Mexican Artisans Promote the Use of Recycled Copper in the Fabrication of Their World Famous Copper
November 30, 2008
For many years copper has been the main raw material used by the Mexican artisans of Santa Clara del Cobre for the fabrication of their beautiful artisan items. Originally artisans relied on the natural supply of copper of their lands for the fabrication of their items. But has the supply of the original sources has decreased and the demand for items as copper sinks (http://www.copper-sinks-mexico.com) has increased they have had to think and look for new and alternate sources of copper material.
Thankfully they have found a reliable source of copper in the recycling industry. Trucks loaded with tons of copper junk coming form many parts in central Mexico arrive every week and deliver their precious load to the artisans shops. Artisans pay the load of copper according to the cleanness of the material, the cleaner your copper the closer you will get to be paid at international market prices for pure copper, that lately has been increasing steeply making this recycling business more profitable for the copper gatherers. Though all junk serves, artisans specially avoid junk made of copper wires covered with too much soldering due to the harming potential that this impurities have for the very characteristic look of their handmade copper items.
Home Inspection Basics
November 30, 2008
The Home Inspector
When you think about it, it is a bit odd. A person hires a stranger to snoop around another stranger’s house for a couple hours and report back. It’s sounds rather like someone hiring a burglar to case a house for a robbery. The major difference is that the owner of the home is a willing participant, too, and that everything is actually quite legal and above board. The motive of the buyer is, of course, to make sure that he or she doesn’t get ‘robbed’ with a broken-down furnace that the seller say is fine, for example. This happened to me in the days before home inspection was a common part of the real estate transaction. Though the service has been around since the 1970s, it has only really become an integral part of home-buying since the mid to late 1990s.
My wife and I ended up with a furnace that was soon condemned by a technician and a nice big bill for a new one. It was mid-November and we couldn’t exactly get along without one. What did we know about furnaces? We didn’t know how long one lasted or how to tell if it was in good shape or not. That was a dozen years ago. We know much better now about furnaces ? nothing like getting burned to make you more wary next time.
Planning Permission Tips Uk - How To Select A Property to Extend or Develop
November 29, 2008
Many people purchasing a property for their main home actually look for a property with a view to extending it. This is a very common theme that I have come across time and time again. Their motivation for doing this is usually two fold.
1. - They cant afford what they actually require so they intend to extend on the assumption that it will be cheaper for them in the end.
2. They want the location but are unable to find the right property so remodelling & extending a smaller one will create their near perfect home.
The rights and wrongs of these two motivations are another news letter in themselves but we shall save this for another day.
However, by the time they call in the Building Designer or Planning Consultant a lot of their aspirations are dashed due to either selecting either the wrong property or wrong location.
Here we explain 10 of the most common tips to observe when looking for property to extend and hopefully you will avoid a costly mistake. Many of these planning tips have already been discussed in previous news letters and are covered in depth in our Maximum Build Planning Guide.
?Too Much Stuff? Syndrome or How Decorating and Organizing Can Help Your Sanity
November 28, 2008
This area of home life is different from others in that it involves all the senses and to that degree it is successful, engendering varying emotions. Decorating isn’t really a hobby, nor is it merely an activity; it’s a driving force of many people to live in comfortable and pleasing surroundings while they regenerate from a stressful world.
Yet, decorating by itself is not nearly as completely satisfying as having an organized home that is rich in beautiful detail. Decorating and organizing go hand-in-hand, like a one-two punch of home completion.
In an effort to motivate you to action, use these suggestions to help you on your way to an organized home this spring and summer.
Paper Clutter
1. If you’re like my dear Mother and you still have newspapers from 1978 because you haven’t read them all: Don’t walk, RUN to the sanitation department and rent an industrial sized dumpster to leave in your driveway for a week.
2. I’m giving you permission to touch your incoming mail and papers more than once ? only if the second "touching" is on the way to the dumpster.
Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows
November 27, 2008
These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west, and specifically, in California. The number one arguement that I have heard against using the retrofit method, is that it is susceptible to water leaks. Well, that’s true if you don’t do it properly. But, if you do a complete tearout of your old window down to the studs, you’re going to have water leak issues there as well if you don’t install the new window properly. So I think that arguement is, well, all wet. So, let me tell you the best way to install your retrofit windows that will ensure that water cannot get in.
Air Sanders: Forget Electric, Go Air!
