Interior Concrete Waterproofing: Protect Your Concrete Against Water Damage

Moisture is a major enemy of concrete. It can weaken concrete, make it crack and in general cause deterioration of any concrete structure. Moisture can also cause staining and fungus that is nearly impossible to remove. Interior concrete waterproofing can help prevent moisture damage of this type.

Before you apply any type of interior concrete waterproofing you should first make sure any leakage or drainage problems are corrected. Just because you apply waterproofing doesn?t mean water won?t occur in the area. If landscape drainage problems or leaks aren?t fixed, you?ll still have water pooling on the treated concrete.

Interior concrete waterproofing is a sealing method that can be used on poured concrete, concrete blocks and even on stone foundations. Interior concrete waterproofing can be used on new and old concrete alike. For the best protection you should seal concrete right after the curing stage.

Interior Concrete Waterproofing

The sealant you use should protect against water, water vapor, and radon. To waterproof properly you may have to apply more than one coat of sealant, usually at least two. Read the manufacturer directions carefully before applying your brand of sealer.

Make sure to thoroughly clean and dry all concrete before you apply any interior concrete waterproofing. For existing concrete surfaces such as in a basement, all old paint or adhesive that might have been used on the floor must be removed before it can be waterproofed. The areas to be treated should be as clean as possible and free of any mold or mildew.

If you want to waterproof concrete foundation walls they must be cured for about a month. Sealants will keep cracks, holes or defects in concrete foundation walls from receiving moisture as well. For best water protection, it is usually recommended to seal both sides of the wall, using an exterior coating on the outside.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com

www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Baby Proofing

When that innocent baby comes into your life the main thing that stays in your mind is keeping him or her safe from harm. You?ll think about a safe car seat, whether to breast feed or use formula, keeping smokers away, and a zillion other things. Raising a child is serious business and keeping that child safe is a task that every parent should take seriously. Remember though, at some point, your child will become mobile and before it happens you?ll want to know about baby proofing your home.

When your little one starts to move around you?ll notice a hundred things that are unsafe that you never would have paid attention to before. All those knick knacks and decorative items along the lower shelves will suddenly become potential safety hazards. The plants that you so lovingly fertilize will be seen as poison factories. Even your beloved pet may be looked upon as dangerous to your precious little bundle of joy. Don?t fear though ? you do not have to get rid of every little aspect in you life that poses as a threat. Baby proofing your home against danger and threat is not difficult when you have the right information at your fingertips.

Online, you can get info on many different tools for a variety of situations. Baby locks for cupboard doors are easy to find and there are different types of locks for different types of doors. Trusted expert advice can open your eyes to the true dangers in your home and offer you the safety items you need to protect your child. You can find quality items within your budget to address any safety situation and even find out which baby proofing items are preferred by the pros.

Although baby proofing your home can seem intimidating at first, once you start talking to other parents you?ll find that there is a solution to almost any danger that can be found in your home. If you don?t know many parents, you can chat and share ideas and ask for solutions from experts and other experienced parents in forums and chat rooms online. Sometimes the best advice really is free.

While your little one is still safe in your arms, compile a list of potential dangers. This will give you enough time to find appropriate baby proofing advice and safety items. When your little one does start exploring his or her world, you?ll have all the items you need to make baby proofing your home a breeze.

for additional useful info visit the compehensive Baby Guide at http://www.GoBabyGuide.com

Cheap soundproofing using American Sound Isolation tape.

American Sound Isolation tape is a great way to give you new home or addition some good soundproofing without spending a fortune. This sound isolation tape comes in 100 lineal ft rolls and it 1 7/16 " wide or basically the width of a stud or joist end. You simply peel off the backing and adhere to the Isolation tape to the face of all of the studs or the joist prior to screwing in the sheetrock. This will isolate the stud or joist structure from the finished drywall. This isolation helps to reduce airborne sound transmission as well as structure borne transmission through the studs or joists. There is another method that employs the American sound isolation tape and that is to double layer it on every other stud. If your studs are 16 OC then you will be taping every other stud at 32" OC. Once you have double taped every other stud, you will screw your drywall only into the taped studs. This will not only give you the isolation of the wood or steel structure from the outer wallboard, but it will give you the same effect as staggered studs. This method can be employed on both sides of the studs and to the end facings of joists. You can even tape the joists above before installing a sub floor, which will help to isolate the sub floor from the joists and the ceiling below. If you are in the process of new construction or remodeling where you have removed all drywall, taping the studs and joists with the American Isolation tape is essential. If you are remodeling or under new construction, American Sound Isolation tape is an effective and economical way to give your drywall the isolation it needs from the wood structure. This isolation will help to give you some good soundproofing between bedroom walls for example and doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to install. There are many other uses for American Sound Isolation tape that I just couldn't fit into this article. Builders and contractors across the United States and Canada are now using American sound isolation tape as a low cost soundproofing alternative to the more costly foams and barriers. For more information on American sound isolation tape or other quality soundproofing products go to my blog at: http://massloadedvinyl.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading and learning about American Sound Isolation tape. This is Dr. Bob...Out!!!

Dr. Bob is the Senior Technical Advisor at Soundproofing America Inc, the leading authority in Soundproofing and Acoustical treatment technology.

Dr. Bob O. Soundproofing America, Inc. Senior Technical Director Soundproofing Expert to The New York Times, The San Francisco Herald Examiner, The San Diego Union Tribune, and the Charlotte Observer Ph (877) 530-0139 Toll free Fax (347) 721-9079 E-mail: Dr.bob@soundproofingamerica.

Extend the Life of Your Roofing--Gutter Care in 3 Easy Steps

Replacing your roof is expensive. Extend the life of your roofing with gutter care. The gutters and downspouts of your roof are the primary protection against water damage to your roof and your home. Allowing leaves and debris to accumulate in the gutters not only renders them less effective but can damage your gutters and ultimately your roofing.

Gutter maintenance can be a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it--really. Regular gutter maintenance is vital for keeping your gutters clean and working properly. Keep your house and roofing safe and dry through regular roofing and gutter care with these three easy steps.

Clean Out

Gutters need to be cleaned every year to remove leaves and other debris from the system. Use a sturdy ladder on steady footing to help you in your roofing and gutter care. Many ladders feature spans designed specifically to place you at the perfect distance from your gutters without resting or leaning against them, which could damage your gutters.

If you have gutter covers or screens and leaves have made their way underneath them, remove the covers before you begin to clean out your gutters to ensure that they're thoroughly clean. Carefully remove leaves, sticks and all other debris from your gutters and roof. This wet mulch may have already begun to decompose in your gutters. You can bag the debris as yard waste or trash or add it to your compost pile. Stubborn debris may require a tool, like a barbeque brush, to remove.

Rinse Out

Once the gutters are debris-free, use a garden hose to rinse them. This method is also useful in finding leaks or detecting clogged downspouts. A high pressure stream of water may be able to remove clogs, but it may also take shaking the downspout or even using a broomstick or dowel to remove it.

Once your gutters a fully clean, protect them with gutter screens. Screens keep debris from building up in gutters and drains, but leaves can still accumulate on top of the screens. Even with gutter screens, regular roofing and gutter care is still necessary. The leaves that accumulate on your roof can create weak spots and introduce rotting and leaking to your roof, both of which can require expensive repairs.

Check Out

Once your gutters are clean and protected, inspect downspouts, pipes, and gutters for rust, warping, damage and other problems. Check all connections along the pipes as well as the connections to the house to ensure that they are sturdy. Replace damaged connections or pipe sections to keep your gutters working optimally. You can patch holes in your gutters with roofing cement. A metal patch is necessary for larger holes, but these fixes can save you the expense of replacing an entire section of gutter--or your roof.

As part of your annual roofing and gutter check up, you should inspect the overall condition of the roof as well. You can do this by using a ladder to climb on the roof or using an attic ladder to get up close and personal from the inside of the roof.

Inspecting your roof from the inside out is probably a better alternative to keep you from falling through any extremely weak spots on your roof. Always exercise caution on roofs and in attics.

Look for discoloration, dampness, and other warning signs of water damage. If you do detect signs of water damage, immediately check the wood, insulation or other surrounding materials for signs of mold. Mold can be removed with chemicals, but extensive mold problems should always be handled by a professional to make sure that all the mold is contained.

Termites and other pests might also be a problem. Check for potential rodent and bird nests while you're inspecting your roof.

With these useful tips, you'll be able to extend the life of your roofing through gutter care and maintenance. Remember to always exercise caution when working on a ladder and use other safety measures to keep yourself out of harm's way as you protect your house from water damage.

Jordan McCollum is a content writer for 10x Marketing, an Internet marketing firm. To learn more about the best tools for roofing/gutter care, visit LittleGiantSales.com today

Four Seasons Roofing and Siding

Four Seasons Roofing and Siding can be found on GOOGLE.COM. Because of recent instability of the major search engines, please look for us on GOOGLE.
Montgomery, Bucks, Monmouth, Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset County, Pa. and NJ

Thank You.

25 year veteran of the roofing wars.

Four Seasons Roofing and Siding can be found on GOOGLEBob

Four Seasons Roofing and Siding has put a great deal of effort into our Web presence. We value the fact that our potential clients in Montgomery, Bucks, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Delaware Counties of NJ and Pa., can find us and learn about how we do business. Recent instability in the search engine industry has us buried on some of the major portal offerings. We dont wish to be lost in the shuffle, so find us at http://google.com. We recommend that you use their very stable and relevant search engine for all your search needs.

Better yet, got to http://fourseasonsroofingandsiding.com

25 year veteran of the industry.

Childproofing Your Home Office

Patterson

Childproofing Your Office

If you are working from home while the kids are there, your kids will be in your office with you, at least some of the time. This way you can keep an eye on them, besides, they want to be where Mom or Dad is anyway. Childproofing your office makes it a safe place for your child and a safe place for your business.

If you have very young ones, literally crawl around your office to get a perspective of the enticements and dangers to your child. Older children are able to follow any office rules you lay down, but even they can be tempted by some new item. Evaluate your office from their view and make changes before your child or your work is jeopardized.

- Move or cushion furniture with sharp corners and secure
heavy furniture that can be toppled
- Lock drawers
- Put outlet covers on any open outlets
- Hide cords that beg to be pulled or tripped over. Use cord
organizers or run them under special cord mats or behind
furniture
- Cover disk drives and other enticing openings with tape or
cardboard attached with Velcro
- Put away the small stuff like paper clips, rubber bands,
and staples.
- Put away the sharp objects as well, scissors, push pins,
pencils, etc.
- Set up a screensaver with password on your computer
- Keep objects you don't want touched in less accessible
areas: on shelves, on filing cabinets, in closets
- Pack books tightly in the bookshelf if you don't want little
ones pulling them out.
- Install shelves on the walls to place items above reach
- Purchase plastic bins with lids for storing supplies.
Colored bins obscure the contents inside and provide less
temptation.
- Create a filing system that keeps papers filed away.
Desktop trays or vertical wall hanging folders work well
for in and out boxes.

Tracey Dishman Patterson
tranndee@parentshomeoffice.com
The Parent's Home Office
www.parentshomeoffice.com

Different Materials Used For Roofing And Determining The Cost Of Each One

There is never a structure you will find that lacks a roof; it is an essential part of the house or building. It plays a very important role of providing protection and shelter much like the walls. It must be sturdy and durable yet stylish. Many a structure is defined by their roofs. They could be made by a multitude of materials and their designs may vary. Since time immemorial, man has found different ways with different materials to build their roofs, each with different characteristics and advantages and disadvantages. As more materials are discovered with each of their own high and low points, they can be very useful in different types of location depending on the weather and location.

