A Strong Foundation for a Strong Home

Youve heard that you need a strong foundation to support the walls and floors that will come above it to create your home. And thats true. Without the proper start on the bottom, the top will be largely unsupported and dangerously unstable. There are other concerns that come with a poor foundation, as well. It can lead, very easily, for example to a wet basement. In fact, many of the problems homeowners have with basement dampness stems from a foundation that allows for water to seep into the home from various ground-level points. Fortunately, some basic preventative and combative measures can be used to eradicate the problem.

The most likely problem you will have is cracks in the masonry. This happens when clay-like soil expands and contracts repeatedly as it gets wet. Each time it does so cracks will appear, and over time, the house will seem to settle. This problem is particularly prevalent in areas with excessive rainfall or simply during periods of heavy r ain. To fix the problem, you will need to contact a professional. He will address the issue immediately and hopefully offer you ideas on how to prevent future cracking, including reevaluating your grading, the ground water and the soil.
Grading is something that should have been done when the house was built. The ground should slope slightly away from the building, and very well may have. However, with time loose soil has more than likely settled in areas around your yard creating low areas or traps for falling water. To make up for this, you can fill in the low areas and replant the eroded soil, in a process called re-grading.

For concrete areas you will want to pressure grout or slab jack to compensate for any depressions in the walkway or patio. Just be sure that in doing so you are not altering the drainage and leading it directly toward your house. This will defeat the purpose of re-grading and pressure grouting.

In addition to your lawns grading, the amount of ground water reaching your home may cause problems. If there seasonal high rains, you are on a flood plain or there are nearby underground springs, you may be getting much more groundwater than you thought. You can l ay a flood pipe to take care of the problem, making sure to monitor the pipe not allowing it break or crack. If cracks do occur and water is being funneled into your basement, talk with a professional about getting them taken care of.

Finally, if you have addressed all of the water issues and sloping discrepancies that could arise but are still having problems, you may need to address the soil. Clay soil can be especially damaging and if you let it go out of control for too long, you wont be able to keep the water from your home. Therefore, watch your soil to see what it does and how it affects the rest of the house. Once again, if problems become serious, talk with a professional about what you can and should do.

A strong foundation isnt just the key to building a solid home from the ground up. It is also how you build a solid home from the ground down. Make you sure you dont have any lasting problems that could cause lasting headaches.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - A Strong Foundation for a Strong Home

A Few Things to Consider Before Installing Egress Window Wells

When you start to think about remodeling your basement, one of the major considerations you have to make is whether or not to install basement egress window wells. These days building codes actually require egress window wells in every room that is intended for sleeping. So if you are planning to remodel any of the rooms in your basement to a bedroom, an egress window well is required. This means that not only will you need to plan on adding a window to one of your basement walls, but also that the exterior of your home will need a brand new well just outside that window.

There are so many factors and details involved in installing egress window wells, it might be necessary to hire some professional help if you are not exactly sure what you are doing. Some of the things you will need to consider are the code requirements that you have to meet, dampness issues, available headroom, and the type of window you will need to install. If you plan on taking on this jo b by yourself, consider the following points of interest before you start.

Do not start this project without a clear plan.
If you plan on installing more than one egress window well, you will need to get a permit. In order to provide a safe escape, your windows will have to meet specific requirements. To avoid any messy encounters with the building inspector later, have a clear plan documented. This will help you keep your project organized, and if you end up needing help from a professional, they will know exactly what the situation is.
Be familiar with your city's code requirements.
If you do not build your egress window wells according to the building requirements the first time, you will have to tear it all down and start over. No exceptions. Egress windows can be no higher than 44 inches from the ground to the sill inside. It needs to be at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high while still providing at least 5.7 square feet of clear space when it is open. At the minimum, your window dimensions need to be 20x41 inches or 24x34 inches.

Now, about the well
The well itself also follows strict building requirements. It has to be at least 36 inches wide. A well that is deeper than 44 inches must have a ladder or staircase included to provide an easy exit. In order to install the wall sides of the well, or to insert a molded well, you will first need to dig out the ground around the foundation. There are also a lot of requirements involving water drainage. Without the proper w ater drainage, your basement could become flooded and be exposed to all kinds of mold.

Avoid dampness and water damage.
One of the building requirements that help prevent water damage include digging an 8-inch buffer area around each side of the egress window well that prevents water from seeping into the sides. Water runoff could easily enter the egress window well if your house has been built on a slope or if the ground around your home is uneven. In this case the ground must be heightened to slope away from the foundation. Gutters needs to be checked for leaks while downspouts need to be relocated if they meet the ground where the window well will go.

Prepare to have enough headroom.
All egress window wells need to have a certain amount of headroom to allow for installation. Your basement needs to be high enough to allow for this headroom, otherwise they will not meet the code requirements and building an egress window well for your b asement will become much more difficult, even impossible. This is just one more reason to check with a building inspector before starting this project.

Choose which type of window to use.
The last thing you will need to consider is what type of window you want to use for your egress window well. A casement window will provide you with a large total open area contained within a smaller frame. Double hung and gliding window have to have larger frames to provide the same amount of total open area, which could potentially cause you more problems during the installation process.

Digging giant holes and cutting into the concrete foundation of your home is a serious project. Consult a professional contract if you are not sure exactly what is involved in installing egress window wells. Even after all the time and effort it takes to create the plan for this project, the work itself it still very extensive. Be sure you understand what you are getting yo urself into before you start on your own.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - A Few Things to Consider Before Installing Egress Window Wells

7 Steps to Write a Saleable Book

Have you given up on writing your saleable book this year? Don't throw in the towel yet! I'm convinced you can still do it. You can get started and even complete your short book in a few weeks.

There's no one holding you back but the face looking back at you in the mirror. Yes, you know the one. Don't miss out on the big benefits your book will bring in the coming years.

You can write a saleable book and create an additional income to help pay off bills or take a much needed vacation. Get your book done and dream a bigger dream. Imagine raising your fees four times higher because your skill level has increased and you have author behind your name.

Now that you are properly motivated, here are seven simple steps that will get you started:

1. Start with a plan to complete your book in excellence. Before you write one word inside the book, write your plan. You may miss the mark of a saleable book if you don't take the time to plan. Create a simple program of how your book will be written, how long it will take and so on. Then write a book marketing plan including your book's topic and table of contents. Write down who will most likely buy your book (targeted reader) and then write your promotional plan.

2. Setup passion points that will guide you and your readers to the end of your book. Every part of your book should be written and designed with a passionate but promotional slant. There are strategic points throughout your book that will help make up your potential reader's mind about whether to purchase your book or even keep reading.

To start with, create a hot title that's simple but grabs attention. Discover ways to seal the sale of your book with an interesting introduction and table of contents. Write sales copy for the back cover that's loaded with reader benefits and testimonials about your great book.

3. Sizzle your titles to sell more books. Learn how to write skillful titles that sizzle. You will use this skill in not just creating a grab you by the eyeballs book title but you will need it in writing titles for your chapters, book sections, list bullet points, brochures, booklets and website headings. You will need it in writing your back cover, sales letter headings, lists and sub-headings. In fact, you will use it in writing any marketing piece you use.

4. Mine your knowledge and experiences like gold. Using these simple steps to write a saleable book, you will pull nuggets and blocks of information from your speeches, workshops, classes, school papers and brochures. More than likely, you have already done the research needed to validate your information. If not, take the time to do the research and validate each block of information you find.

5. Create framework to structure your chapters. Every non-fiction book has a repeating set structure. For example, each chapter will start with a chapter number, chapter title, introduction, a set of tips or instruction and a chapter summary. That set framework creates the structure for each chapter. You can set up a chapter template using the repeating structure for each chapter. So that after you've mined your blocks of information from your knowledge and experiences, you can simply put them into place in each chapter template.

