catch fire, the most careless mistake can determine keeping your home and family safe from fire. There are small things that most people would not think about that can very easily spiral out of control.
In the winter, a lot of families choose to use supplemental heating equipment to save on electricity costs. These small heaters cause about twenty two percent of all fires. If your family uses an additional space heater, please consider the following things; make sure that you clear at least three feet around the heater, do not leave the heater on while you are sleeping, only use the heater on the floor, do not keep the heater on high power constantly, and do not at any time leave the heater unattended.
Cooking equipment accounts for about one hundred thousand fires in the United States. While most people exercise a great deal of caution in their kitchens, here are some things to keep in mind while cooking. Keep the storage area around the stove free of any combustible or flammable items, only wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Also remember to keep all dish towels or pot holders off the surface of the stove and to keep the stove off when no one is in the kitchen. Keep cookies, treats and other goodies away from the stove, in order to prevent little ones from climbing on a hot burner to help him or herself. Stay with the stove constantly when cooking anything above a "keep warm" setting.
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by Brian Tyler

Imagine coming home after a hard day’s work knowing that your aches and pains will soon disappear, once you have jumped into your infrared log cabin (also known as an infrared sauna).
Unlike traditional saunas that need to warm up the air to a certain temperature before the body is heated, an infrared cabin only heats approximately 20% of the surrounding air, and the remaining 80% is converted to heat within the body. In addition, an infrared cabin does not use steam or humidity and consequently breathing is easier.
Infrared light is part of the sun’s invisible spectrum. It is a form of energy that is directly transmitted onto objects because of its specific wavelength. It has nothing to do with ultraviolet light, which causes sunburn and damage to the skin.
Infrared log cabins come in variety of sizes and they can be custom-built or chosen from a standard range. There are a variety of extras to choose from: CD player, colour light panel, aromatherapy dispenser, air purifier, ioniser, and a full spectrum light panel. Infrared log cabins do more then relax you - they can improve your health.
For thousands of years ancient cultures have understood that the action of sweating was an effective way to cleanse the body. The Finns are one of the main cultures that continue to maintain a focus on saunas as a primary method of encouraging sweating. Sweating is one of the body’s ways to eliminate toxins, such as metabolic by products from our own cells, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body. In today’s modern world characterized by our inactive lifestyle, the need for a ‘good sweat’ is very important if we want to look ourselves.
Medical researchers from across the world have found that regular use of an infrared log cabin can have enormous health benefits. In Japan, there is an ‘infrared society’ composed of medical doctors and physical therapists dedicated to further infrared research. Their findings support the health benefits of infrared therapy as a method of healing. In recent times, Japanese research studies have found treatment in an infrared log cabin relieved burn pain and promoted the healing rate with less scarring, reduced hypertension (high blood pressure), improved short-term memory loss, relieved arthritis pain, and improved weight loss results. They also found that ear, nose and throat conditions were relieved: tinnitus (ringing in the ears), nosebleeds and chronic middle-ear infections.
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by Alana Tanner

This is part two in our series of tips and tricks for installing and working with crown molding in your home.
Just like with hair, split ends are bad - if you nail too close to the end of your piece of molding you can easily split the wood and have an unsightly problem. You can prevent this by pre-drilling the nail holes with one size smaller bit than the nail itself.
Save yourself a lot of mess and time - pre-stain or paint your molding before hanging it. Not only do you save your back and arms by working with the trim down at your level but you won’t have to worry about accidentally staining or painting the ceiling. Any visible nail holes can be filled and quickly touched up after its been hung.
What if your ceiling isn’t straight and you get gaps? This is a genuine problem for many older homes. You may notice a gap between a straight section of the molding and a higher portion of the ceiling. Try gently pushing the molding up to cover that odd spot before fastening. Sometimes this isn’t noticeable to the naked eye. If the different is too much and it looks crooked from below then fill in the gap with caulk and paint it to match.
If you’re a one man job or the molding piece is too long for two people to manage, then you can prop up one end on a finish nail under the molding. Work your way down to that finish nail, secure the molding in place and remove the supporting nail.
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by Paulo Poco

So you’ve realized that you need a bigger boat since your family has begun using hand signals to avoid collisions. You’re flipping a home before it flips you. Or perhaps your roof needs to be replaced because you can’t seem to find any more pots to collect rain water. Homeowners and property investors alike, all reach moments when home improvements are simply inevitable. And unfortunately, it isn’t always fun.
During this exciting time, anticipation is high, and initially, your tendency may be to focus on all of the positive benefits of completing your new project. After all, the excitement is what probably drove you to make the decision in the first place. Or maybe not. Perhaps it was your spouse who’s been begging for years, or your tenants at the courthouse. If that’s the case then you’re a bit more advanced and lucky for you, these emotions will no longer be mentioned in the next paragraph.
Once you begin considering the costs, the plans, the time, the mess and the stress of completing your new project, your cheek muscles will begin to tire from holding that smile. Your face will soon begin to change, resembling that of a puppy dog, which will become a permanent mask that you will wear until the day your project is completed. You may find yourself reminiscing about a previous disastrous project, or if this is your first, perhaps you begin to hear the echoes from horrific contractor stories-compliments of your friends and neighbors.
The fact is, you can avoid most problems, stress and financial setbacks when undergoing home improvements.
Hiring a contractor for any project should not be a decision that you can simply "leave to the pros". Unless you’re extremely passive, collect your money from trees in your backyard, or both, chances are you will want to have at least moderate control over the project. And most importantly, control over the funds that you’ll be pouring into it. In order to avoid most problems associated with home improvements, you must get involved early, before it’s over your head.
Below is a general guide that should aid you in holding on to that smile without jeopardizing Johnny’s college fund.
From Gray to White.
It’s time to move all of those wonderful ideas from the gray matter into some fresh white paper. Get yourself a grid notebook and a pencil, and draw out a sketch or diagram. Don’t worry, you don’t need to learn CADD and check it for proper scale, just draw it out to the best of your ability. At this point this will be used simply as a visual aid. Doing this will also ensure that you to consider certain obstacles that may need to be addressed before moving forward.
Unite and Conquer.
Before standing on a chair and dictating your project plans to the ones who will be directly impacted by them, consider sharing your ideas first. Whether this will be to your family members, or if an investment property, to your tenants or real estate agent.
First, begin explaining the reasons for your project, and then the benefits. You’ll want to be able to share the same excitement you felt when you first thought about the project. This will get their attention and more feedback since they are now part of the plan. Bring all of your sketches, and let everyone have a look. Don’t forget your pencil, and make sure it has a fresh eraser at the end. You’ll be amazed to learn all of the different questions and ideas that come out of doing this. Although hard to accept, at the end of this meeting you may even end up with a much better idea, very different from your own.
Now will be a good time to discuss finances and set a budget with your spouse or anyone who may be financially affected by the project. Come up with a reasonable figure and an absolute limit to your budget.
One, two, three…
Now that you have compiled enough information for a rough draft on why the project is needed, let’s discuss what is needed.
With some simple research on the internet or at your local home improvement store, you should now create a list of different materials or products that you might consider for your project. This will help you get more educated on what is actually available. Gather this information on your notebook and list everything by preference and cost- to show the impact on your budget. Next, find out what the requirements are for your project. You may need to pull a building permit through your city or state. Don’t do anything without it. If you are caught with a permit you may be forced to completely tear down your entire project, at whatever stage you’re in. You don’t want that to happen. Again, this information can be easily located and sometimes ordered through the internet.
If you live in a closed community, check with your home owners association, they may also have bylaws which you may be required to comply with.
Sub Total.
Contractors usually purchase materials at wholesale prices, which is usually between 10% to 20% cheaper then the retail price quotes you may get, so you’re much better off having the contractor provide the materials themselves. But even if you don’t plan on purchasing the materials, it is a good idea to add them all up at this point. This figure will provide you with excellent insight on cost and can be used as leverage when the pricing phase begins. If necessary, touch up your specifications so that you know how much of what is necessary. The more precise the specs, the more accurate your material costs will be.
Putting it Together.
Most home improvement projects are labor intensive. This means that much of the costs associated are a direct result of hiring someone to put it all together. This is of course, on of the most important pieces of it all, since without it, all you’re left with is an overly erased piece of grid paper with chicken scratch. The process of selecting a contractor is crucial, and there are many things you should consider doing before hiring.
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