Getting and Using Home How-To Books

You want to change the way that your house looks, but you have no idea where to even start with it. You can do one of two things - either call a professional or you can go out and get that How To book on fixing your home.

If you are working on your home, you want to keep the costs as low as you can and you can do that with used books on home repairs and remodeling. You may not have even thought about it when you were looking at the books in the home improvement stores, but you can get those same books at the local bookstore for half the price. Only, it won't be brand new; it will be a used copy.

Used books are great for people who want to save a little money. But, they are even better for those who would like to use that money to work on the place that they live in. This is because you are able to put more money into the remodeling work and get a better looking home faster. Many people look at these used books for ideas and sometimes even instructions on how to complete a project that will look just great when it's done. Think about all that you can do with these books and what you will learn from even those used books that you have never really taken the time to look at.

You can look for these used books in your local bookstores as well as on the Internet if you want. The local option will allow you to look at the projects that are in the book and see if they are similar to what you want to consider doing. If you get your used books from the Internet, you will not be able to really look at the projects and it may end up not being what you actually want in the end.

There are many places that offer used books for this purpose and you can find them pretty easily if you take a minute and look. Sure, you can spend money for the new books, but why do that when you may not even have to? Used books are a great way to save your money and get more done within your project. Who knows you might get those used books for one project and find something in there that will work for another part of your home that you didn't think about.

12 Steps to Replace a Septic System

For those non-city folks that rely on a septic system instead of a city sewer, having a failed septic system is a major headache. It is amazing to hear the horror stories, as well as, the vast amount of mis-information being circulated about septic tanks, leaching systems, septic system repair costs, etc.

With over 30 years of experience in the design engineering of subsurface sewage disposal systems, commonly called "Septic Systems", I've prepared this easy to follow 12 step outline as a guide in replacing a Septic System. There is one very important pre-qualification before you start, you need to retain a qualified professional civil engineer or registered sanitarian. I have to stress the word "qualified", unless you want to enjoy being the leading role in the next release of "Horror Stories from the Leaching Field". Take the time to do a little homework, such as going to your local Health Board office and asking what civil engineers are designing septic systems in your Town and whose design plans are typically approved without having to be sent back for corrections and revisions. Once you get a few names, do a little research on the web, Better Business Bureau, etc. Then you should contact these civil engineers and talk with them about your problem septic system and ask for a written proposal that will outline the tasks and costs. Just like you wouldn't eat a rotten piece of fruit, if you don't have a good feeling about a particular civil engineer, then do not hire him!

Now you are ready to go forward with the 12 steps.

1. A test application is submitted to the local Health office (some States, like Rhode Island, control the testing, etc. so the application would have to go to a State agency.)

2. You hire an excavation contractor to dig the test holes. If you do not know a local excavating contractor, then your engineer should provide you with a few contact names. (FYI - by hiring a contractor for the test holes, you are not making a commitment or obligation to hire him to install the replacement septic system.) This excavation contractor will need to follow local / state safety regulations (such as obtaining a "dig-safe" number and having the underground electric, telephone, CATV, gas, etc. located before the test holes are dug.

3. The engineer coordinates with the Health Agent, excavating contractor and you (the client) to set the testing date.

4. The engineer performs the official deep hole soil evaluation and associated "perc" percolation testing. Soil samples may have to be obtained and taken to a lab for further testing. The engineer prepares the official forms (soil logs) and submits a copy to the local health office and to you.

5. The engineer performs a limited existing conditions topographic "topo" survey of your property where the replacement septic system is proposed. (FYI - Unless you have a small lot or do not know where your lot lines and/or lot corners are located, you typically would not need to have your property line surveyed.)

6. The engineer uses the results of the soil evaluation, perc. testing, topo survey in combination with the current and anticipated building use (number of bedrooms, garbage grinder, etc.) and State / Local Sanitary Codes to design a replacement septic system for your property.

7. The formal design plans (with the original seal and signature of the professional civil engineer) and construction permit application are submitted to the local Health Agency for review and approval.

