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How tos

How to remove a flat bathroom mirror

Do it yourself home renovations are so common nowadays because hiring professional ones are often costly. However you still want to make that renovation without spending too much. Good thing there are sp many home renovation that you can do alone. There are also so many articles on the Internet for these home renovation tips known as the “How to’s” such as how to remove a flat bathroom mirror or how to strip a wall paper. These are actually good advice that would help you in doing these do it yourself activities.

However, before you engage yourself into this beautification or “how to” projects, take note of these things to remember for home renovations:
• Not all you read on the web is reliable. There are so many sites that offer a lot of advices on the topic. Make sure that the site where you will get the advices is from a reliable site before you would start your home renovation projects. So be selective on what advice you will follow. You can even ask your friends where they get information regarding home renovations.
• Before you start the actual process, write on a paper your plans about what kind of design you would like in case you are planning to change the way your bedroom looks. Of course, it depends on the extent of the renovation you will make. Writing it on a paper will actually help you in visualizing what you really want.
• Work on your budget but don’t be too stingy that you won’t get the desired result. The reason why you are doing it yourself is to save you money. However, you must see to it that what you want is what you are really doing. Otherwise, you would only be wasting money and at the same time wasting your effort.

• You could ask the help of your friends who could help you. It would be easier and faster if there are other people who would work with you.
• Prepare all the materials before you start your home renovation project. It would be annoying and distracting if you start doing the project and would not be able to finish it because you don’t have all the materials.
• Make sure that you had thrown away your trash properly. For example, broken glass mirrors you removed from your room can cause accidents if you don’t dispose them properly. Wrap them up on a plastic and throw them directly on the trash bin.

Now that you know these simple things to remember, you could start browsing your net for that topic and start you home renovation immediately.

How tos

How to Start an Appointment Reminder Service from Home?

People of today’s generation are getting busier everyday. Sometimes, we even forget our appointments to our dentist and doctor and just before we utter a word, the appointment will then be canceled. Do you need to wait people to get mad at you for having been such a forgetful person who mixed up appointment? The truth is that, if you will just take time to do it at home, you can set everything properly. All you need is just to know how to start an appointment reminder service from home and everything will turn out right.

The following are some of the suggested tips you can consider in setting up your own appointment reminder service from home:

• Make a checklist
Before you decide to finally setup your own appointment reminder service at home, consider the following questions and answer them to help you out.
– Do you like making calls?
– Are there other people who have this type of service in your area?
– Does it bother you to leave important messages in your answering machines?
– Do you think your enthusiasm is too high to conquer everything just to put up this service?
If your answers are favorable, perhaps this business will work out for you.

• Choose the best type of service provider located in your area
Make a list of potential buyers in your area. This may include doctors, office executives, dentists, accountants and lawyers. Include other people who do not belong in the given categories but you think will need this type of service. These are the people who regularly schedule clients for appointments and things like that.

• Make a brochure or sales letter to outline the benefits of the appointment reminder service
Discuss in your brochure or sales letter the importance of this type of service. Be sure to take note of the advantages these people will get if they will hire your services. Tell them how to increase their efficiency in their businesses if they will just try your new venture. Don’t forget to make your own calling card to distribute for promotion afterwards.

• Decide on your billing system and miscellaneous policies
Decide when to charge phone calls. It could be on a weekly or daily basis; it really depends on you. Make sure to protect the identities of your clients also by providing them a non – disclosure agreement. Plan all these things beforehand.

• Ask for necessary permissions for this business
You need to apply for a business license so that you will have your own business name that will help you get your own identity.

• Promote your business as hard as you can
Think of the things you need to do in promoting your business. Distribute pamphlets, flyers and calling cards. Start sending newsletters to your contacts in your email once you get started. Home visitations and other forms of telemarketing will really help.

• Do business
Once you get to have clients, do the necessary things to keep it going. Each office will send you their daily list and phone numbers of people with scheduled appointments. You will be calling and confirming appointments all throughout the day and this will really keep you busy but enjoy if you really like what you are doing.
If there are some cancellations of appointments and rescheduling, you will also take note of that.

After all these things, you will no longer have even a single minute to be wasted. Each appointment of your client will keep you busy. Each transaction will make your business grow and will definitely make other businesses bloom as well. So what are you waiting for? Just follow these tips on how to start an appointment reminder service from home and you will see how great this business will become.

How tos

How to Hang Objects in Brick Wall

In personalizing your own home, there are so many things that you can do. You can add furniture, shelves, flower vases, etc., but the most common to do is hang some personal choices of objects on your walls. This is a very easy task. You’ll just select a design you personally want and then find a nail or anything which you can use in order to dangle it. But wait! Don’t be excited to hang up your favorite portrait or design just yet.

