Home Tips - Stair Lighting Problems

Walking up and down the stairs in the dark could become a safety issue. If the stairs in the house are not that old, there should be a light switch at the top and a light switch at the bottom of the stairway. This is a three way switch and is designed to allow you to turn the stair lighting on as you walk up the stairs and then turn the stair lighting off, once you've safely reached the top of the stairway. And vice versa as she walked down the stairs.

If you don't have a light switch, there are motion sensor lights that are battery operated and can be installed easily in the stairway. These lights can provide you with peace of mind, while protecting your family from accidents.

Stairway accidents are nothing to joke about, I lived in a two-story house with four other people and was the last one to fall down the stairway. None of us got seriously injured and the stairway was built to meet local building codes and was inspected by a building and safety inspector. The stairs were built correctly and the stair lighting was no problem, but people still fell down the stairway and it always happens in the evening.

During the day time there were two windows that let plenty of light into the stairway and in the evening the stairway became quite dark, rarely was the stair lightning ever turned on. This could have been outright laziness but nevertheless, it was rarely used and eventually became a safety issue.

Lighting your stairway might not end all of your problems but it can and some of your problems. There are plenty of stair lighting systems available on the market today and some of the battery operated stair lighting systems can be installed by most homeowners.

Think safety always and do your best to solve your stair lighting problems as soon as possible to prevent injuries or accidents.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more building stairs or home building ideas.

Broken Fire Hydrant Home Damage

How to Find a Good Landscape Architect

Whether the project involves hard or softscape, improving your property can be a big investment. But you don't have to go it alone. Put your money and trust in a landscape architect to get the beautiful results you want. This article gives you a few tips on finding a good landscape architect for your project.

From planning parks to designing stone pathways, a landscape architect's activities are varied. When you begin planning the scope of your project, find an architect whose track record and experience matches up with the level of design you are seeking. You will waste money and create worry if you choose someone whose plans are too grandiose for your particular needs.

After deciding on the overall scope of your project, go architect shopping. The best way to do this is to ask for recommendations, whether they be from friends or neighbors, or even a stranger whose yard you admire. Always make sure to ask why they would recommend this person. If you are looking for someone whose expertise lies in designing swimming pools, then a planting expert may not be right for you.

After getting several recommendations, narrow down the list by getting bids and checking out references. Above all, make sure that no matter the person's area of expertise, he or she has experience in and knowledge of local regulations, construction oversight, and site engineering and building techniques. As with any contract work, make sure that the architect has professional liability insurance for the service you require.

Once the playing field is cut to two or three potential designers, interview them on the phone and ask to see examples of their work. If a designer comes to your home to give you a bid, he or she should also bring a portfolio of their past work. Going through the portfolio ensures that you like the architect's style and solidifies their work history. A word of advice: Only invite the most promising designers to your property to give you an estimate. This will save time and allow you to make a quicker decision.

Two final but very important considerations: A degree in landscape architecture is always a bonus, so if you it comes between two designers that you like equally well, you can never go wrong with one that has the most qualifications. Second, during the interview establish in the designer's mind a clear understanding of your expectations, and choose someone that you can communicate this vision to easily. Look for signs that the designer is listening to you and translating your words into your dream landscape. While every designer's aesthetic is different, you want a designer who is working for you, not for your money or worse, for themselves.

Lone Star Land Design (http://lonestarlanddesign.com) offers full service landscaping in Austin, TX, offering residential and commercial design and construction services. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

Stud Spacing And Wall Framing

Fix Holes in Your Wall From Door Knobs - Home Repair

Fixing holes in your wall can be a challenge if you have no idea how to repair the wall or even how it is built.

Have you ever slammed a door shut because you were a little mad a something of someone. Well now have you ever slammed a door open a little to hard and then hearing a sound like something just stuck to the wall.

Well now that would be the sound of your door knob going through the drywall or plaster. Oh crap now what do I do. And don't try to blame this one on the kids either. Right about now you are wondering how in the heck am I going to repair this and not let it happen again.

You should have a nice round hole in the door. Try to remove the piece of drywall without it falling into the wall. After you get this piece of drywall out set it to the side for possible reinstallation. Now get a measuring tape to see if the wall is framed with 2 x 4 or 2 x 6.

If the wall is framed with 2 x 4 it will measure three and one half inches in between the drywall or plaster. If it is a 2 x 6 framed wall it will measure five and one half inches in between the drywall or plaster.

We will use the 2 x 4 wall for our example on fixing the hole from the door knob. Cut a piece of 2 x 4 about 5 inches long and taper both ends of the 2 x 4 so you will be able to slide the piece of wood into the damage hole.

