50318

How To Grout Your Tile And Stone

More and more homeowners are experiencing the satisfaction of repairing their tile and grout. The high cost of labor for even small jobs, has driven people to the stores looking for tile, materials, products and information.

This is GREAT! Why shouldnt homeowners learn to tile and grout?

Ive seen many new homes with completed ceramic tile jobs that have made the hair on the back of my neck stand up in fright especially tract homes where the bottom line for the developer is speed and corners to cut. So the more we learn about the different trades and the applications and techniques thereof, the better we will recognize a well performed and finished product to be proud of.

With this in mind, here are some grouting techniques to install in your memory banks for your next tile or stone job around the house.

Whether you have laid new tile or have scraped out the grout from an existing tiled area, make sure you clean the grout joints thoroughly and have taped off the areas you dont want the grout to spill over. Wiping grout off of sealed cabinets and semi or glossy paints, wont hurt those materials if you use care when wiping, but sometimes a little labor invested in taping adjacent areas will make the job easier in the long run.

When the grout joints are clean and ready to fill; mix the powdered grout with clean water and according to the package specifications. The grout should be lump-free with a consistency that will not easily pour out of the bucket.

Use the appropriate grout for your application. A non-sanded grout should be used for grout joints that are 1/8 and smaller in widths, while sanded grouts are to be used in joints which are larger. Typically youll find the smaller grout joints filled with the non-sanded grout in the bathroom and shower areas.

Use some latex gloves to protect your hands and with a grout float held at a 30-45 degree angle, spread the grout firmly into the grout joints. Dont worry about the mess on the tiles as this will clean up with your sponge at the proper time. Some areas that are hard to float, you can force the grout into the joint by hand. When all the joints are filled completely, scrape the excess grout off the tiles by holding the float at an almost 90 degree angle and pulling diagonally across the joints so you dont remove grout from the joints. Put all the remaining grout back in the bucket.

Allow the g1118rout to set for about 10 minutes then with a clean bucket of water and grout sponge, lightly wipe the tiles with a damp sponge (not a dripping sponge). Always wipe with a clean side of the sponge, flip the sponge over and wipe another section, then rinse the sponge clean. The initial sponging wipes most of the unwanted grout from the surface. The second sponging smoothes and neatens the joints and the third cleans the haze or residue from the tile. Always allow a few minutes between the three sponging cycles as this will allow the grout time to properly set. Remember, you dont want water from the sponge to puddle on the grout as this weakens and deforms the consistency.

Lastly, a final wipe will smooth any remaining high spots in the grout joints and clean the tiles of the remaining haze. After the grout dries, you can polish the tile with cheesecloth or a soft cotton cloth to remove any remaining residue. Nice Job!

Copyright 2006 Grout Getter Company

Michael Garman has 30 years experience in the construction trade and develops tools for professionals and homeowners involved in the ceramic tile industry. To view information and products on tile and grout removal or repair, visit his company website at: http://www.groutgetter.com

Removing Walls Is Easier

Save Money, Buy Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Everyone likes to save money when they can - and there are hundreds of ways you can save money. In this article, I want to talk to you about saving money by buying energy saving light bulbs. I'll give you a few tips on why these light bulbs are better than the traditional bulbs currently in use and why you should consider switching.

The technology for the traditional light bulb has not changed much in the past 200 years since Edison invented the incandescent bulb. The technology for compact fluorescent light bulbs, on the other hand, has changed dramatically over the past few years.

These new bulbs are designed to be environmentally friendly, use less energy, and last several times longer than traditional bulbs.

Energy saving or energy efficient light bulbs such as the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) use up to 75% less electricity than your standard light bulbs while at the same time producing about the same amount of light. Using less electricity to light up your home can save you hundreds on your electricity bills over the life of the new bulbs.

Another benefit of the energy efficient light bulb is that it will last about ten times longer, so you'll only have to change it once every few years compared to changing a traditional bulb every couple months. And if you have high ceilings and have to use a ladder just to change the bulb, this can save you several hours over the course of a year.

One main concern about using these new light bulbs is the cost. Technological improvements and increases in demand have brought down the costs of these efficient bulbs down to a no-brainer decision.

You get the convenience of not having to change a light bulb for a few years, the lower electricity bill - you could potentially save up to 10% each month on your bill, and you get to reduce pollution and help prevent climate change all at the same time just by using a CFL bulb.