8. The engineer provides you with additional copies of the design plans for you to submit to licensed contractors to obtain a price quote / bid.

9. Once you have selected a contractor, he coordinates with the local Health Agency (to obtain the permit) and the engineer, prior to starting the work.

10. The Health Agent visits the construction site as the work progresses to observe and confirm Code compliance.

11. The engineer, in most States, must visit the construction site to observe the critical construction stages, make measurements and prepare a formal plan showing the completed "as-built" septic system. The engineer submits a copy of this plan to you and the local Health Agency along with a signed compliance statement. Some States also require the contractor to sign and submit a compliance statement.

12. The local Health Agency reviews the "as-built" plan, etc. and issues a "Certificate of Compliance" which signifies that the replacement septic system as installed is in compliance with the State and Local Sanitary Code.

One other item, if you have wetlands on or near your property and the anticipated work will be within 100 ft. of these wetlands, then additional permitting will be necessary before you can have the replacement septic system installed.

Keeping Your Home and Garden Spiffy

If you are like most people, you want your home and garden to be smart and stylish. You can keep your place up to date when you shop for all the modern necessities and luxuries. You can surround yourself with beautiful and functional items as you make your choices.

Your home will be cozy and livable and your garden will bloom when you get all the right accessories. You will be able to make any kind of food or beverage in your kitchen if you have the right appliances to do the jobs. Cookbooks will guide you on your way to great family meals in your home.

For beverages, you will have blenders, juicers, and mixers. You can find cookware to suit your style, whether it is a single cooker or a complete set of nonstick cookware. Bring out the cutlery sets to chop up and prepare your foods for cooking and roasting. You can also cook in fryers, skillets, griddles, or microwaves. Toasters, toaster ovens, grills, and waffle makers complete your small cooking appliances.

When your food is finished, you can serve it with coffee, tea, or espresso. Use buffet style food servers to show off your dishes and keep them warm for guests. When the meal is over, you can bag up the leftovers in FoodSavers bags to use on another day. If all else fails and you are not in the mood to cook a fancy dinner, use can or jar openers for an easy meal.

Entertaining at home is easier with novelty items like cotton candy, popcorn, snow cone, or slushee machines. You can serve hot dogs, ice cream or nachos in a nostalgic way. Do not leave out barware and fondue equipment when you are thinking about entertaining.

Your home will look more modern if you use attractive soap dispensers in your bathroom. You can get beautiful touchfree versions that show off the colors of your soaps and shampoos. Air purifiers can clean up the environment not only in the bathroom, but all over your home.

Cleaning is a necessary evil for many people, but having the right machines and detergents will make everything work better. Steam cleaners and vacuums make tough chores easier. Special touch free trash cans make everyday clean up a breeze. The chore of garment care will not be a
dreaded one in your home if you have the best in steam irons.

Children of all ages should not be left out of home plans. They need their toys and games. Golf
putter sets are just as desirable for some as pedal cars are for others. Everyone loves poker sets and signs. The big kids like their toys too, and sets of tools are popular for them.

House and garden plans are not complete until you find all the little things that make a house a home. You will look forward to shopping for your kitchen, your bathroom, your comfort, and your entertainment with excitement.

Don't Despair, Home Improvement Contractors

The shaky housing market has some home improvement contractors running scared, but there is no reason to hang up your tool belt just yet. Business from homebuilders may have dried up, but homeowners themselves still need what you have to offer. In fact, experts are forecasting growth in the remodeling arena - in part as an offshoot of the decline in home sales. The trick will be switching your marketing strategy to reach your new target audience.

Remodeling, of course, is an evergreen business. Approximately 25 million homeowners undertake some type of home improvement project each year, according to research from Harvard's Improving America's Housing 2007. And the Home Improvement Research Institute predicts that sales of home improvement products will grow at an average rate of 6% annually over the next four years - a sign that people will still be investing in their homes.