6. Use speed writing techniques to write a book fast. Every journey is easier with a friendly mentor. Find a pattern for writing a book and you can get it done much faster. Choose someone that has traveled the path before you and follow in their foot steps. There are many book writing coaches available to walk alongside you. At least sign up for a course, buy a book or use a book writing program with the steps already laid out for you to accomplish the task of writing a saleable book.

7. Create multiple ways to profit from your book. The seventh step in writing your book is deciding to refine, repeat and repackage the body of information inside your book for more profits. To start with, develop a website for your book with a sign-up form to build a list of people interested in your book's topic. To entice them, you can offer them a free report, newsletter, or mini-course about your book's topic.

Doing so, you begin building a relationship with your book readers. As you grow, you may decide to create a home study course, an audio book, a correspondence course, a signature speech all related to your book's topic. Your email list will be the first people you tell and sell your new products to. Because, they bought your book and liked it; they will gladly sign up for your home study course or other product you've designed to help them reach their goals.

Don't drag your feet any longer. Remember to create a plan, setup passion points to sell more books, sizzle your titles, mine your knowledge like gold, create a set structure in your book, use speed writing techniques and create multiple ways to profit from your book. Use the seven simple steps above and go to your destiny as author. I'm hoping to see your name in print soon. Write your book and make us all proud!

Now Pay Close Attention --

Using Video Testimonials to increase your websites sales and revenue is simpler than you've been told. Everyone with a website faces the same two problems:

[Problem #1] How To Build Credibility With Potential Customers

[Problem #2] How To Obtain Testimonials Which Have Been Proven To Improve Sales

Fast Video Testimonials has been solving these two problems for hundreds of satisfied customers. Fast Video Testimonials has been tried and tested and known to produce excellent results.

First: Click Here For Fast Video Testimonials
Fast Video Testimonials always supplies REAL VIDEO TESTIMONIALS created specifically for your website and business.

Second: Order Your Video Testimonials Package of 1, 5 or 10 original Video Testimonials for your website.
Your new Video Testimonials will arrive withi n 7 days and all Video Testimonials are done by REAL PEOPLE and are guaranteed to boost your sales by up to 30%. Buy Video Testimonials today and boost your businesses online presence overnight.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - 7 Steps to Write a Saleable Book

The Basics of Tent Camping

Tent camping is an activity my family has been involved in for many years. Our camping trips combine fishing, hiking, and swimming to the regular camp site life of cutting wood, starting a fire, food preparation, cooking, eating, games, and just relaxing. We've made a lot of good memories from our camping trips. We've always gone up in the mountains and found great camping hiking spots either at designated campgrounds that offer water for washing, and some type of restroom (out house or rest-stop type), and garbage cans, or places where there were no creature comforts at all. We always camped by streams, lakes, or rivers during the summer months.

If you intend to have a successful camping experience, planning is important. As a retired Army Airborne Ranger, who has had to live out of a ruck (back pack) for many days, having the right camping gear when you're camping will make the experience that much more enjoyable.
The best camping tents for families are tents that have separate rooms. Since we have two children our tent has three rooms -- my wife and I sleep in a room, the kids sleep in a room, and the entrance room is for dressing and storage. We use a combination of foam and inflatable mattresses. We use rectangular sleeping bags that you can zip together for the wife and I, and the kids have their own individual bags. Bring extra blankets for chilly nights. We also use poncho liners for the kids to use inside their sleeping bags. We've had our tent for over 15 years and average 2-3 camping trips each summer.

We also take a couple of tarps. We use one tarp on the ground under the tent and make it long enough to have about 8 feet in front of the tent door. We take our shoes/boots off outside to keep the inside of the tent as clean as possible. We bring a small folding stool to place outside the tent door to help with putting shoes on. The second tarp is used to cover our kitchen/cooking gear if it rains.

