Latest Home - Remodeling Articles

Advice from an Electrician: Houston Air Corrodes Aluminum Wiring

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:55:26 -0500

Aluminum wiring improperly installed in houses can affect the safety of your home and family. Due to Houston’s humid and salty climate even the best insolated homes are exposed to the moisture in the air. A Houston TX electrician can determine if you have aluminum wiring, its stage of deterioration and what safety measures need to be taken to secure your home from fire.
In the mid 1960s and 70s many homes were built using aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring and it is important that a Houston Electrician determines if your house is wired with aluminum so you can take the necessary precautions against electrical fires and shock that could happen due to the wire’s corrosion and loosened connections.
One of the main problems with aluminum wiring is “cold creep.” Cold creep is basically the expanding and contracting of metal as it heats and cools. Cold creep is something that happens to all metals, but aluminum expands and contracts at a much higher rate than metals like copper.
Every time aluminum wiring expands and contracts it loosens its connections with switches, fixtures, and outlet receptacles. Over the years as a connection loosens it will create an arc in the electrical current which generates heat and eventually softens the wire’s insulation. This leaves the wire prone to fire starting or corrosion and oxidation and is definitely something a Houston electrician can detect.
Another issue with aluminum is oxidation. When aluminum is connected to wiring such as copper or brass it corrodes from the physical contact to the other metal. With the corrosion comes oxidation which is heightened in humid environments like Houston TX. Electricians can replace connections that have oxidation before it builds up on the connection creating a high enough resistance to cause a fire.
Aluminum wiring, under certain cases is just as safe to use as copper wiring, but due to cold creep, oxidation, and less than perfect installations by inexperienced electricians, aluminum wiring in homes accounts for more than 20,000 house fires every year on average. It is most important that if you suspect you have aluminum wiring to schedule a service call with a Houston Electrician.
A Houston electrician can come determine the unique problems associated with aluminum-wired houses in Houston TX. Electricians specializing in upgrading homes to copper wiring or replacing receptacles, switches, and light fixtures with connections rated for use with aluminum wiring such as AI/CU” or “CO/ALR”.
If your house was built in the 1970s there is a chance that your home was wired with aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring and it is most important that you hire a licensed Houston Electrician to inspect your home’s electrical wiring.

Consider On Time Electric & Air, a Houston TX Electrician and BBB Award of Excellence recipient to help you with your home wiring and electrical service needs. We are the reliable and on-time residential electrician Houston.

Prioritize your storage

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:46:23 -0500

It's incredible how much time we use just trying to find stuff around the house and garage. Home storage might not be the most glamourous subject of house keeping, but it can be one of the most rewarding if you get it right.

Store according to season

A great storage solution is usually based on frequency of use, yet the frequency can change according to season. So by subjecting your garage storage and home storage according to the things you use at different times of the year you'll be well on your way to prioritising storage according to need. A good example of how we already store according to season is the stowing away of festive decorations.

Sports and leisure equipment can some of the biggest things you'll need to organise around your property to save space and improve your home. Big beach toys shouldn't be left out over the winter, and by putting them well away in your garage or attic will free up a great deal of space. Start by taking a look around the garage. In winter there are plenty of DIY jobs that can be done, so tool storage is important.

A lawnmower won't be necessary during the cold months, so just like your other summer stuff, keep it well out of the way. At all times consider floor space, and try to put as much of your possessions on the wall. Use brackets and hooks for this. Anything heavy can be shelved. But remember to compartmentalise. When the time comes to use them, you'll need to find them without too much difficulty.

Keep it simple

Simplicity is the key to home and garage storage. Piling things up creates clutter, and an untidy attic, shelves, cupboards or garage will make it all the more difficult to get the things you want, regardless of whether they've been stored according to season.

It's always a good idea to have a clear out before each holiday, rather than after or during. You'll find that during the reorganisation you might find some things you forgot you had. In the house, certain clothing and outdoor equipment might be better folded and stored in boxes, while garage overalls and tools can be shelved or placed on wall brackets.

Avoid simply pushing things back into drawers. If you find storage spaces becoming cramped, then it's time to reevaluate what you're going to keep. Don't be fooled into thinking you can't manage without certain items just because you have a sentimental attachment to them. Once your items are stored according to season, you find that although 4 times year you might need to swap a few possessions around, you can live your life without falling over things that seem out of place with the weather and outside environment.

Consider your seasonal storage system as a type of home improvement. While it's good to invest in some good storage solution products, few things can improve on a good tidy up and de-clutter around the home, garage and garden.

Stephen Richards- StorageMAKER's garage storage kits are specifically designed for organisation and storage solutions. Industrial shelving, bike racks and garage hooks are all included in these kits.

Contacts
For interviews, images or comments contact:
Stephen Richards
Online Manager
Storage Maker
http://www.storagemaker.co.uk

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Concepts of Kitchen Design

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:00:09 -0500

For many home owners, a new kitchen design can be an overwhelming task; they simply don't know where to start or which company to hire, especially when looking to install kitchen cabinets. However, it becomes necessary at some point for nearly all home owners to remodel their kitchen and it is a good idea to have someone in mind for the job ahead of time. Getting referrals from family and friends for a good local kitchen remodel and design company is the best and quickest way to find the most talented one within your budget.

Most kitchen remodel companies have books full of kitchen designs to choose from. There are thousands of choices available, including some "green" kitchen design ideas to make your kitchen eco friendly. The green trend is very popular for kitchens right now, and for other parts of the home as well. This isn't likely to end anytime soon as green eco friendly homes are becoming more of a priority for people.

The part of the kitchen could typically use the most improvement are the kitchen cabinets because they tend to become outdated the fastest. In line with the green kitchen trend, European kitchen cabinets use less wood and have a sleek modern look that many people are embracing. When a product is visually appealing as well as gentle on the environment, it makes purchasing that item much more attractive. Eco friendly cabinets are becoming the way of the future in kitchen remodels around the country.

Besides eco friendly kitchen design ideas, there are plenty of other kitchen designs that are anywhere from classic to retro to Romanesque or Victorian. Even rustic and Colonial style kitchens are very popular. The one you choose solely depends on your taste (and obviously your budget.) After all, it is your kitchen and as the home owner, the kitchen design plan should be in your hands.

Kitchen remodel companies can also do custom kitchen designs to make your dream kitchen a reality. It helps to show them pictures or draw a sketch of what you have in mind and they will do the rest. Custom designs for the kitchen can be a fun way to remodel your home and be more involved in the process. Who says remodeling your kitchen can't be fun?

The kitchen is the heart of every house. Considering all the choices available for your kitchen nowadays, don't you think it's time to take the plunge and do a kitchen remodel? With the right company assisting you, you will be glad you did! Work up some design ideas with whoever you choose to work with and you will be on your way to the beautiful kitchen you always wanted.

Wayne Hemrick writes about--kitchen design and kitchen cabinets

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How To Create A Stylish & Comfortable Home Office

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:39:30 -0500

Do you have a home office where you spend a lot of time? Then it's truly important that you make sure to decorate the room in a way that makes you like it. It's much more likely that you will enjoy your working hours and perform better if you enjoy being in the home office.

One thing that you can start with when you want to create a comfortable home office is the furniture in the room. You should make sure to find a nice desk that you think looks nice and you should definitely get a comfortable chair since you will do a much better job if you can sit down and relax when it's time to get to work. It will be possible for you to be as focused in your home office as you are in your other office and you will be able to spend more time at home.

If you want to have a fully equipped home office you should purchase a file cabinet and a bookcase as well. They will make your working place at home a whole lot more stylish and you will probably like the new look of your home office a lot. It might even become a real pleasure to visit your own home office to get the work done. You can spend several hours per day there without being bored if you've got the right style there.

The best thing you can do when you're going to create a stylish and comfortable home office is to take a look online. You will be able to find a comfortable chair, a nice looking desk and a file cabinet there for a very good price. It's much easier to find quality furniture for a low cost on the net and the quality is just as great as when you buy the furniture in common shops. You will definitely be able to get a good deal if you find a good web shop with furniture for your home office. Sometimes it's possible to buy a desk and a chair together in a package and get a special deal, and you will be able to find a very cheap but yet stylish bookcase there as well. A good web shop with furniture is exactly what you need if you want your working place at home to become more comfortable and if you want to enjoy your working hours more than you're doing today.

If you are looking for the latest home office furniture like office desk, chair, bookcase and office cabinet, then you should definitely check out www.aghomestore.com