Some of this demand is triggered by normal home upkeep. Two-thirds of existing homes are now at least 25 years old - the age at which items such as the roof, windows and plumbing fixtures begin to need repair or replacement, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Other projects are inspired by a simple desire to upgrade one's living environment - perhaps pushed along these days by television lifestyle shows filled with luxury amenities.

Additional demand will be driven by the state of the housing market, experts say. Some homeowners who were planning to move will instead renovate because they can't sell their homes in the current economy. Properties that have fallen victim to the foreclosure crisis will be acquired and in need of remodeling, particularly over the next 18 months as foreclosures peak. And pent-up demand for older home remodeling, energy efficiency retrofits and rental stock improvements will be unleashed when the economy perks up, according to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Bottom line: there's still business today, and there will be MORE business over the near term. Now is the time to lay the marketing groundwork to cash in.

While word-of-mouth referrals will always be important, it's not enough to keep your pipeline filled. Advertising plays an essential role in bringing customers to your door by building brand recognition as well as credibility. But not all ads are created equal. Follow these rules of thumb for best results:

Define your target audience and create an effective method to reach them.
If your service is high-end, maximize your advertising dollars by targeting only top homes by value in the marketplace.
Showcase your best work through photographs. This inspires remodeling ideas and helps consumers visualize the effect that a remodeling project will have on their own home.
Look for advertising outlets that focus on home remodeling, because that's where your target customer is going to be looking for contractors - not mixed in with pizza coupons.
Advertise on a regular basis. A consumer normally needs to see your name and ad repeatedly before picking up the phone.
Be sure that your phone number and other contact information is prominently displayed in your ad so that consumers can reach you easily.

Remember: the home improvement business is still alive and kicking. It's just a matter of finding opportunities in new places. Put yourself in front of the right people - through advertising - and the work will come.

EcoEnergy

With talks of recession and the cost of oil skyrocketing, consumers are becoming more energy conscience in their daily lives. The talk around the patio this summer is the low interest rates on vehicles and other promotional items to encourage them to continue purchasing the "typical" gas guzzling vehicle. The conversation may flow towards the new hybrid cars available from various companies. One conversation that happens rarely is how consumer's can make their homes more energy efficient.

Consumers tend to change their old 20 year old furnace when it "konks" out and no longer provides heat. Windows are replaced when the old windows are no longer aesthetically appealing. Insulation in the basement is added when they decide to refinish and the attic insulation is never a concern. Consumer's today have more knowledge of their vehicles than they do their largest investment.

The ecoEnergy Program, launched in 2007, by the Federal Government provides the education that a homeowner requires when making energy efficient decisions. As a bonus, Natural Resources Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Energy provides up to $10,000 in grants when making Energy Efficient upgrades. The education received by having an ecoEnergy evaluation is priceless. Homeowners are educated on how their home operates as a system and how one component is vital to another component in the house. Homeowners must have an initial evaluation prior to performing any Energy Efficient upgrades. This evaluation should include:

* Detailed certified examination

* Blower door test to determine air leakage

* Standby power loss demo

* Tour of air leakage sites

* Analysis of heating and cooling equipment

* Assessment of insulation values

* Comprehensive list of energy trouble spots

* Prioritized energy action list

* Official EnerGuide rating label

* Energy Saving Advice

* Complete report presentation on-site

As with any purchasing decision, it is always advisable to shop around and get three quotes for an ecoEnergy evaluation. Some advisor's provide the ecoEnergy report presentation on site, where others process the report in a central location where it is then mailed to homeowner within two weeks.

Once the preliminary evaluation is conducted the homeowner has 18 months to complete some or all of the renovations recommended. The ecoEnergy advisor returns to conduct another blower door test and document the upgrades performed in the home.

