Home Related Questions and Answers: 2013-02-03

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What kind of wood is used or how is it treated to prevent it from splitting?

Q. I want to dabble in rustic log furniture building. Wondering what kind of wood is used and/or how is it treated to prevent it from splitting as it ages. See http://www.yellowstonefurniture.com/images/alderchair.jpg

A. For branch-built furniture, willow is a good choice.
For log furniture, it's fairly typical to use species of pine... as the knots provide interest. (Sometimes the splits do, too.)
To keep from splitting, would recommend using seasoned wood... wood that has been dried in a kiln or left to dry naturally for at least a year. More is better. Moisture is the enemy and if you work with green wood, it will eventually shrink and may split. Another tactic is to pre-drill all the fastener holes and use dowels and/or mortise/tenon joints.

But, that's for big things like beds and large chairs. For bentwood... it's branches and brads or binding material to hold shape. Rawhide makes a good lashing... put it on soaking wet, let it dry = super strong.

And, of course, I'm sure there are a host of DIY sources on the web.

Good luck.

What are the most sought after type of wood in Australia?

Q. I reside in a country in Asia which is rich in its natural revenue and I have a wood manufacturing business. I'm looking to expand it to Australia via exportation and I need to know what the market demands nowadays in Australia - for furniture, building, whatever it is - I heard that the most sought after right now is Red Oak for flooring is that right? What other type of wood is popular over there?

And any legal requirements, unwritten rules among manufacturer/exporter, ANY info would be very much appreciated! :)
Thank you

A. Have a look at companies like Bunnings and Colli they are builders merchants that stock timber.

Jarra is popular in western Australia but WA is also the only place on earth it grows so unless you can sell ice to eskimos..

Can you recommend a good interior designer to do a 30-sq condo in the Philippines?

Q. I need an interior designer for a 30-sq condo. in Quezon City Philippines. We have a new baby, need a working little kitchen, and a nice bathroom. I prefer Japanese design, minimal furniture, built-in cabinets. Interested parties can reply to this question or email me:tometooo@yahoo.com. Many thanks.

A. I am a decorator and home stager and it would be my pleasure to design your new room. I can even give you testimonials from my clients. All you have to do is pay my air fare round trip. I can also work with email and digital photos. Feel free to contact me at info@divadecors.com

What shall I do If my security light comes on in my chevy impala?

Q. Im having a passlock problem in my 2002 chevy impala. The security light blinks on and the car wont start. I have to wait like 10 minutes before it resets itself. The dealor says it cost 600.00 to fix and no one else would touch it. Ive called around. Is there an easier way out of this?

A. all chevrolets have this problem, even mine. this summer i found out what my problem was. first the light blinks then, my tahoe woulg turn off while i applied the break peddle. killing all power to vehicle.
chevrolrt dealer told me same thing $600 to fix.

i thought the all\arm system was holding it off, on anti-thift, cause i could hear the alarm box making clicking sounds

the problem with mine was a loose positive battery post.
even tho the post was tight, just wasn't tight enough'
post was tight into the battery, but loose between both cables that hooked to the positive pose, not much just enough to cause problems.

what i did was put a lock washer between both cables, and installed cables in a v shape from bottom looking up.

havent had the problem again.

around here, i know at least 7 people with same problem

give it a try, before spending $600

Does a security light coming on have anything to do with a car not starting?

Q. I noticed a security light coming in on my dashboard the other day. After about two days my car wouldn't start. I changed the battery and put on a new one. The car still don't start at all. No engine sound either. (2003 Oldsmobile Alero) I think it is the starter.
It didn't make a sound. It didn't even click. The lights came on the dash. No engine sound at all.

A. Read your owner's manual if it's a factory installed alarm system. If it was installed by yourself, or a previous owner, call a tow. It seems as though your car thought it was being tampered with...it has shut down your ignition system to keep it from being stolen. You need to find out how to reset the system...some cars have a button under the dash that you press while turning the key to 'start', some can be reset with the key fob.Maybe your car used to have an alarm system, and it stopped working properly, and the previous owner got rid of the key fob, but not the rest of the system. Either way, I would bet that there is an alarm system that has shut the car down.

The Service 4WD and Security light comes on in my 99 GMC Sierra?

Q. The security light only comes on while I'm driing from time to time, and the Service 4WD happens more often. I have recently had work done on the transfer case and the diff, so what could be the problem with these lights?

A. take it and have the computer scanned on it to see if it will give any trouble codes,that and have it put on a lift they might have left a wiring harness loose on it,that shouldn't cause the security light to come on though,have it scanned and see what codes come up on it,then go from their with it,good luck.

Can you paint a ceiling light fixture? I want the actual glass globe painted - is this possible?

Q. I'm looking to paint the ceiling light fixture in my baby's bedroom. I am doing a Dr. Seuss theme and I haven't been able to find a ceiling light fixture and that's what I want. So, I want to know if it's possible to do and if so what type of paint is safe to use (non toxic, non flammable and so on) to paint Dr. Seuss characters on it. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A. Seems like a bad idea. It will block the light and, if you ever want to change the theme, you will have to buy a new light. Just paint the ceiling around the light.

How can I add a pull chain to a ceiling light fixture?

Q. The previous owners of the house put a ceiling light and a fan with a light kit on the same wall switch. I'd like to have the fan on without the lights. I can use the pull chain on the light kit to kill the light on the fan, but the ceiling light is controlled by the switch. Is there a kit available that will allow me to add a pull chain to that ceiling light, as well?

A. I would check in the electrical department of a big home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes. They could give you the right advice based on the type of light your are talking about.

Can I power a light switch and two ceiling lights from an adjacent duplex outlet?

Q. In my bathroom, there are two ceiling lights controlled by an SPST switch. Next to the switch, in the same box in the wall, is an outlet. The lights no longer turn on. I tried a new switch, no dice. However, the outlet right next to that switch still works. They each (the switch and the outlet) have a different feed coming to them as far as I can see, looking inside the wall. In other words, I don't see one of them branching of from the other. So, I am wondering if it is possible or advised to connect the switch to the outlet, and run new wire to the ceiling fixtures, so I can power the lights again? Also, I'd prefer the switch to control the lights only, not the outlet.

A. If you're correct that rhe switch is fed from a different circuit than the outlet, start looking where the lighting circuit goes to from that two gang box. If the lights worked before, now they don't, you could have a tripped breaker or a loose connection somewhere. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

need cheap decorating ideas for 10 yr old girls room who loves neon green and purple?

Q. I need room decorating ideas for a 10 year old girls room, she loves the colors neon green and purple. Any ideas would be great? I am her aunt and would love to buy her some things to decorate her room and surprise her for Christmas!

A. Find a cheap clock that is either neon green or purple and take out the paper that has the numbers on it and color it the opposite color. you can try getting those colorful storage bins..curtains? bed spread and or sheets? The light switch thing? hampers? also picture frames and mirrors

Do any of you know if there is a funeral flower arrangement book in the market?

Q. I need to buy books that has a great deal of photos for funeral flowers arrangement. I also need to get books on room decorating tips for funeral parlor.

A. Contact an established local florist in your area. The florist would have several books on funeral flowers and could either sell you some of their books or give you a good source of where to secure one. Also, look for the nearest Floral Syndicate store, or a First Distributor - these are wholesalers for florists - they have books on sympathy flowers by John Henry. The books show the flowers in the funeral home setting, so you could get ideas on decorating your funeral home.

