Basement Ceiling Ideas for Every Situation

If you’re feeling that it’s time you need more space in your home and that the basement is an ideal way to do this, there a various things you need to do in order for this to become a reality.  Insulation, humidity and flooring are all very important along with your basement ceiling.  You might not feel that the ceiling is that important because it isn’t the focal point of the room, however it’s still very important that you attend to the ceiling so that your basement is finished off just right. If you are looking for basement ceiling ideas, keep reading.

Suspended Ceilings

If you’re having your basement converted into a usable room, you will notice that it will be presented to you in an unfinished state. What this means is that you’ll see studs and wiring showing under the floorboards of your rooms upstairs.  If you are looking for the simplest option then a suspended ceiling is what you’re after. This is because they are not difficult to have installed and is a quick way of making your basement feel less like an industrial warehouse.

Another practical reason for having suspended ceilings installed is that you can easily get access to wiring or pipes if you find that there is a problem with these in future. A suspended ceiling consists of ceiling tiles which are attached to a metal grid and is then suspended from the ceiling joists.The reason people prefer to install this type of ceiling is because the metal frame is very lightweight and so this makes it easy to handle. This is very important when installing a ceiling because it can be quite an awkward task to complete.

Drywall

This is not the easiest option to choose for your basement because it isn’t as light as a suspended ceiling. However drywall isn’t expensive so if a sheet does get broken you won’t have wasted a ton of money.  The good thing about drywall is that the appearance is often preferable compared to drywall. However you should make sure that the drywall is installed by a professional who is going to do a good job. However if you are quite handy with the old DIY then you will be able to find instructions on how to install a drywall ceiling in books as well as some internet sites.  Once in place, the drywall can be painted any color you desire.

Acoustic Ceiling Tiles

Another very easy and simply option is to buy acoustic ceiling tiles as they are relatively small and light which makes them incredibly easy to handle and install. All you have to do is staple them to the furring strips, remembering that pipes and wiring should be moved so that you can enjoy a flat ceiling.

Paint

Although paint isn’t a basement ceiling material in itself, giving your ceiling a good coat of paint will really have a strong effect on the décor of your room. It’s important that you think seriously about paint color because if you choose a shade which is too dark, this will make you basement feel very dark. Remember that basements don’t usually have much natural day light, if any, so using light colors will help brighten the space up and make it appear bigger.

Mirrors

You might think it a little cheesy to have mirrors installed on your ceiling however if you are very careful you can actually create a very classy look. The great thing about mirrors is that they reflect light around the room and make the place feel bigger than it really is. This is a great solution for very small basements and is a very effective optical illusion. Just make sure that your ceiling isn’t so low that you could accidentally smash the mirrors.

Lighting

Due to the fact that basements are underground and typically are very dark places, thinking about what lighting you are going to have is crucial if you want to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. By placing floor lamps in such a way that the light shines up to the ceiling will look amazing, alternatively you could use wall fitted uplighters. Lighting is not only practical but it’s also fun so be playful with it.

Ceiling Art

If you have ever been to the Sistine Chapel you may have felt inspired to create some of your own ceiling art. It would be a tad ambitious to try and recreate anything on this scale however you can think of fun and creative ways you can paint your ceiling. Having a local artist carry out the work is often very affordable.

There are so many options when having your basement ceilings fitted, it is well worth spending some time looking for basement upgrade ideas in home décor magazines and other websites. You should also have a local builder up to give you a quote and also make sure you ask them about the different options.

DIY Tile Basement Flooring Instructions

Tiling a basement floor is something that most any homeowner can handle provided you got a couple tools to do the job and enough time to get it done right. If you don’t then you can certainly contact a professional to get it done for you. Having tile floors in the basements is actually a superb flooring option as you won’t have to deal with all the water issues that you would with other types of flooring materials like carpet or laminate basement flooring because tile is waterproof. Now the tile I’m speaking of in this case pertains to ceramic, porcelain or stone tile

What To Look At First For Tiled Basement Flooring:

One of the first things you need to look at when tiling a basement floor is the actual condition of the floor itself. Is it clean and basically level? Does it have cracks or holes that will need to be taken care of first? Do you have any moisture issues that you’ll need to deal with first through some waterproofing measures? Tile can be a fickle fiend when trying to install and maintain it on an unlevel, unsightly floor. You absolutely need a clean, mostly level floor to install tile on in the basement or it will eventually to cracking and grout problems.

To seal or not to seal, that’s the next question. Depending on which “expert” you talk to, there are definitely two differing opinions with whether you should seal the basement floor before tiling it. Some will tell you that it’s needed to protect the tiles and grout from moisture related problems while others argue that’s what the latex added thinset is for and that tile is already waterproof. Personally, I’d stay away from sealing it if you are going to install tile on it. But you should always check with the manufacturer first for a final ruling depending on the type of tile you select and the warranty you are expecting.

Basement Floor Tile Selection:

When it comes to finding the right tiles for basement floors, there’s really no wrong selection to make, just depends on what look you are going for and how much time you have to do the job. The first thing to do would be to go to a tile store so you can actually get a good visual of the selection they have and actual touch and feel it. Remember that you’ll likely walk barefoot across it at one time or another. You can mix and match them to come up with basically any pattern that you feel “fits” the situation.

One suggestion that I can give on your tile selection is this, larger floor tiles work better. If this is your first tiling job, try to stick to at minimum the 8”x8” squares, preferably the 12”x12” or 14”x14”. They do come larger than that, all the way to 24” squares, but those are a little bulky to work with starting out.

Why You Need A Grid Layout:

There’s no better solution to laying your ceramic tile basement floor than to start by popping chalk lines into a grid styled layout. Why? For starters, a grid styled layout allows you to see precisely where each tile is going to be and where you’ll have to make your cuts. This is especially true on large basement floors. In addition, it ensures that the installation of a ceramic tile basement floor is consistently square. I can’t stress enough the importance of maintaining accurate measurements throughout the layout process.

Measuring Basement Tiles for Chalk Lines:

One thing to note, this works for basically any floors, not just basements. To gain an accurate measurement, you actually need to have the tiles in hand at this point. Do a quick sort and make sure that they are all roughly the same size. Then pick 3 of them and lay them out linearly like the picture shown. Be sure to put your spacers in place between the tiles now so that you’ll have the gout lines represented.

Now what you do is measure from the outer edge of the first tile to the inner edge of the third tile, making sure to include the grout joints in your measurement. This is denoted in the “red” space on the image. Take note of this measurement as that is what you are going to be using to pop the chalk lines on the basement floor.

Marking Basement Floor Chalk Lines:

After you’ve got the floor all cleaned and dust free (you might need to sweep and vacuum it a few times) you are ready to start setting the chalk lines. These are nothing more than guidelines to keep your tile installation all “square”. There’s two ways you can go about this and both look good.

The first way is to work from the center of the room out to the exterior walls. First, you simply find the center of the room by snapping chalk lines from the middle of opposing walls. What you end up with at the intersection of the two lines is the “center” of the room. From there you work both left and right snapping chalk lines that will keep your tiles square throughout the installation. You may even want to make the entire grid using both horizontal and vertical chalk lines to ensure even spacing throughout. Just remember to add in the extra space for the spacers that you’ll remove and grout later. This will create a nice evenly spaced pattern throughout the room starting from the center of it. The only downfall to this method is that if you are new to tiling, you tend to end up with a lot of cuts around the edges to fill in.

The second method is a little different as you start from a corner instead of the center. Find the longest and straightest wall in your basement and start in that corner. Typically, these are an exterior wall, but if you have an interior load bearing wall it could be that as well. Next, you simply measure and mark off the floor from one end of the wall. When done, repeat the same process on the other end of the wall with the same measurement. Pop a chalk line between the two marks. Then repeat these same steps for the walls on the opposite sides. Use a square and make sure everything is “in square” by testing a few of the intersecting chalk lines. If they aren’t, you’ll need to adjust and re-pop the lines. This is an easier installation for the first timer’s. The only downfall with this method is that you’ll likely end up with one or two walls having cut tiles along the edges. Still, it’s all square and will look good.

Special Note Before Installing Ceramic Basement Tile:

For this installation, we are going to assume using the second method listed above. You are going to want to start your ceramic basement tile installation in the corner you first started popping the two original chalk lines. To make this smooth and easy, you are going to want to start your first grout joint to the wall, don’t butt the tile directly on the wall. If you don’t have a 4-foot level, you are going to need one. This will help you keep your tiles straight throughout the installation. You will insert spacers on each corner of the tile joints. Spacers come in different sizes but typical spacer size is between 1/4” to 5/16” wide. If you are using the larger tiles I find it best to keep about a 1/4” spacer between the tiles. It’s much more important to keep the ceramic tiles properly aligned to your chalk lines within the grid versus keeping the grout lines at a consistent width.

How To Tile A Basement Floor:

The first thing you are going to need is a large 5 gallon bucket. If you don’t have one you can usually pick them up from a hardware store for a couple bucks. You’re going to use this bucket to mix up the thinset with a latex additive. Not all thinsets are the same so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll know when you are done mixing when the thinset has the consistency of mom’s morning oatmeal. Never had it? You should, great way to start the day. 😉

Next, start in the corner we noted above and using a 1/4 inch notched trowel apply the thinset to the first grid squares on the basement floor. You only want to work one grid square at a time to maintain consistency so be sure to only cover that much. Then you’ll want to apply a small amount of thinset to the back of the ceramic tile and place it in the desired location. To really set it, just wiggle it back and forth a couple of times pressing firmly to ensure that it bonds with the thinset you already laid on the floor. Set your spacers and move on to the next tile.

Continue installing the tiles checking to make sure that you are still “square” and “in-grid” as you go working your way down or across to the opposite wall. You can check out the picture I took from CSG Renovation basement. As you get closer to the edge of the surrounding walls, you will need to cut the basement tiles to the appropriate size using either a tile cutter or wet saw.