Determine first the kind of walls you have. Is it brick? If yes, please be reminded that hanging objects on brick walls might be easy but with carelessness might lead to having your walls some cracks or crumbles on your precious wall! You wouldn’t like that, would you? So before anything else, follow the tips and instructions that we will give you. First and foremost, determine what kind of picture hanger that you would use. For brick walls, the best choice would be is the concrete and brick one. It can hang not only light objects but heavy ones as well. Of course, this is when it is installed properly. This kind of hangers is easy to use. In using it, just find a position for your object on the wall then insert a nail (small and brass-plate one) and hammer it to the wall gently.

Next, choose what kind of screw that you can make use of. For this one, we suggest that you use concrete screws. These screws are very hard and really can handle support. It is not only applicable to brick walls but you can use it in other types of walls too. For this one, you will have to use an electric drill hammer. Don’t just drill but make sure that the hole will be smaller than the diameter of the screw and evenly insert and tighten securely the screw and you’re done.

Lastly, anchors are also the ones that you should use. We highly recommend lead anchors. It is a very strong and durable anchor and they are specially designed for heavy objects. You’ll use an electric drill again for this one but you should set it into a lower speed. Drill a hole that is fit enough for the lead anchor then lightly tap the lead anchor on the wall. Screw and tighten it until it expands and securely hold the anchors on the walls.

That’s all about it. All the stuffs mentioned can be bought in your local store or hardware. Also, if you’re just a kid, let an adult help you in hammering or drilling your anchors or screws. The final advice we can give is that be careful in applying these stuffs in your brick walls. If you really can’t do it, you can ask your nearby carpenters to help or guide you instead! Good luck!

How tos

How to Install Subpanel Center in Basement?

Your main electrical panel can only accommodate a certain number of connections. There will come a time when it will become too occupied to have any more link attached to it. This is a problem when you decide to ‘extend’ your electricity to the least used areas in the house like the basement. During this situation, it is not advisable to add another circuitry. Instead, you can install a sub panel. Most homeowners will employ a professional electrician, but if you are up for the challenge you can do it by yourself. Here are some things to remember to know how to install a subpanel center in the basement.

Plan on it
As with any installation, it is imperative that you plan everything. From the target location to the tools you will need, you have to strategize everything to the bone. Check your state’s electrical standards first so you will have a guide to follow. Measure the basement and draw a plan, keeping in mind the future improvements you will implement after you install the subpanel.

Ready your materials
Clean your basement first. Installing a subpanel in the basement can be arduous when there is a lot of clutter in the room. Make sure that you have all of the tools and materials you need. Place them where you can easily reach them. Set up a good lighting to avoid accidents, in doing electrical works one mistake can be fatal. Be sure that the lighting will not get in the way of the installation process.
If there is an existing yet non-working subpanel in the basement, it would be better to remove it first.

Mark the walls
Use a pencil to outline exactly where you desire to install the sub panel. This will help you do a precise work and keep you from going astray from the plan. Be sure to get the exact measurement of the sub panel so that everything will fit perfectly.

Mount the Sub Panel
Prepare the subpanel first for mounting. It is advisable that any covers, doors and partitions be removed first because they can get in the way in the installation. .
After doing this, you can attach a plywood backboard first. Make sure that it is sturdy enough to stay attached to the wall while bearing the weight of the sub panel. Be sure that it is securely fastened to the wall. Attach the subpanel to the board.

Install the sub panel
Double-check the sub panel if it is securely mounted. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Attach the wires as described in the users’ manual.

When you are done, test it if it works. If it does not, contact a professional to troubleshoot it to prevent the risk of burning the subpanel.

How tos

How to Create an African Inspired Dining Room

How can we achieve interior designs which create an African inspired dining room? It is true that creating a dining room which is African inspired is being seen as a very great way to celebrate where we really came from; or even just to show our love in the culture of the Africans. Now here are some great tips that we could use which will surely help us too.

To have an interior design which create an African inspired dining room, it is very important to do it in a very coordinated way. Like for an instance, our flooring must be covered with some rugs which are made from the natural substances such as the grass cloth or hemp. The coverings of our floor could also be bounded from some animal prints around its edges. Or even have some Egyptian border which has been stenciled in it.

Let’s now talk about our wall color and the hangings that we could put in it. We could simply put some faux finishing in our walls with the use of a sponge or even a rag rolling technique by simply using some naturally earth-toned colors. As for our hangings, we could simply have some African artifacts in some shadow boxes; or even a quilt which is made from some Kente cloth will also do and a lot even more.

