Monday, August 4, 2008

How To Kill Termites Effectively

There's no need to move to another town just because termites have started nesting in your home. There are ways and methods to learn how to kill termites as well as various companies that will do it for you. Know how to kill termites now and save your property.

Detecting Termites

Learning how to kill termites should not be the concern of homeowners with existing termite problems alone. Even if you do not have a problem yet you should also know how to kill termites. This is because termites can survive almost anywhere. If your house has wooden components in it and you have moist surroundings, then you are in danger of termite infestation.

Some cases of termite infestation may not be easily detected unless the damage has been done. It would therefore be a sensible idea to be watchful of winged termites, mud tunnels or hollowed wood that may all indicate the presence of termites.

Consulting Experts

In some cases, we may be tempted to perform the termite inspection and control ourselves. There is nothing really wrong with doing things yourself but asking experts to inspect your property and apply effective treatments is the rea5B4l answer to the question of how to kill termites. Extermination companies know better how to kill termites and stop them from coming back. Your only real task is to find a good company. You can do that by asking people you trust to recommend you one and comparing prices and services before choosing one.

Pre Treatment

Contractors know the right methods and techniques for pre treatment in order to prevent termite breeding. Before building a home, you can have your soil and wood pre treated with chemicals. You can also talk to your contractor about making sure that wooden parts and structures are safely elevated from the soil.

Baiting

The newest method of killing termites effectively is by baiting. Exterminators who use this method may use wooden monitors to first attract termites and then replace the monitors with treated ones. Treated baits contain chemicals that can be ingested by workers and taken back to the colony. Once fed to the other members, the treatment can inhibit molting and can eventually result in the death of colony members.

Chemical Barrier

Another method used by exterminators is the chemical barrier. In this method, trenches and hole may be made on the areas surrounding the foundation. The trenches can then be filled with chemicals that can prevent termites from reaching the house or returning to the soil. Non-repellent chemicals may also be used and when ingested can result in termite5AA death.

Tenting

Tenting is a complicated and aggressive answer to how to kill termites. As the name suggests, it involves enclosing the house in a tent and fumigating it. Of course, this would mean vacating the house and taking with you any edible items or medications that may be contaminated. The extermination company will usually inform you what you should remove from the house and what else you should do. Common sense also says that you should inform your neighbors about your tenting procedure so they can keep away from the area.

Discover how to kill termites effectively. For the top do it yourself termite control, trust only the advice of experts.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Tuckpointing

Tuck pointing is a growing industry. It has been around for thousands of years, but has become much more popular in the past ten years. This has spawned a number of innovations.

Originally, brick/stone masons would hammer and chisel out the mortar as needed. Then rinse away their dust allowing the new mortar to stick. After preparing the cracks for re-pointing, these masons would mix up new mortar to replace the old cracked mortar. At this point, they used a hopper or a trowel to hold their mortar, and a pointing trowel or a tuck-pointing trowel to push the mortar into the chiseled mortar-joint. After allowing the mortar to dr1C84y to a proper texture, these mortar-joints are tooled and brushed clean.

In todays market, tuck pointing is considerably different. We no longer have to hammer and chisel the mortar-joints to open the cracks up for repair. Most companies use an angle grinder fitted with a diamond-carbide blade prepared for the purpose of removal of the mortar. This innovation allows us to cut the mortar-joints out deeper and faster than had typically been done prior. This depth is about to of an inch deep, and allows for a better bond into the wall. This still requires the dust to be rinsed away to improve the ability to stick or bond in. In recent years, the new mortars are blended to match the original mortar of the masonry work. Note that not all companies are offering Custom Color Matched Mortars. (For companies that offer the Custom Color Matched Mortar System copy and paste this in your search bar). We also no longer need to use the pointing-trowel or tuck pointer to install the new mortar. This industry has adopted a tool used for grouting tile. It is called a grout bag, and it allows for more speed and accuracy when injecting the new mortars/grout into the mortar-joints. The mortar is still allowed to dry to a desired texture, then tooled and brushed clean.

Each of these new tools and processes has made this service faster, stronger, and more desirable. There are books and other reports available at http://alamomasonryrepair.com/products.htm which will help you to locate quality contractors in your area or guide you through the process of doing the project yourself.

James Nech is a Masonry Repair Contractor in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. His company has repaired thousands of homes restoring them to their original beauty. When he is not repairing Brickwork or other masonry he can be found talking or writing about it. For more articles on brick repair visit his website at http://www.alamomasonryrepair.com

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Granite Tile Basics

If you want to know all about granite including the basics, key characteristics and the processing manner, this article will prove to be quite informative for you.

Granite is a natural stone that looks extremely beautiful and provides ultimate alternative for interior and exterior decoration. The stone is beautiful to look at and practical to use. People love to install it due to its durability and classy look.

When it comes to the origins of this stone, you would be surprised to know that granite is formed deep inside the earth due to the extreme heat and pressure appF8Flied by the atmosphere over thousands of years. The stone can be defined as an igneous rock formed due to the pressure applied to liquid magma between other layers of rock. Thereafter it cools and forms a layer of its' own.

The rock is amalgamated with different elements such as feldspar, mica and quartz. The process of cooling process is very slow. The suspended mineral elements inside the magma result into the crystalline look of granite. Granite is hard in nature due to the harsh origins and lengthy process that suspends several stabilizing elements within it. You can vouch for the durability of this stone.

As soon as the raw granite is removed from its bed, the first stage of granite processing starts and the stage is known as cutting. Here, the large portions of granite into manageable blocks. Thereafter, these blocks of granite are cut to size so as to utilize them as slabs and tiles with the help of wire saws treated with different types of durable abrasives such as sand, diamond and aluminum oxide.

High pressure water jets are also used to cut the granite in tandem with traditional wire saws. As soon as the process of cutting is accomplished, the stone undergoes three more processes that make them look like tile flooring or countertop slabs. The stone is polished on one side, calibrated and gauged.

Once the processes are over, the stones are ready to be used as tiles and slabs. Most commonly these tiles are used as kitchen installation and outdoor installation. The leftover granite tiles are used as cutting boards, coasters and fireplace surrounds.

If you want to care the granite tile flooring and countertops, the process is very simple. The stone is heat-resistant and works as worry-free countertop solution. You can use hot pots and plates on the surface of this stone directly. The granite tile is durable. However, it still requires your attention. You should consider the application of an appropriate sealant seriously. Consult a specialist to determine the variety of granite tile you want to install. The sealant acts as a protective coat for your granite tile. It protects the tile from moisture. You can purchase different types of cleaners and polishes to keep your granite tile free of dirt and scratch.

We, at BBM Impex are dedicated to represent the nation's treasure of natural stone. visit Granite supplier & exporter.

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Reglaze a Bath Tub

Bathtub not looking as good as it should? Are you stuck with one of those outdated colors of the 1970's? With a few simple preparations and a lot of patience, you can learn how to reglaze a bathtub and save yourself the hassle of buying and installing a new tub.

Of course, you'll want to make sure that you work safely. Since refinishing a bathtub involves chemicals, some of which are toxic, make sure that you ventilate the area well before beginning. Also, protect yourself with a ventilator, safety goggles and gloves. Once protected, gather your supplies and get going! Give your tub a cursory cleaning and remove any loose caulking and gaskets.

Most bathtub refinishing kits come with several chemicals. The first two are chemical cleaning solutions that will remove soaps and oils from the surface of the tub and prepare it for the primer. Most kits require you to clean the tub with the first solution, scrubbing the tub with sandpaper, usually 220 or 240 grit. Once the tub is thoroughly scrubbed, rinse away any residue.

The second cleaning solution is applied next, usually with a specially designed cleaning pad that also scores, or roughs, the surface of the tub. This second step removes any remaining oil or soap and also provides "grab" for the primer. Rinse the tub again and dry with an old towel or paper towels.

The third solution in the kit is a primer reducer, a solvent that removes any remaining residue and prepares the surface for the primer. Carefully apply the reducer with paper towels. After this, repair any damage to the tub's surface and drain area with putty and allow to dry. After about 30 minutes, sand the repaired areas smooth with a fine grit sandpaper, clean with the primer reducer and dry.

It is time to mask the area around the bathtub that will not be refinished. Carefully apply tape and paper to the areas around the tub, burnishing any tape with your fingernail or a credit card to assure a good seal.

Next, you'll apply the base coat to the tub. Remember to wear your respirator for this part of the process, and make sure that your area is properly ventilated. Following the manufacturer's directions, mix the primer's components exactly and use a spray gun to apply to the bathtub. Allow the primer to dry for at least 30 minutes before applying the top coat.

Mix the paint for the topcoat following manufacturer's instructions. Apply the topcoat using the spray gun with even strokes. This topcoat will take about 48-72 hours to completely cure. Reglazing your bathtub can be a cost effective way to dramatically update your bathroom!

Claire Bowes is a successful Webmaster and publisher of bathtub remodeling. Claire provides more information on her site about bathtub refinishing and designs.

Friday, August 1, 2008

A New Bathroom Vanity Can Transform the Room

It may be time to remodel, or give your hallway bathroom with the 1970's decor a facelift. Perhaps you just want a design change to reflect your personal style. Whatever reasons you may have for tackling your bathroom asDF4 the next home improvement project, one of the most important furniture pieces you will need to select with care is a single bathroom vanity or a double bathroom vanity. The bathroom vanity tends to be the focal point or centerpiece in any bathroom so finding the right one is important.

Before you get started on your bathroom home improvement project, take the time to measure the space you will have for all your fixtures. If you are replacing the shower and toilet, measure these spaces and the size of the new fixtures you would like to put in their place. When measuring for your bathroom vanity, you will want to decide if you would like a single bathroom vanity or a double bathroom vanity. If you have a small space to work with or only one person uses the lavatory each day, a single vanity will be the obvious choice. However if you have the space, a double vanity is always a luxurious upgrade for your bathroom especially if more than one person at a time will be using it everyday.

Another thing to keep in mind when remodeling your bathroom is the interior design theme you are trying to create. When choosing a new bathtub, sink, vanity, or even the plumbing fixtures, consistency with a design theme is key. Whether you like antique, rustic wood, traditional, or contemporary styles for your new bathroom make sure that all elements work together to create a cohesive look. Nothing feels worse than spending all the money, time, and effort on re-doing your bathroom only to be dissatisfied with the final result because it just doesn't all work together.

There are many places to find vanities and such for your project, but one of the best places to find the lowest prices for your bath and shower fixtures or for discount bathroom vanities is online. If you take your time to find the right online company to do business with, you can find the best price for your new vanity, as well as get added discounts like free shipping or other incentives. Shopping online also helps you save time and energy, because you never have to leave home to find the perfect bathroom furniture and fixtures.

So no matter what reason you have for remodeling your bathroom make sure you do your homework to find the best bathroom vanity and other fixtures that may need replacing. Measure the space you have to work with in your bathroom decide on the decor theme you want to create with your bathroom facelift, and try shopping online for your bathroom vanity, shower, bathtub, and other accessories online for the best prices.

If you would like more information on bathroom vanities online, single bathroom vanities or double bathroom vanities, please visit Premiere Vanities.