NE Ohio Race

Water in US homes comes from rivers and lakes or groundwater sources such as melted ice and snow. Apparently more than 89 % meets or surpasses federal health and safety regulations but what about the other 91%?

It’s incredible the amount of undesirable stuff that enters the water system, including:

industiral waste,
animal sewage,
agricultural pesticides,
oil spills

Even the most effective home water filters can leave behind traces of nitrates, phosphorous, fluoride, sulfur, arsenic, iron and bacteria. It’s no wonder we’re installing them in our droves.

Tags: DIY by admin
No Comments »

As responsible homeowners we all know we need to fit smoke detectors so that fires can be detected in its early stages. That alone will greatly increase the chance of a safe escape, should the need arise. But since I started my new job in an industrial warehouse I realized that there is more to fire prevention than smoke detectors. Fire extinguishers and a house that is up to building codes all help but then I noticed that my work place, and all other similar buildings had something extra that could mean the difference between life and death in a fire and that is automatic fire sprinklers.

They have been standard equipment in most warehouses, factories and offices for many years now but are not seem that often in the residential market. The way automatic fire sprinklers work is very simple. When then detect heavy smoke in a room, the sprinklers in the ceiling get set off causing a substantial amount of water to rain down. This deluge will put out a fire in its early stages, or will slow one that is more advanced.

One of the drawbacks, which makes them problematic for the household environment, however, is so much water can cause a lot of damage. Clothing, books, carpets, walls can be ruined and mildew growth stimulated by the soaking.

Although an automatic fire sprinkler system can be expensive and cannot absolutely eliminate the chance of a fire it may be worth considering for peace of mind.

Tags: DIY by admin
2 Comments »

Modern skylights often have vinyl seams to help maintain a comfortable temperature indoors whatever the climate outside. Vinyl sealed windows are more suitable to damper, colder situations where they provide good insulation against the weather. The seams don’t offer much protection, however, if you live in a hot climate. Glass is glass and, in glaring sunlight it will always produce a lot of heat. One way to cut down on this is to have tinted sklight windows.

Another way to reduce that amount of heat coming into your room is to fit automatic blinds. They you can block out all or some of the rays with a simple flick of a switch.

If you prefer the more traditional look of wood trimmed skylights you do not have to give up to added efficiency of vinyl since since wooden frames can easily be fitted around the modern skylights to give a more traditional feel.

Tags: DIY by admin
No Comments »

If you are planning a new home improvement project it might be worth considering how to make this a family affair. Not only will you get some extra help but some projects, especially things such as decorating, can be fun and educational even. You might also consider asking your friends to help. This can often turn into a party type affair, especially if you provide good food and drink as an incentive.

One of my favourite home improvement parties was at the first home I ever bought. I was in my early twenties and the house I had purchased had a back garden that was completely overgrown. I invited some friends around and we spent the day outside clearing the weeds and enjoying the sunshine together. When it got to lunch time I didn’t even have to provide any food as my neighbours suddenly appeared with a delicious home-made feast they had cooked to welcome us with. It was the start of many happy years in that particular property.

When you’re considering a Home improvement project don’t exclude people on the basis that they won’t be able to join in. Most jobs require small details that can be completed by anyone, old or young, male or female. It just takes a bit of planning. Even young children can help by carrying things back and forth between the adults or by adding some paint to a wall.

Apart from family fun another advantage of doing it yourself, of course, is the reduced cost. However, this needs to be weighed against the extra time that a large project will take. And sometimes you simply won’t have the expertise. Remember home improvements can be anything from a simple paint job to a full blown electrical rewiring.

Whether you decide to do it yourself or to get in the professionals the bigger jobs, especially, will require careful planning. Often, if you’re planning on replacing a kitchen or a bathroom, for example, it might be a good idea to have children stay with relatives or friends while the main work is being carried out.

Think about how long the project will take and then add extra time as these things invariably run over. If you’re doing the work yourself make sure you have a few days to get the work done. There’s nothing worth (although it is all too common) of having unfinished jobs left incomplete for years.

Connected to this is to resist the temptation to start a new job before the first one is finished. This is very common among DIYers and often results in anything but “home improvements”! Remember, home improvement projects ought not be “work” that gets you down. Rather, it should be something to enjoy and savour for all the family. Good planning will go along way towards this.

Brief Note:

The content on this site was originally about the 2007 Komen Race for the Cure® but, as I have explained previously, this information has now found a new home. Improvements have been made to the The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Northeast Ohio site which is now located at http://www.komenneohio.org.

Tags: DIY by admin
No Comments »