The one environmental concern about these new bulbs is that they do contain a trace amount of mercury and need to be disposed of properly or recycled. You can usually return them to the store you bought them from or you can find a recycling location in your area by going to http://www.lamprecycle.org/

There are several benefits to buying energy saving light bulbs as I've outlined in this article. You do not have to be an environmentalist to want to switch to these bulbs. You can do it just to save money on your electricity bills.

Adam Hofstetler does buy energy saving light bulbs to save money and offers tips to help you choose the right bulbs for your home at his site http://www.buyenergysavinglightbulbs.com/

Preinspection

Bathroom Ideas Bathroom Remodeling Tip: Heat Your Bathroom Tile!

There are many ways you can enhance a bathroom but the following bathroom tip is by far my favorite bathroom remodeling tip. There is nothing like stepping out of the shower onto a soothing, pre-warmed bathroom tile or stone floor. This alone makes this bathroom remodeling tip my favorite of all. If you think warm floors would just feel great, you are right, but you will be also be pleased to know there are several other reasons why heating your bathroom floor is one of the best bathroom ideas that can be had.

Radiant Floor Heating is extremely efficient. In fact, it is so efficient it can in some cases be used throughout your house on all of your hard floors to lower your energy bill. This is because the heat is evenly distributed at the lowest point possible in an efficient way. So no more sitting by a vent to stay warm, or letting your hot air come out of the middle of a wall so that it can rise to the roof. Radiant heating heats much like the sun does with no hot blowing air involved, which in my opinion gives off much better warm feeling.

Aside from the fresh from the spa feeling, a heated bathroom floor1698 can encourage you to turn your thermostat a little lower, especially if you know you have warm bathroom tile to greet your cold wet feet! Best of all, when properly installed, you can expect your warm flooring to heat for up to 25 or more years with no filters to clean, and no operating noise.

If you would like more information about Radiant Floor Heating, Bathroom Ideas, or Bathroom Remodeling, visit ideal-heating.com

House Remodeling Ideas

Renovating The Exterior of Your Home the Easy Way

While many people do minor repairs and interior remodeling jobs, they often hesitate about doing exterior remodeling or renovating. There's not really a big difference between the interior and exterior of your C0Dhome except for the size of the DIY jobs.

Most of the time when homeowners choose to remodel their home, there is something on the outside that needs to be done. If you allow yourself enough time, you can look for great deals on many of the supplies you're going to need. Some of the exterior jobs that may need to be done are gutters, siding, windows and window trims or perhaps adding a patio or deck to your home.

If you plan ahead, you can not only save money but also get yourself organized, whether this means getting the time off from work or arranging for the rental of some of the tools you'll need for the job. You'll be spending enough on the supplies, so you won't want to have to buy tools as well, especially when you can rent them for a fraction of the cost.

If purchasing new siding is not quite in your budget this year, repainting your home is a great DIY job that will brighten and spruce up your home. Again, planning is very important. You may have to prepare the siding for painting such as sanding old paint off or washing the home. Some people don't understand the logic of washing if it's going to be repainted. It's the best way to give it a professional look. If your home is tall and needs ladders and scaffolding, doing one section at a time will save you a lot of time and energy. Many make the mistake of trying to get the whole house done at one time. You'll find working in sections at a time not only is easier but also makes you feel you accomplished more at the end of each day.

If you are going with new siding and windows, you may want to hire a professional if you have no experience in this type of work. However, many books and online sites have step-by-step guides for the DIY jobs. The stores where you buy your supplies (siding, windows, roofing, etc.) may also be able to give you many much-needed tips. If you're lucky, you have a friend or family member knowledgeable in home renovations that are willing to help you. You will save a fortune on labor costs!

Rob Carlton regularly edits newsletters on things associated with compressor designs. His articles on air compressor cooling systems can be discovered on http://www.insidewoodworking.com

2 X 12 Lumber

List Building and Organic Choice

What if you were able to develop a much more efficient and targeted email marketing campaign based on your approach to list building?

I think its possible and the end result may be a more satisfied group of customers and site visitors and an improved bottom line.

If your website has multiple product lines you may be able to segment your email marketing campaign to reflect the actual interests of your site visitor. The truth is you may be surprised at how this can help you pinpoint areas of interest by your motivated site visitor while minimizing potential inbox clutter for your customers.