What should i do to decorate a dorm room like hollywood?

Q. I'm leaving for band camp soon & we're having a room decorating contest me & my roommate are doing hollywood & so far we have a hollywood sign putting the walk of fame on the floor putting celebs pics on the wall & prolly getting glow in the dark stars & lineing the room w/ boas but idk what else to do

A. I like the "red carpet" idea, you can also make the Hollywood movie clapboards. If you have a film camera (and want to waste a roll of film) you could pull the film out and use a decoration. Be sure to wear the BIG sunglasses, they are really in now.

Here is a website, they have all kinds of Hollywood ideas.

http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?cat=15147

Good luck.. Hope you win!!

What essential accessories should an student photographer have?

Q. What filters should I have, or lighting accessories, I'm more the outdoors type so I don't need a lot for studio shooting.

A. You should get a gray card. It is about 8x10 inches and costs under $10. It should actually be required. And I agree that a reflector and a diffuser are indispensible when you need one. These are all great for an outdoor photographer. The gray card will help to get proper exposure readings from your meter. The reflector and diffuser are used to control the sunlight to get better natural light without harsh shadows or splotches of light and shadows. Do a good search before buying a diffuser or reflector. B&H and adorama are good places to buy one.

And a good tripod is definitely nice to have. You can get a good quality Manfrotto for as little as $60:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2635&N=4291756644+4291348219+42&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0

Few beginning classes are going to go over flash much if at all so you may not even learn how to use it if you buy one. I would wait on that unless your instructor can help you learn to use it. A better idea is to get a diffuser for the built-in flash on the camera just in case you need it for fill flash.

Where can I get the Batman Batarangs and Safety Light Accessories?

Q. I am searching the best quality Batman Batarangs and Safety Light Accessories for buy.

A. As neighborhood drama teachers began patronizing the Fun House, the stores reputation grew. With each year came new and strange requests (the stranger the better!) Halloween products now consist of costumes, masks, boxed costume sets, accessories, makeup, wigs, prosthetics, theatrical costumes and other specialty designed products. Rubies also manufactures a wide array of Carnival, Christmas and toy merchandise. Their catalog consists of so many products that it will take us a very long time to get all of them up on our website. If you are looking for something specific, drop us an email. We might be able to get it for you.

http://www.nothingbutcostumes.com/batman-batarangs-and-safety-light-accessories-p-15193.html

How do I install LED lights into my new car?

Q. I recently got a package deal on LED Neon lighting accessories for my 2001 Chrystler 300M. I dont have much running through the car, I've never had any power problems at all. My question... if I were to install everything that came in my package (White Underbody Neon, White Interior Under Dash Neon, New Blue Halogen Lights, and White Blinker Arrows that attach to the Side-View mirrors) do you think it would put a drain on my battery? I know lighting doesnt take too much to run, but is that pushing it a little too much?

A. No. You should be fine.

I have no idea why you'd want to mess up your underbody or under dash with neon lights, but you'd have to install much much much more than just lighting to put enough drain on your altenator to keep it from charging your battery.

Also remember that LED lights draw much less current than regular incandescent lighting.

Install your lighting and enjoy your new found artificial daylight.

Hope this info helps.

Would painting over interior paint with exterior paint on an outside wall hold up in the elements?

Q. I was given the wrong paint while working on a project, and am now worried about the paint buckling because it is interior paint on an outside wall. Can I simply paint over it with exterior paint or would it still lead to buckling because of the binding in the interior paint?

A. Sorry to say but simply painting over the interior paint with an exterior paint will not work. The elements will break down the binding of the interior paint coating and start peeling or splitting both that coat and the exterior coat on top. How large was the area that you have to redo? The best thing is to remove the original layer of paint and re-paint. Unfortunately! You will be told that you can use other products or methods but none of them will work as well as stripping off that layer of interior paint.

Accidentally put interior paint on the exterior of my home?

Q. There was a mix up at the paint store I guess. There was existing exterior paint on the trim, I painted it today with interior paint - can I just put exterior paint over it or do I have to strip it off?

A. You should be ok, especially if the paint was oil/solvent based rather than water based. Whenever you choose to repaint there is no need to strip this off.

Someone decided to use interior paint to throw on the side of my door. What can I do to remove the paint?

Q. Some ahole decided to throw blue interior paint on my white car. I used a wet rag to attempt to remove the paint, but now there is a blue stain left on the car. Is there anything I can do to remove that stain without having to take it to a shop?

A. not really... you will need to get it buffed out which is pretty inexpensive to have done. The paint probably penetrated into the micro scratches in the top coat.

Friday, February 8, 2013

What is the best type of laptop for an architecture major?

Q. I'm going into architecture this fall, and I have no idea what laptop I would need. I have yet to check the college's specs, but what's a general preference of architecture majors? PC or Mac? And what specifications? Thanks.

A. Go with your school's specifications. They may even ask you to purchase the computer (and the accompanying software) from a company of their choosing.

Most architecture students use PCs (AutoCAD has not yet been released on a MAC). If you will be doing heavy 3d rendering, drafting, and processing, you will want decent processing power, a really good graphics card, and plenty of memory. Most students rely on a desktop for their rendering needs in studio, but also have a laptop to so they can work at home, play music, or work on other things while the desktop is processing a rendering.

Good luck! Check with your school first!!

What's the difference between Pre-Fabricated Architecture from Portable Architecture?

Q. I'm an architecture student from Manila, researching for Pre-Fabricated Housing, while i'm confused with prefabrication from portable architecture. Please help me... i'm planning this to be my thesis topic...

A. Broadly speaking, Pre-Fabricated Architecture is a structure that is largely fabricated off-site, often in a modular fashion, and then assembled / finished on-site.

Portable Architecture is any structure be easily moved (relatively speaking) to another site, either by an intrinsic transportation method (think mobile home on wheels) or by partially disassembling and then reassembling later (see OMA's prada transformer).

Hope this helps. Best of luck.

Creative way to present a project about interior design and architecture?

Q. I have to present a project about interior design and architecture and it has to be AMAZING. This is our biggest project of the year and it's due in about two months but I'm already behind. We're allowed to make a powerpoint but it can't be our main way of presenting. The audience is supposed to "participate" but we can't do a quiz or game show. The presentation will be in parts, so any ideas about how I can present some information?

A. I don't know if this is do-able, but. . . the first thing that popped in my head was miniature models. Are you any good with your hands, or do you know somebody who is? If I'm not mistaken, some interior designers do use miniatures when they are working on a project - to get a decent idea of how a room will come together.

You could keep it simple - find a very simple house design, try to copy it with shoe boxes. You can use wrapping paper for wallpaper, and dollhouse furniture to furnish. You can make the other types of accessories for a home.

Don't know if this appeals to you, but I think I would have fun making it, and if I were in your class, fun checking it out and rearranging the furniture. Take it or leave it, and good luck on your project.

What happens if I try to use an exterior paint inside the house?

Q. I have some leftover exterior paint that I would like to use in a basement stairway. Any harm?

A. use it theres more anti mildew and mold killers in it and pros like me use outside paints satins and so on iin the washing areas and kitchens and baths and the basements and in some wet or humid areas i wash the walls then add an oz of bleach to the paint and mix it in and inhibit the midew for months good luck an old dude

How to remove exterior paint from clothes?

Q. I got exterior paint on some clothes, and I was wondering if there is a way to remove it without damaging (bleaching) the fabric.

