Super Home Ideas

Home improvement tips and articles that will help you with your next project.


Friday, June 30, 2006

Top 10 Home Improvement Tools

I like David Letterman and his top 10 lists, so I thought I would write one from time to time on home improvement topics.

Today's top 10 list: top 10 tools you need for home improvement

(I'm sure I will leave something out and that many of you will disagree with my list...but here it goes anyway)

10-Hand Auger (aka snake)....these things are great and cheap. You can snake out any drain in your house by just turning the handle on this. They usually cost about $8 and can save you ton vs. calling a plumber.

9-A good shovel....yes, some shovels are better than others. I'm talking about a strong shovel with a reasonably sharp blade so that you can dig when and where you need to.

8-An extra long extension cord...........no explanation needed.

7-A FULL set of screwdrivers.........different sizes, both standard and phillips head.

6-A good, stable ladder.

5-Hacksaw with a new blade....nothing is worse than trying to cut something metal with a hacksaw that has a dull blade.

4-Books/manuals/ resources.....like www.superhomeideas.com :) can help you understand the steps to take in your project and how others have tackled a similar project in the past.

3-Extra time...now I know what you are saying, "that isn't a tool". Well, maybe you are right, but when tackling a project of any type, having the luxury of taking extra time to do it right is invaluable. Rushing through a project and working on a tight deadline leads to frustration, mistakes, and cutting corners. If you have an "optional" project that you are doing set aside plenty of time to do it.

2-Drop light and/or flashlight......

drumroll.................................

1- A friend/family member/loving pet to help you.
a second set of hands, a second set of eyes, a second set of brains is invaluable when doing any project.

There you have it, my list of top 10 tools.

P.S. I changed the comments posting settings to where you have to be a member of this blog to post comments................I was getting many spam type comments promoting unrelated sites, thus the change.....I do welcome your comments though.


Thursday, June 22, 2006

Guide To Building An Outdoor Deck

Copyright © 2006 Emerson Lockwood

When you decide that you are ready to tackle the project of building a deck or a gazebo in your backyard, there are many things to keep in mind. You can build a wonderful home away from home if you follow some basic rules and carefully plan your entire project, before getting started. You can use a deck or gazebo for any purpose, such as creating the perfect shade tree spot in the outdoor wilderness of your backyard, or as a home for that hot tub you have been dreaming about buying.

PLAN AHEAD

The planning stage is the most critical stage when you undertake any home improvement project. You will need to determine the location for your deck before you get started. For example, do you want it to be butted up against your house, do you want to extend your back porch, or do you want to create a completely separate gazebo or a stand-alone deck for a hot tub?

Once you decide what you want to build and where, you need to determine the feasibility of your chosen location. You probably would not want to build a deck or add-on to your back porch that prevents you from being able to access your home's crawl space. If you decide to build a separate deck for a hot tub, you need to assess how difficult it would be to hook up plumbing and electricity to it. If you decide to create a gazebo you will also need to assess the availability of electricity, that is, if you intend on having electrical hookups on your gazebo or deck.

The old saying says, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and this is quite true with any building projects. Do not forget that you want to check all of the zoning requirements before you start building; and you will want to find out what, if any, permits are needed before you start buying supplies.

BUT WHAT IS IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

Now it is time to decide on a design.

You can view literally thousands of photos on the Internet of decks, gazebos, and decks made especially for hot tubs, to give you some inspiration. With hot tubs in particular you can be as creative as your budget allows. Two places to go online, in order to find ideas for your new deck, can be found here:

http://www.deckingnw.com/gallery-hot-tubs.htm

http://images.google.com/images?q=hot+tub+decks

If you want to build a deck or gazebo specially designed for a hot tub, you will want to decide if the hot tub will be submerged into the deck, or if it will sit on top of the deck. If it sits on top of the deck you may want to consider including stairs in your plans to create easy access to your hot tub.

GET TO WORK

Now it is time for the fun stuff.

Start clearing the area where you are going to place your deck. Remove any foliage from around the area and consider doing your best to make the area as level as possible, so that you will not have to fight with that aspect later. It may seem like a pain to level the ground as much as possible, but if you do not do this, you will add a lot of work later on trying to get your decking and your hot tub leveled.

If you are adding to an existing deck, you will need to remove the old rails, and add a new post that will anchor your new railing. You will want to run string to small stakes in the ground to give you a working outline for your new deck. Using the string as a guide, you will want to measure and then measure again, to make sure that your measurements are exactly right.

Now it is time to put your new posts in the ground for your deck. You "can" use a shovel to dig a hole and then use a post driver or sledgehammer to get the posts into the ground; or you can do yourself a huge favor and use a two-man auger. You can usually rent these tools locally, at home improvement stores or tool stores. Now you will want to mix some concrete to support your posts, place it into the holes, and place your posts into the proper position. Pay particular attention to make sure that your posts are in straight and true, before letting the concrete dry. You really do not get a do over here.

When the concrete has dried, it is time to start framing your new deck. If you are going to place a hot tub on your deck you should remember that these things are really heavy! What this means to you is that the foundation must be a uniformly firm, continuous, and it must provide a level setting. The total load requirements may be as much as 90 pounds per square foot. Remember that your hot tub weights about 700 pounds on its own, then when you add water and people, it could have a total weight of up to 4,000 pounds. It is recommended that you use a crisscross pattern of double and single joists to help support the tremendous weight.

After the framing is set up, you can start hammering down the boards and rails, which will be a fairly straightforward task. If you are going to place a hot tub on your deck, you will want to leave access for the electrical and plumbing hookups. You may also want to add additional electrical outlets, even if you do not plan on placing a hot tub on your deck. For the vast majority of people electrical work is best left to professional electricians. Wiring electricity of this magnitude is not your average do-it-yourself job.

If you do not plan to add a hot tub to your deck, you are ready to start decorating your new deck and turn it into your personal outdoor paradise.

If you do want to put a hot tub on your deck, and it is not a portable hot tub, you will likely want to call the plumber to run the plumbing for you. Again, this is not an average do-it-yourself job.

Once everything is in place, you can put your hot tub on the deck and start filling it with water.

DON'T FORGET...

Be sure to check out the various photos of decks, gazebos, and decks made specifically for hot tubs, to get some great ideas before you start your project.

Now get out there and enjoy your new deck, knowing that you can take pride in the results of all of your hard work.

About The Author:

Emerson Lockwood writes on topics related to Home Improvement. When you are in the market to buy a hot tub, please visit: http://www.spasnstuff.com/ for attractive factory-direct discounts and pricing on hot tubs and spas. If you are interested in reading more Home Improvement articles written by Emerson, please visit: http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com


Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Warranty Buying Guide - Understanding Warranties on Hot Tubs and Other Big Ticket Items

Copyright © 2006 Emerson Lockwood

In this article, we are going to introduce you to all of the in's and out's of hot tub warranties. One thing to keep in mind is that while the article is focused on hot tubs, the warranty information included can apply to any big-ticket item, such as a car, television, clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, dish washer, air conditioner, central heat and air system, swimming pool, hot tub or spa.

AN INTRODUCTION TO WARRANTIES

When you decide to purchase a hot tub or other big-ticket items, you will want to make sure that it is backed up with a solid warranty. Let's face it; a new hot tub isn't exactly cheap. A good warranty on your new hot tub can give you the confidence that if something goes wrong with it, that you won't have to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars to get it repaired.

The various companies that sell hot tubs and other big-ticket items offer a wide variety of warranties. It is critical that you thoroughly read the fine print on all of the warranty information, before you decide to buy a hot tub or another product from a particular company. As the saying goes, "the devil is in the details". The minor details that differ from one warranty to another can cost you big, if you ever need a major repair made.

UNDERSTAND YOUR WARRANTY PRIOR TO YOUR PURCHASE

With any major purchase like a hot tub, you should not just rush into it and buy impulsively. You need to read the warranty to see if there is any part of it that you do not clearly understand. If you do not understand, then you need to ask questions until you do understand it completely. Any company, that is serious about getting your business and is not trying to hide something, will be more than happy to explain in detail everything that their warranty does or does not cover.

If you are shopping online for a hot tub and you go to various websites, one thing will stand out. Many of the websites do not offer a link to the warranty information, and if they do, it is not easy to find or you might have to click through a number of links to find it. If the company that you are considering buying your hot tub from hides their warranty information, then you really must question why they are doing this and how good their warranty really is.

When you do find hot tub companies that freely give their warranty information, which they all should, then you need to start comparing the different warranties. Some companies will offer a warranty for a certain number of years and other companies may offer a lifetime warranty on "certain parts" of the hot tub.

To put this in perspective, most washing machine manufacturers carry a one-year parts and labor warranty on their machines. And, they offer a five year warranty on the wash tub. So, for the first year, your machine will be repaired if anything breaks. If your wash tub breaks or rusts out within the first five years, then they will replace the tub for you. (What most consumers do not understand is that the appliance manufacturing companies specifically state that they will repair their machines, but they will NOT replace their machines. That applies to washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dish washers.)

COMPARING THE VALUE OF WARRANTIES

Be careful though. A Lifetime Warranty on Parts is often very misleading. What many people fail to realize is that the parts is often the smaller portion of the repair bill. Labor and Travel are frequently the two costs that are the most expensive.

Depending on where you live, your hot tub repair person may have to travel a significant distance to service your hot tub. You will pay their going rate for mileage for the trip to your house to troubleshoot your hot tub, and the distance back to their office. And then, a few weeks later when the part has come in, you will pay again for the repair person to come to your house to repair your equipment, and you will pay their mileage once again for their trip home. This is only the mileage to come to your house. The labor costs are still another factor.

I am a firm believer in the idea that a good Parts and Labor Warranty is far more valuable to me, than a Lifetime Warranty on Parts.

COMMON TRICKS IN THE WORDING OF WARRANTIES

You must also discern between limited and unlimited warranties. Just as the names suggest a limited warranty will only cover certain parts of the hot tub and may or may not cover the labor to make the repair.

Some limited warranties will require that you pay a deductible. A deductible is a way for the company to save money and to not pay for the less expensive repairs. If you have a 0 deductible, and the company knows that most repairs can be made for less than 0, then that company is hoping that they will never have to honor their warranty.

Many companies will offer a warranty that depreciates over time. This means that as the years go by the amount of coverage offered by the warranty will decrease. This also is meant to save the company money. For example, if a hot tub typically does not malfunction for the first one year of its life, then it is easy to offer a full warranty for the first year. But, if there were a depreciating warranty in place then about the time that you would need it, you would be forced to pay more to get your hot tub repaired.

THE ROLE OF WARRANTIES IN MAJOR PURCHASES

Of course, if you buy a hot tub that has a good track record and it is well built, then in most cases, you will not have to use the warranty for your equipment.

Buying a hot tub is like any other major purchase like buying a car or a house.

You understand when you buy a car that you will have to spend money maintaining your investment, and occasionally, you will have to replace broken parts. It is just the nature of the beast. The automobile manufacturers offer warranties to you to help protect you from buying a car that came off of the manufacturing line broken. If there are any unexpected repairs, the car's warranty will usually cover it. But the car warranty is only good for so many years or so many thousand miles of use.

You understand that when you buy a house, you also have costs of maintenance and repairs. It is just the nature of the beast. You will have to fix things, and outside of the first year, there is not any warranty coverage to protect your investment. All repairs will come out of your pocket or the pocket of your insurance company.

Buying a hot tub is the same way. You will have maintenance expenses and the occasional repair. The warranty was designed to protect your investment from manufacturer defects.

Each hot tub retailer, just like each automobile retailer, will have their own version of a warranty that they put on the products they sell.

Those companies, who believe in their products and who believe in service after the sale, will generally offer a better warranty than their competitors.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR

Do yourself a favor and shop around. Spend as much time comparing warranties as you do comparing hot tubs. The crazy thing is that some retailers will only offer the manufacturer warranty, while others will add their own warranties to the back-end of the manufacturer warranty. It is possible to find the same product in a dozen places with a dozen warranty options.

If the warranty is better at one store over another, then the that separates them in price may be worth every penny. I have already said, and I will say it again. If one company is offering a lifetime warranty on certain parts, and the other company is offering a three-year parts and labor warranty for fifty dollars more in purchase price, I will take the second option every time.