November 26, 2008
An air sander is a common air tool often overlooked by most people. If you already have an air compressor to run your impact wrench, you may consider purchasing an air sander instead of an electric model. Your average off the shelf electric sander is fine for little home projects. But if you are really concerned about production and speed, an air sander will blow it away. These tools are also more rugged, versatile and lighter.
The main reason is the power source is your air compressor, not the little electric motor in the sander. This also makes them easier to fit into weird places and hold over your head to reach a ceiling. At the end of the day, an air sander is much kinder to your hands, while delivering more power. They also come in models that are both sanders and buffers. I really recommend one of these if you are a car or boat enthusiast. An air buffer will make quick work of a long wax job on your favorite ski boat. You can then turn around and use the same tool to sand down your kitchen cabinets for painting.
Installing Drywall: Mudding and Taping
November 25, 2008
Installing Drywall, or hanging drywall as the professionals usually refer to the task, can be done by the homeowner. However, it is usually best done with two or more people as it requires significant lifting of heavy material. Mudding and Taping can also be performed by the homeowner, however these tasks require some practice and artistry.
Measuring and Ordering Drywall
Prior to actually hanging the drywall, the material first needs to be ordered and delivered. To determine how much material to order, measure all of the surface area, starting with the ceilings and then the walls. Calculate the total square feet and divide by 32. The result should give you the number of 4′x 8′ sheets of drywall required for the job. I would also recommend adding another 5-10% to this figure to account for inefficiencies. Drywall does come in larger sheets, such as 4′x12′, however for a Do-it-Yourself homeowner these larger sheets can become unwieldy and maybe even impossible to bring into the existing home.
For bathrooms or other moist areas Greenboard should probably be used as this material is moisture resistance.
Installing a Bathroom Vanity and Countertop
November 25, 2008
The installation of a new bathroom vanity and countertop can transform an outdated bathroom into a contemporary one. Installing a vanity and countertop is simple to do and can be purchased from any home improvement store for less than $500.
Remove the old Vanity and Countertop
First turn off the water supplies under the vanity. Next disconnect the supply lines at the valves. Then disconnect the drain pipe at the trap (the j-shaped section underneath the vanity). Next remove the corner screws that are securing the top of the old vanity to the countertop. The countertop should then be able to be lifted off of the old vanity.
After the countertop has been separated from the vanity, remove the faucet hardware if you plan on reusing the existing faucet. Make sure, however, when purchasing your new vanity countertop that it will support the faucet configuration (one hole or three holes ? and the number of inches between the holes ? center to center).
After the countertop and faucet have been removed from the work area, unscrew the back and/or side screws that hold the vanity to the wall(s). Then remove the vanity from the bathroom.
How To Decorate a Large Family Room
November 24, 2008
Dividing the room into different use areas is a great way to break up the space. Obviously a fireplace is a great focal point. Keep seating in front of it perpendicular (i.e. sofas facing each other with ottoman or coffee table in between) or L-shaped. Don’t forget to put a small table at each end of the couch/love seat with table lamps and space for a drink and a book.
Next, create a gaming area either for board games or cards. A square or round table with 2 - 4 chairs and a pendant light/chandelier is all you need. Add a floor lamp nearby for more ambient lighting. If not for games, how about adding a bistro set for light dining or morning coffee?
I would take advantage of windows and their light by building or improvising a window seat. Use a large bench or settee or even a loveseat right under the window. Add a long cushion (you could even recover a body pillow!) and some coordinating throw pillows, and your reading spot is ready! Keep an end table and lamp close by for additional reading pleasure.
Why Double Glazing?
November 23, 2008
Why replace your single-glazed windows with double glazing ? For most, the precipitating factor for looking into double glazing is a need for new construction (or renovation) to conform to modern energy standards. Others decide to replace their windows as an energy saving measure. The main advantage that double glazing offers over traditional windows is insulation. Because nearly 25% of your heat is lost through your windows, well-made and well-fitted double glazing can reduce your heating costs by as much as half depending on the amount of glass in your home.
Some of the things to consider when shopping for double glazing for your home are safety, energy conservation, style, type of frame, type of glass, cost and installation. Each of these are important in your choice. Most will affect the price that you pay - and all will affect your pleasure and comfort in your home for years to come.
Safety
Single pane windows are most often made of a single sheet of regular glass which shatters into long, sharp shards when hit. When shopping for double glazing, you have a choice of several different kinds of glass, each of which are safer on breaking than traditional window panes. If nothing else, the double thickness reduces the chances that both panes will be broken. Whether you use security glass, toughened glass or shatterproof glass, double glazing offers some measure of safety over single glazing.