A. If it's a water based paint, then soap and water should remove it.
If it's a spirit based paint, then you'll need something like Turpentine (turps) to remove it.

DON'T put them in the washer until the paint is out as the hot water will 'set' the paint.

Good luck

How much does it cost on average to have a 2 story house (exterior) painted?

Q. We just bought a house and need to get the exterior painted. Should we do it ourselves, or hire a professional? It's a basic 2 story house. Not big at all.

A. Hello,
I am a contractor and I might be able to answer this question more acurate. There are a few aspects to determine a price of an exterior job.
1) how big is the home? ( yours though is a small home)
2) How much damage is done to boards( If wooden exterior) and/or paint).
I usually charge somthing between $1000- $3000 depending on the scope of the job.
Some people feel uncomfortable to work on the ladders;If you have worked on the ladders before and feel comfortable you can do it, if not you should look for scaffolding systems. Make sure that you prime and caulk boards property to prevent early water damage/decay to the bords. recently home depot ( BEHR) offers a new product that one coat of it does the job for prime and paint( Two in one).
If you decide to hire a professiional contractor, make sure he or she is licensed and have liablety insurance.
if you have any questions do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Best Regards
Nima

Can I replace things in an apartment?

Q. I'm currently looking to move into an apartment and was wondering, are there apartments that would allow me to replace amenities if I choose to? Things such as microwaves, ovens, toilets, or kitchen cabinetry? Do apartments normally allow people to paint the walls?
Why would I wish to improve other people's property? Because I'm living there, and I want to live well. Stick to answering the question.

A. NO, you legally can not alter their property.

How to simply decorate the top of kitchen cabinetry that reaches the ceiling?

Q. My kitchen cabinets have this plain unopened wood area above the actual cabinetry. It actually looks like the retro version of lighted cabinetry most people use to display different things within. I am not into all this excessive clutter of Knic Knacs hanging in every area of space. There isn't much lighting in the small kitchen but I need some decoration that looks clean and simply yet sophisticated and elegant. Also, I am really clueless on how to decorate a section of the cabinets that extend over the kitchen bar area which is also apart of the kitchen/dining room combo. This massive wood area has left the place feeling undone. The two answers I am in need of will have to not include painting the wood!!

A. Of course you wouldn't paint all that beautiful wood! How about some moveabel lights? You know, where you can move the head of the light to wherever you want it to shine? Or track lighting? That would help with your lighting problem. Just a couple of nice vases or a decorative plate or two would do with out making alot of clutter. A simple viney plastic plant would work too. I think those look the best. Hope this helps alittle.

What two colors will work for a living room and a kitchen?

Q. My living room flows into my kitchen and there is a "bar" to separate the rooms. You are able to see into the kitchen so the colors cannot clash. My dilemma is what two colors will go well together or should I pick one color and do different shades? I have a rich brown, comfy couch in the living room with brown furniture and a neutral carpet. The kitchen has dark cabinets and counter tops, light floors, and the appliances are white. The kitchen table is glass and dark metal. Hope that helps!
Thanks!

A. To play off your brown furniture either a sage green or a warm golden color. From the same color strip at least two shades lighter for the kitchen. Considering the furniture and kitchen cabinetry are dark wood I would go for the golden/amber paint color.

what type of roofing material should i use to lay flag stone in the low slope porch?

Q. i want to install flag stone in my deck
right now the deck is with torch roofing material but i want to lay stone. please somebody recommend is there any material i can use so does not leak

A. There are two problems with this idea. First of all is the weight. Flagstones are heavy and this presents a dead load, (it is there all the time) that may stress the capacity of the roof. Any material of weight will add to the load.

The second issue to consider is that this kind of approach is also going to press into the torch down material. You won't necessarily notice when the edge of a flagstone when stepped on presses into the material.

Flagstones can also get very hot and on a roof where there is no heat sink below them they will probably get very very hot. There is a reason why boardwalks are made of wood.

For these reasons the best approach is usually to put down some kind of wood deck that doesn't sit directly on the roofing material and is easily removable for re-roofing. But I have also seen boardwalk like sections made to sit directly on the roof.

Flagstones are typically set in dirt, sand or concrete. All of these materials will tend to be hard on the roof and difficult when faced with re roofing.

Best roofing material for rain/snow protection?

Q. We live near Seattle. It rains a lot. It snows on occasion, not usually hard. Rarely, there are windstorms and we have lots of tall trees that like to drop their branches during such storms. Our roof has a pretty normal pitch.

What roofing material would last the longest, require the least maintenance, be easy to repair, and really be the best damn investment into a home we plan to be in for a long time? Any articles you recommend we read?

Thank you!

A. Best? That's really difficult to say. That kind of depends on your budget, among other things. You could go for standing seam stainless steel, or copper. That's probably the best in the long term, it's been known, in the case of copper, to last hundreds of years with no repairs, or very few.

The principle thing you will want to do, is get a good underlayment. The self stick rubberized material is a good choice here, be sure it's the self sealing kind, that will heal itself and seal around nails and things. You might look at slate, clay barrel tiles, or a newer cement product made to look like slate. All of these options will be expensive. Before you do any of it, make sure what's underneath is in good shape and protected as best it can be. Even a thick coat of latex paint with sand sprinkled over it while wet will help the underlayment. Hire people that have lots of experience and have good references is the best advice.

Who supplied the roof deck material for Aloha Stadium, Hawaii in the last two years?

Q. Does anyone know who provided the roofing material for the current roof deck (the section which was replaced recently) on Aloha Stadium?

A. Malaysians

what is the meaning of Musical Ladies on chinese wall decors?

Q. my sister in law gave it to me it has 4 oval piece for wall decor?

A. relaxation

Where is the wall decor on stardoll?

Q. I am looking for the zebra wall paper on stardoll. I searched wall decor but the zebra print wall decor didn't show up. I am looking for the zebra print one that DOESN'T have the blue stripe on it. Thanks!

.

A. MINISHOP > DIY > Wall treatment > Pg 1 > Zebra Stencil

That's the only one I can find that isn't the one with the blue stripe.

Info on learning how to make wall decor signs with lettering?

Q. I would like to learn how to make those wall decor signs that always have some quote, phrase, name or word on it. For example I have seen some that say "cafe" or "this is where our story begins". Does anyone know if there are places that have classes for this or a book or magazine that teaches you how?

A. I think you need special machines for that. They arent that expensive and I know of a company that can customize what you want and at fairly cheap. You should email them. I had a friend who put cool quotes throughout the ceiling with their vinyls... looked great.

check out http://www.carfacial.com/gallery.html adding decal to your wall would look super cute!!!

Is there any way to remove gum stuck to carpeting, without damaging chemicals?

Q. My carpeting is light, so I'd prefer not to use chemicals that may cause discoloration. Thanks.

A. Getting gum out of carpet is alot like getting it out of your hair. Use an ice cube! Apply the ice to the gum and it hardens up to a much more manageable form; if you can get it cold enough, and depending on the type of gum, you may be able to 'pick' it out when it's all hardened. Yeah, stay away from chemicals as they won't get gum out.

Else you may be able to cut it out very carefully when it's in its hardened form - use a short pair of scissors to cut its way out of the fibers.

How can I remove a cat vomit stain from carpeting?