Warranties were not designed to keep you from paying for maintenance and repairs over the long-haul of your purchase. Instead, they were designed to keep you from buying a broken piece of equipment straight from the manufacturer. But if you can get additional protections with your purchase, then why not?

A good warranty will give you piece of mind, and let you enjoy your new hot tub risk-free a lot longer than you might otherwise.

So, kick back, turn on the jets, and enjoy your new hot tub. You will not regret it.

About The Author:
Emerson Lockwood writes on topics related to Home and Garden.
Spas 'N Stuff does not hide their Hot Tub Warranty information. You can find the link on any page of their website, or just go here: http://spasnstuff.com/component/option,com_content/task,view/id,18/62 . Spas 'N Stuff is proud of their warranty, and when combined with their low factory-direct prices, they offer their hot tubs and spas at prices that are hard to beat: http://www.spasnstuff.com/ . You can read more Home Improvement articles and Home Product Reviews written by Emerson Lockwood at: http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com

Article Source: thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service


Friday, June 09, 2006

Hot Tub Installation Planning Guide

Copyright © 2006 Emerson Lockwood

Now that you have made the decision to purchase a hot tub, you need to think long and hard about where you will place your new hot tub. Basically, you have three choices for a location; indoors, outdoors or inside a screened in porch. The choice is completely up to you as to where you put it, but there are many considerations that you should take into account before you make your decision.

PLAN AHEAD FOR STRENGTH AND SAFETY

No matter where you decide to place your hot tub you need to make sure that the location has a solid foundation. What this means to you is that the foundation must be a uniformly firm, continuous, and it must provide a level setting. The recommended foundation is a concrete pad with a minimum thickness of 4 inches with steel reinforced cross bars throughout.

When installing your spa on a wood deck or balcony, the same load requirements must be met. Total load may be as much as 90 pounds per square foot. Remember that your hot tub weights about 700 pounds on its own, then when you add water and people, it could have a total weight of up to 4,000 pounds.

Regardless of the location that you decide upon, you need to be sure that the hot tub is not within 10 feet of overhead power lines and that you leave access to the internal equipment.

In order to complete maintenance or to make a needed repair, you will need adequate space to be able to reach the internal components. If your hot tub has external equipment you need to know that most city codes require that the equipment be at least 5' from the tub, unless they are separated by a permanent solid barrier.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR INDOOR PLACEMENT OF YOUR HOT TUB

If you decide to place your hot tub indoors you need to understand that moisture will accumulate. Think about it, when the hot tub is being used, it puts off a great deal of steam. The steam that is created must go somewhere, and it will leave moisture on your walls, ceiling, floor, etc.

In any indoor location, you absolutely need to make sure that you have really good ventilation. The amount of moisture created will vary according to how frequently you use your hot tub. The ventilation not only helps dissipate the moisture and steam, but it also allows the chemicals to be circulated out.

The odor of the cleaning components can accumulate indoors and even create electrical problems, unless the area is well ventilated. The good news is that if you place your hot tub indoors it will probably stay cleaner and require less frequent chemical treatments.

Here comes the big news about installing a hot tub indoors; you should have some kind of drainage system in place! Experts recommend that you change the water in your hot tub every four months or so. And, the bucket brigade is not my idea of a Saturday afternoon well spent.

You always have the option of running sewage drains to your hot tub, and if you are placing your hot tub on an existing slab, you will need to dig up the concrete to build your drain system.

Another option that is a little less painful would be to get a small submersible pump. You can use the pump to push most of the water out of your hot tub, but pumps usually fail to move the last inch or so of water at the bottom of the tub.

Some manufacturers, build their hot tubs with a water hose connection inside of the cabinet at the bottom of the hot tub. This will enable you to hook a water hose to your hot tub, so that you can easily drain the water and move it to another drain or outside on the ground.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

No matter how well made your hot tub is, it is always possible that after years of usage, leaks can occur due to worn gaskets or seals. That water must have a place to go. Be prepared to deal with this if the situation arises.