Lets say, for the sake of example, you have a company that sells lotions, shampoos and conditioners. You could work to develop list-building techniques using a broad range appeal, but for a more focused approach to email marketing you can develop a separate list service for each broad category.

In this case you may have one list for shampoos, another for lotions and a third for conditioners. It may be that you have site visitors who have an interest in all three, but there will also be some that are interested in one specific product line. You have the ability to keep them happier by developing a means of alerting them to sales and product information related specifically to a product line of their choosing.

If, hypothetically, the product line is shampoos then you provide an opt in link that allows the site visitor to sign up for information about shampoos only.

This list building procedure allows you to better grow your email-marketing list in an organized, yet laser focused manner.

This may seem like more work than you may want to do, but the truth is this gives you greater control and flexibility in satisfying the informational needs of those on your list.

By targeting your online list building efforts you are letting your customers know you are aware of the value of their time and are willing to do what it takes to ensure they are only contacted when there are sales, coupon code offers or new information about the product line they chose.

You can use phrasing like, Click to be alerted to special sales of this product.

Some visitors may want to be included in every list you have available, but for those who may have limited interest in most products, but large interest in a particular product, a more focused approach could help you retain these individuals as consumers of your product line.

In list building it is appropriate to get specific and stay focused.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

Underside Of Steel Stairs

Basic Brand Building

A brand is the essence of who you are. The more powerful the brand the more memorable you will become. Think about brands that you can identify with. What impresses you about them and what attributes make you remember them? Brand icons didn't get that way over night and many of them have failed because they couldn't "connect" with their audience. Strong brands will stand the test of time.

After you have thought about strong compelling brands that impressed you start building your own brand statement by distilling down your essential core message: Who are you and how do you want people to identify with you? What values do you represent? When people think about you what image do you want them to visualize? Think about what sets you apart from you associates. This is about building your own image so forget the company or business in your personal brand statement.

Now that you have started thinking about your core message consider ways that you can reinforce your brand. Remember YOU are the brand, not your product or service, so this is essentially about you. Where and how can you demonstrate your brand message? When and how can you reinforce your brand?

Your brand needs to be authentic, from the heart; you can't make a brand statement believable about something you are not. When evaluating your brand message it's important to understand your audience who are you trying to impress with you message? What do you want them to remember? You are creating your own "personal buzz" with your brand so the more you can hone in on your audience the better you can craft your message. It?s important to recognize that you can?t be all things to all people so you want to capture your target audience with your message.

Everything you do should have your brand image, whether it?s giving a speech, writing a letter or the message heard on your voice mail. The brand is a living thing, the more you utilize it the more powerful it will become. Building a brand is like using a set of building blocks. One piece doesn't make much of a structure but 20 pieces will. Think about how you can build your brand by adding pieces to enforce the totality of the structure "you." Getting outside opinions helps your cause. When people think about you what assets to they remember? If it?s different than what you are tying to convey then you need to reshape your message.

Take a moment to study the brand messages of people you admire or hope to model. Using the Internet is a great place to do this. Type in the name of the person in quotation on any search engine and see what turns up. It should give you ideas on ways to craft your own message.

Think about how many places you have your name listed on a piece of paper or the Internet. That?s where you should be building your identity here a short list of places you should be making your brand shine.

Voice mail
Business cards
Stationery
Email address & SIG file
Personal website
Press releases

Personal branding will help you stand apart from your competition. Whatever the circumstances your brand can only enhance your identification in the marketplace. Keep on refining and honing your brand message as you become more comfortable with whom you are.

Recognized Packaging Guru and Chief People Packager JoAnn R. Hines unlocks the secrets that propelled her career from anonymity to world recognized leader. This indispensable workbook will show you specific ways to accomplish your personal branding goals and launch your career into the stratosphere. We have done all the work for you with guidelines, cheat sheets and easy-to-use templates to customize for your own use.

"The Packaging Yourself Workbook" is the only career workbook you will ever need!

This workbook cuts through the clutter in a simplified, straightforward manner and drastically reduces the time it takes to build your personal brand.

The "Packaging Yourself Workbook" is $29.95 plus shipping and handling. Place your order @ http://packaginguniversity.com/pkgustorefront.htm

Don't take my word for it. Hear what Linda has to say "JoAnn provided me with the no-nonsense approach I was lacking in my business. I needed new and fresh ways to promote my business; and JoAnn helped me focus on goal setting and finding concrete ways to reach my target audience.>

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware