Shed some light on the problem with these simple solutions
Ceiling fans are a stylish and ecologically friendly way to keep a room livable even in the hottest months. Unlike air conditioning, a ceiling fan does not actually cool the temperature, but the movement of the air does make you feel more comfortable. Because ceiling fans are relatively uncomplicated machines, it can be relatively simple to troubleshoot problems. If the light on the fan stops working, there are easy ways to possibly solve the problem.
Instructions
1. Check the light bulb and make sure it has not burnt out. Remove the bulb from the ceiling fan light, and try it in another lamp. If it does not work, dispose of it properly and replace with another bulb. If the bulb does work, check that it is the right wattage and type recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Check the pull chain on the light fixture. Pull the chain, then try turning on the light with the remote or the light switch. Pull one more time and try again. If you are using a remote, check that the battery in the remote is still functional. Change the battery to ensure that it is working. If the remote is working, he problem may be with a fuse. Check to see if a circuit breaker has been tripped.
3. Turn off the power, check that the wires are making contact. First, check at the ceiling where the power is coming into the fan. Tighten any loose wires and make sure contact is being made. If the wires there are good, check the switch housing of the light. This is where the light is actually attached to the fan. Look to see if the wires have come loose.
Tags: check that, does work, make sure, problem with
Ceiling fan medallions add a touch of decoration to an otherwise bare ceiling. Besides the ceiling and wall moldings, the ceiling fan itself and other light fixtures, most ceilings have nothing to help them match the rest of the style in a room. A ceiling fan medallion can make up for this. Medallions adhere to the ceiling itself and the ceiling fan is fitted through the center of the medallion. Although a medallion made of plywood can't have the traditional relief patterns of many medallions, it can still give a decorative balance.
Instructions
1. Determine the size you wish your medallion to be and mark this on the plywood. A room 20 feet by 20 feet can sustain a medallion more than 3 feet in diameter.
2. Cut your plywood into a circle using the diameter you chose. Use a router to cut the plywood in a circle or bring the wood to a hardware store that will cut it for you. Cut a 6-inch wide inner circle at the center of the plywood. This circle is where the ceiling fan mounting hardware attaches to the ceiling.
3. Prime the plywood medallion. Apply a couple layers of primer, since plywood is very absorbant.
4. Paint the plywood the same color as trim. Consider painting the medallion with some creativity--since it is going to be on your ceiling. Keep in mind, though, that the fan's spinning blades will obstruct and distort the design.
5. Remove your ceiling fan from the ceiling. Turn off the power to the circuit by turning the breaker off. Unscrew the canopy and disconnect the wires from the fan and the ceiling. Pull the ceiling fan off the mounting bracket and carry the fan to the floor.
6. Spread a generous amount of construction epoxy evenly on the underside of the plywood medallion. Carry the medallion up the ladder and press it to the ceiling.
7. Drill in a few dry wall screws through the medallion so that it is mounted to the ceiling while the glue dries.
8. Caulk the holes made from the dry wall screws as well as along the edge of the medallion where it meets the ceiling.
9. Reinstall the ceiling fan.
Tags: your ceiling, ceiling itself, , , plywood medallion
Wood ceilings add a touch of elegance and warmth to the interior of any building. Unlike stucco or other ceiling materials, wood allows you to make style choices that are reasonably priced. If you're thinking about installing wood ceilings follow these steps to choose the right wood and style.
Instructions
1. Determine your needs. There are many practical factors to consider when trying to choose a wood ceiling. Decide whether you want the ceiling to dampen sound, retain heat or just serve decorative purposes. Think about the conditions and environment of the building. Check for average ambient temperatures, moisture levels and vulnerability to fungus or termites.
2. Choose the wood. Generally, pine is the most commonly used wood for ceilings. However, other kinds of less common wood, such as pecky cypress, are used for their elegance and distinctive appearance.
3. Think about tiles to make the design of your ceiling less complex. Tiles come in pre-designed patterns and styles, and have the advantage of easier and faster installation than beams. Speak with a wood ceiling tile dealer such as Surfacing Solutions to find out about tile costs and installation requirements.
4. Consider faux wood, which comes in many different styles and shades. It's generally lighter, cheaper and, in some cases, more durable than the real stuff. Check out FauxWoodBeams.com for some samples and options of faux wood ceiling solutions.
Hampton Bay ceiling fans provide a cool breeze in your home on warm days. A variety of Hampton Bay ceiling fan models come equipped with a remote control unit to operate the ceiling fan. Fan models with the remote control feature are also designed with manual operating controls should you lose the remote control or if the batteries in the remote control are exhausted. Learn manually operate your Hampton Bay fan without the remote control should the need arise.
Instructions
1. Turn on the light switch connected to the ceiling fan.
2. Pull the short cord hanging from the Hampton Bay fan once to turn the fan on high, twice to turn the fan on medium, three times to turn the fan on low and four times to turn off the fan.
3. Grip the longer cord and pull down once to turn the light on and twice to turn the light off.
Tags: remote control, ceiling models, Hampton ceiling, once turn, times turn
While white may seem like the most sensible choice for a ceiling color, there are other options in paint that may help you achieve a desired feel within your home. Decide on the environment you want to create and then follow some general advice on choose a ceiling paint color to acquire that effect in your home decor.
Instructions
1. Determine whether you want to make the room appear larger or cozier. Light colored paint will make the ceiling appear higher, while a darker paint can conjure an intimate feeling.
2. Consider the type of lighting present in the room you are painting. If the room does not receive plenty of direct sunlight, choose a shade of white or another light color that will help reflect the available light source.
3. Paint all ceilings the same color if your home has an open concept. This will produce a flowing feeling within the space and create consistency in the decor.
4. Use the same shade of white on your ceilings that is visible in your furniture and room decor. If you decide on a white ceiling, matching shades with the existing furniture and window treatments present in the room will bring the space together.
5. Apply the same shade of paint on walls and ceiling to make a small room appear larger.
6. Keep in mind the fact that paint shades appear darker on the ceiling than they do on walls.
7. Try adding 80 percent white paint to the same color used on the walls. Making this your ceiling paint will ensure that the colors complement each other while still opening up the room and making the ceiling appear higher.
Tags: your home, appear higher, appear larger, ceiling appear, ceiling appear higher, ceiling paint, paint will
Harbor Breeze ceiling fans feature very secure color-coded wires that are easy to manipulate. The fans also come with detailed instructions for installation that include wiring and hardware steps. Fans come with an integrated grounding wire to ensure that the fan meets current electrical codes. Additional wires are included in case the fan is to be connected to an optional light kit assembly, which is usually sold separately.
Instructions
1. Disconnect the main power at the circuit junction box and then check the individual ceiling wires with a circuit tester to be sure that there is no power flowing.
2. Strip one-half inch of insulation from each of the three electrical wires connected to the fan. This will make it easier to wrap them around the thick copper ceiling wires and wrap with the wire nuts.
3. Attach the grounding wire from the house wiring and connect it to the green of the Harbor Breeze fan mounting bracket. Use a wire nut and wrap the wire with electrical tape to secure it safely. Connect the neutral white wire from the main line to the white wire of the fan. Use a wire nut and wrap it with electrical tape.
4. Connect the black hot ceiling wire to both the black and blue fan wires. Make sure that the three wires are all securely connected inside a properly sized wire nut and wrapped with sufficient electrical tape to cover any bare wire and eliminate the risk of electric shock.
5. Adjust the wires within the fan housing before completing installation of the unit. Separate the wires by placing the green grounding wire and white neutral wires on one side of the fan housing and the blue and black wires on the other. This separation will help add additional security from accidental wire crossing.
6. Turn the power on to the fan line at the main circuit box. Test the fan to ensure it works properly.
Tags: grounding wire, Harbor Breeze, electrical tape, Breeze Ceiling Fans, ceiling wires, come with
Mold is a worldwide problem. It grows in the humid corners of homes, in the dark places of seldom-opened areas and can pose potential health risks if not properly removed. Pink mold, while colorful, is just as potentially problematic as its brown and black cousins. Removing an outbreak is a snap if it is caught early. Removal can be accomplished with a few household items.
Prevent Mold Growth
Reduce humidity. Steam and running water make ideal breeding conditions for bacteria and mold. Controlling the level of humidity in a given area (usually the bathroom) is an important initial step to controlling an outbreak of any mold so that it may be removed. Turn the bathroom fan on--which is designed to pull moisture from the area-- or simply open the bathroom window to encourage drying.
Identify Pink Mold
Examine the growth. Mold is essentially a fungus that grows in damp, warm places. Some people are acutely sensitive to the presence of mold and will develop asthma, sneezing or upper respiratory infections. A large amount of mold will also alter the smell of a given area leaving a musty or sour odor in the air. Mold is tenacious and known for infesting deep into surfaces. If the outbreak is not , the consequences could lead to entire rooms having to be torn down and resurfaced. Pink mold are usually species of Fusarium and not as dangerous to humans as some black and brown molds but should still be dealt with as quickly.
Kill Existing Pink Mold
Pour white vinegar on a washcloth and aggressively scrub the area infected with mold. Rinse the area where vinegar was applied with cold water to remove as much of the infected area as possible. In a small bowl, mix hydrogen peroxide with 3 oz. . Work the solution into a paste with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to scrub the peroxide and baking soda paste into the area that has been infected with pink mold, making sure to remove the entire remaining mold with this technique. Rinse the area with cold water and allow the tile or surface to dry completely over the course of 24 hours before subjecting the area to moisture again.
Tags: baking soda, Best Pink, Mold, caught early, cold water
The inventor Philip Diehl produced the first electric ceiling fan in 1882.
Whether you are decorating a room for a child or just looking to make an interior space more festive and functional, an interactive ceiling fan can be an exciting addition to your home. Unlike traditional ceiling fans that just spin around hour after hour, offering little in terms of creativity or visual interest, interactive draw people in with their captivating physical characteristics. If you are thinking of installing an interactive ceiling fan, or remodeling an existing fan to make it interactive, there are several ideas that can help.
High-Tech Ceiling Fan
While the majority of ceiling fans are "interactive" in the sense that you can turn them on or off with the flick of switch or pull of a chain, not all of them have the same level of responsiveness as others. Some models, for example, have multiple speed settings, so you can set the fan at a low, medium or high setting depending on how much air movement you want to generate. However, for a truly interactive experience, consider installing a modern ceiling fan that has all of the bells and whistles. As the home improvement and do-it-yourself resource website Home Tips notes, some models feature wireless remote controls, allowing you to adjust the fans, or turn then on or off from the comfort of a couch or chair. Other ceiling fan models actually interact with the surrounding environment, and make speed adjustments in response to temperature changes in the home.
Fan Mobile
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to keep your baby or small child entertained before bed time, a ceiling fan mobile in the bedroom may be the solution. Since the fan, at a low-speed setting, already provides the prerequisite gentle spinning for the mobile, all you need to do is attach decorations. According to the parenting resource website Parents Connect, some ideas include attaching colored paper circles to the undersides of the fan blades and hanging streamers and small stuffed animals from the blades. For an educational twist, try creating a model-universe mobile. The light in the center of the fan can serve as the sun, and you can use painted expanded polystyrene balls to represent the planets.
Airplane Fan
Since the blades of a fan already resemble the blades of a propeller, you can easily transform a ceiling fan in your child's room into a ceiling airplane. Just hang up a cardboard or poster-board body and tail section behind the fan, and add on two cardboard wings. Of course, making the plane appear sleek and perfectly contoured will be a difficult task. So as an alternative, you may want to consider purchasing a pre-fabricated airplane-style ceiling fan. As the ceiling fan review website Ceiling Fan Wizard notes, these fans feature three-bladed "propellers" just like on real airplanes.
You don't have to completely outfit your home with new tropical furnishings to give it a tropical touch. There are plenty of decorative accents and accessories that can bring the feel of the tropics into your decor. Ranging from window treatments and flooring to lamps and bedding, accessories with a tropical flair can make a big decorative impact for little expense.
Instructions
1. Add a bamboo screen for privacy.
Add a freestanding screen made from bamboo or rattan to a room as a space divider. Hide a workstation such as a desk or unsightly electronics behind the screen.
2. Add bamboo or rattan shades to windows.
Cover windows with simple bamboo or rattan shades to evoke the feeling of the tropics.
3. Ceiling fans add a tropical look.
Install a ceiling fan to the center of the ceiling for a tropical flair. Purchase fan blades in the shape of broad leaves or palm fronds. Include a light fixture in the center of the fan for additional lighting.
4. Choose bedding or linens that feature a tropical theme such as palm trees, fish or the beach. Floral and pineapple patterns are popular choices for a tropical theme. Accent bedding with bright colored pillows and a soft throw.
5. Hang tropical-themed framed wall art that features palm trees, beaches and shells. Frame the art in rattan or bamboo frames. Match these frames with similar frames around mirrors to carry the theme throughout the home.
6. Seashells make great accents.
Add seashells and driftwood as accent pieces on top of tables or on a fireplace mantel. Large seashells can hold candles. Place a grouping of shells and candles on a mirrored tray for a beautiful effect. Add lush green plants throughout to replicate the look of an island paradise.
Airplanes is a creative theme for a child's nursery.
Planning a nursery is an exciting decorating project for parents. The possibilities are endless. A timeless nursery decor is airplanes, a theme which will entertain the child right through the preschool years. Decorating the airplane nursery starts by painting the walls a light blue. The airplanes provide the opportunity to use bright colors and interesting shapes, and it will provide your child with a stimulating and fun environment.
Instructions
1. Paint your walls a light sky blue. Using a sponge and diluted white acrylic paint, sponge-paint clouds on all four walls. Make them large and soft.
2. Find a coloring book with simple illustrations of airplanes. Enlarge them on your scanner and print them out to use as patterns. Trace them onto your wall and paint them using acrylic liquid paints from your craft store. Have them flying in different directions, but space them far enough apart so that your design is not too busy.
3. Hang a ceiling fan using only two blades so that it looks like a airplane propeller.
4. Sew a mobile of little felt airplanes suspended from dowel rods above the crib. Cut simple airplane shapes out of brightly colored felt and lightly stuff them. The baby will enjoy watching the airplanes "fly."
5. Cover the window shades with an airplane print fabric for a designer look. Cut the fabric so it is the same size as the shade with a few extra inches at the bottom. Spray the shade with spray adhesive to adhere the fabric. Fold the fabric over the bottom edge of the shade and glue it to the back of the shade. Hang a toy plane from the bottom edge of the shade for a pull.
6. Paint a simple wooden toy box to look like an airplane. Add two small wooden wings, a small propeller and wheels toward the front of the box.