Grouting a Tiled Basement Floor:

After the tile basement flooring has set up over a 24 hour period you can then grout the tile. The first thing you are going to need to do is to remove all the spacers. Have a pair of pliers handy as some of them maybe a little tough to break loose. Once you’ve got all the spacers up, it’s time to move on to a little more cleanup and preparing the grout. You are going to need a couple 5 gallon buckets here, a couple of sponges and a grout float to do it right.

Before you start grouting a tiled basement floor, you need to clean the joints and the surface of basement tile thoroughly. You’re trying to remove all the dirt and dust that may have settled as well as any remaining dried thinset mortar. Now you need that clean 5 gallon bucket again to mix your grout. Just follow the instructions for the grout mix you got. This time you want to make it a little smoother, something along the consistency lines of peanut butter versus oatmeal. This will allow the grout to be worked and spread much easier. Just go back to your starting point and drop a fairly big glob of grout down. Take your grout float and angling it slightly, push and pull the grout to you working it in between the tiles. Yes you will get grout on the tiles as well but you’ll clean that up in a bit.

Take your time and only grout a small area of the basement floor at a time. After a while you’ll get more comfortable with the process and be able to do larger sections. If you have grout left over on the floor, use a clean grout float to pick up the excess. Just be sure to not dig into the grouted areas when you’re doing it. It’ll take about 15 minutes or so for the grout to set up, then you can move to the next portion of the project where you’ve got to clean up your mess.

With a clean bucket of water, go back to your starting point. Take one of your sponges and get it damp. On this part you are going to want to work your sponge on the tile at an angle to the grout lines. You will cross the grout lines, but don’t work directly on them. Pull the sponge back towards you to wipe up the filmy grout off the tiles. Just don’t dig into the grout lines. Flip the sponge over and repeat. It’s important at this step to rinse the sponge clean, you are trying to get the excess grout up and not spread it around. You are going to repeat this process over the entire basement floor. During this, your water may become quite dirty. In an effort to keep it clean, take the time and refresh the water.

Now you’ve just finished tiling a basement floor. Before you get all giddy and start rushing to put everything in your new basement, just allow 24 hours for the grout to really set and dry.

If after the 24 hours there still seems to be a little “film” on your beautiful ceramic tiles, use a quick mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar per gallon of mop water and mop the floor thoroughly. Be sure to do a secondary mopping with clean water after that.

A Garden Gazebo Adds to Your Garden Decor

There is nothing like sitting outdoors enjoying the beauty of your garden and backyard space. By adding a garden gazebo to the space, you essentially create an exterior room in that garden space. Garden gazebos provide intimacy and protection from the weather, while adding beauty to your garden décor. Just as you would sit in an indoor sunroom or sitting room looking out, a garden gazebo offers a space directly in the outdoors that functions as if it’s a separate room that is lucky enough to be surrounded by your garden.

When it comes to choosing a gazebo for garden spaces, there are plenty of models to choose from. Depending on how large you are looking for your garden gazebo to be, what type of décor you are interesting in evoking, and what your budget is, you can find garden gazebos for sale to meet just about any need.

Here are a few options to choose from:

Materials:

Wooden garden gazebo

Of all garden gazebo designs, those made of wood blend in the most naturally with your lawn and garden décor due to the natural elements of the wood. Wooden garden gazebos can be constructed from wood throughout the whole structure, or they can have wood support posts with a canvas gazebo canopy top, or one made from another flexible material. Most wood garden gazebos are made from cedar.

Metal garden gazebo

There are a wide variety of metal garden gazebos to choose from and each adds an interesting decorative element all its own to your outdoor space. Among metal garden gazebos, you can choose from a cast iron or wrought iron garden gazebo, a steel garden gazebo, or an aluminum garden gazebo. Wrought iron or metal garden gazebos are stronger and more durable than aluminum models and are geared for more permanent use than aluminum ones. They are also the best gazebo for winter & windy weather. They one drawback is you need to maintain them or they’ll rust.

Garden gazebo canopy

Whether you choose to go with a wood, metal, iron, or aluminum gazebo frame, you can select a garden gazebo canopy from among different materials, styles, colors and designs. Most garden gazebo canopies are made from canvas with a waterproof sealant on them or a heavy duty vinyl material.  Depending on the type of garden gazebo you choose and the weather conditions where you live, you will sometimes find that the garden gazebo canopy needs to be replaced long before the actual structure of the gazebo is ready for the trash.

This is especially common if you buy a cheap garden gazebo, although it can happen to any type of outdoor garden gazebo that is subjected to high winds, extreme weather conditions, or excessive use or abuse. To replace the canopy alone, you can try to contact the manufacturer directly or find a company that sells garden gazebo parts to see if they have a canopy that will fit the particular model that you own. In most cases, replacing the garden gazebo canopy is a fairly simple process.

Sizes:

10×10 garden gazebo

The most popular size for a garden gazebo is 10 feet by 10 feet square. Of course, if you don’t have much room in your backyard or garden, you can find some small garden gazebos to fit your smaller space and there are also some that are larger as well. Some of the larger, more decorative models of garden gazebos come in other shapes or have angled edges to add interest to the design.

