Mice Extermination DIY Options

March 17th, 2010

Some people have a relationship with mice as stars of children’s cartoons. But most people are actually afraid of mice or just view them as a pest. Especially home owners have the latter view, as mice can be a real problem if they are left to roam a house with out some kind of mouse control. This isn’t just because they can give you a scare when you see one; there are real reasons why mice should be exterminated from a house where people actually live.


For starters, mice leave droppings, and they obviously don’t clean up after themselves. If you have kids, the last thing you want to see is them playing in mouse filth. There is also the case of mice being carriers of diseases such as Bubonic and Typhoid. Since mice are drawn to house’s where food is lying around and easy accessible, it’s obvious why the spreading of disease can be of concern.


This leads to the question; how to get rid of mice? There are two main routes you can follow to get rid of mice, one being to hire a professional exterminator, and the other being getting rid of the mice yourself. The professionals will definitely do their job, but this comes at a price that can be unrealistic for many people’s wallet. Doing it yourself, on the other hand, can be an affordable way to handle the problem, as there are many options available at most hardware stores around the country.


The most common method of mouse control is to set up conventional traps. These are usually made with steel bars and have doors that close when the mouse enters after being drawn in by a tasty treat lying in the trap. These traps usually work just fine, but you have to remember that the mouse is actually trapped alive inside, and it’s up to you to get it out, either setting it free or killing it. The most humane is of course to set the mouse free, but if you do this remember that mice find their way back home if you don’t let them out far enough away from your house. Since mice have a perimeter or territory of over 200 yards, be sure to let them out further away than that.


On the less humane side you have the glue traps, which use glue to stick the mouse to the trap. The inhumane part is that the mouse will either starve to death, if you don’t attend to your traps often, or have to be killed if you actually find the mouse alive inside because there is no easy way of getting it loose from the glue.

Poison is also seen as an inhumane way of mice extermination, but is actually one of the most used methods. Since there is a risk that other animals, pets, or even your kids, can find the poison and eat it without knowing what it is, using poison outside specialized cages that also trap the mouse and hinder entry from others, can be a bit dangerous.


For more information about the topic visit How to Exterminate Mice

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Repairing Cracks in Your Basement Ceiling

March 16th, 2010

If the finished ceiling in your basement is cracked, first you want to see if you can figure out what is making the cracks appear. Frequently it is simply the house settling, and as tiny foundation shifts occur in the house, the walls and ceilings are prone to cracking. The problem with not understanding what is causing the crack is that after you make the repair, you may simply get another crack. So try to identify the cause, and make sure that it is not going to occur on a regular basis. Most cracks can be fixed easily with a few, simple techniques.


Be Safe


Any time you are doing any type of home repair, you always want to consider your safety. If your home was built more than twenty-five years ago and you have a textured ceiling, it is possible that you may have asbestos in your ceiling. Before you begin to make any repairs, you need to take a small sample of your ceiling material and have it tested. There are kits that you can use to send in your own sample for analysis, or you can call a professional in to make the assessment for you. Do not disrupt any of your ceiling material before making sure that it is free of asbestos.


Simple Repair Techniques


Once that you are certain that you do not have asbestos present in your ceiling, then you can begin repairing your cracks. Again, with safety in mind, make sure to wear glasses or safety glasses when doing your repair. Since you are working overhead, you will have debris falling on you, and the last thing you need is plaster in your eye. So wear protective eye gear as you are performing your repair. If the ceiling is textured you will need to remove the textured layer so that you are working with a smooth surface. Use a putty knife to scrape away texture material until you arrive at the flat drywall. Then use a sanding sponge or sandpaper to sand the area perfectly smooth.


After the area is perfectly smooth, and all debris is removed from the area, you can use a mud trowel to fill any small cracks in the wall with drywall compound. If you have larger cracks in the wall, you will probably want to tape over them with drywall tape first. Then apply several thin layers of drywall compound over the tape making sure that the compound completely dries in between each layer. Once the repair is complete, you can sand it smooth. If your ceiling has texture, then you will want to add texture back to your space and again let it thoroughly dry. After all repairs and textures are completely dry, you can prime the area and paint it to match the rest of the ceiling.