When it comes with our tables and chairs it is very advisable to use a simple and yet an elegantly looking dark wood table which will surely blend well with our African decorated room. We could also have some intricately carved and heavily made table of Mukwa wood which are just being exported from Africa and also have some chairs made out of it. Or, if we don’t want this one, we could have a simple Parsons chair which can be easily covered with an earth tone fabric or even an animal print which will surely match our rug trim area.

Those are just some of the specific areas that we have to consider in making an interior design which create an African inspired dining room. The other areas that we should consider are our window treatments, accessories, and a lot even more. If we really want to have our own African inspired dining room all we have to do is to search for the possible and rightful way in doing it so. It won’t hurt us if we are going to search for more ways to have a lot of different tips and then choose the right one that we truly want. That’s not all, this African inspired dining room will let us feel like we are really in Africa while eating our favorite African dish.

How tos

How to Clean My Room Checklist?

Almost every teen has to admit it: magazines scattered on the floor; pillows and blankets in beds are not made; papers are everywhere; toys and other stuffs invade the territory. Let’s face it, our room is a trash and teens just hate cleaning.

How many times does your mother have to tell you to clean your room? You get annoyed most of the time; but you have to admit it that they are right and they have all the rights in the world to keep telling that to you. But maybe, it runs on the teen’s blood to be some kind of a bummer. But sooner or later, you will have to deal with cleaning your own room. So how does one do it? It is easy. With the help of creating your very own cleaning checklist, you can now say goodbye to mess!

Making one is very easy. Just try to list down things you are going to do to clean your room. It’s a little bit of breaking task into:
1. Turn on the music for some energy boosting.
2. Pick up clothes and put them into the laundry basket.It would be best if you sort it out, if it’s clean or if it’s not, shoot in right directly to the laundry bin.
3. Pick up all magazines, books and papers. Trash the unusable papers. Put books on shelves and organize magazines.
4. Pick up every trash you see and trash them right off. Also check for some stuff hidden under your bed. Don’t forget to check on that.
5. Take a break for about 10 minutes. Have a snack; take a short stroll and once your back…
6. You are done with your floor and now make your bed. Change sheets, clean your pillows.
7. Try to organize and put away stuff in your table.
8. Dust. Sweep. Vacuum the floor and every dusty corners of your room.
9. Reward yourself-you are done!
10. Do this every often! Make a schedule.

Additional Advice:
• Before going to sleep, try to put things away; sort stuff, put the book back in their proper places.
• Make your own cleaning checklist. Write it down on a whiteboard; put a stick-it note in your table; have it wallpapered or as a screen saver in your computer.

You can even create an easier checklist of your own. Do this very often and rest assured everything will turn out right; no mess, no hassles and no nagging moms. They say cleanliness is next to godliness and the best way to start the act of cleanliness is to start at the very comfort of your own bedroom.

How tos

How to install your wall mounted soap dispenser?

If you are decided already with the kind of soap dispenser for your home, the next step to do is to install it. First consideration is you have to think of which part of your house will your dispenser be placed. Be sure that it should be positioned in an area where it is accessible and within your easy reach. You can have the big one in your shower area, another in your bathroom sink or near the lavatory in your kitchen. After that install it using either of the two steps we have for you.

The first step is you can install your wall mounted soap dispenser using the screw that go along with it when you purchase them. First you have to find the area when you can mount it. You can position it according to your choice and mark the spots where you will put the screw with a pencil or a pen. Drill a hole using a smaller size nail so it will be easier for you to insert the screw. Then position your dispenser on the wall and insert the screw.

The second step to install your wall mounted soap dispenser is by using an adhesive, epoxy resin or other bonding agent. First is to position your dispenser in an area where you want it to be installed. Then clean the area well with wet cloth then rinse it with a dry one. You can also rinse it with a little amount of rubbing alcohol to remove all other dirt or soap residue that may affect the hold of adhesive in your wall.

After that, apply enough amount of adhesive or any bonding agent you want to apply on your dispenser holder and let it set for few minutes. The settling time is depending on the kind of bonding agent so it is important to review the guidelines on the box or container of the adhesive. You can also ask the sales attendant of the procedures when you buy it. The next step is to place your dispenser against the wall. Press it against the wall firmly so it will attach well. Then wait for one or two days for it to dry and settle well before place your dispenser in the holder. And that’s it; you have already installed your wall mounted soap dispenser as you may wish them to.

How tos

How to Stop Bathroom Odor?

Bathroom is perhaps the most critical part of the house that needs our attention. Some people say that you can see the personality of a person by just merely checking its bathroom. Surely, you wouldn’t want to give negative impressions to people right? Therefore, why not check your bathroom now? It is very distressing to walk into your bathroom and smell an upsetting bathroom odor. Having a plain dirty bathroom with clogged drains, mold and mildew, plus a kitty litter box are some reasons why this problem happens. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to stop bathroom odor.

If the bad odor is a result of a dirty bathroom, simply clean the whole place. Wipe any moisture away from the areas using some paper towels. These areas include the floor, heater vent near the toilet, and of course, the toilet in general. You can use all purpose cleaner detergents in spraying the affected area. This type of cleaner disinfects as it thoroughly cleans. Do not intend to mix ammonia and bleach together. Use this on your floor, tiles, toilet, sink, bathroom ceiling, walls and bathtub. Wipe it using paper towels until it becomes visibly clean. Pour a few drops of an appropriate fluid mixture such as chlorinated hydrocarbon. It contains a small amount of a volatile fragrant fluid added to water in a toilet bowl prior to the use of the toilet. Spray sand odor remover in the areas you just cleaned.

Below are also tips given to get rid of the bathroom bad odor. The simplest and easiest way to eliminate unwanted odors is to light a match. It is proven that flame would burn up the unwanted bathroom odors. Use air freshener sprays, plug-in air fresheners and light scented candles. Aside from their fragrant scents, the flame will burn the unwanted smell. Install your fan because it will blow the exhaust. For eliminate mold and mildew from tile grouts, simply spray one part bleach and five parts water onto them and repeat until they disappear.

Unclogging your drain is a good preventative tip that has to be done every after three or four weeks. Pouring a cup of baking soda down your drains and then a cup of white vinegar is the easiest way to unclog it. If your drain removes the water slowly, plug the overflow openings and then apply plunger. If you are sure that your drain is clean but still emits an odor, pour vinegar or bleach down the drain.
If the unwanted smell came from a cat litter box, simply rinse the litter box and pour some white vinegar on the bottom of it to help stop the odor. Leave it for at least fifteen minutes then rinse it with cold water and dry using paper. The vinegar can neutralize the smell of ammonia and the baking soda that controls odor. The simplest way to stop bathroom odor is to clean the whole area. Seeking for information is the best way to avoid these unwanted smells. People keep on looking for ways on how to stop bathroom odor but the truth is that every individual in the household is one best tool in maintaining its cleanliness. Bathroom also known as comfort room should be a comfortable place as the word implies.

How tos

How to Clean Micro Suede Couch?

A micro suede couch is also known as a love seat. It is a small piece of upholstered furniture on which two or more people can sit side by side. It is designed with leather and the flesh side is turned outward and rubbed up to make a velvety nap. Regardless of its attractive texture and feel, many buyers shy away. The advantage of using this micro suede couch is its being easy to clean. Suede has the ability to last like cloth or vinyl; however, its material requires a special care and cleaning procedure. The following are the materials needed and the steps on how to clean micro suede couch.
Before anything else, you will need soap with low pH level, a spray bottle and a light-colored cloth.

Step 1 The first thing to do is to crate a mixture of water and a squirt of low pH soap in a spray bottle. You can use Neutrogena gentle facial cleanser. Most facial soaps have a low pH level.

Step 2 After preparing the mixture, lightly spray it into stain. Saturate the stain if and only if it is a large area or a deep stain. The quicker you get to stain, the lesser mixture is needed to be consumed. This only means that the less drying time, the less time for the stain to become difficult to get rid of it.

Step 3 The final step is to gently rub it with light-colored cloth. You may notice that the stain is moving to the cloth. To remove the entire stain, you have to repeat spraying and rubbing using cloth a few times. Clean it again with light-colored cloth and gently dab it at the spot to remove the excess mixture.

Instead of using the mixture mentioned above, you can also use fine sand paper to remove the stain completely. If the stain is too small, use your pencil eraser. To keep the stain out, use circular motion when rubbing. Just be careful in rubbing. Do not rub the spot too hard.

If your micro suede couch gets water spot in between treatments, allow the spot to dry in natural way and then gently brush it using specialized brush. If you find it hard to remove stains, seek for professional cleaners to treat and remove the spots. If other solutions fail, you can purchase stain remover solutions available in stores. If you choose to use any chemical, make sure to test it in not easily seen place first to see how it will react.

It is very important to take preventative measures when caring for your micro suede couch. Moreover, you should brush you suede regularly using special suede brushes. The couch will last if you take good care of it. Firstly, always treat your suede couches with a protective coat. Many companies produce specialized suede protectors. This protector must be applied by simply rubbing it into the outer layer of the material. Applying this protective coat regularly will keep your couch fresh and will help you ensure that your micro suede couch is water- and stain-proof.

How tos

How to Cut a Window through a Concrete Bat?

Nowadays, it is important that we know how to decorate our own house. It will give us the impression that we want, and through the visual impact of our own home, people will judge our lifestyle and personality.