Lastly, the renovation contractor is the last person a homeowner will see when making their investment. It is always advisable to work with a contractor who, not only provides information about their product, but also encourages having an ecoEnergy evaluation performed on their home. A contractor who advises this to the homeowner is not threatened to 3rd party unbiased advice and has provided the homeowner the opportunity to receive the grants available and will put off the installation date (for a reasonable period of time) to keep their homeowner satisfied.
About the Writer

Trina Stewart has been working with Renovation Contractors and homeowners since 1996. She has been intimately involved with various programs including the Window Wise National Certification Program, Energuide for Houses Program, and ecoEnergy. Her reputation as being an information source for contractors, homeowners, local utilities, municipalities, and other organizations has contributed to her success in the renovation industry.

Home Office Productivity Improved Using Wireless Intercom System

One of the most frustrating things about working from home is when you're on an important phone call and the door bell rings. Then you have to decide whether to put the call on hold and make the journey to the front door for what could very well just be the neighbor girl selling cookies.

The trip to the front door really isn't the worst of it. It's the interruption to your concentration that causes a drop in your productivity. If whoever is at the door is a sales person or a pizza delivery person for a pizza you didn't order, then you may add a little anger on top of your interrupted concentration.

Once you get rid of the distraction and head back to your office, now you have to get back in the mode of concentration you were previously in. This is not always an easy task, especially if you're still angry.

One solution to this problem is to add an intercom system with a door phone to your residence. If you're building a new home, you can easily add the wires to do this before the walls are closed. Unfortunately, it's much more expensive to do this for existing houses, condos, or town homes.

That's where a wireless intercom system works nicely as long as the system is totally wireless. That means you don't have to run power or any other wires to the units at the front door or on your desk.

You also want a system that provides digital security so neighbors with similar units or cordless phones can't listen to your conversations. Many digital systems also provide quieter operation so you won't have any static noise drowning out your conversation.

The system you choose must have a waterproof outdoor wireless door intercom unit available so you can talk to whoever is at the door. If you have a larger house, or one with walls that could block the transmission signal, you'll want a long range system.

Some systems even let you add a remote door lock control, which is nice if you want a delivery person to just slide a package in the front door.

By installing a wireless intercom system you can quickly run off sales people with barely a break in your concentration. That improves your productivity...not to mention lowers the stress caused by being angry for having someone make you walk all the way to the front door for nothing.

Low-Grain Refrigerant Dehumidifiers For Water Damage

Low grain refrigerant dehumidifiers are a good choice for Nevada water damage cleanup. If you have flood damage then you might consider this type of dehumidifier for your home.

A low-grain refrigerant dehumidifier is unique and most commonly used for residential and commercial use. This is because they are extremely energy efficient. Energy use is important to a lot of people and can also save on the electric bill if there is a lot of humidity that needs to be removed from the air.

The low-grain humidifiers form more condensation on the cooling coils than other dehumidifiers because it has a double cooling system which is an enhanced step. This allows the system to lower the moisture air temperatures. Lowering the temperatures is very important for Nevada water damage cleanup.

When condensation builds on the internal cooling coils, the water droplets are collected. The dehumidifier includes pumps that discharge the collected droplets into a floor drain. This allows for the water moisture pulled from a home that needs Nevada water damage cleanup not to be put back into the home.

The low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers are an excellent choice for Nevada water damage cleanup because they are the best solution for moisture removal. When water is extracted from a home's furnishings, carpets, and walls, moisture is still retained in them. The moisture can cause problems with mold if it is not removed as quickly as possible.

The low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers produce a drier air and it heats it. It provides for less moisture in the air than the commercial grade refrigerant dehumidifiers. This is a much better dehumidifier than the commercial grade. This is due to the extra step used to double cool the air to provide for accelerated drying. The Nevada water damage cleanup occurs much faster with furnishings, flooring and more.

A low-grain refrigerant dehumidifier is a form of a dehumidifier that uses a lower amount of energy to pull the moisture from the air. These forms of dehumidifiers are much better for Nevada water damage cleanup because they accelerate the process faster than the commercial dehumidifiers. If you have excessive water cleanup that needs to be done in your home then you should consider the low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers.