Home Related Questions and Answers

Monday, June 3, 2013

Are there any places that will assist in bathroom remodeling for the elderly in Northwest Ohio?

Q. My father has had 3 strokes. It is hard for him to balance himself to get in and out of the tub. I would like to have his bathroom remodeled for him. I want to have the tub taken out and replace with a walk in shower. The toilet doesn't work like it should, but it works. I would like to get that replaced also. They both need rails around them so he can get in and out the shower and on and off the toilet with ease. Can anyone help me in finding assistance with these needs?

A. Most all Counties and or Cities have programs to aid Seniors- has to be low income person .
Look in phone book for Senior services, or call city hall.

How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

Q. How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

A. contact bath fitters they are quick, fast and approachable.

How to price a bathroom remodel?

Q. Contractors,

I am playing with the idea of starting my own little contracting firm. I have some theories on how to price out jobs but was wondering how you guys do it. Say I had a customer who wanted a bathroom remodel that included (assuming a 10X10 bathroom

Replace the vanity and sink, and fosset
replace the toilet
rip and replace floor tile,
rip and replace tile around the tub
rip and replace light fixture
rip and replace mirror
Paint the walls and ceiling

How would you guys price this job out?

A. The best thing in to do is to get free price estimates from contractor directory sites.
I use the renov. experts - they have local contractors that they pre-screen so you only get estimates from those who made the cut.
You can contact them to get free estimates for your job. If you want, here is the link I used - http://best-offers-online.com/estimates

Sunday, June 2, 2013

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 size screw do i need to mount something (outdoor lighting transformer in this case), to vinyl siding?

Q. Just got a new transformer for outdoor lighting and the screws provided could not even touch the wood behind the vinyl siding (at least I think there is wood behind it). The screws provided were about an inch long. What size do I need to penetrate the wood deep enough to hold a 4lb transformer?

A. A 3/16" or 1/4" lag bolt 2 1/2" long is stronger ..... pilot drill ( just the diameter of the screw core) .... test for strength, if too weak , find the nearest stud .......tiny amt rust wont be seen

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.

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.

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Any ideas on how to come up with window treatments fast and cheap for my new house that has tons of windows?

Q. It is an old cottage with lots of charm. I plan on painting it all light, and sanding the wood floors light, so I want the curtains to be light too.

I need ideas for window treatments that are affordable, but creative. This house is covered with lots of windows, and I don't know what I'm gonna do.

A. You know how people throw the sheets up well i have revised it since it is a cottage style Sheet's are a wonderful window treatment amd they already have a slot for the rod this is what i did for the mean time and the mean time is been like 5 years already ..lol .....UKAY i bought some cheap sheets at a discount store with flowers and plaid bright soft colors. then i went to my local harware store bought some dowels (round wood rods)usally 3-4' tall 5/8-1/2" and if i had a larger window i used a closet rod and cup hooks to hold them and this is the afforable but creative treatment. In the kitchen i divided the window and covered half and the other half i draped the top rod so i could have some sunlight in. Oh yes i used material glue for the edges. I didn't want to sew. It was fun easy and afforable and I am into victorian look so it was chic to me .

What kind of window treatments are these?

Q. Here is a picture - can someone please tell me what the name of these window treatments are? And possibly a site where I can find?? I appreciate it!!

http://www.blindsandwindowtreatments.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/blinds-window-treatments-21.jpg

A. Hi EJS,

Those look like "teardrop roman shades" or "blinds". There are several different kinds of roman shades to you might want to look at all of them to make sure you are getting what you really want/need.

Sometimes different companies call the different shades by different names - so be careful not to get confused. Once you pick out the type you like, write it down - and if you find someplace calls it something else, write that down too!

http://www.ehow.com/info_8129379_roman-shade-types.html

You can get roman shades at any big box store like Lowes or Home Depot. I got mine from JC Penney when they were having a really good sale!

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/departments/window-treatments/categories/blinds-shades-/cat.jump?id=cat100260228&deptId=dept20000011&subcatId=cat100260213&N=4294965545

Also, you can get them online at places like:
http://www.budgetblinds.com/window-shades/roman-shades/
http://www.blinds.com/control/keywordSearch?q=roman

You will need to know the different ways roman shades come in before you order:

Cords?
Cordless?
Inside mounting?
Outside mounting?
Room darkening?
Thickness of fabric?
Color of fabric?
Top Down?
Bottom Up?
Electric?

If you order online you won't be able to see and feel the fabric. If you go to a store they will have samples of the fabric for you to look at and match color if necessary. Also, most people that work at stores know all the ins and outs about blinds and can help you make your decision. Consider going to a store just to get the free education to start with!

I hope all this helps.

Blessings,
Grandma Suz

What kinds of window treatments can you hang when you have wood blinds?

Q. I am trying to decorate my living room, specifically I am looking to add window treatments. I have wood blinds (medium oak color) and wood trim (same color). Everything else in the room is really neautral - all khaki. I am wondering what kinds of things I can do for window treatments. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A. Sounds like we have the same blinds. The wood is so beautiful you really shouldn't cover it up. We put up simple valances in a neutral color ( close to khaki ) so when the blinds were open they were hidden and we had an open view. When they are closed you get the full effect of the wood. It would be a shame to hide it. It took us a few days to get used to just valances, but it works. Also it is cleaner. Less dust and less curtain cleaning.

How To Remove Scratch of a Refinished floors?