We use two camping stoves - one uses propane (which we mainly use for heating water for hot drinks and washing) and the other is a 2 burner stove and uses fuel, which does not burn as hot. We use this one for cooking bacon, pancakes, eggs, etc. Bring a couple of frying pans, and camping pots/pans - remember to bring a spatula if you're going to cook pancakes or eggs.

We always start a fire in the morning(for warmth) and in the evening, for cooking. Bring a collapsible grate to put over the fire if you plan on laying anything on it to cook or heat up. We make pointed sticks by cutting small branches from nearby trees for the polish dogs or bratwurst - so bring a couple of knives. We cut our own wood from the dead branches and logs you find near the campground. We bring an axe and small saw with a folding blade to get the wood the right size to fit in the fire pit.

Here are the basics of camping gear to bring:

Tent with rain fly, tarp, tent stakes, and hammer

Sleeping gear to include mattresses - inflatable or foam, blankets (poncho liners), and pillows

Cooking/kitchen equipment - camping stoves, folding camping table, frying pans, pots to heat water and cook in, paper plates, bowls, and utensils, napkins, paper towels, wash rags, towels, cutlery, large spoons, tongs, can opener, lighters, tin foil, plastic wash basin, scouring pads, disposable wipes, detergent, plastic storage bags, and trash bags. We pack this in see-though plastic tubs with folding lids. We pack most of our non-cooler food in these types of containers, too.

Fire pit necessities - if you plan on scrounging your own wood from the forest floor - axe, folding saw, gloves, newspaper for fire starting, lighter, a folding grate (campfire tripod), and a folding shovel.

Personal hygiene - soap, wash cloths, towels (dark in color), shampoo and shower shoes (if your campground has a shower), toothpaste, and toilet paper.

Safety equipment - flashlights, lantern, spare batteries, cell phone with car charger, map of the area, first aid kit, compass or GPS, and plenty of drinking water.

These are some of the items you'll need to have an enjoyable camping trip. After your first trip, you'll be able to fine-tune your list. Tent camping takes a lot of prep work, but it is so worth it for the memories you'll always have.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - The Basics of Tent Camping

What To Expect As a Mold Remediator

Water damage is one of the most destructive forces known, whether it is torrential rain, river flooding, storm surge or even a plumbing accident water can wreak havoc on your home. Well mold is the insulted added to injury, after destroying parts of your home now you're in a race against time to dry things out before mold spores ({which are everywhere|these occur naturally|some concentration is always present) take hold and begin to grow in the newly advantageous conditions the water damage has created. It's an easy battle to lose, especially if the initial water damage occurs when the occupants are away or, shall we say, more concerned with life and limb than mold growth. Once mold takes hold, it's the job of the mold remediator to remove and clean it all up. This can be done in a variety of ways depending on the exact situation.

One major factor will be what surfaces are contaminated with mold and how long the mold has had a chance to grow. Unfortunately most modern building materials such as dry wall and ply-wood are highly susceptible to mold growth when water is allowed to infiltrate into them. They do make special kinds of both dry wall and plywood that are more resistant, generally they're not worth the added cost unless you're finishing your basement or expect to throw wild keggers all the time. Properly constructed though neither of those situations would actually dictate the usage of those expensive specialty materials, if anything it may be a sign that proper drainage and or ventilation is not in place. In a basement though, there is always the chance a flood or sub pump failure could cause problems and you may be lucky and your home builder could've invested in those water resistant materials, just in case. Either way there is a chance of damage depending on how long water was in contact .
If sitting water has been in contact with your average building material for even a short time it will be quickly absorbed and mold growth will no longer be limited by a lack of moisture, only temperature can is likely to stop rampant growth, If the water damage is from a burst pipe in the winter you might actually be in luck! Otherwise, it's unlikely. A qualified mold remediator will be able to remove all the surface mold present and dispense with any standing water but if the water has soaked completely through you will likely need to aquire replacement items rather than clean them. In the long run, this is for the best. Removing this damaged material would be part of the job but don't forget to get a qualified inspector in before anything new is built. If the materials were water resistant they may look hopelessly damaged but chances are they can actually be made entirely mold free.