Different decorative measures and designs are being used by different people. Some varies from sizes, colors, themes and others. Some also try to resort to exotic designs and one of a kind decoration. An example of which is window through a concrete bat. Although many want to try this at their own home, they just do not know how to cut a window through a concrete bat. That is why most of us search for some ways on how to do it perfectly and without exerting too much effort. Now, we will know the right techniques and tips on how to cut a window through a concrete bat. This will greatly help us in improving the design of our own home and it will really add great impact to our house without the need of spending too much money.

• Prepare all the necessary materials.
Canvass for the materials that will be used. Make sure that you have all the equipment to be used. You can buy from different supermarkets and hardware stores across the state and you can search for the cheapest brand. But make sure that the quality will not suffer. You can read reviews from the internet for the perfect materials to be used.

• Carefully prepare the plan.
Be creative in making your own plan. You can base it on the interior arrangement of your house to match the theme that you want to set. It is important that the connection of the designs and decorations is preserved for you to achieve your goal in decoration. Make sure that you consult other people for you to decide on what to do and how to do it.

• Have a professional to do the job.
It is a very difficult job and it requires expertise. Do not do it by yourself especially if you do not have the experience in doing it. You might do something wrong that is why it is highly recommended that you ask an expert to do the job for you. You can give the plans to him and he will do it right away. Just make sure that you are always there to guide him in his work to see him while accomplishing the task.

Home decoration is really a tricky job to do and it requires knowledge and expertise. But if you know that you do not have the experience and the knowledge, you should not settle for something that is ordinary and easy to find. You can always make use of different tools and ways to execute and find the dream home decoration that you want. These tips can help you on how to cut a window through a concrete bat. There will be no more difficulties and additional problems if you will just follow the instructions. After all these things, your beautiful dream house is already set!

How tos

How to Build a Loft Frame for Dorm Bed

Space can definitely enhance your dorm living experience. More space means more available area to walk around and put all your ever-growing number of stuff in. Creating that space automatically brings to mind how to build a loft frame for dorm bed. Admittedly, this is a task that may require some carpentry skills and a little know-how. There are prefabricated kits and plans on how to build a loft frame for dorm bed available online. That’s the easy way to go about it if you’re confused on where to begin and if constructing one is not your thing. Generally, a loft bed is just like any ordinary bed except that the legs are extended and they lift the bed 5 or 6 feet off the floor.

Attached below are five easy-to-follow steps on how to build a loft frame for dorm bed. But first, you must gather some facts before you begin your plan. Know what the dorm requirements are before moving a little further into planning. Take measurements on the mattress size and ceiling height. Just imagine if there is still room when you suddenly sit upright from the bed or if you are almost kissing the ceiling yourself. Create the design with a purpose. Is it for storage or study area? Think about what kind of stuff you’re likely to put underneath the bed. Whether you plan to sit or move around under the bed, this is one important detail that you must include in the design on how to build a loft frame for dorm bed.

When you are done with the measurements and the design you can begin the process of transferring the design from paper to wood:
1. Put the frame together: Cut wood to fit your bed and make it at least 3 inches longer and wider than your mattress. This 4-piece frame should allow for the thickness of the boards and allow movement on each side of the mattress. You can use screws or lag bolts to put the frame together.

2. Attach the slats to the frame: Cut four slats. One goes on each end and the two remaining slats should be evenly spaced between them. They will look like four parallel planks evenly spaced out. Attach the slats using lag bolts. Make sure the frame is straight before attaching it. There should be support braces to add extra support in holding the weight. To cover the spaces the planks made, you can cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to go right on top of the slats to make the flooring for the mattress. No need to attach it, just lay it on top of the planks when you have finished the whole loft frame. This way, when you are looking up from beneath the bed, you’ll see wood instead of slits of materials from the mattress.

3. Attach the legs to the box frame: Cut legs for the bed which will most likely be 5 or 6 feet in length. The beams can be made thicker depending on how heavy the mattress and the person sleeping on it will be. You can attach the legs right to the sides of the frame, but first turn the frame face down to make it easier to tack on legs. Then turn the bed over and set it in place when done. Also make braces for the legs for added support.

4. Build a ladder to the bed: Depending on which side has the space for getting into the bed and most applicable to the design, you can build rungs along one side of the bed to use as a ladder. Should be attached no more than one foot apart, which makes about 5 or 6 steps.

5. The finished look: Sand all the wood surfaces to have it smooth before applying a clear finish for a more polished look, or you can apply stain or paint of your choice. A loft bed can definitely add much needed space to your room. Just remember that for anything that needs to be built, one must always have a plan. A lot of considerations need to be included in the design on how to build a loft frame for your dorm bed, from little details like mattress size, leeway, dimensions and materials to the general purpose of creating one.