Q. I recently had my 50+ years old pine hardwood floors refinished with 3 coats of oil based. Looks really nice and shiny. Now I made a light/clear scratch from moving furniture and I can't get it off by using an eraser or water+soap. Any other ways to remove a simple clear scratch/scuff from the top coat? Thank you!

A. Try a little bleach, don't pour it directly on the floor, put some on a towel, or sponge and a little elbow grease.

What do I do to fix a hardwood floor after refinishing problem?

Q. We sanded our hardwood floor to refinish it. All of a sudden, the nails showed up - we couldn't really see them before sanding, now we have black nail heads on nice brown hardwood. How do we fix it so the nails don't show so drastically?

A. All you can do now is use a nail punch and counter sink the nails and then fill the holes with a putty. Use a putty you can stain by using some of the stain you used for the hardwood. Then just touch up with the same urethane.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar. GL

is fine sanding the same as screening a wood floor?

Q. I am tackling a floor refinish on my old oak wood floors soon. I bought a house and found worn (but good shape) old oak wood floors under the carpet. I am planning on screening and re-staining and finishing the floors. will something like 200-grit sandpaper have the same effect as a screening pad? Which option would you suggest?

A. If you were just going to apply another coat of clear finish (polyurethane), then screening is fine. You want to re stain, so you have to remove all the clear finish first. You need to be more aggressive than 200 grit.

Do most youngsters get adequate guidance and discipline training from their parents?

Q. Esp on home-safety, fire-safety, vehicle-safety and other aspects of safety? Isn't this the right time for more family bonding and to nurture kids properly, for a better tomorrow?

Your valuable comments would be much appreciated!

A. From where I am, parents teach, guide and discipline youngsters on the basics of safety, good behavior and manners. We don't even spare the rod, so to speak, if a child does wrong. But we explain to him why he is being spanked - not because we love him less but because we want to instill in his young mind the importance of knowing what is right and what is wrong, that there are certain rules to consider and must be obeyed to make him a better person when he grows up and that includes thinking not only for his own self but to consider others as well.

Can an employer require an employee to take a TB test?

Q. My husband works for a small company doing installations & structural modifications for home safety. His boss is mandating that all his employees get a tuberculosis test so that the company can get some sort of certification. Please note that, as far as we know, there is no indication that anyone has been exposed to TB. Is it reasonable or legal for his boss to require to him to take this test, especially since the company doesn't even provide health care insurance that would cover the treatment of any side effects that resulted from the test? Also, can anyone suggest any good on-line resources that deal with situations like this?

A. The staff is going into people's homes and touching their stuff and cannot be spreading a communicable disease.

How can I keep my house safer from break-ins?

Q. We've had some burglaries lately in our neighborhood. I'm just looking for some ideas on home safety, with or without a security system or alarm.

A. Leaving an inside light on when you are gone makes a thief wonder if someone is there. Not the bathroom light or a porch light.
Leave a radio on low to fool the thief.
Put a recorder on the telephone. If the telephone rings while one is trying to decide if anyone is home the recorder can say something like this, "Will call you in a few minutes."
Don't let the mail or newspapers pile up.
A camera is good to put up.

A sign that says,"Security or dog guard on duty 4 days and nights, pick your night."
Don't let people know when you are going to be gone unless it is a neighbor that you trust.

What lightbulb should I use when photographing clothing?

Q. I recently bought my first SLR camera. A Cannon 60D. I also just purchased a commercial lighting kit that has 2 800 watt bulbs. I am using this camera to photograph clothing for an online store. It doesn't seem as if these 2 lights are enough. Would a different bulb help???? What should I use, I am very new at this!!!
It is my own online store for Ebay. Have always just photographed things in my living room and thought I would take it to the next step. What are the benefits of strobe lighting? That concerns me a bit though as I have a history of seizures...not sure a strobe would be the best thing.

A. I use one 750 watt and one 500 watt bulb whens shooting (key and fill lights) and that is plenty. When shooting fashion, I use shoot through umbrellas to soften the light.

What you really need to assure that the fabric colours match what is recorded on your cameras sensor.

I use the Xrite Colorchecker Passport to establish a custom white balance. Yes, I do set the cameras white balance to incandescent, but when processing the RAW files, I add the custom white balance, keywords, copyright notice and contact information at that time using Adobe Lightroom.

What range of chroma do fluorescent light bulbs come in?

Q. I am talking about regular, commercial light bulbs; not for studio lighting etc....
thanks!

A. check out this web site and for the wave lengths (or spectra) that fluorescent bulbs give off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fluorescent_lighting_spectrum_peaks_labelled.gif

Where to buy commercial fluorescent light fixtures?

Q. Need advice about commercial fluorescent light fixtures - any reliable review site would be great! Thanks!

A. Look in your local yellow page listings for "electrical contractor supply" stores. The most common commercial quality brands are Metalux, Lightolier, Lumax and Hubbell. Many fancy lighting showrooms also have a contractor supply department from which you can purchase commercial lighting and also lighting specifiers and designers who can help you select and lay out what you need for the space.
I worked as a commercial lighting designer for one such store in my city for a couple of years.

Even the home building stores like Home Depot and Lowes can sell you commercial lighting, if that is the only resource in your area. But a contractor supplier will be less expensive and have more in stock.

Buying such items on the internet is not a great idea. Costs of shipping and problems with delivery damages are high with such products. Your simplest and most economical source is local electrical supply dealers.