7. Accessorize the nursery with an airplane-themed lamp, switch plate, pulls for the dresser and towels for the changing table.
Palm trees and sea shells create a tropical feeling.
When you think of tropical plantations, you probably think of sugar cane, pineapples, wide vistas and lush vegetation with a turquoise sea in the distance. Vibrantly colored flowers spill over planters or climb up the terrace. Gentle South Sea breezes sway palm trees back and forth. The veranda opens into the living room, making it difficult to see where the garden ends and the interior begins. Recreate that feeling in your living room by decorating in a tropical plantation style.
Instructions
1. Treat the windows with sheer curtains that let in air and light instead of heavy draperies. Plantation wood shutters are another good choice. Let the room be drenched in sunlight. Bamboo shades are an option if privacy is required. If you feel you must used curtains, lightweight cotton ones in white and off-white carry a plantation feeling.
2. Tile the floor and use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Light colored ceramic or stone tiles would work in this decorating theme. Wood floors are a natural, in more ways than one, for a tropical plantation. Many of the exotic woods used in flooring come from the tropics.
3. Attach ceiling fans to create a breeze and maintain some coolness without having to resort to air conditioning. The fans might billow the curtains a bit, which adds to the tropical feeling.
4. Group tall plants strategically around the room. A cluster of plants looks more dramatic than single plants placed hither and yon. Backlight the plants with a spotlight for added evening drama. Use terracotta pots or a single color for all the pots for a cohesive look. The pots don't all have to match in style, but they should match in color.
5. Splash bright colors, such as hibiscus red, orchid purple and bird of paradise orange around the room using toss pillows and accessories. Mix in lots of white and green. White or off-white slipcovers for the furniture adds to the tropics theme and are easy to keep clean. Accent the white with brightly printed fabrics in floral or exotic bird prints.
6. Place sturdy bamboo or rattan chairs and sofas to capture a view of the garden.
7. Frame a focal point in the room to draw attention. Every room should have a focal point. A fireplace or a tropical view is a commanding . Frame it with plants or bookcases. If you don't have a natural focal point and the room doesn't have any interesting architectural details, create one a focal point with sea shells, primitive Polynesian artwork or an unusual mirror.
Tags: focal point, , focal point room, living room, point room, tropical feeling
Change the Remote Frequency on a Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan
Hampton Bay ceiling fans are a proprietary brand of the Home Depot. Each Hampton Bay ceiling fan equipped with a remote control comes with a control and receiver. The receiver and the control both have a set of four dip switches with two positions on each switch and by changing the dip switch positions; it changes the frequency on the fan. If you have two Hampton Bay remote fans you should change the dip switches, allowing them to operate independently. Hampton Bay ceiling fan remotes are preset on the same frequency at the factory.
Instructions
1. Turn off the breaker that powers the ceiling fan inside the main electrical panel.
2. Remove the canopy at the top of the ceiling fan where it attaches to the ceiling by removing the four screws that hold it to the mounting bracket. This allows you access to the remote receiver and the electrical wiring.
3. Slide the battery cover off the back of the remote control for the fan. This exposes the dip switches for the remote control.
4. Change the four dip switches on the remote receiver inside the ceiling fan mounting area to match the four dip switches on the remote control.
5. Replace the canopy from the ceiling fan onto the mounting bracket with the screws you removed in Step 2. Slide the cover back onto the to cover the battery and the dip switches.
6. Turn on the breaker that powers the ceiling fan inside the main electrical panel.
Stars on the ceiling might be easier to paint than you think.
When it's time to redecorate their bedrooms, children often have complicated, inventive schemes and ideas in mind that they'll quickly outgrow. Allow your little star gazer to add highlights that will only be visible when the lights are off. Using simple glow-in-the-dark paints, you and your child can create a breathtaking shooting star ceiling that will become dazzling and radiant after dark.
Instructions
1. Paint the entire ceiling black with a paint roller, using a flat-finish paint. You might need to apply a second coat to get a truly even color.
2. Choose the locations for your shooting stars. Spacing them out by at least a few feet will heighten the effect.
3. Use an artist's paintbrush to place a dab of yellow glow-in-the-dark paint where you want the shooting star to be located.
4. Pull the paint brush back in a straight line so that the glow-in-the-dark paint gets continuously lighter as you move away from the tip. This creates the illusion of a shooting star. Be sure the tip of the shooting star is the most prominent point.
5. Add other stars all across the ceiling with single dabs of glow-in-the-dark paint. Make the surrounding stars varying levels of prominence so that some appear lighter -- or farther away -- than others. You can mix white paint with the yellow paint to achieve the lighter effect.
Tags: shooting star, glow-in-the-dark paint, that will
Plastic backsplash panels can mimic many surfaces, including tin.
Decorative plastic backsplash panels are a cost-effective alternative if you're looking to install a backsplash to protect your walls and add to the look of a room without the cost of expensive tin or ceramic tile. The panels come in a large variety of styles and colors and are easy to cut and instal. There's no need for large amounts of adhesive, and once in place the plastic is easily maintained, with a washable surface that resists moisture and staining.
Instructions
1. Shut off the electricity from the home's main circuit breaker panel to the wall outlets where you're installing the backsplash panels.
2. Clean the surface of the wall thoroughly using a pH-neutral cleanser. Use a sponge to remove light dirt and debris, and a scrub brush to remove any ingrained dirt. Use a degreaser if the surface contains tough-to-remove oil.
3. Remove the wall plates surrounding electrical outlets and switches using a screwdriver.
4. Create a test layout using the panels against the backsplash area. Arrange the panels so that as many full panels as possible are used in the backsplash pattern. Partial panels should be located to the sides or bottom of the pattern where they will be less noticeable. Mark the center of the backsplash area on the wall with a pencil as a guide for placing your first plastic panel.
5. Measure the backsplash space and cut the partial panels as needed. Mark the cutting line on the panel with a marker using a straightedge. Cut the panel along the marked line with a utility knife.
6. Test the panel pattern on the wall by holding the panels in place and marking the edges. Make any adjustment cuts necessary before placing the panels permanently onto the wall. Mark outlet locations and cut small holes in the panels with a utility knife.
7. Place strips of double-sided tape along the wall for each row of . Use three strips of the tape, one placed at the panel base, one at the top of the panel, and the third along the center of the panel row.
8. Place the panels onto the walls using the marks made during the test fitting as guides. Remove the paper backing on the double-sided tape and press the plastic panel firmly into place using the tape as an adhesive. Remove the plastic film from the front of the panel after placement.
9. Add an additional strip of tape along the edge of the joint where separate panels meet. Place the tape onto the bottom panel joint edge, remove the protective paper and then press the overlapping edge of the next panel over the tape, holding it in place and continuing the panel patterns. When overlapping four panels, cut a notch on two of the overlapping corners to keep the panels from forming a bump due to the extended height of the overlapping area. Cover the entire wall, extending the outlet holes where needed by cutting the small holes outward to the edges of the outlets.
10. Slide a piece of J-trim onto the exposed cut edges of the panels at the edge of the paneled surface to create a smooth finished transition between the backsplash panel and adjacent surfaces.
11. Replace the outlet covers and then restore the electricity to the outlets.
Tags: , backsplash area, double-sided tape, plastic panel, small holes,
If you like working with your hands, installing a new ceiling fan can be a fun and rewarding task. However, there are always safety precautions that you must take. Always make sure that the electricity is turned off before working with electrical wiring. Grounding is another safety mechanism that reduces the risk of serious electric shock. Most modern homes are equipped with a grounding system integrated into the electrical system. Some older homes may not have ground wires present in the electrical boxes. Assuming that you have already removed the old light fixture we'll go straight to options for wiring the fan with no ground.