Q. I have beige carpeting (standard synthetic) that was stained by cat vomit. The stain is pink in color. I've used several methods to clean the carpet such as Resolve carpet cleaner and Spot Shot. I also tried wetting the stain and putting baking soda on it to see if the soda would absorb the color. Nothing has worked. Can any of you recommend something else I should try?

A. Kitty barf stains can be hard to remove. Three things you can try:

Orange oil (citrisolve or goo gone.) this may dissolve what the carpet cleaner did not.

Simple Green TM

Windex TM glass cleaner. I have found this very effective at removing all sorts of stains from nylon carpet.

Be sure to first remove any chunks and the majority of the spew before cleaning. You don't want to spread it around. a Wet/Dry vacuum works well for this.

What is a reasonable price to pay for carpeting stairs?

Q. I have 13 stairs and wish to have them carpeted. I have some leftover carpeting I would like to use. Can anyone estimate for me how much carpeting would generally be needed to carpet 13 regular stair steps. Also, what would be a good price to pay the handyman to do this for me?

A. um...lets see here...120 for carpet, 50 for padding, plus the money for the strips....around 200 i would assume...depends on the quality of the things u buy i suppose.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Have home building material prices decreased since the home building boom went bust?

Q. few years ago I had an estimate done for a home addition. They claimed back then prices were high because the housing boom in the Southeast and Southwest was pushing up the prices of building materials. Given that the boom has gone bust, anyone know if the price of construction materials has eased?

A. Some building materials have in fact increased in price. It's a case of supply and demand. In the UK there are the effects from the high demand from Europe and the rest of the world.
Ja.

How can I find out what company supplied the cement and building materials for a state construction project?

Q. If anyone knows about the building materials used in Boston's Big Dig... that would be helpful. I am very interested in the cement...not the bolts holding up ceiling.

A. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of separate contracts for the project known collectively as "the big dig". "Aggregate Industries" supplied much of the concrete, but virtually every plant in the New England area supplied at least some of the mix used on the project. Many construction contracts included both construction and materials, so the concrete supplier did not submit a separate bid, but was priced in with the contractor's bid.

The custodian of records at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has a list of all bid opportunities and all bidders selected. The material is public record.

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
Suite 4160
Boston Massachusetts 02116
617-248-2800

What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Q. What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Environmental and effects on the material itself???

A. The material ends up in a new location.

Can exterior paint be used to paint an interior room?

Q. I was wondering if I could use exterior paint to paint my son's bedroom? I want something that will be very durable. If I can't use exterior paint to paint his room then I would like to know why I can't and a suggestion for something else that can hold up to being in a child's bedroom. Thanks!

A. exterior paint is a bad idea. it is very durable for outside, but stays much softer than interior paint, so that it will give/flex with the expansion/contraction of your exterior siding. also, it will smell much worse when applied. the epoxy idea that someone suggested is really stupid. you cant put epoxy over regular paint, it will lift/melt the latex paint that is on the walls. bad bad bad idea!!!
my solution:
first: quality if key to a good paint job
use benjamin moore paint, it is very good. i would suggest either an eggshell finish, which is more durable than a flat. as an alternative, the best, most durable, washable paint you can buy is a product called Regal Matte finish. it is a scrubbable flat finish that will be more durable than any other paint on teh market. it is expensive, but VERY good. you can get the regal matte finish at your local benjamin moore retailer. find one at http://www.benjaminmoore.com

What if I use exterior paint on the interior?

Q. I have some leftover exterior paint and I'm thinking of painting the inside of my garage with it. Is it okay to do that? Please explain.

A. It's okay to use exterior paint on the interior, but not vice versa. Exterior paint is more weather- and wear-resistant. Won't hurt a thing to use it indoors.

What happens if I try to use an exterior paint inside the house?

Q. I have some leftover exterior paint that I would like to use in a basement stairway. Any harm?

What home improvement, home renovation and home restoration grants should I apply for if I live in upstate NY?

Q. Hello. I live in Broome County, NY. My family needs money to fix up our house with. What home improvement, home renovation and home restoration grants should I apply for since I live in Broome County, NY? Please let me know. Thank you.

A. The first step is to check with your local bank and realtors...there are also national grants available from the government. Take a look at this article 'How to Get a Home Improvement Grant' http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/459112/how_to_get_a_home_improvement_grant.html for some tips.

Good luck!

What is the Average Annual Salary for a Home Renovation Technician?

Q. I am considering taking a home renovation technician program at Humber College or Conestoga College (Ontario) - if anyone knows which would be better please feel free to give feedback - I couldnt find a number in regards to salary online so i was wondering if anyone in that profession would be able to tell me a rough estimate of annual earnings?
Thanks

A. They are self employed, no salary.

Am i required to get my home renovation inspected?

Q. I am planning on doing a major revnovation to an old home, new basement, new roof, remodel interior down to the studs, new flooring, walls cabinets, etc... Am i required to have the remodel totally inspected by a building inspector? or because its a home renovation its not required?

A. you are going to have to get permits and more than one inspection ex after electrical but before sheet rock is installed

Do electrical kitchen appliances need replacing/checking after a while?

Q. I've been using the same kitchen appliances for about 6 years or so. One thing that came to mind; do ovens (both conventional kitchen ovens and microwave ovens) deteriorate enough over long periods of time to warrant checking or replacing for safety concerns?

And what about fridges (refrigerators for you Americans) and freezers? From my limited knowledge there are no real hazards, but I know little about how they work.

A. It is a good idea to check the operation of an oven and a refrigerator every now and then with an accurate thermometer.

Refrigerators operate on freon to cool them. And, if the refrigerator and/or freezer won't get down to the correct temperature (35F for the refrigerator and about 0F for the freezer), this could be an indication of the freon leaking out, the compressor not running as efficiently, the door seals wearing out, the temperature sensors wearing out, etc.

Same thing with an oven. If you do a lot of cooking and baking, it's a good idea to always have a thermometer in the oven to verify the interior temperature (you can get one at any cooking supply store). Even brand new ovens may not accurately maintain the selected temperature for a variety of reasons. And, the only way to know that the temperature is correct is to measure it with a thermometer. If the oven is older and can't maintain the correct temperature, this could be an indication of a temperature sensor going bad, a temperature control circuit getting tired, or even a problem with a burner (especially in a gas oven).

Beyond that, appliances usually work just fine for years, and then one day just fail. And, there's no real preventative maintenance you can do to avoid it, other than keeping them clear and using them in accordance with the operating instructions that came with them.

Does anyone know the song in the mastercard commercial with the kitchen appliances?

Q. The commercial is called "Dinner Out" and it's one of the new Mastercard commercials. It has a fancy lookin' couple leave and then the kitchen appliances have a little party with this really neat song playing in the background and I would like to know what it is.

A. Actually it is called Via con me, not viE con me. Great song!

where do you buy your kitchen appliances?

Q. I'm buying a whole suite of kitchen appliances (fridge, gas range, micro wave and dishwasher). I'm likely going to choos either LG, GE Profile or Whirlpool Gold. Any good suggestions on where to go? I'm currently looking at Lowes. Best Buy appears to be a little overpriced at the moment.

A. I have bought some things (deep freeze, sewing machine.. etc) at Sears. I am presently investigating prices at Sears, the Bay (Canada only I think), The Brick, Future shop, Home Depot, Rona, Best Buy and Ikea. So far Ikea and Sears are coming out ahead although Home Depot does have some good sales in their stores sometimes (If they are overstocked in something, or an item is discontinued, you can pick up those items for quite cheap. You have to visit the individual stores though). There is a website that actually tells you which brand names are built by which company.. I know 'Kenmore' appliances are built by a number of different manufacturers! so if you really want a whirlpool, but at a cheaper price.. buy a Kenmore with certain numbers in the model #. See the link below.