Designs:

There are some garden gazebos that offer a traditional feel to your outdoor space while others have a more modern, contemporary feel. There are garden gazebos that make you feel like you’re sitting in an outdoor “room”, while others feel more like a canopy tent. If insects are a problem in your area, you can even get a screened gazebo that includes netted sides that drop down to keep the bugs out. When you don’t need the protection of the bug or mosquito netting, you can tie the screened sides back along the gazebo posts to open up the area under the gazebo.

No matter what type of garden gazebo you choose, having an outdoor gazebo in your garden provides a place to get away and enjoy the beauty of your backyard or garden, while being protected from the sun, rain or wind. Garden gazebos are a great place to entertain company or to get away from it all with a good book, or even to take a nap. They are also the perfect location for your outdoor dining furniture so you can enjoy a meal out of the sun or without worrying about things falling off the trees into your food.

A garden gazebo is also the perfect place to add a few extra decorative outdoor elements, like a windchime that gently blows in the breeze or a string of solar lights to add a festive atmosphere when the sun goes down. No matter what size, style or design of garden gazebo you choose, placing an outdoor garden gazebo in your backyard adds an unmatched element of charm.

How To Perform A Water Audit

If your apartment, apartment building or condominium complex is master metered for water, make note of any fluctuations in occupancy rates. Compare your occupancy rates to your water bills and to the season. If you have had a lot of vacancies, your water usage should significantly decrease. If it doesn’t, you know you have a leak.

Graph the monthly or bi-monthly usage for the last two years. You don’t need to do anything fancy, a simple bar graph will suffice. You should begin to see a pattern. Tenants tend to shower more during the summer. Landscaping may require more water during warmer months as well.

If you suspect a leak, check the water meter. It is best to check the meter when the water is off, so you will most likely need to serve notice to your tenants that you are shutting the water off for a short period of time, about 30-60 minutes.

At the water meter, check to see if the meter is moving or take a reading, come back in 60 minutes and take another reading. If the meter has moved and the water has been shut off, then you have confirmation of a leak.

Data logging is another means of identifying leaks. A flow recorder is attached to the meter and the data is logged at regular intervals throughout the day over the course of a week. Water flow rates will vary during the day, but usually fall drastically during the wee hours of the morning.

Check all toilet flappers and diaphragms. Use dye tablets to test for leaks. Remember chlorine tablets destroy toilet flappers. This should also be on your annual inspection list along with checking the units’ smoke detectors. Homeowners Associations may wish to initiate a pro-active preventative maintenance program.

Check for leaks among the irrigation heads of your sprinkler system. Are there boggy spots in your landscaping?

If all else fails, contact a professional who offers ultrasonic leak detection.

Remember, if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Get that data!

Get Control of Your Water Usage

Taking control of the flow of water in your units puts you in control of your apartment building’s expenses and increases your net operating income. For homeowners associations the task is more difficult, but educating your board and resident members is the first step on the road to success in reducing association expenses. Using less water also means being more energy efficient because the more water you use, the more energy is required to transport, pump and heat that water.

Keep in mind that many local water utilities are willing to perform a free water audit on your apartment building or condominium complex and some even provide free faucet aerators and showerheads. If you must do it yourself, read ‘How To Perform a Water Audit‘.

Faucets

Install aerators that allow no more than 1 – 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm). WaterSense labeled faucets and faucet accessories (aka aerators) are widely available and some water districts do provide rebates.

Another option we are testing here at GreenLandlady is a device called a Smart Faucet. The Smart Faucet touchless kitchen faucet is a 1.5gpm aerator with a handle. Water flows only when someone pushes the handle. See our Product Review for more information.

Showerheads

According to the EPA showering makes up 17% of residential water use. Install low flow WaterSense approved showerheads that use less than 2.0 gallons per minute. If your building is a high rise, be sure to check the pressure flows above the fourth floor. There are plenty of low flow showerheads on the market, but one we particularly recommend is the 1.75gpm Niagra Earth Massage Showerhead.

Toilets

If your toilets use more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), your money is literally going down the drain. 1.6gpf is the new federal standard for toilets, but more water-efficient toilets are available and should be your first choice. Be aware that using too much toilet paper with these types of fixtures can clog pipes, particularly old pipes that may already have build up inside them. On going resident education should emphasize minimal use of toilet paper to ensure proper functioning. Check for rebates in your area and purchase only WaterSense labeled fixtures.

High efficiency toilets (HETs) use 1.28gpf or 20% less than the federal standard of 1.6gpf. Remember to look for the Water Sense label and check for rebates.

Dual flush toilets use 0.8 and 1.6gpf, depending on which button is depressed and are also considered HETs under the EPAs WaterSense program. Though these types of fixtures may seem strange, they have been the standard in Australia and New Zealand for years. I have installed these in two of my units and have been very happy with them.

Urinals

Why use water at all? Waterless urinals are becoming standard in commercial buildings due to updated code requirements and improved performance and acceptance. “Waterless urinals have been around for over 10 years and many of the initial fears about them have subsided as users and maintenance staff have become accustomed to them,” says NJ remodel. Typical waterless urinals cannot be cleaned with standard cleaning products as they use chemical cartridges to neutralize odors, so it is often maintenance staff that require the most education when these urinals are installed.