Instructions
Wiring a Ceiling Fan with no Ground Wire
1. Make sure that the junction box in your ceiling is one that is rated for a ceiling fan. If it isn't, you could be setting yourself up for a bad accident if the ceiling fan falls.
2. As far as the ground wire is concerned, there are two solutions to this problem. The first solution, which is the better one but may turn out to be costly, is to have your home rewired, replacing all of the wiring with ROMEX® wires that include a ground wire. Also have a ground rod installed outside of your house. The second solution to the problem is to wire the ceiling fan without the ground. The ground wire doesn't carry any electrical current (unless there is a problem in your electrical system). The carries displaced electricity away to reduce the risk of electrical shock if, let's say, the metal parts of the ceiling fan or any other appliance or part attached to your electrical system becomes accidentally charged with electricity. So if you wire your fan without the ground wire, it will still work properly. However, the added safety of the ground wire will not be present. If you decide to wire your fan without the ground proceed to the next step.
3. Mount any brackets necessary to hang the ceiling fan.
4. Assemble the fan according to the manufacturer's instructions and hang the fan (without the blades) from the mounting bracket.
5. Wire your fan using wire nuts to connect the white wire from your fan to the white wire in your ceiling. Next connect the two black wires in the same fashion. Don't worry about the ground wire for now, but having your electrical system grounded should be a priority.
6. Continue assembling and installing your ceiling fan according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Tags: electrical system, ground wire, ground wire, wire your, without ground, your ceiling,
According to the United States Treasury Department, the national debts is described as:
"...the accumulated debt the government owes from... years of borrowing... money owed to individuals, corporations, state or local governments, foreign governments, and other entities outside the United States Government."
The U.S.'s national goes back to the Battle of Bunker Hill where it started in 1775 during the Revolutionary War. When the national government was still the Articles of Confederation, debt was entered into because money was needed to cover costs. And just as the national debt is based on loans, now the national debt was based on borrowing in comparable sectors.
Significance
There have been budgets to cover domestic and foreign policies and programs. There have been wars and greater involvement of government in regulating business, health care, retirement funding, banking and international diplomacy.
The national debt can be expanded due to the "Necessary and Proper" Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Government uses this clause to do what it deems appropriate to run the government.
In the "A Call for Stewardship" by the U.S. Government Accounting Office:
"...U.S. Government...evolved to reflect changing circumstances... in 1797, there were four cabinet-level departments...and five cabinet-level officials... Today, there are nearly 30 major federal departments and agencies...federal workforce... now totals in the millions."
History
Of course, there are situations that take into consideration different opportunities. One such time was the Louisiana Purchase in 1804. This added national debt virtually doubled the size of the country. The debt for this was $11.25 million.
Benefits
Thomas Jefferson wanted to pay off the national debt from the Revolutionary War once the Constitution was in place and taxes were possible. However, Alexander Hamilton pointed out that by keeping the debt, the country's credibility would increase as the nation prospered and production increased. The increased production would mean greater revenues for the government.
As part of the compromise to do so, an agreement was reached that resulted in the national capital being built in present-day Washington D.C. Hamilton's view was followed and it proved beneficial. The debt was covered by bonds.
Size
The size of the national debt is to be covered by a debt ceiling that is approved by Congress. The allowable national debt has been progressively increased by Congress. As of 2008 the national debt can go up to $10.6 trillion. This increase was due to what was deemed a necessary help for the housing industry.
In 1791 the national debt was about $75 million. This was about 18 dollars per person at the time. In comparison the national debt on Sept. 30, 2008, was about $32,895 dollars per person.
Prevention/Solution
The budget ceiling is only part of what is considered in looking at the national budget. How well the economy is doing determines the amount of income for the government. When the economy is doing well, its income increases.
How government views debt is also important. President Andrew Jackson worked at bringing down the national debt at a time of prosperity to $18,000.
Historically the national debt has been due to many factors. How the government handled the debt, whether keeping it or working to eliminate it, varied due to historical circumstances. The well-being of the economy throughout history has been a major influence on the .
Tags: national debt, national debt, , about dollars person, debt based
Emerson ceiling fans can reverse directions, making a room warmer or cooler.
Emerson are designed with the ability to both cool and warm the room the fan is installed in. To do this, the blades of the fan reverse direction. To cool a room, the blades of the fan should spin counterclockwise. This brings the air downward. To warm a room, the blades of the fan should spin downward. This brings the air upward. There is a special switch to make the fan go from cooling a room to warming it, or vice versa.
Instructions
1. If the fan is on, pull the chain to turn it off.
2. Wait for the blades to stop completely.
3. Find the reversing slide switch. This is located in the switch housing, in the middle of the fan just above the blades.
The level of difficulty involved in removing old ceiling tiles depends upon how they were installed. Suspended ceiling tiles are simple to remove, but interlocking tiles require more time and effort. Before tiles, however, you must determine if the tiles in your house . Asbestos was commonly used in prior to the 1980s. The OSHA suggests that if your house was built prior to the 1980s, you should assume the ceiling tiles contain asbestos. The only way to know for certain is to send a ceiling tile to a government-authorized testing center. If the ceiling tiles in your house do contain asbestos, hire a professional contractor to remove them.
Instructions
Suspended Ceiling Tiles
1. Cover the floors with painter's tarps, as removing ceiling tiles may dislodge dust and debris. Place a large garbage can in the room.
2. Press up on a ceiling tile. Lift the to pop it out of its track.
3. Angle the ceiling tile. Find the best angle that allows you to remove the tile through the opening between the tracks. Remove the ceiling tile and toss it into the garbage can. Continue until all tiles have been removed.
Interlocking Ceiling Tiles
4. Cover the floors with painter's tarps and place a large garbage can in the room
5. Determine how the ceiling tiles are attached. The tiles are either stapled or glued to furring strips. Glued tiles require a little more work. Score the edge of the tile with a utility knife to loosen it. Push the tile up with putty knife. Determine if it is glued or stapled.
6. Remove the molding that borders the ceiling. Lightly tap a putty knife along the edges with a hammer and use the putty knife to pry the molding away from the wall.
7. Remove the ceiling tiles with a pry bar or claw hammer. Work the edge of the pry bar or claw hammer under the edge of the ceiling tile. It helps to tap it with a hammer. Rock the bar back and forth to loosen the tile. Glued tiles require a little more elbow grease.
8. Remove the ceiling tile. Discard it in the garbage can. Remove the staples, if present, with needle-nose pliers.
No matter how much time and money you've put into finishing your basement, an unfinished ceiling can make the whole space seem unfinished. All those electrical wires, cables, boxes and pipes will need to be accessed, but they also may need to be covered up so the basement seems more like a living space.
Paint
Sometimes painting everything up there - joists, pipes, wires and all - can hide everything so the eye is not drawn in the direction of the ceiling. You have probably seen this done in stores and other commercial buildings with good success. Black, gray or white are usually the colors chosen but they don't have to be. Dark blues, browns, deep reds and plenty of other colors that match your style and decorating concept will also work fine. Even an existing drop ceiling in a basement can be painted for a whole new look.