How tos

How do I Repair Mildew from Interior Drywall?

Walls and interiors of houses on humid places are usually infected with mildews. Mildews are networks of molds growing on organic substances. They depend on organic substance and this serves as a food for them. Mildews usually appear as green-brownish colored spots you see on ceilings or in your bathrooms wherein they get everything; food, water and maybe a little bit of sunlight. You would usually get fuzzy or get annoyed with mildews once it starts to branch out and spread. As they multiply and spread, they emit a foul and unlikely odour and they become hazardous to your health. To most people, having mildews grow in their places is unsightly and they would usually get fussy about it.

What is even worse is that it can raise hell into your eyebrows once it grows inside an interior drywall where there is an interior moisture phenomenon. This can be caused by roof leaks, wet lots and walls that usually come crawling inside every space. Interior drywalls are good breeding grounds for molds and mildews as they get everything they need from moisture. Removing it is no easy but this task can definitely be done. The following are the tips on how to remove mildew from interior drywall.
Luckily removing mildews is easy. Prepare the following things:
• a bucket of warm water
• soft bristled scrub brush
• a rag
• bleach
• laundry detergent
• rubber gloves
• goggles and face mask (optional)

Instructions:
Step 1
Prepare the area. Turn on any fans or windows for mildews are strong smelling and they are not good for your health. You can also wear a mask if desired. Remember, proper ventilation is vital.

Step 2
Mix the following substance well: a half filled bucket with warm water, ¼ cup of bleach and a cap of laundry detergent.

Step 3
Put on gloves, goggles and you can even wear a long sleeve to protect your body.

Step 4
Dip a scrub brush in the solution. You must gently scrub the mildew. Scrub it until it is gone. Remember not scrub too hard if you do want your paint to be removed or to be damaged.

Step 5
Clean the area using a clean rag dip with clean water. Let it dry alone or you can have another clean rag to dry it.

Another option is that you can also repaint your interior drywall with anti-mold or anti-mildew paints or have it repaired using a mildew resistant drywall. There are also some mildew and mold removal solutions available in the market. If you have proper budget, you can have your drywall get inspected, repaired and have this interior parasites removed by a professional expert.

How tos

How Do I Keep Roaches Out of My House?

How can we keep something out of our house when it has basically been invading the planet since before the time of the dinosaurs? Roaches smell bad, they can ruin food, and they bring threats to our health. You will not like them as neighbors, more so as house guests! So, make uninvited guests move out of your house… BY MAKING THEIR LIFE DIFFICULT! Make life for the roaches in your house as difficult as possible and they will be gone in no time.

So, how do I keep roaches out of my house? Here are some tips:

Know your guests
Roaches spend most of their lives hiding in the dark. They love damp and dirty places. They also love cracks and can squeeze in just about anywhere. Imagine young roaches fitting into a space as thin as a dime. What you must do:
• Make your home a clean haven… for people.

Don’t issue an invitation
Roaches love to eat. They can find all sorts of food just about anywhere. They can spot a spill or crumbs right away. They can sense where you left an open bag of food or candies. They love to party amongst the dirty dishes. And they could be having dream vacations in the trash cans. These are sure invitations for any roach-minded guests in your home. What you should do:
• Always clean up food spills and crumbs right away.
• Seal in bags of food and keep them refrigerated or in dry places.
• Avoid leaving dirty dishes and left-over food in open spaces like tables and sinks. Wash the used plates, cups and utensils right away and clear counter tops and sinks and wipe them dry.
• Take garbage out regularly and put a tight lid on it so it won’t get unexpected visits from the roaches.

Keep your doors locked
Roaches are nosy creatures that put their heads and dirty legs where they are not wanted. What you can do:
• Immediately attend to cracks or openings around baseboards and behind kitchen and bathroom counters. As roaches can fit into small openings, make sure you fill in gaps.
• Check for space under doors and around pipes or vents. These openings are welcome signals for roaches.
• Get rid of stacks of old newspapers, paper bags and cardboard boxes. These make good hiding places for roaches.
• If you’re bringing something from the backyard or garage or storage area into the house, check them out for possible roaches. They can be getting a free ride into your home without knowing it. This is the type of free shipping and handling that you can do without.

Cast a dry spell
Roaches need water to live. Without any source to drink, they die within a week even though they can live up to a month without food. What you need to do:
• Always turn off faucets when not in use and keep sinks and other surfaces dry.
• Drain dish drainers and dishwashers regularly and keep them clean.
• Fix leaks and avoid creating unnecessary pools of water where they are not supposed to. Damp places are very attractive to roaches

Remember, roaches do not belong in our homes. We must ensure that every nook and cranny of our home remains roach-free. Keep it up and they won’t invite themselves in our homes ever again.