Admittedly, waterless urinals have their drawbacks, however, urinals that use as little as one pint of water have proved quite effective and may bear a closer look.

Check for rebates: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_rebate.htm

Vinyl Fencing Can be the Perfect Choice for Some Areas

“Vinyl” seems like an odd choice for fencing, since for many of us it’s nothing more than an occasional decorating tool (think wallpaper) or outdated musical phenomenon (45’s anyone?), or the vinyl siding on the neighbor’s house. While it’s easy to think that vinyl’s uses are limited outdoors, the truth has greatly changed over time.

Vinyl fencing is incredibly popular, both for its solid and durable construction, it’s relatively low cost of production, and the  large variety of its’ practical uses.

A good vinyl fence really isn’t that hard to come by. With hundreds of major companies out there producing or supplying PVC fencing, it’s not difficult to source a fence that will compliment your property. From privacy fences to protective pool fencing, vinyl fences are available to fit almost any set of requirements, and generally at a cost that isn’t damaging to the redecorating or construction budget.

Vinyl fence installation can range from relatively straight forward and  simple to multi-leveled and tricky. It all depends on the type of installation, and the type of fencing required. If you need a simple perimeter fence, installing vinyl fencing is as simple as any other fencing method. Simply dig your supportive post holes and take care of it yourself. In other situations, you could need anything from a shovel to a bulldozer to get your fence properly installed. Remember, that all depends on the setting — in other words, installing a vinyl fence is no more difficult than any other type of fencing.

So how durable are vinyl fence panels? It’s easy to think that PVC — a substance that’s not renowned for super-heavy construction — won’t hold up to repeated winds or impacts. Again, the opposite is true. Many vinyl fences are tested in winds of up to 120mph, and can easily and consistently hold their ground and stay steady. Remember, these are winds in excess of 120mph — the type of wind that routinely damages buildings and causes mayhem — and properly anchored fences are able to withstand it.

So is a vinyl fence perfect for your property?  It really depends on your requirements. While there are several major fencing materials out there to pick from, vinyl offers the greatest mix of high quality presentation, commendable strength and durability, and simplicity of installation. Remember, you’re investing in your home, and anything short of the best often isn’t good enough.

Make an informed decision and invest in fencing that keeps your home private, your yard secure, and your property presentable.

To a lot of people, fencing is all about appearances. Sure, there’s protection and security, but the primary focus is always on presentation and aesthetics. That’s why cedar fences and standard pickets have always proved so popular — people know how they look, appreciate their design virtues, and are happy to go with what’s consistent. But for some people, there’s more on stake than that. They need a fence that’s not going to crack, that’s not going to sag, and isn’t going to age.

For every one of them, vinyl fencing is the answer. Offering the best combination of security, simplicity and durability, vinyl fencing is quickly becoming one of the most popular fencing options around. It’s for good reason too. While the initial investment is slightly larger than for cedar fencing, other woods or even some simple brick fences, vinyl fencing doesn’t age, doesn’t break, and is capable of withstanding winds of over 120mph. That’s twice the driving speed limit, blowing straight at a vinyl fence, and it’s not budging an inch.

It’s easy to undersell vinyl fencing’s looks, mainly because it’s well known for its durability and simplicity. Simply speaking, while vinyl fencing isn’t known for its looks, it’s certainly not an ugly fencing option. With hundreds of different styles and colors available, you’re free to customize and decorate your vinyl fencing as you wish, and with such incredible versatility, it’s highly unlikely that your vinyl fencing will age anywhere near as quickly as wooden alternatives.

Simply put, when you need consistency and simplicity, vinyl picket fences are the way to go. Or, if you’re prefer another style, a vinyl privacy fence will no doubt catch your eye.

Finally, vinyl fencing prices are incredibly affordable, especially if put in a long-term view. Sure, it’s more of an initial investment than other fencing materials, but viewing its cost like this only is deceiving and inaccurate. Vinyl fencing is more expensive up front, but in terms of long-term value, it’s a much better deal than other fencing types. Why?

With wooden fencing, you’re replacing parts every few years, constantly refitting sunk fence posts, and spending a fortune on repairs. Metal fencing will rust over time and also needs to be maintained. With vinyl fencing, you’re spending a little more to get a simple installation and fencing that doesn’t require your constant attention.

So if you want a fencing material that’s cheap for the long haul, rugged and durable, and incredibly simple to install, make vinyl fencing your first choice.

Vinyl siding is a type of siding product that is created from plastic and used on the very outermost layer of a home’s walls. Siding protects your home from the weather as well as keeping insects and other pests out so you must give careful consideration to the type of siding you will use. Vinyl siding has been a popular choice in recent years for several reasons but it also has it’s disadvantages. You will need to compare both to know if vinyl siding is the right choice for your home.

The biggest advantage of vinyl siding for most homeowners is that it doesn’t need the maintenance that many other types of siding need. The color is an intrinsic part of the finished product so it will never need to be painted. It also is fairly inexpensive when compared to custom painting every few years or even brick facades.