Other Fixes


Along with cracks you may also see damage in your drywall ceiling like exposed screws or nails. To fix either of these problems, tighten or reset the screws or nails, and then fill the area with a little drywall compound. You can repair nicks and gouges the same way. For larger damaged areas, you may need to cut out a piece of the wall and replace it with new drywall. Then simply tape the seams and add a couple of thin layers of drywall compound to complete the repair.

While looking for an opportunity in decorating Angela Glancy found herself working with American Artisan Art where she developed her own unique style for design and remodeling.

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Feng Shui Crystals – Attracting Positive Energy With a Multifaceted Ball

March 15th, 2010

Feng shui crystals are commonly used tools in the art of placement. These crystals are not the kind that are typically worn as jewelry, they are multifaceted spheres that come in a range of sizes and colors. The crystal balls are meant to be hung in specific areas of the home where it is needed to activate the ‘qi’ or energy. There are some areas with stagnant ‘qi’, the energy cannot flow freely unless there are special feng shui tools to place there such as the crystal ball.


These spherical balls range in size from 20mm to 50mm. The size of the ball should match the size of the room, for instance bigger crystal balls are better suited for bigger rooms and vice versa. A ball that is 40mm or 50mm is normally used in large rooms such as a living room, ones that are 30mm is good for the bedroom, and 20mm is ideal in the bathroom. A lot of people also use 20mm balls inside of their cars. Clear crystal balls are the most commonly used, known for being able to activate the ‘qi’ of an entire space. Other colors include pink, purple, blue, green and more. You can use these specifically to improve the different areas of your life that the color is meant for in the right location. To find the best location for these colored balls, simply use a bagua map to figure out where each color belongs within a given space. Then hang the colored ball in the appropriate area.


There are a number of structural issues in a home that will require the crystal ball to act as a remedy. For instance, if the front door leads right into a staircase, the flow of ‘qi’ will be affected as soon as it enters the home. Hang a crystal in between the front door and the staircase. Other problem areas include long hallways, an entrance that is missing an actual door or corners with sharp edges. Furniture placement will sometimes interfere with the flow of ‘qi’ and if rearranging it is out of the question, crystal balls can be used as a simple fix.


For best results, hang the crystal ball from the ceiling using a red string. The length of the string can also play a factor, multiples of 9 are supposed to be the best length. Make sure the string is either 9 inches, 18 inches or 27 inches. Dust can accumulate easily on these balls, make sure to clean them regularly. Layers of dust will only make them less effective. With the proper use and care, feng shui crystals can prove to be very powerful tools.

Feng shui crystals are really popular feng shui remedies, used on areas with bad ‘qi’ or energy. Use different colors and sizes in all areas of a room or an entire home with the help of a bagua map.


Get a FREE Personalized Color Report, “How to Use Colors in Feng Shui” at http://www.fengshuiroomdesign.com

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How to Avoid the Common Home Owner Remodeling Mistakes That Can Cost You Tons of Money and Heartache

March 15th, 2010

Remodeling your home can be a major undertaking or just as simple as a new color theme. There are so many choices out there as to what can be done it will make your head spin.

So you need a place to start to get the best job done for your money. I personally like to do the work myself so I get the benefit of creating the whole thing. That gives me a huge sense of pride too. It also saves me a ton of money on labor costs.

Now you might be thinking “I am not a contractor so I can’t do the work myself”. That’s simple not true. If you have a desire to do anything a little study of it and you can do anything. That goes especially for construction/remodeling. None of the steps of construction is particularly difficult if you know the basics of the step. The people that do this all the time have the basics and then they have the repetitive experience so it looks like you can’t do it like they can. Part of that concept is true. They are used to doing it. But know this. Before they ever started to do that work they were just like you. They didn’t know how to do it.