Tin
Tin panels have been made lighter and easier to hang and they can be painted, stained for an aged patina look or left bare. Panels can be hung from plywood mounted to the ceiling or from furring strips that allow greater access to the unsightly mess above them should repairs ever be needed.
Lightweight Materials
Fabric, cork and 1/4 inch plywood are all ceiling possibilities. Burlap can give texture to the room while cotton offers an airy feel. Cork is a unique texture and is often used in flooring or for wall coverings so ceilings are fair game as well. Thin plywood installs by screwing sheets to floor joists, after which they can be painted in murals, shapes, solids, stripes, nearly any way a wall could be painted.
Molding
Crown moldings can set off a ceiling but an interesting use of molding is to install it six to ten inches below where the wall and ceiling meet. Then use flexible, lightweight plywood, fabric or other material to create an arch that peaks on a floor joist in the middle of the room.
Light
Christmas lights can be used for more than decorating a tree. Try stretching some across a painted basement ceiling for a dramatic nighttime sky. Lighting can also be an interesting effect for fabric covered ceilings. If you use lights, be sure they run cool and cannot cause a fire if they are in close proximity or touch other materials.
Sun Twin heaters are commercial grade portable electric space heaters. Because they are commercial grade, they have higher quality parts and, as such, are expected to last for 3 to 5 years. They heat by infrared heating, which means that the heat produced is higher than the room it is in, and thus transfers its own heat to the room, and the objects in the room, by electromagnetic radiation.
History of Infrared Heating
Infrared heating was first used in the 1930s to cure automotive paints. However, it was not until WWII that this type of heating came into heavy usage because scientists found that by using it they could speed up production of the equipment that the military needed to fight the war. Once the war was over, infrared heating went back to being used on a lesser scale than it was during the war. In the beginning of the 21st century, infrared heating once again began being used for many things. Some examples of items that we use daily that use infrared heating are toasters, bathroom heat lamps and even light bulbs.
Science Behind Infrared Heating
The science behind infrared heating states that any object that emits energy that is above absolute zero, or -460 degrees F (-273 degrees Celsius, 0 degrees Kelvin), is creating infrared radiation/energy. When infrared energy hits an object the electrons on the surface of that object get excited and oscillate, producing heat. Electromagnetic energy only travels in a straight line, and as it travels its intensity is lowered. However, with the use of reflectors placed in strategic places, the electromagnetic energy can be directed wherever you want it to go.
Features
Sun Twin heaters can help the air in to stay fresher. This is because as you use your Sun Twin heater more to heat your home, you will use your furnace less, thus cutting down on the amount of dust that your furnace creates that goes into the air; this can also save money on furnace filters. Sun Twin heaters have zero clearance, meaning that you don't have to worry about putting your heater up against a wall or close to a piece of furniture because the units don't send any energy into the air that will harm anyone or anything. Sun Twin heaters don't use as much energy as most other heating sources and will cut down on your energy bills.
Disadvantages
Sun Twin heaters cannot be used in your bathroom because the moisture and humidity are not good for the units and can cause problems with them. Another disadvantage is the prohibitive price. Sun Twin heaters can run from as low as $372 to as high as $600. If you're looking for an inexpensive option, Sun Twin heaters may not be it. Another disadvantage is if your home is not well insulated, then it is going to take more energy to keep it heated, so it may become cost prohibitive as well. Finally, while you can heat multiple rooms, you may have to consider turning on ceiling fans to make it work well, or having them installed.
Warning
Some say that those selling Sun Twin heaters and claiming that they are actually more energy efficient may be misleading you. This is because it is not possible for the Sun Twin heater to be more efficient than other electric heaters because unlike other forms of heating such as gas for example, electric heating is always 100 percent efficient. This means that electric energy is always going to convert to heat energy no matter what, unlike other types of energy which have the ability to be converted to something other than heat energy. Some say the only difference between a Sun Twin heaters and regular electric heaters is that they have higher grade parts and a big wood frame that does not get dangerously hot.
Tags: Twin heaters, , infrared heating, your home, Another disadvantage, being used
Hanging beds with chains gives them total security.
Ceiling beds are practical and stylish beds that hang from the ceiling on chains. This creates a gentle swaying motion during sleep that is soothing and similar to a water bed. Building and installing a ceiling bed requires access to ceiling joists or rafter beams and cannot be done in rooms without stable ceiling supports. These beds can hold any amount of weight based on the load limits of the chains. A 250-pound test chain will safely hold 1,000 pounds, including the bed frame, but it is always a good idea to have a safety limit of more than double the actual weight of the bed frame and occupants.
Instructions
Build the Bed
1. Arrange two 3-by-3-by-80 inch wood posts on the ground, parallel to each other and about 29 inches apart. Set 20 35-inch, 2-by-4 boards on top of the posts and space them evenly apart from each other. Adjust the posts so that the ends of the 2-by-4s, which are the mattress support boards, are flush with the outside of the posts.
2. Drill two holes down through each mattress support board and into each post, for a total of 80 holes. Set 3-inch wood screws in these holes and tighten them completely to finish the bed frame.
3. Drill a hole through the top of the bed frame in each corner, about 1-1/2 inches from each edge. Screw an eye-hook with a 1-inch eye into each hole, tightening it until the eye touches the wood frame. Set a 1-inch-diameter carabiner into each eye-hook.
Hang the Bed
4. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists or beams. Mark a location above each corner of the bed where a chain can be installed. Drill a hole into each marking and ensure that hits a wooden joist or beam squarely.
5. Thread an eye-hook into each hole and tighten it securely until the eye touches the ceiling surface. Place a carabiner into each eye.
6. Hang a length of chain with 1-inch links from each ceiling carabiner. Close and lock the carabiners. Lift the bed with the help of an assistant and attach the other ends of the chain lengths to the carabiners attached to the bed frame. Close and lock those carabiners to secure the bed to the ceiling.
7. Adjust the height of the bed by raising or lowering the carabiner attachments to the chains by the necessary number of chain links.
Porch ceilings offer a great way to add a decorative feel to the exterior of any home. It may seem like a small touch, but it can actually make a big difference to the exterior look. They come in different styles, ranging from tin tiles to actual wood paneling. Some can be stained or painted to add a bit more design and warmth. Others have more of a Victorian architectural style.
Tin Ceiling Tiles
Tin ceiling tiles have made a comeback in modern architecture and design. They were very popular in the late 1800s, in the Victorian Era. They are made of metal and tare resistant to problems such as water damage, mold and mildew. They can be used in place of traditional ceilings, and are affordable and easy to install. The patterns on them can have a classical, antique look. Often they are made to fit over the existing ceiling, and some are designed to fit onto a metal or plastic grid.
Plywood Paneling
The most typical kind of ceiling for porches is plywood paneling. It is easily decorated with different sizes of plywood and colors because it can be painted. Plywood is susceptible to moisture. Over time, it can separate if wet. Use only quality exterior-grade plywood. Priming it is a great way to keep out moisture.
Tongue and Groove
To give a more rustic decorative appearance, go for a tongue-and-groove ceiling. It comes in a variety of woods, although pine tongue and groove is the because it is the cheapest and easiest to obtain. The wood pieces have an interlocking style and are normally stained. It is easy to install. It comes in boards and simply requires the boards to be nailed to the joist in several places.
Beadboard
Beadboard ceiling is a type of tongue-and-groove paneling that traces back to the 1800s. It easily creates an attractive and cozy feeling. It is inexpensive and easier to install than plywood. To add a more stylish look and warmth to the porch, the panels can be stained or painted. Panels can be applied over exposed joists if they run parallel to the home.