As with any building, housing or structural projects, there are many aspects that influences the final decision in which materials to use for roofing and one of them is cost. Here in this article, you will see the advantages and disadvantages plus the average costs, as costs may vary in different states, in the use of different materials for roofing. The cost of roofing referred herein this article is subjected to the breakdown of the roofing material per one hundred square feet. Remember, roofing costs may add up with the labor and other materials needed for installation, this refers only to the roofing materials utilized.

Building your dream house relies on a number of aspects; there is the location, the design, the restrictions of the area, the budget and a plethora of others. It is the same thing with the roof; you have to consider a number of items to get the perfect roof to suit your taste. Basically it is the overall design and materials used in the structure as well as the location and the local restrictions. Here are some of the more basic roofing materials used and the roofing costs to consider per one hundred square feet.

The most commonly used roofing material utilized nowadays is the asphalt shingles. This form is shingles is categorized into two; the organic and the non-organic (fiberglass). They are produced in a wide variety of colors and are rated by their lifespan and durability. They can range from between 20 to 40 years. Asphalt shingles can be customized by providing additional layers giving them a different shadow line. Many asphalt shingle manufacturers provide warranty to their products especially if the certified roofers install them. Asphalt shingles may range from 30 to 35 dollars for every hundred square feet.

Another roofing material that takes the form of shingles is those made from wood. Usually, wood shingles are made from Western Red Cedar; the reason behind this is that this kind of wood is highly resistant to decay and corrosion. Wood shingles are categorized into three kinds, one, two and three. The first type, number one, is more recommended for roofing because they are more durable, the second and third are better for sidings. They are usually sold tapered and in different sizes. Wood shingles roofing cost ranges from 80 to 170 dollars.

Another roofing material that utilizes wood from cedar is the wood shakes roofing material. They are used to provide a natural look, they are either sawed or hand split. Its distinct look has a side with an irregular unique look from the others while the other side has a natural thinner line for a tapered look. Wood shakes are classified by their weight and their sizes. Roofing costs for wood shake are from 70 to a hundred dollars for every one hundred square feet.

The most durable roofing material is made either from clay or concrete. They can be relied upon to provide service from fifty to a hundred years. The most common form is in the half-barrel or somewhat corrugated shape, but it is not uncommon to find flat or tapered styles. But because of their weight, clay or concrete roofing materials may need extra weight in the rafters adding more to the roofing costs which may run with the roofing materials between 150 to 400 dollars per a hundred square feet area.

Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free payroll tips everyday. To learn more about her free roofing tips, and to sign up for her FREE Roofing articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit www.RoofingUp.com.

Discovering Fiberglass Roofing Panels for your Roofing Needs

Roofs are an integral part of the house. The design of a roof tells a lot about the structure. They can be stylish, grand, historical, modern, versatile and so much more. When designing a house, building or any structure, the roof cant be taken for granted, they must be complimenting the whole design and yet, will be very durable and resistant to natures elements. That is why; designers take into consideration a lot of things like the weather, the winds, the location of the structure and much more, all of them makes an influence on the design of the roof and what kind of roofing materials to use. There are many forms wherein roofs are designed and constructed. They could either be flat, pitched, vaulted, domed or combinations of those types. As stated, these designs are influenced by considerations regarding technical, regional and aesthetic factors.

Since time immemorial, man have found and used different materials to use as materials for the roofs of their houses. Some of the early roofing materials used where leaves, rocks, wood, stones then as time and man progresses more and more have been discovered. Roofing materials made out of asphalt, cement, wood, and synthetic materials like fiberglass and other innovative materials. These new roofing materials have proven to be durable, reliable and lightweight. They can be manufactured in any shape and in any color making them a good alternative if not the outright choice.