When you slip the wood into the hole set it on edge and screw the sides into the drywall. This will hold the2 x 4 in place. Next reinstall the piece of drywall you removed and screw it into the drywall. Now for the secret to finishing the wall.

Go down to your local home improvement store and purchase a round rubber door stop that glues onto the wall. These rubber and sometimes plastic door stops will be about 6 inches in diameter and work great for these holes.

You could also buy a few more of them to protect the walls from big bad door openers.
Keep Your Temper In Check and You Won't Have To Keep Writing Them

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business in California for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building in North San Diego Valley Center Remodeling

Visit us now for Drywall Ideas

Small Things Lead To Change

Make Your Own Electricity - Easy and Inexpensive

As an individual, it is too easy to think that you do not have the power to do anything to change the global environmental and economic crisis - but you are wrong.

It is individuals, making their own individual decisions who will make the choices that will change the future of the planet for us all. One of the ways that we can all contribute to this solution is to start becoming less dependent on fossil fuels and the major companies who mine, use and distribute this energy around the world. The sun and wind are two alternative sources of power that are constantly available for use, and with a little knowledge and a small investment in time, it is possible to build your own solar or wind power generator and start to make your own electricity right away.

Oil prices are skyrocketing around the world, and will continue to do so as they become more scarce with time. Heavy fossil fuel consumption is not only expensive for your family budget however, but is also the source of unnecessary environmental waste products that the planet could definitely do without. By making your own electricity, you can cut down on your global environmental impact and save money at the same time - and therefore acting as part of the solution to the two most serious problems we face at this time. There are some guides online that provide all of the details that you need to know to start making your own electricity, and believe me, it is much easier than you think it is.

The two easiest ways to get started in the production of renewable energy systems is either with a solar system or a wind system. Both provide fun and inspiring projects that will educate you about the nature of electricity at the same time as you are producing a working energy solution for your family. Through the making of a solar cell system or a wind turbine, you can be making your own electricity in no time at all - and if you are really keen, you can even make both.

Greg Morgan is a professional writer and blogger who is passionate about green issues and DIY technology. Please visit this blog - Make Your Own Energy to learn how to get started on your path to generating your own electricity.

What Kind Of Wood Rot

Planning Your Bathroom Remodel Budget - Home Improvement Ideas

As a bathroom remodeling contractor, I get calls from people, that have no idea what they want or how much anything is going to cost. Here's some simple tips that can be very helpful when planning a bathroom remodel budget.

Bathroom Remodeling Investment

In 2008, the average mid-range bathroom cost around $16,000 and you could recoup around $12,000 of your original investment upon the sale of your home. According to a popular remodeling magazine, larger bathrooms using expensive fixtures, tile, bathtubs, woodworking, toilets and showers had an average of $52,000. Upon the sale of a home, you could recoup around $36,000 of your original investment.

Finding out How Much Things Cost

My first suggestion, would be to visit your local home improvement center, lumber yard or plumbing supply warehouse. Larger stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, seemed to provide you with value pricing but don't have a large selection. While doing some research on the Internet I noticed that some of their pricing is outrageously, outrageous. Some plumbing supply warehouses can provide value but beware others won't.

Create a List of Bathroom Remodeling Parts

You can get a good idea of your bathroom remodel costs for your budget by making a list of bathroom parts with pricing and then adding them up for a grand total. If you're a total bathroom remodel budget is $15,000 and you have a $6,000 bathtub with $4000 worth of tile, you could have a budget problem.

Figuring out the Labor

You will have to contact a contractor to get an actual cost for the labor. Sometimes you can double the cost of your bathroom remodeling parts to get a rough idea. If you have a list or a couple of lists and a few pictures of some sample bathrooms, this will make the contractor's job easier and often they can give you a labor price within a few days.

Give Yourself a Cushion

I would suggest leaving yourself a small financial cushion for any additional remodeling items. For example, you could see a different toilet, or instead of painting the walls, you now choose to wallpaper, you could incur additional expenses that you haven't planned for. If you know exactly what you want and stick to the original bathroom remodeling plan, you shouldn't need the cushion.

Financial problems often transfer into construction problems, so spend some time figuring out, how much money you want to spend on the bathroom remodel and try not to go overboard on the budget. I hate to see homeowners struggling with home improvement loan payments. Try to create a bathroom remodeling budget that is realistic and will not create a financial burden upon you or your family.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more bathroom remodeling or home building ideas.