Now for those of you that know a bit about construction / remodeling work you have some skills to work with. There is still plenty to learn too. I’ve been at this for 35+ years and I learn new stuff all the time. I always try to take on work that I haven’t done before just so I can learn it and it puts another feather in my cap.

So here we go, this is a pretty good way to go about a remodeling project. First off you should do your home work. A very good way to find ideas to help you decide what your project is going to become is looking through magazines for interior design. There are several to choose from. I go to the big home improvement stores and I take my wife there as well and we look through their books and magazines. When we find ones that fit our desires then we purchase those. There are times I get ideas from these publications and I just go do it without getting the book.

For the most part those publications don’t tell you how to do the work they merely show you the pictures and have some write ups on the projects. My point here is to just get the pictures for the sparking of your own ideas. Or to simply copy something in there that you fall in love with.

When you get some ideas figured out it is a good idea to write them down. You can even cut out the picture and paste it to the list. Then it is time to go pricing all of the stuff you want so you can figure out your budget. Keep in mind that those pictures are sporting some pretty pricey fixtures and components so you shop around for the best deals of quality fixtures and components.

By this point in your journey you should have a very good idea as to the materials cost for the job. Now it is time to figure out the labor costs. This is where many home owners can get into trouble. If you choose to do the work yourself then you will be able to save a very large amount of money and be able to buy the more expensive components if you choose. If you decide to hire a contractor to do the work then you need to shop around for a good one.

Here are some basics for finding a good contractor. Please don’t just grab the guy that worked for your friend just because your friend says he’s a good guy. You could actually lose a friend over it if things go sour. By all means do check out the friends suggestion by asking him to see some of his work and getting some references from other clients of his and contacting them to see how the job went for them. You want to be able to communicate well with the contractor you choose. Personality is vital because you are going to be building a relationship here and you don’t want to hire someone that grates at you because your two personalities clash.

So look around for at least 3 contractors and get bids from each of them to install exactly what you have chosen. Side note here, they will have their own ideas on how it should go and what to do so be advised. If you want your job done the way you have chosen then make that specifically clear up front. If you are still a bit unsure as to what you want you can ask them and they will usually have some good ideas.

Do not fall for the lowest bid right off the bat. Go look at some of this persons work and talk to the people he has worked for. You are about to spend a good deal of money and you don’t want to waste it and poor workmanship trying to save a few bucks.

Usually your best work comes from the middle bid. They are very good at their work and they know the value of it. The low bidder is generally trying to get any work they can with hopes they can charge more as the jobs goes along and the people want to change things. The contractor with the highest bid is usually having to support a huge overhead and the service isn’t always that great because they are off to the next job asap and don’t seem to have time to help you until you are on the phone yelling at them. I’m not saying they are all like that but it is something that does happen with your huge contractors and small alike.

That’s why I say check them out and ask their customers what their relationship experience was like.

With these simple steps to take you can be in control of your project and have a wonderful experience. Of course you will have to deal with the household disruption of a remodel but that will pass easy enough. A bad experience with a contractor will stay with you though.

I hope this has been of help to you.

Glenn Gehrke / Professional builder/remodeler. 35 years experience in the construction fields. I find it is time for me to pass on some of my knowledge to as many people as I can. I’ve done so much it’s become a bit of a task to keep track of it all.

My blog on remodeling: Fixing Up The House.

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Tips on How to Lessen Basement Remodel Cost basement remodeling tips, basement ideas,

March 14th, 2010

Almost everyone has to deal with economic crisis, times are tough and sometimes we set things aside just so we can save our hard earned money for a good cause. Finishing a basement is not something that you just jump into especially if you have a limited budget. While it is true that you have to shell out money, I don’t think you have to spend an unbelievable amount to get the job done. There are ways on how you can lessen basement remodel cost. There is no definite cost to finish a basement because it will depend on the materials that you want to use, the purpose of your basement and sometimes the cost run up because homeowners fail to plan.

