Easy Ways to Update Your Bath
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Archive for November, 2009
Learning How to Lay Ceramic Floor Tile the Right Way
Monday, November 30th, 2009
submit111@gmail.com asked:
Raring to start working on your own ceramic floor tile project? Get ready to learn the basics of how to lay ceramic floor tile right here and make that beautiful ceramic tile floor that you and your family have always wanted! So, get your tiling tools ready, put on your safety goggles and let’s do some tiling!
Most tiling jobs start with a well-prepared subfloor. As you learn more about how to lay ceramic floor tile, you will find out about the three general types of floors that tile installers may often work with. Such information will help you alot along the way.
Generally, you will encounter three types of subfloors: Vinyl, plywood, and the concrete floors. Installing ceramic tile directly to vinyl or linoleum floors (or subfloor surfaces) should be avoided at all cost. Your vinyl or linoleum flooring may contain asbestos fibers and should be tested first before you try removing it. If your vinyl floor covering does not contain asbestos fibers, a general recommendation on how to lay ceramic floor tile is to rough-sand, or scarify, the vinyl floor surface to provide your tiling mortar a better grip. Use a latex modified thinset mortar to install your ceramic tiles over your vinyl subfloor.
Working over plywood subfloors can be very tricky, as well. Like vinyl floor surfaces, it is not advisable to install your ceramic tiles directly on to your plywood floor surface. Plywood flooring usually has a smooth surface, and easily warps when exposed to heat or moisture. Be sure that the wood is at least 1 and 1/8 inches thick and is reinforced and supported by an equally strong underlayment. Otherwise, your ceramic tiles will dislodge easily, or worse, break and need replacing. Plywood panel edges must be installed about one-fourth of an inch away from perimeter walls and door jambs, and fixtures and cabinetry. These are expansion gaps and should not be bridged with tiling mortar. To prevent moisture from damaging the plywood subfloor, use a waterproofing sealant or caulk over your plywood subsurface.
Concrete floors are the most ideal subfloor surface to work with. But before you start tiling over the subfloor surface, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Paint, adhesives, fillers or levelers, sealers, and chemically treated cement substrates are unsuitable surfaces fpr ceramic tile installations. Remove these by using non-chemical methods. For dust and other debris, sweep and then mop your concrete subfloor surface using only clean water. Allow the surface completely before you start working on it. Generally, smooth concrete surfaces are difficult to work with as the tiling mortar may not grip and hold. Consequently, your ceramic floor tiles may be in danger in dislodging. Smooth concrete surfaces must be rough sanded, scarified, or etched to allow the tiling mortar some grip.
Another important aspect about how to lay ceramic floor tile is to always check for cracks and debris. Repair as many of the cracks as you can. If you see cracks that are too large to repair, replace the floor section where they are found with new concrete. Concrete may need to set (or dry) for at least twenty-four hours before you can start tiling over it. Lastly, get out your carpenter’s level and check for any dips or humps on the concrete subfloor surface. If you find any, you may use a cement-based floor level to fill in the dips and smoothen over the humps. This will help to keep your finished ceramic tile floor level and minimize dislodging, or tile breakage.
Let it dry or set properly. This is the key step you need to keep in mind about how to lay ceramic floor tile flooring. There are three setting periods: The first is right after you have placed your ceramic tiles with thin set mortar and bonded them to your subfloor. The second is after after putting in your tiling grout (before putting on the sealant). These setting periods last overnight, at the very least, to twenty-four hours, at the most. Your sealant has dried, you are done!
So when you work on your own ceramic tile project, always remember how to lay ceramic floor tile properly by knowing how to work with your subfloor surfaces. Learning how to lay ceramic floor tile is also both a great way both to learn a new hobby, and a home improvement skill. Just remember to keep a safe working environment, not to rush things (especially during setting periods), and try to work with at buddy. Better yet, get your friends over and help.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
Raring to start working on your own ceramic floor tile project? Get ready to learn the basics of how to lay ceramic floor tile right here and make that beautiful ceramic tile floor that you and your family have always wanted! So, get your tiling tools ready, put on your safety goggles and let’s do some tiling!
Most tiling jobs start with a well-prepared subfloor. As you learn more about how to lay ceramic floor tile, you will find out about the three general types of floors that tile installers may often work with. Such information will help you alot along the way.
Generally, you will encounter three types of subfloors: Vinyl, plywood, and the concrete floors. Installing ceramic tile directly to vinyl or linoleum floors (or subfloor surfaces) should be avoided at all cost. Your vinyl or linoleum flooring may contain asbestos fibers and should be tested first before you try removing it. If your vinyl floor covering does not contain asbestos fibers, a general recommendation on how to lay ceramic floor tile is to rough-sand, or scarify, the vinyl floor surface to provide your tiling mortar a better grip. Use a latex modified thinset mortar to install your ceramic tiles over your vinyl subfloor.
Working over plywood subfloors can be very tricky, as well. Like vinyl floor surfaces, it is not advisable to install your ceramic tiles directly on to your plywood floor surface. Plywood flooring usually has a smooth surface, and easily warps when exposed to heat or moisture. Be sure that the wood is at least 1 and 1/8 inches thick and is reinforced and supported by an equally strong underlayment. Otherwise, your ceramic tiles will dislodge easily, or worse, break and need replacing. Plywood panel edges must be installed about one-fourth of an inch away from perimeter walls and door jambs, and fixtures and cabinetry. These are expansion gaps and should not be bridged with tiling mortar. To prevent moisture from damaging the plywood subfloor, use a waterproofing sealant or caulk over your plywood subsurface.
Concrete floors are the most ideal subfloor surface to work with. But before you start tiling over the subfloor surface, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Paint, adhesives, fillers or levelers, sealers, and chemically treated cement substrates are unsuitable surfaces fpr ceramic tile installations. Remove these by using non-chemical methods. For dust and other debris, sweep and then mop your concrete subfloor surface using only clean water. Allow the surface completely before you start working on it. Generally, smooth concrete surfaces are difficult to work with as the tiling mortar may not grip and hold. Consequently, your ceramic floor tiles may be in danger in dislodging. Smooth concrete surfaces must be rough sanded, scarified, or etched to allow the tiling mortar some grip.
Another important aspect about how to lay ceramic floor tile is to always check for cracks and debris. Repair as many of the cracks as you can. If you see cracks that are too large to repair, replace the floor section where they are found with new concrete. Concrete may need to set (or dry) for at least twenty-four hours before you can start tiling over it. Lastly, get out your carpenter’s level and check for any dips or humps on the concrete subfloor surface. If you find any, you may use a cement-based floor level to fill in the dips and smoothen over the humps. This will help to keep your finished ceramic tile floor level and minimize dislodging, or tile breakage.
Let it dry or set properly. This is the key step you need to keep in mind about how to lay ceramic floor tile flooring. There are three setting periods: The first is right after you have placed your ceramic tiles with thin set mortar and bonded them to your subfloor. The second is after after putting in your tiling grout (before putting on the sealant). These setting periods last overnight, at the very least, to twenty-four hours, at the most. Your sealant has dried, you are done!
So when you work on your own ceramic tile project, always remember how to lay ceramic floor tile properly by knowing how to work with your subfloor surfaces. Learning how to lay ceramic floor tile is also both a great way both to learn a new hobby, and a home improvement skill. Just remember to keep a safe working environment, not to rush things (especially during setting periods), and try to work with at buddy. Better yet, get your friends over and help.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
How To Find A Cheap Pellet Stove
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Sam Streubel asked:
Lately, quite a few visitors have arrived at my web site by using the search phrase “cheap pellet stove”. There aren’t any articles to help you find a cheap pellet stove, so I shopped around and came up with these suggestions for inexpensive, quality built stoves from reputable manufacturers.
The first stove that comes to mind is the PelPro model HHPP2BD wood pellet stove. This unadorned stove, known alternately as “Cheap Charlie” and “Franklin 120 Home Heater” has a 120 lb hopper capacity and generates 15,000 – 50,000 btu’s per hour; enough heat for 800 – 2000 sq.ft.
This popular stove can be purchased online at Homeclick for $1802.95, shipping included. However, you can purchase the same stove for $1499 by visiting an Aubuchon Hardware store in person. Further savings can be realized if you purchase your stove in a state with no sales tax, such as New Hampshire.
How you pay for your stove is equally important as how much you pay. If you finance the purchase of your stove with a credit card, the money you saved by being a savvy shopper will be spent on credit card interest.
The best time to buy a wood pellet or corn stove is during the summer when everyone else is looking for air conditioners. There’s no reason you can’t bargain with the salesman just as you would when buying a car.
However, if you wait until January, when demand is high, you won’t be in a position to bargain. It’s hard to bargain when there’s nothing left to buy.
Another cheap pellet stove is the United States Stove model #6039 multifuel stove. A multifuel stove offers the versatility of burning either corn or wood pellets, whichever is cheaper.
At usstove.com, the model #6039 multifuel stove is selling for $2200. Going back to Aubuchon Hardware, it’s $1799.99. And if we do just a little more shopping around, we can find the exact same stove on sale for a limited time at Orscheln Farm and Home for only $1599.
One more cheap pellet stove worth looking at is the Breckwell Big-E Utility pellet stove. This 50,000 btu stove heats 2,000 sq. ft. and comes equipped with high priced stove features such as automatic ignition and a large 140 lb. hopper for $1549.
While I was doing the research for this article, I came across some reviews for the Big-E stove. The only common complaint was keeping the viewing window free of soot.
If this was the only problem, I wanted to know if the reviewers were still enthusiastic about their Big-E stoves. So I sent out some emails, and the next day two of the original reviewers were kind enough to respond.
M. T., from Belchertown, MA., gives some excellent advice to first time stove buyers.
“Sam:
Yes you can use my comments. I swear by this stove, one of the best investments I have ever made. I burn almost 3 ton a year in my 1400 sq ft ranch with a temp of about 75-78 degrees in the living area and 70 in the bedrooms.
It runs just like a furnace. I have it on a milli-volt thermostat that can be set to different temps 4 times a day. It turns on and off on its own to satisfy the thermostat. It just does its own thing and keeps us toasty. The hopper is also big enough that I don’t have to feed it daily.
Breckwell is very fast to respond. I called Breckwell last week to order some combustion gaskets, They picked up the phone on the 2nd ring and I had my gaskets in a few days.
One last note, people need to do plenty of research on who they buy the stove from online. I did a lot of research on the type of stove to get, I didn’t do a lot of research on the online store. That is my only regret.”
From Tipton, Indiana, W.F. had this to say about the Big-E.
“Hi,
No, I don’t mind if you use the info, that’s what it’s there for, to help others. As for further comments, I would just say that installation is pretty simple, the stove is very reliable so far, and that the only hassle is the same as with any other, Clean up. Ugh.”
Finding a cheap pellet stove to warm your home is easy with these tips for success: Know how much you can afford. Be on the look out for a sale. Know who you’re buying from. Pay cash or find a dealer that offers 90 days same as cash. Buy lots of Windex.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
Lately, quite a few visitors have arrived at my web site by using the search phrase “cheap pellet stove”. There aren’t any articles to help you find a cheap pellet stove, so I shopped around and came up with these suggestions for inexpensive, quality built stoves from reputable manufacturers.
The first stove that comes to mind is the PelPro model HHPP2BD wood pellet stove. This unadorned stove, known alternately as “Cheap Charlie” and “Franklin 120 Home Heater” has a 120 lb hopper capacity and generates 15,000 – 50,000 btu’s per hour; enough heat for 800 – 2000 sq.ft.
This popular stove can be purchased online at Homeclick for $1802.95, shipping included. However, you can purchase the same stove for $1499 by visiting an Aubuchon Hardware store in person. Further savings can be realized if you purchase your stove in a state with no sales tax, such as New Hampshire.
How you pay for your stove is equally important as how much you pay. If you finance the purchase of your stove with a credit card, the money you saved by being a savvy shopper will be spent on credit card interest.
The best time to buy a wood pellet or corn stove is during the summer when everyone else is looking for air conditioners. There’s no reason you can’t bargain with the salesman just as you would when buying a car.
However, if you wait until January, when demand is high, you won’t be in a position to bargain. It’s hard to bargain when there’s nothing left to buy.
Another cheap pellet stove is the United States Stove model #6039 multifuel stove. A multifuel stove offers the versatility of burning either corn or wood pellets, whichever is cheaper.
At usstove.com, the model #6039 multifuel stove is selling for $2200. Going back to Aubuchon Hardware, it’s $1799.99. And if we do just a little more shopping around, we can find the exact same stove on sale for a limited time at Orscheln Farm and Home for only $1599.
One more cheap pellet stove worth looking at is the Breckwell Big-E Utility pellet stove. This 50,000 btu stove heats 2,000 sq. ft. and comes equipped with high priced stove features such as automatic ignition and a large 140 lb. hopper for $1549.
While I was doing the research for this article, I came across some reviews for the Big-E stove. The only common complaint was keeping the viewing window free of soot.
If this was the only problem, I wanted to know if the reviewers were still enthusiastic about their Big-E stoves. So I sent out some emails, and the next day two of the original reviewers were kind enough to respond.
M. T., from Belchertown, MA., gives some excellent advice to first time stove buyers.
“Sam:
Yes you can use my comments. I swear by this stove, one of the best investments I have ever made. I burn almost 3 ton a year in my 1400 sq ft ranch with a temp of about 75-78 degrees in the living area and 70 in the bedrooms.
It runs just like a furnace. I have it on a milli-volt thermostat that can be set to different temps 4 times a day. It turns on and off on its own to satisfy the thermostat. It just does its own thing and keeps us toasty. The hopper is also big enough that I don’t have to feed it daily.
Breckwell is very fast to respond. I called Breckwell last week to order some combustion gaskets, They picked up the phone on the 2nd ring and I had my gaskets in a few days.
One last note, people need to do plenty of research on who they buy the stove from online. I did a lot of research on the type of stove to get, I didn’t do a lot of research on the online store. That is my only regret.”
From Tipton, Indiana, W.F. had this to say about the Big-E.
“Hi,
No, I don’t mind if you use the info, that’s what it’s there for, to help others. As for further comments, I would just say that installation is pretty simple, the stove is very reliable so far, and that the only hassle is the same as with any other, Clean up. Ugh.”
Finding a cheap pellet stove to warm your home is easy with these tips for success: Know how much you can afford. Be on the look out for a sale. Know who you’re buying from. Pay cash or find a dealer that offers 90 days same as cash. Buy lots of Windex.
Wood Pellet Production Guide
Dishwashers: The Different Aspects
Sunday, November 29th, 2009
my second tin can wood stove
Sunday, November 29th, 2009carrierpilot1357 asked:
title explains it all