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?page=137

Here's another link for your perusal:
http://www.reliableparts.ca/customer-service/who-builds-what-brand-appliance.cfm

Cheers!

What is the best outdoor lighting system to protect your house from burglars and crime?

Q. How have you set up your outdoor lighting system? Including the garage lights and the lights you might have in your flower beds which "spotlight" your house. Any tips would be helpful as there is an increase in burglaries and car thefts in my area (our cars have been broken into 2x in our driveway). Please HELP!
P.S. We have car alarms but the thieves are pretty clever here, no alarms ever go off when cars are broken into. I don't know how they do it, our cars are always locked & alarms off.
P.S. We have car alarms but the thieves are pretty clever here, no alarms ever go off when cars are broken into. I don't know how they do it, our cars are always locked & alarms on

A. I have a motion activated light by my back garage door. I installed lights on top of my patio cover that I can turn on if someone is on the hillside above my home. I have landscape lights in front, back and both sides. I use the spot lights to highlight recessed corners and the fence. I made it look like the spotlights on the fence are highlighting some decorative items I hung on it, but it is really so that burglars know they cannot get over the fence without being seen. I also keep the trees and bushes pruned under the height of the windows so that they do not provide an obscurity that criminals could use to enter. A very bright motion detecting light above the garage door not only gives visitors light to get up to the front entry, but discourages criminals from messing with cars in the drive. Finally, I replaced the fixtures the builder provided at the front entry because they could not accomodate a bright enough bulb to illuminate the entire front walk and porch.

Inside my home, I have lights on timers in several rooms so that it always looks like someone is home somewhere in the house. I set them to go off at different times so it also looks like there is more than one person home, but randomly enough that there is no regular schedule. I also make certain that neither mine, nor my neighbors, newspapers, ad circulars or any other stuff, accumulates so that no one knows when any of us are out of town. We rarely leave our garage doors open, even when we are mowing the lawn. We've had a lot of petty theft of tools, CDs out of cars, stored items in garages, in broad daylight. I think theives scope out the garages, pick out what they are after, get in and out in a flash.

What is the best time of day for outdoor lighting pictures in the summer?

Q. A friend requested I take pictures of her baby. She wants outdoor lighting, and I tend to favor it as well. What time of day has the best lighting for these types of pictures? I know the sun shouldn't be too high in the sky so it doesn't cast heavy shadows.

The sun rises around 6 AM and sets around 8 PM.

A. It's best to start early in the morning. Say around 7am. Because at this time light is rather soft and not too strong. And it doesn't create nasty shadows like the midday sun does.

Plus, the morning sun won't be too harsh on the baby.

Do they make a conducting gel or compound to put in my loose outdoor lighting sockets?

Q. I have Malibu outdoor lighting with pinch type pieces of metal that hold on to the little bulbs. I've tried pinching the 2 pieces closer, but this works for about a day before it loosens and the light goes out. Is there any type of product that conducts electricity I can put in this socket to make the connection more stable?

A. Yes go to your local electrician and ask for nolox. This is used to stop corrosion caused by the outside elements and the corosive effects of copper on aluminum. This will help a little with the warping effects of heat. If that doesnt work get a refund.

What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Q. What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Environmental and effects on the material itself???

A. The material ends up in a new location.

What building materials for window that can be used to minimise heat transfer.?

Q. What building materials for window that can be used to minmise heat transfer via conduction, convection and radiation.

list all materials and explain why that materials can be used.

A. double or triple pane glass with a reflective film.

.

What building materials for window that can be used to minimise heat transfer.?

Q. What building materials for window that can be used to minmise heat transfer via conduction, convection and radiation.

list all materials and explain why that materials can be used.

A. Double or triple pane glass with a solar blocking film.

Wood for the frames.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

What brand should I stick to when buying home appliances?

Q. So, I want to buy new home appliances for my new house but not sure which brands are most reliable. Currently I am thinking of buying a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, and put range hoods on my kitchen. Some brands that I consider are Samsung, Fischer and Paykel, Electrolux, and BOSCH. Which of the best brands for common home appliances? Thanks

A. Well for a washer dryer set I recommend Maytag. In 44 years I have had 3 sets of Maytag and NO REPAIRS.

Dishwasher, I recommend KITCHEN AID In 35 years the Frigidaire lasted 6 years and two ;Kitchen aids have lasted at least 15 years each. I cannot remember when I got the current on. But I keep it really clean in the bottom so it still does a great job.

lI like Kenmore for a stove and the Microwave/ hood. By combining those two you do not take up counter space.

I think I have a Frigidaire refrigerator, but previously had a GE model that was still running after 28 years.

When I upgraded all of these appliances we dropped out electric bill $100.00 a month. We also changed to all fluorescent throughout the house. Our hot water heater is 35 years old and still works great. I know we could save more on the electric bill but it works so well, I hate to spend the money when it isn't necessary just now.

We also have a 5 ton heat pump by TRANE, at 9 years 11 month and one week out compressor went out
It was replaced for free the warrantee was for 10 years. ASTOUNDING DON'T YOU THINK.

What brand you recommend when it comes to home appliances?

Q. I need new home appliances for my home but not sure which brands are reliable. I am thinking of buying a small appliances, washing machine, and small microwave ovens. Some brands that I consider are Samsung, Kithcen Aid, GE, and BOSCH. Which of the best brands for home appliances?

A. Depends on prices and features: For entertainment I would stick with Samsung. I have Samsung microwave and Whirlpool everything else big, except dishwasher which is a GE brand - and I have to keep cleaning the filter on it which I have never had to do with other dishwashers.

Does Nevada require to install home appliances in a house to be rent?

Q. My friend is thinking to rent her house, and she said it will have no home appliances include fridge. I once heard before that Nevada requires installing certain appliances in a house. Do you know what kind of home appliances has to be equipped in a house for rent in Nevada?

A. There is no law but it would be really hard to rent a house without appliances.

What color should I paint my bedroom to compliment whitewashed furniture?

Q. My bedroom set is whitewash in color...like a very light tan, but whitewashed. Unfortunately my walls are a very light brown. To make matters worse I have a tiled floor and the tiles are almost the same color as the furniture. I have to contrast anywhere and the room is VERY boring. I have no idea what wall color would go well with the furniture. Can you please help me?

A. Check out "tempo teal" on bedroom #3 in this link.
http://sherlink.sherwin.com/swapp/color_visualizer/index.jsp
Just click on "paint an interior," then "bedrooms." Then you can type "tempo teal" in the search field, or just start trying on colors. It's fun.

How do you unlock a bedroom door from the outside?

Q. I accidentally locked my bedroom door from the inside. It is one of those doorknobs with the little hole in the middle and the lock on the other side that you push to lock and turn the handle to release. I've tried using wire hangers, and it hasn't worked. Please help.

A. It depends upon the type of lock that is on the door. If it is a passage lock that is commonly used for a bedroom door then a thin screwdriver inserted in the center hole will engage a slot and you will be able turn it 90 deg to unlock the door.