Planning is a very important part of basement remodeling. You can save thousands of dollars by coming up with a detailed plan and a layout because if you don’t, you’ll probably end up purchasing materials that you don’t need. Decide on everything at first hand to save on basement remodel cost including your lighting, paint, color scheme, carpet, furniture and fixture. Sometimes people waste money even just on paint. They don’t do canvassing only to find out in the end that the paint they chose doesn’t match the style that they want or sometimes picking out the wrong furniture and equipment can lead to a disaster. You can’t keep on buying until you find something that will suit your taste. There are websites in which you can actually try painting the room and it will give you an estimate how much the cost will be. All you have to do is measure the basement and input the numbers. That’s what I did when I painted my room. I made sure I did not underestimate nor overestimate.

Your basement remodel cost can run up from $10,000 to $25,000. Some homeowners spend more and we’re talking about $150,000 here. You don’t have to do that unless you’re Mariah Carey. Visit some local open homes and try to get some ideas. It will also be of great help if you will make a research about the materials used for basement remodeling these days. There’s nothing wrong with buying cost-effective materials as long as you can be sure that they will not cause any leaks or damages in the future. You can also look at basement remodeling photos so you can compare designs. In this way, you don’t have to hire an architect or a designer to do the job for you. A photo will lead you in the design, layout, color scheme, lighting and furniture to be used in your basement.

You can get exciting basement ideas here or you can go to http://www.basement-bar-ideas.com/ for more information.

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Lock Boxes Can Be a Good Option For Hiding Spare Keys

March 14th, 2010

Everyone should have an extra set of keys handy. Emergencies can happen that may require you to have keys available while you are not at home. For your security, however, do not place these spare keys in an easy to spot place.


Hide-a-keys were a good invention when they first started, but they are easily spotted now. Hide-a-rocks can be found quickly by burglars who are looking for it. Another bad spot to place spare keys are under door mats, above doors, or in a plant pot.


Use your imagination. Find something that will keep your spare keys in an easy to access place, but also keep your home security measures high. One device that can be handy for storing spare keys is a lock box.


A lock box stores your key while also protecting it with a lock. It is meant to fit one to five keys, so it is a very small box. This is important to allow you to hide it effectively.


Where you place your lock box is up to you, though you should place it in an inconspicuous place. Lock boxes can be mounted to your home if you like. This will make it hard for a burglar to walk off with it.


Electronic key boxes can be bought for additional home security measures. Electronic lock boxes will allow a code to be used, and can be changed once that person has used it. Electronic key boxes also allow you to track every time the box is opened, and give you the date and time it was used.


Locks are what make the key boxes such a good choice. Most lock boxes use combination locks. That way, once someone uses the key box, you can change the combination so they cannot use it again with out your permission.


If you are still worried about home security issues, you can also use “do-not-duplicate” keys. These bonded keys make it so only you can get a new copy of the house keys. Brands such as Medeco are more pricey, but do a great job for home security protection.

For more information about Home Security Systems contact Platinum Protection on their website at http://www.PlatinumProtect.com. Platinum Protection is one of the fastest growing Home Security companies. With customer service being a top priority, Platinum Protection offers top of the line Home Security Systems that will fit almost any application. Platinum Protection offers helpful Home Security Information and Tips on the Platinum Protection Blog. Visit our Blog.

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Room Dividers and Glass Partitions

March 13th, 2010

A popular interior show piece is becoming the retractable glass room divider. It offers clear glass views when closed but can also be fully retractable which offers unique practicality. For many years the market has been flooded with wooden room dividers, originating in the Far East where they are commonly used. The Frameless Glass Door is a modern version of this historically popular room show piece.


Now in the 21st century many of home owners have conservatories which are a common reason for purchasing glass walls or room dividers. They can offer better thermal insulation for home owners but also help to create rooms and enhance privacy. Being fully retractable allows the user to have full control over their household. Similar to bi-folding doors and folding sliding doors they can be fully opened and closed at the users will.