While brick is a great option for very long term, most people can’t afford the extensive upfront costs when comparing brick vs. vinyl siding.

A few things to be aware of about vinyl is that vinyl siding will fade with time from the effects of the sun and weather but this takes a long time and doesn’t affect the protection the siding offers. Sometimes over the course of many years, the siding will get a chalky substance on it. The best thing to do in this situation is to wash it down with a soft bristle brush and some vinyl siding cleaner. This can really help extend the life of your vinyl siding over the years. This is also true if you have vinyl gutters. or vinyl fencing.

Some products claim that you can just spray the soap on and hose it off…but I’ve found that this just usually leaves streaks and dirty areas. Also if your siding is on a side of your home that gets little sunlight…but lots of moisture, you may have problems with black mold and mildew removal. If you’re going to clean your vinyl siding, do it right. Get a ladder, some planking, soft bristle brushes and sponges and spend time on it. You’ll be rewarded if you take the proper time upfront.

One other caution about siding is that in very cold weather, vinyl siding can become quite brittle. It snaps and cracks very easily when its really cold, so avoid running into it with a snowblower, car, or the kids sleds. If you do happen to snap off a chunk of the siding, you may be best advised to wait until Spring or Summer to replace it. That way you’ll get a better fit for the new piece as the vinyl will be at a proper temperature and able to take its correct shape and flexibility.

For those who are eco conscious, vinyl siding takes less energy to produce and manufacture than some other forms of siding however it is not very recyclable. Only scraps or leftover unused product can be recycled at this point in time. Another disadvantage to vinyl siding is the fact that it will release toxins when burned so if in the unlikely event of a house fire, the poisonous fumes could make a fatality or serious injury more apt to occur.

I’ve found that there are many local contractors in most areas that can accommodate vinyl siding installations. However, I’ve found that generally the ones that specialize in only doing siding and windows usually do the best job. This is because they work with many different manufacturers of siding and know how to work with each different type and style correctly. A great way to find a reliable contractor is to ask your friends and family about who they have used for their siding upgrades, this is how I found my siding contractor in Marietta or perhaps using an online contractor search like Angie’s List.

You can also do more research to learn more about additional advantages and disadvantages of vinyl siding, by doing a more extensive search online. Home sites, construction websites and siding manufacturer sites will have a lot of detailed information for you including vinyl siding costs and other pricing per square feet estimates based on style and quality.

5 Tips on How to Prevent Rust

Rust can be more than just a cosmetic problem and cause serious damage and it is important to take some steps to prevent rust from ever affecting your possessions.

Rust can form on any metallic surface and it can affect everything from your car and boat to your screws and bolts or the different types of metal roofing. The distinctive powdery or flaky orange mark that appears on metallic objects indicating rust can be the harbinger of severe corrosion. Rust is the result of oxidation that happens when moisture and oxygen come into contact near metal objects.

Fe2O3.nH2O is the chemical combination of rust and while the scientific term means little or nothing to most of us, we all recognize rust when we see it. The corrosion that comes with rusting can be fast or slow depending on the environment. While it technically possible to reduce or reverse corrosion, it is a far better idea to prevent rust from forming in the first place.

Remember that rust is a combination of dampness and air and so store your tools or other metal possessions in a clean place. This can mean air-tight or well-ventilated depending on the object in question. But the idea is to make sure that musty air does not build up around your car, boat or your golf clubs. Any of these ones affected by rust can lose its structural stability and essentially become at a minimum unsafe and at worst unusable.

Moisture is the other big component of rust. So make it a point to clean your things after they have had any water exposure. So, whether it is your car, a set of tools or steel building home kits, you need to rinse and dry to make sure that water does not adhere for long to the surface. The underside of a car is particularly vulnerable to rust and so you should make it a point to address this area also by spraying your undercarriage and clearing away the dirt and dust collected there. Air drying your car and boat on nice sunny days can help in avoiding rust.

To prevent rust from forming, you should remember that moisture from your palms can get onto tools also and so as a matter of routine you should clean all things that you handle before putting them away for storage. This may be applicable in the case of guns where you may not see any visible evidence of moisture but the dampness from your hands is likely to have left a residue. So, wipe such objects down before putting them away.

Other than these basic precautions, you can also use some chemical solvents available in stores to prevent rust. You can use a coating of zinc though a process called galvanizing to protect the body of your car. This latter process will have to be done at a body shop. Another technique used to fight rust is called blueing and it involves rubbing oil that will help with water displacement, onto blued steel. Waxing cars or painting some surfaces also serves the same purpose in that these items work as a shield against water build-up on the metallic surface.

You can also use a dehumidifier in a tool shed or garage if you are concerned about the amount of humidity in the air. This will serve the purpose it is meant to and reduce the risk of rust.

These above mentioned steps can be very helpful if you want to prevent rust. If despite these efforts, you see any sign of rust you should act promptly to clean and treat the affected surface. As mentioned earlier rust is not just something that looks unappealing it actually has implications for safety and health and so you should not ignore a rusted pipe or a rusted railing. Even if the affected area appears small, that piece of metal is no longer structurally reliable and you should fix it at the earliest possible.

Don’t Panic Not all Black Mold is Toxic

Black mold often connotes the “Black Plague.” If you find something you think is black mold, don’t panic, as not all discoloration is mold and not all black molds are toxic. In fact, humans and pets often cause some of the spots that look like black mold.

If people lean their heads against a wall repeatedly, or pets rest in the same spot against a wall, the oils from hair and fur can cling to the wall.

The oil will collect dust from the air, and the patterns created often look like mold.

If you see something that appears to be mold, relax and investigate the area, because you may be panicking for no reason.

At the same time, learning to look for mold will also alert you to finding toxic mold.

Toxic mold must be removed as it can cause several health problems in people and pets. Read on to learn more!

What Is Mold Anyways?

Often, we hear the words mold and mildew used in sync. Cleaning products especially brag about their ability to remove mold and mildew. But what exactly is mildew anyways and how does it relate to mold?

If you do any research, you may discover that the information out there tends to contradict itself.

There are generally two schools of thought concerning mold and mildew: 1) mold and mildew are the same or 2) mold and mildew are not the same.

Let’s break it down.

Mold is what we term microscopic fungi that grow in long, branching filaments and that are multicellular (these filaments are called hyphae incidentally).

There are thousands of species of mold and mold derives its energy from the organic matter in which it lives.

Mold produces mold spores. Most spores remain airborne indefinitely and can resist extreme temperatures and pressures.

Molds are only visible to the naked eye when colonies grow.

Mildew is actually a general term for growth produced by mold fungi; different fungi produce different types of mildew.

Mildew appears in a variety of forms to include spores that look like sugar, spots and discolorations on leaves as well as downy patches.

There are two main types of mildew: powdery and downy.

Powdery mildew appears as small white or gray patches and is commonly found on flowers.

Powdery mildew is not fatal though it may impair photosynthesis. Downy mildew varies in appearance as well and may look like yellow or tan, angular or blotchy spots on leaves or white fuzz that engulfs the organic material it grows on.

Downy mildew commonly forms on grapes, cucumbers, potatoes and even flowers.

Mildew will grow in an environment that is damp with poor air circulation.

Thus, to help prevent the occurrence of mildew on plants or crops, avoid crowded plantings, try to grow mildew-resistant varieties and don’t grow varieties susceptible to mildew in the shade.

In sum, it is my opinion that the discolored growth in your shower or tub is not mildew; rather, it is mold.

So why the discrepancy?

Mildew sounds less severe than mold. “Oh, that’s just mildew in the corner” makes it sound as if the problem will go away with the blink of an eye compared to thinking that you have mold growing. Everybody knows that if you have mold, then you’ve got a problem.

Cosmetic Molds

People often inspect their homes for mold when someone in their household gets sick or they see a news report on mold.

People tend to get nervous and think every black spot warrants a thorough inspection.

On occasion some visible mold can be determined to be harmless and “cosmetic” old mold that was present when the building was constructed.

While it is always possible that additional more harmful molds are present in addition to the cosmetic mold, if there is no leak history nor any other evidence of mold growth in a building and if there are no health or building-related occupant complaints, the identification of the cosmetic mold described here might be accomplished by visual inspection alone, saving on more costly professional mold tests.

For example, sometimes on beams and rafters there is “cosmetic mold” If it is only on one or two boards in a section and stops abruptly, the boards most likely came that way, because mold doesn’t stop growing in straight lines.

If you don’t like the look of it, you can remove it with cleaning solutions. Cosmetic mold will not reappear, but if it does, it was not cosmetic mold and new mold is growing, and it is time to look for the causes.

Walls and Ceilings

The discoloration that looks like mold on walls or ceilings, but seems to grow in stripes where joists are, is probably no more than stains caused by thermal tracking.

This is when dust and dirt collect on cooler parts of your walls and ceilings.

Scented candles, dirty furnaces and poor ventilation contribute to this type of staining.

Toxic Mold

Types of Mold

• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Aspergillus
• Alternaria
• Mucor
• Stachybotrys
• Memnoniella
• Acremonium

There are three types of black mold that are less common but are considered very serious health hazards.

Mold infestation can be obvious or it can be hidden in places like behind walls and underneath appliances.

Occupants often become sick from exposure before a mold problem is even suspected.

Recognizing the differences between harmless mold and toxic mold will not only save you a lot of time and money, but it will also alleviate much worry in your life.

Unfortunately, sometimes you will find mold that needs to be removed from your property.

There are over 100 000 mold species, some more harmful than others.

Mold spores are less than 4 microns in size. Spores are so small that as many as 250,000 spores can fit onto the head of a pin. In one minute your lungs can take in over seven hundred thousand of these spores.

It is believed that as many as fifty percent of all homes and buildings may have some level of Stachybotrys infestation.

According to some, “Mold Exposure is perhaps the single most misdiagnosed illness in the United States.”

Prolonged exposure to mold can stimulate allergic like reactions in people as well as cause an assortment of illness symptoms.

It appears that people with better immunity will be able to tolerate the ill effects of mold; however, people who are under stress, have weakened immunities, are allergic to mold or are seniors are at greater risk to develop illnesses related to mold mycotoxins in their homes.