Vinyl (PVC)
The most common type of vinyl ceiling is PVC. They are rather popular since they are the least expensive. PVC is a solid-core, cellular vinyl that is effective and strong enough for severe weather conditions. Often vinyl ceilings are found on a beach porch or coastal area because it is not attractive to insects and won't crack or decay. It comes in different colors and requires an occasional cleaning with soap and water. It is fairly simple to install with the right tools and limited skills.
Replace an old light fixture with something new and stylish.
Changing the lighting design in your home could require you to remove an old fluorescent ceiling fixture. Removing an old florescent fixture or simply swapping it for a new style could change the look of a room. When you remove a fluorescent fixture, take care with the bulbs. They contain mercury, and you need to dispose of them properly. Most home-improvement stores have a florescent light disposal program. See if a store in your community has one.
Instructions
1. Disconnect the electricity to the fluorescent ceiling fixture in your service panel. The service panel is the main fuse box or your main breaker box in your home.
2. Remove the light shade from the fixture. Depending on the style that you have, the shade could wrap around the fixture, or it could be a flat-panel shade that installs directly in the fixture. Remove a wrap-around shade by grabbing it on one side and popping it away. Remove a flat-panel shade by pushing it up and tilting it out.
3. Remove the fluorescent light tubes. Most fluorescent tubes twist slightly left or right and release from their sockets. Circle line and U-bent fluorescent tubes install differently. The circle line tube is held in the fixture by metal tabs, and the socket plugs into the side of the tube. The ends of a U-bent tube go into the fixture sockets, and the tube is held to the fixture by metal tabs. Simply unplug the socket from the circle line tube, and pull the bulb from the metal tabs. Pull the U-bent fluorescent tube from the metal tabs, and pull the ends of the tube out of the sockets.
4. Remove the ballast cover from the center of the fixture. Depending on the manufacturer of your fixture, the secures to the fixture with screws or metal tabs inserted in slots in the fixture. Remove the screws or squeeze the ballast cover to release it from the tabs and remove it from the fixture.
5. Untwist the connectors holding the black, white and green wire from the fluorescent ballast to the black, white and bare copper ground wire from your house wiring. Remove the screws from the fluorescent fixture that mount the fixture directly to the ceiling. Take the fixture from the ceiling.
6. Replace the wire connectors to your house wiring. Wrap the wire connectors in electrical tape securing the connectors to the house wires. This caps off your wires until you are ready to install a new fixture. Reconnect electricity to the circuit in your service panel if the circuit supplies electricity to something other than the fluorescent fixture that you removed.
Tags: metal tabs, ballast cover, fluorescent fixture, service panel, black white
Westinghouse is a leading manufacturer in many household fixtures and appliances, including ceiling fans. Many ceiling fans also include lights. To change the light bulbs in your Westinghouse ceiling fan, always follow the instructions that came with your manual, although most can be changed in the following manner.
Instructions
1. Turn off the light switch and allow the lights to cool down, if applicable. Usually abut 30 minutes will suffice.
2. Remove the light bulb cover, if any. Some Westinghouse ceiling fan models have a glass globe that covers the light bulbs. Hold the globe up with one hand while unscrewing the decorative tip at the bottom. Set them down in a safe place when they are free from each other.
3. Unscrew the old light bulbs from the sockets by turning them counter clockwise.
4. Replace the by screwing them in a clockwise directions. Do not exceed the maximum watt recommended by Westinghouse for your specific model ceiling fan. Many Westinghouse ceiling fans have three light sockets rated only to hold 40 watts. If you don't have the manual, this information may be imprinted or have a sticker near the light socket.
An antique-style light fixture can be salvaged and updated.
Light fixtures are a good choice for salvaging and recycling. Most light fixtures reflect a period or style, and over time, most periods and styles return to fashion with some kind of new twist. A common change for light fixtures is to alter the color. This can often be done with a quick clean up and a few cans of spray paint. In this way, a vintage light fixture becomes modern. A salvaged fixture can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over purchasing a new fixture.
Instructions
1. Visit flea markets, antique shops, garage sales and estate sales looking for vintage or discarded light fixtures. Often fixtures can be found with missing shades, broken or missing pieces or in perfect condition with wires hanging. Pick fixtures with good or unusual lines, in good shape, with modern wiring when possible.
2. Clean the fixture with soap and water and a bristle brush. Sand away rust or peeling paint and smooth out rough spots.
3. Tape off the areas on the fixture that you don't want to paint. Bend a metal coat hanger into an "S" shape and hang the fixture outdoors from a tree branch or other open spot.
4. Spray paint the fixture the color that you want. Apply several thin coats and avoid drips (you have to sand off drips). Allow the paint to dry 15 minutes between coats and overnight for your last coat.
5. Locate missing pieces for the fixture. Rewire old wiring and add new shades, globes, crystals or other decorations to modernize the fixture.
Tags: light fixture, light fixtures, missing pieces, that want
A ceiling fan directly over a bed drys out the air.
The buzzing of a nearby fan lulls an insomniac to sleep, but there are side effects that could affect his health. The circulation produced by a fan dries the air and has the potential to irritate the sinuses. However, the age of the sleeper makes a big difference in the outcome of these side effects, as a fan's circulation may help prevent sudden infant death syndrome. So, the pros and cons of sleeping with a fan are specific for each sleeper.
Noise
The noise emitted from a fan neutralizes minor noises that become nuisances at bedtime. A person who is easily disturbed by minor noises benefits from having a consistent fan buzzing in the room. A small fan kept on low is sufficient, as anything bigger will increase the likelihood of other side effects.
Sudden Infant Death Prevention
In 2008, a study conducted by Kaiser Permanente, a health care management group, found that a fan in an infant's room decreases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome by 70 percent. The ventilation is thought to help dissipate the carbon dioxide exhaled by the baby before she has a chance to reinhale. Researchers continue to study the importance of sleeping environment on infant health.
Dry Air
A fan dries the air. When a sleeper breathes in dry air, the mouth and trachea become dry, leading to intense thirst that prevents a good night's sleep. So, the noise may sooth a person to sleep, but the dryness wakes him up. A humidifier is a good alternative; it provides consistent noise and keeps the air moist.
Sinuses
Fans that are not used during the day tend to collect dust. A dust-covered fan blowing toward a sleeper's head has the potential to clog the sinuses. This problem is easily adverted by keeping fans dust free and cleaning out filters on filtered air systems.
Tags: side effects, death syndrome, infant death, infant death syndrome, minor noises
A 70-volt audio distribution system is used more often in offices, churches and industry than in homes, but can be used in multi-room home systems fed by a single amplifier setup and audio feed. Speakers used with such systems are generally ceiling or wall-mounted and do not necessarily operate on 70 volts. Mounted on one leg of the speaker basket, a small matching transformer that transforms the speakers' 8 or 4-Ohm impedance to high impedance allows them to be used in large numbers attached to a special 70V distribution amplifier. Each room usually has a stepped volume control.
Instructions
1. Transformer similar to one used on 70V speakers
Locate the black and brown primary leads coming from the speaker's transformer. These are usually pre-tinned.
2. Measure how long the speaker wire from the room attenuator to the speaker should be and leave about two feet of slack on both ends. Since current is low up to the speaker transformer, 20-gauge wire is sufficient.
3. Split about six inches of wire on both ends and strip 1/2 inch of insulation off each lead.
4. On the speaker end, use wire nuts to connect the copper-colored lead of speaker wire to the brown primary wire of the transformer, and the silver-colored lead to the black primary wire.
5. On the attenuator end, locate the "out" screw terminals.
6. Twist together the strands on each speaker wire lead and bend each end into a loop. Attach the silver-colored speaker lead under the "common out" screw terminal and the copper-colored lead under the other "out" terminal.
7. To connect the attenuator to the distribution amp, run the negative lead of the speaker wire between the amp's common output tap and the attenuator's common input terminal, and the positive lead between the amp's 70V output tap and the attenuator's input common tap. If you are attaching more speakers in other rooms, daisy-chain speaker wire between attenuator input taps. If you are installing stereo, each channel requires its own wire and attenuators.
Tags: speaker wire, lead speaker, lead speaker wire, attenuator input, both ends, brown primary, copper-colored lead
Consumer debt has dipped slightly from record levels.
The Federal Reserve reported in March 2010 that total U.S. household debt, including mortgages and credit cards, was at $13.5 trillion. Although it's a staggering amount, the total actually represented the first drop in household debt since records began in 1945; it was down just under 2 percent from the previous year.
Average
Dividing that $13.5 trillion among every U.S. resident--man, woman and child--the average debt load across the nation is $43,874 per person. That's certainly a lot, but it becomes a little more understandable if you remember that it includes mortgage debt, which for most people is the single biggest financial obligation they'll take on in their lives.
As a Percentage of Income
Taking a look at how much each household earns, total household debt is at more than 122 percent of disposable income. Most experts say that debt of 100 percent of your disposable income is the highest level you can sustain over a long period.
What Kind of Debt?
Slightly more than $1 trillion of the debt--more than 70 percent--is mortgage debt. The other $2,481 billion is what's known as consumer debt; that includes both credit cards and other types of debt such as auto loans and student loans.
Net Worth
Your net worth is the total amount of your assets--real estate, stock holdings, savings and personal property--minus the amount of debt you hold. If you subtract that huge U.S. household debt from the combined total assets of each American, the average U.S. resident's net worth in 2009 was $175,600.
Savings Rate
If you're servicing a big debt load, often you don't have dollars left over to save, and that's certainly been the evidence of recent years. Over most of the last 5 years, Americans have saved less than 3 percent of their income each year. In 2005, the savings rate actually dipped below zero percent. As of late 2009, it stood at around 4 percent.
Installing pantry cabinets is similar to installing smaller cabinets. Extreme caution should be used when maneuvering large cabinets to avoid scratching the cabinet or existing walls. Pantry cabinets can be installed in kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms and others. You must attach the cabinet to the studs inside the wall to secure it. Most pantry cabinets will come with a detached toe kick so the cabinet can be turned inside the room without hitting the ceiling.
Instructions
1. Locate the studs inside the wall where the pantry cabinet will be installed using a stud finder. Mark the studs on the wall using a pencil.
2. Place the detached toe kick into position on the floor. Screw the toe kick to the wall using a power drill and 2-1/2-inch grabber screws. Space the grabber screws 12 inches apart.
3. Use a pencil to mark a line on the wall where the edges of the cabinet will sit.
4. Measure from that line to where each stud is located. This will allow you to know right where to place the screw inside the back of the cabinet during installation.
5. Lift the pantry cabinet onto the detached toe kick. Slide the cabinet into position, aligning the edge of the cabinet up to the lines you previously drew on the wall.
6. Use a level to make sure the cabinet is even. Install shims if needed. A shim is a wooden wedge. Shims can be purchased at any home improvement store. Install shims underneath the cabinet between the toe kick and the actual cabinet. This will raise the cabinet to make it level. Make sure the cabinet is perfectly level before proceeding.
7. Measure to where each stud is inside the cabinet. Mark the line at the center of the stud. Make a mark using a pencil. Place a 2-1/2-inch grabber screw at each mark and fasten the cabinet using a power drill. Continue until all the screws have been installed. The amount of grabber screws will vary depending on the width of the cabinet, but be sure to install at least screws at at the top, bottom and center of the cabinet.
8. Check to make sure the cabinet is level.
Tags: detached kick, each stud, grabber screws, sure cabinet, 2-inch grabber, cabinet will
Stucco ceilings look attractive, until the texture of the plaster and paint on the ceiling starts to crumble and crack, which can happen over the years. You can't easily stucco over existing stucco, because the texture of the previous surface will prevent you from getting a clean, consistent texture. You have to scrape off the previous texture to get a flat surface to work on. If you haven't done stucco before, practice on some scrap wood before you start.
Instructions
1. Cover the floor with tarps. Set up your ladder under one side of the ceiling.
2. Scrape away the old stucco with your putty knife. Follow up with a paint scraper, getting the ceiling's surface as smooth as you can. Do the whole ceiling.
3. Roll on stucco paint over as wide a section of the ceiling as you can comfortably reach from one position. Lay it on as thickly as possible.
4. Push the of the grout float into the stucco, along one edge of the area. Pull the trowel straight down to create a small field of peaks.
5. Push the trowel back into the stucco, right next the area where it was before. Pull it out again.
6. Repeat and continue, pulling the stucco little by little, working your way across the whole section. Climb down from the ladder after every dozen pulls of the trowel to look at the area from a distance and make sure you're keeping your trowel marks consistent.
7. Move the ladder to the next section and repeat the process, melding the troweled areas together and keeping it all consistent. Do the whole ceiling, section by section. Let it set for 24 hours.
Spray foam can be used to reduce sound transmission through a ceiling.
Sound insulation is used to reduce sound transmission between two areas of a building. When applied in the roof or ceiling, this insulation can keep noise from passing between levels of a building. It can be used to control noise from footsteps, TVs and radios, or everyday conversation. There are a number of different techniques that can be used to insulate a ceiling depending on your budget and existing ceiling configuration.
Insulating Existing Ceilings
The most effective way to insulate an existing ceiling is to add a second layer of ceiling material below the first. The interstitial air space between the two surfaces helps to trap noise and reflect sound waves. Start by installing hat channel framing along the surface of the existing drywall ceiling. Use sound isolation drywall clips (sometimes called resilient or sound clips) to suspend a new sheet of drywall along the hat channel. You can use regular drywall, or use a product designed for sound control like QuietRock or STC-rated drywall. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the edges of the ceiling and the existing walls to help reduce vibration-related noise. Fill this gap with acoustic caulk to help conceal it without adding noise.
Another option for existing ceilings is to use a sound-control product like Green Glue. This product is similar to caulk, and is used to transfer sound energy into heat. It must be sandwiched between two sheets of solid material like drywall or plywood to work effectively. Spread Green Glue across the entire surface of the drywall according to the manufacturer's instructions, then screw a second sheet of drywall directly over top. While Green Glue is fairly expensive, this technique will save several inches of ceiling space compared to using a hat channel and sound clips.
For a simple low-cost option, cover an existing ceiling with foam or cork panels. These panels are designed to minimize sound transfer, and are often covered in attractive fabric to add aesthetic appeal to the ceiling.
Insulating a New Ceiling
There are several ways to add sound insulation to a new ceiling. If you want a drywall finish, use rigid or spray foam to fill the space between ceiling framing joists. Add at least one layer of sound-resistant drywall, or use two layers for added noise control. Maintain a 1/4-inch gap around the perimeter of the ceiling to reduce vibration noise from above.
