Torch Down Roofing - A Cautionary Tale

Don't spend a dime on torch down roofing until you've read this cautionary tale. While the names and places change, this tragedy is a common occurrence. It goes something like this...

Two roofers are installing a small flat roof over a lanai while the homeowner is at work. The tear off goes well. Perhaps there's a little rotted wood to fix but that, too, is no problem.

Then they start installing the new roof system. It is a type commonly referred to as "torch down roofing". The official name is "modified bitumen" (pronounced buy-TOO-men). It is a rolled roofing product that consists of a tough membrane embedded in a thick layer of asphalt. Rubbery additives in the asphalt allow the roofing to expand and contract, where other roofing systems just crack. The roofing can bond tightly to metal flashings and move with them, while maintaining the bond. This flexibility is the main benefit of modified bitumen and is a big factor in its success.

Some types are applied with an adhesive, some types are self-adhering and some types are hot mopped as the cap sheet in built-up roofing systems. But it is the type applied with a propane torch that is referred to as "torch down roofing". It is also one the most dangerous of all roofing products...

One of the roofers gets a little careless with the torch and starts something smoldering in the attic. And they don't notice the small wisp of smoke coming out of the soffit vents. Just after the roofers go to lunch, the smoldering turns into a fire that spreads quickly in the dry, dusty attic.

With nobody home, the fire is going pretty good before the mailman notices the black smoke billowing up from the back of the house. He dials 911 and the fire trucks are there in a matter of minutes. But they have trouble putting the fire out because it is mostly contained within the attic. Finally they chop a big hole in the roof so they can put lots of water on the raging inferno. They get the fire out, but not before the home suffers extensive smoke and water damage, in addition to the actual fire damage.

One of the neighbors calls the homeowner, who rushes to the scene to find that the lovely home she had a few hours before, is now pretty much destroyed. About that time, the roofers come back from lunch... and wish they had taken up plumbing instead of roofing!

Fortunately, this scenario is completely preventable. For a good discussion of the alternatives to torch down roofing, check out: "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. It will make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes.

For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Build Your Own Deck With the Right Power Tools

You'll have to start out with using a little imagination to picture what you want your end result to be. A complex deck may be out of your league, so leave that up to the professionals. You'll need only basic construction skills to build a simple deck.

There are many home and garden type magazine that will inspire you with some ideas, but you'll have to decide how large you want your deck to be. Try a few chairs and a small table around the area of your yard where you are planning to build it. This will give you a basic idea of how much space you will need. You might find a plan that already suits what you need.

The type of decking material you choose will depend on your budget. A wood deck is obviously going to be less expensive than a higher-end composite deck. However, remember to calculate on your costs how much you will have to pay for maintaining the deck if you decide to go with wood. It can be costly in the long run. The plan you follow will list all of the building materials and hardware you'll need. Definitely invest in the right power tools if you don't already have them. A cordless drill and a good "chop saw" saw will save you hours of labor.

Deck piers are also a must if you want to save time and strain on your back. These are pre-formed concrete footings with notches that accept standard sizes of wood. They are used in a "deck pier system" which saves you the trouble of digging holes and pouring your own footings.

Once you have calculated all of the materials you will need, have them delivered from your local building supply store if you don't have a vehicle to get them yourself. Before you begin construction, do an inventory of your materials and power tools. It will go smoothly if you have everything you need on hand.

For more information on Power Tools or visit http://www.directtools.com

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 doesnt mean water wont occur in the area. If landscape drainage problems or leaks arent fixed, youll 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 http://www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com http://www.air-cleaners-and-purifiers.com

http://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.

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the Speaking in Tongues - Become a Pentecostal

First of all, why is it important that we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues? As a Christian, it's important if we want to go in the rapture. Jesus said the wise virgins took oil with their lamps while the foolish virgins didn't. Matthew 25:1-13. Oil is a type of the Holy spirit. At the midnight hour when the rapture happened the wise virgins walked in while the foolish couldn't find their way. The early church was a Pentecostal church, and John the Baptist said that "He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

There are two churches today, the Laodicean and the Philadelphian. Revelations 3:3-22. The real baptism in the Holy Spirit will bring some persecution. All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution the Bible says. 2 Timothy 3:12. The Bible says the Philadelphian church has kept the word of my patience. Tribulation worketh patience. The Philadelphian church has already had their tribulation so they don't need to go through any more. The Laodicean church is bragging they are rich, increased in goods and have need of nothing, but what they need is the baptism in the Holy Spirit and then they will start getting some persecution. If you aren't getting any persecution you don't have the real thing if you think you already are baptized.