Also, mold can make pets sick as well!

The website for the Center of Disease Prevention has an excellent database of common molds and diseases caused by exposure to them. Please refer to this link.

Mold: it’s everyone’s worst enemy.

So what should you do when you discover that you have a mold problem in your home?

Most people tend to think that you can take care of the problem yourself. With so many mold removal How To articles on the internet, if you’re brave enough, you might just go for it.

Unfortunately, most people do not have access to proper protection gear or even proper mold removal disinfectants.

Well what about bleach?

Unfortunately, the notion that bleach kills mold is false. Bleach merely “bleaches” the color out while the mold roots remain intact and continue to grow.

Furthermore, you need to do more than just kill mold, you have to remove it.

To remove mold, a series of steps must be taken with great safety.

From properly removing the mold and the affected surface to properly disposing of the mold (even dead mold gives off volatile organic compounds and is a potential allergen).

For example, a common misconception that consumers come across is that you can effectively remove mold from your bathroom tile.

Again, most so called mold killers commonly available on the market are made of bleach.

Truly, the only way to remove the mold from your shower stall is to completely remove the grout and re-grout the tile with a new application.

Mold remediation companies are fully equipped to handle any mold situation, from small to large.

Usually, after the initial call is made, a specialist will come out and assess the situation.

Usually, from that point, a quote can be made. And take notice of where you live, a the cost of mold removal in San Diego will be a lot different than the cost in nowhere, Nebraska.

Next, a thorough mold inspection will take place as well as mold testing.

After the inspection and testing are done, the mold removal and remediation processes will take place.

In no time, your property will be restored and mold-free.

Keep Your Home Mold Free

To keep your home mold-free, you simply have to control excess moisture in your home.

When it comes to identifying the signs and probable causes of moisture and moisture-related indoor air quality problems in your home, there are several practical solutions that any homeowner can take to reduce moisture and make the home less hospitable to mold.

Many household problems can be solved if you adopt strategies to prevent excess moisture in the home, perform maintenance or minor repairs and/or hire a professional restoration company to make repairs.

Often, mold damage is a direct result of flooding or storms. In the event of a flood, especially a flood caused by sewage back-up, it is critical you call a professional restoration company for emergency water removal.

The technicians can dry out your home completely and make it uninhabitable for mold to grow.

In sum, know what is mold, what isn’t mold, and know when to call for help!

After heavy rain the last thing any home owner wants to experience is to have to spend a lot of money replacing damaged plaster and paint work on the inside of their home or repair roof tiles.

However, it is possible to save yourself a considerable amount of money simple by understanding the need for regular gutter cleaning.

Most property owners view their roof drainage system as “out of sigh, out of mind” but cleaning the gutters at the top of your home is a vital part of any home maintenance here in Vancouver, BC, Canada and should never be avoided.

Many years ago, homes and building were not fitted with gutters, and architects and old time engineers never considered that an effective gutters system was important.

Roof top drainage was usually achieved by homes and buildings being constructed with very steep and large over hanging roofs that where constructed in such a way that water was channeled into a specially designed gathering area which was then used for washing and drinking.

But now the standard for modern constructions all over the world is an efficient roof drainage system – which clearly makes good sense. When we have a heavy down pour or storm, the water is effectively channeled of the roof, into a practical drainage system and routed away from our valuable homes.

All gutter systems are fitted with downspouts – usually located at each corner of our property to ensue water is carried away quickly and with minimum risk of overflowing.

There are many environmentalists that prefer having gutter systems that lead directly into a specially designed catchment containers where the water is then stored for later use in the dry months. Separate water catchments systems are not only considered environmental friendly but can also have significant savings on household water bills- if your home has a water meter.

But, irrespective of whether the water is stored for later use or led away by a regional or national underground drainage system, having clogged gutters can be a very expensive affair. Water from your roof is unable to escape through the nearest downpipe then they will eventually overflow and the water will come rushing down your exterior walls, then it’s is only a mater of time before it starts to permeate through your outside walls and through to the interior of your property.

As internal damp and wet patches start to manifest within the inside of your home paintwork and decorations will rapidly start to break down and become strained.

Flash floods can happen with very little notice and if your gutter system is blocked rain water can also penetrate through your roof tiles, and into the attic area of your home then down onto your inside ceilings. Apart from the financial costs to replace broken roof tiles internal plaster and paint work on your ceilings will be come damaged.

Whether you get your gutters attended to by a commercial gutter cleaning company or you decide to do them yourself, in the long term it can only help you avert an expensive disaster buy possibly saving you a lot of unnecessary repair work.

All property experts agree that you should get your home gutters checked at least once or twice a year, to stop roof moss, twigs from trees, dead leaves, dead birds and even children’s toys from blocking your gutters. And you can use a removal service like Montgomery County Dumpster Rental that I use here, or if you’re lucky enough to have a small yard you can always just compost them and be even more eco-friendly.

So the next time you see your gutter system overflowing, take immediate action, and have them checked by a competent gutter cleaning company before the internal damage to your home turns into expense that could have easily been avoided.