If it is a keyed entry set like an exterior door then there are several possibilities. If the hinges are on your side slide the center pin out and open the door from the hinge side. If not then you might be able to "card" the door if the lock is of inferior quality. If it is of better quality and installed correctly then see the next:

If it is a dead bolt then you will have to break the door, drill out the lock, find the key, or call a locksmith.

Does a bedroom have to have a window in PA?

Q. I live in an apartment that was listed as a 2 bedroom. One of the bedrooms does not have a window. Is there supposed to be a window for emergencies or ventilation? Does anyone know the laws for this sort of thing?

A. You do need to have ventalation in a beedroom. But more important you need egress. At least one window in each bedroom must be of sufficient size to permit the occupants to escape a fire and also to allow a fully outfitted firefighter to enter.

An egress window must satisfy all four Internatioinal Residential Code (IRC) criteria:

Minimum width of opening: 20 in.
Minimum height of opening: 24 in.
Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor).
Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in.

So if it doesn't ahve this it's not a bedroom. A simple call to your local bulding department can confirm this.

How to find the best home loan calculator app on Samsung Galaxy S3?

Q. How to find the best home loan calculator app on Samsung Galaxy S3? i need a loan calculator app, but i can't find the one i really want! so can anyone show me the best loan calculator app for Galaxy S3?

A. Well, i heard a good home loan calculator app called Quicken, you can try that.

How much debt is too much when you want to apply for a home loan?

Q. I would like to apply for a home loan, but I have some credit card debt. I have good credit - never missed a payment, never been late, etc. I just don't know if having credit card debt will cause me to be declined.

A. The bank will add in your credit card dept along with any other loans or debts and will assess it against your income and the amount of your home loan will be estimated taking into account your ability to pay.

A bank will usually take the total amount of your credit card limit as your debt, not how much you've used of it. So, if you have a card limit of $30,000 but have only used up $1000 of it the bank will see it that your debt is $30,000, not the $1000. That's the downside. Banks won't usually decline you for a home loan just because you have a c/card. They work on your ability to pay your loan.

If possible, try and pay off your card and destroy it! Have a debit card instead, then you only have access to money that you have, not money that you don't have!

How does applying for a Home Loan Affect your credit score?

Q. I want to apply for Home Loan and see how much we qualify for. My question is that if we do not like the number and want to wait how will it affect our credit score if we decide to wait and save for a bigger down payment. I want to avail the $8000.00 tax credit. Does anybody know if it is an ongoing thing or it is only for the year 2009.

A. no not unless you apply for a home loan at several places. if too many lenders are pulling credit in a short period of time it can have an impact upon score.

But one or 2 every quarter is no big deal.

$8,000 tax credit right now is only good for purchased up thru 11/30/2009. There is no law yet that extends it past that.

What kind of wood is used or how is it treated to prevent it from splitting?

What are the most sought after type of wood in Australia?

A. the Aussies have a problem with termites so any high quality hard wood might be useful. There is an abundance of Eucalyptus trees in Austrailia but I don't think they are used for flooring.
Other hardwoods could as hickory, cypress, chestnut, walnut, ash, teak, mahagony.
I presume if you are in Asia you have access to teak & mahagony.
Beware of the Asian Long Horn Beetle. It comes from Asia & has been killing a lot of trees in part of Noth America.

I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout?

Q. I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout? that was underneath the tiles?

A. Thats not grout under the tile. It is a product called thinset and the only way to get it off is to chip it out with hammer and chisel. Dont use a grinder as this will cause severe damage to the underlayment.

where can i buy 4 x 4 colored ceramic tiles in southwest missouri or online?

Q. I'm a budding mosaic artist and am in search of ceramic tiles of all colors (not just the black, blues and whites sold at Home repair stores). It doesn't matter if I have to order from out of state.

I have an endless array of glass/stain glass and don't need them.

A. Hi gushpuppy,
You can buy 4 x 4 colored ceramic tiles on Amazon, here is the link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3a%2f%2fwww.amazon.com%2fs%2fref%3dnb_sb_noss%3furl%3dsearch-alias%253Dgarden%26field-keywords%3dCeramic%2bMexican%2bTile%2b4%2522x4%2522%26x%3d10%26y%3d22&tag=digitsy-post3-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

How to remove the ceramic tiles on dry wall in the bath room?

Q. The walls in the bath room of my house are with different ceramic tiles. May be the previous owner changed the tub & the walls around it but not the walls in other parts of the bath room. I checked with the ceramic tile shops & am able to buy the same tiles as those around the tub. Is it advisable for me to remove the tiles on the dry wall beyond the tub & install matching new tiles without replacing the dry wall? How to remove the tiles? What details I have to pay attention to?

A. You can carefully remove the tile on dry wall by using a flat pry bar or wide flat chisel. Do not pry on the tiles you can go right through the dry wall. Get behind them and pull or use a hammer to get behind them with a flat bar or chisel and take them off.
You will pull some hunks and tear paper, most of these can be repaired and gone over with new tile. You ll have to do some patching and sealing of old paper ( just primer paint).
The other choice is to cut the dry wall out and replace with a 1/2" cement board, dry wall or a product called Denshield.
The use of a cement board or the Denshield is suggested if any of this area is in a water area.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

Can you explain the extensive features of the application of roofing materials?

Q. Can you explain the extensive features of the application of roofing materials? What type of reflective results they can provide?

A. The application of Liquid applied acrylic coatings is rather simple. All that's needed is a paint roller or an airless spray rig. The reflective results are 85% UV reflective. You can purchase these coatings on the web page listed below. The different types of coatings are Benchmark and Rapid Roof.

What is the linear coverage (length) of a roll of double coverage roll roofing material?

Q. How many feet long is a roll of double coverage roofing material?

A. One roll of this product (also called 19" selvedge, duplex, or half-lap roofing) will cover 50 sq ft. Technically speaking, this means the roll is 35' 4" long. The rolls are usually a couple of inches long.

Keep in mind that the material is 36" wide and actually laps 19" -- just a bit more than half, so you only get 17" of coverage per run.

Rolled rubber roofing material, where can I buy it?

Q. I'm looking for a retail dealer in east Texas that sells rolled rubber roofing material at least 8 ft. wide.

A. don't think HD has it. and it is not really a DIY product. i've used it a few times and there are a few special methods you need to know.

try this site, they have someone in texas. i think you want to ask for edpm roofing: http://www.roofingproductsunlimited.com/aboutus.html

try: http://www.gaf.com/General/GAFIntro_MAIN.asp

also try: Modern Building Supply. 31209 State Highway 64. Wills Point, TX 75169 (903) 865-6762 [they're a little east of Dallas]

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

My friends are moving to a new apartment soon and for X-mas i want to get them a giftcard for home furnishings

Q. They are expecting a new baby and moving to a new apartment and I want to get them a giftcard to a home furnishing store, but I cant think of a good one all of a sudden. Any ideas??

A. Target is great for these occasions and they have online gift cards available too.

Is it better to show an empty house or furnished house when selling a home in an estate?

Q. If furnished, keep in mind that the contents of the home will be that of the deceased. Creepy? Or is it better to have the home furnished and looking "homey"?

A. I like to look at them vacant, but not everyone does.

Remove all personal items, all clutter and keep it simple. Remember that you want people to be able to visualize themselves living there. If they feel like they are intruding on someones home they may not be able to do that.

How can an Interior Decorator get a Designer or Trade Discount?