Fiberglass has gained quite a following in the past few decades, because of their malleability they can be formed into anything with relative ease. They can also be very tough and durable yet be lightweight and easy to handle. With those characteristics, fiberglass is a good material to be used for roofing. Fiberglass first was introduced in 1938, as the name implies, fiberglass is made from very fine fibers of glass. This revolutionary product then has long been developed and provided with fresh innovations to form other types of roofing panels, which caters to different needs. The flexibility and versatility of fiberglass roofing panel materials makes it a very popular choice.

Fiberglass roofing panels can be shaped as corrugated roofing panels, shingles roofing panels, tapered roofing panels and so much more. Being synthetically produced somewhat, they are easy to manipulate to form shapes, used as composite material, provided different colors and other designs and textures that the manufacturers or public desire. It doesnt matter what type or form the design of your roof is, a fiberglass roofing panel will provide your roof with a tough and durable membrane, as well as provide it with great looking cover and protection.

Fiberglass roofing panels provide great waterproof sealing for the roof, especially when installed properly. Many fiberglass roofing panels producers provide longer warranties when their authorized roof installers do the project. Aside from their easy to install, durable and lightweight factors, Most fiberglass roofing panels are affordable than the alternative roofing panels, fiberglass roofing panels are about 65 to 70 percent cheaper than the others but gives the same great look and durability with an average of 25 to 30 years.

There are a plethora of choices when it comes to fiberglass roofing panels, each providing their pros and cons, but like any other building project, it is best to discuss this with your architect or contractor. Try to learn more and discuss this with people knowledgeable with all the factors that may influence the look and the lifespan of your roof. More and more new and innovative types, shapes and forms of fiberglass roofing panel are coming out so its best to keep yourself updated.

Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free payroll tips everyday. To learn more about her free roofing tips, and to sign up for her FREE Roofing articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit www.RoofingUp.com.

Effective Roofing Repairs

The roof is one of the more prone areas of your house and it is vital that you not only have quality roofing installed but that regular checks and repairs are carried out to ensure it’s long life. Consider the fact that all roofing is subject to wind, rain, snow, sun and any other element that can be thrown at it and you should realize that your new roofing and subsequent roofing repairs would need to be top notch to avoid any nasty accidents or surprises. Having new roofing installed can be a pricey affair but only regular check ups and minor repairs when needed can prevent the worst from happening. If you haven’t had your roof checked for ten years then it is highly advisable that you get it seen to as soon as possible. It may not be leaking yet but if you leave it much longer it could be.

Age.

The biggest roofing killer is the age of the materials. When shingles begin to look worn this usually means they are. Even shingles that have a 40-year warranty should be checked every few years. Roofing contractors will perform a relatively inexpensive check up of the whole of your roofing and if you pick a reputable company they will tell you exactly what needs repairing now and what is likely to need repairing in the future.

Repair or replace.

Sometimes shingles can be blown off and merely need replacing but if this is happening more and more often you need to consider that they may need replacing. Repairing your roofing may cost less but if you have to repeatedly repair it then it is a much more cost-effective solution to have new roofing. A contractor will be able to help you assess the best option for your roof.

Protection.

Roofing is the thing that protects the rest of your home from the elements and the damage they can cause. As such your roofing is facing this damage itself and it should be given all the ammunition possible to complete its job. Shingles are available in a wide variety of sizes and costs, but the cheaper shingles are virtually useless and you should spend as much as you can possibly afford on buying top quality roofing shingles that will stand up to more than a light shower and a gentle breeze.

Cost of re-roofing.

Having new roofing costs money, but by continually paying for repair work to be done you should consider that there may be an underlying problem with the wooden sheathing underneath. The only way to tell whether this is the case or not is to have the old roofing shingles completely ripped off and have the underneath inspected and repaired properly. Once this is done you can pay for top quality roofing that may set you back a little more than the repair work would have done but will undoubtedly last you much longer. That said, if a shingle blows off during high gales there is no need to rush out and have your entire roofing replaced without seeking advice first.

As Northern Virginia Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Does your website need more exposure to the search engines? Add Your Site Today to our free directory.