Another option is to use an acoustic tile ceiling. This product consists of a steel grid that is suspended from the ceiling by metal wires. The grid is filled with acoustic gypsum tiles that help to absorb and muffle sound. Special "quiet" tiles are also available in areas where noise is a major concern. These grid ceilings are fairly inexpensive and easy to install.
Tags: existing ceiling, Green Glue, noise from, Another option, , reduce sound transmission
Swallows build mud nests under protective overhanging roof eaves.
Nesting swallows build mud nests that can deface and damage the eaves and walls of residential homes and commercial structures. Insect infected swallow nests are a health hazard that detracts from the pleasing architectural appearance of a structure. If left in place in the eaves of your home, the nest can stain the paint or masonry of the building. When swallows leave the nest, parasites remain. Without living hosts, these parasitic insects may move into the interior of your home seeking a new host.
Instructions
1. Identify the problem. Cliff swallows and barn swallows are slender, small birds that spend their spring and summer in North America. Swallows are territorial and return to the same nesting site year after year. Humans continue to destroy the natural habitat of these migratory birds. Urban home sites have replaced cliffs and abandoned farm structures that were their former home. With natural habitat destroyed, the swallows seek the shelter of overhanging eaves of homes, offices and other commercial structures.
2. Obey the law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects swallows and their nests. It is illegal to intentionally take, injure or kill any migratory bird. The law states that it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy the nest, eggs or hatchlings of a swallow while it is being constructed or occupied. The Act imposes fines or imprisonment sentences for each nest, egg or bird destroyed.
3. Act humanely. If swallows have built nests in undesirable locations under the eaves of your roof or patio, work in concert with, rather than against Mother Nature. Leave the nest alone until the swallows have raised their young. To comply with the law, remove swallow nests after the swallows have departed on their migratory journey south.
4. Wear rubber gloves, eye protection and a protective facemask to remove the nest. The bulk of the nest can be easily chipped off the wall with a hammer and chisel. If the nest is located in spot that is inaccessible with a household ladder, "play it safe" and engage the services of a professional exterminator, equipped with the correct equipment and climbing safety gear.
5. Remove the remaining mud residue by washing the exterior walls and eaves of your home with a pressure washer. Pressure washers are available for rent or purchase from landscape contractors, equipment rental services and local home and garden centers. Allow the surface to dry. Touch up damaged paint as required.
6. Prevent the swallows from returning to build again in the same location. Install an owl or hawk decoy, wiring or slant board to block the nesting site.
7. Enjoy watching the birds. Swallows are fascinating to observe. Artificial swallow nests, boxes or platforms provide an inviting spot for the birds to build their nests. Place the nests against the walls of sheds or out buildings. Plans for nests can be purchased online or you can purchase nests or shelves from home and garden supply stores. Place a heavy layer of newspaper below the nest to catch droppings. When the newspaper is saturated, simply roll the paper up and add to the compost pile. The droppings are rich in nutrients that benefit garden soil.
Ceiling design is an element that goes in and out of fashion. Historical ornate examples of beautifully embellished ceilings such as the Sistine Chapel remind us to look up. In many homes ceilings are the largest unfinished space in the room. Often we opt for white painted ceilings because we are not sure design or decorate a ceiling. When we bring thoughtful design to the ceiling we can add value to the home and a sense of completeness to the decor.
Instructions
1. Measure the room and transfer dimensions to graph paper at scale. There are two basic types of ceiling design: the existing ceiling that constrains the design and the home design still in the design phase (pre-construction). First, determine the budget and the objectives of a project. Ripping out a ceiling on an existing home can be very expensive and may not return a good value.
2. Draw the orientation of the room on the graph paper. A fabulous view may be the objective of expanding a ceiling height. Improved light conditions and a sense of space are also familiar objectives. Determine how much height is enough. Think about homes you've entered with gigantic vaulted ceilings that are empty and abandoned like spiderweb orphans. The ceiling you want should work for you but not be too much for the rest of the home.
3. Sketch the type of ceiling you imagine. A traditional home may have coffered ceilings with extensive moldings. A contemporary home may have a curved ceiling and smart modern lines and finishes. A Spanish style home may have exposed beams and adobe. Many mid-price transitional homes feature double height recessed vaults called trays. The style you choose should work with the architecture and finishes in the rest of the house.
4. Ask an appropriate city agency about any restrictions that may exist for building the type of ceiling you want. Many communities have strict building height and roof pitch requirements. If your design is complex and you want to span large rooms you will need the assistance of an architect and structural engineer.
5. Consider transforming an existing ceiling with paint, the addition of new lights, the addition of trim moldings or panelling, beams or other architectural features. Often existing ceilings can be removed to expose existing framing which can be reworked to expand the visual height without a complete roof removal.
Tags: home have, ceiling want, ceilings with, existing ceiling, graph paper, should work,
A double light switch is a receptacle with two switches mounted to the same electrical box. These are convenient when installed in bathrooms, because they allow you to control the exhaust fan with one switch and the lighting with the other. Separating the fan from the lighting enables you to save money because you do not have run the fan and the light at the same time if you only need one of them.
Instructions
1. Turn the power off to the bathroom circuit in your circuit breaker panel. Unscrew the old light switch from the electrical box and disconnect all the wiring.
2. Run a two-wire electrical cable between the exhaust fan and the electrical box. Strip each end of the cable back approximately 1 inch to expose the individual wires. Strip these wires back 1/2 inch to expose the copper.
3. Connect the electrical wiring to your fan. Refer to your exhaust fan's instruction manual for wiring instructions and a wiring diagram. Fans vary slightly, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Go to the electrical box where the new switch will be located. Twist the white wire leading to the exhaust fan together with both the white wire leading to the lighting circuit and the white wire coming from the circuit breaker panel. Screw a wire nut on to these twisted wires.
5. Connect the coming from your circuit breaker panel to the switch on the side that has the single terminal. Connect the black wire coming from your exhaust fan to one of the terminals on the other side of the switch. Connect the black wire coming from your lighting circuit to the other terminal on that side. These can be oriented to either terminal; the top terminal controls the top switch and the bottom terminal controls the bottom switch.
6. Twist the ground wires together, along with a short piece of ground wire. Screw a wire nut on to these twisted wires. Attach the other end of the ground piece of ground wire to the electrical box ground screw.
7. Screw the light switch to the electrical box and attach the cover plate.
8. Turn the power back on and test each switch. One will control the fan and the other will control the light.
Tags: coming from, wire coming, wire coming from, black wire, black wire coming
Reducing your heating costs doesn't mean that you have to be cold in your home during a harsh winter. Sometimes, you can reduce costs just by incorporating things you already have around your home, such as a ceiling fan. While ceiling fans may seem like they will just create a breeze and make it colder, that's not always the case. When used the right way, they will actually keep the heat from hiding in areas of your home where you're not. And by maintaining heating efficiency, it can save you some money on your monthly bill.
Instructions
1. Switch your ceiling fan to the reverse setting. The ceiling fan will now spin clockwise, which will push the hot air gathered on the ceiling down to where you will be able to feel the extra heat.
2. Keep the ceiling fan on its lowest setting. It doesn't need a lot of energy to push the hot air down, and a higher setting will only make the room breezier.
3. Turn furnace. Before the ceiling fan was on, your heater was putting out more hot air than it needed because it wasn't recognizing all of the hot air up toward their ceiling. Now that the fan is pushing that hot hair back down, your home will be heated more efficiently.