The Door Won’t Shut

Most of the time, a door not shutting is either that the hinges have worked loose, or the door or door frame has swelled. This is a minor home door repair and can be done in a short time. The first thing to check is to see that the hinges and their screws are tight. If the door sags, prop it up with a small block or book before tightening the screws. It may be necessary to drill out the hole and insert a dowel or toothpicks for a quick and easy fix. Check the door knob and door latch while working on the hinges.

If this doesn’t work, find where the door is sticking and nail 2”-3” nails through the frame into the stud. This will cause the frame to close up against the stud. While it may only be a small measurement, it could prove enough to solve the problem.

If the door is wood, try to sand down a small amount where the door sticks. Do not sand too much since the door probably swelled and will shrink again with the drop in humidity. If the door is metal, you need to adjust the door jamb instead of the door.

The Door Won’t Open

Most likely this type of home door repair will involve the hinges. Most doors, when level, will have a flat line to follow when moving. If the top hinge is not set properly, the door will tend to swing closed following a downward arc. If the bottom hinge is not set, the door will swing open following an upturned arc.

To make this repair, open the door and step into the doorway facing the hinges. If the top hinge is to the left or right of the bottom hinge, the door will swing in the direction of the top hinge. This means the hinges are not plumb. Simply moving the top hinge will solve this. If the house has settled somewhat, then this type of home door repair becomes one of taking the door out and reinstalling the door and frame.

The Drafty Door

Drafty doors, or doors that have air coming in around them, are a fairly easy home door repair. Usually the draft is caused by one of two situations, the weather-stripping around the door is old, worn and will need to be replaced; or the doorframe has begun to separate from the studs. If it is the weather-stripping that causes the problem, you may not have to remove the door, but simply pull off the stripping from the door. Then hammer down the old tacks so they are flush with the door. Measure and cut the new piece, and tack it into place.

If it is the frame, this home door repair is even simpler. You will still need to remove the door from its hinges. Afterwards, strategically placing new nails or tacks into the frame and nailing tightly into place will draw the frame back into place. While you are doing this, check the hinges to make sure they are tight with the frame so the door is hanging correctly.

By Home Repair Editor

The first step is to decide what your compressor will be used for and where it will be used. Are you going to use the compressor indoors or outdoors? Is it for lengthy projects, or just to blow up the occasional tire or basketball? Not only do air compressors come in many shapes and sizes, they also come in a variety of horsepower strengths, as well as power supplies. For example, portable air compressors take up little space, which can be good for home use, but they will generally need to run for the duration of your project. This is ok if your needs are minor; however, if any long term projects are in your future, then you may need to consider something with some storage capacity.

Will you be using air compressor tools, such as air nailers or say an air sander? If so, then you need to consider the horse power of the compressor. Generally speaking, a horse power of at least one and a half times the needs of your tools is acceptable. If you have much less, then you risk being under powered in your time of need. Too much strength and you are paying for power you do not need.

Will your use of the home air compressors available fall into larger outdoor jobs requiring more power and overall air flow then the average home user? If so, a gas powered air compressor system with a higher air flow, or CFM (cubic feet per minute) and decent storage capacity could be for you. Maybe your needs are a bit less demanding, in which case one of the electrically powered portable air compressors will probably be enough to get the job done. Either way, selecting an air compressor rated one and a half times higher then that of the air tool accessories you will use should be sufficient. Any more then that and you may be wasting money on more tools then you need.

Home air compressor sales are considerably new, and as such are generally unfamiliar to most people. Taking the time to consider your needs as well as the abilities of most home air compressors now will ensure that you have the power you need. Making a hasty decision can mean spending more then you need on a machine bigger than necessary for the compressor tools you will use, or not powerful enough to run the tools you need.

By Home Improvements Editor

Usually that only happens when it comes time to pick out a carpet. We brush them for their softness, peel them apart for their durability and pick them based on the color. But there is so much more to carpets than meets the eye. In this article we will cover the history and the basic types of carpets. Before long carpets will have more of a meaning to you than simply a soft treading ground.