The glass alternative to wooden room dividers offers the same insulation properties (often better) but gives the added feature of allowing clear views.


The single glazed being made from toughened 10mm glass which allows it to be used for all internal purposes. The double glazed frameless glass door however, which is set to be released in April 2010 will be able to be applied to all external as well as internal applications. It will offer the same usability as a bi-folding aluminium or UPVC door but will be completely frameless. U-values may also even be lowered which will help insulation due to the fact that glass has better insulation properties to that of aluminium.


Sunseekerdoors currently manufactures Glass Room Dividers. Formally known as the glass curtain this new product is now known as the Frameless Glass Door. Set to take over the market of room dividers this innovative new product comes in a single glazed and double glazed version.


A double glazed frameless glass door has been sought after for decades in the door industry but without success. This product is finally set to be released in the UK and will be one of the only Countries worldwide to have the opportunity to purchase such a new and innovative product. In years to come it may even become an industry standard and many households will own a fully retractable frameless glass doors system.

Having worked in the industry for many years it is important to me to help inform the public of new trends and innovative new products. A frameless glass door system which can be used for external purposes will be a great achievement and I hope this article helps to a brief explanation to this new product range glass room dividers and frameless glass doors. Please visite http://www.framelessglassdoorsuk.co.uk for further information on glass partitions, external frameless glass doors and glass curtains.

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Differences Between Dumpsters and Roll-Off Containers

March 13th, 2010

Dumpsters

A dumpster is basically a garbage bin which is mainly used in industries, residences, construction sites and other public places.Dumpsters are used to stock-up waste materials which are then taken away by local trash trucks. These dumpsters are generally located on the grounds of schools, offices, hospitals, industrial areas, public parks, society buildings and often on the roads. The dumpsters are also used for the recycling of the waste, with some dumpsters recycling plastic, glass or paper. Most of the time, cranes are used to empty the garbage from the dumpster into the garbage trucks. Dumpster divingis very common in some parts of the world where a person dives into a dumpster to find articles to use from the trash that are worth money. This may include searching for plastic bags, pieces of metal or other waste material that can be still be used or recycled.

Sometimes people will even find something extremely valuable, but this is rare. You know what they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Dumpsters come in different dimensions, from small scale dumpsters, medium scale dumpsters and large scale dumpsters. Small scale dumpsters are useful to place in a small area and their small size allows them to be easily moved from one place to other. It has the capacity to hold ten to fifteen cubic yards of junk material. These are very small sized trash bins and are typically located in residential areas and compounds of small business units. The medium sized dumpsters are the most popular. These accommodate twenty to thirty cubic yards of debris. These are equally suited for the residential and small scale business purposes. However a thirty yard open dumpster is suitable for the industrial and construction sites as well. Finally comes the large scale dumpsters which have the capacity of storing about forty yards of waste material. Now we can look at roll-off containers.

Roll-off containers

Roll-off dumpsters or sometimes referred to as Roll-off containers on the other hand are rectangular shaped containers which are carried on the back of a truck like a vehicle which stores the waste and transports it for the disposal of the same to the waste grounds. It is open on its top and has wheels which assist the rolling of the dumpster in the right place. Roll offs are generally used in construction sites for either demolition, or a construction or renovation process. The material is than loaded into the roll off until it is full, then the company which rented the unit would pick it up. In most places you need permission to use of roll-off containers unlike dumpsters which do not require any sort of permission. Whether it’s for industrial or for any other purpose, the use of dumpsters and roll-off containers has been very important to many industries.

If you need a roll off dumpster make sure you check out Dumpster Nationwide for a great deal. Dumpster Nationwide also provides dumpster deliveries for any of your small or large clean up projects.

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Tips on Choosing Patio Furniture

March 12th, 2010

You want your outdoor patio or living space to be welcoming and inviting to you and your guests. Good quality patio furniture is an investment worth making and will give you years of enjoyment entertaining and relaxing outdoors. One popular material for patio furniture is wood and will complement your patio or deck. There are many designs and style to choose from including modern and traditional pieces.