How tos

How to Install a Switch for a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans add so much convenience and appeal to your place especially in the living room where you entertain guests. These fans consume less electricity than industrial stand fans and air conditioners. Plus, they can cover the whole room all at once. Usually, they are installed with a 3 speed pull chain switch which allows you to configure how fast you want the fan blades to turn. But the daily activities with the fan pus stress on the switch which in time could break. When the switch breaks, the only option for you is to replace it, and here are some instructions on how to install a switch for your ceiling fan.

1. Before getting into the details of installing the switch, choose the type of switch you want to install, a 3 speed pull chain as the previous, a remote or a wall switch which is safer and more durable. For this project, we will be using a wall switch.

2. After deciding on the type of switch, you would need to rewire the fan, but before you do it, make sure to turn off the power going to the fan or better yet, turn of the main switch or panel.

3. Go to the fan box use wires #14-2 or #12-2 then connect the wires to the fan. Do this by following the standard color coding rule; the white switch cable to fan white, and the same goes for the rest of the colors – green/ground, black and blue if there is any.

4. After finishing the wire at the fan box, proceed to the switch box. Notice that there would be two wall switches in the same box and all the green wires connect together. These wires should be connected to the ground wire group. Wirenut the connections and direct it towards the back of the box. Then attach the power supply cable to the ceiling fan cable (white). Again, wirenut this connection and push it towards the back of the box. Between the power supply cable and top screw on the switch, connect a 6-8 black wire. The switch is programmed to read ON and OFF. Now, attach fan cable red to the bottom screw on switch #1 and fan cable black to the screw at the bottom of switch #2. Having done all these correctly, the 1st switch should operate the light and the 2nd for the fan. Take note that to set the speed of the fan, you would need to substitute fan switch #2 for a fan switch controller.

5. Finally, set aside the connections properly with a wirenut. Push the extra wires into the electrical box.

Carefully follow the steps given above and you will not be mislead in any way possible.

How tos

How can I Keep my Dogs Cool in the Summer

People say that dogs are men’s best friend. You can tell him all your secrets, whims and caprices and rest assured afterwards that this will never spread like those you have shared to your human friends. A lot of stories that dogs can save human lives are very interesting huh, but these are sometimes true. As such, wouldn’t it be nice to give back the favour? How about taking care of them and thinking of their welfare once in a while?

Summer days remind us the glory of living on earth. You can think of any activity that you can spend your time with like shopping, skiing, beach hopping; name it and you’ll definitely have it during summertime. But despite these luxurious activities, people are aware of so many death cases during this season. Some causes of deaths are fever, heat stroke and other heat related illnesses. But don’t you know that not only humans experience this kind of thing? Even the dogs do experience such illnesses and reported cases of heat stroke among dogs are increasing almost every year.

Knowing these things are not enough. You should do something to keep your pet safe during summertime. You maybe frequently asking yourself, “hey, how can I keep my dogs cool in summer?” Worry no more because you will be learning much on how to answer this question. You don’t need to hesitate to bring your dog outside or at least leave it alone at home because of worrying about its health. The following are some suggested tips you can do to take care of your best friend.

• Be sure to create extra shade for your dog
Make sure to bring canopy, umbrella or anything that can provide your dog an extra shade against the direct sunlight. Remember that unlike the old days, direct exposure to sunlight is now a threat to your health.

• Do exercise regularly
Exercise every day. Do your programs with your dog regularly. You can play with it and do anything with your dog but be sure not to tire him so. Remember that they easily overheat so slow walking or brisk but short running will be fine.

• Limit direct exposure to sunlight
Direct and long exposure to sunlight is dangerous. A dog can develop skin diseases too and cancer like everyone else, so do not let it expose itself to sunlight. This case is common to the dogs with thin fur.

• Bring more water that you expected to use
Refill the dog’s bowl of water more often than necessary. Also, make sure to place the bowl under a shade of tree or umbrella to protect your pet.

• Take your dog as much as possible
Do not leave your dog alone at home. As much as possible, take him with you every time you go out especially if you are going to spend your summer outside and will take time to go back home. This way, you can monitor your dog. But take note that you should not leave him in one place for a long period of time like in the car or somewhere you won’t see him.

• Avoid shaving the fur of your dog
Never shave your dogs during summertime because fur acts like an insulator and natural sunscreen that will keep them cool. This will also help prevent heat stroke.

• Always check on him
Always check if your dog is doing fine. Take time to look at them and check their safety at all times. Do not expect dogs bark to you whenever they feel wrong.

