Blog - Home Design Plans

31Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Home Improvement

Radon Remediation Explained

One of the major health hazards and Radon dangers that are often present in an invisible, odorless as well as tasteless manner is the presence of Radon in a building which is a danger that needs to be removed and eliminated without delay if you don't want to end up suffering from lung cancer. Mostly, radon gets into a building through the floor and to reduce the risks you can either try or prevent the Radon gas from entering the building, or you can extract it from the building.The best Radon remediation technique is the one that addresses a particular instance of Radon presence in the building, and so you may need to choose one or combination of methods to get rid of Radon in the home. However, the easiest way is preventive Radon remediation for which you would need to seal all gaps and c...

31Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Remodeling

What Can Go Wrong in Choosing the Wrong Granite Contractor?

You want to remodel and have finally decided on beautiful granite. What could possibly go wrong?Why Worry About That, I'm Installing It Myself?Even though you have identified that installation of granite is a job for the professionals, realizing that not all contractors are professional is a lesson better learned from others. Knowing how to safeguard against complications increases ease with installation and complete satisfaction with the final product in an efficient amount of time.What Could Go Wrong?Dealing with an unprofessional can leave you with more than just a headache. Relying on someone that doesn't know exactly what they are doing can leave you paying more for what you don't want.Improper knowledge of both granite and its installation can not only affect the granite itself, i.e....

31Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Plumbing

Simple Plumbing Tips – Using Sealant to Fix Your Plumbing System

Thousands of people are spending thousands of dollars for their plumbing system, while millions of people are spending hundreds of dollars just to fix simple repairs. Although there are some who are already aware of the simple plumbing repairs that they can do, majority are still unaware of the things that should be done when dealing with problems in their plumbing system.A sealant can solve almost all of the problems that you have with your plumbing system. Aside from being very useful, it is also not that expensive, so there won't be any reason for you not to have it with you. A sealant can also be used on your roof, so you don't have to worry about buying something that you will only be used once.How does it work?A sealant is a substance that feels like clay when molding. This will allo...

31Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

DIY

Fireplace Mantels – The Early Styles

In the early evolution of the fireplace mantel - from the primitive wood or peat fire lit on a slab of stone during the Saxon times through the mediaeval period when the fireplace mantel evolved into a considerably more efficient edifice - the most important room was the common hall.The Saxon dwelling, whether it was a royal castle, a manor house, or a lowly one-room cottage, was built around the fireplace. Rooms could be added on at different stages of the life of the house, but the fireplace was the hub of early English domestic life, providing heat to cook food, boil water and warm the inhabitants. The common hall was usually on the ground floor, and was open to the roof. The fire would be placed in the center of the room and the smoke would drift out through open windows, crevices in t...

30Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Energy Efficiency

Efficient Energy Lighting – 5 Tips to Increase Your Energy Light Savings

In the quest to save more money, finding ways to save home energy is quickly becoming a top priority for a lot of folks. That's understandable because reducing your home's utility bill is easy to do if you know how.Consider home lighting. Twenty-five percent of the average home's electricity bill is directly attributed to light usage. Just by switching to more efficient energy lighting such as saving energy bulbs throughout your home, you can increase your energy light savings practically overnight.Here are 5 Efficient Energy Lighting Tips that can quickly and easily lower your home energy costs:1. Switch to Fluorescent Compact BulbsIf you haven't already replaced your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, you are leaving major money on the table. These saving energy bul...

30Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Flooring

Effective Tips For Insulating Under Floors

If you are planning to build a new home or renovating your old home, one important job you can do is installing under floor insulation. In the beginning of construction, the builder should ask all subcontractors to keep spaces between floor joists clear. Under floor covering increases the energy-efficiency of a building. This article offers some effective tips to do under floor covering in your home. Let the ductwork, electrical wiring and drain lines run under the insulation, to install a continuous covering layer. If you stay in a region that has freezing winters, supply plumbing is present inside the lining, to increase the protection. The best technique is to let the supply plumbing run together within a few spaces of joists. Split the lining and let it be around the plumbing. Seal all...

29Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Home Improvement

Using Natural Wax in Candles

Ask a person if he or she will go for natural wax candles compared to paraffin candles. Most people will probably say that natural wax candles would be their choice. After all, why go for other kinds of candles when there are those which are made from materials and ingredients that are natural and not synthetic and simply not harmful.Now you may think that all natural wax that are used in making candles are the same. After all, they all look the same and they all serve the same purpose. You think that the only thing that makes the various types of natural waxes different from each other is the color. Like the beeswax which is a natural wax. It has a yellowish hue. But the color is simply not the only thing that makes each natural wax different from others.Did you know that within each kind...

28Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Flooring

Floor Sanding – How Best to Restore Your Wood Floor

Do you look at your tired wooden floors and wonder whether it is possible to restore them, achieving that look that we all see in the glossy magazines? Some are put off by this home improvement task purely because of the mess, hassle and hard work involved in the restoration process. A professional wood floor cleaner and restoration specialist will be able to provide a cost-effective floor sanding service that will eliminate any of these concerns.Traditional wood floor sanding meant the creation of a lot of dust, dirt and disruption in homes. A unique dust free sanding process has now been introduced and is being practiced by the best sanding Companies. These professionals employ the use of modern equipment and are expertly trained in the dust free floor sanding process. This ensures that ...

27Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Pest Control

Roof Repair Basics

If a roofing problem becomes apparent then it will be necessary in short order to search out a fully qualified, skilled, and trained roofing company. Also, when hiring the right roofing contractor it benefits to find those offering free no obligation quotes, competitive pricing, and a guarantee on their workmanship and finished work. The different roof types (pitched, flat and 3-layer) all come with their own positive and negative points and its important to inspect roofs are regular intervals for signs of leaks to avoid potential serious damage in the long-term to either the inside or outside of the property. One the first things that needs to be done when requiring a roof repair is to contact several roofing companies and arrange for a representative from one of these companies to ...

27Jul

By Vincent J. ThomeNo Comments

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficient Refrigerators Keep Your Food Cool and Your Bills Low

There are many ways in which we can bring our energy bills down; in recent years we've been urged to reduce our usage by turning off unnecessary appliances when we aren't using them or using them more effectively such as only running dishwashers when they are full. One of the main appliances that are hard to reduce our usage of is our refrigerators, they are always on and we can't really turn them off to save a few pennies on our electricity as our food is likely to spoil and require replacing.But there are energy efficiency tips when it comes to buying a refrigerator, buying the cheapest one you can find is risky as these are often models that are not very energy efficient and will quickly cost you more to run than an expensive yet efficient model. Most modern appliances will have their e...