Wood outdoor furniture is very durable, especially if it is made out of cedar or teak wood. The wood can be left natural, be painted or stained to match your backyard landscape or your home’s design. You can find a variety of different pieces including chairs, loungers, tables and umbrella stands. Like all of your other pieces of patio furniture your wood pieces should be covered in the winter time.

Wrought Iron Furniture is also a popular choice and is very sturdy due to the way it is constructed. The standard color of the furniture frames is usually black. However, you can find wrought iron furniture in a variety of colors including brown, beige and white. These types of pieces of patio furniture usually use cushions and pads to make the furniture comfortable.

The cushions come in variety of colors and designs to fit the décor of your outdoor living space. The cushions usually have removable covers which can be machine washed on a gentle cycle. If the cushion covers are not removable they can be wiped off to keep them clean. You can use a cover on them when not in use to keep them new looking.

Wrought iron outdoor furniture is easy to care for and can be washed with car soap. You then rinse it well after washing. Twice a year you should apply a car wax to the wrought iron to help protect and preserve it. Before waxing or washing your wrought iron furniture you should inspect it for any nicks or scratches to the finish. If you see any marks you can touch them up with a can of matching spray paint. Wrought iron patio furniture will last for many years if it is care for properly. It is a good choice because of its durability and beauty; it will enhance all patios and decks.

The choice of which style or type of material you choose for your outdo furniture is a personal choice. You have to keep in mind the weather in your area and how much use your furniture will be getting. Both of these factors will play a part in which pieces will fit your décor and lifestyle.

No matter what type of patio furniture you decide to buy you will also want to invest in quality patio furniture covers to keep it looking new for years to come. Patio furniture covers come in many sizes and styles to fit all of your pieces snugly and securely. There are many different design collections available to coordinate with your outdoor living space and the look you want to achieve.

Ryan Draving is the VP for Empire Patio Covers, a leading provider of patio furniture covers such as patio chair covers and patio table covers. Empire Patio Covers can be found online at: EmpirePatioCovers.com.

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Tips For Rose Comforters and Floral Home Interior Decor

March 12th, 2010

A rose comforter can add a refreshing garden feel to your room. This style doesn’t have to look outdated or old. It can work for a nursery or a master bedroom. Here are a few tips for decorating with a rose comforter.


You can really incorporate a rose comforter into the overall theme. This has a very country feel to it. You could even just go with a quilt instead of a traditional comforter. This is perfect for the late summer months. During the winter months you could fold up the quilt at the foot of your bed and use it with a white down comforter. This allows you to change up the look of your home inexpensively and meet the needs of the seasons. It is also a very different take on a traditional rose comforter.


Make it elegant. Rose comforters don’t have to be juvenile. Instead, find a comforter with a tone on tone pattern. The roses might be part of a jacquard design. If you keep this in a soft blue or gold it will feel very French. This way you’ll be able to get an elegant hotel feeling while at the same time bringing in your favorite pattern.


Go all out. This is the perfect pattern for a kid’s room or even your very own bedroom. The key is to just pick the items that you love while changing it up a little bit. You could go for a matlese look where it will just be a tone on tone sculpted rose. This can be very elegant and you can get it in a bright white. If you want to really be daring then go with a pink.


Look for craftsmanship. Rose comforters are a dime a dozen. You can even find them in different hotels. However, yours can be different by just going with quality. You might want to find hand embroidered roses that will really give a high end touch to your piece. Just by spending a little bit more money you’ll be able to get a piece that lasts and really change up how you think about floral prints.


Go with a fun or funky color. This can really change up how you feel about roses. It allows you to go with almost any color palette under the sun. For instance, in a teen’s room you could try a hot pink and orange comforter. In a master bedroom you could go for a more contemporary gray and white theme. This allows you to get the focus on the beautiful curvature and lines of the flower instead of it just being a cliché.

Learn more about rose comforter. Stop by Sara Gilmore’s articles where you can find out all about polka dot decor.

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