So how do we receive this? We need to be cleansed. The Spirit will fill the temple when it's cleansed. Call a day of fasting to seek the Lord with all your heart. Jesus said if our feet are cleansed we're cleansed all over. Wash our feet in the name of Jesus. Take a bath and say "I baptize myself in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus." Read these Psalms as prayers for cleansing: Psalm 19, Psalm 51, and Psalm 79. Read Ezekiel 36:24-38 and pray for all that for you.

Then on a Monday through Friday during business hours call Brother Ted Shuttlesworth's ministry toll free at 1-888-323-2484 and ask them to pray for you to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking with other tongues or just pray to God yourself if you live in a country where you can't get through at that number. Surrender all you are and all you have, including your tongue to God now and forever. Yield yourself and begin to speak in an unknown tongue or language. Whatever is there, no matter how foolish it may seem. Keep praying as long as it's there. Sometimes the Holy Ghost will pray through us in sighings and groanings too.

Then just keep groaning and sighing until you feel relieved. It's like giving birth to a baby. Then repeat this every day - in the morning. The Bible said "Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18. We need to be Spirit filled prayer warriors in these last days, if we want us and our loved ones to go to heaven in the rapture soon to come and escape the coming Tribulation.

Roger Bovee is editor and publisher of Tithes and Offerings, which attempts to provide sermons to read and prayer requests for salvation and divine healing. Please bookmark it and come back often. http://www.squidoo.com/tithes-and-offerings

Building Stairs With Old Concrete - Remodeling Ideas

What a great idea using your old side walk or driveway to build a nice stairway for your front or back yard. Using the old concrete instead of sending it to the landfill. Wow talk about earth friendly. Who would have thought that using recycled concrete would create a beautiful center piece in your landscaping plans.

That's enough about that lets get to the nuts and bolts of building the stairs. I came across the idea by visiting one of our favorite breakfast stops in Fallbrook. I had been walking down these stairs for quite a while when it dawned on me that the stairs where kind of jagged. When I took a closer look I couldn't figure it out, What kind of building materials did they use.

Then I realized it was recycled concrete in other words someone's old side walk. They even used the old concrete to make some nice planter boxes and retaining walls. The whole area really looks nice. The landscaping created natural look with a old world look to it.

How do I build the stairs using recycled concrete? Simply put first thing you need to do is get some recycled concrete. If you are going to be tearing up a old sidewalk, driveway or patio then you won't have to look far.

If not you can contact some local general or demolition contractors. They would love to have someone haul away their concrete. The reason for this is they have to pay around five hundred dollars for every ten tons hauled away from the jobs they are working on.

The more recycled concrete you need the easier it will be to get it. If you need a lot you will be able to contact a concrete recycling plant and get the phone number to a local contractor that hauls broken up concrete to their plants. These people can drop off a large load if you have a large area to drop it.

Remember that most contractors don't want to be bothered because they are busy working or planning on working. The easier you can make it on the contractor the more likely you will get what you want from them. They usually aren't interested in doing extra work just to make you happy. You can get a lot by being courteous from most people.

Now that you have the concrete you can start building. The concrete will be stacked on top of the other concrete to form the steps. Depending on how long of a stairway you are building you will have to level the dirt and stack the recycled concrete to make the stairs.

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 building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry

Visit us now for more great Home Remodeling Tips

How to Create a Rustic Bathroom

These days, everything is so immediate, futuristic and ahead of the curve. We oftentimes find ourselves caught up amongst the whirlwind of advancing technologies and the endless battle to be fashion-forward and owning the right cars, appliances and gadgets. It's time to stop, take a deep, relaxing breathe, and calm down. Not everything in life needs to be constantly updated. If our past shapes who we are today, why cover it up? Now is the perfect time to "update" your bathroom with rustic style cabinet handles that bridges the gap of old to new.

Go Green
Everywhere you turn, there is a "go green" commercial, green grocery bags or eco-friendly appliances. Adding a bit of green to your bathroom might be the perfect option for you. While to some this means purchasing recycled toilet paper, to others, going green in your bathroom literally means going outside and incorporating your available landscape.

For homeowners with access to lumber, creating more storage space with your local hardware is a great solution. Not only will this limit the resources needed to purchase wood from a store (such as gas money and cost of production), but also, this do-it-yourself project can involve your entire family in a creativity exercise. By utilizing what you have around you, you are literally using your bucolic countryside to redesign your bathroom.

Look To Your Roots
America is known as a melting pot, rich with culture, heritage and tradition. Why not incorporate your ancestors in your new "old style" bathroom? Whether Irish, Italian, Native American, Polish or English or a mixture of everything, you should include a little piece of "you" in your bathroom. For many, a code of arms signifies you and your families' past; by pairing this with a bit of the present, you can create a comfort zone of history.