Q. I am curious if it is possible to get a Designer or Trade Discount from home furnishing stores as an Interior Decorator (not an Interior Designer). Does anyone know if this is possible, and if so- what kind of proof (certificate/professional membership/etc.) must an Interior Decorator show to the stores in order to receive the discount? In general, do most home furnishing stores offer discounts if you are an Interior Decorator versus and Interior Designer? Thanks for any info.

A. You can register at big box stores ( Home Depot, Rona, Lowes etc.) as a contractor, with a business licence and business cards showing proof that you are a designer. Wallcovering, paint, furniture and flooring stores will also do the same if you are an acknowledged professional. Smaller operations will have their own system of passing on discounts, or not, to designers who frequently purchase product from them. They will then subsequent mark it up realistically to their client, as designers do have to earn a living, and the client will still probably benefit by a somewhat discounted product, better than what they would have gotten.
If you are in business, I don't believe the difference between a decorator or a designer effects your discount. Keep in mind though that retailer's are wary of people posing as such to simply get a deal. Hope this helps.

Difference between Automotive and Home paint sprayers?

Q. I know the spray pattern's different, (Which makes me wonder too, doesn't the house one overlap too much?)

But could I use a car sprayer for home painting? (Just no latex paints?)

Thank you for your time.

A. A car sprayer propels the paint through force of air. Your typical car paint is thinned out to allow easy flow through the tip onto the surface. Home paint is very thick and dense. Especially exterior. You could use the sprayer but you would have to thin it out so much it would not be worth the effort. Or the price of the thinning agent. You might even ruin the paint. Small home sprayers usually require you to thin the paint. Contractor grade sprayers use a piston driven system that forces the paint through the hose with more pressure negating the need to thin.
It would probably work just fine with a stain though.

How much do I charge for painting and repairs?

Q. I am looking in to doing some interior home painting jobs. I am not sure what to charge? Do you base it on the size of the rooms? How and what do I charge? How much should I charge for small repairs, putting in a new faucet, new fan?

A. Whether you bid the job or do T&M (time & material) you have to figure out what you are willing to work per hour. This may not be what you are worth per hour, as competition, location and economic times sometimes dictate terms.

The easiest solution I recommend to people in your situation, is to look over each aspect of the individual job (fan instillation, painting, etc) determine how much time it will take to complete each job from start to finish â¦â¦then double the time âyou thinkâ it will take. It may seem excessive, but it is a simple formula that has proven itself time and again.
There are many variables that go into bidding a jobâ¦â¦ but using this formula should assure you of being within the market range of a bid.
Whatever you determine your hourly at, plus material (and any mark up you put on material) would be your estimated price (and donât forget to figure any time spent at the store)

Having a home painted on the outside?

Q. When having your home professionally painted ( I assume with a gun ) how far can the fine mist travel? I realize there are varying factors, but am looking for a generalized answer. Typically how many feet?

Thanks
Alyssa - worthless!

A. Painters will take every precaution from overspray as they are responsible and accountable.

On a windy day I have seen overspray from soffits go over buildings and mist coat cars some 100 feet away.
A little heads upâ¦ and question to ask your painters. Ask them if they back roll when they spray.
This is something I require from all the painting contractors when doing homes, it extends the longevity of the job; although not as much so when shooting a nonporous job

How much is maximum AMPS an home appliance like washing machine or dryer draws?

Q. I would like to know how much current (AMPS) a home appliances with motor like a washing machine or dryer draws. What would be maximun current a washing machine uses during start up? Normally washers / dryers motor are 1/3 to 1/2 HP. What is a start up current for a washer which is rated at 110 volts, 9 amps? What would be wattage during start up? Any guidance is appreciated.

A. voltage X amp = watts
on the washer if 9 amps is running amperage then start up is 18 amps
most motors double amperage on start up

Where can I get cheap second hand home appliances in Chennai?

Q. Hi friends, where can I get cheap second hand home appliances in Chennai?

A. http://chennai.craigslist.co.in/

HELP! How can I recycle "waste heat" from home appliances using home-based methods?

Q. I'm planning to make this as my investigatory project...recycling waste heat from home appliances into a more useful form of energy...what are possible uses of this waste heat? HOW CAN I RECYCLE IT????? heeelp! (I'm in grade 10.)

A. you cant, if anyone can name any domestic home appliance that generates enough heat for that to be transferred into a useful form of energy without the cost outweighing the benefit, I would be really surprised and definitely steal the idea.However, you should re-route the house plumbing and make a miniature hydro electric plant from the bath tub... that would be pretty sweet

Anyone know of a good place to find leads for tile contractors?

Q. I'm trying to locate tile installation contractors throughout the US, no matter how big or small, anybody have any good contractor refferals, or know where I can find them?

A. Yellow pages

Or find a trade organization for tiling. They would have a directory. Look in Yellow pages and see if any list membership of a trade organization

How do you get grout coloring off the surface of terra cotta (clay)tiles?

Q. Contractor used grout in terra cotta tile installation between the tile. He left grout marks on the tile surfaces. Ordinary washing and wiping doesnt get them out. Tile is made of clay,not stone or ceramics. They make them by baking the clay in ovens on trays, then cut them when they coll.How do you get those stain marks from grout out?

A. == it will eventually fade and wear off ... get the contractor to fix his over grout ... the porous clay tile has been used for years and the grout should scrub up with soap and water and a stiff plastic brush ...

how much should I pay for getting my 900-square foot apt painted and the floors tiled?

Q. Hello,
Does anyone know how much it would normally cost to get a 900 square foot apartment to be painted? I also need tile installation for the floors,i am looking not for a very high quality paint,just decent work and inexpensive tiles on the floor. I will rent this apartment, that is why i need to watch my cost. Thank you everyone for the answers
Have a nice day
S.

A. where ?

is there an inexpensive or free home design software out there for a normal homeowner?

Q. its just that I want to play around with some home design ideas with my house for a small addition, & I need some kind of basic program to use. Thanks!

A. I know they can be hard to find. I think Lowes has one on their website, I used it for a kitchen once, but it takes some patience. I have always done my design ideas in The Sims 2, because it is much more user friendly and quick. I never really get around to playing the actual game though. The only problem with this is sometimes the location of things isn't exactly where you want it, but it's a good way to get the idea of what you want to do.

what is the difference between interior design and professional home design?

Q. i am interested in becoming an architect. i know what kind of architecture i want to be. but i dont know what its call. i just want to draw a single homes w/ rooms, bathroom, living room and ext from foundation up. what is it call? interior design or professional home design?

A. That is called an architect.
An interior designer is a licensed professional (as is architect) who is the type of person who helps out on the show trading spaces. They "design interiors." They will usually be knowledgeable in fabric, color, material, and geometric organization.
A professional home designer is usually a person who is not licensed or registered and draws up house plans. They call themself home designer because they are not licensed and not allowed to use architect.
An architect is a registered professional licensed to practice architecture and design buildings (including homes)

What is the best home design/home fix-it show?

Q. Just bought a house and I want to do some work on it in the future. I would like to start watching a good home design/home fix-it show to give me some ideas. Can someone suggest a good one to watch that is on a basic cable channel? I only have 78 channels.

A. All of the best one are all gone now. all that is out there is like game show ones

So if you find one please let me know. I don;t even watch them any more. There are way to fofo and only decorating stuff. But before there was this old house, bob vilias home again, michal halagans, that guy and girl team that sells the cutting thing infomercial, I learn more from the tv show "home improvement with time the tool man taylor" then I do from all of the shows that are on now.

Monday, February 4, 2013

I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout?

Q. I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout? that was underneath the tiles?

where can i buy 4 x 4 colored ceramic tiles in southwest missouri or online?

How to remove the ceramic tiles on dry wall in the bath room?

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

Q. I need to install marble flooring throughout the house, and I was wondering, what is the fair price per square feet for tile installation?

I already have the marble, so the installer just needs to provide the underlayment, thinset, and floor leveling.

Also, the tile would need to be installed in 45 degree angles, instead of straight rows.

Thanks!

A. I don't know what part of the country you're in but in the southeast you would typically pay $5 to $8 per sq. ft.. There are lots of people who think they can lay tile so be sure to look at examples of their work before you choose one. Tell your installer you want them laid on the "diagonal". Good luck with your project.

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

A. About 4.00 a square foot just make sure to use membrane on all joints and cracks or else you will be replacing cracked marble tile good luck

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

A. For marble labor , floor prep ( unknown because it varies a lot with marble) your looking at 5.00$ a s/f and up.
The proper way to prep for marble is a mud job which gives the absolute best support for marble and will also provide ( when done properly) a flat level floor. That alone can go for 2.00$ a s/f and up depending where you live.
In the real world your looking at closer to 10$ a s/f ( and up)with the prep.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

How to get past a security light?

Q. I'm sneaking out tonight, and we have security lights in our yard. How do you get past them without making them turn on?

A. best way is to go to your circuit breaker in the garage and find the breaker for the security lights/that side of the house. turn it off. then wala, problem solved.
another way would be to remove the sensor on the lights
remove the light bulbs
avoid the lights/sensor
tape the sensor up (during the day or something)
or as someone else said, avoid emitting Infra red radiation

actually, I think the way you COULD do this seriously, is the following:

find/buy one of those "space blankets". (reflective blankets meant to keep you warm by keeping in all IR heat) you can buy em at walmart and camping store as well as the kennedy space center if your interested haha.

then, cover yourself in it COMPLETELY shielding yourself form the camera, and go for it, walk, dont run, past the sensor, and you may be able to sneak past it because the blanket will hide your IR radiation from view of the sensor.
I haven't tried it, but I think it might work, seeing as how the blankets ar meant to keep IR radiation in. so they wont let it out and will act like a sort of camo from the sensor.
btw, the blankets go for like a max of 20 bucks.

*edit*
The walking slow thing, may work a bit, but you must understand how this stuff works to understand that it wont work well. maybe at all. the security light sensor is looking for a "change" in the IR temperature it is sensing. so if you move really slow, it might not detect a change. but then again, it might. its not worth trying. US a highly reflective material like a space blanket or shiny shiny aluminum.

What shall I do If my security light comes on in my chevy impala?

Does a security light coming on have anything to do with a car not starting?

What is the easiest way to go through doorways when laying ceramic floor tile?

Q. What techniques and tools would make it easier to go through doorways when laying ceramic floor tile

A. When installing ceramic tile, great care should be taken when measuring around your doorways. The doorways are the hardest place to apply tiles, as the area has many sizes to take into consideration. Cutting and installing ceramic tile around doorways should not be seen as a daunting task.Before you begin, you will want to first take careful measurements at your doorway.

Once you have the proper measurements, you will then want to cut your tile using a masonry saw. Cut your tiles to fit the measurements of your doorway and lay them in the doorway as you cut them to help you keep track of where each tile should go. you can find some good tile saws in my source site.

What is the best cleaner and or way to clean ceramic tile floors?

Q. What is the best solution and mop to use when cleaning ceramic floors, what makes them shine the best and what cleans them the best. Everything I seem to try is to soapy and does not clean good. Thank you.

A. I've had ceramic tile floors in the whole house for over 25 years and agree, soap doesn't work. I've always used warm water with white vinegar in it. It cuts grease and puts a great shine on the floor -- also, does NOT make the tile slippery like soap can.
Hope it works for you.

how can i clean my ceramic floor so that it is stainless?

Q. I get alot of stains on my ceramic floor even though my shoes are clean! I only mop it using light detergent.. is there a way to make it stainless? it's very irritating you know

A. I've seen a vinegar/water mix work wonders on some tile before.....

What home improvement, home renovation and home restoration grants should I apply for if I live in upstate NY?

What is the Average Annual Salary for a Home Renovation Technician?

A. They are self employed, no salary.

Am i required to get my home renovation inspected?

A. you are going to have to get permits and more than one inspection ex after electrical but before sheet rock is installed

How to replace one of the three regular outdoor lights for motion sensing light?

Q. I have three outdoor lights operated by one switch and I'd like one of them to replace with motion sensing light. I do not want the rest two lights to be ON all night, i just want one light to bi sensor operated over the night. And again, all three are on the same switch. How do i do this?

A. Well.........since all 3 are currently on a switched system (all the same) then you need to rewire the one you want to be "constant" as not to be on the same switch control.

You first need to determine if the wiring goes directly to the switch or to a basement/attic junction box.

If you can locate the wiring that goes out to the one you want seperate, you are halfway home. Now you need a voltage meter for the next part as you need to find a 115vac that is not on the load side of that switch. If all 3 go to the switch box, its as simple as removing the one you want constant from the wire nut (or however all 3 were tied together) and instead place it on the line side of that switch instead (the other side of the screw.

If they do not go to the switch, but instead to a junction box,....then its the same process as in the switch box except you dont add it to the line side of a switch but merely wire nut it to the constant hot (which can be determined by measuring the voltage with the switch off and the one that still reads 110~120vac is your "constant"). If none give a reading with the switch off then you only have the switchlegs in that junction and you will need to run a new wire to get the constant 115vac. Difficulty varies but this is a job best suited for an electrician.

If this seems foreign to you then DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF as it is something that should be done by someone with electrical understanding.

Does anyone know where I can buy an outdoor lighting fixture?

Q. I want to replace my outdoor wall-mounted light by my front door. The one I have now also has an outlet on it. I find this very handy to plug in my weed whacker, etc. I can't seem to find an outdoor light that comes with the outlet. Have they been discontinued?
Thanks HVAC, I did check in those stores. I guess they don't make them anymore.

A. I have not seen one in a long time. Check at Lowes? home depot? Another thing you could do is when the light is replaced have an outlet wired into the light circuit in the wall, it should not be very difficult for an electrician

Why does turning my outdoor lights on trips my circuit breaker ?

Q. I have 4 outdoor lights, 2 lanterns and 2 recessed lightings. The switch is part of 3 switches that controls indoor lights and sockets. Whenever I turn on the outdoor switch, it triggers the circuit breaker. The other 2 switches don't do this. The 2 lantern lights worked when checked individually. But I didn't check the recessed lights yet. What could be the problem?

A. The easiest way to figure it out is to try the process of elimination. The easiest to eliminate and the most likely source is one of the light fixtures. Remove one fixture at a time and recheck the circuit to see if it trips. If the circuit stops tripping, the problem is in the last fixture removed. If that doesn't help you find it, try reinstalling one of the fixtures and messing around with the switches. It's not uncommon for the 4-way switches to go bad. Like the other contributor said, never upsize a breaker without the recommendation of a licensed electrician. It goes without saying that if you're uncomfortable working around electricity, leave this one to the professionals. If the 120 volts doesn't kill you, the fire will.