DecoratingPhilly.com  

You are in the bathroom drying your hair.  The curling iron is plugged in too.  Everything’s great until suddenly the lights go out, the hair dryer goes silent, and the curling iron starts to cool off.  This is not a good time for your electrical circuit to play games with you when you are already running late for work.  But what you don’t realize is your house is taking care of you and itself.

On certain circuits in the house there is something present called a ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI.  The GFCI is often built right into the electrical outlet and you will see two little buttons labeled reset and test.  One of the purposes of the GFCI is to prevent you from becoming a conduit for electricity.  For example, if you are using a power tool outside and it gets wet, electricity can flow from the tool and through you.  This is not a good plan.

The GFCI is a safety device that prevents electric shock.  It’s a circuit breaker that kicks in when it detects that the electrical current is not flowing the way it should.  The electrical outlet has neutral, hot and ground wiring.  When you plug something into the outlet, the electricity flows from hot to neutral.  When the electrical flow does not follow the path is should, the GFCI detects the problem and quickly cuts off the power.  It cuts it off so fast, you are not in danger of being shocked.

In fact, the GFCI can trip in one-fortieth of a second.  That’s fast.  The GFCI is normally installed within 4 feet of any sink for obvious reasons.  Just like the outdoor equipment example, if you get your hair dryer wet or drop any electrical appliance in water, you could get the shock of your life unless the electrical circuit is broken immediately.  By the way, if you do get an appliance wet, just unplug it.

When the GFCI works, the test button will pop out. You can’t get power back to that outlet until the reset button will stay pushed in.  If it won’t stay in then you need to find out if there is more of an electrical problem than just using too many electrical appliances at once.   Sometimes, wiring problems first become known when you start blowing GFCIs.

The GFCI is included in the electrical code and is now required to be used.  If you have an older home and it doesn’t have GFCIs installed, you should have an electrician install them near sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms.  They are inexpensive and worth the price because they protect you from electrical shock.

Sources:

1.How does a GFCI outlet work?. from HowStuffWorks Web site: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question117.htm

Visit Homefacts.com for more tips and advice on Real Estate, Home Improvement, Insurance and more. Educate yourself with our community profile for your city at http://www.homefacts.com

When asked about renewable energy, most people think about how to make solar electricity. Generating electricity using solar energy from the sun is a technology that everyone knows about. You do not need to ask “Do solar panels make electricity?”. You have probably used it in your pocket calculator, at work or at home, regardless of your power needs, solar power for electricity can get the job done.

Domestic solar electricity has a number of particular advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity. Solar panels for electric are designed for many applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where normal electricity does not reach. Also, a solar electricity kit which turns solar power to electricity have no moving parts so they require very little upkeep, can be built to the size you require, and with many smaller units, transportable.

Environmental compatibility is one massive selling point for converting to make solar electricity. Solar panel electricity generation uses a renewable and free resource, the sun. Solar electricity offers no noise pollution as well as actually almost no pollution when they are used. A second appealing factor for many who choose an electric solar panel over conventional electricity is just for the independence. It is an attractive choice to many people who live in the country to know that when the lights go out due to blackouts or storms, their lights will stay on. No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage then finding that it could be 10 hours before the service will be restored.

The most painful part of converting using a solar panel for electricity is the cost of a system. Installing a solar to electric system can be a substantial upfront amount. The benefit of solar power is realized over many years. A professionally fitted solar panels for electricity system for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could take 5 years to pay for itself. it is possible to lower that number by making your own solar panel system or by purchasing one that has been used. With many solar energy systems in less rural places and only in a few states, you can sell the solar electricity that you don’t use back to your electric company. In these cases the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.

Making use of the sun’s power and making solar panels for electric supply is green for the environment and to your home. When you make solar electricity it can be used to supplement power for a number of big cities. Take time to find out more about solar energy and how you can benefit from trading in your electricity bill for a stress free life with solar electricity.

With the way that the economy is today I have had to become the money advice expert for our family and would like to share some ideas that I have found. One bit of advice is to make your home a solar home. If you would to find out a bit more on how you can do it

If you want to find out a solar panel price to help to convert your home to solar power visit this site. A solar powered generator will help save you lots of money.

You gotta get your work done on time, but a dead man pulls no pay.  Make sure you follow these 8 tips and you’ll avoid careless mistakes that can happen while taking electrical measurements:

NEVER work on a live circuit. De-energize whenever you can.  If you must work on a live circuit, be sure to wear insulated gloves, take off any metallic jewelry like watches, stand on something insulated like a rubber mat, and wear your flame-resistant clothes.

Don’t be cheap and swap the original fuse with a substandard replacement. Today’s Fluke digital multimeters have a special sand fuse that will break before a surge hits your hand.  Make sure you replace them with authorized fuses.  And please, for the love of God, don’t be lazy and fix a broken fuse with a piece of wire or some little metal scrap.  If you’re a good electrician, your career (and life) is worth far more than the time you’ll save with this dangerous slopjob.  You’ll do well to have extra fuses on hand to avoid the danger of an unstoppable overload.  If you’re going to invest in a good DMM like a Fluke, you can easily afford the fuses.  Just stash them in your glovebox or something like that.

Don’t forget that your safety glasses in your pocket. They don’t look silly like old fashioned goggles, so your eyes will thank you with years of good work if you protect them.  It’s also good to have them on with your flame-resistant clothes and insulated gloves.

Keep one hand off the test. This is crucial when you’re working on a live circuit.  Use the old saying and keep one hand in your pocket.  You’d be more likely to close the circuit across your chest and fry your heart if you’re touching it with both hands, so place the meter if you can (or even hang it carefully).  Don’t hold the meter in your hands to minimize exposure.

Pay attention to your leads. This is important for DMM safety.  Your digital multimeter’s leads should match the CAT-level of your job.  Go for double insulated leads, finger guards, shrouded leads and an easy to grip, non-slip surface.

Use the right tool for the job. Like we said before, it’s critical to match your CAT level to the job at hand.  If that means using multiple meters, so be it.  Just make sure you get good ones . . .

Don’t buy the cheapest DMM on the rack. Your digital multimeter is an important part of your career, and you need to make sure you get one that has the safety features you need.  Grab DMMs with independent testing (Flukes are among the best in this regard).

Replace your DMM when it’s time. We have the best in Fluke meters available here at FlukeMeter.info, so check the prices and get a new one when yours has had it. The new Flukes contain safety features that nobody even heard of a few years back, and they’re well worth the cost to avoid an expensive visit to the ER.

There are so many different electrical tasks to take care of around the house, and Stan Rodgers has tried them all. He’s successful sometimes, sometimes he learns the hard way, but no matter what, he always uses a trusty Fluke Digital Multimeter (DMM). Check out FlukeMeter.info for more insights on home electrical work, plus advice from professional guest authors.

When it’s time to update a bathroom and give it a new look, one of the easiest places to start is with the sink. If a regular, plain vanity is taken out and bathroom sink cabinets are put in, the resulting change can be phenomenal.

Unlike the basic box pattern of a typical vanity, bathroom sink cabinets provide their own distinct look. In many cases, these cabinets are created to appear “freestanding.” This means they often sit slightly off the ground and tend to have decorator feet to add an extra touch of elegance to the design.

Most bathroom sink cabinets that are freestanding are designed to mimic the look of a chest of drawers or other similar bedroom cabinet creations. With this in mind, these cabinets tend to also offer a few other features a regular pressed wood or laminate design does not. The perks include:

* Actual wood design. Unlike laminate cabinets and counters, which can look awful with their seemed designs and “average” appearance, these cabinets tend to be made from solid, real wood. This wood is treated, generally, to handle the moisture content of a bathroom, but it’s still wood through and through.

* More holistic design choices. Many bathroom sink cabinets are designed with a full look in mind. This means everything from the cabinet itself to the recommended sink, counter, faucet and mirror work together to create a fully, completed look. The end result can be a bathroom that drips with elegance without a huge investment necessarily. Some cabinets, for example, come with framed mirror attachments to complete the look of a beautiful wooden chest of drawers.

* Less boxy. Many of these creations offer sleek and precise lines. Rather than a plain old box cabinet, these designs can be rounded for a more pleasing look.

Bathroom sink cabinets come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some of the most common design themes include:

* Antique. Many of these cabinets are designed to mimic the appearance of antique chests of drawers. Inasmuch, they often boast elaborate designs, scrollwork and even engravings.

* Modern. Some of these cabinet designs go a bit beyond the norm by offering wall-mounted designs that are ideal for a modern setting. Providing lots of space underneath for storage of laundry tubs, step stools and more, these creations can provide a very neat use of space.

* Country. Country charm can come alive with some of the designs available in oak and pine. Add the right accessories to the mix and a modern-day bathroom can quickly transform into a room that might be been found on Grandma’s farm years ago.

* Regal. Some of the hand-painted designs can give the throne room a completely royal look. With extensive gilt work, these creations go above and beyond in transforming a room.

When new cabinets are in order for a bathroom, there’s no reason to think boxy and boring is the only way to go. Bathroom sink cabinets designed with personality in mind can really transform the look and do it quickly.

For more information on bathrooms, try visiting http://www.bathroomdetails.com – a website that specializes in providing bathroom related tips, advice and resources including information on bathroom sink cabinets.

When it comes to renovating a home, the smallest changes can ultimately make the biggest difference. For many homeowners, this means changes to the bathroom where affordable renovations to existing design can visually impact the room and increase the value of the overall home. In an effort to maximize design dollars, changing the bathroom countertop can often make the most dramatic difference in the appearance of the overall room.

A bathroom countertop may be small in size, but it’s third in line behind floors and walls when it comes to covering space in this room. Because of the space that it covers, it stands to reason that this material can easily set the tone for the bathroom – providing you with a traditional, country, contemporary, or even vintage palette on which to build the rest of your décor.

Just as with kitchen countertops, the bathroom countertop comes in a variety of materials and in a full range of prices. Some of the more popular materials used for this space include stone, granite, and ceramic. However, choosing material for a bathroom means taking the environment into mind.

Some materials are not suited to a bathroom because of the humidity and water to which it is exposed. For instance, natural wood would not hold up well under these conditions. It is far wiser to stick with solid or synthetic materials that will maintain their integrity in this very particular environment.

Choosing a bathroom countertop depends on a number of factors including furthering your design, functionality, and budget. Clearly, it is important to choose that material that complements and fosters the overall tone of the bathroom.

Most materials come in a variety of color palettes and patterns that will offset whatever design you have chosen for the bathroom. Cultured marble is very popular material that is used in bathroom countertops, primarily because it is elegant as well as functional and is also available in many colors and styles. Cultured marble and cultured onyx is beautiful and also easily cleaned and polished.

Functionality is important in this space because it is generally a small room that does well with as much counter space as possible. Finding the bathroom countertop that not only looks great but meets your daily needs in a functional way is the challenge for all bathroom renovators. Countertops can be cut to fit any shape and size and therefore custom fit to your particular bathroom.

Work with your local home improvement store or bathroom retailer to find the bathroom countertop that will work best in your space at a price that is comfortable for you. And be sure to bring all pertinent information to the table when making your decision – including material of the existing bathroom suite, color on the walls, flooring, etc.

In this way you can be sure that you choose a countertop that will blend seamlessly with all other elements in the room as well as work to meet all of your needs on a functional level.

Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com – a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on corian countertops.

Bathroom sinks come in many shapes and sizes designed to complement any bathroom size and style. Listed below are the most common bathroom sink styles.

Self Rimming Sinks
Also called countertop sinks, these sinks are come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and hole configurations. They are mounted from above the counter with a visible rim that fits in the hole of the counter top. When ordering this type of sink, be sure to take into consideration whether your faucet requires a single hole, 4″ center set or 8″ widespread configuration and be sure to order the sink in the same corresponding configuration.

Undermount Sinks
Also known as undercounter sinks, are installed from underneath a solid surface counter top, such as granite, stone or manmade material and does not have a “rim.” To install this style of sink you may need a mounting kit.

Pedestal Sinks
These are freestanding sinks that sit on their own bases. They are usually generously sized for everyday use and are beautifully styled. Pedestal sinks are perfect for small bathrooms and powder room because they save space but they don’t offer any underneath storage space. When selecting a pedestal sink, be sure to consider the finish of the exposed plumbing items underneath.

Vessel Style Sinks
Also known as above-counter sinks, vessel sinks can be mounted on ornate stands that brilliantly hold their own in your bathroom design. This style offers new exciting shapes, designs and colors, and stands freely on cabinets to make a big fashion statement. Wall-mount faucets work well with this style sink, however some manufacturers offer a tempered glass faucet stand which butts up to the glass vessels and hides the base of deck-mount faucets. Some vessels are manufactured with an overflow but most are without an overflow, so a grid drain must be installed to prevent accidental over filling.

Console Sinks
Console Sinks combine the style of a pedestal while at the same time providing larger counter areas. The sink and countertop are one. Because of the larger counter area, console sinks come complete with either (2) or (4) legs for support. This style offers a lot of choices in size and style of sink; oval, rectangular, square and round, and you can choose a single or double bowl. They are easy to clean and offer extra counter space. Standard sizes are available and custom orders can be placed.

Wall Hung Sinks
Installed on the wall, they save both floor and cabinet space. Like Pedestal lavatories, they are very popular in smaller bathrooms. They can be installed at any height and are usually offered with an optional towel bar.

Visit Faucet.com for a wide variety of quality bathroom sinks. Call and speak with one of our product specialists to find the right bathroom sink for your home.

Ceramic tile floors have an awful lot going for them, including a beautiful appearance, and ease of maintenance. But as with all flooring, care is needed to make sure that it lasts a good long time. Fortunately, ceramic tile floors are one of the easiest floors to care for and here are some suggestions to help you do that.

Actually, the best form of care is prevention and constant attention. Of course, floors are going to get dirty from time to time no matter what you do. And ceramic tile floors are no exception. But there are a few things you can do to minimize the frequency of heavy cleaning jobs on your ceramic tile floor.

The first is to practice constant awareness by cleaning up any spills on the floor right away. Don’t let them dry on the floor. If you do, they will only attract far more dirt to the floor before you finally get it cleaned up. Also be sure to sweep and dry mop your ceramic floor very often. Dirt that is not allowed to stay on the floor long will not be able to be ground in and become hard to remove. So be vigilant about protecting the floor by sweeping and mopping regularly.

Another helpful idea that can cut down on much of your work and maintenance on a ceramic tile floor is to place mats in strategic locations that are good at catching dirt off the bottom of people’s shoes before they walk into the room. It’s much easier to clean these mats from time to time than it is to have to sweep and mop your whole ceramic tile floor more regularly. The mats also don’t show dirt nearly as much as the floor will.

But despite all your efforts, you will have to do a thorough cleaning of your ceramic tile floor at times. It’s probably a good idea to check with your flooring manufacturer’s recommendations on what floor cleaner you should use before you get started. There are several all-purpose cleaners on the market that claim to do a great job on ceramic tile floors, but just be sure that you test them out first before using them on the entire floor. Another consideration is to make sure that your tile cleaner is compatible with the grout that was used on your ceramic tile floor as well. Once again, your floor manufacturer can usually help out with the answer to that question too.

For cleaning, first sweep up all loose dirt with a broom or vacuum it. Then mix up your cleanser with warm water. Using a soft cotton mop or sponge mop apply the cleanser solution to the floor. Be careful not to allow the solution to dry on the ceramic tiles, so it’s best to do a portion of the floor at a time and rinse the floor often. If the floor is very heavily soiled, you may even have to allow the solution to soak on the floor for a few minutes before mopping or scrubbing it.

If your ceramic tile has a glossy or shiny finish, you may even need to dry it with a soft towel to prevent water spots showing up as the solution dries.

As you can see, ceramic tile floors are not very difficult to care for under any circumstances, but if you take a few extra precautions, and give the floor regular attention, your floor will always look great and will need very little maintenance.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find best laminate flooring and cheap laminate flooring by visiting our Home Improvement website.

Popcorn ceilings are made up mainly of chalk, clay and an aggregate. To remove it you have to wet it, which turns it into a soft gooey mess. It’s not going to be an easy project, but with a little preparation you can control the mess.

Start by removing anything possible from the room. Protect the floor and anything that had to stay in the room with a thick sheet of plastic. Lay out some old newspaper on the floor on top of the plastic to soak most of the wet mess up.

A note of caution – if your popcorn ceiling is from the early 70’s it may contain asbestos. If you suspect your ceiling may be from that era, remove a small piece of the popcorn ceiling and send it in for testing. If it does contain asbestos, it will have to be removed by professionals who can also dispose of it properly to reduce the cancer risk asbestos can pose for you and your family.

Wear some old clothes, a hat to keep the goop out of your hair, and protective eyewear. A respirator of some sort or at least a mask to keep most of the dust particles out of your lungs is a good idea as well.