How is carpet made?

Carpet is made in several ways. It ranges from a simple knotted fabric tied together to make an old fashioned rug or it can be a complicated process of knotting fabric with stitching. Some carpets are woven and some are stitched. Most carpets today are made with synthetic fibers and are done with a machine. But you can still find hand-made carpets made of natural fibers. You can expect to pay more for the natural fiber carpets that are hand made and stitched or woven on a loom.

What is carpet made of?

Carpet can be made of several different types of fibers ranging from natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo. It can also be made of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polypropylene. Some newer synthetic fibers are polyester and PTT polymer. Each of the different types of fibers has a certain characteristic that makes them desirable to different customers. Some want durability whereas others are more concerned that the carpet is made from natural fibers which will cost more. The carpet fiber that you pick will be determined by how heavily it will be used. High traffic areas do much better with synthetic fibers and can actually reduce the amount of dust allergens. If cost is a major factor then you most definitely want to go with a synthetic blend versus a natural fiber.

How long has carpet been around?

It may be hard to believe but carpets have been around since the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC! The earliest carpet that has survived the test of time is called the "Pazyryk Carpet" and was found in Siberia in 1949. It dates back to the 5th and 4th century BC. No one is quite sure who made the carpet but there is speculation that either the Iranians or the Persians created this masterpiece of woven fabrics. Knotted pile carpets can be traced back to the 13th century but the best examples of carpets come to us from the Turks who have perfected the art of tapestries and carpets.

What type of carpet was invented first?

The first types of carpets produced were probably those woven on looms in a similar fashion that fabric was and still is made. The yarns used are very colorful and you can create intricate designs and patterns from the different colors. These are definitely the most expensive types of carpets that you can buy as they are each done by hand. You can find machine woven carpets but you lack the personal touch of a hand weaver that has poured his or her time and effort into the carpet.

What is moquette?

Moquette in today’s terminology is used to describe and define wall-to-wall carpeting. But this has only occurred since the latter part of the 19th century. Previously moquette was the term used to describe a technique of creating a carpet on a drawn loom. The carpet was created on a mechanized loom. The warp-cut or uncut loop fibers were formed under the weft without creating a knot. Unfortunately this technique is limited in the amount of colored fibers it can contain. It can only have five colors used.

What are the different types of carpet?

This is a tricky question because it can be taken two ways. The first is the types of fibers that make up the carpet and the second is the actual types of carpets themselves. Let’s go with the second since the type of carpet fibers has already been covered. There are several different types of carpets and it may surprise you to learn that not all carpets were originally created to be walked upon. It was not until the 18th century that carpets were used as floor coverings. Some of the different types of carpets are: woven, needlefelt, flatweave, hooked and knotted pile carpets. Each one is created using a different method.

Are there natural carpets versus the synthetic materials?

Yes, there are natural carpets versus carpets made from synthetic materials. The natural fibers used to create these carpets can be anything from bamboo to wool. They are stitched together using a natural binding and are very eco-friendly to your environment because most are free from harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde.

How is carpet installed?

Carpet is installed in layers. The first layer of a carpet is the under padding. It is a thick, cushion-like material that is tacked down to the base flooring. On top of this thick padding the carpet is laid out in strips and steamed together using a seaming iron and seam tape. Once upon a time the ends were sewn together but it has proven more cost effective to just steam the two pieces together. The top layer (the carpet) is attached to the padding through glues. If you want a more environmentally and health friendly carpet you can request that natural padding and formaldehyde-free glues are not used.

What is carpet binding?

Carpet binding is the process of sealing up the edges of the woven fibers. If you look at a carpet you can see where the edge has a sewn or bound edge that prevents the carpet from unraveling. Natural fibers are used primarily on materials such as wool or bamboo. Synthetic material is used on synthetic fibers such as polyester and polypropylene.

How do I have an eco-friendly home?

Eco-friendly carpets are a great way to start literally from the ground up. When it comes time to look for new carpets choose from a line that is friendly to the environment. These carpets are either made from all natural fibers such as wool, sea grass or jute and are bound on a backing that is made from natural fibers as well. You can also purchased carpets made from recycled materials that do not have the chemicals and pesticides added to them when attaching them to the floor.

By Home Interior Editor

As a result, there are all types of products on the market for cooking to help people with all of their cooking tasks, from the daily chores of cooking for a family to creating savory delights from a new bestselling cookbook. From rolling pins, to fish fryers, to pasta makers, to electric deep fryers, no matter what it is that you plan to be cooking up in the kitchen there are plenty of different types of cooking equipment, utensils and accessories to be found.

In many cases when people hear the term "cooking products" they immediately think of the numerous types of kitchen appliances that are common today, such as bread makers, food processors, microwave ovens, and electric deep fryers, just to name a few. In addition, there are commercial versions of most of these useful appliances that are built for constant and heavy use, such as commercial fryers for example.

Some of the most popular products for cooking are those appliances that simply make cooking tasks simpler and more efficient. There are a number of different types of food cookers that are specially designed to excel in preparing certain types of foods. These come in particularly handy for busy working moms and can save a great deal of time in the kitchen, especially when a certain food is part of a family’s regular menu.

The most popular types of these specialty cookers include fish cookers, egg cookers, and rice cookers. These are all widely available in most kitchen supply stores and through catalogs and on the internet. For any family that eats a lot of any of these foods, one of these specialty food cookers can be a great time saver and can make meal preparation go more smoothly.

Another very popular type of cooker that can be used to prepare many different types of cuisines is the slow cooker. Slow cookers allow a person to put the essential ingredients for a meal into the main cooking dish and then leave it to cook at a low heat for a number of hours. In many cases, working mothers make use of these by starting a meal in the morning before leaving for school and work. Then, at the end of the day, the family can walk into the house and be greeted by the aromas of a delicious meal that is hot, fresh and ready to eat. The only thing that is left to do is serve up the meal.

While this takes a bit of preparation in the morning, cooking with slow cookers provides many benefits especially in terms of providing nutritious meals for busy families at a time when they are both hungry and tired after a long day. It is no wonder that slow cookers have been some of the best selling cooking products for decades now.

By Home Editor

Considerations for Building

Many things must be taken into consideration before attempting to build a log home, either from scratch or for log home kits. DIY requires knowledge of regulations and laws along with planning. Here are some items which must be considered before ever starting the home:

Zoning – make sure that where you are planning to build isn’t restricted to certain types of land use or building conditions. Height and size requirements need to be addressed as well as placement of the home on the land.

Design specifications – be sure of the amount of use the log home will have, be it a weekend getaway or a year round dwelling. Also be aware of layout and function while you plan the home.

Wood – which type of wood and the use of green or dry wood will determine availability and shrinkage. The type will also indicate the uses in your log home building.

Foundation – there are two foundations for log homes, concrete slabs and pier pilings. The latter is more favored by first time builders

Milled or Rough Cut – when you build your log home, from scratch or from kits, you can get the logs in various stages of milling. These stages include from rough cut lumber to complete finish with grooves and notches already in place.

Kits vs. Building From Scratch

This is a question you will have to consider before looking at designing or building. The DIY log home kits and the log homes built from scratch both have advantages and disadvantage. One of the main differences is cost.

Building from scratch can be more cost effective if you are short on money. DIY log home kits can be faster and more efficient, especially for people who are first time builders. Building from scratch allows the builder to create their own unique layout while the log home kits for DIY people can eliminate any hassle of making a mistake in design or measurement.

Most log home kits by DIY types are smaller and more modular. The log homes built by scratch tend to take more work and require more knowledge. Both can be done by a single person or a crew in a few weeks time. The choice would be yours as to how much time and effort you are willing to put into the construction of your new log home.

By DIY Home Repair Editor

When thinking about purchasing a home, again especially in the warmer climes, it is a good idea to carefully examine the existing air conditioning system in the home. At the same time, anyone looking to build a new house should also carefully consider the air conditioning options that are available, as it is much more cost effective to put a whole-house air conditioning system in during the building process, rather than install it later.

In parts of the country where hot and humid weather is expected, having centralized home air conditioning installed is almost mandatory for survival. Even though they can be more expensive, central air conditioning equipment provides the most control over the interior environment and the most control in situations where multiple rooms need to be cooled.

There are a number of different types of central air conditioning units available for homes. Each type has its strong points and advantages and some have drawbacks, or at least considerations that need to be taken into account when making a decision. It makes sense to spend some time reviewing the different models available and also consulting with heating and air conditioning professionals if there is any confusion about what might be the best type of equipment for your particular situation.

Most people will choose to install a centralized, heating and air conditioning system that will heat as well as cool the home. Purchasing one of these heating/cooling systems will provide functionality no matter what the time of year. Most of the time, you can more than recoup your investment in these systems through an increase in the value of your home. One of the best ways to finance this kind of upgrade is through the use of a home equity line of credit, which generally provides the best interest rate for home improvements.

These central, air conditioning and heating units are available for use with gas for the heating, or you can choose the models that provide heating and cooling using only electricity. In areas of the country where it gets very cold in the winter, gas heat is recommended because it is more efficient and will cost less to run.

Energy-efficient home air conditioning is becoming more and more popular, and for very good reasons. One of the best features of energy efficient air conditioners doesn’t arrive packaged with the unit, but arrives in the form of a federal tax rebate that is offered by the government to encourage energy conservation.

By Home Interior Editor

First of all, the old, traditional rule that white wine goes with fish and poultry and red wine goes with red meats is still a good rule to follow. The basic rule for food wine is that the tastes of the food and wine should react well with each other. Each bite of food should cover any taste of wine and any taste of wine should cover the taste of the food. Drinking wine with food is designed to be more of a palate cleanser, so that each bite of food tastes as good as the first and it is the same for the wine.

You will know that a wine is a bad match for the food if you can taste the one or the other, over the other item. Of course, with so many different styles of foods mixed together in one dish, it makes it harder to pair wine to food. Another good rule to follow when trying to match foods and wines is to pair heavier wines with heavier dishes.

The main determination for food wine combinations is the balance of sweetness, acidity and bitterness of both the food and wine. It is pretty easy to figure out what wine should go with what foods by considering the wine and food characteristics. If a sweet food is being served, pair it with a sweeter wine. For bitter foods, a more bitter wine is in order. The best way to determine the acidity of a food is to determine if it would go better with more acid added. For example, adding lemon to a fish means that a more acidic wine should be consumed.

Some common white wines that are acidic are: Rieslings, most sparkling wines and white Bordeauxs. Acidic red wines include: Gamays, Pinot Noirs and Sangioveses. Sweet white wines include: White Zinfandels, other forms of Rieslings and Chenin Blancs. Sweet red wines can include: Port and Lambrusco. There are not many bitter white wines, but there are some bitter red wines. These can include, red Zinfandels, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons.

Now you know the basics about food wine and how to pair wines with different foods. There is still a lot more information out there, so if you want to learn more, then you should pursue those options. Joining a wine club is a good option, as well as just doing independent research. This will help you to become quite knowledgeable about wines.

By Home Interior Editor

A centralized air conditioning system does its job by utilizing a “split system,” which is able to condense the air as well as compress it. Additionally, these systems use an evaporator that is connected to the mechanism that handles air, such as a forced-air furnace. The entire unit is then put together as one complete system and installed exteriorly, usually on the roof of a commercial building or in a mechanical unit outside of a house.

When central air conditioning begins functioning, the cooled air is blown through the edifice by fans via the ductwork that has been installed, allowing the air to flow to the different areas in the building. The temperatures are controlled either with the use of a central control unit, several units to control different zones, or individual control units that are placed in each room.

However, there is also the possibility that some centralized air conditioning systems do not come with such controls. In these instances, the controls must be purchased at an additional cost and should be installed at the same time as the complete unit. It is important to clarify this upfront with company that is selling and installing the unit so that there are no surprises during the installation process.

One of the reasons why most homeowners prefer centralized, air conditioning equipment is that these systems are able to keep the noise associated with running the air conditioning outside. Even the newer room air conditioners can be rather noisy, especially when running at night in bedrooms. Central air systems position the equipment that is responsible for the majority of the noise on the outside of the house. This allows the interior of the home to stay nice and quite even though the air conditioning unit might be working hard to keep things cool.

Central air conditioning tends to be a fairly complex system and the equipment is typically installed when a building is under construction. These heating and air conditioning systems supply the heating, cooling, air filters or air purifiers, and ventilation as needed to keep the environment of the home or office building comfortable and healthy. A centralized system utilizes supply and return ducts that are placed throughout the structure in order to properly circulate air.

If you are considering installing a new central air conditioner or simply need to replace an existing one, then make sure that the contractors who bid on the job perform a detailed “cooling load calculation” so that the proper system for your home will be installed. It is best not to use a simple “rule of thumb,” which tends to result in oversized equipment. At the same time, they should not simply replace the old system with a new unit of the same size. The reason for this is because the existing system may have been the wrong size to begin with, or the home may have had added insulation or more efficient windows put in since the original system was installed.

Air conditioning manufacturers are required to get their equipment tested for how energy efficient it is and it is then given a rating. This is a requirement under federal law. Central air conditioning is given a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency, while heat pumps carry a HSPF rating, referring to Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Look for models with the highest SEER or HSPF rating, which means they are most efficient.

By Home Interior Editor

Fire Extinguisher

One of the first things to include on a home fire safety checklist is the fire extinguisher. This is one of the most important pieces of home fire safety equipment that a person should have, and there should be at least one in every home and apartment building.

The best place to keep the extinguisher is the kitchen, as this is the room in the home that is most likely to have a fire start. The most important thing here is that you actually know how to use the fire extinguisher. Far too often people have the extinguisher and think that they are all set and protected, but what happens if you have a fire and realize that you don’t even know how to use the fire extinguisher?

Smoke Detectors

Also on your home fire safety checklist, you need to make sure that there are enough working smoke detectors in your home. These are very important because these are the devices that are going to sound to alarm you if there is a fire in your home.

If they are battery operated, make sure that you check the batteries on a regular basis to make sure that they are working. After all, there is not much point to have smoke detectors up if the batteries are dead and they are not working anyway. There are various different makes and models of smoke detectors that you can choose from, so you can always find one with the features that you are looking for.

Know Your Exits

You of course are going to need to know where the exits are in your home, and have a game plan of which of these exits you would leave through if there were a fire in any certain area in your home.

Make sure that you always keep your home fire safety checklist updated, as there are always new products and ideas that are coming out and which will keep you, your family and your home safe from fire.

By Home Editor

Did you know that duvet is a French term for "down." It is usually the down of a goose and is pronounced "due-vay." It actually is not the same thing as a goose down comforter. The duvets house the comforter within its outside fabrics. Duvets are found throughout the world but may be named differently. In Australia it is a "doona" or a continental quilt and in Pakistan it is called a ralli quilt. It is fascinating to know that they are used throughout the world.

Perhaps you are interested in how duvets are made and what they are made from? Well, to do that you have to know the difference between the actual duvets and the covers, as it is understood in the United States. Duvets, in other countries, are actually the real goose down comforter that goes on top of your bedding. It is warm and filled with goose down. The covers are actually just that…covers that encase the duvet. Think of the covers as a protecting wrap that keeps the down duvets clean, dry and free from any debris.

The goose down itself is a wonderful addition to any cover. It is warm and inviting on those cold winter nights. But do not worry about having unclean feathers. The feathers are processed quite extensively, cleaned, de-dusted and then sanitized so that no insects, mites or dander are attached.

Owning a duvet is a great way to keep your bedroom looking sharp. You can use these blankets during the summer, with the comforter removed, or during the winter with the comforter inside. They range in size from a twin comforter on upwards to a king size, and come in a variety of fabrics and colors. If you own several duvets, then you can keep changing the appearance of your bedroom or any bedroom in the house.

By Home Editor