Archive for the ‘Home Improvement’ Category
Call Before You Dig
September 25th, 2008 | 
Author: Your safety is important. Dig safely by following these key steps:
1. Call 811 or your state’s utility notification phone number before you dig.
Colorado: 1-800-922-1987
2. Wait the state’s required time before you begin to dig.
3. Respect the markings or colored flags and dig with care around them.
In many communities, electricity and natural gas are delivered through cables or pipes buried underground. Knowing where to dig is critical when you are working in areas with underground lines.
Before you begin any project that requires you to move earth – such as digging fence posts, planting trees or excavating – call your state’s one-call utility notification center first.
Utility locators will come to your site to track, locate and mark all your underground utility lines. This service is free in most states and could save money, time and possibly your life.
Don’t take any chances with underground utility lines.
The Services Offered by Electricians
When you are having problems with your electrical system, the best person to call is your electrician. Electricians are professionals trained in the proper care, handling, and maintenance electrical wiring, systems, and equipment.
Electricians are generally divided into two groups. The first group is the one in charge of construction of electrical systems. The second one is responsible for maintaining these systems. They are also responsible for doing repairs and upgrades to electrical equipment.
Electricians need to pass certain training before being certified as a qualified electrician. Most countries have regulations when it comes to the electrician profession due to the safety issues surrounding the nature of their job. Typically, they have to serve an apprenticeship program. The program usually takes about 3 to 5 years under direct supervision of a master electrician.
Electrical wiring systems in buildings are installed by electricians. Electricians are the only ones qualified to install, upgrade, and maintain electrical systems, equipment, and wirings.
Good electricians have undergone rigorous trainings and seminars to keep them updated on the current technology. For your safety, it is much better to let a qualified electrician do their job when you have problems in your electrical system. Electricity is very dangerous and can easily injure or kill a person when not handled well.
Electrical appliances are precision instruments and are very sensitive. Tinkering with one may damage or completely destroy your equipment. In most cases, it will even invalidate a warranty. A qualified electrician can work on your household appliances for you, fixing them while keeping your home safe.
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Landscape Lighting
There are many reasons people choose lighting the exterior of their home and landscape. If you were to take a walk around your property, you might notice areas, where once dark outside, someone could possibly trip. Maybe you have some unwanted animal visitors you want to get rid of. There is always the security of your home you want to consider and lights definitely deter thieves or vandals. Do you have an outdoor living space, you’d like to use at night? When someone is coming over, is your driveway hard to find? If so, adding some lights will help your guests locate your home.
After your survey, take a drive around your neighborhood after dark, looking for ways other homes and businesses have lit their property. What are they using to illuminate their exteriors and landscapes? What lighting techniques give off the mood you are looking for? Make notes of the types of lights used when you find something you like. You’ll need this list for the next step.
Sketching out your property, special features, and outdoor living spaces, like a barbeque pit or gazebo, will help in designing your outdoor lighting. So take the time and determine where or what you want to draw attention to. The last step in your design plan is to choose the appropriate light for these areas. So, here are some possibilities for designated areas and after that some tips from professionals.
Pathways, Walkways and Water Elements
Fixtures for these areas come in mushroom shapes, tulip lights, lanterns, tier lights and specialty lights . They provide low impact lights that won’t give off a glare. Shields on the fixtures direct light down onto these areas, so you don’t have a runway affect. The goal is visibility not blinding light. This soft lighting effect can be accomplished by installing your fixtures, if they are too bright, behind foliage which will both filter the light onto your pathways and show off your landscape.
Decks, Pergolas, Pools and Hot Tubs
Mounting flood lights or spot lights up high like on trellises or eaves, will give your decks, pergolas, pool or hot tub, the focused lighting they require for night time use. If you’re going for a moonlight effect, mount your fixtures up in a tree. Using a blue filter makes it even more realistic. The light will pass through the leaves creating a romantic ambience to your outdoor space.
Decorative Ponds, Groundcover, Gardens and Shrubbery
Spread lights give off an even, circular, and soft glow commonly used in beds with flowering plants, ivy like ground coverings, manicured shrubs, and ponds. Fixtures typically come on a post or pole shining the light downwards.
Façade Features, Retaining Walls, Privacy Fences, Entryways, Statues and Topiaries
By installing well lights, spot lights or wall wash lights, you will highlight stone and brick work on your house or retaining walls. Positioning fixtures half a foot to a foot from the element at a 90° angle will provide a dramatic effect. Points of entry into your home and poorly lit areas of your yard where an intruder could hide should also be well lit. Doing so will deter burglars and pesky animals roaming around. To create a striking shadow from topiaries or from an original statue, play with distance and angle of fixtures that light them. You will definitely turn heads with this technique.
Trees
To light up trees with little foliage, place solar lighting fixtures closer to the trunk. Installation at the foot of the tree will give trees a sophisticated, 3-D effect. Moving the lighting on trees with dense foliage to where the edge of its branches are produces a much better upshot.
Mix it up! By using varied lights, placement, and angles your lighting design will be a hit.
Reducing damage from mowing, fertilizing, and watering can be done through the use of well lights.
Use a timer, movement sensors or photocells that automatically turn on and off lighting. It will conserve energy and save you money.
Overlap the light given off by fixtures to avoid unwanted shadowing. Another shadow fix is to install fixtures behind shrubs.
Effects created with different lights and angle, areas to light, and careful planning should go into your landscape lighting design. Plans without planning are plans that spell disaster. Happy Planning!
Now you can remove the confusion in your mind on the topic of solar landscape light. Both novices and experts look to us for valuable information at plant-care.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Markensen
Posted in Home Improvement | 
Tags: landscape, landscape lighting, landscape lighting installation, lighting | 
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Finding the Right Contractor
If you own a home and have a project your thinking of, you may need a contractor, BUT you run a risk of being scammed by a fraudulent one. Contractor fraud in the home improvement industry is one of the most complained about industries at the Better Business Bureau. If you think fraud victims are just little old ladies, think again. Some unscrupulous contractors can be so clever that it makes them a hazard to all of us.
Be careful of the so-called “free” inspection or “my crew is in the neighborhood on another job”. They seem to have extra materials left over and want to offer you a great discounted price, so they offer a free inspection and guess what? You need work done! The chances are the materials aren’t the best, the workmanship is going to be shabby and the price he gives you will be so good you won’t be able to pass it up. Oh and I almost forgot, you probably don’t need any work done at all!
Things To Look For When Hiring A Contractor:
Check the contractor for a license and insurance Get references of his previous jobs Check with The Better Business Bureau for any complaints against his company Get at least 3 estimates from other contractors
The good guys
The vast majority of home contractors are honest, reputable small-business owners who work hard to make sure that they do high quality work, use good materials. They are dedicated to your satisfaction and earnestly want to earn your recommendation. Many contractors are members of professional organizations or unions that actively work to weed out contractor scams and fraud.
By doing your part to protect yourself, you can prevent getting taken by clever, manipulative contractors.
Ken Davis was born and raised in Bergen County New Jersey, where with his family owns a retail tool store called TOOLTOWN for more than 45 years. Ken started working with the family in his teens and now with his two brothers are running the business and continuing the family tradition of helping and building relationships with the community. You can stop by his store at http://www.tooltown.com and check out his products, services and other tips-techniques and do it yourself projects
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_Davis
Electrical Surge Protector
Electronics are expensive these days. Not only that, they are most likely an integral part of your every day life. A power surge can destroy your electronics so it’s best to have an electrical surge protector.
When your power is running normally it is around 120 volts. If that power spikes all of a sudden it can damage your electronics. It doesn’t take long to ruin these things either. As little as a few seconds of a power surge can do irreparable damage.
Many people think of these power surges only occur during lightening storms. What few realize is that they can be a result of many other things as well. For example, the power will surge when you turn on an appliance that requires a lot of electricity. If there are other things on the same circuit it could mean trouble. Don’t worry, there is an easy way to fix this problem. You can use one of the many surge protectors that are available on the market. There is a big difference in the quality of these though.
It’s best to look for a surge protector that comes from a source you trust. No one likes to be caught up in brand names, but sometimes that might be the best assurance you’ll have that the device will work the way it is supposed to.
Experts recommend that you use a surge protector that will respond to the spike in electricity in less than one nanosecond. It should also be able to absorb around 300 joules of power. If you know that your power has surged more than once, it is time to replace the protector since they do have a maximum absorption capacity.
Even though it might not be practical for you to buy one of these for every single outlet in your home you should try to have one for your computer. Take note of your most expensive and important electronics and plug them into a surge protector.
If you do want to be extremely safe you can get a protector installed that will cover your home’s entire electrical system. This step is usually something you’ll need to speak with the electrical company about.
Buying at least one electrical surge protector is a necessity. There are too many things that could go wrong with your power and you can easily avoid problems. Choose a reputable brand with a good rating and you can rest easy.
Purchasing an Electrical Surge Protector can be a small investment that could save you money in a big way. You can find out more about electrical surge protectors by visiting http://www.electricalsurgeprotector.com – Don’t wait for your precious electrical equipment to fry, just take a look at some of the Videos here and see what happens when you don’t have protection. Then check out the discounted deals on all electrical surge protectors.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Harrison
Posted in Home Improvement |
Tags: electrical, electrical engineering, electrician, handyman |
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What Does a GFI Do? – Electrical Problems
In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.
Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.
GFI ’s come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you’re using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.
How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.
If you’re going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.
A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.
Let’s say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.
The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.
The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don’t have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.
Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Vandenberge