Another obvious thought that may sometimes get overlooked is that you have to get the hot tub into your house. Measure to make sure that you have enough room to navigate it into your house and then measure again, after you do that, measure once more!

Many companies suggest that you spend the money to have a licensed contractor make sure that the local building codes are met, and the installation can occur safely, and that load requirements can be met.

YOUR HOT TUB OUTDOORS AND UNDER THE STARS

For many people, outdoors is the best location for a hot tub. A hot tub can be enjoyed on a warm sunny day or on a chilly night while you stay nice and toasty in your hot tub.

Being outdoors, there are fewer concerns for the hot tub. You do not have to worry about the steam and humidity or the chemicals affecting your home. Locating your hot tub outdoors though does mean that you may have to get a concrete pad laid down so that the hot tub has a proper foundation.

Other considerations with placing a hot tub outdoors include that it will get dirtier easier. Walking to and from the hot tub, your feet will get dirty and that will get in the hot tub. You also have to consider that leaves and such may end up in your new hot tub.

A cover is very important when placing a hot tub anywhere, but it is especially important when placing it outdoors. Always have a cover on the hot tub when you are not in it. This is a safety measure to prevent small children from falling into it and it also helps it to stay cleaner and keep insects out. The cleaner the water in the hot tub stays, the less frequently you have to treat the water with chemicals.

There are a wide variety of pictures on the Internet of hot tubs being placed outdoors in very creative ways. If you want to invest the money, a stand-alone deck can be built that encompasses the hot tub. The only limit here is your imagination and your budget.

PLACING YOUR HOT TUB IN A SCREENED IN ROOM

Putting a hot tub in a screened in porch mostly resembles an outdoor installation. You have to consider some of the factors that go with both indoor and outdoor installations though.

A screened in porch will obviously allow for ventilation and the steam and humidity will not harm your walls.

You will still need a drain put into the floor of the porch though, if one does not already exist. If the manufacturer uses the water hose connection, this will not be an issue for you.

Again, you can find many creative pictures of hot tubs installed in screened porches on the Internet.

IN CONCLUSION...

In the end, the placement of your new hot tub is completely up to you and your preferences. No matter where you decide to put it, be sure to plan ahead. The more that you plan ahead the easier it will be to install and to enjoy.

If you are not sure whether or not your chosen location is suitable for a hot tub, then you should seriously consider contacting a licensed contractor to review your location and make sure that it is suitable.

Finally, always take into account safety factors when deciding where to put your hot tub. As stated before, a cover should always be in place when it is not in use. Also consider the surface that you will be walking on when going to and from the hot tub. If the path is smooth concrete you may want to put some mats down to prevent slipping.

Now go out and enjoy your new hot tub and take satisfaction in knowing that your preplanning has prevented headaches and will help to prevent any future problems.

About The Author:

Emerson Lockwood writes on topics related to Home Improvement. When you are ready to buy a hot tub, please visit: http://www.spasnstuff.com/ for factory-direct discounts on hot tubs and spas. Standard Features on spas & hot tubs can be seen here: http://www.spasnstuff.com/content/view/11/62/ . All Spas 'N Stuff hot tubs have a garden hose attachment at the drain as a standard feature, to simplify drainage in every setup.

If you are interested in reading more Home Improvement articles written by Emerson, please visit: Super Home Ideas.com


Sunday, June 04, 2006

Another Painting Tip

When I was painting a garage, a well meaning helper put the paint brushes and the paint roller in water overnight to help clean them. It is important to rinse out your paint brushes to keep the paint from caking up on them.

The problem was, that in the morning, when I returned to start painting again, the paint brushes and paint roller were still sitting in water. Being in a hurry I took the paint brushes and the roller and simply shook out most of the water, but they were still very wet.

Now, when I went to dip them in paint, the paint did not adhere very well to the paint brushes or the roller. When I did paint, the paint was runny and thin. Paint is made to be put on just as it comes in the can, not with water added.

Even though there was very little water in the brushes and the roller it made a BIG difference. The paint did not stick well to the wood and the paint also ran down the wood rather easily.

Moral of the story? Clean your paint brushes and paint rollers, but be sure to give them plenty of time to THOROUGHLY dry before you try to start painting with them again.