Get Wild in Style
If you have always wanted to get a little bit wild or exotic when it comes to decorating, your bathroom is the ideal place to express yourself. Using small elements, such as cabinet pulls or cabinet door knobs, you can express yourself in a unique way without overpowering the entire room with conflicting stripes, polka dots or too bold paint colors. Bathroom cabinet knobs nowadays can come in a variety of metals such as copper, iron, chrome and nickel. Additionally, these small elements also come in interesting shapes and sizes. For the outdoorsman, adding fish knobs on your towel rack or shower curtain will certainly compliment any room. Pair this with a soft blue or green paint, and you've got yourself a rustic interior almost instantly!

Be Safe and Secure
Like any good home design, safety and security should always trump design and aesthetic appeal. Be sure to install proper cabinet handles and locks to keep hazardous materials away from children, pets or guests. Ideally, harmful chemicals, prescription medications, sharp items and should be stored in a high storage area, secured with drop latch locks or other child-proof mechanisms. Additionally, hand-held electronic appliances should also be removed from plain view. Not only will this help keep you organizes, but also keeping hair dryers, radios and other items away from water should always be a priority.

Scents Make Sense
What's a bathroom without a fresh scent? If you live in the countryside, the fresh scent of cotton, lavender or chamomile will work perfectly. For the more woodsy or earthy homes, pine needles or cinnamon is a great choice to stimulate your olfactory sensors. If you just simply want a clean, crisp room, light citrus scented candles or soaps help cut through tough odors. Remember, when it comes to the smells in your bathroom, you want to help clear the air, not compete with too many fragrances. If you cannot decide what works best, just use the tried by true method: cracking open.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products. Your Home Supply offer selections on rustic antique cabinet knobs to help customers design and create their own rustic bathroom. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Everything That's Beautiful is Cracked, That's How the Light Gets In

What is beauty anyway?

The answer to that question seems to come at us everyday through magazines like; People, Chatelaine, Men's Health, Vogue, Hello, Esquire, newspapers, television shows like; Extreme Makeover, Entertainment Tonight, The Miss Universe Pageant, Access Hollywood and the advertisements that come with those publications and shows, that purport to know what beauty is. We seem to take for granted that the narrow, superficial societal definition of beauty is essentially related to physical appearance and attraction. But have you really stopped to ponder what beauty is, really?

Leonard Cohen; singer, songwriter, novelist and poet said that "everything that's beautiful is cracked, that's how the light gets in." I do believe he has captured the essence of beauty.

Beauty is in the nature of our flaws. It is in our reflective self-awareness and acceptance of our imperfections that we discover our true beauty. Once we begin to reach that level of maturity and self-esteem, approaching self-actualization, we increasingly behave and even radiate an inner goodness, grace and dignity, which becomes evident to the people around us. Acceptance of ourselves is eventually what leads us to becoming self-actualized. It allows us to transcend our imperfections, highlight and focus on our strengths and forge a life for ourselves and for those who we love in a congruent way with the essence of our being.

To translate; "that's how the light gets in," is meant to mean quite literally becoming "enlightened." When the light shines through the cracks in our outer armor rather than blinding us, it illuminates areas in our lives that we need to bring attention to. Those cracks or flaws are what often keeps us from achieving that level of esteem that all of us desire, whether we are consciously aware of them or not. We can do two things in relation to our imperfections, work to bring about change that will perhaps eliminate or minimize them or just come to accept them as a part of who we are in the world.

So, don't be afraid to let the light shine through the cracks, open up to it, bask in its warmth and glow, work with it to bring harmony to your life, find your true self then share it with the world.
I believe that in spite of the seemingly complex nature of our world today, our true self is actually love reflected. Become a positive force for good, it will make you feel better.

James Ladd
Your Personal Coach

JAMES LADD B.A., C.H.R.P., C.P.I.R. Life & Business Coach, author and speaker, who has without a doubt been down the "Road Less Traveled," having survived and thrived after a double lung transplant in August of 2003. Jim comes to this place in his incredible life journey with a dynamic combination of work and life experience. Jim worked as an Organizational & Human Resource Development Specialist for over 35 years in the private, public & non-profit sectors and also managed a provincial government employee assistance program serving over 15,000 employees. He has authored and facilitated a wide variety of training programs covering such diverse topics as; managing organizational change, conflict resolution, performance management, managing and/or coping with stress, interviewing & counseling skills, supervisory & management skills. His most recent publication titled; "THE PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION GUIDE: Raising Awareness of Self to Slay the Dragon," is available through his website. In the community he became an award winning football coach over the course of 25 years (Coach of the Year 3M of Canada, Coach of the Year, Developmental Category, Coaches Assoc. of Manitoba