Archive for November 17th, 2008

The Scoop about Waterproofing your Basement Walls

Monday, November 17th, 2008

You should always make sure to waterproof your basement walls when you are finishing it. Basement walls are the entry point of most moisture creating a high level of moisture in them. Cracks, leaking windows and pipe condensation are probably the most common reasons basements have water build-up problems. Too much or prolonged water retention in the basement can cause a variety of problems.

Basement Wall Options

Among the available methods are:

- French Drains
- Hollow Baseboard Molding
- Sump Pumps
- Waterproofing
- Damp Proofing

French Drains – An exterior system running the perimeter or partial perimeter of your house for heavy rain run off drainage, or an interior system if water is coming into your basement through the floors or cove between the floor and the wall. A trench is dug round the inside perimeter of the wet basement floor. First you need to position a plastic drain pipe, ready perforated, and then make sure that it is surrounded by gravel or similar Some wet basement waterproofing and repair contractors re-cement the floor over the French drain system leaving a 1 inch to 2 inch gap in the floor along the walls to allow the web wall seepage to drain below the floor into the French drain system. A drain that connects to a sump pump is usually  the French type.

Hollow Baseboard Molding and Cove Systems – A hollow baseboard channel is adhered to the joint where the floor meets the wall using a waterproof epoxy. This empty molding will gather wet wall seepage as well as fluid which rises at the cove region. In most cases linked to the sump pump.

One item you can include when waterproofing your basement walls is a sump pump that can be installed below the basement floor. Sump pumps can collect underground water through perforations in the sump well in the immediate vicinity of the sump pump. Sump pumps can also act as a good floor drain or be used to drain a variety of underground drainage pipes.

There are many types and varieties of basement wall sealers on the market to choose from depending on whether you want to brush or roll the sealant product onto your wall, or you may choose to install a panel wall system to seal your walls.

The truth is even with a good drainage system, it can’t assure a dry basement wall. Lets look at damp proofing and waterproofing as these are the cheapest and easiest methods of stopping moisture getting into your basement through the walls.

Damp proofing means what?

You may be asking yourself what is involved in damp proofing your basement and the best example I can give of damp proofing would be to think of a castle with a moat and think about how to keep the water away from this castle; first you build the permiable pallette layer where you want the castle floor, then you would place a solid layer over that, then you would leave a vent space and lay your foundation; as for your walls, you would build your walls, then do your solid layer and then your permiable layer, and now you have damp proofed your castle.

The majority of waterproofing products are comprised of a tar based substance in a solvent base.  Although these are a cheap fix, they are not very effective because they are designed only to slow down the moisture build up not prevent it.   The biggest problem is that, because this material becomes brittle, hairline cracks will appear as the foundation settles. Since the tar based coating does not stretch to cover these cracks, water will seep into the basement.

Find out the meaning of waterproofing.

The water proofing products are such that they stop water penetrate into wet places as well. Because hydrstatic pressure in the soil after heavy rain or spring starts thawing.  The rubber used in Advanced Water Proofing Technologies products provides superior waterproofing protection and allows the product to remain flexible even after drying.  This flexibility allows the waterproofing membrane to stretch as the foundation settles and bridge small hairline settlement cracks that can occur in the concrete or block.

How to Apply

Obviously it would be most sensible to use waterproofing as it offers better long term results and you might well find that it comes with a guarantee that lasts for up to thirty years.

In the past, builders ignored the need to waterproof basement walls. So now is your chance to rectify that with simple-to-use products. Even if you are not a professional you will find that our products are easily applied and not harmful.   They come ready to use in for example, 5 gallon pails or 55 gallon drums and do not require heating or special application equipment – anyone who can use a brush or roller can apply them.  You can even use a commercial airless sprayer which can be rented by the day.  An average size basement of approximately 1,000 square feet can easily be waterproofed by a couple of people using a roller in 2-3 hours. So start it and enjoy the convenience of damp-less space.

Earthworms and Lawn Care – A Natural Fit

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Earthworms are good for the soil. In fact, the presence of earthworms in the soil is an indicator that you have healthy soil. If you dig your shovel into dirt and come up with five or more, it indicates you have pretty healthy soil. If you come up with zero earthworms, although not conclusive, it’s a good sign that your soil is poor quality.

Earthworms help the soil is a few important ways. If you’ve got compacted soil, earthworms will help to aerate it – which, in turn, helps the lawn to breathe. Aeration also help water and nutrients to reach the grass and plant roots, ensuring that they will be strong. Earthworm castings help to provide nutrients to your lawn. Lastly, earthworms help to rid your lawn and garden of thatching which can choke the lifeblood out of plants.

If you are into diy lawn care and use pesticides on your lawn, be aware that many chemical pesticides can be harmful to the beneficial organisms, such as earthworms, that live in your lawn. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers can also damage soil structures.

If you want to help the earthworms in your lawn, leave the grass  clippings on the lawn when you mow it. Grass clippings contain nitrogen which is an excellent nutrient for plants. Grass clippings are also a good source of food for the earth worms and help to stimulate activity.

Modern man has become much too reliant on chemical means, with it often leading to poor health consequences for him. Taking a step back and allowing you lawn to thrive using more natural means can be a help to everyone.

How To Speed Up Your Computer The Easy Way

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Technology never seems to stop racing ahead and before one product has even gone to market quite often it has been superseded by a newer faster model.

Consumers often go out and buy the latest and greatest computers, laptop and gadgets when they don’t realy need to , or they simply haven’t found the best way to make there existing device work better.

When it comes to the needs of the average computer user, Pc manufacturers often gloss over there real needs and pitch the new product in the wrong way.

A majority of computer users do not play games on their computers (they probably have a play station or a Wii), nor do they use massively processor hungry applications like computer aided design packages or finite element (fea) calculation packages.

Computer vendors would have us believe that we all need multi processor cores so we can multi task and have a finite number of applications running it the same time when in all fairness most users will never have more than three or four applications open at any on time.

One fact that is undeniable though is that when you go and buy your next Pc with all its raw computing power you will probably still need to by something extra to make it work efficiently within a short space of time.

A well rounded and efficient computer or laptop isn’t just about the processor speed, granted that does help but only up to a point, but your system does need to be in balance and, a majority are not.

What we are in reality talking about here of course is the system memory.

As Pc power increases programs get more complex, and as they get more complex they use more computer memory.

The more programs you install even if only working in the background i.e. virus software, music editing programs and other favorite utilities the greater the system memory will be used and so it goes on.

Simply put the more memory the programs have to access, the faster and more efficiently the Pc will work.

This is all well and good but the problem occurs when your computer runs out of memory and has to start using the hard drive as extended memory instead.

This is magnitudes slower performance wise than the system memory and will not stop your Pc from working but will certainly slow it down, sometimes to the point of almost stopping.

Computer memory upgrades are easily obtainable fortunately and something which you can do yourself. You can do an online computer memory scan to ensure and guarantee that the memory is indeed correct for your system and fit it yourself when it arrives a few days later if ordered on line.

To see how easy it is to install extra memory in your computer or laptop, simply visit the computer support and repair and watch the video.

Or you can contact you local computer repair professional who can also perform this inexpensive task if you have already purchased a new Pc or if your existing system is running slowly.

Basic Casting Information and Metal Casting

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Metal Casting

Home Metal Casting is an ancient technique that has a variety of applications and purposes. Civilizations from the dawn of time to present day have used metal working as a way of creating artistic, religious, and practical items. The process of metal casting involves melting metals at high temperatures and using molds to then shape the metal into new items. The furnaces used in metal casting helped pave the way for the Industrial Revolution, without which the course of history would be dramatically different. Metal casting is just one form of metal working that has seen a recent surge in popularity as resources are becoming more affordable and communities are springing up to share information, ideas, and projects.

There are certain things you need in order to do metal casting and those are special equipment and a little knowledge and a lot of creavity. While metal casting is used on an Industrial level as the process cuts cost and proves to be highly efficient, many individuals participate in metal casting as a hobby and in artistic endeavors. Many people are drawn to metal casting for one reason or another, although there seems to be two main motivations that stand out. The first motivation that brings hobbyists to practice metal casting is need; people may need to create items or parts for other ventures. Metal casting is a great way to build hard to find pieces for models, restoration projects, and even just small replacement parts needed for common household items. Creative designs or sculptures are reasons why metal casting is used.