Horizontal Or Vertical Drywall Application

Let's start with the basic eight-foot sheet of drywall. Most drywall contractors apply drywall horizontally however I have seen some contractors working with metal stud framing install 10 foot sheets of drywall vertically.

The reasons for installing the 10 foot sheets of drywall up and down or vertically in this situation are quite simple. There is no structural strength required in these walls because they are simply partitions dividing rooms and usually the drywall only needs to be finished up to 9 feet. This is the only time I have seen drywall ran vertically.

In a wood framed house the drywall actually adds a little sheer value to the home itself.

The manufacturer suggests installing eight-foot sheets of drywall horizontally. The horizontal application of drywall means installing the 4 foot side of the drywall up and down and the eight-foot side of the drywall side to side.

What is the reason for installing the 4 x 8 sheets horizontally?

When it comes to finishing the drywall the 4 foot seams that run up and down or vertical will not be as noticeable as a seam running up and down the entire wall. If you haven't read one of my last articles on eye level window setting then let me give you a brief eye level education.

A person 5'8" in height will be more apt to notice things between 4'6" off the ground and 6'6" off the ground. If we ran the drywall vertical there is a good chance the eyes would be able to pick up any finishing flaws in the drywall. Running the drywall horizontally will just put us a little out of range from the lower eye level of 4 foot six with our finish.

Another reason for installing the drywall horizontally is there is a good chance your eyes would be able to pick up four foot lines in the wall going from floor to ceiling quite easily. On older homes you will see lines in the ceilings about every 24 inches. This is because the plaster or drywall ceilings is starting to sag in between the ceiling joist.

These lines are difficult to do anything about once the drywall is finished. The only alternative you would have is to remove the ceiling and re-drywall and finish it.

Drywall ran vertically will tend to crack easier than staggered drywall ran horizontally. The four foot section of drywall is stronger than the 8 foot section. If you stagger your drywall breaks every four feet this will increase the strength of your wall as well.

Try not to break the drywall at any door openings. The door openings seem to crack easily from the corners working their way towards the ceiling. Let the drywall run over the doorway and then cut the doorway out leaving the rough door opening during wallboard installation.

If you have ever seen a house that was drywalled by a professional crew the waste is unbelievable. The reason for this is simply that the drywall contractor does not want to come back and patch cracks in the walls three or four years after he is done. It can be quite labor intensive installing scrap pieces of drywall versus using larger sheets to cover the same area.

Don't forget and always remember that. Horizontal installation of drywall is recommended by the manufacturer.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

How Much Do Sunrooms Cost

One of the most important things that you'll need to keep in mind if you are building a sunroom is the cost. Sure, you no doubt want a wonderful sunroom that is beautiful and energy efficient for your enjoyment, but you don't want to go broke or into debt trying to have your sunroom built. For this reason you are going to want to think about how much sunrooms are going to cost you, which can vary, depending on what you want in your sunroom. Before you decide to go with a sunroom, there are several things about the cost that you are going to want to consider.

The Cost of Your Materials

First of all, one of the main factors when it comes to the cost of sunrooms is the cost of the materials that you are going to want to use on the sunroom. It is important that you pick out materials that are quality and if you're going to use this sunroom all year long, you need materials that are energy efficient as well. However, when you begin to think about how you want the sunroom to look, it's easy to start thinking about the looks while forgetting what the materials are going to cost you. So, make sure that you always keep the cost of your materials in mind when trying to figure out how much your sunroom is going to cost you.

Labor Costs

On the other hand, the other huge factor in the cost of a sunroom is the cost of labor. If you happen to go with a professional for construction, you'll definitely be spending quite a bit of money on labor. However, if you decide to work on the project yourself and only hire professionals when necessary, you can save a whole lot of money. You do need to remember though that when you build the sunroom yourself, there will be no guarantee on the construction if something goes wrong.

Figuring Out Your Budget

You'll want to take some time to figure out the budget for your sunroom project before you ever get started. If you don't do this, then you'll probably end up spending a whole lot more than you planned on. Figuring out a budget and then building your sunroom around the budget is the best way to make sure that you don't overspend your limits and end up in debt or with a sunroom you can't afford to complete.

Saving Some Money

Of course there are some ways that you can save money on your sunroom. The biggest way to save is to do all the work on it that you possibly can. You'll save a bundle in labor costs this way. Looking for discounts on quality materials can also help you to save money. Also, going with materials that are energy efficient are going to save you in the long run, even if they appear to be more expensive now.

For more information on sunrooms, sunroom additions and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com