• Feed your dog on time
Don’t forget to feed your dog on time. Even humans get sick for late meals, how much more the animals?

With all these tips to take care of your dog, there’s no other way to hinder you from going out. No need to worry about them because you can take them with you anytime of the day. Enjoy your vacation to the fullest!

Another dog’s tips:
Stopping dos urinating furniture

How tos

How to Add a Roof to Cover the Deck?

People usually enjoy on their decks doing things which could unwind them. Decks are for enjoying the outdoors, for entertaining friends and family, and for escaping everyday life for a few hours at a time. Unfortunately, it can’t provide protection from bad weather and it can damper on that enjoyment. But how can you turn your deck into a covered one to continue your family’s enjoyment? Building a simple roof structure over the deck itself can increase greatly the days that you have to enjoy it. This article outlines the steps to take in order to build a simple, yet effective roof over your existing deck.

Simple roofs can serve well to reduce direct sunlight that will create shade and reduce temperature for a few degrees. It will let your family enjoy even when the sun is up. Since the roofs don’t need to support loads, this can be constructed using light weight materials like ply woods. In addition, even tent materials can be used to cover the deck.

To cover your deck with a roof, do the following:
• The first thing you have to do is to build the frame of the roof on the ground. You have to frame up a box the size of the outer dimensions of your deck using 2 by 4 inch lumber.
• Run joists connecting the front of your roof with the rear every two feet along the length of your roof.
• Next thing to do is to tie your existing deck posts into the roof by extending your corner posts with the 4 by 4 lumber.
• Make the front of the roof the height of the house roof with the rear sloping at a rate of six inches over two feet.
• Lift the box frame you built in the first step onto the four corner posts then attach them using the lag bolts.
• Now, install the plywood on top of the frame to provide a flat surface on which to nail your tin when the box frame is secured. It is advisable to use materials that will protect your family not only from sunlight, but also from rain.

Finally, install tar paper on the plywood sub-roofing and then follow-up by laying down the tin roofing. Tie the tin roof into your existing roof using metal flashing available at any home supplies store to ensure a waterproof seal at the junction of house roof to deck roof. You can now enjoy outdoor activities even bad weather comes because you have just covered your deck with a roof.

How tos

How to Paint a Dining Room with a Chair Rail?

Dining rooms can be really hard to paint and even to decorate. It combines both form and function that can be achieved by getting creative; at the same time, you are having a little fun while painting and decorating your dining room. Learning how to paint a dining room with a chair rail is not that difficult. However, painting requires some effort to achieve professional results. Like most painting projects, proper preparation is essential to receive a high quality paint job. Check the following steps for more information.

Step 1 Cover or remove the furniture, lights, switch plates, drapes, and wall art. Cover the floor. Pick the paint color you want to use, you can choose either gloss or “sheen” level. Choose the color that complements and contrasts the color of your dining room wall. Alternatively, you can even paint the sections of the wall the chair railing created different, complementary colors.

Step 2 Prepare surfaces. Preparing requires you to remove nails and tapes, scrape or sand loose painting, cleaning and filling the holes or cracks.

Step 3 Now that your room is prepared, you can start the actual painting process by “cutting-in” on one wall. First, use a 2 inch brush and painting the edges (where you taped). It is best to “cut in” about 3-4 feet at a time, and then roll in the middle section. Use only downward direction in rolling. Using this process so that you keep what is known as a “wet edge”. Do not wait until the paint dries to pull off the tape or you will get some peeling. If necessary, apply second coat by simply rolling again

Step 4 Use the chair rail to divide the wall horizontally or vertically of your dining room.

Step 5 Use the chair rail to create a faux window in your dining room and attach them to a wall in the shape of a window. It is advisable to use additional chair railings to create sections of the window. Use any paint techniques, like a mural that is good for an outdoor scene behind the chair railing.

Step 6 Use chair railing to frame a wall mural in your dining room and attach chair railing to the wall around a mural. Use color that complements this technique, this will work well for any type of a mural, especially modern art and landscapes.

Step 7 Use chair railing to create narrow stripes on your dining room wall and attach chair railing vertically to the wall to make “pinstripes” on you dining room wall. This technique will add depth and dimension to the dining room wall as well as draw the eye upwards, making the ceilings seems higher and the room larger. Use paint color to chair railing that is contrasting, yet complementary. Using the chair rail, you did not only find something to work on to but you have actually found a meaningful task to accomplish. With just seven steps, you will be able to know how to paint a dining room with a chair rail. Just like decorating, painting is fun.

Throw all those preconceived ideas out of how to use chair railings and create a dining room uniquely your own. In just short period, you will have a dining room that you, together with your family and guests will enjoy.

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