After the materials have been properly cleaned and standing water removed the final step a mold remediator will take is, for best chances of maintaining a mold free environment, will be both to dehumidify and filter the air. The dehumidifying is straightforward; you may have a system in your basement now which performs this task. These can be rented and it's advisable to get a size or two larger than normal and run it for at least two weeks. Remember, you want it as dry as possible down there. We're trying to kill or at least force any remaining spores into hibernation. Filtering the air should be done in two basic ways, an HEPA type filter and a UV filter. UV filters will kill remaining viable spores while the HEPA filter will capture the detritus of mold which can be quite toxic, ensuring the air quality within the home is healthy. A quality mold remediator will either offer you this service, or make sure you're aware of the steps necessary it's not brain surgery but i t's vital that be done for at least two weeks. Think of this like an antibiotics run for your mold infection, completing the full course is vital.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - What To Expect As a Mold Remediator

Creating a Healthier Home

Excess moisture

The Illinois Department of Public Heath states, "Too much moisture can cause mold to grow."

Mold can cause serious health problems. "Excess moisture also provides a good environment for bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites." It can also cause wood to rot, which may weaken the structure of your home. If your home was built prior to 1978 the paint on your walls may contain lead. Moisture can cause peeling, chipping, or crackling of your paint. If you do so happen to have lead on your walls this process can contribute to high levels in the household dust. Mold, bacteria, cockroaches and dust mites have been linked to triggering allergies and asthma, and may cause children who do not have allergies or asthma to develop either conditions. For more information visit www.StopBasementSeepage.com

There are many ways to get rid of moisture in your home. the most effective way to reduce moisture is waterproofing you home. Foundation cracks are the most common place to find water seepage problems. foundation cracks can be easily fixed. Most waterproofing companies will try to convince you that they are going to have to demolish your basement in order to make sure there aren't cracks elsewhere in your basement. However an experienced water proofer knows that if one crack is already exposed that there will be another on the other side of your basement within 4 feet. In most cases the foundation cracks that you have can be fixed from the inside but there are some cases that must be fixed from the outside. For more information visit www.StopBasmentSeepage.com

Failed sump pumps are another source of excess moisture. Not only is it a source of excess moisture but it also causes odors in your home. sump pumps are the most overlooked item in your basement. If your sump pump is not operational problems will occur. Sump pumps take the water that is under your home and either puts it into your sewer or outside (depending on your town). With a malfunctioned pump the water will just build up and flood your basement. Be sure to regularly test your pump to ensure that it is working properly. For information on sump pumps visit www.StopBasmentSeepage.com.

Sewer Gas

Sewer gas is the most dangerous problems in your house. Hydrogen Sulfide (also known as Sewer gas) occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gases and hot springs. It can also result from breakdown of human waste. the main way to be exposed to this poisonous gas is to breathe it. Sewer drains that have dry traps can allow hydrogen sulfide to enter your home. Hydrogen sulfide can be disastrous to your health. It can affect you in several ways. Exposure to lower concentrations can cause eye irritation, a sore throat and cough, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. These symptoms usually go away in a few weeks after exposure ends. Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory and dizziness.Reducing and preventing the exposure of sewer gas is simple by ensuring that all your plumbing and pipes are installed correctly and maintained. to even further protect your home and family is by installing a sewer back flow valve. not only does it prevent sewer gas from coming up is also prevents the sewer water from backing up into your home. for more information visit www.StopBasmentSeepage.com

Picking the right waterproofing company

When it comes down to it, not all waterproofing companies are created equal. When you have water coming into your home your want it done once and done right. It doesn't make sense to do it twice. With the Waterproofing Medics i was very pleased with their services. I didn't have to wait 2 or 3 weeks for them to come out, i got same week service. They were very professional and very knowledgeable. My basement was very damp and had sewer gas coming up through my floor drain. Now my basement is bone dry and i couldn't be happier with it. And i even received free estimate! Call them now at 800-893-0044

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - Creating a Healthier Home

5 Easy Steps to Help You Determine Your Financial Status So You Can Confidently Leave Your J O B To Run Your Home Based Business

It doesn't have to be unpleasant or messy, but it does have to be done. You may be well on your way to building a full-time home-based business or may just be tossing the idea around right now, but having a clear understanding of your current and future financial commitments will play a MAJOR role in your strategic plan for business success.

Home-based business owners don't normally wake up one day and say, "Yep. I'm quitting my job today and starting a home-based business." There is usually a period of time for contemplation, exploration, making the decision, creating a plan, and then starting to execute steps within the plan to achieve the final goal.

The process can take anywhere from several months to several years before an employee is in a position to walk away from her job to begin life as a full-time entrepreneur.

Being financially responsible is critical to not only home-based business success, but to create the financial cushion required to transition from being an employee to a full-time entrepreneur.

Understanding your current financial position is mandatory and doesn't have to take more than an hour of your time if you follow the five basic steps below.

1. Calculate how much money you currently have sitting in bank accounts, investments, registered retirement savings plans, GIC's, real estate, etc. If you were to leave your job today, would there be any form of payout (ie. sick plan credit, pension plan contributions, unused holidays, anniversary pay, etc.)?

2. Determine how much you earn on a monthly basis either through employment, child support payments, rental properties, dividends, your existing home-based business, etc.

3. Record your monthly household expenses. Some examples to get you started are:

- mortgage/rent

- property tax/house and mortgage insurance

- utilities (heat/water/hydro)

- phone/cable/satellite/Internet

- yard maintenance/snow removal

- groceries and household supplies

- vehicle fuel, insurance and maintenance costs

- medical

- child care

- personal care (hair/nails/clothing)

- entertainment (movies/sports/books/plays)

- club memberships, publications, etc.

4. List your monthly business expenses, for example:

- Internet

- phone (separate business line)

- autoresponder

- shopping cart

- long distance

- bank fees

- office supplies

- tools

- web hosting

- marketing

- advertising

- part-time help

- coaching services

- shipping/postage, etc.

5. Identify your outstanding liabilities such as:

- credit card balances

- personal loans

- lines of credit, etc.

When you calculate your earnings and revenue on an annual basis and deduct your personal and business expenses. How much do you have remaining at the end of the year? Can a portion of this be put aside to build your financial cushion?

If your current business revenue isn't enough to cover your business and personal expenses and if you were to quit work today, how long would you be able to survive on your other revenue sources or savings and assets, taking into account your monthly expenses?

Have you considered all unexpected expenditures that could arise in the next year or two?

Is your car running on its last two cylinders?

Has your furnace almost reached its life expectancy?

Is your vacuum cleaner starting to growl at you?

Is your partner's job secure or do you foresee unstable times ahead?

This exercise is by no means intended to scare or discourage. Financial stability is an area that needs to be addressed so you can keep your feet firmly planted and plans realistic as you build your home-based business.

Understanding where you are and what potentially lies ahead will help you make sound financial decisions as you plan your future.

After completing these five steps, you may realize your dream to break free of your job might take a year longer than expected, or you may learn that in order to move forward at a quicker pace, you may have to bring in a partner or investor, or learn to leverage your time, money and effort more efficiently to expedite progress.

Perhaps seeking professional guidance on reducing debt and managing finances is in order?

No matter what results you generate, don't let them shake your spirit. Knowing exactly where you are financially will help you make informed, practical decisions so you can create your ideal future.

To increase your level of success at home-based business, make sure you have a financial advisor and accountant as part of your success team.

2006 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

READ MORE - 5 Easy Steps to Help You Determine Your Financial Status So You Can Confidently Leave Your J O B To Run Your Home Based Business