Use a spray bottle and completely saturate part of the ceiling. Let it soak in for a few minutes and then use a scrapper tool to scrape the gooey mess of your ceiling. A drywall-finishing knife works well. Hold a bucket under the tool to catch most of the removed popcorn ceiling. Work in small section and keep repeating the process until the popcorn ceiling is removed. Use a wet sponge to wipe off any remaining residue on the ceiling.

You may have to rewet some parts of the ceiling to get the popcorn to soften up enough to remove it. Try not to wet it more than 2 to 3 times. You don’t want the drywall beneath to get too saturated with water. It may warp or grow mold.

Once the entire popcorn ceiling is removed, let the ceiling dry completely. Now it’s time to sand the entire surface to remove any rough patches. A pole sander works great for this. Give the dust a chance to settle and then use a joint compound to patch any wholes, cracks etc that may have formed on the ceiling. Let the compound dry for about an hour, then lightly sand over it to smooth it out.

Once you get the mess on the floor cleaned up your new smooth ceiling is ready to be painted.

Visit http://www.LearnHowToRemove.com for a growing library of tips to remove those annoying messes in your life.

Kitchen granite countertops are created by nature and fashioned by man are a beautiful, durable and cost effective choice for kitchens and baths. The term granite comes from the Latin root word granum, which means “grain.”

Granite is often imported from Europe, Africa, Brazil and other regions of the world rich in natural stone. Granite is an attractive natural stone that will add color and warmth to your kitchen. Granite is an extremely hard material that will not blister, scratch or crack.
The hardness of granite is rivaled only be the hardness of diamonds. In fact diamonds are used to cut and polish granite.

Over the last 10 years kitchen granite countertops have become popular with homeowners, after first being popular with designers for decades. Granite is available in hundreds of colors, from various shades of white to browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. The most popular tones are brown and beige.

As well as being hard kitchen granite countertops can take hot items, like pots and pans, and is very stain resistant to hot grease and oil if it is sealed with a silicone-based impregnator. It can easily be cleaned and cut for a basin. Granite has a cool polished surface that makes it an excellent surface for rolling out pastry dough. The polished finish of granite will not wear off.

Kitchen granite countertops are unique because no two pieces of granite are exactly the same, therefore granite provides an interesting design element and adds certain richness and texture to your kitchen not found in other surfaces. Kitchen granite countertops can create a brilliance and elegance that is only found in nature. Granite adds a personality and character to kitchen countertops that is unsurpassed. Kitchen granite countertops have a natural beauty that is capable of complementing any tone of wood or style of cabinets.

It doesn’t matter if you are planning a new home or remodeling an existing kitchen, with granite kitchen countertops you can be sure that you will add to value of your home.

Kitchen remodelers and home builders have experienced a boom in the demand for kitchen granite countertops. Although it can be more expensive to put in granite countertops, they remain the odds on favorite choice for more upscale homes, since they keep their value better than most home improvements

The investment you make in kitchen granite countertops should pay you back at least three times what you invested. If you are selling your home you will find that home buyers wanting kitchen granite countertops will be willing to pay more for your home than if you have ceramic tile or plastic laminate.

Planning out your kitchen granite countertop first involves selecting the right granite color. You should concentrate on the most popular colors. Even though granite tones are usually neutral, you may find that a certain color goes well for your kitchen design.

If you are replacing the old countertop material in your kitchen with granite, carefully diagram all the measurements for the granite installer. If installing new cabinets is part of your kitchen remodel ask the granite fabricator what they recommend for cabinetry.

Since you are using such a superior product as granite, you should think about the right type of sink to go with your new kitchen granite countertop. You should definitely consider going with an undermount stainless steel sink, as opposed to an overmount sink that would be difficult to clean around.

In addition to getting the right kind of sink installed, it is also important to select the just the right faucet to go with the sink. A stainless steel faucet would go well with the looks of a rich kitchen granite countertop.

The next important area is upgrading your cabinet hardware. The handles and knobs should also be of high quality in order to provide good accent to the overall look of the kitchen. Even if you are not replacing the cabinetry having high quality hardware with make those cabinets and the whole kitchen
stand out.

So in planning your kitchen remodeling, just remember that kitchen granite countertops will make a provide a world-class addition and increase the re-sale value of your home.

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com. He also publishes a newletter on kitchen design.