Whatever the reason, small scale Metal Casting is attractive because that it can be done right at home, either in the backyard or workshop. Individuals working in metal casting are able to create home made tools and equipment like furnaces and molds. Metal casting is only limited by the individual’s desire, so for those with the time and the need, virtually anything is possible.

The actual casting process in Home Metal Casting has several forms, the most popular being sand casting. Sand casting takes a mold that is made out of sand and then you take liquid metal and pour it into this mold. You want the metal to cool for a significant amount of time and then the mold can be removed. This type of casting proves to be the most economical, but other types of casting can provide fuller detail and higher quality results.

As you can imagine, you have to melt metal in order to do metal casting so it can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful. The melting points of several metals are well above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, or 530 degrees Celsius. It is vital that anyone wanting to work with metal casting take all the proper precautions. Safety advice can range from simple  common sense such as “never look directly into a high powered flame” to more specific warnings such as “when molten metal contacts a nonporous surface with water it is liable to explode, splashing hot metal everywhere.” The use of appropriate safety gear such as gloves and goggles is necessary as well.

With time, dedication, and some know how, anyone can practice the craft of metal casting. Metal Casting is a very enjoyable and rewarding craft but it does require a certain amount of education to get started.

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Figure out The Basics of Metal Casting

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Casting Resin

DIY Metal Casting is known and loved for the high temperatures, glowing molten metal, and the possibility to make nearly anything. Metal and their alloys are not the only things that can be used in casting. Casting in plastic, most notably resin casting, is becoming popular with artists and jewelers looking for something odd and unique.

Resin casting does not involve the use of furnaces, crucibles, or casting sand. In fact all one really needs for resin casting is a mold, some resin (of course), and time.

There are actually two forms of resin casting. The first kind is the one that more closely resembles metal casting, uses a mold and even gates and runners if it’s complex enough. The second type of Home Metal Casting is simply incasing an object in the resin. An example of this is using an ice cube tray and placing an object like a small pendant in one of the tray’s cavities and then filling it with the resin solution. After the resin dries you can pop it out of the tray. The pendant is now encased in hard plastic. This form is usually employed by jewelers and crafty moms but tends to be fun for everyone no matter age or experience. At the very least it’s a great way to get rid of some of the clutter around your house and disguise it as art. Anything your brain can imagine can be cast in resin including coins and charms.

Resin casting using mold is generally used by those who work with models and miniatures. Resin casting is a great way to make several pieces at once so you can avoid shelling out money you may not have and waiting several weeks for delivery of your items. Who has that kind of time anymore?

Like Home Metal Casting , resin casting will require you to build a mold. If you are fortunate enough then you can easily find pre-made molds, especially if you are working with miniatures. If you don’t feel like buying these pre-made molds or just like doing things the hard way, then you will have to make the mold yourself. Don’t worry, it’s still fun.

You will need to find a molding box this will hold the rubber that will be used to make the actual mold until it dries. Many who work with smaller objects find that working with toy building blocks to create this molding block work extremely well and will provide added convenience. A wooden box will work as well, of course. The box, or flask, will not have a top or bottom, just the four walls. Place molding clay at the bottom of the flask and insert your original. Make sure to add a way for the resin plastic to enter the mold. The funnel or cup as some casters call it should be put at the very top of the mold. You are going to prepare the silicone rubber and catalyst which will be used to create the mold. Follow the instructions on the labels since each type will vary. A process called degassing can be used which will remove all the air bubbles from the rubber. This is a fun process involving a vacuum pump.

Slowly pour the rubber into the flask, covering the original. This can take up to a day to dry, so be patient. Remove the molding clay and repeat the process using the bottom part of the flask, or drag. Now if you think about it you will have two parts, the original is in the middle. When dry, remove the mold from the box and very carefully split the mold to remove the original.

Place the mold back together and prepare the resin solution, follow the instructions to the letter. Where you place the cup is where you are going to what to pour the resin. The set time for the resin should be stated on the bottle, but for most it will take up to 30 minutes. When ready crack the mold open and remove the cast.

Resin casting can be a great family craft project but just make sure to follow all of the safety guidelines. This type of casting can still be dangerous even though you are not dealing with molten metals. Often times, the solutions and chemicals used in resin casting are poisonous if consumed. Not to mention that resin casting can be a bit smelly so working outside or in a well ventilated room is advisable.

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